JPH09136535A - Air filter for automobile air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate removing and restoring work of an air filter by making it parallelogrammic with respective frame members on the upper, lower and both sides connected together through hinges and fitting an air duct inside the frame after inserting a pleat of a zigzag bent filter medium into the air duct so as to expand it in the vertical direction. SOLUTION: The whole frame is deformed parallelogrammically using hinges C so that the height H may be lower than the length L between a steering member 5 and the lower end of the opening and inserted horizontally into an air duct D through the opening. An upper frame member 2a is then moved upwards so that it may abut on a ceiling wall Dt of the air duct D, pushed in until the corners of the upper frame member 2a and a side frame member 2c abut on the corner of the air duct D, and the side frame member 2c is abutted on a side wall Ds of the air duct D by turning both side frame members 2c, 2d in the clockwise direction. The lower frame member 2d also abuts on the bottom wall Db of the air duct D and the whole filter F is restored inside the air duct D.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air filter which can be easily housed in an automobile air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, for the purpose of supplying clean air into a passenger compartment, preventing dust from adhering to an evaporator or generating a bad odor, a ventilation duct of an air conditioner for an automobile is used.
For example, the air filter F is attached to the front surface of the evaporator or the air inflow portion of the intake unit.

In this air filter F, as shown in FIG. 8, a filter medium 1 having fold lines (hereinafter referred to as pleats) P formed by bending paper, glass wool, PP resin or non-woven fabric in a zigzag shape is placed in a rectangular frame 2. It is attached, and this is inserted into the blower duct D through an opening formed in the blower duct D, and is attached so as to face the flow of the air flow passing through the blower duct D.

However, the air conditioner for automobiles is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, since it is provided in a very narrow and dark position below the instrument panel 3 provided in front of the front seat of the vehicle, it is not easy to install the air filter F after installing the vehicle air conditioner. . Moreover, this air filter F cannot be easily installed in many cases because the surrounding piping 4 mounted on the existing automobile air conditioner, the steering member 5, etc. interfere with each other.

The steering member 5 has a large diameter and is sturdy to support the shaft 6a which is rotated by the steering 6. The blower duct D of the automobile air conditioner may support it. Therefore, the air duct D is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction at the closest position thereof.

When the air filter F is attached to a vehicle provided with the steering member 5, the attachment and detachment work of the air filter F from the up and down direction is practically impossible, and only the inward and outward movement is possible. There is no way
It has become even more difficult.

Further, the air filter F must be regularly checked for clogging. Since such a filter check must be performed by taking out the filter F from the blower duct D, it is desirable that the air filter F be easy to store and take out. Various proposals have been made.

A) As shown in FIG. 10, the filter medium 1
Is divided into two in the height direction of the air duct, and the divided air filters 1a and 1b are sequentially inserted from the width direction of the air duct (for example, JP-A-5-131,84).
6), b) as shown in FIG. 11, a filter medium 1 capable of being folded in the middle (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-199619), and c) as shown in FIG. A part of the air filter is made foldable and the whole air filter is folded in the middle to be housed in the air duct. D) As shown in FIG. 13, the frame 2 itself is made of a flexible material, and the air filter There is a device in which the whole is deformed and stored in a blower duct (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-55,822).

[0009]

However, as shown in FIG.
The two-part filter shown in Fig. 2 has a plurality of filter media 1, which may increase the man-hours for mounting and the number of parts, which may increase the cost. In addition, when the filter check is performed, a plurality of the separated pieces may be used. There is also a problem that you have to take everything out.

The center-folded air filter shown in FIG. 11 cannot be inserted substantially laterally due to its shape.

The frame 2 shown in FIG. 12 in which a part of the frame 2 is bendable is in a state in which the filter medium 1 corresponding to the notch formed in the frame 2 is not supported, so that the strength is lowered and the airtightness is improved. Since it is difficult to maintain the property, the filter medium 1 may be deformed when it is folded and stored, and if the direction of the pleats P of the filter medium 1 folded in a zigzag shape is attached laterally as shown in the figure. There is a problem that drainage is bad when car wash water, rainwater, etc. enter.

