Filter cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention provides a filter cleaning device that can prevent the filter body from coming off the guide rail without increasing the size of the filter body winding mechanism. [Solution] The filter cleaning device 10 comprises a housing 1 with an air vent 1a through which air passes, a filter body 2, a winding means 3 capable of winding up the filter body 2, a cleaning body 4 that comes into contact with the surface of the filter body 2 to be cleaned when the filter body 2 is wound up to remove dust, and a dust box 5 for containing the dust removed by the cleaning body 4. Guide rails 6a and 6b are formed near two opposing sides of the air vent 1a of the housing 1 to restrict the movement of the filter body 2. The filter body 2 is restricted by the guide rails 6a and 6b and is reciprocated by the winding means 3 between a state that closes the air vent 1a of the housing 1 and a state that opens the air vent 1a of the housing 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to the surface to be cleaned of a filter.

Background Art

[0002] A filter cleaning mechanism that cleans filters used in air conditioners and the like to capture dust in the air has been conventionally known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The filter cleaning mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is a filter cleaning mechanism that includes: a dust collecting filter body composed of a filter having a large number of pores and a frame body holding the outer periphery of the filter; a drive device that enables the filter body to move in the longitudinal direction; and a cleaning unit that has a rotary cleaning body and a dust collection chamber and cleans the filter body, wherein the cleaning unit is disposed near one end in the longitudinal direction of the filter body, and a filter body housing portion is provided to house the filter body that has passed through the cleaning unit by bending the filter body three or more times with the cleaning surface of the filter body facing outward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the filter cleaning mechanism described in Patent Document 1 above consists of a frame that holds the outer circumference of the filter and the filter body, so even when the filter body is bent three or more times, the filter body housing becomes larger. Furthermore, because the filter body is housed in the filter body housing after being bent three or more times, the frame is prone to developing a permanent bend in the direction of the bend, and there is a problem that the gear constituting the drive device and the rack formed in the longitudinal direction of the frame are prone to disengaging.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned conventional problems and to provide a filter cleaning device that allows cleaning of the filter body when winding it up, and prevents the filter body from coming off the guide rail without increasing the size of the filter body winding mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned conventional problems, the invention of claim 1 is a filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to the surface of a filter body to be cleaned, the filter cleaning device comprising: a housing with a vent through which air passes; a filter body that captures dust contained in the air passing through the vent of the housing; a winding means provided on one end of the housing and capable of winding up the filter body; a cleaning body arranged near the winding means and in contact with the surface of the filter body to be cleaned to remove dust when the filter body is wound up; and a dust box for containing the dust removed by the cleaning body, wherein the housing has guide rails formed near two opposing sides of the vent for restricting the filter body, and the filter body, while restricted by the guide rails, is capable of reciprocating between a state in which the vent of the housing is closed and a state in which the vent of the housing is open by the winding means.

[0008] In the dryer invention of claim 1, since the filter body does not have a frame that holds its outer circumference as in the conventional invention, the filter body can be wound up, preventing the winding mechanism from becoming larger and preventing the filter body from coming off the guide rail. Furthermore, since the filter body is configured to reciprocate between a state that closes the ventilation opening of the housing and a state that opens the ventilation opening of the housing without the need to remove the filter body, maintenance of a heat exchanger or the like, which is usually located behind the ventilation opening, can be performed when the ventilation opening of the housing is open.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the filter body has a deformable filter portion and a reinforcing portion that restricts deformation of the filter portion in the width direction, the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion is arranged only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movable direction of the filter body, and both ends of the reinforcing portion are fitted with guide rails of the housing. This makes it easy to wind up the filter body and prevents sagging of the filter body when the filter body is blocking the ventilation opening of the housing.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the filter body has one end in the movable direction fixed to a winding means and a reinforcing portion formed at the other end, and when the filter body is blocking the ventilation opening of the housing, a locking piece formed approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion and a fixing means formed on the housing are locked together. This makes it possible to prevent sagging of the filter body when the filter body is blocking the ventilation opening of the housing in a simple manner.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the filter body has one end in the movable direction fixed to a winding means, and a reinforcing portion formed on the other end, and when the filter body is in the state of opening the ventilation opening of the housing, the projections formed on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion and the stopping piece formed on the end of the guide rail on the winding means side come into contact and lock together. This makes it possible to fix the reinforcing portion formed on the other end of the filter body in a simple manner when the filter body is in the state of opening the ventilation opening of the housing.

