JP3386342B2 - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air cleaner used in an internal combustion engine or the like, and more specifically to an opening for inserting a filter element into an air cleaner case in a direction substantially parallel to a seating surface. The present invention relates to a filter element simple detachable type air cleaner in which a filter element is provided so that the filter element can be easily inserted into the air cleaner case through the opening or can be easily inserted / removed for maintenance replacement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional removable air cleaner for such a filter element is, for example, USP 5,030,2.
Examples thereof include those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64 (shown in FIG. 11) and those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-7622 (shown in FIG. 12).

In the former prior art, an opening 102 provided in a wall portion of an air cleaner case 101 is provided with a lid 103.
This is a system in which the filter element (not shown) can be pressed and fixed to a predetermined seating position by the leg portion 104 that is made to be able to be closed by means of the leg portion 104 that is integrally projected from the lid body 103.

That is, the leg portion 104 is formed in a tapered shape, and the box-shaped support frame 106 for holding the filter element is provided.
It is adapted to be inserted into the inside of the wall part and to come into contact with the tapered guide rail 107 formed inside the wall part. Further, the leg portion 104 and the filter element are linked by a guide pin 108 provided on both of them and a guide hole 109 that allows the guide pin 108 to move up and down. Therefore, when the lid body 103 is closed while the leg portion 104 is strongly pushed along the guide rail 107, the filter element linked to the leg portion 104 via the guide pin 108 is pressed in the seating position direction (left side in the drawing). It will be fixed.

On the other hand, the latter prior art is similar to the former prior art in that the wall portion of the air cleaner case 110 is provided with an opening 112 which can be closed by a lid 111, but the end which is a support frame. This is different from the former prior art in that the filtering element 114 held by the plate 113 is fixed to the seating position by a plurality of pressing springs 115 protruding from the housing side.

[0006]

However, in the former prior art described above, the tapered leg portion 104, the guide rail 107, the guide pin 108, the guide hole 109, and the like related thereto are formed in a predetermined shape. It is necessary to form it on the part, which is a very complicated structure.

Further, since the force for pushing the lid 103 is converted into the pushing and fixing force in the right angle direction through the guide rail 107, the lid 103 can be opened and closed (the legs 104 are pushed and pulled). At this time, it is necessary to operate with a strong force against the strong frictional resistance between the tapered portion of the leg portion 104 and the guide rail 107, which requires a great effort for the user who replaces the filtration element. .

Further, as the replacement work of the filter element is repeated, the tapered portion of the leg portion 104 and the guide rail 1
There is also a concern that the sliding surface with 07 will be worn and the pressure fixing force against the filter element will be weakened, and the sealing of the clean air chamber by the filter element will be impaired.

On the other hand, in the latter prior art, the above-mentioned problems relating to the sealing of the clean air chamber are not recognized. However, since it is necessary to attach / detach the filter element 114 against the urging force of the plurality of pressing springs 115, a certain amount of labor is still required for the work, and a metal leaf spring is usually used. Since it is necessary to use a certain plurality of pressing springs 115 and to attach them to the housing side, the cost of parts, the cost of assembly, etc. become expensive.

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the problems of the prior art as described above.

[0011]

[Points to keep in mind] The inventor of the present invention integrally forms a lid for closing an opening for inserting a filter element and a support frame for holding the filter element, and has the tip of the support frame on the wall of the air cleaner case. The present invention has been completed based on the idea that a seating / fixing mechanism for a filtration element can be constructed without a problem as in the prior art by engaging with a detachable hinge.

