Filter unit and air purifier equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide a filter unit that can be formed into pleated shapes of various shapes and sizes. [Solution] A filter unit comprising a filter holding section equipped with an expandable link mechanism composed of multiple interconnected links, and a filter attached to the filter holding section that can be formed into a pleated shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter unit and an air cleaning device provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] As a filter for use in air cleaning devices such as deodorizers and dust collectors, Patent Document 1 discloses a filter that can be folded into a pleated shape. The filter of Patent Document 1 includes a filter medium and a filter frame member attached to the outer peripheral edge of the filter medium. In the filter frame member, a plurality of grooves having a triangular cross-section extending in the filter width direction are provided at equal intervals in the filter longitudinal direction and alternately on one surface side and the other surface side of the filter, and the pleat angle regulating structure is configured by the plurality of grooves. Further, in the filter medium, creases are formed at positions corresponding to the respective grooves of the filter frame member. By pushing this filter in an unfolded state into the device housing, the filter is sequentially bent from the inner side of the housing due to insertion resistance, and the whole becomes a pleated shape. Such a filter that can be folded into a pleated shape can increase the area occupied by the filter in the device housing and improve the air cleaning performance compared to a flat filter.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The filter described in Patent Document 1 has a pleat angle regulating structure in the filter frame material that allows the filter material to be bent into a pleated shape at a constant angle, so the bending angle of the filter material is constant. Furthermore, the pleat angle regulating structure of the filter in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the filter frame material bends in all grooves. Therefore, with the filter in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to adjust the pitch of the pleats of the filter material, the height of the peaks (or depth of the valleys) of the pleats of the filter material, etc., by changing at least one of the bending angle or bending position of the filter material to form filter pleats of various shapes and sizes. For this reason, with the filter in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manufacture filters according to the shape and size of the filter housing chamber of the device casing.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a filter unit and an air purifier equipped therewith, which have been made in consideration of the above circumstances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a filter unit comprising a filter holding section having an expandable link mechanism composed of multiple interconnected links, and a filter that is attached to the filter holding section and can be formed into a pleated shape.

[0007] The present invention provides an air purifier to which the filter unit can be attached.

[0008] The present invention provides a replacement filter comprising first and second filter support parts that are detachable from a telescopic link mechanism composed of multiple interconnected links, and filters attached to the first and second filter support parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the filter unit of the present invention, by adjusting the expansion and contraction of the telescopic link mechanism, the pitch in the expansion and contraction direction of the filter pleats, the height of the peaks (or depth of the valleys) of the filter pleats, etc., can be adjusted to form filters with pleat shapes of various shapes and sizes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an air purifier equipped with a filter unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the air purifier according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic internal structure diagram of the air purifier shown, viewed from above. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a schematic internal structure diagram of the air purifier housing, viewed from the front. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a filter unit of the first embodiment, which is expanded and contracted so that the filter is formed in a pleated shape with a wide pitch in the expansion and contraction direction. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged side view of the filter in the filter unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the extended state of the filter holding portion in the filter unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the shortened state of the filter holder. [Figure 9] This figure illustrates that the replacement filter of the filter unit in the first embodiment is detachable from the filter holding portion. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded state and the compacted wound state of the replacement filter in the filter unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of a filter unit of the first embodiment, which is expanded and contracted so that the filter is formed in a pleated shape with a narrow pitch in the expansion and contraction direction. [Figure 12]It is an explanatory view viewed from above showing how the filter unit of the first embodiment is mounted into the housing of an air cleaner. [Figure 13] It is a view for explaining a modified example of the filter unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of an air cleaner provided with the filter unit of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a schematic internal structural view of the air cleaner shown in Fig. 14 viewed from above. [Figure 16] It is a schematic internal structural view of the housing of the air cleaner shown in Fig. 14 viewed from the front. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view of an air cleaner provided with the filter unit of the third embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a schematic internal structural view of the air cleaner shown in Fig. 17 viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0012] (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an air cleaner 1 including a filter unit 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic internal structural view of the air cleaner 1 shown in Fig. 1 viewed from above. Fig. 3 is a schematic internal structural view of the air cleaner shown in Fig. 1 viewed from above. Fig. 4 is a schematic internal structural view of the housing of the air cleaner shown in Fig. 1 viewed from the front. This air cleaner 1 is an air cleaner having a deodorizing function and a dust collecting function, and includes a housing 2, a filter unit 3 accommodated in the housing 2, an electric fan 4 that circulates air in the housing 2, and a light source unit 6 that irradiates light 5 to the filter unit 3.