[0012] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the winding means has a rotating shaft and the filter body is wound around the outer circumference of the rotating shaft, and the cleaning body removes dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned while pressing the filter body against the rotating shaft. As a result, the cleaning body is pressed firmly against the filter body, so dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned can be removed efficiently.

[0013] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the cleaning body comprises a dust removal body and a rotating body, the dust removal body is positioned near the end of the guide rail of the housing, and the rotating body is positioned opposite the dust removal body with the filter body in between, and the dust removal body removes dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned while pressing the filter body against the rotating body. This allows the pressing force of the dust removal body against the filter body to be adjusted by the installation position of the rotating body, and enables efficient removal of dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned.

[0014] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the filter body, winding means, cleaning body, and dust box are a cleaning unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the housing. This allows the cleaning unit to be removed from the housing of the filter cleaning device for disposal of dust and maintenance of each component.

[0015] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the cleaning body and the dust box are a maintenance unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the housing. This allows the maintenance unit to be removed from the housing of the filter cleaning device for dust disposal and maintenance of the cleaning body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The invention of the filter cleaning device according to claim 1 can prevent the winding mechanism from becoming too large and can prevent the filter body from coming off the guide rail. Furthermore, when the ventilation opening of the housing is opened without having to remove the filter body, maintenance of a heat exchanger or the like, which is usually located behind the ventilation opening, can be performed. In addition, the inventions of claims 2 and 3 can prevent sagging of the filter body.

[0017] The invention of claim 4 allows the reinforcing portion formed on the other end of the filter body to be fixed in a simple manner while the filter body is in a state where the ventilation opening of the housing is open. Furthermore, the inventions of claims 5 and 6 allow dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned to be removed efficiently. Furthermore, the inventions of claims 7 and 8 allow the entire unit to be removed from the housing of the filter cleaning device for dust disposal and maintenance of each component. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing an air conditioner equipped with a filter cleaning device according to the present invention [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view showing an air conditioner equipped with a filter cleaning device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] (a) Perspective view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention with the vent closed. (b) Perspective view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention with half of the vent open. (c) Perspective view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention with all of the vent open. [Figure 4]A perspective view showing a cleaning body and a dust box that constitute the filter cleaning device according to the present invention [Figure 5] (a) A cross-sectional view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention in an intermediate winding state (b) A cross-sectional view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention in a completed winding state [Figure 6] A perspective view showing another embodiment of the filter body constituting the filter cleaning device according to the present invention [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the cleaning body constituting the filter cleaning device according to the present invention [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the air conditioner according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof. The air conditioner equipped with the filter cleaning device according to the present invention will be described below using these drawings.

[0020] In the air conditioner 20, a suction port 12 for sucking outdoor air containing indoor dust is formed on the side surface of the air conditioner main body 11 mounted on an indoor wall, and a blowout port 13 for blowing clean air into the room is formed on the lower side. An air passage 14 that communicates the suction port 12 and the blowout port 13 is formed inside the air conditioner main body 11.

[0021] In the air passage 14, the filter cleaning device 10 according to the present invention provided with a filter body that captures dust contained in air passing from upstream to downstream, a heat exchanger 16 that supplies cold air or warm air, and a blower 15 for sucking indoor air from the suction port 12, passing it through the heat exchanger 16, and discharging the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 16 from the blowout port 13 are arranged. Further, inside the air conditioner main body 11, a control body for respectively controlling the rotation speed of the blower 15 and the energy of cold air or warm air of the heat exchanger 16 is housed in a control chamber (not shown).

[0022] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention with the vent closed, Figure 3(b) is a perspective view showing the same filter cleaning device with half of the vent open, and Figure 3(c) is a perspective view showing the same filter cleaning device with all of the vent open. The filter cleaning device according to the present invention will be described below using these figures.

[0023] The filter cleaning device 10 according to the present invention is a device for removing dust adhering to the surface of a filter body 2 to be cleaned, and comprises a housing 1 with a vent 1a through which air passes, a filter body 2 that captures dust contained in the air passing through the vent 1a of the housing 1, a winding means 3 provided on one end of the housing 1 and capable of winding up the filter body 2, a cleaning body 4 arranged near the winding means 3 and in contact with the surface of the filter body 2 to be cleaned when the filter body 2 is wound up to remove dust, and a dust box 5 that contains the dust removed by the cleaning body 4.

[0024] Furthermore, the housing 1 has guide rails 6a and 6b formed near two opposing sides of the vent 1a to restrict the filter body 2, and the filter body 2 is configured to reciprocate between a state in which the vent 1a of the housing 1 is blocked (Figure 3(a)) and a state in which the vent 1a of the housing 1 is opened (Figure 3(c)) while being restricted by the guide rails 6a and 6b, by the winding means 3.

