Demister filter

Abstract

To provide a demister filter for capturing mist such as oil dispersed in the air, which does not require replacement of filter elements and can be easily cleaned. [Solution] The demister filter 1 comprises a filter element 20 and a metal frame 30 that holds the filter element 20. The filter element 20 is a metal knit mesh formed in a plate shape, and the filter element 20 and the metal frame 30 are integrally connected. The demister filter 1 of this disclosure has a high collection effect for oil-containing mist, can be easily manufactured, drains water well after washing and can be dried quickly, and can withstand strong agitation and high-pressure washing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a demister filter provided with a filter element that captures mist such as oil scattered in air. [Background Art]

[0002] In order to efficiently capture mist such as oil scattered in the air inside a kitchen, a filter is sometimes attached to a range hood, which is an exhaust facility integrating a cover (hood) covering the upper part of a stove (range) and a ventilation fan. It is known for filters to use a porous metal body, or to be used by mounting the porous metal body in a metal frame. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a filter for removing oil mist that is a three-dimensional porous metal body using nickel as a material.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a grease filter which is attached to an outer frame and made of a porous metal body having a three-dimensional network structure. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-137631 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-128637 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] The filter described in Patent Document 1 above has a three-dimensional mesh structure, resulting in countless tiny dead ends and labyrinthine spaces. As a result, oil and impurities tend to remain in these tiny internal spaces. Once particulate dirt and oil penetrate the interior, it is difficult to reach them with physical cleaning methods such as brushes or water jets. Cleaning is generally done by immersion in an acidic liquid, but care must be taken because if the acid is too strong or the immersion is too long, the metal forming the porous structure itself may dissolve. Furthermore, due to its high porosity, it easily retains moisture inside through capillary action, making complete drying time-consuming. There is a risk that the moisture remaining inside the filter after cleaning will cause oxidation to progress from the inside during storage.

[0006] The filter described in Patent Document 2 also consists of a porous metal having a three-dimensional mesh structure, and has the same problems as the filter described in Patent Document 1. Furthermore, the filter described in Patent Document 2 is attached to an outer frame, and since the porous metal is sponge-like, has low strength, and is very easily deformed, careful handling is required when attaching or detaching the filter from the outer frame for replacement or cleaning. When removing it from the outer frame, the oil, which has oxidized and become highly viscous, hardens like an adhesive in the gap between the filter and the outer frame, so if pulled too hard, the outer frame may warp or the filter may be damaged. When attaching it to the outer frame, if too much force is applied to push it into the outer frame, the corners of the porous metal may be crushed or the surface may be dented.

[0007] Furthermore, when replacing or cleaning the filter, it can easily become slippery with oil and fall, posing a risk of soiling your feet or cooking utensils.

[0008] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a demister filter for collecting mist such as oil dispersed in the air, which does not require replacement of filter elements and can be easily cleaned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The demister filter of this invention comprises a filter element and a metal frame that holds the filter element, wherein the filter element is a plate-shaped metal knit mesh, and the filter element and the metal frame are integrally connected.

[0010] According to the demister filter of this disclosure, since a metal knit mesh formed into a plate shape is used as the filter element, the density per unit space is relatively high, resulting in a high capture effect of oil-containing mist. Furthermore, since it can be formed into a plate shape by, for example, compression molding, the filter element can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, because the knitted mesh is formed by overlapping linear metals to create a plate-like structure, there are fewer tiny dead ends and labyrinthine spaces compared to porous metal materials, allowing liquids to pass through the gaps between the linear metals. Therefore, oil and impurities can be easily discharged from the filter during cleaning, and after cleaning, water drains well, allowing for quick drying. Because knitted metal is used, it has both flexibility and strength, and can withstand strong agitation and high-pressure cleaning.

[0011] Furthermore, in the demister filter of this disclosure, the filter element and the metal frame are integrally connected by welding or the like so that the filter element cannot be removed from the metal frame. Therefore, the entire demister filter, including the metal frame, can be cleaned without removing the filter element from the metal frame, making cleaning easy. In addition, because they are integrally connected, there is no need to attach or detach or replace the filter element, and deformation of the metal frame and filter, which is likely to occur during attachment and detachment, can be prevented.

[0012] In this invention, the metal frame is composed of at least two flat plate portions that sandwich the filter element, and at least one of the two plate portions has a plurality of holes in at least a portion of the area facing the filter element. Since the filter element is sandwiched between at least two flat plate portions, the knit mesh can be prevented from falling off, and since the plate portions have a plurality of holes, an area can be secured to capture mist scattered in the air.

[0013] In this invention, the metal frame may be provided with at least one gripping portion. The entire demister filter can be washed, for example, by swishing it while holding the gripping portion.

[0014] In this invention, the metal knit mesh may be a mesh in which metal wires are woven and then compressed. This allows for higher collection efficiency and easier cleaning.

[0015] In this invention, the filter element may be formed in a disc shape, and at least a portion of its peripheral edge may be welded to the metal frame. Because the filter element is formed in a disc shape, there is no bias in the center of gravity when installing the demister filter integrated with the metal frame, making it easy to install.

