KR20220143198A - Cylindrical air filter for vehicle with uniform filtration capacity for the entire filtration surface - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle capable of securing even filtration capacity on the filtering surface. According to the present invention, the cylindrical air filter for the vehicle mounted on the vehicle and for filtering processing gas including an outside air comprises: a filter element formed in a cylindrical shape with pleats and filtering the processing gas flowing in the radial direction; and a spacing device fastened to the pleats of the filter element and maintaining a constant interval between the pleats at a predetermined interval. According to the present invention, pleats spacings of the filter element are regulated by a guide rib, thereby being able to be arranged and maintained at an appropriate interval.

Description

Cylindrical air filter for vehicles that can secure even filtration ability on the filtration surface {CYLINDRICAL AIR FILTER FOR VEHICLE WITH UNIFORM FILTRATION CAPACITY FOR THE ENTIRE FILTRATION SURFACE}

The present invention relates to an air filter for a vehicle used to filter outside air and supply it to the inside of a vehicle.

In general, an internal combustion engine vehicle is provided with an air cleaner to filter outside air and supply it to the engine. In addition, in the case of a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), which has been popularized in recent years, it is necessary to filter outside air and supply it to the fuel cell stack, and for this purpose, a higher-performance air cleaner is provided.

An air cleaner is generally composed of a housing, an air filter disposed inside the housing, an intake system that supplies outside air to the inside of the housing, and a supply system that supplies filtered air through the air filter to a consumer such as an engine. Here, the air filter is one of the core components of the air cleaner as it filters the processed gas (outside air). Various types of air filters are known, but typically a square filter type air filter (eg, Patent No. 10-1809085) or a cylindrical air filter (eg, Patent No. 10-2212551) is used. Square air filters are generally used in engines with small displacements or passenger cars, and cylindrical air filters are more commonly used in engines with larger displacements or large commercial vehicles. However, in recent years, a large number of cylindrical air filters have been adopted in passenger cars, etc. through some high-performance vehicles or tuning parts.

The cylindrical air filter can be filtered while air (outside air) flows to the inside (cylindrical inside) through the outer peripheral surface (cylindrical outside) of the filter element. The cylindrical air filter has an advantage in that air can be introduced in a wide area in all directions due to the shape of the cylinder, and thus can filter and supply air in a large amount more quickly.

Cylindrical air filters usually have a pleated filter element to increase the filtration area. As an example, referring to Patent No. 10-2212551 exemplified above, it has a form in which a plurality of pleats are repeatedly molded along the circumferential direction of the filter element. In such a pleated filter element, it is necessary to maintain a uniform spacing between the pleats in order to secure even ventilation performance or to reduce filtration deviation according to location. However, the general-purpose filter element is dependent only on the shape of the filter element, and such an interval is maintained.

1 is a schematic view of a conventional cylindrical air filter for a vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the filter element 1 has a plurality of pleats 2 , and it is often the case that the interval 3 between the pleats 2 is not kept constant in the processing process. In addition, except for the molding 4, since there is no structure to properly support the corrugation 2, the gap 3 may be changed during installation or use after installation. The dispersion of these intervals (3) eventually becomes a factor that impairs the filtration performance of the air filter or filter element or causes a deviation in the filtration performance for each location.

Registered Patent No. 10-1809085 (Registered on Dec. 8, 2017) Registered Patent No. 10-2212551 (Registered on Jan. 1, 2021)

An object of the present invention is to provide an air filter for a vehicle in which ventilation or filtration performance can be uniformly distributed over the entire filtration surface by maintaining a constant spacing between the pleats of filter elements in a cylindrical air filter.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle for filtering treatment gas including outside air, the filter element is formed in a cylindrical shape with pleats and filters the treatment gas flowing in the radial direction. ; and a gap maintaining member which is fastened to the pleats of the filter element and maintains a constant distance between the pleats at a predetermined interval.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle for filtering a process gas including outside air, the method comprising: preparing a filter element formed in a cylindrical shape with pleats; disposing a gap maintaining device on the filter element; each of the guide ribs of the gap maintaining device is inserted and fastened into each pleat of the filter element, so that the interval between the respective pleats is maintained constant; A cylindrical air filter for a vehicle may be provided, comprising: impregnating a lower portion of the filter element with a resin to produce a lower molding.

In the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention, the wrinkle spacing of the filter elements adjacent in the circumferential direction may be positioned at regular intervals by the guide ribs. In addition, since the filter element is supported by the guide ribs, the pleat spacing is not easily changed during use and the design position can be stably maintained. Accordingly, deterioration of the filtration performance of the filter element or occurrence of deviation can be effectively prevented.

