Foldable filtering device and air purifier

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable filtering device (100) and an air purifier. The foldable filtering device (100) comprises a filter element (20), the filter element (20) is constructed to be in a wave shape and comprises a plurality of filtering faces (21) which are connected in a folded-back mode, peaks (250) located at the outer corner portions of the intersections of every two adjacent filtering faces (21) and valleys (270) located at the inner corner portions of the intersections of every two adjacent filtering faces (21), and bonding portions (260) are arranged in all or part of the valleys to bond every two adjacent filtering faces (21). A first distance (S) is formed between each bonding part (260) and the corresponding peak (250), and the bonding parts (260) form a supporting strip (280) on the wave-shaped filter element (20) so that the distance between every two adjacent filter surfaces (21) can be kept.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of air purification, and particularly to a foldable filtering device and an air purifier. Background Art

[0002] Air purifiers are widely used in environments such as homes, industries, or commercial settings. An air purifier can adsorb, decompose, or transform various air pollutants, such as fine particles, odors, formaldehyde, and other substances, to provide clean air to the environment. A filter element is provided in the air purifier. After the filter element is used for a period of time, it needs to be replaced to extend the service life of the air purifier and maintain its performance. Therefore, it is necessary to package, store, and transport the filter element.

[0003] It should be understood that the above content is only for better understanding the technical solution of the present disclosure, and cannot be considered as necessarily belonging to the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to solve or alleviate one or more technical problems existing in the known art.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable filtering device is provided. The foldable filtering device includes a filter element, the filter element is configured to be corrugated, including a plurality of filtering surfaces that are folded back and connected to each other, as well as peaks located at the outer corners of the intersections of adjacent two filtering surfaces and valleys located at the inner corners of the intersections of adjacent two filtering surfaces. An elastic bonding portion is provided in all or part of the valleys to bond adjacent two filtering surfaces, and there is a first distance between the bonding portion and the peaks. A plurality of bonding portions form a support strip on the corrugated filter element so as to be able to maintain the spacing between adjacent two filtering surfaces. When the foldable filtering device is folded, even if the angles of the inner corners of some valleys at the folding position of the filter element become larger, that is, the distance between the adjacent two filtering surfaces close to the peak position on both sides of the valley will be greatly enlarged. Since there is a first distance S between the bonding portion and the peaks, that is, the filtering surfaces on both sides of the peak top of the peak are not provided with bonding portions within the range of the length of the first distance S, even the bonding portions located in the valleys and having a first distance S from the peaks will be stretched to a small extent. Since the bonding portion is elastic, the support strip can withstand this small extent of stretching without breaking, so that the spacing between adjacent two filtering surfaces can be maintained even when the angles of the inner corners of some valleys become larger after the filter element is folded. Correspondingly, when the foldable filtering device is folded, the angles of the inner corners of some valleys at the folding position of the filter element become smaller, and the bonding portions in the valleys are squeezed to a certain extent. Since the bonding portion is elastic, the support strip can withstand this extent of squeezing without breaking, so that the spacing between adjacent two filtering surfaces can be maintained even when the angles of the inner corners of some valleys become smaller when the filter element is folded. When the foldable filtering device is restored from the folded state, since the bonding portion is elastic, the support strip can quickly restore from the stretched or squeezed state, so as to be able to maintain the spacing between adjacent two filtering surfaces, thereby ensuring the filtering effect.

[0006] In some embodiments, the elastic bonding portion is made of a foamed hot melt adhesive material.

