Air cleaner

Abstract

To provide an air cleaner suppressing clogging of a filter element while suppressing a pressure loss of air flowing among ribs.SOLUTION: An air cleaner is provided with a panel-shaped filter element 60 partitioning a space inside a housing to a first space 23 connected to an inlet 22 and a second space connected to an outlet. The housing includes an opposite wall 31 opposite to the filter element and forming a first space; and a peripheral wall 35 standing from the peripheral edge of the opposite wall. On the inner surface of the opposite wall, a plurality of ribs 50 extending toward a side far from the inlet from a side near to the inlet and disposed at intervals from each other is provided. The plurality of ribs includes: a plurality of main ribs 51; and auxiliary ribs 55 disposed among the main ribs adjacent to one another. An interval among the adjacent main ribs become larger as being apart from the inlet. The auxiliary ribs are provided at a position further apart from the inlet relative to the main rib.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air cleaner. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an air cleaner that is provided in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine and filters intake air. The air cleaner described in Patent Document 1 includes a case having an inlet and an outlet, and a panel-shaped filter element that filters air flowing from the inlet to the outlet. The inside of the case is divided by the filter element into a first space that is a space on the upstream side of the filter element, and a second space that is a space on the downstream side. The case has an opposing wall that faces the filter element and forms the first space, and a peripheral wall that stands from the periphery of the opposing wall. An inlet that is connected to the first space is connected to the peripheral wall. An outlet that is connected to the second space is connected to the peripheral wall.

[0003] The inner surface of the opposing wall is provided with a plurality of ribs that protrude toward the filter element. The plurality of ribs extend from the inner surface of the opposing wall closer to the inlet to the farther from the inlet. The interval between adjacent ribs increases with increasing distance from the inlet. Air drawn from the inlet into the first space flows along the flow path formed between the adjacent ribs and is diffused into the first space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-36145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an air cleaner, it is preferable for air to flow over a wide area of ​​the filter element in order to prevent clogging of the filter element. For this reason, in the case of the air cleaner described in Patent Document 1, it is considered to increase the number of ribs in order to further improve the air diffusion in the first space. However, when the number of ribs is increased, the interval between adjacent ribs becomes smaller, especially on the side closer to the inlet, and there is a risk of increasing the pressure loss of the air flowing between the ribs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air cleaner for solving the above problems includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a panel-shaped filter element provided inside the housing, dividing a space inside the housing into a first space connected to the inlet and a second space connected to the outlet, and filtering air flowing from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the housing has an opposing wall that faces the filter element and forms the first space, and a peripheral wall that rises from a periphery of the opposing wall, the inlet is provided on the peripheral wall, and a plurality of ribs are provided on an inner surface of the opposing wall that extend from a side closer to the inlet to a side farther from the inlet and are arranged at intervals from each other, the plurality of ribs include a plurality of main ribs and secondary ribs that are arranged between adjacent main ribs, the spacing between adjacent main ribs becoming larger with increasing distance from the inlet, and the secondary ribs are provided at a position farther from the inlet than the main ribs.

[0007] According to this configuration, the distance between adjacent main ribs becomes larger as the distance from the inlet increases. Therefore, the air introduced from the inlet into the first space flows along the flow path formed between the main ribs and is diffused into the first space. In addition, the air flowing through the flow path formed between the main ribs is further straightened and diffused by the sub-ribs. As a result, the air introduced into the first space passes through a wide range of the filter element, so clogging of the filter element can be suppressed. In addition, the sub-ribs are provided at a position farther from the inlet than the main ribs. Therefore, even if the number of ribs is increased, the number of ribs does not increase on the side closer to the inlet, so the distance between adjacent ribs is suppressed from becoming smaller. Therefore, it is possible to suppress clogging of the filter element while suppressing pressure loss of the air flowing between the ribs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air cleaner according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the air cleaner of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the case of FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the case body taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the case body, focusing on the portion of the rib closer to the inlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air cleaner will be described with reference to Figs. <Overall configuration of the air cleaner> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the air cleaner is provided in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle, and includes a housing 10 and a filter element 60 provided inside the housing 10.