1 is a schematic view of a conventional cylindrical air filter for a vehicle.
2 is a schematic view showing an inner frame portion of the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a filter element is added to the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 2 .
4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 3 is disposed in a mold.
5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a filter element is added to an inner frame in a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which a gap maintaining member is added to the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 5 .
Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the separation of the spacing tool shown in Figure 6;
8 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 6 is disposed in a mold.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following examples are provided to help the understanding of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples. The following embodiments are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art, and detailed descriptions of known configurations that may obscure the technical gist of the present invention will be omitted. do it with

2 is a schematic view showing an inner frame portion of the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The cylindrical air filter for a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as "air filter 100") according to the present embodiment may constitute a component or one of the components of an air cleaner for a vehicle. In addition, the air filter 100 of this embodiment may be used to filter outside air and supply it to an engine, a fuel cell stack, and the like. However, the air filter 100 of this embodiment is not necessarily limited to this and applicable, and various vehicle parts or equipment requiring a predetermined filtration process for external air or treated gas, and more broadly, various mechanical devices or facilities, etc. can be dedicated However, for convenience, the following description will be made on the assumption that the air filter 100 of the present embodiment is mainly applied to an air cleaner for a vehicle.

The air filter 100 of this embodiment may be mainly intended to be applied to a cylindrical air filter. The cylindrical air filter refers to an air filter of a type in which the peripheral surface of the filter element has a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the air filter 100 of this embodiment can be widely applied as long as the overall and schematic shape of the filter element is generally cylindrical, and the detailed structure or shape of the air cleaner or air filter, the type or material of the filter element, etc. It is not particularly limited.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the air filter 100 of this embodiment may include an inner frame 110 .

For reference, it should be noted that some components are omitted in FIGS. 2 to 4 for convenience of explanation and clearer illustration of each component.

The inner frame 110 may form the overall appearance or support structure of the air filter 100 . The inner frame 110 may form a substantially cylindrical external shape (skeleton), so that the inner frame 110 corresponding to the inner side of the cylinder and the outer side of the inner frame 110 corresponding to the outer side of the cylinder are partitioned. can In addition, the inner frame 110 is formed in the form of a kind of frame or support skeleton, and may have a cylindrical structure open to the inside and outside.

As shown, the inner frame 110 of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of ring-shaped frames spaced up and down, and a plurality of vertical frames arranged along the outer periphery of the ring-shaped frame. However, the shape of the inner frame 110 may be appropriately deformed as necessary and is not necessarily limited to the illustrated bar. In addition, the inner frame 110 is not necessarily limited to the frame structure, and can be implemented in various ways as long as it can ventilate inside and outside and provide a predetermined support structure.

An upper bracket 120 may be provided at the upper end of the inner frame 110 . The upper bracket 120 may be formed in the form of a circular flange having a predetermined width in the radial direction, and may include a predetermined coupling structure or shape for fastening with the adapter 150 and the like. Preferably, the upper bracket 120 may be integrally formed on the upper end of the inner frame 110 . However, in this embodiment, the structure or shape of the upper bracket 120 is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately omitted if necessary.

On the other hand, the air filter 100 of the present embodiment may include a gap maintaining device (130).

The gap maintaining member 130 may be provided to constantly maintain or support the distance between the pleats of the filter element 140 . Specifically, the gap maintaining member 130 may include a ring-shaped body 131 and a plurality of guide ribs 132 extending from the ring-shaped body 131 . The ring-shaped body 131 may be formed in a circular ring shape corresponding to the inner frame 110 . In some cases, the ring-shaped body 131 may be partially or entirely integrated with the inner frame 110 , so that a part of the inner frame 110 may function as the ring-shaped body 131 .

The guide rib 132 may be formed to extend radially from the ring-shaped body 131 . The radial length of the guide rib 132 may be appropriately set in consideration of the pleat size or arrangement of the filter element 140 , spacing, thickness, material, and the like. The guide rib 132 may have a shape of a bar, a rod, or the like. The end of the guide rib 132 may be formed in a gently curved arc surface 132a or a curved surface in order to prevent damage to the filter element 140 .

