Filter Element, Filter Device and Method for Producing a Filter Element

Abstract

A filter element ( 1 ) has first and second end sections ( 3 A, 3 B) of a flat filter medium which are secured to one another. A sheathing ( 4 ) is provided, wherein said sheathing is compressed by the end sections ( 3 A, 3 B) and surrounds the end edges ( 9 ) of the end sections ( 3 A, 3 B). Alternatively, the filter element ( 1 ) has first and second end sections ( 3 A, 3 B) of a flat filter medium, wherein the first end section ( 3 A) has a fold ( 5 ) having two fold legs ( 6 A, 6 B). The end section ( 3 B) of the second end section ( 2 B) is then compressed between the fold legs ( 6 A, 6 B).

1 . A filter element comprising:
 a first end section ( 3 A) at a first edge of a filter medium sheet;   a second section ( 3 B) at a second edge of a filter medium sheet;   wherein said first end section ( 3 A) has a fold ( 5 ) forming two facing fold legs ( 6 A,  6 B) in the first end section ( 3 A);   wherein said second end section ( 3 B) overlays upon said first end section ( 3 A);   wherein said two fold legs ( 6 A,  6 B) are arranged upon opposing sides of said second end section;   wherein said two fold legs ( 6 A,  6 B) compress said second end section ( 3 B) between said fold legs, securing said end sections together.   
     
     
         2 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first end section ( 3 A) includes a plurality of folds ( 5 A,  5 B), said plurality of folds sharing a common fold orientation direction, said plurality of folds arranged between said two fold legs.   
     
     
         3 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein
 said filter medium sheet includes a plurality spaced folds forming a zigzag folded filter medium, the spaced folds sharing a common fold direction with the fold forming the fold legs.   
     
     
         4 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first and second end sections are arranged on opposite edges of a single filter material sheet on opposing lateral sheet edges and are compressively secured together forming a circumferentially closed endless filter bellows ( 2 ).   
     
     
         5 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said end sections ( 3 A,  3 B) or the fold legs ( 6 A,  6 B) are moreover connected by gluing.   
     
     
         6 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said end sections ( 3 A,  3 B) or the fold legs ( 6 A,  6 B) are moreover compressed with each other with profiling.   
     
     
         7 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said filter medium sheet comprises a plurality of overlaid layers ( 7 ,  8 ).   
     
     
         8 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said filter medium sheet comprises a non-woven filter material.   
     
     
         9 . The filter element according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said filter medium sheet comprises a non-woven filter material;   wherein the filter medium sheet is a weldable material suitable for ultrasonic welding or laser welding;   wherein said weldable material is any of: a meltable material or a material with a meltable coating.   
     
     
         10 . A method of producing a filter element, comprising:
 providing a sheet of filter medium having
 a first end section ( 3 A) at a first edge of a filter medium sheet; and 
 a second section ( 3 B) at a second edge of a filter medium sheet; 
   forming a fold in the sheet of filter medium, the fold having a fold line spaced inwardly on to sheet from the first ends and in the first end section,
 the fold forming two fold legs ( 6 A,  6 B) in the first end section ( 3 A); 
   overlaying the first end section of said filter medium sheet onto an against the second end section of said filter medium sheet;   folding the two fold legs onto and against opposing sides of said second end section such that the second end section is arranged between the two fold legs;   securing a first end section of said filter medium onto the second end section of said filter medium, wherein the securing step is practiced by
 compressing said fold legs together against opposing sides of the second end section, said compressing securing said first end section onto said second end section. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of producing a filter element according to  claim 10 , wherein
 in said providing step, said sheet of filter medium is a weldable material suitable for ultrasonic welding or laser welding;   wherein said weldable material is any of: a meltable material or a material with a meltable coating;   wherein in said securing step , said end sections or said fold legs are secured together by ultrasonic welding or laser welding.   
     
     
         12 . The method of producing a filter element according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said filter medium sheet is provided with a plurality spaced folds forming a zigzag folded filter medium;   wherein the spaced folds have fold lines sharing a common fold orientation direction with the fold forming the two legs.   
     
     
         13 . The method of producing a filter element according to  claim 11 , wherein
 said end sections or said fold legs are secured together by a compression embossment providing a multiple fold embossment into said end sections or said fold legs.