[0013] The housing 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, comprising a bottom wall 2a having an air intake made of metal mesh 2q, an upper wall 2b having a slit-shaped exhaust port 2y, and a surrounding wall 2c. In this embodiment, the housing 2 is a thin rectangular parallelepiped, with its left-right dimension being shorter than its front-to-back and up-to-down dimensions. An activated carbon filter 2j is provided on the metal mesh 2q. Some of the organic matter (odor substances, bacteria, dust, etc.) in the air introduced into the housing 2 from the air intake is adsorbed by the activated carbon filter 2j.

[0014] The front portion of the surrounding wall 2c is a removable cover 2d. When housing the filter unit 3 inside the housing 2, or when removing the filter unit 3 from inside the housing 2, the cover 2d is removed from the housing 2. Legs 7 are provided at the four corners of the underside of the bottom wall 2a of the housing 2, and the housing 2 is supported above the floor surface F by the legs 7. A partition wall 2e is provided inside the housing 2 at a position closer to the upper wall 2b than the midpoint between the upper and lower parts. Furthermore, the intake port of the electric fan 4 is exposed through a vent provided in the partition wall 2e.

[0015] Within the housing 2, the area below the partition wall 2e is designated as a filter unit housing chamber 8, and the area above the partition wall 2e is designated as an electric fan housing chamber 9. In the filter unit housing chamber 8, plate-shaped light source units 6 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the surrounding wall 2c to irradiate light 5 toward the filter unit housing chamber 8. In this embodiment, multiple light source units 6 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces in the vertical and front-to-back directions, respectively. The light source units 6 are, for example, LED lamps, fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, xenon lamps, etc.

[0016] In the filter unit housing chamber 8, a pair of stopper members 21 are provided on the left and right sides of the inner surface of the bottom wall 2a. In this embodiment, the stopper members 21 are L-shaped angle members, and the pair of stopper members 21 are parallel to and facing each other. When the filter unit 3 is housed between the pair of stopper members 21, the lower end of the filter unit 3 comes into contact with the pair of stopper members 21, thereby restricting the movement of the filter unit 3 in the left and right directions.

[0017] The electric fan housing 9 houses the electric fan 4 and a circuit board (not shown). When the electric fan 4 is driven, the electric fan housing 9 and the filter unit housing 8 become negatively pressurized, and outside air flows into the filter unit housing 8 through the metal mesh 2q, flows into the electric fan housing 9 through the electric fan 4, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 2y. In Figure 2, the arrows indicate the airflow. At this time, the air passing through the housing 2 cools the multiple light source units 6, the circuit board (not shown), and the electric fan 4.

[0018] An alternate-operation power switch 12, electrically connected to a circuit board, is provided on the upper surface of the upper wall 2b of the housing 2. When the power switch 12 is turned on, the electric fan 4 and multiple light sources 6 operate, and when the power switch 12 is turned off, the electric fan 4 and multiple light sources 6 stop operating. Although not shown in the figures, a changeover switch for switching the driving force of the electric fan 4, a timer switch, a display panel that shows the driving force status of the electric fan 4 and the timer setting time may be provided near the power switch 12 on the upper wall 2b of the housing 2.