[0007] In some embodiments, the filter element includes an inner side surface and an outer side surface. The adhesive part is disposed in the valley facing the inner side surface of the filter element and / or in the valley facing the outer side surface. That is, the filter element is respectively provided with support strips facing its inner side surface and / or facing its outer side surface, so that a certain distance can be maintained between two adjacent filter surfaces near the support strips disposed on the inner side and the outer side in the thickness direction of the cylindrical shape before and after the filter element is folded. When the filter element is folded and flattened: at the positions of the two ends that are folded and flattened, the adhesive part located in the valley facing the inner side surface of the filter element is squeezed, so that the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces facing the inner side surface here becomes smaller; the adhesive part located in the valley facing the outer side surface of the filter element is stretched, so that the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces facing the outer side surface here becomes larger; on both sides where the folding and flattening force is applied, the adhesive part located in the valley facing the inner side surface of the filter element is stretched, so that the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces facing the inner side surface here becomes larger; the adhesive part located in the valley facing the outer side surface of the filter element is squeezed, so that the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces facing the outer side surface here becomes smaller; however, since the bonding part is made of a foamed hot melt adhesive material and has a certain elasticity, although the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces changes after the filter element is folded and flattened, when the filter element returns from the folded and flattened state to the original state, the elastic adhesive part that has been squeezed or stretched still returns to the original state before folding, so as to be able to maintain the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces.

[0008] In some embodiments, the filter element includes a first end and a second end, and at least one or more support strips are disposed between the first end and the second end of the filter element. After the filter element is provided with support strips between the first end and the second end, a certain distance can be maintained between two adjacent filter surfaces near the support strips disposed between the first end and the second end of the filter element before and after the filter element is folded.

[0009] In some embodiments, there is a third distance between the support strip closest to the first end and the first end and / or a third distance between the support strip closest to the second end and the second end, and the length of the third distance accounts for 5% to 15% of the length between the first end and the second end of the filter element. By providing support strips near the first end and / or the second end of the filter element, when the first end and the second end are stressed, especially when sealing members are assembled to the first end and the second end of the filter element and when the filter element is installed in an air purifier, it is beneficial to maintain the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces near the first end and the second end of the filter element.

[0010] In some embodiments, the distance between two adjacent support strips disposed between the first end and the second end of the filter element is a fourth distance, and the length of the fourth distance accounts for 15% to 45% of the length between the first end and the second end of the filter element. When multiple support strips are disposed between the first end and the second end of the filter element, an appropriate distance range between two adjacent support strips is conducive to maintaining the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces near the two adjacent support strips.

[0011] In some embodiments, the bonding portion has a first length. The first distance is the distance between one end of the bonding portion and the peak of the mountain, and there is a second distance between the other end of the bonding portion and the bottom of the valley. Among them, the sum of the first distance, the first length, and the second distance is equal to the total width of the filter surface.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first length accounts for 30% to 80% of the total width of the filter surface, and the sum of the first distance and the second distance accounts for 20% to 70% of the total width of the filter surface, where the second distance is greater than or equal to zero. In some embodiments, the bonding portion may extend to the bottom of the valley or may not extend to the bottom of the valley. In some embodiments, the first length accounts for 50% of the total width of the filter surface; the first distance and the second distance respectively account for 25% of the total width of the filter surface.

[0013] In some embodiments, the foldable filter device further includes a first flexible seal and a second flexible seal, and the first flexible seal and the second flexible seal are respectively configured to be sealingly disposed at the first end and the second end of the filter element. The arrangement of the first flexible seal and the second flexible seal can effectively seal the first end and the second end of the filter element to ensure that all the filtered air enters the air duct after passing through the filter element and does not enter the air purifier from the first end and the second end of the filter element, thereby affecting the filtering effect.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first flexible seal and / or the second flexible seal includes a hem folded toward the inner side of the filter element and / or a hem folded toward the outer side of the filter element. In some embodiments, since the foam is fixed to the first end and the second end of the filter element by glue, the hem can effectively cover the overflowing glue, making the appearance at the inner side and the outer side of the first end and the second end of the filter element more beautiful.

