	US 11,701,608 B2
	Filter element and method for manufacturing a filter element
Andreas Panni, Oestringen-Odenheim (DE); Klemens Dworatzek, Edingen (DE); Janine Schmelzle, Ruelzheim (DE); Frank Vogt, Hanhofen (DE); and Goekhan Evcuemen, Hanhofen (DE)
Assigned to MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Filed by MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Filed on Jun. 26, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/913,830.
Application 16/913,830 is a division of application No. 15/694,905, filed on Sep. 4, 2017, granted, now 10,717,033.
Application 15/694,905 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2016/053761, filed on Feb. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2015 002 673.9 (DE), filed on Mar. 3, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0391152 A1, Dec. 17, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 46/00 (2022.01); B01D 46/24 (2006.01); B01D 46/64 (2022.01); B01D 46/52 (2006.01)

CPC B01D 46/2414 (2013.01) [B01D 46/0001 (2013.01); B01D 46/003 (2013.01); B01D 46/0005 (2013.01); B01D 46/2403 (2013.01); B01D 46/2411 (2013.01); B01D 46/521 (2013.01); B01D 46/64 (2022.01); B01D 2265/04 (2013.01); B01D 2271/022 (2013.01)]

9 Claims

1. A filter element for installation in a housing, comprising:

at least one substantially hollow cylindrical filter bellows of a non-woven fabric wound around a support tube, the at least one hollow cylindrical filter bellows for separating liquid from aerosol; and

two cover elements designed to cover axial end regions of the at least one filter bellows,

wherein the axial end regions of the at least one filter bellows are each pressed against one of the two cover elements by an axial compressing force,

wherein the at least one filter bellows is fixed in the axial direction; and

a respective sealing zone is formed between the at least one filter bellows and at least one of the cover elements,

wherein the axial compression is formed by welding a member selected from the group consisting of at least one of the support tube and a tension anchor and a mechanical connection to at least one of the cover elements; and

the filter element is formed purely by means of a structure of at least one of the cover elements produced through deforming or reforming of the at least one the cover element, with the structure of the at least one of the cover element being designed to clamp the filter bellows on the at least one cover element,

wherein a purely mechanical connection between one of the cover elements and the at least one filter bellows is formed purely by means of a structure of the one cover element produced through deforming or re-forming of the one cover element, with the structure of the one cover element being designed to clamp the at least one filter bellows on the one cover element,

wherein the structure of at least one of the cover elements has at least one groove having two sides and a bottom which is substantially U-shaped when seen in a section along the longitudinal axis of the filter element, and

at least one cover element bead arranged on two sides of the groove,

wherein the support tube is configured to support the at least one filter bellows,

wherein the groove is additionally formed to receive the support tube, and

wherein the support tube has at least one support tube bead, which is configured to interact with the at least one cover element bead of the groove such that the at least one filter bellows is clamped in the groove,

wherein the support tube bead, rests directly against one of the cover element beads,

wherein in the position of use of the filter element:

the groove receives one of the axial end regions of at least one of the filter bellows;

the bottom of the groove rests directly or indirectly against the one axial end region of the at least one filter bellows received in the groove and the two sides of the groove extend parallel to a lateral surface of the at least one filter bellows received in the groove; and

the at least one cover element bead clamps the at least one filter bellows received in the groove so as to be secure against slipping, securing the at least one filter bellows to the cover element by a purely mechanical means without use of adhesives or sealants.