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the filter unit 3 of the first embodiment, which is retractable so that the filter 50 is formed in a pleated shape with a wide pitch in the expansion and contraction direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the filter unit 3 comprises a filter holding part 40 equipped with an expandable link mechanism composed of multiple interconnected links, and a filter 50 attached to the filter holding part 40. In this embodiment, the filter holding part 40 is equipped with a first expandable link mechanism 41 and a second expandable link mechanism 42 that are connected to each other so as to be expandable and contractible like a magic hand, and this will be described in more detail later.

[0020] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged side view of the filter 50 in the filter unit 3 of the first embodiment. The filter 50 is a photocatalytic filter having a sheet-like filter substrate 51 and a photocatalytic layer 52 laminated on the filter substrate 51, and can be formed into a pleated shape. In this embodiment, the photocatalytic layer 52 is laminated on both the front and back surfaces of the filter substrate 51, but it may also be laminated on only one of the front and back surfaces. The filter substrate 51 is, for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, etc., with a thickness of about 0.1 to 1 mm.

[0021] The photocatalytic layer 52 can be formed by, for example, preparing a photocatalytic dispersion by mixing photocatalytic particles such as tungsten oxide and titanium oxide with carbon powder supporting co-catalytic particles such as platinum group metal particles (e.g., particles of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Os, and Ir), a binder, and a solvent, applying this photocatalytic dispersion to the filter substrate 51, and drying the coated layer. Alternatively, the photocatalytic layer 52 may be formed by a thermal spraying method in which heated and molten photocatalytic particles are applied to the filter substrate 51 at high speed to melt and fix them. The photocatalytic layer 52 is preferably a visible light-responsive photocatalyst, but it may also be a photocatalyst that responds to light of wavelengths other than visible light.

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the extended state of the filter holder 40 in the filter unit of the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, in the filter holder 40, the first telescopic link mechanism 41 has a plurality of elongated thin plate-shaped links 41x, each having an axial insertion hole at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of links 41x are made of, for example, metal or resin, and are linearly connected to each other via an insertion shaft 61. In this embodiment, the first telescopic link mechanism 41 has first to fourth links 41x. In the first telescopic link mechanism 41, the first link 41x and the fourth link (final link) 41x on both sides (left and right sides in Figures 5 and 7) have an unconnected end 41a and a connected end 41b. The second link 41x and the third link 41x have connected ends 41b at both ends. The adjacent connecting ends 41b of the first to fourth links 41x are rotatably connected to each other via insertion shafts 61 provided at the lower ends of cylindrical or cylindrical filter support parts 62. Furthermore, filter support parts 62 are also provided at the unconnected ends 41a of the first link 41x and the fourth link (final link) 41x. Thus, the first telescopic link mechanism 41 is equipped with five filter support parts 62 that extend in the vertical direction.

[0023] The second telescopic link mechanism 42 is configured in general the same way as the first telescopic link mechanism 41, except that it does not have members such as the five filter support parts 62 of the first telescopic link mechanism 41. That is, the second telescopic link mechanism 42 has first to fourth links 42x, and the adjacent connecting ends 42b of the first to fourth links 42x are rotatably connected to each other via an insertion shaft 63. Figures 5 and 7 show cases where holes are provided in the unconnected ends 42a of the left first link 42x and the right fourth link 42x, but these holes may be omitted.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 each have a cross connection portion where two of the multiple links of the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 cross. That is, the first link 41x of the zigzag-extending first telescopic link mechanism 41 and the first link 42x of the zigzag-extending second telescopic link mechanism 42 are connected in a cross shape via a pivot 64 at their longitudinal intermediates. Similarly, the longitudinal intermediates of the pair of second links 41x and 42x, the longitudinal intermediates of the pair of third links 41x and 42x, and the longitudinal intermediates of the pair of fourth links 41x and 42x are also connected in a cross shape via a pivot 64. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the shortened state of the filter holding section 40 shown in Figure 7. The first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 of the filter holding section 40 in this embodiment have a structure in which they are connected in a way that allows them to extend and retract like a magic hand. Therefore, the filter holder 40 can extend and retract from the extended state shown in Figure 7 to the shortened state shown in Figure 8, or vice versa.

