filter

Abstract

To provide a filter which can keep function of a functional agent at a downstream of a filter medium for a long time.SOLUTION: A filter 11 comprises a filter medium 22 and an end plate 23. The filter medium 22 is formed to be a quadrangle sheet-like shape. The filter medium 22 is folded so that peaks and troughs are alternately and contiguously given in an extending direction of one side of the filter medium 22. The end plate 23 is fixed to an outer edge of the filter medium 22. The filter 11 includes two end plates 23. The two end plates 23 are fixed by adhesive material to the one side of the filter medium 22 and another side of the filter medium 22 in parallel with the one side thereof. Air flows in a thickness direction of the filter medium 22 of the filter 11. An antifungus agent is held in the end plate 23 in which the antifungus agent is flown to a downstream side by air passing through the filter medium 22. A plant-derived material having antibacterial function such as Fitontsidy or allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is mixed with a sustained-release agent to be adopted as the antifungus agent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to filters. [Background technology]

[0002] A filter used in a vehicle air conditioner or the like includes a filter material and an end plate. The filter material is formed in a sheet shape. The end plate is fixed to the outer edge of the filter material. In such a filter, air passes through the filter material in the thickness direction. It is also known to use a filter material having a predetermined function, such as an antibacterial function or a fragrance function, as shown in Patent Document 1. In this case, the predetermined function is activated downstream of the filter material by the air passing through the filter material in the thickness direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-149564 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As shown in Patent Document 1, when the filter material of a filter has a predetermined function, the predetermined function of the filter material may be lost in a short period of time.This is related to the fact that the speed of the air passing through the filter material in the thickness direction is fast in the filter, so the flow rate of the air is large.That is, the predetermined function of the filter material decreases as the air passes through the filter material in the thickness direction, so as mentioned above, if the flow rate of the air passing through the filter material in the thickness direction is large, the predetermined function of the filter material will be lost in a short period of time.As a result, it becomes difficult to maintain the predetermined function downstream of the filter material for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. A filter that solves the above problems includes a filter medium and end plates. The filter medium is formed into a sheet shape. The end plates are fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium. In such a filter, air passes through the filter medium in the thickness direction. The end plates carry a functional agent that is carried downstream by the air passing through the filter medium.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the functional agent carried on the end plate is carried downstream by the air passing through the filter material. The end plate is fixed to the outer edge of the filter material. Therefore, the speed of air passing through the filter material in the thickness direction is slower near the end plate compared to the center of the filter material, and the air flow rate is reduced. As a result, the amount of the functional agent carried on the end plate that is carried downstream by the air passing through the filter material is kept low. This allows the functional agent to flow downstream of the filter for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the functions of the functional agent, such as the antibacterial function and the fragrance function, can be maintained downstream of the filter material for a long period of time.

[0007] A filter that solves the above problem includes a filter medium and an end plate. The filter medium is formed in a sheet shape. The end plate is fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium. In such a filter, air passes through the filter medium in the thickness direction. The end plate is also provided with a function of causing the functional agent to flow downstream by the air passing through the filter medium. The surface of the end plate different from the surface to which the outer edge of the filter medium is fixed is covered with a cover.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the end plate is provided with the function of flowing the functional agent downstream with the air passing through the filter material, so that the functional agent flows downstream from the end plate as the air passes through the filter material. The end plate is fixed to the outer edge of the filter material. Therefore, the speed of air passing through the filter material in the thickness direction is slower near the end plate compared to the center of the filter material, resulting in a lower air flow rate. As a result, the amount of functional agent flowing downstream from the end plate with the air passing through the filter material is kept low. This allows the functional agent to flow downstream of the filter for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the antibacterial and aromatic functions of the functional agent can be maintained downstream of the filter material for a long period of time. Furthermore, because the end plate is covered on a side different from the side where the outer edge of the filter material is fixed, the amount of functional agent flowing downstream from the end plate per unit time can be controlled by changing the covering method of the end plate and the material of the cover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioner to which a filter is applied; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a filter of a first embodiment used in the air conditioner of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the filter of FIG. 2 in an exploded state. [Figure 4] 2 is a graph showing the release time of the antibacterial agent in the filter of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing an end plate and its vicinity in a filter according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another example of the filter of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the end plate in the filter of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the cover of the filter of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the difference in cover permeability of a functional agent depending on the material and thickness of the cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the filter will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a filter 11, a blower 12, an evaporator 13, and a heater 14. When the blower 12 is driven, the system draws air into a main passage 17 via an outside air introduction passage 15 or an inside air introduction passage 16. The air drawn into the main passage 17 is cooled by the evaporator 13 and heated by the heater 14, and then blown into the passenger compartment of the vehicle as conditioned air.