A plurality of guide ribs 132 may be provided so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance 132b in the circumferential direction along the ring-shaped body 131 . The distance 132b between the guide ribs 132 may be formed uniformly along the circumferential direction so that the gap 132b between the guide ribs 132 generally corresponds to the gap between the pleats of the filter element 140 . The number or spacing of the guide ribs 132 may be appropriately varied in consideration of the size or arrangement of the pleats of the filter element 140 , spacing, thickness, material, and the like.

The gap maintaining member 130 as described above may be formed or disposed along the outer periphery of the inner frame 110 . Preferably, the gap maintaining member 130 may be integrally formed with the inner frame 110 . In addition, the spacer 130 may be disposed at the top, middle, bottom, etc. of the inner frame 110 . Preferably, the gap maintaining member 130 may be disposed adjacent to the lower end of the inner frame 110 as shown. In addition, if necessary, a plurality of spacing retaining devices 130 may be provided, and the plurality of spacing maintaining devices 130 may be vertically spaced apart from each other in the inner frame 110 . For reference, the air filter 100 of the second embodiment, which will be described later, exemplifies a plurality of gap maintaining members 130 .

3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a filter element is added to the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the air filter 100 of this embodiment may include a filter element 140 .

The filter element 140 may be fastened to an outer peripheral portion of the inner frame 110 . The filter element 140 may include a filter structure or a filter layer for a predetermined filtration process or foreign matter collection. However, in this embodiment, the type or material of the filter element 140, the internal lamination structure, etc. are not particularly limited. That is, the air filter 100 of the present embodiment may be applied regardless of the type of the filter element 140 .

The filter element 140 may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a predetermined radial thickness. In addition, the filter element 140 may have repetitive pleats along the circumferential direction. Specifically, the filter element 140 may be formed to alternately repeat the valleys 141 and the top 142 along the circumferential direction. The valley 141 refers to a portion in which the filter element 140 is concavely drawn inward in the radial direction, and the top 142 refers to a portion in which the filter element 140 protrudes outward in the radial direction, on the contrary. In the filter element 140 , the valleys 141 and the top 142 are repeated to form a pleat to widen the filtration area.

Here, the pleats of the filter element 140 may be supported on the inside of the filter element 140 by the spacer 130 . Specifically, the guide rib 132 is arranged to correspond to the top 142 of the filter element 140, and the interval 132b between the guide ribs 132 is arranged to correspond to the valley 141 of the filter element 140, , the top 142 and the valley 141 of the filter element 140 may be supported or maintained by the guide rib 132 . That is, a plurality of radially extending guide ribs 132 support the respective top portions 142 and the valley portions 141 inside the cylindrical shape formed by the filter element 140 .

According to the above, the distance between the tops 142 of the filter elements 140 adjacent in the circumferential direction is regulated by the guide ribs 132, so that they can be arranged at regular intervals corresponding to the intervals 132b between the guide ribs 132. have. In addition, since the filter element 140 is supported by the guide rib 132, the interval between the pleats is not easily changed in the process of use, etc., and the designed position can be stably maintained for a considerable period of time. Accordingly, a decrease in filtration performance or occurrence of deviation of the filter element 140 can be effectively prevented.

On the other hand, when the filter element 140 as described above is provided with the inner frame 110 and the gap maintaining member 130 , the filter element 140 that is pre-formed in a pleated form is formed from the inner frame 110 to the gap maintaining member 130 . ) and can be assembled in such a way that it is inserted and fastened. In such a case, assembly may be performed while the gap between the top 142 and the valley 141 of the filter element 140 provisionally molded by the gap holder 130 in the insertion process is properly aligned. Accordingly, the filter element 140 can be properly aligned in a line that does not significantly impair assembly or production convenience. However, the present embodiment is not necessarily limited to such an assembly method or order and is not applicable.

If necessary, the air filter 100 of the present embodiment may include an adapter 150 .

The adapter 150 may be fastened to the upper bracket 120 at the top of the inner frame 110 . The adapter 150 may be used to mount the air filter 100 to the housing of the air cleaner and to guide the air flow. However, in the present embodiment, the structure or function of the adapter 150 is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately omitted if necessary.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 3 is disposed in a mold.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the air filter 100 of this embodiment may include a lower molding 160 .

The lower molding 160 may correspond to the adapter 150 and the like above the filter element 140 to form a support structure under the filter element 140 . Preferably, the lower molding 160 may be formed by molding a resin such as urethane under the filter element 140 through the mold 170 . Specifically, the filter element 140 assembled as shown in FIG. 3 may be seated in a mold 170 having a groove having a corresponding shape, and then a resin such as urethane is injected and cured to form a lower molding 160. . The lower molding 160 may be fixed to the lower end of the filter element 140 by impregnating a portion of the lower end of the filter element (140). Since the processing of the lower molding 160 as described above is made in a state where the distance between the pleats of the filter element 140 is constantly maintained and supported by the above-described gap maintaining member 130, even after the lower molding 160 is cured, the filter The wrinkle spacing of the element 140 may be kept constant.

