FR2833858A1 - Motor vehicle air filter has frame that can be bent into concave and convex shapes with stops to limit its movement - Google Patents

Abstract

The air filter comprises a frame (12) with lengthwise and transverse walls (16, 18) containing a filter element (14). The frame is in two or more sections (12P, 12I, 12D) connected by hinges (P1, P2) that allow it to be bent into convex and concave shapes, limited by stops (32, 34) formed by inclined edges on the transverse walls between the frame sections. The hinges (P1, P2) are formed by folds in the filter element.

Description

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 The present invention relates to an improved air filtration device and an air circulation installation in a motor vehicle comprising this device.

 It applies in particular to the filtration of air circulating in a motor vehicle, in particular air-conditioned air or not intended to circulate in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

 Already known in the prior art an air filtration device, of the type comprising: - an air ducting frame, carrying a filter medium, this frame being provided with walls extending in longitudinal directions and transverse substantially orthogonal to a general direction of air flow through the frame, the frame comprising at least two parts connected together by means of articulation around a substantially transverse axis, so that when these means d articulation are operational, the frame is deformable between a substantially planar reference configuration and at least one configuration of generally bent appearance, and - means for limiting the bending of the frame by limiting the relative angular displacement of the two parts of the frame around the axis of articulation.

 In the particular case of an air circulation installation in a motor vehicle, the air filtration device is housed in an air ducting housing, arranged in the body of the vehicle. Conventionally, the frame is fixed on a passing seat forming an access to the housing.

 The filtration device is disassembled periodically to check the good condition of the filter medium and, if necessary, replace this filter medium. Generally, the assembly constituted by the frame and the filtering medium is replaced.

 In certain cases, the passing seat forming the access to the air ducting casing is arranged in a compartment of the vehicle cluttered by various components of the vehicle. It is therefore necessary to extract the frame carrying the filter medium from the housing and / or to introduce this frame into this housing to deform the frame in its curved configuration.

 According to certain known types of filtration devices, the frame can only be deformed in a single curved configuration which is either concave or convex by considering the direction of flow of air through the frame. Thus, if the frame can adopt a concave arched configuration, it cannot adopt a convex arched configuration and vice versa.

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 According to other known types of filtration devices, the angular deflections of the various articulated parts of the frame are practically not limited or are limited only in one direction, which poses problems of handling this frame when it is dismantled from the housing air duct or its mounting in this housing.

 The object of the invention is to propose an air filtration device provided with a frame capable of being bent, this by limiting the bending of the frame so as not to hinder the handling operations of the frame.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is an air filtration device, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the frame is deformable in two curved configurations of opposite curvatures, called concave and convex, the means for limiting the bending of the frame comprising first and second means for limiting the concave and convex bending respectively.

 According to other characteristics of this air filtration device: - the first and second means for limiting concave and convex bending are provided on at least one of two opposite longitudinal walls of the frame; - The frame is in its reference configuration, it delimits first and second opposite pass-through faces for the passage of air, the first means for limiting concave bending comprising two complementary stops formed by two edges, called concavity limitation edges, delimiting longitudinally two articulated parts of a longitudinal wall, these complementary edges for limiting concavity diverging towards the first air passage face when the frame is in its reference configuration, and the second means for limiting convex bending comprising two complementary stops formed by two edges, called convexity limiting edges, longitudinally delimiting two articulated parts of a longitudinal wall, these complementary convexity limiting edges diverging towards the second air passage face when the frame is in its reference configuration; - The two articulated parts of a longitudinal wall are delimited longitudinally by the complementary edges of limitation of concavity and by the complementary edges of limitation of convexity extending these complementary edges of limitation of concavity;

