Duct filter exchange structure

Abstract

To provide a filter exchange structure in a duct which enables filter exchange without directly touching a dirty filter with hid / her hand.SOLUTION: In a duct filter exchange structure 1 in which a filter 71 is provided in a duct 30, and a duct opening 33 for inserting / withdrawing the filter 71 is provided on the wall part of the duct 30, the duct 30 includes a duct lid 40 for blocking the duct opening 33, the filter 71 is attachable / detachable to / from the duct lid 40, the duct lid 40 is composed of a first lid part 42 and a second lid part 52 which are arranged in parallel in a proximity state, the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 are separable, and include engagement parts 47 and 61 capable of engaging the filter 71 in the proximity state, and the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 are turned to a separation state from the proximity state, and thereby engagement of the filter 71 by engagement parts 47 and 61 is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a duct filter replacement structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Duct structures that allow for filter replacement have been known for some time. For example, a vehicle air purifier described in Patent Document 1 has a filter for filtering air that is provided across an air passage located downstream of a blower and upstream of an air outlet in the ceiling of a vehicle, and the filter can be replaced by removing a cover from the main body of the air purifier to open the air passage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-146068 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the air purifier having the above configuration, when replacing the filter, the dirty filter must be directly grasped with the hands and removed from the main body (air passage), which poses a problem of dirtying the hands.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification was developed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a duct filter replacement structure that allows filter replacement without directly touching a dirty filter with hands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification, which was completed in consideration of the above circumstances, is a duct filter replacement structure in which a filter for filtering air flow is provided in a duct forming an air flow path, and a duct opening is provided in a wall of the duct for inserting and removing the filter, the duct has a duct lid that covers the duct opening, the filter is removable from the duct lid, and the duct lid is composed of a first lid portion and a second lid portion that are arranged in close proximity to each other in a direction along the wall surface of the duct, the first lid portion and the second lid portion are separable and have a locking portion that can lock the filter in the close proximity state, and the locking of the filter by the locking portion is released when the first lid portion and the second lid portion are separated from the close proximity state.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when replacing a used filter held by the duct lid, the filter can be removed from the duct lid simply by separating the first lid part and the second lid part. In other words, the used filter can be discarded by simply separating the duct lid (the first lid part and the second lid part) with the filter facing down, without directly touching the dirty filter after use with one's hands. In addition, when attaching a new filter to the duct lid, the filter can be easily attached by simply bringing the separated first lid part and the second lid part close to the filter.

[0008] The first and second lid parts may be separable in a direction along the arrangement direction thereof, and the locking parts may protrude toward the inside of the duct at portions of the first and second lid parts in the close state that are located at both ends in the arrangement direction, and may be configured to lock onto the filter when the first and second lid parts are in the close state, and to release the locking from the filter when the first and second lid parts are in the separated state from the close state. With such a configuration, an embodiment in which the filter is detachable from the duct lid can be realized.

[0009] The first and second lids may be held together in a slidable manner. With this configuration, the first and second lids in a separated state can be handled as a single unit, providing excellent operability.

[0010] The first lid portion is provided with an elastically deformable lock arm extending toward the second lid portion, and the second lid portion is provided with an insertion portion having an opening on an opposing surface that faces the first lid portion in the close proximity state, and the lock arm is inserted into the insertion portion from the opening and interferes with an inner surface of the insertion portion and elastically deforms, so that in the separated state, the first lid portion and the second lid portion are held by the elastic force of the lock arm, and a lock protrusion provided on the lock arm engages with a lock receiving portion provided on the insertion portion, causing the lock arm to elastically return, and the first lid portion and the second lid portion are held in the close proximity state.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to realize an embodiment in which the first cover part and the second cover part are held so as to be slidable along the arrangement direction. Also, it is possible to maintain the close proximity state well.

