Filter

Abstract

To provide a filter capable of holding a function by a functional agent over a long period of time on the downstream side of a filter medium.SOLUTION: When air passes through the sheet-shaped filter medium 22 in the thickness direction, the filter separates foreign matter contained in the air from the air by the filter medium. A discharger 24 separate from the filter medium 22 is disposed on the filter medium 22. The discharging body 24 discharges the functional agent to the downstream side of the air flow as the air passes through the filter medium 22. The releasing body 24 has a sustained release function of suppressing the release of the functional agent. For this reason, the amount of the functional agent discharged downstream from the discharger 24 as the air passes through the filter medium 22 is suppressed to be small. This allows the functional agent to flow downstream of the filter 11 for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the functions such as the antibacterial function and the aromatic function by the functional agent can be maintained downstream of the filter medium 22 for a long period of time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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 sheet-like filter material. When air passes through the filter material in the thickness direction, the filter material separates foreign matter contained in the air from the air. As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, it is known to use a filter material having a predetermined function such as an antibacterial function as the filter material. 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. Note that the function of the functional agent may be an aromatic function in addition to the antibacterial function. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-12572 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 problem separates foreign matter contained in air from the air when the air passes through a sheet-like filter material in the thickness direction. A releaser separate from the filter material is disposed on the filter material. As the air passes through the filter material, the releaser releases a functional agent downstream of the air flow. The releaser has a sustained-release function that suppresses the release of the functional agent.

[0006] According to the above configuration, as air passes through the filter material of the filter, the functional agent is released from the release body downstream of the air flow. Because the release body has a sustained release function that suppresses the release of the functional agent, the amount of functional agent released downstream from the release body as the air passes 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 aromatic function, can be maintained downstream of the filter material for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioner to which a filter is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a filter used in the air conditioner of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the filter of FIG. 2 in an exploded state. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the filter medium and emitter of the filter of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the filter medium and emitter of the filter of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing the change in the residual rate of the antibacterial agent in the releaser over time. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the filter of FIG. 7 as viewed from the side. [Figure 9]9 is a cross-sectional view of the edge of the filter media of the filter of FIGS. 7 and 8 and the emitter attached to the edge. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing the change in the residual rate of the antibacterial agent in the releaser over time. [Figure 11] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the filter medium in the filter of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 12] 3 is a side view showing another example of an emitter in the filter of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an impregnating material in the emitter of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another example of the impregnated material of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another example of the impregnated material of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of the emitter of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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 foreign matter such as dust contained in the air passing through the main passage 17. The blower 12 is for drawing air into the main passage 17 and blowing that air into the vehicle interior.

[0011] 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.

[0012] <Filter 11> As shown in Figures 2 to 4, 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. As shown in Figure 4, the filter medium 22 is folded so that peaks 22a and valleys 22b are alternately connected along the direction in which one side of the filter medium 22 extends. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the filter 11 is provided with two end plates 23.

[0013] 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, foreign matter such as dust contained in the air is captured by the filter medium 22 of the filter 11, and the foreign matter is separated from the air.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 4, a separate emitter 24 is disposed on the filter medium 22. Specifically, the emitter 24 is disposed on the upstream side of the air flow passing through the filter medium 22, i.e., between the peaks 22a located on the upper side of FIG. 4. The emitter 24 may also be disposed on the downstream side of the air flow passing through the filter medium 22, i.e., between the peaks 22a located on the lower side of FIG. 5, as shown. The emitter 24 disposed in this manner is held by the filter medium 22 by being sandwiched between adjacent peaks 22a. The emitter 24 is preferably disposed between the endmost peak 22a of the filter 11 and the peak 22a adjacent thereto. The emitter 24 emits a functional agent downstream of the air flow as air passes through the filter medium 22. The emitter 24 has a sustained-release function that suppresses the release of the functional agent.

[0015] In this example, an antibacterial agent that exerts antibacterial function downstream of the filter medium 22 is used as the functional agent. Such an antibacterial agent may be a plant-derived substance with antibacterial function, such as phytoncide or allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). The releaser 24 may be formed, for example, as follows: The releaser 24 is formed to have a sustained-release function by impregnating the impregnating material 25 with a mixture of an antibacterial agent and a sustained-release agent. Cyclodextrin or silica may be used as the sustained-release agent. The impregnating material 25 may be formed, for example, from a rectangular nonwoven fabric.

[0016] When forming a releaser 24 that uses cyclodextrin as the sustained-release agent, the antibacterial agent is encapsulated in the cyclodextrin by mixing the antibacterial agent with the cyclodextrin. The antibacterial agent encapsulated in the cyclodextrin is then dipped into an impregnating material such as nonwoven fabric to form the releaser 24. When forming a releaser 24 that uses silica as the sustained-release agent, the antibacterial agent is supported on the silica by mixing the antibacterial agent with the silica. The antibacterial agent supported on the silica is then dipped into an impregnating material such as nonwoven fabric to form the releaser 24.