[0011] The outside air introduction passage 15 opens toward the outside of the vehicle and is connected to a main passage 17. The inside air introduction passage 16 opens toward the interior of the vehicle and is connected to the main passage 17. A switching valve 18 is arranged between the outside air introduction passage 15 and the inside air introduction passage 16 and the main passage 17. The switching valve 18 switches the main passage 17 so that it is connected to either the outside air introduction passage 15 or the inside air introduction passage 16.

[0012] In the main passage 17, a filter 11, a blower 12, an evaporator 13, and a heater 14 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. The filter 11 is for separating dust contained in the air passing through the main passage 17 from the air. The blower 12 is for drawing air into the main passage 17 and blowing the air into the vehicle interior.

[0013] The evaporator 13 constitutes a part of a refrigeration circuit 19 that circulates a refrigerant. The evaporator 13 exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration circuit 19 and the air passing through the main passage 17. This cools the air passing through the main passage 17. The heater 14 also constitutes a part of a coolant circuit 21 that circulates coolant for an engine 20 mounted on a vehicle. The heater 14 exchanges heat between the coolant circulating in the coolant circuit 21 and the air passing through the main passage 17. This heats the air passing through the main passage 17.

[0014] <Filter 11> 2 and 3, the filter 11 includes a filter medium 22 and an end plate 23. The filter medium 22 is formed into a rectangular sheet shape using a nonwoven fabric or the like. The filter medium 22 is folded along the direction in which one side of the filter medium 22 extends so that peaks and valleys are alternately connected. The filter 11 is provided with two end plates 23.

[0015] The two end plates 23 are fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium 22. More specifically, the two end plates 23 are fixed with an adhesive or the like to the one side of the filter medium 22 and another side of the filter medium 22 that is parallel to the one side. Air passing through the main passage 17 shown in Figure 1 passes through the filter medium 22 of the filter 11 in the thickness direction, as indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 3. At this time, dust and other particles contained in the air are captured by the filter medium 22 of the filter 11, and the dust and other particles are separated from the air.

[0016] The end plate 23 carries a functional agent that is carried downstream by the air passing through the filter medium 22. The functional agent has a predetermined function, such as an antibacterial function or an aromatic function, and the predetermined function is activated downstream of the filter medium 22 by the air passing through the filter medium 22. In this example, an antibacterial agent that activates an antibacterial function downstream of the filter medium 22 is used as the antibacterial agent.

[0017] The antibacterial agent is preferably supported on the entire end plate 23. However, it is not necessarily required that the antibacterial agent be supported on the entire end plate 23, and the antibacterial agent may be supported on only a portion of the end plate 23. As such an antibacterial agent, a plant-derived substance with antibacterial properties, such as phytoncide or allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), may be used. More preferably, the above substance may be mixed with a sustained-release agent to suppress volatility in air and used as the antibacterial agent.

[0018] Next, the effects of the filter 11 of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) In an air conditioner, air flowing through the main passage 17 passes through the filter material 22 of the filter 11, then passes through the evaporator 13 and heater 14, and is blown into the vehicle cabin. When the air flowing downstream of the filter 11 in the main passage 17 is hot and humid, condensation is likely to occur in the equipment located downstream of the filter 11. In particular, in the evaporator 13, the air is cooled by the refrigerant, so moisture contained in the air adheres to the evaporator 13, causing condensation. When condensation occurs, bacteria such as mold easily propagate. However, when the air flowing through the main passage 17 passes through the filter 11, the antibacterial agent carried on the end plate 23 of the filter 11 is carried downstream by the air. As a result, the antibacterial agent reaches the equipment downstream of the filter 11 in the main passage 17, thereby suppressing the proliferation of bacteria in such equipment.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows the release time of the antibacterial agent as air passes through the filter 11. As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the antibacterial agent is supported on the end plate 23, the release time of the antibacterial agent as air passes through the filter 11 is longer than when the antibacterial agent is supported on the filter medium 22. This is thought to be because, since the end plate 23 is fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium 22 of the filter 11, the speed of air passing through the filter medium 22 in the thickness direction is slower near the end plate 23 than at the center of the filter medium 22. When the speed of air passing through the filter medium 22 in the thickness direction is slower near the end plate 23, the flow rate of the air is reduced, and the amount of antibacterial agent supported on the end plate 23 flowing downstream with the air passing through the filter medium 22 is reduced. This allows the antibacterial agent to flow downstream of the filter 11 for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, bacterial growth in equipment, etc. located downstream of the filter 11 can be suppressed for a long period of time. In other words, the antibacterial function of the antibacterial agent can be maintained downstream of the filter medium 22 for a long period of time.

[0020] (1-2) End plates 23 carrying an antibacterial agent are fixed to one side and another side parallel to the first side of rectangular sheet-shaped filter medium 22. In this case, only two end plates 23 can be fixed to filter medium 22, which simplifies the manufacture of filter 11 and keeps the manufacturing cost of filter 11 low.