[0010] The housing 10 includes a case 21 having a cylindrical inlet 22 and a cap 11 disposed above the case 21 and having a cylindrical outlet 12 . 2 and 3, the case 21 has an opening 21a that opens upward into the housing 10. The cap 11 has an opening 11a that opens downward.

[0011] In this embodiment, the openings 21a and 11a are both rectangular in plan view and have the same size. Next, each component of the air cleaner will be described.

[0012] <Filter element 60> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter element 60 has a panel-shaped filtering portion 61 that filters the air flowing from the inlet 22 to the outlet 12, and a seal portion 62 provided on the periphery of the filtering portion 61.

[0013] The filter element 60 of the present embodiment has a rectangular shape in a plan view and has short sides and long sides. The filtering portion 61 is formed by pleating a filter material. The filtering portion 61 has, for example, a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0014] The seal portion 62 is made of an elastic material, for example, a polyurethane resin having closed cells. 3, the filtering part 61 is inserted from above into the opening 21a of the case 21. The sealing part 62 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the periphery of the opening 21a of the case 21 and the periphery of the opening 11a of the cap 11. This forms a seal between the case 21 and the cap 11.

[0015] In the following description, the short side direction and the long side direction of the filter element 60 are respectively referred to as a first direction X and a second direction Y. Also, the direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y (the vertical direction in FIGS. 1 to 3) is referred to as a third direction Z.

[0016] <Case 21> As shown in FIG. 4, the case 21 includes a case body 30 and a lid 40 having an opening 21a.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the case body 30 has an opposing wall 31 that faces the filter element 60 in the third direction Z, and a peripheral wall 35 that is continuous with the peripheral edge of the opposing wall 31. 4, the circumferential wall 35 has a first circumferential wall 36 and a second circumferential wall 37 facing the first circumferential wall 36 in the first direction X. The circumferential wall 35 has a third circumferential wall 38 connecting one ends of the first circumferential wall 36 and the second circumferential wall 37 in the second direction Y, and a fourth circumferential wall 39 connecting the other ends of the first circumferential wall 36 and the second circumferential wall 37 in the second direction Y.

[0018] The inlet 22 in this embodiment is provided at a corner portion of the first peripheral wall 36 where the first peripheral wall 36 meets the third peripheral wall 38 . As shown in FIG. 4, the lid 40 has a top wall 44 having an opening 21a, and a peripheral wall 45 continuous with the peripheral edge of the top wall 44.

[0019] Support portions 80 that rotatably support the pair of clamps 49 are provided on both sides of the peripheral wall 45 in the second direction Y (see FIG. 2). The leading edge of the peripheral wall 45 is joined to the leading edge of the peripheral wall 35 of the case body 30 , so that the lid 40 is fixed to the case body 30 so as to cover the upper opening of the case body 30 .

[0020] 3 and 5, the opposing wall 31 has a first wall portion 32 and a second wall portion 33 disposed at a position farther from the inlet 22 than the first wall portion 32. The distance between the second wall portion 33 and the filter element 60 is smaller than that between the first wall portion 32 and the second wall portion 33.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the first wall portion 32 is provided at a corner portion between the first peripheral wall 36 and the third peripheral wall 38 of the opposing wall 31, that is, at a portion connected to the inlet 22. The opposing wall 31 has a third wall portion located on the opposite side of the second wall portion 33 from the first wall portion 32. The second circumferential wall 37 is continuous with an edge portion of the third wall portion .

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 40 has a protruding portion 46 that faces the third wall portion 34 in the third direction Z and protrudes away from the case body 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of arch portions 48 are provided on the outer surface of the protruding portion 46 at a distance from each other in the second direction Y.

[0023] <Cap 11> As shown in FIG. 2, the cap 11 has a top wall 14 and a peripheral wall 15 that is continuous with the peripheral edge of the top wall 14 .