[0025] As described above, the filter cleaning device 10 according to the present invention does not have a frame that holds the outer circumference of the filter body 2 as in the conventional device, so the filter body 2 can be wound up, preventing the winding means 3 from becoming larger and preventing the filter body 2 from coming off the guide rails 6a and 6b. Furthermore, since the device is configured to reciprocate between a state in which the vent 1a of the housing 1 is closed and a state in which the vent 1a of the housing 1 is open without the need to remove the filter body 2, maintenance of the heat exchanger 16 (see Figure 2), etc., which is usually located behind the vent 1a, can be performed when the vent 1a of the housing 1 is open.

[0026] The filter body 2 has a deformable filter portion 2a and a reinforcing portion 2b that restricts the deformation of the filter portion 2a in the width direction. The longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion 2b is positioned so as to be substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the filter body 2, and both ends of the reinforcing portion 2b are fitted with guide rails 6a, 6b of the housing 1. This facilitates the winding of the filter body 2 and prevents sagging of the filter body 2 when it is blocking the vent 1a of the housing 1.

[0027] The filter body 2 has one end in the movable direction fixed to the winding means 3, and a reinforcing portion 2b formed at the other end. When the filter body 2 is blocking the vent 1a of the housing 1, a locking piece 2c formed approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion 2b is locked to a fixing means 1b formed on the housing 1. This prevents sagging of the filter body 2 when it is blocking the vent 1a of the housing 1 in a simple manner. The fixing means can be any structure that can lock the locking piece of the reinforcing portion to the housing, such as a clamping structure that holds the locking piece in place, or an adhesive structure that engages with hook-and-loop fasteners, and is included in the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the filter body 2 has projections 2d, 2d formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion 2b, and is configured to slide while engaging with retaining pieces formed along the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 6a, 6b. This prevents the filter body 2 from tilting excessively when it is moved back and forth, and allows for smooth reciprocating movement.

[0029] Furthermore, the filter body 2, winding mechanism 3, cleaning body 4, and dust box 5 constitute a cleaning unit 7, and this cleaning unit 7 is configured to be integrally attached to and detached from the housing 1. This allows the cleaning unit 7 to be removed from the housing 1 of the filter cleaning device 10 for dust disposal and maintenance of each component.

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the cleaning body and dust box that constitute the filter cleaning device according to the present invention. The cleaning body 4 and the dust box 5 constitute a maintenance unit 8, and are configured to be integrally attached to and detached from the housing. This allows the maintenance unit 8 to be removed from the housing 1 of the filter cleaning device 10 for dust disposal and maintenance of the cleaning body 4. The cleaning body 4 employs a rotating brush 4a having a brush section 4b and a shaft 4c, and a gear 4d is fixed to one end of the shaft 4c. The gear 4d meshes with a gear (not shown) of the winding means 3, and the rotating brush 4a rotates when the winding means 3 is driven.

[0031] Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate state of winding in the filter cleaning device according to the present invention, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the completed state of winding in the same filter cleaning device. As shown in these figures, the winding means 3 has a rotating shaft 3a, and the filter body 2 is wound around the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 3a, and the cleaning body 4 is configured to remove dust X adhering to the surface of the filter body 2 to be cleaned while pressing the filter body 2 against the rotating shaft 3a.

[0032] This causes the cleaning body 4 to be pressed firmly against the filter body 2, thereby efficiently removing dust X adhering to the surface of the filter body 2 to be cleaned. The winding means 3 is biased by a spring (not shown) to rotate in the direction of winding up the filter body 2. Furthermore, dust X adhering to the rotating brush 4a that constitutes the cleaning body 4 is scraped off by a comb 5a extending from one side of the dust box 5 and falls into the dust box 5. The winding means has a certain resistance when pulling out the filter body (when closing the vent 1a of the housing 1) to suppress sagging of the filter body, and motor-driven types and spring-driven types are envisioned and included in the present invention.