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates that the replacement filter 80 of the filter unit in the first embodiment is detachable from the filter holding part 40. The filter support part (first filter support part) 62 of the unconnected end 41a of the left first link 41x of the first telescopic link mechanism 41 and the filter support part (second filter support part) 62 of the unconnected end 41a of the right fourth link 41x are detachable from the first telescopic link mechanism 41. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, both ends of the filter 50 of the filter unit 3 in the longitudinal direction (telescopic direction) are attached to a pair of filter support parts 62 that are detachable from the first telescopic link mechanism 41 of the filter holding part 40. The method of attachment is not particularly limited and can be fixed by means of adhesive, screws, etc.

[0026] The length of the filter support portion 62 is the same as or longer than the width of the filter 50. In this way, the replacement filter 80 is constructed by attaching the pair of filter support portions (first and second filter support portions) 62 to both longitudinal ends of the filter 50. The other three filter support portions 62 in the filter holding portion 40 are secured to prevent them from accidentally coming off the first telescopic link mechanism 41, and it is preferable that the pair of filter support portions (first and second filter support portions) 62 of the replacement filter 80 are also secured to allow them to be detached after being attached to the first telescopic link mechanism 41. The method of securing them is not particularly limited, and for example, a male screw may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion shaft 61 provided at the lower end of each filter support portion 62, and a nut may be screwed onto the male screw to secure them. In this case, the filter support portion 62 and the insertion shaft 61 become one unit, and the length of the filter support portion 62 becomes longer than the width of the filter 50. Alternatively, the entire insertion shaft 61 may be a male threaded member, and a portion of the male thread of the insertion shaft 61 may be detachably screwed into a screw hole provided at the lower end of the filter support portion 62, with a nut screwed onto the other portion of the male thread of the insertion shaft 61 to prevent it from coming loose. In this case, the filter support portion 62 and the insertion shaft 61 become separate parts, and the length of the filter support portion 62 becomes the same as the width of the filter 50.

[0027] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded state and the compacted wound state of the replacement filter 80 in the filter unit of the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the replacement filter 80 can be made compact by winding the filter 50 at one or both of the filter support parts (first and / or second filter support parts) 62. Therefore, the compacted replacement filter 80 can save space in storage, handling, and transportation.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, when attaching a replacement filter 80 to the filter holder 40, the filter 50 is positioned on each of the filter support parts 62 of the connecting end 41b of the first telescopic link mechanism 41 so that when the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 are extended, the filter 50 takes on a pleated shape in the extension direction. In other words, the filter 50 is hooked onto three of the five filter support parts 62, excluding the end ends. This allows the filter unit 3 to be extended and retracted, and the filter 50 can be deformed into a pleated shape with a wide pitch in the extension direction as shown in Figure 5, or into a pleated shape with a narrow pitch in the extension direction as shown in Figure 11. Therefore, the length of the filter 50 is set to a length that allows the filter 50 to form a pleated shape when the replacement filter 80 is attached to the filter holder 40.

[0029] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing, from above, how the filter unit 3 of the first embodiment is installed inside the housing 2 of the air purifier 1. When installing the filter unit 3 inside the housing 2, the lid 2d of the housing 2 is removed to expose the opening (see Figure 4), and one end of the filter unit 3 in the longitudinal direction, with the filter 50 formed in a pleated shape, is inserted into the filter unit housing chamber 8 of the housing 2. At this time, as shown in Figure 12, the filter unit 3 is extended in the front-to-back direction and its width in the left-to-right direction is reduced so that the filter unit 3 fits between the stopper pieces 21a that rise above the pair of stopper members 21 inside the filter unit housing chamber 8. When the filter unit 3 is pushed into the housing 2, the unconnected ends 41a and 42a at the rear of the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 abut against the inner wall 2h.