[0012] The lock arm may be elastically deformable in a direction along the inner surface of the duct, and the lock receiving portion may be provided on a surface of the second lid portion that intersects with the inner surface of the duct. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the lock arm elastically deforms in a direction that intersects with the inner surface of the duct, there is no need to provide a deflection space for the lock arm, and the plate thickness of the duct lid can be utilized, allowing the duct lid to be made thinner.

[0013] A retaining portion may be provided between the locking arm and an inner surface of the insertion portion to prevent the locking arm from coming off from the insertion portion when the first and second lids are in the separated state. With this configuration, the first and second lids can be well maintained in a held state when the first and second lids are in the separated state.

[0014] The locking arm may be provided with a protrusion protruding toward an outside of the duct, and the second lid may be provided with a guide groove for guiding the protrusion in the arrangement direction. With this configuration, when the first lid and the second lid in a disassembled state are held together by the locking arm, or when the first lid and the second lid in a separated state held by the locking arm are brought into close proximity to each other, the first lid and the second lid can be guided into a correct position. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to provide a filter replacement structure in a duct that enables filter replacement without directly touching a dirty filter with hands. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling of a vehicle equipped with a blower device in which a duct filter replacement structure according to an embodiment is adopted, as viewed from inside the vehicle interior; [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram showing air flow caused by a blower [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a roof trim having a blower; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the blower device (cross-sectional view II of FIG. 3). [Diagram 5] Enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the duct with the filter unit installed [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a duct cover (first cover portion and second cover portion in a close proximity state) with a filter unit attached thereto; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first lid portion and a second lid portion in a separated state, and a filter unit; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first and second divided bodies in a disassembled state, viewed from above; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first and second divided bodies in a disassembled state, viewed from below; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first and second lids in a separated state, viewed from below; [Figure 11]A cross-sectional view of the first lid portion and the second lid portion in a separated state. [Figure 12] Bottom view of the duct cover (first cover part and second cover part in close proximity) [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view of the duct cover (first cover part and second cover part in close proximity) [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a duct cover (a first cover portion and a second cover portion in a close state) to which a filter unit is attached (a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 12). [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a filter unit is attached to a duct cover (a first cover portion and a second cover portion in a close state) as viewed from below [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a duct cover (first cover portion and second cover portion in a close proximity state) in a state where the engagement between the lock protrusion and the lock receiving hole is released [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the duct cover (first cover portion and second cover portion in close proximity to each other) in a state where the engagement between the lock protrusion and the lock receiving hole has been released. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a first lid portion, a second lid portion, and a filter unit in a separated state; [Figure 19] Partially enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 18 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment in which the duct filter replacement structure 1 disclosed in this specification is applied to a duct 30 of a blower 20 provided in the ceiling of a vehicle will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 19. In the following description, the left side in Figs. 1 to 5 is the front or upstream side, and the right side is the rear or downstream side. The up-down direction in Fig. 3 is the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the upper side in Figs. 4 and 5 is the upper side, and the lower side is the lower side. Note that the directions are not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, for multiple identical members, a reference symbol may be attached to one member and the reference symbols of the other members may be omitted.

[0018] The blower 20 of this embodiment is installed between a roof trim 12, which is an interior material for a vehicle constituting the interior ceiling of a vehicle 10, and a body panel 11 constituting the vehicle body. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the blower 20 draws in air from the front side of the vehicle compartment through an intake port 16 and releases the air from an air outlet 13 formed on the rear side. The intake port 16 is formed in a cover 15 attached to the roof trim 12 from the inside of the vehicle compartment, and the air outlet 13 is formed on the roof trim 12 on the rear side of the cover 15. The cover 15 is disposed so as to incline downward from the rear to the front of the vehicle, and the intake port 16 opens forward at its front portion (see Fig. 4).

[0019] 4, the blower device 20 includes a blower fan 21 for drawing in air from the intake port 16, and a duct 30 for sending the air drawn in by the blower fan 21 rearward, and also includes a filter 71 inside the duct 30 for filtering the air drawn in by the blower fan 21. The blower fan 21 and the filter 71 are disposed in a position facing the roof opening 14 provided in the roof trim 12. The roof opening 14 is covered by the above-mentioned cover 15 from the inside of the vehicle compartment.