[0015] In some embodiments, the height of the hem ranges from 0 to less than or equal to 8% of the total height of the filter element. The height of the hem can effectively cover the overflowing glue.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first flexible seal and the second flexible seal are made of flexible foam material or foam. In some embodiments, the foam is lighter in weight than plastic, which can effectively reduce the weight of the entire filter element. In some embodiments, since the foam is fixed to the first end and the second end of the filter element by glue, the foam coated with glue can help the folded filter element to return to its shape before folding. In some embodiments, the flexible foam material can also help the folded filter element to return to its shape before folding.

[0017] In some embodiments, the foldable filtering device further includes a pre-filter disposed outside the filter element. The pre-filter is used for pre-filtering and supporting the outer side of the filter element, and the edge wrap is coated on the outer edge of the pre-filter. The pre-filter shapes the outer side of the filter element, and the edge wrap can prevent gaps from being generated between the end of the pre-filter and the positions near the outer side of the first end and the second end of the filter element, so that the end of the pre-filter effectively fits and wraps around the positions near the outer side of the first end and the second end of the filter element.

[0018] In some embodiments, the foldable filtering device further includes a shaping member configured to be used in a non-folded state for shaping the inner side and / or the outer side of the filter element.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an air purifier, which includes any one of the foldable filtering devices in the above embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0020] By referring to the accompanying drawings and reading the following detailed description, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become readily understood. In the drawings, several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of example and not in a limiting sense.

[0021] Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram showing the arrangement of adhesive on the filtering surface of a filtering device known to the inventor is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 A three-dimensional combined view of a foldable filtering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 Shown Figure 2 A three-dimensional exploded view of the foldable filtering device shown is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 Shown Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the foldable filtering device shown is shown.

[0025] Figure 5 Shown Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the filter element in the foldable filtering device shown is shown.

[0026] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 The top view of the filter element shown.

[0027] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 The enlarged partial view of the filter element shown.

[0028] Figure 8 Shows Figure 5 The enlarged partial schematic view of the filter element shown in the unfolded state.

[0029] Figure 8a Shows Figure 8 The partial schematic view of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8b Shows Figure 8 The partial schematic view of the second embodiment.

[0031] Figure 8c Shows Figure 8 The partial schematic view of the third embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8d Shows Figure 8 The partial schematic view of the fourth embodiment.

[0033] Figure 9 Shows Figure 6 The cross-sectional view of the filter element shown.

[0034] In each of the drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts. Specific Embodiments

[0035] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and can fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0036] As used herein, the term "comprising" and its variations mean open-ended inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise specified, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "an example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc., which indicate the placement or positional relationship, are all based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the principles of the present disclosure, rather than indicating or implying that the elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed or operate in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure.

[0037] The filtering device in an air purifier known to the inventors is shaped to fit the air duct of the air purifier when it is processed and formed. Usually, the filtering device is processed into a hollow cylindrical shape so that air can pass through the filtering section for filtering, i.e., the pleated part, from the outside of the filtering device and enter the hollow part of the cylinder, and then be discharged along the air duct. Such a hollow cylindrical filtering device requires a packaging box of a certain volume size when it is packaged, stored, and transported due to its certain volume, which wastes packaging materials, and occupies a large space during transportation, resulting in high transportation costs. At the same time, since the inventors found that the upper and lower edges of the filtering section of this filtering device are sealed and fixed into a cylindrical shape by plastic parts, the raw material of the plastic parts is a chemical polymer. Producing polymers requires energy consumption, and plastic parts are generally very heavy, thus increasing the weight of the entire filtering device. Moreover, chemical polymers cannot be degraded, and once the filtering device is scrapped, it will inevitably cause environmental pollution and is not conducive to environmental protection and the sustainable development of society.

[0038] Some filtering devices known to the inventors are manufactured as foldable filtering devices to reduce the packaging volume and transportation costs.

