JP3591972B2 - Air filters for automotive air conditioners - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air filter installed in a cooler unit or the like of a vehicle air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some recent air conditioners for automobiles have an air filter for removing dust and unpleasant odors from the air in order to supply clean air into the vehicle interior. The air filter is installed inside a unit of the air conditioner for a vehicle or a connection duct or the like (hereinafter, collectively referred to as an air passage) that communicates the units so as to oppose the flow of air.
[0003]
For fixing the air filter, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 13 and 43 formed on the case of the air passage portion and the frame holding the filter medium are formed by a C-shaped cross section made of an elastic material such as a leaf spring. This is performed by pressing with a clip-shaped member 30. Further, the protruding portions 13 and 43 are provided with an engagement surface having a concave portion corresponding to the shape of the arm portion of the clip member 30 in order to increase the fixing strength.
[0004]
That is, the arm portion of the clip member 30 is fitted to the engagement surfaces of the projections 13 and 43 of the case and the frame of the air filter, and is fixed by the elastic force of the clip member 30. Therefore, it has an excellent resistance force with respect to the force C acting in the vertical direction perpendicular to the contact surface between the case of the air passage portion and the frame holding the filter medium.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a clearance S exists between the distal end surfaces of the protruding portions 13 and 43 of the case of the air passage and the frame of the air filter, and the inner surface of the body of the clip member 30 facing this. For this reason, when a horizontal lateral force B acts on the bonding surface of the case and the frame, as shown in FIG. 6, the bonding surface is relatively easily displaced, and as a result, a large amount of air is bypassed. There is a risk of doing it.
[0006]
On the other hand, when the case of the air passage and the frame holding the filter medium are connected so as to have a rigid structure by a fixing member such as a bolt or a screw, a force acting in a horizontal direction horizontally with respect to the bonding surface. Also has excellent resistance. However, since the number of parts and the number of man-hours for attachment are increased, the cost of parts is increased and the working efficiency is reduced. Further, since the cooler unit is mounted in a limited narrow space inside the instrument panel of the vehicle, it is difficult to remove bolts and screws when replacing the filter.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air filter of an air conditioner for an automobile, which is excellent in fixing strength and advantageous in cost.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for achieving the above object is configured as follows for each claim.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a frame holding a filter medium is inserted from an insertion opening formed in a side wall of an air passage so as to face a flow direction of an air flow, and a clip made of an elastic material is provided. In the air filter of the air conditioner for an automobile, in which the member presses and fixes a frame protrusion formed on the frame and a case protrusion formed on the case of the air passage, the clip member has a flat shape. A body and a pair of hooks formed at both ends, and the frame protrusion is substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction from the insertion port and a top surface of a frame facing the body, An outer side surface extending from the top surface of the frame and provided with a frame engaging portion that engages with the hook portion, wherein the case protrusion is inclined in the insertion direction and faces the body. A top surface of the case, an outer side surface extending from the top surface of the case and having a case engaging portion engaged with the hook portion, and the frame engaging portion and the case engaging portion Are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the insertion direction.
[0009]
In the invention specified in this manner, the clip member is deformed along the top surface of the case protrusion inclined in the insertion direction when pressing and fixing the outer side surfaces of the frame protrusion and the case protrusion. Will do. Therefore, the pressing force exerted by the clip member generates, in addition to a vertical component perpendicular to the insertion direction, a horizontal horizontal component opposite to the insertion direction.
[0010]
In other words, the pressing force acting in the direction opposite to the insertion direction generated by the asymmetric deformation of the clip member is applied between the top surfaces of the frame protrusion and the case protrusion and the inner surface of the body of the clip member opposed thereto. Reduce the clearance present in the
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air filter for an automotive air conditioner according to the first aspect, the engaging portion includes a recess into which the hook portion is fitted.
[0012]
According to the invention specified in this manner, the frame holding the filter medium and the case of the air passage portion are simply pressed by pushing the hook portion of the clip member into the concave portion on the outer side surface of the frame projecting portion and the case projecting portion. Is completed.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air filter for an automotive air conditioner according to the second aspect, the hook portion has a tip portion having an arcuate cross section, and the concave portion corresponds to the tip portion. It is characterized in that it has an arc-shaped cross section.
