Filter element with an annular seal having a positioning and sealing section with concentric annular seal rings forming a sealing groove

A filter element for exchangeable installation in a filter housing, the filter element comprising:

• an annular filter medium arranged in a tubular concentric shape surrounding a central axis, the annular filter medium having:
• a first axial end;
• a second axial end arranged opposite the first axial end;
• wherein the annular filter medium is zig-zag folded into a plurality of filter medium pleats extending from the first axial end to the second axial end;
• an annular seal secured directly or indirectly onto the first axial end of the filter medium and surrounding an central opening extending through the annular seal and into an interior of the annular filter medium, the annular seal having:
• an annular base portion shaped as an end disc, radially extending and covering the first axial end of the filter medium;
• a positioning and sealing section of the annular seal comprising:
• a radially inner ring portion, formed on an axially outer face of the annular base portion, surrounding the central opening and projecting axially outwardly away from the annular base portion to a first free axial end face of the radially inner ring portion;
• a radially outer annular ring portion, formed on the axially outer face of the annular base portion, spaced radially outwardly away from radially inner ring portion, surrounding the central opening and projecting axially outwardly away from the annular base portion to a second free axial end face of the radially outer annular ring portion;
• a positioning device formed on a radially outer side of the radially outer annular ring portion, comprising:
• positioning projections which are circumferentially spaced apart on a radially outer side of the radially outer annular ring portion;
• positioning recesses or indentations formed into and circumferentially spaced apart on the radial outer side of the radially outer annular ring portion of the annular seal;
• wherein adjacent ones of the positioning projections are spaced apart by a respective positioning recess or indentation;
• wherein the positioning projections and positioning recesses or indentations are adapted to positively engage cooperative configured geometries or key locking features of a filter housing when in an installed state, thereby locking a rotational orientation and establishing axial position of the filter element in the filter housing;
• wherein the positioning recesses or indentations extend axially from the second free axial end face towards the annular base portion of the annular seal;
• the positioning and sealing section of the annular seal further including:
• an annular sealing groove formed in the radial spacing between the radially outer annular ring portion and the radially inner ring portion, the annular sealing groove configured to receive and seal against an annular projection of the filter housing, when in the installed state;
• wherein the first free axial free end face extends axially outward from the annular base portion by a first projection distance d1;
• wherein the second free axial end face extends axially outward from the radially extending annular base portion by a second projection distance d2;
• wherein d1>d2, such that the first free axial end face is recessed axially from the second free axial end face.