In the case of deforming the flexible frame 2 shown in FIG. 13, since the filter medium 1 must be attached so that the direction of the pleats is parallel to the deforming frame, the pleats are in the lateral direction. Also reduces drainage. If the filter medium is attached so that the pleats are perpendicular to the deforming frame piece, when the air filter is attached, the filter medium may be deformed and the filter function may be reduced by half.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is easy to store and take out the work, there is no problem in the direction of insertion and drainage, and the manufacturing, assembling,
An object of the present invention is to provide an air filter for an automobile air conditioner that is also advantageous in terms of cost.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided so as to oppose in the flow direction of the air flow passing through the air duct of the automobile air conditioner. In an air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein an air filter, which holds a filter medium in a frame, is inserted into the air duct through an opening formed in the air duct to be attached, the frame includes upper, lower, and both sides. Each frame member has a parallelogram shape connected via a hinge portion, a filter filter material bent in a zigzag shape is provided in the frame, and the air filter is provided so that the pleats of the filter filter material extend in the vertical direction. It is characterized by being inserted and installed inside. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the frame is sized so that one of the side frame members airtightly closes the opening after the air filter is inserted. The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the length of the side frame member of the frame is slightly longer than the height in the air duct. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the frame is inserted into the blower duct and attached, the recess and protrusion formed on the inner surface of the blower duct and the concave and convex fitting can hold the rectangle. It is characterized by having a convex portion or a concave portion.

[0015]

According to the invention as set forth in claim 1 having such a structure, in the parallelogram frame, each frame member is connected by a hinge portion so that the pleats of the filter medium extend vertically in the frame. Since the filter medium is provided in the above, when the upper and lower frame members are displaced from each other, the filter medium in the frame is inclined while keeping the linear state of the pleats, and the entire frame has a shape with a reduced height.
Therefore, when the air filter is inserted into the air duct through the opening formed in the air duct, even if there is an obstruction member such as a steering member, surrounding pipes, or an instrument panel around the opening, it is avoided. Then, it can be inserted into the air duct through the opening. In addition, the same can be done when taking out the other way. Therefore, when the air filter is stored or taken out, it can be easily performed without deforming the filter medium, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing, assembling, and cost. Also,
Since the pleats of the filter medium extend in the vertical direction, car wash water, rainwater, etc. that have flowed down to the filter are also dropped along the pleats of the filter and drained, and there is no problem with drainage. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the air filter is inserted into the air duct through the opening, one side frame member closes the opening, so that no air leakage occurs and the air flows through the air duct. As a result, the air that flows can flow reliably, and good air conditioner control is possible. The invention according to claim 3 is
The length of the side frame member of the frame is slightly longer than the height inside the air duct, so that when the air filter is inserted into the air duct through the opening, the side frame member slightly expands outward. It can be housed, whereby the contact pressure between the side frame members and the upper and lower frame members and the inner peripheral surface of the air duct is increased, and air leakage can be prevented. Claim 4
According to the invention described in (3), when the air filter is inserted into the air duct, the air duct and the frame are fitted in a concavo-convex shape. The shape of the parallelogram can be maintained and the filter function can be exerted more reliably.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a hinge portion, and FIG. 4 is an automobile air conditioner. And FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an attached state of the air filter.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 4, an air conditioner for a vehicle in which an air filter according to Embodiment 1 is incorporated is generally an intake unit 10, a cooler unit 20, and a heater unit 30 from the upstream side. The respective units are connected in this order, and a blower duct D through which air flows as a whole is formed inside.

The intake unit 10 is provided with an intake door 11 therein. Depending on whether the intake door 11 is opened or closed, the air taken in from the outdoor air intake 12 or the indoor air intake 13 is supplied to the cooler unit 20 by the fan 14. It is designed to blow air.

The cooler unit 20 is provided with an evaporator 21 which is connected to a cooling cycle provided in the engine room and cools the air flowing into the cooler unit 20 by exchanging heat with the air. Therefore, when the air conditioner switch is turned on and the cooling cycle is operating, the air flowing down from the intake unit 10 is cooled by the evaporator 21.

On the other hand, when the air conditioner switch is off and the cooling cycle is stopped, the air flowing down from the intake unit 10 passes through the evaporator 21 as it is and is blown to the heater unit 30.

The heater unit 30 is provided with a heater core 31 through which engine cooling water circulates, and a mix door 34 controls the ratio of the amount of air passing through an air passage 32 for cold air and an air passage 33 for warm air. And heater core 3
The temperature of the air flowing down into the mix chamber 35 formed on the downstream side of 1 is adjusted. This mix chamber 35
Mainly include a foot port 36 for blowing warm air to the feet of the occupant, a vent port 37 for distributing conditioned air such as cold air toward the upper body of the occupant, and a defrost port 38 for distributing air toward the windshield or the like. Are formed.