[0016] In this invention, the metal frame may be provided with at least one oil discharge hole. This allows the collected oil to be discharged to the outside, reducing the risk of it solidifying inside the demister filter.

[0017] In this invention, the metal knit mesh may be made of stainless steel. Because it is made of stainless steel, it has corrosion resistance (strong resistance to rust and oxidation), is easy to clean (strong detergents can be used), and has excellent durability and rigidity (does not lose its shape). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]It is a perspective view of a demister filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of a demister filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] (a) is a view showing a plate portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and (b) is an enlarged view of a region shown within an alternate long and short dash line circle in (a). [Figure 4] It is a side view of a demister filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a partially enlarged view of a metal frame of a demister filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a demister filter 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a filter element 20 and a metal frame 30.

[0020] The filter element 20 is formed in a plate shape from, for example, a metal knitted mesh made of stainless steel, iron, aluminum alloy, or any other appropriate metal as a raw material. The metal knitted mesh is a mesh material obtained by knitting a metal wire with a wire diameter of 0.23 mm to 0.28 mm or the like in the same manner as knitting for clothing. Unlike a wire mesh in which metal wires intersect vertically and horizontally, it has a structure in which one or several metal wires are continuously knitted, so it has unique flexibility and stretchability. Further, since the metal has plasticity, it can be formed into a plate-shaped (for example, disk-shaped) compression-molded body by placing it in a mold and compressing it.

[0021] In the production of the filter element 20, a plurality of metal knitted meshes are folded, the thickened product is rounded into a cylindrical shape, placed vertically into a circular mold, and compression-molded. High density can be achieved by compressing the cylindrically rounded metal knitted mesh in the vertical direction. At least a part of the peripheral edge of the filter element 20 compression-molded into a disk shape may be connected to the metal frame 30 by welding or the like.

[0022] Because the filter element 20 is formed in a disc shape, there is no bias in the center of gravity when installing the demister filter integrated with the metal frame, making it easy to install. In addition, strength is ensured because at least a portion of its peripheral edge is connected to the metal frame 30 by welding.

[0023] The density of the filter element 20 is set to a density that allows for higher collection efficiency and easier cleaning, specifically 0.46 to 0.94 g / cm³. 3 They may be formed in the following ways.

[0024] When a gas containing mist, such as oil, is dispersed in the air and passes through the filter element 20, only the mist collides with the metal wire and adheres to it. The droplets attached to the metal wire gather together to form larger droplets. In kitchen range hoods, filters are typically installed at an angle, so the droplets are carried downwards by gravity along the metal wire and are naturally collected within the metal frame 30 below.

[0025] The metal frame 30 is composed of at least two flat plate portions 31 that sandwich a flat filter element 20 from both sides, as shown in Figure 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 4, the two plate portions 31 are composed of a front plate 311 which is the stove side and suction side when attached to the range hood, and a back plate 312 which is the duct side and discharge side. The two plate portions 31 are rectangular plates of the same size and shape.

[0026] Furthermore, the metal frame 30 has horizontal plates 313 extending from one plate portion 31 toward the other plate portion 31 on at least a portion of the edge of both or one of the two plate portions 31. The two plate portions 31 are fixed to each other by welding or riveting the horizontal plates 313 to the other plate portion 31 or the horizontal plates 313 extending from the other plate portion 31.

[0027] The two plate sections 31 are fixed to each other with the filter element 20 sandwiched between them, thereby integrally fixing and connecting the metal frame 30 and the filter element 20. Methods for fixing the two plate sections 31 include welding and riveting, but the method of fixing is not particularly limited as long as the front side plate 311 and the back side plate 312 can be firmly fixed. In the demister filter 1 shown in Figures 1-4, the two plate sections 31 are riveted together with rivets 313R, thereby fixing the filter element 20 sandwiched between the two plate sections 31 and the metal frame 30.

[0028] Since the filter element and the metal frame are integrally connected by clamping, welding, or other means, the entire demister filter, including the metal frame, can be cleaned without removing the filter element from the metal frame. Therefore, the entire demister filter 1 can be easily cleaned. Furthermore, because they are connected as a single unit, there is no need to attach, detach, or replace the filter element 20, and deformation of the metal frame and filter, which is prone to occur during attachment and detachment, can be prevented.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the two plate portions 31 are provided with a plurality of holes 32 in at least a portion of the area facing the filter element 20. The holes 32 are formed, for example, in a hexagonal or circular shape and are arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

[0030] Since the filter element 20 is supported by the edges of multiple holes 32, it is possible to prevent the metal knit mesh from collapsing or deforming due to bending, and the presence of holes 32 in the two plate portions 31 ensures an area for collecting mist dispersed in the air. Furthermore, since the edges of the multiple holes 32 are formed in a honeycomb shape, any oil that cannot be collected by the filter element 20 is retained within the metal frame 30 by flowing along the edges of the holes 32, thereby preventing oil from dripping. Note that the shape of the holes 32 is not limited to hexagonal or circular shapes, and may be triangular or square, and the arrangement of the holes 32 is not limited to a honeycomb shape. The shape and arrangement of the holes 32 are not particularly limited as long as they are suitable for preventing the metal knit mesh from falling off or deforming due to bending by the edges of the holes 32, and for collecting any oil that cannot be collected by the filter element 20 by flowing along the edges of the holes 32 into the metal frame 30.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a gripping portion 33 is provided on the front side plate 311 of the metal frame 30. The gripping portion 33 can be any shape as long as it can be grasped by a human hand, and in Figures 1 and 4, it is formed from a U-shaped piece of metal. The presence of the gripping portion 33 makes it easy to attach and detach the demister filter 1, and also makes it easier to wash the entire demister filter 1 by shaking it while holding the gripping portion 33.