[0030] Subsequently, when the unconnected ends 41a and 42a on the front side of the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 are further pushed in, the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 move in conjunction, causing the unconnected ends 41a and 42a to naturally move in a direction that separates them, and the filter unit 3 widens in the left-right direction and shortens in the front-back direction. When the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 come into contact with or close to the stopper pieces 21a of the pair of stopper members 21, the entire filter unit 3 with the pleated filter 50 is housed inside the housing 2, so the lid 2d can be attached to the housing 2 and the opening closed (see Figures 1 and 3). The height of the filter unit 3 is such that the upper ends of the multiple filter support parts 62 of the filter unit 3 are close to the partition wall 2e inside the housing 2.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the power switch 12 of the air purifier 1, which houses the filter unit 3 with the filter 50 formed in a pleated shape, is pressed, the electric fan 4 is driven, and the rotation of the electric fan 4 generates suction force, causing outside air to flow into the filter unit housing chamber 8 inside the housing 2 through the metal mesh 2Q of the bottom wall 2a. In addition, multiple light sources 6 emit light, and the light 5 from each light source 6 irradiates the filter 50 of the filter unit 3, causing photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer 52 (see Figure 5).

[0032] Air flowing into the filter unit housing chamber 8 within the housing 2 flows along the ridges of the multiple pleats of the filter 50, coming into contact with the pleated filter 50 of the filter unit 3. At this time, odor substances, bacteria, dust, and other organic matter in the air are adsorbed onto the filter 50. The odor substances adsorbed onto the filter 50 are deodorized by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer 52 (see Figure 5). In addition, bacteria adsorbed onto the filter 50 are sterilized by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer 52. The air, from which odor substances, dust, and other organic matter have been removed by contact with the pleated filter 50, is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 2y via the electric fan 4 and the electric fan housing chamber 9. The air purifier 1 of the first embodiment is configured to keep the airflow resistance low.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the filter unit 3 may wobble due to airflow. Therefore, for example, by attaching magnets to the upper ends of multiple filter support parts 62 and attaching metal plates to the left and right positions on the lower surface of the partition wall 2e (see Figures 2 and 4) inside the housing 2, the magnets at the upper ends of each filter support part 62 will be attracted to the left and right metal plates, thereby suppressing the wobbling of the filter unit 3 inside the housing 2.

[0034] In the filter unit 3 configured in this way, the number of filter support parts 62 that determine the number of pleat peaks (or valleys) is not particularly limited. In the filter unit 3 shown in this embodiment (see Figures 3 and 5), there are 5 filter support parts 62, but the number of filter support parts 62 may be, for example, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc.

[0035] According to the filter unit 3 of this embodiment, the pitch of the pleat shape of the filter 50 can be adjusted to be wider (see Figure 5) or narrower (see Figure 11) depending on the degree of expansion and contraction of the filter unit 3. In other words, multiple pleat shapes of the filter 50 can be formed with a single filter unit 3. Therefore, even with a single filter unit, it is possible to form filters 50 with pleat shapes adapted to multiple air purifiers (housings) of different shapes and sizes, and as a result, the number of types of filter units to be prepared can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing filter support parts 62 at the cross connection parts (position of the pivot 64) of the first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42, sagging of the filter 50 between the filter support parts 62 and flapping due to airflow can be reduced (see Figure 5).

[0036] (Modified version of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example was given in which both longitudinal ends of the filter 50 of the filter unit 3 are attached to a pair of filter support parts (first and second filter support parts) 62 by adhesive bonding, screw fastening, or other fixing methods. However, the following is also possible. That is, as shown in Figure 13, a pair of tubular sleeve parts 50a are formed along the vertically extending edges of both longitudinal ends of the filter 50, for example, by sewing. In this way, the filter 50 can be attached to the filter holding part 40 by inserting the two filter support parts (first and second filter support parts) 62 on both sides of the filter holding part 40 in the expansion and contraction direction through the pair of sleeve parts 50a. In addition, the replacement filter 80 can be made up of only the filter 50. Therefore, in this case, the filter support portion (first and second filter support portion) 62 of the unconnected end 41a of the left-side first link 41x of the first telescopic link mechanism 41 and the filter support portion 62 (second filter support portion) of the unconnected end 41a of the right-side fourth link 41x do not need to be detachable from the first telescopic link mechanism 41.