[0024] The peripheral wall 15 has a first peripheral wall 16, a second peripheral wall 17, a third peripheral wall 18, and a fourth peripheral wall 19 which correspond respectively to a first peripheral wall 36, a second peripheral wall 37, a third peripheral wall 38, and a fourth peripheral wall 39 which constitute the peripheral wall 35 of the case 21.

[0025] The outlet 12 in this embodiment is provided at a corner portion of the first peripheral wall 16 where the first peripheral wall 16 meets the fourth peripheral wall 19 . A pair of engaging projections 74 are provided at an end edge of the second peripheral wall 17, the engaging projections 74 projecting outwardly from the outer periphery of the second peripheral wall 17 at a distance from each other in the second direction Y.

[0026] A pair of latched portions 79 are protruded from the outer surfaces of the third peripheral wall 18 and the fourth peripheral wall 19, to which the pair of clamps 49 of the case 21 are respectively latched. The pair of engaging protrusions 74 are engaged with the pair of arch portions 48 , respectively, and the pair of clamps 49 are engaged with the pair of engaged portions 79 , whereby the cap 11 is fixed to the case 21 .

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inside of the housing 10 is divided by the filter element 60 into a first space 23 communicating with the inlet 22 and a second space 13 communicating with the outlet 12.

[0028] The first space 23 has an expansion portion 24 located on the opposite side to the inlet 22 across the filter element 60 in the first direction X. The expansion portion 24 is defined by the third wall portion 34 of the opposing wall 31, the second peripheral wall 37, the protruding portion 46 of the top wall 44, etc.

[0029] The extension portion 24 is provided at a position not overlapping with the filter element 60 in the third direction Z, and extends the first space 23 in the first direction X. The expansion portion 24 of the present embodiment also expands the first space 23 in the second direction Y. That is, the third wall portion 34 of the opposing wall 31 protrudes further on both sides in the second direction Y than the second wall portion 33 (see FIG. 5).

[0030] 5, the third wall portion 34 is provided with a reinforcing rib 34a extending along the second direction Y. That is, the reinforcing rib 34a is disposed at a position farther from the inlet 22 than the filter element 60. In this embodiment, two reinforcing ribs 34a are provided in the first direction X with a gap between them.

[0031] A plurality of ribs 50 are provided on the inner surface of the opposing wall 31, extending from the side closer to the inlet 22 to the side farther from the inlet 22 and arranged at intervals from each other. The plurality of ribs 50 include a plurality of main ribs 51 and sub-ribs 55 disposed between adjacent main ribs 51 .

[0032] The interval between adjacent main ribs 51 increases as the distance from the inlet 22 increases. In this embodiment, three main ribs 51 are provided. 5 and 6, two of the three main ribs 51 extend to the inside of the inlet 22. The remaining main rib 51 is continuous with the inner surface of the first circumferential wall .

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the main rib 51 has a first portion 52 provided on the first wall portion 32 of the opposing wall 31 and a second portion 53 provided on the second wall portion 33. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the amount of protrusion of the first portion 52 from the opposing wall 31 is greater than the amount of protrusion of the second portion 53 from the opposing wall 31.

[0034] 5, the sub-rib 55 is provided at a position away from the first circumferential wall 36 and the inlet 22. In other words, the sub-rib 55 is provided at a position farther from the inlet 22 than the main rib 51 is.

[0035] The sub-ribs 55 have a first sub-rib 55a disposed between adjacent main ribs 51, and a second sub-rib 55b disposed between adjacent main ribs 51 and the first sub-rib 55a. The second sub-rib 55b is provided at a position farther from the inlet 22 than the first sub-rib 55a.

[0036] Two of the three main ribs 51 and the sub-rib 55 extend to the reinforcing rib 34a. The third wall portion 34 is provided with a reinforcing rib 34b that is connected to the two main ribs 51 and the sub-rib 55 via the reinforcing rib 34a and extends along the first direction X.

[0037] The remaining main rib 51 , that is, the main rib 51 continuing to the inner surface of the first peripheral wall 36 , extends to the inner surface of the fourth peripheral wall 39 . That is, the main rib 51 and the sub-rib 55 extend to a position farther from the inlet 22 than the filter element 60 .