[0032] The demister filter 1 according to this invention is installed on a range hood, which is a piece of equipment that integrates a ventilation fan and a hood and is installed above a stove in a kitchen. The hood encloses smoke and oil-mixed steam, and the ventilation fan exhausts it to the outside, while the demister filter 1 captures oil and dust contained in the air.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the outer edge of the metal frame 30 is provided with oil discharge holes 34 for discharging oil and other substances accumulated inside the filter element 20. The oil discharge holes 34 are provided on at least one of the four outer edges of the metal frame 30. The oil discharge holes 34 are round holes with a diameter of 5 mm or the like, and multiple holes are provided at regular intervals along the outer edge of the metal frame 30. This allows the collected oil to be discharged to the outside, reducing the risk of the oil solidifying inside the demister filter. In kitchen range hoods, filters are generally installed at an angle of about 45 to 60 degrees, so oil and other substances that adhere to the metal wire and form droplets are carried downwards by gravity along the metal wire, collect within the edge of the metal frame 30, and are discharged outside the metal frame 30 through the oil discharge holes 34. The oil discharge holes 34 may be provided on both the end of the front side plate 311 and the back side plate 312, or on only one of them.

[0034] The metal knit mesh used in the filter element 20 is, for example, made of stainless steel. Stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance because it is resistant to rust and oxidation. Furthermore, stainless steel has the structural advantage of being less likely to cause the metal itself to dissolve compared to porous metal materials, allowing for the use of strong detergents, resulting in excellent cleanability. It is also resistant to deformation, making it possible to create a demister filter with excellent durability and rigidity. Note that the material of the metal knit mesh is not limited to stainless steel; it may be made from iron, aluminum alloy, or other suitable metals, as long as it offers excellent corrosion resistance, cleanability, durability, and rigidity.

[0035] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated not only by the above-described embodiments but also by the claims for utility model registration, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims for utility model registration. Modifications of the above-described embodiments will be described below. In addition, the same reference numerals as above will be used for parts common to the above-described embodiments, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0036] In Figure 1, the compression-molded filter element 20 is disc-shaped, but it may also be compression-molded into a square shape. For example, by matching the length and width dimensions with the square-shaped metal frame, the integrated demister filter 1 will not have an uneven center of gravity, the gap between the filter element 20 and the metal frame 30 can be eliminated, and the overall strength of the demister filter 1 can be ensured. Furthermore, by welding at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the filter element 20 to the metal frame 30, the overall strength of the demister filter 1 can be further ensured.

[0037] In Figure 1, the overall shape of the area in the metal frame 30 where multiple holes 32 are provided is circular, but it may also be a polygon such as a square. As long as the filter element 20 can maintain a high level of filtration efficiency, the maximum effective filtration area can be secured according to the shape of the filter element 20, and bending or falling off of the filter element during operation of the ventilation fan can be prevented, there are no particular restrictions on the overall shape of the area where multiple holes 32 are provided.

[0038] The filter element 20 may be made of a knitted mesh that is not compressed. In the manufacture of the filter element 20 of the demister filter 1 that does not compress the knitted mesh, multiple metal knitted meshes are folded to increase their thickness and then placed directly into the metal frame 30. The filter element 20 and the metal frame 30 are integrated by welding or riveting the front side plate 311 and the back side plate 312 of the metal frame 30 to each other. The connection between the filter element 20 and the metal frame 30 may also be fixed by welding. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Demister filter 20 filter elements 30 Metal frame 31 Board part 32 holes 33 Gripping part 34 Oil drain hole

Claims

1. Filter elements and, The filter element has a metal frame that holds it, The filter element is a metal knit mesh formed in a plate shape, The filter element and the metal frame are integrally connected. A demister filter characterized by the following features.

2. The metal frame is composed of at least two flat plate portions that sandwich the filter element, The demister filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the two plate portions are provided with a plurality of holes in at least a portion of the region facing the filter element.

3. The demister filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the metal frame is provided with at least one gripping portion.

4. The demister filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforementioned metal knit mesh is a mesh formed by weaving metal wires together and then compression molding it.

5. The demister filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter element is formed in a disc shape and at least a portion of its peripheral edge is connected to the metal frame by welding.

6. The demister filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the metal frame is provided with at least one oil discharge hole.

7. The demister filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the metal knit mesh is made of stainless steel.

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