Removal tool for a filter insert of a liquid filter

A removal tool for a filter insert of a liquid filter, comprising:

• a first arm;
• a second arm;
• and
• a body extending along a longitudinal axis, at a distal end, wherein the body includes the first arm and the second arm;
• wherein the two arms extend essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis and are spaced apart from one another, and wherein the two arms are elastically reversibly deflectable toward one another, and
• wherein a retaining element is situated on the first arm, wherein, in an open state of the retaining element, the two arms are movable toward one another, and wherein in a closed state of the retaining element, the retaining element couples the two arms to one another and blocks a movement of the two arms toward one another,
• wherein the retaining element is attached to the first arm with a swivel joint.

A method for removing a filter insert of a liquid filter, the method comprising:

• providing a removal tool, wherein the removal tool includes a first arm, a second arm, and a body extending along a longitudinal axis, at a distal end, wherein the body includes the first arm and the second arm, wherein the two arms extend essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis and are spaced apart from one another, and wherein the two arms are elastically reversibly deflectable toward one another, and wherein a retaining element is situated on the first arm, wherein, in an open state of the retaining element, the two arms are movable toward one another, and wherein in a closed state of the retaining element, the retaining element couples the two arms to one another and blocks a movement of the two arms toward one another, and wherein the liquid filter, in a mounted state, includes a housing, at least one liquid inlet, at least one liquid outlet and the filter insert, the filter insert including a filter element extending along a longitudinal axis, a first end cap and a second end cap, the filter element being situated between the first end cap and the second end cap, as viewed along the longitudinal axis, the first end cap including a first channel-like opening, the second end cap including a second channel-like opening;
• setting the removal tool into an open state, the two arms of the removal tool being elastically reversibly movable toward one another in the open state;
• inserting the removal tool into the filter insert along an inserting direction so that the distal end of the removal tool is fed completely through the second opening and through the first opening;
• setting the removal tool into a removal state by displacing the retaining element so that the retaining element is situated between the first arm and the second arm and a movement of the two arms toward one another is blocked during an application of a force onto one of the arms toward the other arm;
• and
• displacing the removal tool counter to the inserting direction so that the filter insert is removed from the housing together with the removal tool.