[0012]

(Structure of First Invention) A structure of a first invention of the present application (an invention according to claim 1) for solving the above-mentioned problems is such that a filter element is substantially disposed with respect to a seating surface thereof. An air cleaner case which is formed so as to be inserted from a parallel direction and has an opening closed by a lid, a filtering element, and a support frame which holds the filtering element in a seated position of the air cleaner case. And the support frame is
The base end portion is formed integrally with the lid body, and a hinge portion is projectingly provided at a front end portion of the support frame in the filter element insertion direction, and a wall portion of the air cleaner case on a side facing the filter element insertion direction is provided. Forms a hinge structure by forming a recess in the wall portion, and further, a supporting frame for reaching the seating position of the filter element is provided between the lid body and the opening.
Provided on each side of the lid and the opening by the hinge operation of the
The support frame is locked because the claw piece and the claw piece receiver are locked.
A cleaner constituting the fixing means to be. (Structure of Second Invention) A structure of a second invention of the present application (an invention according to claim 2) for solving the above-mentioned problems is formed so that the filter element is inserted from a direction substantially parallel to a seating surface thereof. And an air cleaner case having an opening that is closed by a lid, a filter element, and a support frame that holds the filter element in a seated position of the air cleaner case, the support frame comprising:
The base end portion is integrally formed with the lid body, and a hinge portion is projectingly provided on a portion of the support frame in the insertion direction of the filter element on the distal side of the seating surface of the filter element, and the filter element is inserted into the air cleaner case. A hinge seat is formed by recessing the wall portion on the side facing each other in the direction to form a hinge structure, and a filter element is provided between the lid and the opening.
Hinge movement of the support frame to reach the seated position
The claw piece and the claw piece receiver provided on each of the lid and the opening.
It is an air cleaner that constitutes a fixing means by which and are locked and the support frame is locked .

[0013]

In the first and second aspects of the invention, the filter element is inserted into the air cleaner case from the direction substantially parallel to the seating surface through the filter element insertion opening while being held by the support frame. To be done. Since this insertion work is not affected by frictional resistance or urging force of some member, it is extremely easy to perform with a little effort.

Next, utilizing the hinge structure, the front end side of the support frame is swingably engaged with the wall portion of the air cleaner case, and the base end side of the support frame is swung about this hinge structure portion as a rotation center. To move the filter element to a predetermined seating position.

At this time, the fixing means of the lid body formed integrally with the base end portion of the support frame comes to a position where it can be locked with respect to the opening portion, and it is locked to close the opening portion. .

Thus, the tip end of the support frame is fixed by the hinge mechanism, and the base end is fixed by the fixing means. Therefore, the support frame is fixed at the swing position of the support frame (hereinafter, this swing position of the support frame is referred to as “seating holding position”) in a state where the filter element is held at the seat position. , And the opening is closed.

When the filter element is taken out for maintenance and replacement, it is only necessary to carry out the procedure reverse to the above. That is, first, when the fixing means between the lid and the opening is unlocked and the lid is separated from the opening by disengaging the hinge structure, the support frame and the filter element are also pulled out from the air cleaner case. Also at this time, the pulling-out work is extremely easy with a little labor since it is not subjected to the frictional resistance or the urging force of any member.

Further, even when the above-mentioned insertion and withdrawal operations of the filter element are repeated, the filter element is seated and
Since the member for fixing or the member for sealing the clean air chamber by the filter element does not slide with strong friction with other members, the wear of the member does not occur and the sealing of the clean air chamber does not become loose.

[0019]

According to the first or second aspect of the invention , the filter element can be inserted or maintained with a simple structure without using a pressing spring such as a metal leaf spring which causes an increase in parts cost and assembly cost. It is possible to provide an air cleaner that is easy to replace and has excellent long-term durability in terms of sealing.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the first invention and the second invention will be described.

(Type of Air Cleaner) First Invention and Second Invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the present invention")
U ) Is a hat type (round flat type) that is widely used in passenger cars, a tall cylindrical type, an elliptical type used for two air cleaners for carburetors, a square type and other special types that meet special mounting requirements. The present invention can be applied to any type of air cleaner, and not only the type in which the filter element is mounted in the vertical direction, but also the type in which the filter element is mounted in the horizontal direction.

(Opening) The opening provided in the air cleaner case is for the purpose of only inserting the filter element at the time of assembling the air cleaner, and for the purpose of taking out / inserting the filter element each time the filter element is repeatedly serviced and replaced. There are some. The opening is formed so that the filter element is inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the seating surface. A typical example thereof is a case where the opening is provided in the air cleaner case wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seating surface of the filter element, but the example is not limited to such an example.