[0039] One of the foldable filtering devices is provided with soft borders at its upper and lower edges to seal the upper and lower edges of the filtering device, so that the air to be filtered can pass through the filtering section of the foldable filtering device to ensure the filtering effect. Moreover, due to the soft borders, the hollow foldable filtering device can be flattened in the radial direction of the cylinder during packaging and transportation, thereby reducing the overall volume of the foldable filtering device, reducing packaging materials and transportation space, and lowering costs. The inventors found that the problems with this foldable filtering device are that since the spacing between the filtering surfaces of the filter element is not determined, on the one hand, it will affect the aesthetics of the appearance of the filter element; on the other hand, since the spacing between the filtering surfaces is not determined, it is impossible to mass-produce products with the same manufacturing batch, which affects the consistency of the products; moreover, since the spacing between the filtering surfaces is not determined, the contact area when external air passes through the filtering surfaces is variable, so the air resistance is also variable, resulting in unstable filtering effects.

[0040] Another collapsible filter device known to the inventor has a wire or adhesive disposed between the peaks of adjacent filter segments to ensure a certain distance between adjacent filter surfaces. However, the inventor found that this collapsible filter device does not have a sealed and shaped border at the upper and lower edges of the filter device, resulting in some air entering the air purifier without being filtered at the upper and lower edges of the filter device during filtration, thus reducing the filtration effect. Moreover, when a wire is disposed between adjacent peaks of the collapsible filter device, only a sufficient width between adjacent filter surfaces can be ensured when the wire is fully tightened. However, when the wire is not tightened, the distance between adjacent filter surfaces will decrease, making it impossible to ensure a definite distance between adjacent filter surfaces.

[0041] In addition, please refer to Figure 1 , which is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of bonding portions 13 on a plurality of filter surfaces 11 in the unfolded state when the filter element 10 of the filter device is not processed into a cylindrical shape. As Figure 1 shown, the bonding portions 13 are continuously arranged along the radial direction of the cylindrical filter device on the connected plurality of filter surfaces 11, and inelastic adhesives are also arranged at the peaks 12. When the filter element is folded and flattened, the distance between adjacent two filter surfaces on the outer sides of the two ends of the flattened filter element will increase, and the distance between adjacent two filter surfaces on the inner sides of the two sides where the flattened filter element is stressed will also increase. Therefore, the adhesives between adjacent filter surfaces are broken due to the increase in the distance between adjacent two filter surfaces, making it impossible to ensure a definite distance between adjacent filter surfaces, affecting the filtration area and resistance, and further affecting the filtration effect.

[0042] Refer to Figures 2 to 4 , where Figure 2 and Figure 3 respectively show a three-dimensional combined view and a three-dimensional exploded view of a collapsible filter device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] The collapsible filter device 100 includes a filter element 20, a pre-filter net 30 disposed outside the filter element 20, a carbon layer 40 disposed inside the filter element, a first seal 52 disposed at one end of the filter element 20, and a second seal 54 disposed at the other end of the filter element 20. In addition, the collapsible filter device 100 may further include a shaping member 60 disposed at the first end of the filter element 20 for use in a non-folded state.

[0044] Refer to Figures 5 to 8, the filter element 20 is configured to be corrugated, including a plurality of filter surfaces 21 that are folded back and connected to each other, as well as peaks 250 located at the outer corner portions of the intersections of adjacent two filter surfaces 21 and valleys 270 located at the inner corner portions of the intersections of adjacent two filter surfaces 21. Elastic bonding portions 260 are provided in all the valleys 270 to bond the adjacent two filter surfaces 21. "It should be understood that, in addition to the configurations shown in the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments, the bonding portions may also be arranged differently, or elastic bonding portions 260 may be provided in some of the valleys 270. These embodiments are all included in the technical solutions of the present disclosure." According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter element 20 is made of a material that can filter large particles, small particles, and harmful gases in the air. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter element 20 is formed by combining and processing a layer of PP meltblown material and a layer of PET material for filtering particulate matter in the air. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a carbon layer or other chemical substances may also be provided between a layer of PP meltblown material and a layer of PET material of the filter element 20 for adsorbing harmful gases in the air.