[0020] The blower fan 21 has a generally flat, generally cylindrical body 22 that is installed with its bottom surface facing up and down. The blower fan 21 is configured to blow air drawn in from below toward the rear, and has an exhaust port 23 that protrudes toward the rear in the shape of a flattened rectangular tube.

[0021] A duct 30 is provided behind the blower fan 21 to allow the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 23 to flow to the air outlet 13. The duct 30 is disposed in a portion facing the roof opening 14 described above and is configured to include a first duct portion 31 that houses a filter 71, and a second duct portion 37 that is disposed behind the first duct portion 31 and connected to the first duct portion 31, and extends to the air outlet 13 on the upper surface of the roof trim 12 described above.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first duct section 31 is tubular and has a rectangular cross-section and includes a duct bottom wall 32 attached to the roof trim 12 so as to block the roof opening 14 from the body panel 11 side (the outside of the vehicle compartment), a duct upper wall 35 arranged above and opposite the duct bottom wall 32, and two duct side walls 36 connecting the duct upper wall 35 and the duct bottom wall 32.

[0023] On the other hand, the second duct portion 37 is disposed behind the roof opening 14 along the upper surface of the roof trim 12 (see FIG. 4). The second duct portion 37 is cylindrical in shape, with a long duct forming member 38 having a generally U-shaped cross section fixed along the upper surface of the roof trim 12 and the roof trim 12 used as a bottom wall. The rear end of the second duct portion 37 is closed by the duct forming member 38. The above-mentioned air outlet 13 of the roof trim 12 is formed near the rear end of the second duct portion 37.

[0024] A filter 71 for filtering the airflow sent out from the blower fan 21 is installed in the first duct portion 31. The filter 71 is made of, for example, porous or nonwoven polypropylene (PP) and is pleated vertically so as to be bent alternately in the front-rear direction, as shown in Fig. 7. That is, the filter 71 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The filter 71 may be a so-called electrostatic filter whose surface is electrically charged.

[0025] The upper and lower ends of filter 71 are adhesively fixed to holding member 72 made of plate-shaped felt material, thereby maintaining the pleated shape of filter 71. Hereinafter, filter 71 and holding member 72 integrated together will be referred to as filter unit (one example of a filter) 70.

[0026] The filter 71 is disposed across the air flow path in the first duct portion 31, and the outer periphery of the filter unit 70 is set to abut against the inner surface of the first duct portion 31 over the entire periphery (see FIG. 5).

[0027] A duct opening 33 is provided in the duct bottom wall 32 of the first duct portion 31 for inserting and removing the filter unit 70 from the duct 30 during filter replacement. The duct opening 33 is slightly larger than the outer circumferential dimension of the filter 71, has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction of the duct 30 (the direction intersecting the air flow path), and is adapted to be closed by fitting the duct lid 40 from the inside (below) of the vehicle compartment (see FIG. 5).

[0028] When the duct lid 40 is fitted into the duct opening 33, it is locked from below by a pair of locking claws 34 provided on the opening edge of the duct opening 33. This keeps the duct opening 33 closed by the duct lid 40. The duct lid 40 is set so that its upper surface 40A is flush with the inner surface of the duct 30 when the duct lid 40 closes the duct opening 33.