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 - The two complementary edges of concavity limitation extend along two sides of the filter medium delimiting a fold of this filter medium substantially coinciding with the axis of articulation of the two parts of the frame; - The first and second means for limiting the concave and convex bending are formed respectively on either side of a longitudinal rib formed on at least one of two opposite longitudinal walls of the frame, considering the direction of flow of the air, this rib being intended to guide the frame in a housing for housing the frame; - The first means for limiting concave bending are provided in an area of the frame, most of which is disposed at the same level as the filtering medium, considering the direction of flow of the air, the second means for limiting convex bending arranged in an area of the frame, the major part of which is offset with respect to the filtering medium by considering the direction of flow of the air; - The filter medium is integral with the frame, the means of articulation of the two parts of the frame comprising a part of the filter medium forming a hinge; - The part of the filter medium forming a hinge is delimited by a fold of this filter medium; - It includes means for temporarily inhibiting the articulation means; the means for inhibiting the articulation means comprise breakable means for connecting the two parts of the frame, these breakable connection means preferably coinciding substantially with the axis of articulation of the two parts of the frame; - the breakable connecting means form a section of the guide rib; - The breakable connection means came integrally with the longitudinal wall of the frame carrying the first and second means for limiting the concave and convex bending, this longitudinal wall being made of plastic; - The frame has three parts connected two by two by means of articulation around two substantially transverse axes.

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 The invention also relates to an air circulation installation in a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a filtration device as defined above.

 According to another characteristic of this installation, it supplies a passenger compartment of the vehicle with air conditioning or not.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filtration device according to l invention; and - Figures 2 to 4 are views in longitudinal section of the filtration device shown in Figure 1, the air ducting frame being shown respectively in its reference configurations, concave bent and convex bent.

 The figures show an air filtration device according to the invention, designated by the general reference 10.

 In the example illustrated, the filtration device 10 is arranged in an air circulation installation in a motor vehicle. This installation is intended, for example, to supply a passenger compartment of the vehicle with air conditioning or not.

 The filtration device 10 comprises a frame 12 for channeling the air, carrying a filtering medium 14, of conventional type, for example as described in FR-A-2,779,662 (FR-98 07 273) or FR-A -2,772,670 (FR-97 16,262). The filter medium 14 comprises, in the example illustrated, a multilayer material arranged in an accordion, carried where appropriate by grids not shown.

 The frame 12 is intended to be housed in an air ducting housing (not shown in the figures), arranged in the body of the vehicle. The frame 12 is fixed in a manner known per se to a passing seat forming an access to the air ducting box.

 In Figures 1 and 2, the frame 12 is shown in a substantially planar reference configuration. In this reference configuration, the frame 12 has a generally flattened parallelepiped shape. The frame 12 is delimited by four walls of air duct, namely two opposite walls 16, extending in a longitudinal direction, connected together by two opposite walls 18, extending in a transverse direction. The longitudinal and transverse directions are substantially orthogonal to a general direction E of air flow through the frame 12. This direction of flow E is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2.

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 In its reference configuration, each wall 16, 18 of the frame 12 has a generally rectangular flat shape. Furthermore, the frame 12 delimits first F1 and second F2 opposite pass faces of the air passage. The pass-through faces F1, F2 form, for example, air inlet and outlet faces respectively.

 Referring in particular to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the internal surface of the longitudinal walls 16 has reliefs (low relief or high relief) delimiting a contour C following approximately the waves of the filtering medium.

 The frame 12 is preferably made of plastic, the filter medium 14 being fixed in a manner known per se to the walls 16, 18 of the frame.

 One of the transverse walls 18 of the frame 12 is provided with conventional gripping means 20, 22 allowing the handling of the frame.

 In what follows, an element will be described as proximal when it is close to the transverse wall 18 carrying the gripping means 20, 22 and distal in the opposite case.

 The proximal transverse wall 18 is provided with conventional attachment means 24, 26 on the seat giving access to the air ducting box.

 The frame 12 comprises at least two parts connected together by means of articulation around a substantially transverse axis. In the example illustrated, the frame 12 has three parts, namely two proximal 12P and distal 12D parts between which an intermediate part 121 is inserted longitudinally.