(Filtration Element, Support Frame, Lid) The shape and configuration of the filtration element are not limited at all,
As the filter material, so-called dry type or wet type can be used, and any known or known type of filter medium such as filter paper, nonwoven fabric, polyurethane foam, palm lock and the like can be used.

Regarding the sealing between the filter element held at the seating position by the support frame and the seat of the air cleaner case that receives the filter element, if the sealability between them is good, a gasket or the like may be provided between them. It is not essential to interpose a sealing material. When the sealing material is interposed, the sealing material may be optionally attached to one or both of the filter element side and the seat side.

The support frame having any name, shape and configuration different from that of the present invention corresponds to the support frame of the present invention as long as the above-mentioned configuration, operation and effect of the support frame of the present invention are maintained. . The support frame may additionally have other configurations and functions.

The support frame and the lid are integrally formed. These may be integrally molded products, or may be assembled after being formed separately. The two do not necessarily have to be fixedly integrated as long as the locking of the fixing means in the lid body results in fixing the support frame to the seated holding position, and in a state in which a certain operation is allowed to each other. It may be connected.

(Hinge Structure) The hinge structure is formed between the tip portion of the support frame and the wall portion of the air cleaner case, and the tip portion of the support frame is positioned at the seating holding position and the hinge structure is formed. By swinging the support frame with the center of rotation as the center of rotation, the filter element is made to reach the seated position. Therefore, the members on the support frame side and the air cleaner case wall side that form the hinge structure are located at the tip side outer peripheral portion of the support frame as long as the formation position is accurately set in relation to the seat holding position of the support frame. It may be formed on any part of the body.

The hinge structure is of a detachable engagement type, and the movement of the portion corresponding to the fulcrum of the hinge is restricted, and the support frame is swayed in the direction to move the filter element closer to / separated from the seated position. The structure does not matter as long as the structure allows movement.

In the hinge structure, a hinge member serving as a rotation center is projected on one of the tip portion of the support frame and the wall portion of the air cleaner case, and the other is formed with a hinge seat for engaging the hinge member. However, there is no particular limitation on the specific configurations of the hinge member and the hinge seat.

As an example thereof, with respect to the above-mentioned protruding hinge member, a protrusion which abuts against the side of the hinge member from the lateral side is provided on the hinge seat side, and this protrusion rotates when the support frame is swung. There is an embodiment in which the hinge member as the center is supported and the tip end portion of the hinge member is not allowed to move.

With respect to the swing angle of the support frame by this hinge structure, at least a mechanism that allows swing in a slight range from the position where the support frame is inserted through the opening to the seat holding position is provided. It's enough. Therefore, a so-called integral hinge type in which the supporting frame is rocked by elastic deformation of the hinge member made of plastic or the like can be sufficiently used.

With respect to the point that the hinge structure is detachable, the structure in which the hinge structure is detached by the movement of the support frame along the direction in which the support frame is inserted from the opening improves the workability of maintenance and replacement. From the aspect, it is more preferable. However, for example, the hinge structure may be attached and detached by slightly moving the tip of the support frame in a direction different from the above insertion direction.

(Fixing Means) The fixing means includes a lid integrally formed with the support frame,
It is configured between the opening of the air cleaner case, the base end of the support frame is fixed to the seated holding position, and the opening is closed by the lid. Therefore, the lid-side member and the opening-side member that form the fixing means are formed at any portion of the lid and the opening as long as the formation position is accurately set in relation to the seat holding position of the support frame. The fixing means may be formed in two or more places.

As long as the above-mentioned function is maintained, the structure of the locking means of the fixing means is not limited at all, but as an example of preferable fixing means 1 and 2, a hook member is provided on either the lid or the opening. , A method of forming a locking member on which the hook member is locked on the other side, or a pin for engagement is projected on both the lid and the opening, and these are fixedly connected by a separate connecting member. There is a method of doing.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a housing 1 of an air cleaner case is provided with an inlet 2 in an atmosphere chamber which is an inner space of a left half thereof, an outlet 3 in a clean air chamber which is an inner space of a right half thereof, and in an upper part of the drawing. An opening 4 is formed in the wall on the atmosphere chamber side. A seating surface 5a that defines a seating position is formed on the end surface of the wall portion of the air cleaner case on the clean air chamber side.

