Filter device with releasably securable end cap and sealing arrangement

A filter device for fluids, comprising:

• a filter housing defining a longitudinal axis, having housing connections of a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and having a bottom part;
• a filter element accommodated in said filter housing, said filter element having a filter medium through which the fluid can flow during a filtration operation and connected in fluid communication with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, said filter medium surrounding an inner filter cavity;
• an element retainer being in said filter housing and having a retaining piece located on said bottom part, said retaining piece having an open end in a direction of said filter element;
• a fluid channel leading to one of said filter housing connections and ending in said retaining piece;
• an end cap enclosing a lower end of said filter element facing said bottom part, said end cap including a passage having a fluid connection to said inner filter cavity and being releasably secured on said element retainer, said end cap having a connecting piece received in said retaining piece and secured in a support zone of said retaining piece, said connecting piece having a closed bottom on an axial end thereof and an opening being located in a side wall of said connecting piece extending above said closed bottom and being in fluid communication with said fluid channel to connect said fluid channel to said one of said filter housing connections, said side wall extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, said opening extending perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said end cap including a bottom underlying said filter medium, said connecting piece extending from said bottom in a direction away from said filter medium;
• and
• a seal located between and contacting said connecting piece and said retaining piece in said support zone sealing said opening from said open end of said retaining piece.

A filter element for fluids, comprising:

• a filter medium through which the fluid can flow during a filtration operation, said filter medium surrounding an inner filter cavity and having a longitudinal axis;
• an end cap enclosing a lower end of said filter element facing said bottom part, said end cap including a passage having a fluid connection to said inner filter cavity and being releasably securable on an element retainer in a filter housing, said end cap having a connecting piece, said connecting piece having a closed bottom and an opening being located in a side wall of said connecting piece above said closed bottom and connected in fluid communication with said fluid channel, said side wall extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, said opening extending perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said end cap including a bottom underlying said filter medium, said connecting piece extending from said bottom in a direction away from said filter medium;
• and
• a seal extending radially outwardly on said connecting piece sealing said opening from an open end of the element retainer.