[0029] The duct lid 40 of this embodiment has a rectangular thick plate shape that is expandable in the longitudinal direction, and is configured by assembling a first divided body 41 and a second divided body 51. Hereinafter, the duct lid 40 will be described with the longitudinal direction being the length direction and the short side direction being the width direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first divisional body 41 has a first cover portion 42 in the form of a rectangular thick plate with a length dimension slightly shorter than half the length dimension of the duct cover 40 in the assembled state. On the other hand, the second divisional body 51 has a second cover portion 52 in the form of a rectangular thick plate with a length dimension slightly longer than half the length dimension of the duct cover 40 in the assembled state. The first cover portion 42 and the second cover portion 52 are arranged in a close proximity state with no gaps between them, thereby forming the duct cover 40 capable of closing the duct opening 33 described above (see Figures 6 and 15). Note that the close proximity state refers to a state in which the first cover portion 42 and the second cover portion 52 are arranged in a close proximity state with no gaps between them, but also includes a case in which there is a slight gap due to tolerances, etc.

[0031] 8 and 9, the first lid portion 42 is provided with two elastically deformable lock arms 43 extending in a cantilever shape from a first opposing surface 42A opposing the second lid portion 52 toward the second lid portion 52. The lock arms 43 extend from positions adjacent to both ends of the first lid portion 42 in the width direction like pieces having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the first lid portion 42, and a lock protrusion 44 protruding outward in the width direction is provided on the outer surface in the width direction at the tip end side in the extension direction.

[0032] On the other hand, the second lid portion 52 has an insertion hole (an example of an insertion portion) 54, which is a flat hole-like space having an opening 53 in a second opposing surface (an example of an opposing surface) 52A facing the first lid portion 42 and extending in the length direction (see Figs. 11 and 13). It can also be said that the second lid portion 52 is a flat box-shaped portion having an opening 53 in the second opposing surface 52A. Hereinafter, of the second lid portion 52, a wall portion disposed inside the duct 30 and constituting a part of the upper surface 40A (the inner surface of the duct 30) of the duct lid 40 will be referred to as an upper wall 55, a wall portion disposed outside (the room side) of the duct 30 will be referred to as a lower wall 56, and a wall portion connecting the upper wall 55 and the lower wall 56 and extending along the length direction (arrangement direction) will be referred to as a side wall 57.

[0033] The insertion hole 54 is sized to allow the two lock arms 43 to be inserted therein. The insertion hole 54 has an inner diameter dimension set so that, as the two lock arms 43 are inserted into the insertion hole 54, the lock protrusions 44 slide against the inner surfaces of both side walls 57 of the insertion hole 54 (one example of a surface intersecting the inner surface of the duct 30), and are elastically deformed in a direction approaching each other along the plate surface (upper surface 40A) of the duct lid 40. In this manner, the lock arms 43 interfere with the inner surfaces of the insertion hole 54 and are elastically deformed, so that the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are held together in a separated state (one example of a separated state, a state slightly separated from a close state) by the elastic force of the lock arms 43 (see FIG. 11).

[0034] Two side walls 57 of the second lid portion 52 are each provided with a lock receiving hole (one example of a lock receiving portion) 58 for receiving the lock protrusion 44. These lock receiving holes 58 are provided at positions facing the lock protrusion 44 when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 in the separated state approach each other and are brought into a close state in which the rectangular duct lid 40 is formed (see FIGS. 12 and 13). When the lock protrusion 44 fits inside the lock receiving hole 58, the elastically deformed lock arm 43 elastically returns to its original position, thereby maintaining the close state of the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52.

[0035] In this way, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are connected to be slidable along the length direction of the duct lid 40 (the direction in which the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are arranged) by the action of the lock arm 43 and the insertion hole 54. Also, a close proximity state can be maintained.

[0036] Further, the base end side of these lock arms 43 is provided with a locking protrusion (an example of a removal prevention portion) 46 that protrudes upward in a semispherical shape (see Figs. 12, 14, and 17 to 19). Meanwhile, a step portion (an example of a removal prevention portion) 60 that is one step lower from the upper wall 55 is provided at a position adjacent to the edge of the opening 53 of the second lid portion 52, and the locking protrusion 46 and the step portion 60 are set to a protruding dimension that allows them to be locked to each other (see Figs. 18 and 19). In other words, when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are separated from each other, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are too far apart from each other, causing the tip of the lock arm 43 to come out of the insertion hole 54, and the first divided body 41 and the second divided body 51 to be in a disassembled state (an example of a separated state) can be prevented.

