A filter element of a filter for a fluid, the filter element configured to be installed in a filter housing in an installation direction extending parallel or coaxial to an installation axis;
- the filter element comprising:
- a filter bellows comprising a filter medium, wherein the filter bellows comprises a first flow face and a second flow face for fluid, wherein one of the flow faces is an inflow face and a remaining one of the flow faces is an outflow face,
- wherein the first and second flow faces are arranged axially opposite each other at axially oppositely positioned sides of the at least one filter bellows relative to the element axis of the filter element, the element axis extending through the first and second flow faces,
- wherein radial, as used herein, is a direction transverse to the element axis, and axial, as used herein, is a direction parallel to the element axis;
- wherein the first flow face is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the element axis;
- wherein the second flow face is oriented at a first oblique angle with respect to the element axis;
- wherein the filter element includes:
- a first pair of opposing walls extending in a direction of the element axis;
- a second pair of opposing walls extending in a direction of the element axis, the second pair of opposing walls coupling the first pair of opposing walls to one another, wherein one the second pair of opposing walls is a base wall of the filter element and a different one the second pair of opposing walls is a top wall of the filter element;
- wherein the first pair of opposing walls each have a radially outer surface;
- wherein the first and second pairs of opposing walls together radially surround the filter bellows and a flow passage extending in a direction substantially aligned with the element axis through the filter bellows and connecting the first flow face and the second flow face;
- at least one seal arranged, relative to the element axis, circumferentially at least partially continuously at least in sections about a radially outer circumferential side of the filter element;
- at least one seal support device arranged adjacent to the second flow face and projecting radially outwardly from the radial outer circumferential side of the filter element;
- at least one elongated wedge element oriented at a second oblique angle with respect to the element axis and each formed by one or more adjacently arranged wedge element segments with each arranged on the radially outer surface of the first pair of opposing walls,
- wherein a first wedge element segment of the one or more wedge element segments is arranged at or below the top wall and extends at least partially down on the radially outer surface of the first pair of opposing walls in a direction towards the bottom wall;
- wherein a second wedge element segment of the one or more wedge element segments is arranged on the radially outer surface of the first pair of opposing walls at a position proximate to the bottom wall;
- wherein the first wedge element segment has a rearward support surface configured to engage against pressing blades of a housing cover to urge the seal member to abut and compressively seal against the housing-associated sealing surface of the filter housing;
- wherein the second edge element has a forward support surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the element axis and configured to engage against a filter housing guide surface to urge the at least one seal to engage against a wedge receiver located on an interior surface of the filter housing to urge the at least one seal to abut and compressively seal against the housing-associated sealing surface of the filter housing;
- and
- wherein the first wedge element segment and the second wedge element segment cooperate together to urge the filter element seal member to abut and compressively seal against the housing-associated sealing surface of the filter housing.