[0021] (1-3) Since the antibacterial agent is carried on the entire end plate 23, the amount of antibacterial agent carried on one end plate 23 can be increased. (1-4) The antibacterial agent is mixed with a sustained-release agent to suppress its volatility in air and is supported on the end plate 23. Therefore, when air passes through the filter medium 22 of the filter 11 in the thickness direction, the antibacterial agent is gradually carried by the air from the end plate 23 toward the downstream side of the filter 11. As a result, the antibacterial agent can be carried downstream of the filter 11 for a long period of time.

[0022] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the filter will be described with reference to FIG. 5 differs from the filter 11 of the first embodiment in the following respect: End plate 23 is provided with the function of causing the functional agent to flow downstream by air passing through filter medium 22, and a surface of end plate 23, other than surface 23a to which the outer edge of filter medium 22 is fixed, is covered with cover 24. The outer edge of filter medium 22 can be fixed to surface 23a by, for example, hot melt.

[0023] Cover 24 is made of a material that does not allow the penetration of functional agents such as antibacterial agents and aromatic agents, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Cover 24 opens face 23b on the downstream end side of end plate 23 in the direction of air flow passing through filter medium 22, and covers all faces different from face 23b on the downstream side and different from face 23a to which the outer edge of filter medium 22 is fixed.

[0024] The function of the end plate 23 to cause the functional agent to flow downstream is imparted to the end plate 23 by impregnating the end plate 23 with a solution containing the functional agent. Alternatively, the function of the end plate 23 to cause the functional agent to flow downstream may be imparted to the end plate 23 by applying a mixture of the functional agent and gel to the end plate 23.

[0025] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect (1-1) of the first embodiment, the following effect can be obtained. (2-1) The surface of the end plate 23 different from the surface 23a to which the outer edge of the filter medium 22 is fixed is covered by the cover 24. Therefore, by changing the way the end plate 23 is covered by the cover 24 or the material of the cover 24, the amount of functional agent flowing downstream from the end plate 23 per unit time can be controlled. Specifically, the cover 24 leaves the surface 23b on the downstream end side of the end plate 23 in the flow direction of the air passing through the filter medium 22 open, and covers all surfaces different from the downstream surface 23b and different from the surface 23a to which the outer edge of the filter medium 22 is fixed. As a result, when the cover 24 is made of a material that does not allow the functional agent to pass through, when the functional agent is caused to flow downstream from the end plate 23 by the air passing through the filter medium 22, the amount of the functional agent flowing downstream per unit time can be controlled to an appropriate value.

[0026] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiments can be modified, for example, as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0027] In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the filter 11 may have four end plates 23, and the four end plates 23 may be fixed to the four sides of the filter medium 22. In this case, the total amount of antibacterial agent carried by the four end plates 23 can be increased, and the antibacterial agent can be allowed to flow downstream of the filter 11 for a longer period of time.

[0028] In the second embodiment, the filter 11 may have four end plates 23, and the end plates 23 may be covered with covers 24, as in the above embodiment. In the first embodiment, the antibacterial agent does not necessarily have to be mixed with a sustained-release agent.

[0029] In the first embodiment, an antibacterial agent is exemplified as the functional agent carried on the end plate 23. However, instead of or in addition to this, a fragrance having a fragrance function may be carried as the functional agent on the end plate 23. The fragrance may contain a component that relaxes the user inside the vehicle.

[0030] In the first and second embodiments, the number of end plates 23 provided on the filter 11 may be three, and the end plates 23 may be fixed to three of the four sides of the filter medium 22 . In the second embodiment, the function of flowing the functional agent downstream in the end plate 23 may be imparted to the end plate 23 by sandwiching a bag-shaped film 25, which contains a mixture of the functional agent and gel and is permeable to the functional agent, between the cover 24 and the end plate 23, as shown in Figure 7.

[0031] In the second embodiment, the cover 24 is formed of a material that allows the functional agent to pass through, and may cover all surfaces of the end plate 23 other than the surface 23a to which the outer edge of the filter medium 22 is fixed, as shown in Fig. 8. Examples of materials that can allow the functional agent to pass through include polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).

[0032] Figure 9 is a graph showing the difference in the cover permeability of the functional agent depending on the material and thickness of the cover 24. As can be seen from Figure 9, polyethylene allows the functional agent to permeate more easily than polypropylene, and thinner materials allow the functional agent to permeate more easily. Therefore, by changing the material and thickness of the cover 24, when the functional agent is caused to flow downstream from the end plate 23 by air passing through the filter medium 22, the amount of the functional agent flowing downstream per unit time can be controlled to an appropriate value.

[0033] Next, the technical concept that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described. (A) A filter comprising a filter medium and end plates, the filter medium being formed in a sheet shape, the end plates being fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium, and air passing through the filter medium in the thickness direction thereof, The end plates carry a functional agent that is carried downstream by air passing through the filter medium.