[0038] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the distance between adjacent main ribs 51 increases as the distance from the inlet 22 increases. Therefore, the air introduced from the inlet 22 into the first space 23 flows along the flow path formed between the main ribs 51 and is diffused into the first space 23. In addition, the air flowing through the flow path formed between the main ribs 51 is further straightened and diffused by the sub-ribs 55. As a result, the air introduced into the first space 23 passes through a wide range of the filter element 60, so clogging of the filter element 60 can be suppressed. In addition, the sub-ribs 55 are provided at a position farther from the inlet 22 than the main ribs 51. Therefore, even if the number of ribs 50 is increased, the number of ribs 50 does not increase on the side closer to the inlet 22, so the distance between adjacent ribs 50 is prevented from becoming smaller. Therefore, the pressure loss of the air flowing between the ribs 50 can be suppressed while clogging of the filter element 60 can be suppressed.

[0039] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The interval between adjacent main ribs 51 increases as the distance from the inlet 22 increases. The secondary ribs 55 are provided at a position farther from the inlet 22 than the main ribs 51 are.

[0040] According to such a configuration, the above-mentioned effects are achieved, and therefore, clogging of the filter element 60 can be suppressed while suppressing pressure loss of the air flowing between the ribs 50. (2) A plurality of main ribs 51 extend into the inlet 22 .

[0041] According to this configuration, since the main ribs 51 extend to the inside of the inlet 22, the flow of air immediately after it flows from the inlet 22 into the first space 23 is distributed by the main ribs 51. This makes it possible to further improve the diffusion of air in the first space 23.

[0042] (3) The main rib 51 has a first portion 52 provided on the first wall portion 32 and a second portion 53 provided on the second wall portion 33. The amount by which the first portion 52 protrudes from the opposing wall 31 is greater than the amount by which the second portion 53 protrudes from the opposing wall 31.

[0043] According to this configuration, the first portion 52, which is disposed closer to the inlet 22 than the second portion 53 and protrudes more from the opposing wall 31 than the second portion 53, can improve the air flow straightening effect. Furthermore, the second portion 53 can prevent the main rib 51 from interfering with the filter element 60.

[0044] (4) The first space 23 has the expansion portion 24 located on the opposite side to the inlet 22 in the first direction X with the filter element 60 interposed therebetween. According to this configuration, some of the foreign matter such as dust contained in the air flowing through the flow passage formed between the ribs 50 flows into the extension portion 24 by inertia and remains there. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of foreign matter captured by the filter element 60. As a result, clogging of the filter element 60 can be suppressed.

[0045] (5) The main rib 51 and the sub rib 55 extend to a position farther from the inlet 22 than the filter element 60 . According to this configuration, the main ribs 51 and the sub ribs 55 extend to a position farther from the inlet 22 than the filter element 60, so that foreign matter moving due to inertia tends to move to a position farther from the inlet 22 than the filter element 60. Therefore, foreign matter contained in the air is less likely to remain in a position opposite the filter element 60. Therefore, clogging of the filter element 60 can be further suppressed.

[0046] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0047] Two of the three main ribs 51 and the sub-rib 55 do not have to extend to the reinforcing rib 34a. In other words, the main rib 51 and the sub-rib 55 do not have to extend to a position farther from the inlet 22 than the filter element 60.

[0048] The extension portion 24 may be omitted. The opposing wall 31 may be flat. In this case, the amount of protrusion of the main rib 51 from the opposing wall 31 may be constant in the extending direction of the main rib 51.

[0049] In this embodiment, some of the main ribs 51 extend to the inside of the inlet 22, but all of the main ribs 51 may extend to the inside of the inlet 22. In addition, all of the main ribs 51 do not have to extend to the inside of the inlet 22.

[0050] The air cleaner of the present embodiment is not limited to being provided in the intake passage of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle, but may be provided, for example, midway through an air passage constituting an air conditioner or the like.