[0037] (Second Embodiment) Figure 14 is a perspective view of the air purifier 100 equipped with the filter unit 50 of the second embodiment. Figure 15 is a schematic internal structure diagram of the air purifier 100 shown in Figure 14, viewed from above. Figure 16 is a schematic internal structure diagram of the housing of the air purifier shown in Figure 14, viewed from the front. In Figures 14 to 16, elements similar to those in Figures 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The air purifier 100 of the second embodiment is configured such that the airflow to the filter 50 differs from that of the first embodiment. The following will mainly describe the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment.

[0038] In the second embodiment, a vertically elongated metal mesh 2x constituting an air intake is provided on the front cover 2d of the housing 102. In addition, in the filter unit housing chamber 8 inside the housing 102, an inner wall 2h is provided near the rear wall 2f, facing the rear wall 2f, and a ventilation hole 2g is provided approximately in the center of this inner wall 2h. The inner wall 2h forms a passageway 2i between the rear wall 2f and the inner wall 2h. Furthermore, a ventilation hole 2z is provided at the upper end of the passageway 2i, penetrating a part of the partition wall 2e. In the second embodiment, the other configurations are generally the same as in the first embodiment. Note that a modified version of the first embodiment may be applied to the filter unit 3 of the second embodiment.

[0039] As shown in Figures 14 to 16, when the power switch 12 of the air purifier 100, which houses the filter unit 3 with the filter 50 formed in a pleated shape, is pressed, the electric fan 4 is driven, and the rotation of the electric fan 4 generates suction force, causing outside air to flow from the front intake port 2x into the filter unit housing chamber 8 inside the housing 2. In Figure 15, the dotted arrows indicate the airflow. In addition, multiple light sources 6 emit light, and the light 5 from each light source 6 irradiates the filter 50 of the filter unit 3, causing photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer 52 (see Figure 5).

[0040] Air flowing into the filter unit housing chamber 8 within the housing 102 flows in a direction perpendicular to the ridges of the multiple peaks of the pleated shape of the filter 50, contacting and passing through the pleated filter 50 of the filter unit 3. At this time, odor substances, bacteria, dust, and other organic matter in the air are adsorbed onto the filter 50. The odor substances adsorbed onto the filter 50 are deodorized by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer 52 (see Figure 5). In addition, bacteria adsorbed onto the filter 50 are sterilized by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer 52. Air from which odor substances, dust, and other organic matter have been removed after passing through the pleated filter 50 is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 2y through the vent hole 2g, the connecting passage 2i, the vent 2z, and the electric fan housing chamber 9.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the gap between the peaks of the left and right peaks of the filter unit 3 and the left and right light sources 6 is reduced, thereby decreasing the amount of air passing through this gap, increasing the amount of air passing through the filter 50, and thereby improving the air purification efficiency. Although not shown in the figures, for example, a pair of transparent plates may be provided near the left and right light sources 6, and the peaks of the pleated left and right peaks of the filter unit 3 may be brought into contact with the pair of transparent plates. A portion of the air flowing into the filter unit housing chamber 8 may be allowed to flow through the gap between the left transparent plate and the left light source 6, and the gap between the right transparent plate and the right light source 6, so that the majority of the air passes through the filter 50 between the pair of transparent plates.

[0042] (Third embodiment) Figure 17 is a perspective view of the filter unit 101 of the third embodiment. Figure 18 is a schematic internal structure diagram of the air purifier 100 equipped with the filter unit 101 of the third embodiment, viewed from above. In Figures 17 and 18, elements similar to those in Figures 3 and 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first and second embodiments, the telescopic link mechanism of the filter unit 3 included first and second telescopic link mechanisms 41 and 42 (see Figures 2 and 15). On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the telescopic link mechanism omits the second telescopic link mechanism 42 and consists only of the first telescopic link mechanism 41 having five filter support parts 62. In this case, the holes in the longitudinal middle of the first to fourth links 41x of the first telescopic link mechanism 41 (insertion holes for the pivot 64 used as a cross connection part) may be omitted.