The filter element 5 is fitted into the support frame 6 and assembled, and is accommodated in the housing 1 through the opening 4. And filter element 5
Since the gasket 7 is formed on the entire surface of the outer peripheral flange portion on the clean air chamber side, the filter element 5 is seated at the seated position by the support frame 6 at the seated holding position as shown in FIG. 3 or 4. When fixed to, the inner space of the housing 1 is divided into an air chamber and a clean air chamber by the filter element 5, and the gasket 7 is in close contact with the seating surface 5a. To be done.

The gasket or other sealing material for the above purpose is not provided on the filter element 5 (or is provided on the filter element 5) but on the seating surface 5a which constitutes the seating position of the filter element 5 in the housing 1. It is also possible to form an embodiment in which 7 and 8 show a modified embodiment in which the packing 7a is provided on the housing 1 side.

As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 5, a hinge portion 8 which is supported by a support member 8a and protrudes toward the front side in FIG. 5 is formed from the front end portion of the support frame 6 . This hinge part 8 can be seen clearly from the figure.
How to insert the filtration element 5 in the support frame 6
It is installed at the tip of the
Of the filtration element 5 in the insertion direction of the excess element 5.
It is provided on the tip side of the seating surface. On the other hand , a hinge seat 9 is provided at a portion of the housing 1 which is planned to be at the seat holding position of the support frame 6. The hinge seat 9 has a wall portion (as shown in the drawing) of the housing 1 so that the support member 8a and the hinge portion 8 can be fitted therein .
The wall of the filter element 5 in the insertion direction, more specifically,
If put, the wall on the side facing the insertion direction of the filtration element 5
Portion 10) and the hinge portion 8 is engaged with the recessed portion, that is, the protrusion 10 that abuts the hinge portion 8 from the side.
Is provided.

The hinge portion 8 and the hinge seat 9 constitute the hinge structure of the present invention. While the support frame 6 is swung from the insertion position shown in FIG. 2 to the seating holding position shown in FIG. Even after fixing 5 to the seated position, the engagement between the hinge portion 8 and the protrusion 10 is not released, and therefore the protrusion 1
0 causes the hinge portion 8 to function as a center of rotation with respect to the swinging movement of the support frame 6 and restricts the movement (displacement) of the hinge portion 8, and therefore also in the lateral direction in the drawing of the filtration element 5 that has reached the seated position. Regulate the movement (displacement) of the to secure the sealing of the clean air chamber.

As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 6, a lid 11 is integrally formed at the base end of the support frame 6. The lid 11 is slightly larger than the opening shape of the opening 4 in its planar shape (not shown) and has a substantially similar shape, and can close the opening 4.

As shown in FIG. 9, two or one or three or more hook-shaped claw pieces 12 that can be slightly elastically deformed protrude from the lid body 11, and the opening 4 side. Loop-shaped claw piece receivers 13 are formed at the predetermined corresponding positions in the number of claw pieces 12 corresponding to the number of claw pieces 12.

The claw piece 12 and the claw piece receiver 13 constitute the fixing means of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, when the support frame 6 is in the seated holding position, the claw piece 12 is in the claw piece receiver 13.
When it reaches a position where it can be locked, the support frame 6 is fixed to the seated holding position, and the lid 11 closes the opening 4.

The claw pieces 12 and the claw piece receivers 13 may have a configuration opposite to the above, that is, the claw pieces 12 are provided on the opening 4 side and the claw piece receivers 13 are provided on the lid body 11 side. .

FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of the fixing means. In this modified embodiment, a lid 11 is provided with a pinned elastic clamp 14, and a clamp receiver 15 that can lock the elastic clamp 14 is formed on the opening 4 side. Then, when the support frame 6 is at the seating holding position, the elastic clamp 14 reaches a position where it can be locked to the clamp receiver 15, and by locking this, the support frame 6 is fixed at the seating holding position and the lid body 11
Closes the opening 4.

The elastic clamp 14 and the clamp receiver 15 have the opposite construction to the above, that is, the pin clamped elastic clamp 14 is provided on the opening 4 side, and the clamp receiver 15 that can lock the elastic clamp 14 is provided on the lid 11. It may be provided on the side.

Next, the usage state of this embodiment will be described.

The air cleaner of this embodiment is shown in FIGS.
It has an appearance as shown in FIG. 0 and is used in the state of FIG. 3 or FIG.

To install the air cleaner in this state,
First, in FIG. 1, the filter element 5 is fitted into the support frame 6, and then, as shown in FIG. 2, the filter element 5 is inserted in a state in which it is slightly inclined from the opening 4, and the hinge portion 8 is fitted into the hinge seat 9. With this hinge structure as a fulcrum, the support frame 6 is swung to the seating holding position shown in FIG. 3 or 4, and the fixing means is locked at that position.
In the above operation, the work is very easy because the strong frictional resistance of the specific member is not received.

When the air cleaner is in use, the lid 11 closes the opening 4 because the fixing means is locked, and the support frame 6 is in the seated holding position and the filtering element 5 held by the seating holding position. Are fixed in the seated position. For this reason, the gasket 7 maintains the sealing of the clean air chamber.

When the filter element 5 is taken out for maintenance and replacement, the reverse procedure of the above-mentioned assembly may be carried out, and the work is also very easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an air cleaner according to an embodiment in an exploded state.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view for explaining an assembling operation of the above air cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a usage state of the above air cleaner.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified embodiment of the air cleaner.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of essential parts of the air cleaner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of the air cleaner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view in an exploded state showing a modified embodiment of the air cleaner.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a usage example showing a modified embodiment of the air cleaner.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the outer appearance of the air cleaner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the appearance of the air cleaner according to the embodiment with some cutouts.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional air cleaner.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional air cleaner.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 housing 4 openings 5 Filter element 6 Support frame 8 Hinge part 9 hinge seat 11 lid 12 nail pieces 13 Claw piece receiver 14 Elastic clamp 15 Clamp receiver

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Akira Yamashita 1-1, Toyota-cho, Kariya city, Aichi Toyota Boshoku Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-9-122417 (JP, A) Mitsudaihei 6-63857 (JP , U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F02M 35/024 B01D 46/52

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air cleaner case having an opening formed so that the filter element is inserted from a direction substantially parallel to a seating surface thereof and closed by a lid, the filter element, and the filter element. An air cleaner comprising a support frame held at a seated position of the air cleaner case, wherein the support frame has a base end integrally formed with the lid, and a tip end of the support frame in a filtering element insertion direction. A hinge structure is formed by projecting a hinge portion and forming a hinge seat in which the wall portion is recessed in a wall portion of the air cleaner case on the side facing in the insertion direction of the filtering element. A filter element is provided between the lid and the opening.
The hinge movement of the support frame that allows the
The claw piece and the claw piece receiver provided on each of the lid and the opening
An air cleaner comprising a fixing means that is locked and locks a support frame . 2. An air cleaner case having an opening formed so that the filter element is inserted from a direction substantially parallel to its seating surface and closed by a lid, the filter element, and the filter element. An air cleaner comprising a support frame held at a seated position of the air cleaner case, wherein the support frame has a base end portion integrally formed with the lid body, and the filter element is seated in the filter element insertion direction of the support frame. A hinge portion is provided at a portion closer to the front end than the surface, and a hinge seat is formed by recessing the wall portion on the side of the air cleaner case facing the filtering element insertion direction. And a filter element between the lid and the opening.
The hinge movement of the support frame that allows the
The claw piece and the claw piece receiver provided on each of the lid and the opening
An air cleaner comprising a fixing means that is locked and locks a support frame .