[0014]
In the invention specified in this manner, the clip member is evenly supported by the frame projection and the case projection by the arc-shaped cross section, so that the pressing force generated by the clip member is arc-shaped in cross section. And acts uniformly on the frame projection and the case projection via the surface of
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an air filter of an automotive air conditioner according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a method of installing the air filter of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle air conditioner in which the air filter of FIG. 1 is incorporated. Members common to those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0017]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the air filter of the air conditioner for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a frame protruding portion 13 formed on a frame 12 holding a two-piece filter medium 11, and a case of an air passage portion. The case protruding portion 23 formed on 21 is pressed and fixed by a clip member 30 made of an elastic material. Note that the air path section is a general term for a unit of an air conditioner for a vehicle or a connecting duct that connects the units.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 12 is inserted from an insertion port 22 formed in a side wall of the air passage so as to oppose the direction of air flow. In other words, the contact surface between the case 22 of the air passage and the frame 12 holding the filter medium 11 is parallel to the insertion direction A for inserting the frame 12 into the air passage.
[0019]
In addition, since the filter medium 11 is vertically divided into two pieces, the filter medium 11 can be easily attached and detached, and the required size of the insertion port 22 can be reduced. This is particularly advantageous for an air conditioner for a vehicle which is provided at an extremely narrow position below an instrument panel provided in front of a front seat.
[0020]
Next, a detailed structure of the protruding portion pressed by the clip member will be described with reference to an enlarged view of a main part in FIG.
[0021]
The clip member 30 has a flat body 31 and a pair of hooks 32 and 33 formed at both ends. The hook portions 32 and 33 further have a tip portion having an arc-shaped cross section.
[0022]
The frame protrusion 13 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction A in which the frame is inserted into the air passage, and extends from the top surface 14 of the frame facing the body 31 of the clip member 30, and extends from the top surface 14 of the frame. And an outer side surface on which the frame engaging portion 15 that engages with the hook portion 32 is provided. Further, the frame engaging portion 15 is formed of a concave portion having an arc-shaped cross section corresponding to the tip of the hook portion 32 of the clip member 30.
[0023]
The case protrusion 23 includes, for example, a top surface 24 of the case that is inclined in the insertion direction A and faces the body 31, and a case engagement portion 25 that extends from the top surface 24 of the case and engages with the hook 33. And an outer side surface provided with the same. The case engaging portion 25 is formed of a concave portion having an arc-shaped cross section corresponding to the tip of the hook portion 33 of the clip member 30.
[0024]
That is, since the clip member 30 has the above-described configuration, when pressing and fixing the outer side surfaces of the frame protrusion 13 and the case protrusion 23, the top of the case of the case protrusion 23 inclined in the insertion direction A is pressed. Deforms along surface 24. As a result, the clip member 30 generates a pressing force having a horizontal component that is opposite to the insertion direction A in addition to a vertical component that is perpendicular to the insertion direction A. The pressing force acting in the opposite direction to the insertion direction is applied to the top surface 14 of the frame of the frame protrusion 13 and the top surface 24 of the case of the case protrusion 23 and the inner surface of the body 31 of the clip member opposed thereto. Decrease the clearance that exists between
[0025]
Therefore, even when horizontal horizontal force acts on the air channel case and the bonding surface of the frame holding the filter medium, there is little room for the frame protrusion 13 to move. Displacement hardly occurs, and the fixing strength is excellent.
[0026]
Further, since a conventional clip member 30 can be used, it is possible to suppress an increase in component costs, which is advantageous in cost.
[0027]
The fixing of the frame holding the filter medium to the case of the air passage is completed simply by pushing the hooks 32, 33 of the clip member 30 into the recesses 15, 25 on the outer side surfaces of the protrusions 13, 23. That is, since the installation is simple, it is possible to improve work efficiency.
[0028]
The hook portions 32, 33 of the clip member 30 are evenly supported by the protruding portions 13, 23 by arc-shaped surfaces in cross section. Therefore, the pressing force generated by the clip member 30 uniformly acts on the protruding portions 13 and 23, and the fixing between the frame holding the filter medium and the case of the air passage portion becomes more reliable, and the backlash and looseness are reduced. Is less likely to occur.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automotive air conditioner in which an air filter according to the present invention is incorporated. In FIG. Connected through.
[0030]
The frame 12 holding the filter medium is fixed using a groove formed in the connecting portion 4 between the cooler unit 2 and the heater unit 3.
[0031]
This is because there is no need to specially form a structure for fixing the frame 12, and the work of attaching the frame 12 is extremely easy, and the frame 12 can be quickly attached. In addition, since the frame 12 holding the filter medium is fitted and attached to the groove of the connecting portion 4, air leakage from the periphery of the filter can be prevented, and reliable air cleaning can be performed.