[0033] Furthermore, when the filter body 2 is fully wound, the protruding pieces 2d, 2d formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion 2b and the stopping pieces 6c, 6c formed at the ends of the guide rails 6a, 6b on the winding means 3 side come into contact and are locked in place. This allows the filter body 2 to maintain an open state of the vent 1a of the housing 1 in a simple manner.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the filter body constituting the filter cleaning device according to the present invention. The filter body 22 shown in Figure 6 has a deformable filter portion 22a and a plurality of reinforcing portions 22b, 22c, 22d... that restrict the deformation of the filter portion 22a in the width direction. The longitudinal direction of the plurality of reinforcing portions 22b, 22c, 22d... is arranged only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movable direction of the filter body 22, and both ends of the plurality of reinforcing portions 22b, 22c, 22d... are fitted into the guide rails of the housing. By having a plurality of reinforcing portions 22b, 22c, 22d... in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for gaps to occur between the vent of the housing and the filter portion 22a, and by fitting both ends into the guide rails of the housing, it is possible to further prevent sagging of the filter body 22.

[0035] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the cleaning body constituting the filter cleaning device according to the present invention. The cleaning body 24 shown in Figure 7 has a dust removal body 24a and a rotating body 9. The dust removal body 24a is positioned near the end of the guide rail 26a of the housing, and the rotating body 9 is positioned opposite the dust removal body 24a with the filter body 32 in between. The dust removal body 24a is configured to remove dust adhering to the surface of the filter body 32 to be cleaned while pressing the filter body 32 against the rotating body 9. Furthermore, the winding means 33 on which the rotating shaft 33a rotates is positioned downstream of the cleaning body 24. This allows the pressing force of the dust removal body 24a against the filter body 32 to be adjusted by the installation position of the rotating body 9, and dust adhering to the surface of the filter body 32 to be cleaned can be efficiently removed. Although a rotating brush is used for the dust removal body 24a, it is not limited to this, and a straight brush may also be used. In addition, the position of the dust box 25 can be appropriately changed in accordance with the direction in which dust falls from the filter body 32. [Industrial applicability]

[0036] The filter cleaning device according to the present invention is used when installed in air conditioning equipment such as air conditioners, blowers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilation fans, or air purifiers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1 cabinet 1a Ventilation opening 1b Fixing means 2 filter bodies 2a Filter section 2b Reinforcement section 2c Locking piece 2d protrusion 3. Winding mechanism 3a Rotating shaft 4 Cleaning Unit 4a Rotating brush 4b Brush section 4c shaft body 4D Gear 5 Dustbin 5a Comb 6a, 6b Guide rails 6c stop piece 7 Cleaning Unit 8. Maintenance Unit 9. Solids of revolution 10. Filter cleaning device 11. Air conditioner unit 12 Inlet 13 Air outlet 14 Air passage 15 Blower 16 Heat exchanger 20 Air conditioners X Dust

Claims

1. A filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to the surface of a filter body to be cleaned, The filter cleaning device is A housing equipped with vents through which air passes, A filter body that captures dust contained in the air passing through the vents of the housing, A winding means is provided on one end of the housing and capable of winding up the filter body, A cleaning body is positioned near the winding means and comes into contact with the surface of the filter body to be cleaned to remove dust when the filter body is wound up, It has a dust box for collecting the dust removed by the cleaning body, The housing has guide rails formed near two opposing sides of the vents to restrict the filter body. The filter body is a filter cleaning device that, while being restricted by the guide rail, reciprocates by the winding means between a state in which the ventilation opening of the housing is closed and a state in which the ventilation opening of the housing is open.

2. The filter body has a deformable filter portion and a reinforcing portion that restricts deformation of the filter portion in the width direction. The longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion is arranged only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movable direction of the filter body. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the reinforcing portion are fitted with the guide rails of the housing.

3. The filter body has one end in the direction of movement fixed to the winding mechanism, and a reinforcing portion formed at the other end. The filter cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the filter body blocks the ventilation opening of the housing, and a locking piece formed approximately in the longitudinal center of the reinforcing portion and a fixing means formed on the housing are locked together.

4. The filter body has one end in the direction of movement fixed to the winding mechanism, and a reinforcing portion formed at the other end. The filter cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein, with the ventilation opening of the housing open, the filter body is locked in contact with the projections formed at both longitudinal ends of the reinforcing portion and the stopper formed at the end of the guide rail on the winding means side.

5. The winding mechanism has a rotating shaft, and the filter body is wound around the outer circumference of the rotating shaft. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning body presses the filter body against the rotating shaft and removes dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned.

6. The cleaning unit comprises a dust removal body and a rotating body, the dust removal body being positioned near the end of the guide rail of the housing, and the rotating body being positioned opposite the dust removal body with a filter body in between. The dust removal body presses the filter body against the rotating body while removing dust adhering to the surface of the filter body to be cleaned, as described in claim 1.

7. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the filter body, winding means, cleaning body, and dust box are a cleaning unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the housing.

8. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning body and the dust box are a maintenance unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the housing.

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