[0037] Further, at the tip side of these lock arms 43, a protrusion 45 is provided on the inner edge in the width direction, protruding downward (outside the duct 30). Meanwhile, a guide groove 59 for guiding the protrusion 45 in the length direction is provided on the lower wall 56 of the second lid part 52 along the assembly direction, and guides the first divided body 41 (first lid part 42) and the second divided body 51 (second lid part 52) ​​to a normal position when the first divided body 41 and the second divided body 51 in the disassembled state are integrally connected (the first lid part 42 and the second lid part are held to each other in a separated state) and when the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 are displaced between the separated state and the close state (see Figs. 9 and 10). The groove width of the guide groove 59 is set to a dimension capable of accepting the displacement in the width direction when the lock arm 43 is elastically deformed (see Figs. 11 to 13).

[0038] In addition, these protrusions 45 are long enough to protrude downward from the underside of the bottom wall 56 of the second lid portion 52, and when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are moved from a close together state to a separated state, it is possible to release the engagement between the lock protrusion 44 of the lock arm 43 and the lock receiving hole 58 by pinching these protrusions 45 in a direction bringing them closer to each other (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0039] In addition, between the two guide grooves 59 on the lower wall 56 of the second lid portion 52, two pull handles 65, which serve as operating parts when pulling out the duct lid 40 attached to the duct opening 33, protrude downward and extend in the extension direction (length direction) of the guide grooves 59.

[0040] Furthermore, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 of this embodiment have locking portions 47, 61 that protrude upward (toward the inside of the duct 30) at both ends in the length direction of the duct lid 40 (see FIG. 7). The locking portions 47, 61 are composed of rising portions 47A, 61A that rise upward (toward the inside of the duct 30) at the center of the width direction of each lid portion 42, 52, and claw portions 47B, 61B that protrude toward each other at the tips of the rising portions 47A, 61A. The dimension from the upper surface (upper surface 40A of the duct lid 40) of each lid portion 42, 52 to the lower surface of the claw portions 47B, 61B is set to be approximately equal to the thickness dimension of the holding member 72 of the filter unit 70. The upper surfaces of each lid portion 42, 52 are set to be flush with each other when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are brought into close proximity to each other (see FIG. 14).

[0041] In addition, the edges of the upper surfaces of the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 (upper surface 40A of the duct lid 40) extending along the longitudinal direction are provided with a plurality of positioning pieces 48, 62 that rise upward (toward the inside of the duct 30).

[0042] When the first cover portion 42 and the second cover portion 52 are in close proximity to each other, the dimension between the rising portions 47A, 61A of the locking portions 47, 61 arranged opposite each other is set to be approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the holding member 72 of the filter unit 70. The dimension between the positioning pieces 48, 48 arranged opposite each other and the dimension between the positioning pieces 62, 62 are also set to be approximately equal to the lateral dimension of the holding member 72.

[0043] With this configuration, the duct lid 40 of this embodiment allows the above-mentioned filter unit 70 to be detachably attached. Specifically, when attaching the above-mentioned filter unit 70 to the duct lid 40, the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 of the duct lid 40 are separated from each other (see Figs. 7 and 11), and the filter unit 70 is placed on their upper surfaces (the inner surface of the duct) (see Fig. 18). In this state, the position of the filter unit 70 relative to the duct lid 40 is adjusted by the positioning pieces 48, 62 provided on the duct lid 40, and movement in the width direction is restricted.

[0044] Next, when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are brought relatively close to each other to bring them into a proximate state, the locking portions 47, 61 provided on the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52, respectively, move in directions approaching each other and the claw portions 47B, 61B lock onto the upper surface of the holding member 72 of the filter unit 70, whereby the filter unit 70 is held by the duct lid 40 (see FIG. 14). At this time, the filter unit 70 is restricted from moving in the width direction by the positioning pieces 48, 62 as described above (see FIGS. 6 and 15), so that the filter unit 70 is stably held by the duct lid 40 in both the length direction and the width direction.