[0034] (B) The filter according to (A), wherein the functional agent is supported on the entire end plate. (C) The filter according to (A) or (B), wherein the functional agent is supported on the end plate in a state where it is mixed with a sustained-release agent that suppresses volatility in air.

[0035] (D) A filter comprising a filter medium and end plates, the filter medium being formed in a sheet shape, the end plates being fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium, and air passing through the filter medium in the thickness direction thereof, The end plate is provided with a function of causing the functional agent to flow downstream by air passing through the filter medium, A filter in which a surface of the end plate different from the surface to which the outer edge of the filter medium is fixed is covered with a cover.

[0036] (E) The cover is formed of a material that does not allow the functional agent to pass through, and leaves the downstream end surface of the end plate in the flow direction of air passing through the filter material open, while covering all surfaces other than the downstream surface and other than the surface to which the outer edge of the filter material is fixed (D).

[0037] (F) The cover is formed of a material that allows the functional agent to pass through, and covers all surfaces of the end plate other than the surface to which the outer edge of the filter material is fixed (D).

[0038] (G) A filter described in any one of (D) to (F), wherein the function of flowing a functional agent downstream in the end plate is imparted to the end plate by impregnating the end plate with a solution containing the functional agent.

[0039] (H) A filter described in any one of (D) to (F), wherein the function of flowing the functional agent downstream in the end plate is imparted to the end plate by applying a mixture of the functional agent and gel to the end plate.

[0040] (I) A filter described in any one of (D) to (F), in which the function of flowing the functional agent downstream in the end plate is imparted to the end plate by sandwiching a bag-shaped film permeable to the functional agent, which contains a mixture of the functional agent and gel, between the cover and the end plate.

[0041] (J) The filter material is a rectangular sheet, and is folded so that peaks and valleys are alternately connected along the direction in which one side of the filter material extends, The filter according to any one of (A) to (I), wherein the end plates are two end plates fixed to the one side of the filter medium and another side of the filter medium that is parallel to the one side.

[0042] (K) The filter material is a rectangular sheet, and is folded so that peaks and valleys are alternately connected along the direction in which one side of the filter material extends, The filter according to any one of (A) to (I), wherein the end plates are four end plates fixed to four sides of the filter medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 11...Filter 12...Blower 13...Evaporator 14...Heater 15... Fresh air intake passage 16...Inside air intake passage 17...Main passage 18...Switching valve 19...Refrigeration circuit 20...Engine 21…Cooling water circuit 22...filter medium 23...End plate 23a…side 23b…face 24...Cover 25...Film

Claims

1. A filter comprising a filter medium and end plates, the filter medium being formed in a sheet shape, the end plates being fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium, and air passing through the filter medium in the thickness direction thereof, The end plates carry a functional agent that is carried downstream by air passing through the filter medium.

2. 2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the functional agent is carried on the entire end plate.

3. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the functional agent is supported on the end plates in a state where it is mixed with a sustained-release agent for suppressing its volatility in air.

4. A filter comprising a filter medium and end plates, the filter medium being formed in a sheet shape, the end plates being fixed to the outer edge of the filter medium, and air passing through the filter medium in the thickness direction thereof, The end plate is provided with a function of causing the functional agent to flow downstream by air passing through the filter medium, A filter in which a surface of the end plate different from the surface to which the outer edge of the filter medium is fixed is covered with a cover.

5. The filter described in claim 4, wherein the cover is formed of a material that does not allow the functional agent to pass through, and leaves open the downstream end surface of the end plate in the flow direction of air passing through the filter material, and covers all surfaces other than the downstream surface and other than the surface to which the outer edge of the filter material is fixed.

6. The filter of claim 4, wherein the cover is formed of a material that allows the functional agent to pass through, and covers all surfaces of the end plate other than the surface to which the outer edge of the filter material is fixed.

7. A filter as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the function of flowing the functional agent downstream in the end plate is imparted to the end plate by impregnating the end plate with a solution containing the functional agent.

8. A filter as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the function of flowing the functional agent downstream in the end plate is imparted to the end plate by applying a mixture of the functional agent and gel to the end plate.

9. A filter as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the function of flowing the functional agent downstream in the end plate is imparted to the end plate by sandwiching a bag-shaped film permeable to the functional agent, which contains a mixture of the functional agent and gel, between the cover and the end plate.

10. The filter material is a rectangular sheet, and is folded so that peaks and valleys are alternately connected along the direction in which one side of the filter material extends, The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the end plates are two end plates fixed to the one side of the filter medium and another side of the filter medium that is parallel to the one side.

11. The filter material is a rectangular sheet, and is folded so that peaks and valleys are alternately connected along the direction in which one side of the filter material extends, The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the end plates are four end plates fixed to four sides of the filter medium.

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