[0043] The air purifier 110 equipped with the filter unit 101 of the third embodiment provides the same effects and advantages as the air purifier 1 of the first embodiment. When installing the filter unit 101 inside the housing 2, for example, first position the rear filter support portion 62 inside the housing 2 in the left corner. In this case, as in the first and second embodiments, magnets are attached to the upper ends of the multiple filter support portions 62, and metal plates are attached to the left and right positions on the lower surface of the partition wall 2e (see Figure 16) inside the housing 2, thereby suppressing the wobbling of the rear filter support portion 62 when it is positioned in the left corner inside the housing 2. Similarly, if the second to fifth filter support portions 62 are positioned alternately to the right and left, the wobbling of the filter unit 101 due to airflow can be suppressed. Furthermore, a modified version of the first embodiment (see Figure 13) may be applied to the filter unit 101 of the third embodiment.

[0044] Preferred embodiments of the present invention include combinations of any of the embodiments described above. In addition to the embodiments described above, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be considered outside the scope of the present invention. The present invention should encompass all variations within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1,100,110: Air purifier, 2,102: Housing, 2a: Bottom wall, 2b: Top wall, 2c: Surrounding wall, 2d: Cover, 2e: Partition wall, 2f: Rear wall, 2g: Ventilation hole, 2h: Inner wall, 2i: Connecting passage, 2q,2x: Metal mesh, 2y: Exhaust port, 2k,2z: Ventilation holes, 3,101,120: Filter unit, 4: Electric fan, 5: Light, 6: Light source unit, 7: Legs, 8: Filter unit housing, 9: Electric fan housing, 12: Power switch, 21: Stopper member, 21a: Stopper piece, 40: Filter holder, 41: First telescopic link mechanism, 41a,42a: Non-connecting part, 41b,42b: Connecting end, 41x, 42x: Links, 1st to 4th links, 42: 2nd telescopic link mechanism, 50, 121: Filter, 50a: Sleeve section, 51: Filter base, 52: Photocatalytic layer, 61, 63: Insertion shaft, 62: Filter support section, 64: Pivot, 80: Replacement filter, F: Floor surface

Claims

1. A filter holding section equipped with a retractable link mechanism composed of multiple interconnected links, A filter unit comprising a filter that is attached to the filter holding part and can be formed into a pleated shape.

2. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic link mechanism has a plurality of filter support portions provided at the unconnected end of the first link of the telescopic link mechanism, the unconnected end of the final link among the links whose ends are directly or indirectly connected to the other end of the first link, and the connected ends of each link whose ends are directly or indirectly connected to the other end of the first link.

3. The filter unit according to claim 2, wherein the filter is attached to the filter support portion at the unconnected end of the first link and the filter support portion at the unconnected end of the final link, and is positioned at each of the filter support portions at the connecting ends such that it forms a pleated shape in the direction of expansion and contraction when the telescopic link mechanism expands and contracts.

4. The filter unit according to claim 2, wherein the telescopic link mechanism has a cross-connecting portion where two of each of the plurality of links of the telescopic link mechanism cross.

5. The filter unit according to claim 2, wherein the filter support portion at the unconnected end of the first link and the filter support portion at the unconnected end of the final link are detachable from the telescopic link mechanism.

6. The filter unit according to claim 2, wherein the length of the filter support portion is the same as or longer than the width of the filter.

7. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter is a photocatalytic filter.

8. An air purifier capable of being fitted with the filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The filter unit described in claim 7 can be attached, An air purifier comprising a light source unit for irradiating the aforementioned photocatalytic filter with light.

10. A first and second filter support section that is detachable from a telescopic link mechanism composed of multiple interconnected links, A replacement filter comprising filters attached to the first and second filter support sections.

11. The replacement filter according to claim 10, wherein the length of the filter support portion is the same as or longer than the width of the filter.

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