[0045] Refer to Figures 5 to 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic bonding portion 260 within the valley 270 of the filter element 20 is formed by bonding the bonding portions 260 disposed on two adjacent filter surfaces 21 to each other. The bonding portion 260 is made of a foamed hot melt adhesive material so that the bonding portion has a certain elasticity. There is a first distance S between the bonding portion 260 and the peak 250. A plurality of bonding portions 260 form a support strip 280 on the corrugated filter element 20 so as to be able to maintain the spacing between two adjacent filter surfaces 21. When the foldable filter device 100 is folded, even if the angle of the inner corner of some valleys 270 at the folded portion of the filter element 20 becomes larger, that is, the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 near the peak 250 on both sides of the valley 270 is greatly increased. Since there is a first distance S between the bonding portion 260 and the peak 250, that is, the bonding portion 260 is not arranged on the filter surfaces 21 within the range of the first distance S on both sides of the peak top of the peak 250. Even the bonding portion 260 located within the valley 270 and at a first distance S from the peak 250 is also stretched to a small extent. Since the bonding portion 260 has elasticity, the support strip 280 can withstand this small extent of stretching without breaking, so that the spacing between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 can be maintained even when the angle of the inner corner of some valleys 270 becomes larger after the filter element 20 is folded. Correspondingly, when the foldable filter device 100 is folded, the angle of the inner corner of some valleys 270 at the folded portion of the filter element 20 becomes smaller, and the bonding portion 260 within the valley 270 is squeezed to a certain extent. Because the bonding portion 260 has elasticity, the support strip 280 can also withstand this extent of squeezing without breaking, so that the spacing between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 can be maintained even when the angle of the inner corner of some valleys 270 becomes smaller when the filter element 20 is folded. When the foldable filter device 100 is restored from the folded state, due to the elasticity of the bonding portion 260, the support strip 280 can quickly restore from the stretched or squeezed state, so as to be able to maintain the spacing between two adjacent filter surfaces 21, thereby ensuring the filtering effect.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the filter element 20 includes an inner side surface 230 and an outer side surface 240. The peak of the mountain 250 can face the inner side surface 230 of the filter element 20 or the outer side surface 240 of the filter element 20, and the bottom of the valley 270 can face the inner side surface of the filter element 20 or the outer side surface of the filter element 20. A plurality of support strips 280 are disposed facing the inner side surface 230 and the outer side surface 240 of the filter element 20. After the filter element 20 is respectively provided with support strips 280 facing the inner side surface 230 and the outer side surface 240, a certain distance can be maintained between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 near the support strips 280 disposed on the inner side and the outer side of the filter element 20 in the thickness direction of the filter element 20 before and after the filter element 20 is folded. The filter element 20 includes a first end 210 and a second end 290, and a plurality of support strips 280 are disposed between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20. After the support strips 280 are disposed between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20, a certain distance can be maintained between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 near the support strips 280 disposed between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 before and after the filter element 20 is folded.

[0047] In some embodiments, there is a third distance H between the support strip 280 closest to the first end 210 and the first end, and there is a third distance H between the support strip 280 closest to the second end 290 and the second end 290. The length of the third distance H accounts for 5% to 15% of the length between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element. Optionally, it is 10%. By disposing the support strips 280 at positions close to the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20, when the first end 210 and the second end 290 are stressed, especially when assembling the first seal 52 and the second seal 54 to the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 and when the filter element 20 is installed in the air purifier, it is beneficial to maintain the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 near the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20.

[0048] In some embodiments, the distance between two adjacent support strips 280 disposed between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 is a fourth distance Y. The length of the fourth distance Y accounts for 15% to 45% of the length between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20. Optionally, it is 30%. When a plurality of support strips 280 are disposed between the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20, an appropriate distance range between two adjacent support strips 280 is beneficial to maintaining the distance between two adjacent filter surfaces 21 near the two adjacent support strips 280.