 The articulated parts 12P, 12D, 121 of the frame correspond to articulated parts 16P, 16D, 161 of the longitudinal walls of the frame.

 The three parts of the frame 12P, 12D, 121 are connected two by two by means of articulation around two axes T1, T2 substantially transverse (substantially parallel to the transverse walls 18 of the frame).

 Thus, when the articulation means connecting the three parts 12P, 12D, 121 of the frame are operational, as will be described in more detail below, the frame is deformable between the reference configuration, shown in Figures 1 and 2 , and two generally curved configurations, shown in Figures 3 and 4. The two curved configurations shown in Figures 3 and 4 have opposite curvatures, called concave (Figure 3) and convex (Figure 4). It will be noted that the concave or convex nature of the curved configuration is defined with respect to the air flow entering the frame 12.

 The articulation means of two adjacent parts 12P, 121, 12D of the frame comprise, in the example illustrated, a part of the filtering medium 14 forming a hinge.

This hinge part is defined more particularly by a fold P1, P2 of the

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 filtering medium 14, this fold P1, P2 substantially coinciding with an axis of articulation T1, T2 so as to materialize this axis.

 Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that each longitudinal wall 18 is provided with a longitudinal rib 28. This rib 28 is intended to cooperate with means complementary to the air ducting housing, in particular for guiding the frame 12 during its mounting in this box.

 As a variant, the frame 12 could have only one guide rib 28 arranged on only one of the longitudinal walls 16.

 The guide ribs 28 are preferably integrally formed with the longitudinal plastic walls 16.

 It will be noted that the axes of articulations T1, T2 intersect with the guide ribs 28.

 Preferably, the frame 12 comprises means for temporarily inhibiting the means of articulation of the parts 12P, 12D, 121 of the frame between them.

 In the example illustrated, the means for inhibiting the articulation means comprise at least one section 30 of a guide rib 28, this section 30 connecting two adjacent parts 12P, 121, 12D of the frame, more particularly two adjacent parts 16P, 160, 161 of at least one longitudinal wall of the frame.

 The section 30, preferably substantially coinciding with a hinge axis T1, T2, is breakable.

 In Figure 1, there is shown a breakable section 30 of a rib 28 connecting the proximal 12P and intermediate 121 of the frame 12. This breakable section 30, plastic like the rib 28 with which it came, coincides with the axis of articulation T1.

 It is possible to associate two breakable sections 30 to each of the articulation axes T1, T2, these two breakable sections being formed on the guide ribs 28 carried by the two longitudinal walls 16 of the frame.

 It is also possible to associate a single breakable section 30 to each articulation axis T1, T2, the breakable sections being arranged alternately on one or the other of the longitudinal walls 16 of the frame when considering the succession longitudinal of the three parts 12P, 121, 12D of the frame.

 The latter possibility facilitates the breaking of the breakable sections 30 by bending the frame 12 and twisting this frame 12 around a longitudinal axis.

 In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the proximal part 12P is connected to the intermediate part 121 of the frame by a breakable section 30 formed on the guide rib 28 visible in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the intermediate part 121 is connected to the

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 distal part 12D of the frame by a breakable section 30 formed on the rib 28 hidden in FIG. 1. The guide rib 28 visible in FIG. 1 is interrupted between the intermediate 121 and distal 12D parts of the frame 12.

 The air filtration device 10 comprises means for limiting the bending of the frame 12 by limiting the relative angular displacement of the adjacent parts of the frame 12 around the corresponding articulation axes T1, T2.

 More particularly, the means for limiting the bending of the frame 12 comprise first and second means for limiting the bending, respectively concave and convex. These bending limitation means are provided on at least one of the longitudinal walls 16 of the frame, preferably on the two longitudinal walls 16 of this frame as in the example illustrated.