[0045] At this time, the lock protrusion 44 of the lock arm 43 is fitted into the lock receiving hole 58 of the insertion hole 54, and the lock arm 43 elastically returns to its original position (see FIGS. 12 and 13). In other words, the first cover part 42 and the second cover part 52 are locked in close proximity to each other, which also results in the filter unit 70 being stably held by the duct cover 40. Therefore, the duct cover 40 holding the filter unit 70 can be easily attached to the duct opening 33.

[0046] On the other hand, when replacing a used filter unit 70 (filter 71), the pull handle 65 provided on the lower surface 56A of the duct lid 40 is grasped to remove the duct lid 40 holding the filter unit 70 from the duct opening 33. Then, the two protrusions 45 are pinched to elastically deform the lock arm 43, thereby releasing the engagement of the lock protrusion 44 with the lock receiving hole 58 (see Figs. 15 to 17). Furthermore, the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 are pulled in the opposite direction (away direction) to bring the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 into a separated state (see Fig. 18). As a result, the locking portions 47, 61 that lock the filter unit 70 move away from each other, and the claw portions 47B, 61B are disengaged from the holding member 72. Therefore, the used filter 71 (filter unit 70) can be disposed of simply by flipping the duct lid 40 over, without having to directly grasp the filter 71.

[0047] At this time, even if the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are pulled too far in the direction away from each other, the locking protrusion 46 and the step portion 60 are designed to lock together (see Figure 19), thereby preventing the first division 41 and the second division 51 from being accidentally disassembled.

[0048] Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described. The duct filter replacement structure 1 of this embodiment is a structure in which a filter 71 for filtering an air flow is provided in a duct 30 forming an air flow path, and a duct opening 33 for inserting and removing the filter 71 is provided in a duct bottom wall 32 of the duct 30, the duct 30 has a duct lid 40 for closing the duct opening 33, the filter 71 is detachable from the duct lid 40, the duct lid 40 is composed of a first lid part 42 and a second lid part 52 arranged in a close state in a direction along the wall surface of the duct 30, the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 are separable (separable), and in the close state, the filter 71 has locking parts 47, 61 that can lock the filter 71 to the filter unit 70 held by the holding member 72, and the locking of the filter 71 by the locking parts 47, 61 is released by changing the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 from the close state to the separated state.

[0049] According to the above configuration, when replacing the used filter 71 held by the duct lid 40, the filter 71 (filter unit 70) can be removed from the duct lid 40 simply by separating the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52. In other words, the used filter 71 can be discarded by simply separating the duct lid 40 (the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52) ​​with the filter 71 facing down, without directly touching the dirty filter 71 after use. Furthermore, when attaching a new filter 71 to the duct lid 40, the filter 71 can be easily attached by simply bringing the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52, which are in a separated state, close to the filter 71 (filter unit 70).

[0050] The first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are separable in a direction (lengthwise) along the arrangement direction thereof, and the locking portions 47, 61 protrude toward the inside of the duct 30 at the portions of the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 that are arranged at both ends in the arrangement direction when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are in a close state, and are configured to lock onto the filter 71 (filter unit 70) when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are in a close state, and are separated by changing from the close state to a separated state, thereby releasing the locking to the filter 71 (filter unit 70). With this configuration, the filter 71 can be attached to and detached from the duct lid 40.

[0051] Moreover, the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 are held together in a slidable state. With this configuration, the first lid part 42 and the second lid part 52 in the separated (separated) state can be handled as a single unit, providing excellent operability.