[0017] Figure 6 shows the period during which the antibacterial agent is released from the emitter 24 when air passes through the filter medium 22 of the filter 11. The "◇" in Figure 6 shows the change in the residual rate of the antibacterial agent in the emitter 24 over time when the antibacterial agent is impregnated into the impregnating material 25 of the emitter 24 without being mixed with a sustained-release agent. The "◯" in Figure 6 shows the change in the residual rate of the antibacterial agent from the emitter 24 over time when the antibacterial agent is mixed with a sustained-release agent and impregnated into the impregnating material 25 of the emitter 24. As can be seen from Figure 6, the release period of the antibacterial agent from the emitter 24 can be extended by impregnating the impregnating material 25 of the emitter 24 with the antibacterial agent mixed with a sustained-release agent.

[0018] <Effects of Filter 11> Next, the effects of the filter 11 in this embodiment will be described. (1-1) As air passes through the filter medium 22 of the filter 11, the antibacterial agent is released from the releaser 24 downstream of the air flow. Because the releaser 24 has a sustained release function that suppresses the release of the antibacterial agent, the amount of antibacterial agent released downstream from the releaser 24 as the air passes through the filter medium 22 is kept low. This allows the antibacterial agent to flow downstream of the filter 11 for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the antibacterial function of the antibacterial agent can be maintained downstream of the filter medium 22 for a long period of time.

[0019] (1-2) The emitter 24 is sandwiched between adjacent peaks 22a by being disposed between adjacent peaks 22a of the filter medium 22. The emitter 24 is held in the filter medium 22 by being sandwiched between adjacent peaks 22a. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate holding member or the like for holding the emitter 24 in the filter medium 22.

[0020] (1-3) The emitter 24 is disposed between the edge peak 22a of the filter 11 and the adjacent peak 22a, thereby being disposed at the edge of the filter medium 22. The speed of air passing through the filter medium 22 is slower at the edge of the filter medium 22 than at the center of the filter medium 22, so the flow rate of air passing through the filter medium 22 is lower at the edge of the filter medium 22. Therefore, by disposing the emitter 24 at the edge of the filter medium 22, the amount of antibacterial agent released downstream from the emitter 24 is kept low. This allows the antibacterial agent to flow downstream of the filter 11 for a longer period of time.

[0021] (1-4) The release function of the antibacterial agent in the releaser 24 is realized by impregnating the impregnating material 25 with a mixture of the antibacterial agent and the sustained-release agent to form the releaser 24. In this case, when the antibacterial agent is released from the impregnating material 25 of the releaser 24 as air passes through the filter medium 22, the release is carried out gradually by the sustained-release agent. This makes it possible to extend the period during which the antibacterial agent is released from the releaser 24.

[0022] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the filter will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the emitter 24 is different from that in the first embodiment. Figures 7 to 9 show the emitter 24 of this embodiment. The emitter 24 is disposed on the edge of the filter medium 22 in the filter 11. More specifically, the emitter 24 is disposed on the edge of the filter medium 22 in the direction in which the peaks 22a and valleys 22b are connected.

[0023] The releaser 24 is formed by sealing an antibacterial agent as a functional agent in a bag material 26 having a sustained release function. Specifically, the bag material 26 is filled with a nonwoven fabric impregnated with the antibacterial agent by dipping, spraying, rubbing, or the like. Alternatively, the bag material 26 may be filled with a gel-like antibacterial agent. The bag material 26 may be a bag or a resin case. Alternatively, the bag material 26 may be made of, for example, a resin material formed into a bag shape, a polyethylene film bag, paper bag, or a metal plate formed into a bag shape with multiple holes.

[0024] 9, the bag material 26 has an attachment portion 26a. The attachment portion 26a is for attaching the bag material 26 to the edge of the filter medium 22 in the direction in which the peaks 22a and valleys 22b are connected. The bag material 26 is attached to the edge of the filter medium 22 by sandwiching the edge between the attachment portion 26a and the bag material 26.

[0025] FIG. 10 shows the period during which the antibacterial agent is released from the releaser 24 when air passes through the filter medium 22 of the filter 11. The "◇" in FIG. 10 indicates the change in the antibacterial agent survival rate over time when the filter medium 22 is impregnated with an undiluted solution of the antibacterial agent. The "□" in FIG. 10 indicates the change in the antibacterial agent survival rate over time when a nonwoven fabric impregnated with the undiluted solution of the antibacterial agent is enclosed in a bag material 26. The "△" in FIG. 10 indicates the change in the antibacterial agent survival rate over time when a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a 2x diluted solution of the antibacterial agent is enclosed in a bag material 26. The "○" in FIG. 10 indicates the change in the antibacterial agent survival rate over time when a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a 6x diluted solution of the antibacterial agent is enclosed in a bag material 26. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the release period of the antibacterial agent from the releaser 24 can be extended by enclosing the antibacterial agent in a bag material 26 with a sustained-release function.

