초록 ▼

A filter includes a filter element formed of filter media, and a plastic framework molded and bonded to and structurally supporting the filter media. One embodiment desirably provides a two-component assembly consisting solely of two components, namely the filter media and the plastic framework mold

A filter includes a filter element formed of filter media, and a plastic framework molded and bonded to and structurally supporting the filter media. One embodiment desirably provides a two-component assembly consisting solely of two components, namely the filter media and the plastic framework molded thereon. In a further embodiment, the plastic framework includes a resilient seal integrally molded therewith and of the same plastic material thereof, eliminating a separate component for the seal. In a further embodiment, a filter combination includes a primary filter element and a secondary filter element. In a further embodiment, a resilient integrally. molded seal is provided.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A filter element comprising filter media, and a plastic framework overmolded to and structurally supporting said filter media, wherein said filter media comprises fibers, said framework comprises a rib network comprising a plurality of ribs, and the material of said framework

What is claimed is: 1. A filter element comprising filter media, and a plastic framework overmolded to and structurally supporting said filter media, wherein said filter media comprises fibers, said framework comprises a rib network comprising a plurality of ribs, and the material of said framework is selected from a family chemically compatible with the material of said fibers to chemically bond said ribs of said framework to said filter media, and also such that the plastic material of said ribs of said framework entangles some of said media fibers to additionally mechanically bond said ribs of said framework to said filter media, such that said ribs of said framework are both chemically and mechanically bonded to said filter media, wherein said filter element is an annular filter element extending axially along an axis between distally opposite first and second axial ends, said framework extends axially along said axis between distally opposite first and second axial ends at respective said first and second axial ends of said filter element, and said first end of said framework has an outer peripheral surface having a resilient seal integrally overmolded therewith, wherein said seal comprises at least one flexible annular flange extending obliquely relative to said axis and radially deflectable relative to said axis, and wherein said ribs comprise a plurality of axial ribs extending axially between said first and second axial ends of said framework, and comprising a plurality of trusses at said first axial end of said framework extending radially between said axial ribs and said annular flange providing said seal. 2. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein said ribs comprise a plurality of arcuate ribs extending laterally relative to the axial extension of said framework. 3. A filter element comprising filter media, and a plastic framework overmolded to and structurally supporting said filter media, wherein said filter media comprises fibers, said framework comprises a rib network comprising a plurality of ribs, and the material of said framework is selected from a family chemically compatible with the material of said fibers to chemically bond said ribs of said framework to said filter media, and also such that the plastic material of said ribs of said framework entangles some of said media fibers to additionally mechanically bond said ribs of said framework to said filter media, such that said ribs of said framework are both chemically and mechanically bonded to said filter media, wherein said filter element is an annular filter element extending axially along an axis between distally opposite first and second axial ends, said filter element has a hollow interior, said filter media has an interior facing said hollow interior, and has an exterior facing away from said hollow interior, said framework comprises a first plastic frame along said exterior of said filter media, and a second plastic frame along said interior of said filter media, said first frame comprising a first rib network comprising a first set of a plurality of ribs extending along said exterior of said filter media and overmolded thereto, and said second frame comprises a second rib network comprising a second set of a plurality of ribs extending along said interior of said filter media and overmolded thereto, wherein said filter media is sandwiched between said first and second sets of ribs on opposite exterior and interior sides thereof and overmolded bonded respectively thereto, said framework extends axially along said axis between distally opposite first and second axial ends at respective first and second axial ends of said filter element, said framework, including said first and second frames, is an integrally molded singular component, including an integral connection between said first and second frames at at least one of said first and second axial ends. 4. A filter comprising a housing extending along an axis between first and second axial ends, an annular primary filter element comprising filter media extending axially in said housing between first and second axial ends and having a hollow interior, an annular secondary filter element comprising filter media extending axially in said hollow interior between first and second axial ends, said secondary filter element further comprising a plastic framework overmolded to and structurally supporting said filter media of said secondary filter element in said hollow interior of said primary filter element, wherein said filter media of said primary filter element has a plurality of pleats in an annulus having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips, wherein fluid to be filtered flows through said primary filter element from an upstream dirty side to a downstream clean side, and flows axially in said hollow interior, said primary filter element having an axial flow passage extending along said axis and circumscribing said hollow interior and having a flow perimeter greater than said inner perimeter, said secondary filter element being downstream of said primary filter element and filtering both the flow in said hollow interior and additional flow between said flow perimeter and said inner perimeter, wherein: said first axial end of said filter media of said secondary filter element extends axially beyond said first axial end of said pleated filter media and is axially spaced therefrom by an axial gap therebetween; said filter media of said secondary filter element has a first section radially aligned with said pleated filter media, and has a second section radially aligned with said axial gap, the junction of said first and second sections being radially aligned with said first axial end of said pleated filter media, such that fluid flow through said filter has a first path flowing laterally from said pleated filter media then laterally through said first section of said filter media of said secondary filter element, and has a second additional path flowing axially from said first axial end of said pleated filter media through the area between said flow perimeter and said inner perimeter then turning in said axial gap and flowing laterally through said second section of said filter media of said secondary filter element. 5. The filter according to claim 4 wherein: said primary filter element has first and second end caps at said first and second ends, respectively, of said pleated filter media; said secondary filter element has first and second end caps at said first and second ends, respectively, of said filter media of said secondary filter element; said axial gap is axially between said first end cap of said secondary filter element and said first axial end of said pleated filter media; said first end cap of said primary filter element circumscribes both said axial gap and said first end cap of said secondary filter element. 6. The filler according to claim 5 wherein said first end cap of said secondary filter element is integrally molded with said plastic framework and of the same plastic material thereof. 7. The filter according to claim 6 wherein said first end cap of said secondary filter element includes a resilient seal integrally molded therewith and of the same plastic material thereof and resiliently sealed to at least one of said first axial end of said housing and said first end cap of said primary filter element. 8. The filter according to claim 7 comprising flange structure at said first axial end of said housing engaging and sealing each of said first end cap of said primary filter element and said first end cap of said secondary filter element.