[0049] Refer to Figures 8a to 8d, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, before the filter element 20 is made into a cylindrical shape, it is a sheet structure formed by folding back and connecting a plurality of filter surfaces 21, and discontinuous bonding portions 260 are provided on each filter surface 21. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bonding portions can also be arranged in other shapes capable of bonding two filter surfaces, such as X-shaped, S-shaped, triangular, diamond-shaped, circular, oval, trapezoidal or rectangular.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as Figures 8a to 8b shown, the bonding portions 260 arranged on the filter surfaces 21 on both sides of the peak 250 are not connected at the peak 250, which can be as Figure 8a shown, one end of the bonding portion 260 does not extend to the peak of the peak 250, and the other end extends to the bottom of the valley 270; it can also be as Figure 8b shown, one end of the bonding portion 260 does not extend to the peak of the peak 250, and the other end does not extend to the bottom of the valley 270 either. As Figures 8c to 8d shown, one end of the bonding portions 260 arranged on the filter surfaces 21 on both sides of the bottom of the valley 270 does not extend to the peak of the peak 250, which can be as Figure 8c shown, one end of the bonding portion 260 does not extend to the peak of the peak 250, and the other end extends to the bottom of the valley 270; it can also be as Figure 8d shown, one end of the bonding portion 260 does not extend to the peak of the peak 250, and the other end does not extend to the bottom of the valley 270 either.

[0051] As Figure 8 shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, optionally, each bonding portion 260 has a first length L, the distance from one end of each bonding portion 260 to the peak of the peak 250 is a first distance S, and the distance from the other end of the bonding portion 260 to the bottom of the valley where it is located is a second distance N. The sum of the first distance S, the first length L, and the second distance N is the total width of the filter surface 21. Wherein the first distance S can be equal to the second distance N, and the first distance S can also be not equal to the second distance N. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first length L accounts for 30% to 80% of the total width of the filter surface 21, and can be optionally 50%; the sum of the first distance S and the second distance N accounts for 20% to 70% of the total width of the filter surface 21; wherein, the second distance is greater than or equal to zero. Optionally, the sum of the first distance S and the second distance N accounts for 50% of the total width of the filter surface 21; wherein, optionally, the first distance S and the second distance N respectively account for 25% of the total width of the filter surface 21.

[0052] Refer to Figures 2 to 4, during assembly, the pre-filter screen 30 is installed and wrapped around the outside of the filter element 20. The setting of the pre-filter screen 30 plays an important role in extending the service life of the filtering device 100. The pre-filter screen 30 can be used to initially filter foreign matters in the air such as animal hairs and large particles of dust, and by periodically cleaning or replacing the pre-filter screen 30, it can be ensured that it can perform its functions for a long time. In addition, the pre-filter screen 30 can also assist in shaping the filter element 20, that is, fixing its external shape and not being easily deformed.

[0053] In some embodiments, the foldable filtering device 100 is provided with a carbon layer 40 for use in its unfolded state. The carbon layer 40 is assembled inside the filter element 20 to adsorb harmful gases such as formaldehyde in the air. In some embodiments, a support mesh can be further provided outside the carbon layer 40 to fix the carbon layer 40 and also play a supporting role for the cylindrical inner ring of the filter element 20.

[0054] In some embodiments, the foldable filtering device 100 includes a first flexible seal 52 and a second flexible seal 54. The first flexible seal 52 and the second flexible seal 54 are made of an elastic flexible material. The first flexible seal 52 and the second flexible seal 54 are respectively configured to be sealingly disposed at the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20. The setting of the first flexible seal 52 and the second flexible seal 54 can effectively seal the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element to ensure that all the filtered air enters the air duct after passing through the filter element 20 and does not enter the air purifier from the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20, thus affecting the filtering effect.