The entire vehicle air conditioner as described above is
As shown in FIG. 9, it is provided in an extremely narrow and dark position below the instrument panel 3 provided in front of the front seat of the automobile.

Air filter F according to the first embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, is provided upstream of the evaporator 21 in order to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the evaporator 21 and to prevent the generation of a bad odor.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air filter F itself has a parallelogrammatic frame 2 surrounding a filter medium 1 made by folding a filter medium 1 made of paper in a zigzag shape, for example. ing.

However, the installation position of the air filter F of the present invention may be provided on the upstream side of the fan 14 of the intake unit 10, and in addition to this, it may be provided in the blower duct D forming the air flow path. For example, intake unit 1
0, heater unit 30 or these units 10,
It is also possible to provide it at the connecting portion of 20 and 30.

In particular, the frame 2 includes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, upper and lower frame members 2a made of synthetic resin,
2b, 2c, 2d has a structure in which they are connected via a hinge portion C (see FIG. 3), and the pleats P of the filter medium 1 are extended in the frame 2 in the vertical direction.
Is provided.

Here, the hinge portion C is so-called P-, in which the thickness of the frame 2 made of synthetic resin is extremely thin.
It is preferably constructed by what is called a P hinge.

This air filter F is inserted through an opening O (see FIG. 1) formed on the upstream side surface of the evaporator 21 of the cooler unit case 20c. This opening O is one after the air filter is inserted. The side frame member 2d is airtightly closed. In order to improve the airtightness, the side frame member 2d is made slightly larger than the opening O, and the taper surface formed on the edge of the opening O is brought into contact with the taper surface of the side frame member 2d. You may Further, a stopper or the like for fixing the closed state of the side frame member 2d may be provided. Further, after inserting the air filter F, a lid (not shown) for closing the opening O may be provided in order to enhance airtightness.

Further, in order to hold the rectangular state of the frame 2 more surely, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower frame member 2b of the frame 2 is formed with the concave portion 40, while the convex portion is formed on the inner surface side of the blower duct D. (Not shown) may be formed so that the concave portion 40 and the convex portion are fitted in the concave and convex portions when the air filter is inserted to hold the rectangular shape of the frame 2.

The irregularities may be reversed, and a convex portion may be formed on the frame 2 side and a concave portion may be formed on the inner surface side of the blower duct D. In some cases, the convex portion formed on the inner surface of the blower duct D may be engaged with the end portion on the frame 2 side to hold the rectangular shape of the frame 2.

Incidentally, "41" is a handle, which is used when the air filter F is pulled out, but it is not always necessary.

Next, the operation will be described. To install the air filter F, as shown in FIG. 5, the entire frame 2 is deformed into a parallelogram shape using the hinge portion C, and the length L between the steering member 5 and the lower end of the opening O is calculated. The height H is set to be small, the steering member 5 and the like are avoided, and it is inserted horizontally from the opening O into the blower duct D. In this case, even if the entire frame 2 is deformed into a parallelogram shape, the linear pleats of the filter member F may be bent,
The filter medium 1 does not wrinkle.

Next, the upper frame member 2a of the frame 2 is moved upward so as to contact the ceiling wall Dt of the blower duct D, and the upper frame member 2a and the side frame member 2 are moved.
Push in until the corner of c hits the corner of blower duct D.
At this time, the entire upper frame member 2a enters the ceiling wall Dt portion of the blower duct D, but the side frame member 2d does not hit the steering member 5.

Then, the side frame members 2c and 2d are rotated clockwise as indicated by solid line arrows to move the side frame members 2c.
The c is brought into contact with the side wall Ds of the blower duct D. As a result, the lower frame member 2d also comes into contact with the bottom wall Db of the blower duct D, and the entire air filter F is housed in the blower duct D.

Therefore, even when the air filter F is incorporated in the air conditioner for a vehicle provided in an extremely narrow and dark position below the instrument panel 3 provided in front of the front seat of the vehicle, the steering member 5 and the pipe 4 are installed. It can be easily installed without being disturbed.

In this way, when the air filter F is erected on the upstream side of the evaporator 21 so as to face the direction of the air flow, dust is captured on the windward surface of the filter medium 1,
Dust and the like are prevented from adhering to the evaporator 21 in advance, and an offensive odor is prevented from occurring.

Further, even if car wash water, rainwater, etc. flow down to the air filter F, the pleats are oriented in the vertical direction, so that the drainage is good and the dust attached to the air filter F is good. It also makes it easier to fall. If the air conditioner for a vehicle is used for a long period of time, a large amount of dust or the like may be attached to the filter medium 1 and the cooling performance may be deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check the filter.