[0052] In addition, the first lid portion 42 is provided with an elastically deformable lock arm 43 extending toward the second lid portion 52, and the second lid portion 52 is provided with an insertion hole 54 having an opening 53 on a second opposing surface 52A that faces the first lid portion 42 in a close proximity state. The lock arm 43 is inserted into the insertion hole 54 from the opening 53 and interferes with the inner surface of the insertion hole 54, thereby elastically deforming, so that in the separated state, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are held in place by the elastic force of the lock arm 43, and the lock protrusion 44 provided on the lock arm 43 fits into the lock receiving hole 58 provided in the insertion hole 54, causing the lock arm 43 to elastically return, and the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are held in a close proximity state.

[0053] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 can be held so as to be slidable along the arrangement direction. Also, it becomes possible to maintain the close proximity state well.

[0054] Furthermore, the lock arm 43 is elastically deformable in a direction along the inner surface of the duct 30 (upper surface 40A of the duct lid 40), and the lock receiving hole 58 is provided in a side wall 57 of the second lid portion 52 that intersects with the inner surface of the duct 30. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the lock arm 43 elastically deforms in a direction that intersects with the inner surface of the duct 30, there is no need to purposely provide a bending space for the lock arm 43, and the plate thickness of the duct lid 40 can be utilized, allowing the duct lid 40 to be made thin.

[0055] Further, a retaining portion is provided between the lock arm 43 and the inner surface of the insertion hole 54, which retains the lock arm 43 from coming off the insertion hole 54 when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are separated from each other. Specifically, a locking protrusion 46 is provided on the lock arm 43, and a step portion 60 capable of engaging with the locking protrusion 46 is provided at a position adjacent to the opening 53 of the insertion hole 54. With this configuration, when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are separated from each other, the connected state of the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 can be maintained favorably.

[0056] Furthermore, the lock arm 43 is provided with a protruding portion 45 that protrudes toward the outside (downward) of the duct 30, and the second lid portion 52 is provided with a guide groove 59 that guides the protruding portion 45 in the arrangement direction (length direction). With this configuration, when the first divided body 41 and the second divided body 51 in a state disassembled into separate members (separated state) are integrally connected by the lock arm 43, or when the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 in a separated state (separated state) connected by the lock arm 43 are brought into a close state, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 can be guided to a normal position. Also, by elastically deforming the lock arm 43 using the protruding portion 45, the engagement between the lock protrusion 44 and the lock receiving hole 58 can be released.

[0057] <Other embodiments> The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope.

[0058] (1) In the above embodiment, the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 are separable (separated) in a direction along the direction in which they are arranged, but the first lid portion and the second lid portion may be separated in a direction intersecting the direction in which they are arranged. Specifically, they may be separated by sliding in the width direction of the duct lid, or in a direction inward and outward of the duct that intersects with the plate surface of the duct lid. In short, the separation direction is not limited to the above embodiment as long as the first lid portion and the second lid portion are changed from a close state to a separated state, thereby releasing the locking of the filter by the locking portion.

[0059] (2) In the above embodiment, the first lid portion 42 (first divided body 41) and the second lid portion 52 (second divided body 51) are held to each other so as to be slidable. However, the technical scope also includes a configuration in which the first lid portion and the second lid portion are not held to each other when separated. For example, the technical scope also includes a configuration in which the first lid portion and the second lid portion, which are separate members, are brought into a close proximity state by directly fitting them together. Furthermore, even when the first lid portion and the second lid portion are held to each other, the holding method is not limited to the above embodiment (lock arm), and may be, for example, a concave-convex holding shape such as a rail, or a connecting piece shape that connects the first lid portion and the second lid portion.

[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, the second cover portion 52 is provided with a hole-shaped insertion portion (insertion hole 54) capable of receiving the lock arm 43, but the insertion portion may be a groove. Also, a configuration in which the lock arm elastically deforms in a direction intersecting with the inner surface of the duct is also included in the technical scope.

[0061] (4) The locking structure of the duct cover with respect to the filter is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified as appropriate in accordance with the configuration of the filter (filter unit).