[0055] Optionally, the flexible material may be a foamed material or a foam. Since the foam material is very light, selecting the foam can greatly reduce the overall weight of the foldable filter device 100, usually reducing the weight of the foldable filter device 100 to 50% to 80% of the weight of the previously used plastic material, thereby reducing the energy required during transportation, further reducing carbon dioxide emissions and being conducive to degradation, contributing to environmental protection. The first dense flexible seal 52 and the second flexible seal 54 made of foam material need to be adhesively fixed to the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 by glue. In some embodiments, the first flexible seal 52 and / or the second flexible seal 54 includes a hem folded towards the inner side surface 230 of the filter element 20 and / or a hem 522, 542 folded towards the outer side surface of the filter element. In some embodiments, glue is first disposed on one surface of the second flexible seal 54 made of annular foam, and then the filter element 20 is pressed against the inner ring of the second flexible seal with its inner side surface facing the second flexible seal 54. At this time, due to the pressing force, the outer ring edge of the second flexible seal 54 is turned upwards, and then further clamped by a fixture to form a hem 542 of the second flexible seal tightly bonded to the outer side surface of the bottom edge of the pre-filter net 30. The hem 542 tightly wraps the bottom edge of the pre-filter net 30, so that the bottom edge of the pre-filter net 30 and the filter element 20 are closely fitted without generating a gap, further ensuring that the air to be filtered all passes through the pre-filter net 30 to achieve the pre-filtering effect. Optionally, a hem folded towards the inside of the filter element 20 may also be provided. After the second flexible seal 54 is installed, the filter element 20 is turned upside down and then pressed against the first flexible seal 52 on which glue is disposed, and then the hem 522 of the first flexible seal 52 is further processed. The hem 522 of the first flexible seal 52 also tightly wraps the top outer ring of the pre-filter net 30, so that the pre-filter net 30 and the filter element 20 are closely fitted without generating a gap, further ensuring that the air to be filtered all passes through the pre-filter net to achieve the filtering effect. Since glue is disposed on the first flexible seal 52 and the second flexible seal 54, the first end and the second end of the filter element 20 are sealed by the solidified glue to prevent air leakage. Since the foam is fixed to the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 by glue, the hems 522, 542 can effectively cover the overflow glue, making the appearance at the inner side surface 230 and the outer side surface 240 of the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 more beautiful. In some embodiments, the height of the hem ranges from 0 to less than or equal to 8% of the total height of the filter element 20. Optionally, the height of the hem is 5% of the height of the filter element 20. The height of the hem can effectively cover the overflow glue. In some embodiments, since the foam is fixed to the first end 210 and the second end 290 of the filter element 20 by glue, the foam coated with glue can help the folded filter element 20 to return to its shape before folding.In some embodiments, the first flexible seal and the second flexible seal made of flexible foam material can also help the folded filter element 20 to return to its shape before folding.

[0056] In some embodiments, the foldable filter device 100 is provided with a shaping member 60 for use in a non-folded state to shape the filter element 20. The shaping member 60 can be arranged to be able to snap and position the inner side surface 230 and / or the outer side surface 240 of the filter element 20, so that its inner side surface 230 and / or outer side surface 240 remain shaped and do not deform. When the shaping member 60 is annular, its cross-section can be arranged in a U shape or an L shape. When its cross-section is arranged in an L shape, the shaping member 60 is provided with an inner edge 62 protruding into the inner side surface 230 of the filter element 20 to ensure that the inner side surface 230 of the filter element 20 maintains its shape. When the cross-section of the shaping member 60 is arranged in a U shape, the shaping member 60 has an inner edge protruding towards the inner side surface 230 of the filter element 20 and an outer edge protruding towards the outer side surface 240 of the filter element 20 to ensure the shape of the inner and outer side surfaces of the filter element 20.