When performing this filter check,
When the handle 26 provided in the relatively lower region of the side frame member 2d is pulled and pulled, the air filter F can be deformed in the reverse order of the above-described insertion, so take out this. It may be replaced with a new air filter F.

Therefore, even when taking out, the air filter F can be easily taken out without being disturbed by the steering member 5 and the pipe 4.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, which is slightly exaggerated from the actual one.

In the first embodiment described above, the length of the side frame member 2c is made equal to the height B in the blower duct D. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. In addition, the length A1 of the side frame members 2c, 2d may be slightly longer than the height B in the blower duct D.

Even if the length A1 of the side frame members 2c and 2d is increased in this way, there is no problem in inserting the air filter F through the opening O, and it is slightly long when the air filter F is inserted. Since the side frame members 2c, 2d can be housed in a state of slightly bulging outward, the side frame members 2c, 2d and the upper and lower frame members 2a, 2d,
There is an advantage that contact pressure between the inner peripheral surface of the blower duct D and 2b is increased and air leakage can be prevented.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the air filter F is provided so as to block the inside of the blower duct D over the entire surface. However, in order to increase the amount of blown air as in a recent automobile air conditioner, a part of the air filter is used. If you want to bypass the air of F by bypassing the air filter F,
As shown in FIG. 7, a rectangular bypass forming frame member 2e may be provided on the side portion of the side frame member 2c. Each corner portion of the bypass forming frame member 2e also has a bendable hinge portion C.
It is preferable to connect by.

The above-mentioned embodiments are described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention is variously modified within the scope of the claims. Is something that can be done.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the frame is made of synthetic resin, but any frame may be used as long as it is deformable and does not rust.

In the above embodiment, the hinge portion is
The hinge is a -P hinge, but not limited to this, another hinge may be used as long as both frame members are rotatably connected.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained for each claim. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the filter medium in the frame can be reduced in height while maintaining the straight state of the pleats, and when the filter medium is inserted into the blower duct, the surrounding obstruction member is prevented. It can be inserted by avoiding it, and the air filter can be easily stored or taken out, which is advantageous in manufacturing, assembling, and cost. Moreover, since the pleats of the filter medium extend in the vertical direction, there is no problem in drainage. According to the second aspect of the invention, there is no air leakage, the air flow in the air duct is ensured, and good air conditioner control is possible. Claim 3
According to the invention described in (1), when the air filter is inserted into the blower duct, the contact pressure between the side frame members and the upper and lower frame members and the inner peripheral surface of the blower duct is increased, and air leakage can be prevented. According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, even the frame members connected by the hinge portion can surely maintain the parallelogram shape in the air duct.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a sectional equivalent view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a hinge portion.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an air conditioner for a vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an attached state of the air filter.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional air filter.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a mounted state of a conventional air filter.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing another conventional air filter.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing still another conventional air filter.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing another conventional air filter.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing still another conventional air filter.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Filter media, 2 ... Frame, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d ... Frame member, 40 ... Recess, A1 ... Length of side frame member, B ... Height in air duct, C ... Hinge part, D ...
Air duct, F ... air filter,
O ... opening, P ... pleats.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ventilation duct (D) for an automobile air conditioner.
The air filter (F), which holds the filter media (1) provided in the frame (2) so as to face each other in the flow direction of the air flowing through the inside, is opened in the air duct (D). In the air conditioner for an automobile, which is adapted to be inserted into the blower duct (D) from the section (O) and attached, the frame (2) includes upper and lower frame members (2
a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are connected to each other via a hinge part (C) to form a parallelogram, and a filter medium (1) bent in a zigzag shape is provided in the frame (2). ) Pleated
An air filter for an air conditioner for an automobile, characterized in that an air filter (F) is inserted and installed in the blower duct (D) so that (P) extends vertically. 2. The frame (2) is sized so that one of the side frame members (2c, 2d) hermetically closes the opening (O) after the air filter (F) is inserted. An air filter for an automobile air conditioner according to claim 1. 3. In the frame (2), the length (A1) of the side frame members (2c, 2d) is the height (B) in the blower duct (D).
It is slightly longer than the above.
An air filter for an automobile air conditioner according to. 4. The frame (2) is the air duct.
(D) When inserted and mounted in the blower duct (D), a concave portion (40) or a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the blower duct (D) and a convex portion or a concave portion that is fitted in a concave and convex shape so as to hold the rectangle An air filter for an automobile air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has.