5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a filter element is added to an inner frame in a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as an “air filter 200”) according to the present embodiment may include an inner frame 210 and a filter element 240 . In addition, if necessary, the air filter 200 of the present embodiment may include an upper bracket at the top of the inner frame 210 and an adapter 250 fastened to the upper bracket. These configurations may be formed substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment.

However, in the air filter 200 of the present embodiment, the gap maintaining unit 130 at the lower end of the inner frame 210 may be omitted as compared to the above-described embodiment. This may be suitably replaced by the spacing retainer 230 in a manner fastened to the outer periphery of the filter element 240 as will be described later. In the case of this embodiment, since the gap maintaining member 230 is omitted at the lower end of the inner frame 210 , the coupling between the inner frame 210 and the filter element 240 can be made more easily. For example, in this embodiment, assembly may be performed by inserting the inner frame 210 into the filter element 240 through the opening at the top of the filter element 240 pre-formed in a cylindrical shape. This has an aspect of facilitating the processing of the filter element 240 or the assembly between the inner frame 210 and the filter element 240 . However, the present embodiment is not necessarily limited to such an assembly method or order and is not applicable.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which a gap maintaining member is added to the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the air filter 200 of the present embodiment may include a gap maintaining unit 230 .

The gap maintaining member 230 of this embodiment corresponds to the gap maintaining member 130 of the above-described embodiment in terms of function. That is, the gap maintaining member 230 is fastened to the filter element 240 and may be used to constantly maintain the wrinkle spacing of the filter element 240 . However, the gap maintaining member 230 of this embodiment has some differences from the above-described embodiment in that it is fastened to the outer periphery of the filter element 240 .

Specifically, the gap maintaining member 230 may include a ring-shaped body 231 and a plurality of guide ribs 232 formed extending from the inner peripheral portion of the ring-shaped body 231 toward the center of the ring-shaped body 231 . The plurality of guide ribs 232 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval 232b along the inner periphery of the ring-shaped body 231 . In such a spacer 230, the guide ribs 232 are inserted into the wrinkle intervals of the filter element 240 to uniformly align each interval. In particular, since the gap maintaining member 230 of this embodiment is fastened to the outer periphery of the filter element 240 , in the assembling process of the gap maintaining member 230 , each guide rib 232 is inserted at an interval between the pleats to be aligned. can

If necessary, a plurality of spacing retaining spheres 230 may be provided, and the plurality of spacing maintaining spheres 230 may be vertically spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the direction of the wrinkles formed on the filter element 240 . In the present embodiment, the case is provided with two spacing retaining tools 230 including the upper first gap maintaining member 230a and the lower second gap maintaining member 230b is exemplified. However, it goes without saying that the number or arrangement interval of the spacing holders 230 may be variously changed as needed.

Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the separation of the spacing tool shown in Figure 6;

Referring to FIG. 7 , preferably, the spacer 230 may be partially or entirely made of an elastic material. Alternatively, some or all of the spacer 230 including at least the ring-shaped body 231 may be made of an elastic material. In this case, the gap maintaining member 230 may be spread out in a substantially straight shape before assembling and handling such as transport and storage may be performed, and may be appropriately bent and deformed during assembly to be fastened to the filter element 240 . Accordingly, the production, storage, packaging, transport, etc. of the gap maintaining device 230 can be made more easily. For reference, in this description, the name "ring-type" body 231 is used, but this is a name given for convenience in consideration of the shape in the assembled state, and the meaning is not necessarily limited to the standardized "ring-type".

In addition, if necessary, the spacing sphere 230 may be provided with first and second coupling spheres (233a, 233b). The first and second coupling holes 233a and 233b engage each end of the ring-type body 231 so that the ring-type body 231 can maintain the circular annular shape of the assembled state. The first and second coupling spheres 233a and 233b may be implemented in various structures or shapes as long as they are capable of mutual assembly and coupling. However, preferably, the first and second coupling holes 233a and 233b may be implemented in a form capable of mutual assembly and coupling without using a separate coupling member in consideration of assembly convenience. For example, the first coupler 233a is extended from one end of the ring-shaped body 231 as shown and may be implemented in a form having one or more coupling holes or grooves, and the second coupler 233b is the ring-shaped body 231 ) may be implemented in the form of a protrusion formed at the opposite end portion and fastened to the coupling hole or groove.