[0062] (5) In the above embodiment, the filter unit 70 has both ends of the filter 71 adhesively fixed to the retaining member 72 made of felt, and the retaining portions 47, 61 of the duct lid 40 are engaged with the upper surface of the retaining member 72. However, the form of the filter (filter unit) is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the retaining member may be frame-shaped, or no retaining member may be provided.

[0063] (6) The anti-slip portion (the locking protrusion 46 and the step portion 60) capable of maintaining the first lid portion 42 and the second lid portion 52 in a separated state, and the protrusion portion 45 and the guide groove 59 which guide the position of the first lid portion 42 (first split body 41) and the second lid portion 52 (second split body 51) may be omitted.

[0064] (7) In the above embodiment, the duct filter replacement structure 1 of the air blower 20 provided on the ceiling of the vehicle 10 is described. However, the duct filter replacement structure can be applied to various other devices having a duct. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Duct filter replacement structure 20: Air blower 30: Duct 33: Duct opening 40: Duct cover 40A: Top surface 41: First divided body 42: First cover portion 43: Lock arm 44: Lock protrusion 45: Protrusion portion 46: Locking protrusion portion (removal prevention portion) 47, 61: Locking portion 48, 62: Positioning piece 51: Second divided body 52: Second cover portion 52A: Second opposing surface (opposing surface) 53: Opening 54: Insertion hole (insertion portion) 58: Lock receiving hole (lock receiving portion) 59: Guide groove 60: Step portion (removal prevention portion) 70: Filter unit (filter) 71: Filter 72: Holding member

Claims

1. A duct filter replacement structure, comprising: a filter for filtering an air flow in a duct forming an air flow path; and a duct opening for inserting and removing the filter in a wall of the duct, The duct has a duct cover that closes the duct opening, and the filter is detachable from the duct cover. The duct lid is composed of a first lid portion and a second lid portion arranged closely to each other in a direction along a wall surface of the duct, the first lid portion and the second lid portion are separable and include a locking portion capable of locking the filter in the close proximity state; A duct filter replacement structure in which the filter is released from the engagement portion when the first lid portion and the second lid portion are changed from the close proximity state to a separated state.

2. The first lid portion and the second lid portion are separable in a direction along an arrangement direction thereof, The locking portion is the first lid portion and the second lid portion in the close proximity state protrude toward the inside of the duct at portions that are disposed at both ends in the arrangement direction, When the first lid portion and the second lid portion are in the close proximity state, the first lid portion and the second lid portion are engaged with the filter, The duct filter replacement structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first lid portion and the second lid portion are separated from each other by being changed from the close state to the separated state, thereby releasing the engagement with the filter.

3. The duct filter replacement structure according to claim 2 , wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are held relative to each other in a slidable state.

4. The first cover portion is provided with an elastically deformable lock arm extending toward the second cover portion, the second cover portion includes an insertion portion having an opening on an opposing surface that faces the first cover portion in the adjacent state, the lock arm is inserted into the insertion portion from the opening and interferes with an inner surface of the insertion portion and elastically deforms, so that in the separated state, the first cover portion and the second cover portion are held by a resilient force of the lock arm, A duct filter replacement structure as described in claim 3, wherein the lock arm elastically returns to its original position by engaging a lock protrusion provided on the lock arm with a lock receiving portion provided on the insertion portion, thereby maintaining the first cover portion and the second cover portion in the adjacent state.

5. The lock arm is elastically deformable in a direction along an inner surface of the duct, The duct filter replacement structure according to claim 4 , wherein the lock receiving portion is provided on a surface of the second lid portion that intersects with an inner surface of the duct.

6. A duct filter replacement structure as described in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein a retaining portion is provided between the lock arm and the inner surface of the insertion portion to prevent the lock arm from coming out of the insertion portion when the first lid portion and the second lid portion are in the separated state.

7. The lock arm is provided with a protrusion portion protruding toward an outside of the duct, The duct filter replacement structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second cover portion is provided with a guide groove for guiding the protrusion portion in the arrangement direction.

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