[0051] <Additional Notes> [Appendix 1] An air cleaner comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; and a panel-shaped filter element provided inside the housing, dividing a space inside the housing into a first space connected to the inlet and a second space connected to the outlet, and filtering air flowing from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the housing has an opposing wall that faces the filter element and forms the first space, and a peripheral wall that rises from a periphery of the opposing wall, the inlet is provided on the peripheral wall, and a plurality of ribs are provided on an inner surface of the opposing wall that extend from a side closer to the inlet to a side farther from the inlet and are arranged at intervals from each other, the plurality of ribs include a plurality of main ribs and secondary ribs that are arranged between adjacent main ribs, the intervals between adjacent main ribs becoming larger with increasing distance from the inlet, and the secondary ribs are provided at a position farther from the inlet than the main ribs.

[0052] [Appendix 2] An air cleaner as described in [Appendix 1], wherein at least one of the plurality of main ribs extends to an interior of the inlet. [Appendix 3] An air cleaner as described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2], wherein the opposing wall has a first wall portion and a second wall portion that is positioned farther from the inlet than the first wall portion and has a smaller distance from the filter element than the first wall portion, and the main rib includes a first portion provided on the first wall portion and a second portion provided on the second wall portion, and the amount of protrusion of the first portion from the opposing wall is greater than the amount of protrusion of the second portion from the opposing wall.

[0053] [Appendix 4] The air cleaner according to any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 3], wherein the first space has an expansion portion located on the opposite side of the filter element from the inlet.

[0054] [Appendix 5] An air cleaner as described in [Appendix 4], wherein the main rib and the sub rib extend to a position farther from the inlet than the filter element. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10. Housing 11. Cap 11a...Opening 12. Outlet 13…Second space 14…Top wall 15...Peripheral wall 16...First peripheral wall 17...Second peripheral wall 18...Third peripheral wall 19…4th peripheral wall 21…Case 21a...Opening 22…Inlet 23…first space 24…Extension 30…Case body 31...Facing wall 32…First wall part 33…Second wall part 34…Third wall part 34a, 34b…Reinforcing ribs 35...peripheral wall 36...First peripheral wall 37…Second peripheral wall 38...Third peripheral wall 39…4th peripheral wall 40…Cover body 44…Top wall 45...peripheral wall 46...Protrusion 48…Arch section 49…Clamp 50…Rib 51...Main rib 52…Part 1 53…Second part 55…Secondary rib 55a…First minor rib 55b…Second minor rib 60...Filter element 61...filtration section 62…Seal part 74…Joint protrusion 79…Being tied 80…Support Department

Claims

1. a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a panel-shaped filter element provided inside the housing, dividing a space inside the housing into a first space communicating with the inlet and a second space communicating with the outlet, and filtering air flowing from the inlet to the outlet, The housing has an opposing wall that faces the filter element and forms the first space, and a peripheral wall that stands up from a peripheral edge of the opposing wall, The inlet is provided in the peripheral wall, A plurality of ribs are provided on an inner surface of the opposing wall, the ribs extending from a side closer to the inlet to a side farther from the inlet and spaced apart from one another, The plurality of ribs include A plurality of main ribs; and a secondary rib disposed between adjacent main ribs, The interval between adjacent main ribs increases as the distance from the inlet increases, The secondary rib is provided at a position farther from the inlet than the main rib. Air cleaner.

2. At least one of the plurality of main ribs extends to an interior of the inlet.

2. The air cleaner of claim 1.

3. The opposing wall has a first wall portion and a second wall portion that is disposed at a position farther from the inlet than the first wall portion and has a smaller distance from the filter element than the first wall portion, The main rib includes a first portion provided on the first wall portion and a second portion provided on the second wall portion, a protruding amount of the first portion from the opposing wall is greater than a protruding amount of the second portion from the opposing wall; 2. The air cleaner of claim 1.

4. The first space has an expansion portion located on the opposite side of the filter element from the inlet. The air cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The main rib and the sub rib extend to a position farther from the inlet than the filter element.

5. The air cleaner according to claim 4.

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