8 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle shown in FIG. 6 is disposed in a mold.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the air filter 200 of this embodiment may include a lower molding 260 forming a support structure under the filter element 240 . In the lower molding 260, the air filter 200 in which the pleat gap of the filter element 240 is supported by the gap maintaining member 230 is disposed in the mold 270, and resin, etc. It can be injected and processed.

Meanwhile, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, it may be provided in the manufacturing method of the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle as described above.

In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the filter elements 140 and 240 are disposed on the gap retainers 130 and 230, and the guide ribs 132 and 232 of the gap retainers 130 and 230 are the filter elements 140 and 240. ), the step of being inserted and fastened to correspond to the pleats, the step of maintaining a constant interval between the pleats of the filter elements 140 and 240 by a plurality of guide ribs 132 and 232, the filter element 140 in the above state, 240) The lower part is impregnated with resin, and the lower moldings 160 and 260 are manufactured.

The manufacturing method of this embodiment uses the gap maintaining devices 130 and 230 of the above-described embodiments as its technical gist, and its principles, operational effects, etc. are similar to those of the above-described embodiments, so a more detailed description thereof will be omitted. do.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those of ordinary skill in the art can add, change, delete or It will be possible to variously modify or change the present invention by addition, etc., which will also be included in the scope of the present invention.

100: vehicle cylindrical air filter (first embodiment)
110: inner frame 120: upper bracket
130: spacer 140: filter element
150: adapter 160: lower molding
170: mold
200: a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle (the second embodiment)
210: inner frame 220: upper bracket
230: spacer 240: filter element
250: adapter 260: lower molding
270: mold

Claims (6)

In the cylindrical air filter for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle and filtrates a process gas including outside air,
a filter element 140 formed in a cylindrical shape with pleats to filter the processing gas flowing in the radial direction; and
The cylindrical air filter for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a; gap maintaining member (130) fastened to the pleats of the filter element (140) to keep the interval between the pleats constant at a predetermined interval. The method according to claim 1,
The gap maintaining device 130 is,
ring-shaped body (131); and
Guide ribs 132 extending in a radial direction from the ring-shaped body 131, guiding the wrinkles in contact, and provided with a plurality of guide ribs 132 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval 132b along the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped body 131 ; Cylindrical air filter for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a. The method according to claim 1,
an inner frame 110 fastened to an inner periphery of the filter element 140 ; and
Including; and a lower molding 160 provided at the lower end of the filter element 140.
The lower molding 160,
A cylindrical air filter for a vehicle, characterized in that the filter element (140) is formed by impregnating a lower end portion of the filter element (140) with resin in a state in which the gap maintaining device (130) is fastened to the filter element (140). The method according to claim 1,
The gap maintaining device 130 is,
a ring-shaped body 131 integrally formed with the inner frame 110 disposed on the inner periphery of the filter element 140; and
Guide ribs extending radially outward from the ring-shaped body 131, contacting and supporting the wrinkles from the inside, provided with a plurality of guide ribs spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval 132b along the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped body 131 (132); Cylindrical air filter for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises. The method according to claim 1,
The gap maintaining mechanism 230 is,
A ring-shaped body 231 that includes an elastic material in part or all of it and is formed to be bendable and deformable to correspond to the outer periphery of the filter element 240, and is fastened to surround the outer periphery of the filter element 240;
It is formed to extend radially inwardly from the ring-shaped body 231 toward the pleats of the filter element 240, to contact and support the pleats from the outside, and a plurality of them are provided along the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped body 231. Guide ribs 232 spaced apart at intervals (232b); and
and first and second coupling holes (233a, 233b) provided at each end of the ring-shaped body (231) to assemble and couple the ring-shaped body (231) between the respective ends. In the manufacturing method of a cylindrical air filter for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle for filtering treatment gas including outside air,
Preparing filter elements (140, 240) formed in a cylindrical shape with pleats;
A step of disposing a gap maintaining member (130, 230) on the filter element (140, 240);
each of the guide ribs 132 and 232 of the spacing retainer 130 and 230 is inserted and fastened into the pleats of the filter elements 140 and 240 to maintain a constant distance between the pleats; and
and the step of manufacturing the lower moldings (160, 260) by impregnating the lower portions of the filter elements (140, 240) with resin.

Images