[0057] In some embodiments, the foldable filter device 100 without the assembled shaping member is placed in a plastic packaging bag, and then the foldable filter device 100 is pressed and folded flat. After the plastic packaging bag is evacuated, the volume of the entire plastic packaging bag is only 50%-60% of the volume before folding and flattening. At the same time, the volume of the external packaging box is also correspondingly reduced, thereby saving a large amount of materials for plastic bags and packaging boxes. When transporting, in the case of the same number of transported filter devices, the folded filter device only requires 50%-60% of the space when it was not folded before, greatly reducing the transportation cost.

[0058] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. On the contrary, the specific features and acts described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

[0059] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in the technical field without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of the terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or improvements to the technology in the market, or to enable other ordinary skill in the art in the technical field to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A foldable filter device (100), characterized in that: The filter element (20) is configured to be wavy and includes a plurality of filter surfaces (21) folded back and connected to each other, and a peak (250) located at the outer corner where two adjacent filter surfaces (21) intersect, and a valley (270) located at the inner corner where two adjacent filter surfaces (21) intersect. An elastic bonding portion (260) is arranged in all or part of the valley (270) to bond the two adjacent filter surfaces (21), and a first distance (S) is provided between the bonding portion (260) and the peak (250). The plurality of bonding portions (260) form a support strip (280) on the wavy filter element (20) so as to maintain the spacing between the two adjacent filter surfaces (21).

2. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic bonding portion (260) is made of foamed hot melt adhesive material.

3. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter element (20) comprises an inner side surface (230) and an outer side surface (240), and the bonding portion (260) is arranged in a valley (270) facing the inner side surface (230) of the filter element (20) and / or in a valley (270) facing the outer side surface (240).

4. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter element (20) comprises a first end (210) and a second end (290), and at least one or more support strips (280) are arranged between the first end (210) and the second end (290) of the filter element (20).

5. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: There is a third distance (H) between the support strip (280) closest to the first end (210) and the first end (210) and / or there is a third distance (H) between the support strip (280) closest to the second end (290) and the second end (290), and the length of the third distance (H) accounts for 5% to 15% of the length between the first end and the second end of the filter element (20).

6. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent support strips (280) arranged between the first end (210) and the second end (290) of the filter element (20) is a fourth distance (Y), and the length of the fourth distance (Y) accounts for 15% to 45% of the length between the first end (210) and the second end (290) of the filter element (20).

7. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bonding portion (260) has a first length (L), the first distance (S) is the first distance (S) between one end of the bonding portion (260) and the peak of the peak (250), and there is a second distance (N) between the other end of the bonding portion (260) and the bottom of the valley (270), wherein the sum of the first distance (S), the first length (L) and the second distance (N) is equal to the total width of the filtering surface (21).

8. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first length (L) accounts for 30% to 80% of the total width of the filtering surface (21), and the sum of the first distance (S) and the second distance (N) accounts for 20% to 70% of the total width of the filtering surface (21), wherein the second distance (N) is greater than or equal to zero.

9. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foldable filter device (100) further includes a first flexible seal (52) and a second flexible seal (54), wherein the first flexible seal (52) and the second flexible seal (54) are respectively configured to be sealingly disposed at the first end (210) and the second end (290) of the filter element (20).

10. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first flexible seal (52) and / or the second flexible seal (54) include a rim folded toward the inner side (230) of the filter element (20) and / or a rim folded toward the outer side (240) of the filter element (20).

11. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The height of the edge covering ranges from 0 to less than or equal to 8% of the total height of the filter element (20).

12. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first flexible sealing member (52) and the second flexible sealing member (54) are made of foam material or foam.

13. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The foldable filter device (100) further comprises a pre-filtering net (30) arranged outside the filter element (20), the pre-filtering net (30) being used for pre-filtering and supporting the outer side surface (240) of the filter element (20), and the edging is coated on the outer edge of the pre-filtering net (30).

14. The foldable filter device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foldable filter device (100) further comprises a shaping member (60) configured to be used in an unfolded state, for shaping the inner side surface (230) and / or the outer side surface (240) of the filter element (20).

15. An air purifier, characterized in that: It comprises the foldable filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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