[0026] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect (1-1) in the first embodiment, the following effect can be obtained. (2-1) The emitter 24 is attached to the edge of the filter medium 22 in the direction in which the peaks 22a and valleys 22b are connected, thereby being positioned at the edge of the filter medium 22. The speed of air passing through the filter medium 22 is slower at the edge of the filter medium 22 than at the center of the filter medium 22, so the flow rate of air passing through the filter medium 22 is lower at the edge of the filter medium 22. Therefore, by positioning the emitter 24 at the edge of the filter medium 22, the amount of antibacterial agent released downstream from the emitter 24 is kept low. This allows the antibacterial agent to flow downstream of the filter 11 for a longer period of time.

[0027] (2-2) The sustained release function of the antibacterial agent in the emitter 24 is realized by sealing the antibacterial agent in a bag material 26 with a sustained release function to form the emitter 24. In this case, when the antibacterial agent sealed in the bag material 26 of the emitter 24 is released as air passes through the filter medium 22, the release is carried out gradually due to the sustained release function of the bag material 26. This makes it possible to extend the period during which the antibacterial agent is released from the emitter 24.

[0028] [Other embodiments] The above embodiment can be modified as follows, for example: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0029] In the second embodiment, the nonwoven fabric enclosed in the bag material 26 of the release body 24 may be impregnated with an antibacterial agent mixed with a sustained-release agent. In this case, the release period of the antibacterial agent from the release body 24 can be further extended.

[0030] In the second embodiment, the antibacterial agent may be directly enclosed in the bag material 26 of the emitter 24. In this case, it is preferable to also enclose a sustained-release material in the bag material 26 together with the antibacterial agent. In the first embodiment, the sustained-release agent may be a sustained-release microcapsule.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the emitter 24 does not necessarily have to be disposed between the endmost peak 22a of the filter 11 and the peak 22a adjacent thereto. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the apexes of adjacent peaks 22a that sandwich the emitter 24 may be joined together using a stapler 27 or the like, thereby sealing the emitter 24 between the adjacent peaks 22a.

[0032] In the second embodiment, the emitter 24 does not necessarily have to be disposed on the edge of the filter medium 22, and may be disposed at a location other than the edge. In this case, the bag material 26 of the emitter 24 may be attached to the filter medium 22 by sandwiching the peaks 22a of the filter medium 22 between the bag material 26 and the attachment portion 26a.

[0033] Both the emitter 24 of the first embodiment and the emitter 24 of the second embodiment may be disposed in the filter medium 22. 12 and 13, the emitter 24 may be a sheet-like impregnated material 28 impregnated with an antibacterial agent, held by a band 29 or the like on one side of the filter medium 22 in the thickness direction, i.e., on the lower side in Fig. 12. In this case, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, it is preferable to place the impregnated material 28 on the edge of the filter medium 22 in order to extend the release period of the antibacterial agent from the emitter 24.

[0034] As shown in Figure 16, the emitter 24 may be a sheet-like impregnated material 28 impregnated with an antibacterial agent, placed between adjacent peaks 22a of the filter medium 22, and the impregnated material 28 may be held between the adjacent peaks 22a by a band 29 or the like.

[0035] Although an antibacterial agent has been exemplified as a functional agent, a fragrance having a fragrance function may be used as a functional agent instead of or in addition to the antibacterial agent. The fragrance may contain a component that relaxes the user in the vehicle cabin.

[0036] The filter 11 may have end plates 23 fixed to the four sides of the filter medium 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 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 22a…Mountain 22b…Valley 23...End plate 24...Emitting body 25...Impregnating material 26...Bag material (e.g., bag or plastic case) 26a...Mounting part 27...stapler 28...Impregnating material 29...Band

Claims

1. A filter that separates foreign matter contained in air from the air by the filter material when the air passes through the filter material in the thickness direction. A separate emitter is disposed on the filter medium, The emitter emits a functional agent downstream of the air flow as the air passes through the filter medium, The release body has a sustained release function that suppresses the release of the functional agent.

2. 2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the emitters are located at the edges of the filter media.

3. The filter material is folded so that peaks and valleys are alternately connected along the direction in which one side of the filter material extends, 2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the emitters are disposed between adjacent peaks of the filter medium.

4. 4. The filter according to claim 2, wherein the release body is formed by impregnating an impregnating material with a mixture of a functional agent and a sustained-release agent.

5. 4. The filter according to claim 2, wherein the release body is formed by enclosing a functional agent in a bag material having a sustained release function.

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