[0032]
In addition, since the frame 12 holding the filter medium is installed on the downstream side of the evaporator 6, it is necessary to prevent water from the evaporator 6 and mold spores attached to the evaporator 6 from being scattered on the downstream side during air conditioning. Can be prevented.
[0033]
In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a fan of the intake unit 1 and reference numeral 7 denotes a heater core of the heater unit 3.
[0034]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.
[0035]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the frame holding the filter medium is installed on the downstream side of the evaporator. However, when the purpose is to prevent dust from adhering to the evaporator and prevent bad smell, the upstream side of the evaporator is used. May be provided. The installation position is not particularly limited as long as the installation position is within the duct constituting the air flow path, and the installation position may be provided in an intake unit, a heater unit, or a connection portion of these units.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by the configurations described in the respective claims.
[0037]
In the configuration described in claim 1, when the clip member presses and fixes the outer side surfaces of the frame protrusion and the case protrusion, the clip member extends along the top surface of the case protrusion inclined in the insertion direction. To generate a pressing force having a horizontal component perpendicular to the insertion direction and a horizontal component opposite to the insertion direction. The pressing force acting in the direction opposite to the insertion direction reduces the clearance existing between the top surfaces of the frame protrusion and the case protrusion and the inner surface of the body of the clip member opposed thereto.
[0038]
Therefore, even when a horizontal lateral force is applied to the adhesive surface of the case portion of the cooler unit and the frame portion holding the filter medium, there is little room for movement of the frame projecting portion. Deviation hardly occurs, and the fixing strength is excellent.
[0039]
Further, since a conventional clip member can be used, it is possible to suppress an increase in component cost, which is advantageous in cost.
[0040]
According to the configuration described in claim 2, the frame for holding the filter medium and the air passage can be formed simply by pushing the hook of the clip member into the recess on the outer side surface of the frame protrusion and the case protrusion. Fixing to the case is completed. That is, since the installation is simple, it is possible to improve work efficiency.
[0041]
In the configuration described in claim 3, since the clip member is uniformly supported by the frame protrusion and the case protrusion by the arc-shaped surface in cross section, the pressing force generated by the clip member is reduced by the cross section. Via the arcuate surface, it acts uniformly on the frame projection and the case projection.
[0042]
In other words, the frame holding the filter medium and the case of the air passage portion are more securely fixed, and play and slack are less likely to occur. Then, there is no leakage of the cool air from the insertion opening at the foot of the occupant in the vehicle interior. Therefore, there is no gap between the frame and the inner surface of the unit case, and there is no air bypass, so that there is no generation of noise due to air leaking from the minute gap.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an air filter of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a method of installing the air filter of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner for a vehicle in which the air filter of FIG. 1 is incorporated.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of a conventional air filter.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining deformation due to a lateral torque.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Filter media,
12 ... frame,
13 ... frame protrusion,
14 ... top surface,
15 ... frame engaging portion,
21 ... case,
23 ... case protrusion,
24 ... top surface,
25 ... case engaging portion,
30 ... clip,
31 ... torso,
32, 33 ... hook part,
A: Insertion direction.

Claims (3)

A frame (12) holding the filter medium (11) is inserted from an insertion opening (22) formed in the side wall of the air passage so as to face the airflow direction, and a clip member ( 30), the air conditioner for a vehicle that presses and fixes the frame protrusion (13) formed on the frame (12) and the case protrusion (23) formed on the case (21) of the air passage. In the air filter of the device,
The clip member (30) has a flat body (31) and a pair of hooks (32, 33) formed at both ends.
The frame protrusion (13) is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction (A) from the insertion opening (22) and has a top surface (14) of the frame facing the body (31), and An outer side surface extending from the top surface (14) and having a frame engaging portion (15) engaged with the hook portion (32);
The case projection (23) is inclined in the insertion direction (A) and extends from the top surface (24) of the case facing the body (31), and extends from the top surface (24) of the case, and An outer side surface provided with a case engaging portion (25) that engages with the hook portion (33);
The air filter of an air conditioner for an automobile, wherein the frame engaging portion (15) and the case engaging portion (25) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the insertion direction (A). The air filter according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion (15, 25) comprises a concave portion into which the hook portion (32, 33) is fitted. The air conditioner for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the hook portion (32, 33) has a tip portion having an arcuate cross section, and the concave portion has an arcuate cross section corresponding to the tip portion. Air filter.

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