 The means for limiting concave bending comprise two complementary stops formed by two edges 32, hereinafter called concavity limiting edges, longitudinally delimiting two adjacent articulated parts 16P, 161, 16D of the longitudinal walls.

 It will be noted that the complementary edges 32 of limitation of concavity diverge towards the first face F1 of air passage when the frame 12 is in its reference configuration (see FIG. 2).

 It will also be noted that the two complementary edges 32 of limitation of concavity extend along two sides 33 of the filtering medium 14 delimiting a fold P1, P2 of this filtering medium substantially coinciding with an axis of articulation T1, T2.

 The complementary edges 32 of concavity limitation cooperate with each other, by mutual support, as shown in FIG. 3, to limit the concave bending of the frame 12.

 The means for limiting the convex bending comprise two complementary stops formed by two edges 34, hereinafter called convexity limiting edges, longitudinally delimiting two adjacent articulated parts 16P, 161, 16D of the longitudinal walls.

 It will be noted that the complementary edges 34 for limiting convexity diverge towards the second face F2 of air passage when the frame 12 is in its reference configuration (see FIG. 2).

 It will also be noted that in the same articulated part 16P, 161, 16D of a longitudinal wall, the complementary edges 34 of limitation of convexity extend the complementary edges 32 of limitation of concavity.

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 The complementary edges 34 for limiting convexity cooperate with one another, by mutual support, as shown in FIG. 4 to limit the convex bending of the frame 12.

 Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the edges 32 of limitation of concavity and the edges 34 of limitation of convexity are formed respectively on either side of the longitudinal rib 28 by considering the direction of flow of the air through the frame 12. Thus, the edges 32, 34 of limitation of concavity and convexity converge towards the guide rib 28 when the frame 12 is in its reference configuration.

 Referring in particular to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the edges 32 for limiting the concavity are formed in an area Z1 of the frame 12, most of which is disposed at the same level as the filtering medium 14 with reference to the direction E d air flow. On the other hand, the complementary edges 34 of limitation of convexity are formed in an area Z2 of the frame 12, the major part of which is offset (downstream) relative to the filtering medium 14 with reference to the direction E of flow of the 'air.

 The filtration device as described above is simple to use.

 Before the first mounting of the filtration device 10 in a vehicle, the frame 12 is maintained in its reference configuration (substantially flat), favorable for its handling, by the means of inhibition of the articulation means connecting the different parts 12P, 121, 12D of frame 12.

 During the first mounting of the filtration device 10 in the air ducting box or else during the first disassembly of this filtration device 10, the means of inhibition of the articulation means are destroyed by rupture of the breakable sections 30 of the walls longitudinal 16. The articulation means of the different parts 12P, 121, 12D of the frame become operational. The movement of the frame 12 through the fixing seat is thus made possible, by bending the frame 12, despite the space requirement of the vehicle compartment in which the filtration device 10 is arranged.

 The handling of the frame 12 is facilitated by the complementary edges 32, 34 for limiting the concavity and the convexity of the frame 12.

 The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

 In particular, the use of the filtration device according to the invention is not limited to an air circulation installation in a motor vehicle. Indeed, the filtration device according to the invention can be used in very varied air circulation installations.

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 Among the advantages of the invention, it will be noted that it makes it possible to propose an air filtration device provided with a frame, carrying a filtering medium, deformable in two curved configurations of opposite curvatures, concave and convex.

 Furthermore, the bending of the frame 12, both concave and convex, is limited by the complementary edges 32, 34 of limitation of concavity and convexity, which facilitates the dismantling and the possible reassembly of the frame 12 in the pipe casing of 'air.

 Finally, it will be noted that the means of inhibiting the articulation means connecting the different parts of the frame make it possible to maintain the latter in a substantially flat configuration favorable to the handling of the filtration device before its first mounting in a vehicle.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1. Air filtration device, of the type comprising: - a frame (12) for air ducting, carrying a filtering medium (14), this frame (12) being provided with walls (16, 18) extending in longitudinal and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to a general direction (E) of air flow through the frame, the frame (12) comprising at least two parts (12P, 121, 12D) interconnected by articulation means (P1, P2) around a substantially transverse axis (T1, T2), so that when these articulation means are operational, the frame (12) is deformable between a substantially flat reference configuration and at less a generally bent appearance configuration, and - means (32, 34) for limiting the bending of the frame (12) by limiting the relative angular displacement of the two parts of the frame around the axis of articulation (T1, T2 ), characterized in that the frame (12) is deformable in two configurations curved with opposite curvatures, called concave and convex, the means for limiting the bending of the frame comprising first (32) and second (34) means for limiting the bending, respectively concave and convex.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first (32) and second (34) means for limiting the concave and convex bending are formed on at least one of two longitudinal walls (16) opposite the frame.  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the frame (12) is in its reference configuration, it delimits first (F1) and second (F2) opposite pass faces of air passage, the first means of limitation of concave bending comprising two complementary stops formed by two edges, called edges (32) of limitation of concavity, delimiting longitudinally two parts (16P, 161, 160) articulated with a longitudinal wall, these complementary edges (32) of limitation of concavity diverging towards the first face (F1) of air passage when the frame (12) is in its reference configuration, and the second means for limiting the convex bending comprising two complementary stops formed by two edges, called edges (34) convexity limitation, longitudinally delimiting two parts (16P, 161, 160) articulated with a longitudinal wall, these complementary edges (34) of convexity limitation diverging v ers <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  the second face (F2) of air passage when the frame is in its reference configuration.  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two parts (16P, 161, 16D) articulated with a longitudinal wall are delimited longitudinally by the complementary edges (32) of concavity limitation and by the complementary edges (34) convexity limitation extending these complementary edges (32) concavity limitation.  5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the two complementary edges (32) of concavity limitation extend along two sides (33) of the filter medium (14) delimiting a fold (P1, P2) of this filtering media substantially coinciding with the axis (T1, T2) of articulation of the two parts of the frame.  6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the first (32) and second (34) means for limiting the concave and convex bending are formed respectively on either side of a longitudinal rib (28) formed on at least one of two longitudinal walls (16) opposite the frame, considering the direction (E) of air flow, this rib (28) being intended to guide the frame in a housing of the frame.  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means (32) for limiting the concave bending are formed in an area (Z1) of the frame (12), most of which is disposed at the same level as the filtering medium (14) considering the direction (E) of air flow, the second means (34) for limiting the convex bending being provided in a zone (Z2) of the frame, most of which is offset from to the filter medium (14) considering the direction (E) of air flow.  8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtering medium (14) is integral with the frame (12), the means of articulation of the two parts of the frame comprising a part (P1, P2) of the medium hinge filter.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the part of the filter medium forming a hinge is delimited by a fold (P1, P2) of this filter medium.  10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (30) for temporary inhibition of the articulation means.  11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for inhibiting the articulation means comprise breakable means (30) for connecting the two parts (12P, 121,12D) of the frame, these breakable connection means ( 30) <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  preferably substantially coinciding with the axis of articulation (T1, T2) of the two parts of the frame.  12. Device according to claims 6 and 11 taken together, characterized in that the breakable connecting means form a section (30) of the guide rib (28).  13. Device according to claim 2 taken in combination with claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the breakable connecting means (30) came integrally with the longitudinal wall (16) of the frame carrying the first (32) and second (34) means for limiting concave and convex bending, this longitudinal wall being made of plastic.  14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (12) comprises three parts (12P, 121, 12D) connected in pairs by means (P1, P2) of articulation around two axes (T1, T2) substantially transverse.  15. Installation for circulating air in a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a filtration device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.  16. Installation according to claim 15, characterized in that it supplies a passenger compartment of the vehicle with air conditioning or not.