Filter frame, male filter frame and female filter frame using said filter frame

Abstract

To provide a filter frame that can be stored in filter casings with various size, and can form a filter frame coupling body.SOLUTION: A filter frame has an insertion recessed portion on at least one of a left side surface and a right side surface of the filter frame. Thereby, when a filter unit attached with a filter element in the filter frame is stored in a filter casing, it becomes possible to make a male-type filter frame by inserting a male-type fitting in the insertion recessed portion of the filter frame configuring the filter unit or a female-type filter frame by inserting a female-type fitting in the insertion recessed portion of the filter frame, and form a filter frame coupling body by coupling a projecting portion of the male-type filter frame and a recessed portion of the female-type filter frame to be stored in the filter casing, or it is possible to store the filter unit in the filer casing without inserting the male-type fitting or the female-type fitting in the filter frame and without coupling the filter frames.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter frame to be attached to air conditioning equipment for use in air conditioning of buildings, factories, hospitals, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Air conditioning equipment for buildings, factories, hospitals, and other applications uses filter elements made of folded sheet filter media to increase their surface area to remove dust and gaseous pollutants. These filter elements are used in the form of filter units, with the filter element housed in a rigid filter frame so that it can be easily replaced with a new filter element when it becomes clogged with dust or when its ability to adsorb gaseous pollutants is limited. Typically, multiple filter units are arranged in a filter casing, aligned horizontally and vertically.

[0003] When placing a filter unit inside a filter casing, it is common to connect the filter frames that make up the filter unit because this allows for efficient placement inside the filter casing and also allows the filter unit to be efficiently removed from the filter casing when replacing the filter element.For example, JP 2013-141617 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a male filter frame made of resin with protrusions on the frame pieces of the filter frame, which can be connected to an adjacent female filter frame to form a filter frame connected body, and a female filter frame made of resin with rail-shaped grooves on the frame pieces of the filter frame, which can be connected to an adjacent male filter frame to form a filter frame connected body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-141617 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the male filter frame and female filter frame described in Patent Document 1, depending on the size of the filter casing in which the filter unit is placed, when the filter unit is placed inside the filter casing, the protrusions that make up the male filter frame of the filter unit may protrude from the filter casing, making it impossible to accommodate the filter unit in the filter casing.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a filter frame that can be housed in filter casings of various sizes and that can form a filter frame combination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is "a filter frame comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, a left plate, and a right plate, the filter frame having an insertion recess on at least one of the left and right sides of the filter frame."

[0008] The invention of claim 2 of the present invention is "a male filter frame having the filter frame of claim 1 and a male fitting, wherein the male fitting has an insertion portion that is inserted into an insertion recess of the filter frame, the insertion portion of the male fitting is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame, and the male filter frame has a convex portion."

[0009] The invention of claim 3 of the present invention is "a male filter frame as described in claim 2, wherein the convex portion of the male fitting extends in the depth direction of the filter frame, and at least one end of the convex portion is tapered."

[0010] The invention of claim 4 of the present invention is "a female filter frame having the filter frame of claim 1 and a female fitting, wherein the female fitting has an insertion portion that is inserted into an insertion recess of the filter frame, and the insertion portion of the female fitting is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame, and the female filter frame has a recess."

[0011] The invention of claim 5 of the present invention is "a female filter frame as described in claim 4, wherein the recess of the female fitting is a rail-shaped recess extending in the depth direction of the filter frame, and at least one end of the recess has a rounded corner." [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The filter frame of the present invention has an insertion recess on at least one of the left and right sides of the filter frame, so that when a filter unit comprising a filter frame and a filter element attached thereto is stored in a filter casing, a male fitting can be inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame constituting the filter unit to form a male filter frame, or a female fitting can be inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame to form a female filter frame, and the convex portion of the male filter frame can be connected to the concave portion of the female filter frame to form a filter frame combination, which can then be stored in the filter casing.

[0013] Furthermore, when considering storing the filter assembly prepared by the above method in a filter casing, if the filter casing is small and there is a risk that the male or female fitting inserted into the filter frame may protrude from the filter casing, it is possible to store the filter assembly in the filter casing without inserting the male or female fitting into the filter frame and connecting the filter frames. In this way, filter units can be stored in filter casings of various sizes depending on the size of the filter casing.

[0014] Furthermore, by providing an insertion recess in the filter frame, when a male or female fitting is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame, the male or female fitting will not come off the insertion recess of the filter frame even if an external force is applied to the male or female fitting.In addition, for example, when adhesive is poured into the insertion recess of the filter frame into which the male or female fitting has been inserted, and the male or female fitting is adhered to the filter frame, the adhesive is less likely to leak out of the insertion recess of the filter frame, making it possible to manufacture a male or female filter frame with strong adhesion between the filter frame and the male or female fitting.

[0015] Furthermore, if the convex portion of the male fitting that constitutes the male filter frame extends in the depth direction and at least one end is tapered toward the end, it is easy to insert the convex portion of the male fitting into the recess of the female fitting, making it easy to fit the convex portion of the male fitting into the recess of the female fitting, and the male filter frame is easy to handle, which is preferable.

[0016] Furthermore, if the female fitting that constitutes the female filter frame has a rail-shaped recess that extends in the depth direction of the filter frame and at least one end has a rounded corner, it is easy to insert the convex portion of the male fitting into the rail-shaped recess of the female fitting, making it easy to fit the convex portion of the male fitting into the recess of the female fitting, and the female filter frame is easy to handle, which is preferable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a filter frame of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a male filter frame of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner member of an example of a male filter frame of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross section perpendicular to the depth direction of a male fitting of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of attaching a male fitting to a filter frame of the present invention to form a male filter frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a female filter frame of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner member of an example of a female filter frame of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross section perpendicular to the depth direction of a female fitting of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of attaching a female fitting to a filter frame of the present invention to form a female filter frame. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a male filter frame, a female filter frame, and a filter frame connection body of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a method for connecting a male filter frame and a female filter frame according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view showing the upper side of FIG. 11, illustrating a method for connecting a male filter frame and a female filter frame according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner member, showing an example of assembly of a filter frame of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper left corner member, showing an example of assembly of a filter frame of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of a filter frame, a male filter frame, and a female filter frame according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0019] The filter frame 10 of the present invention is configured to include a top plate 31, a bottom plate 32, a left plate 33, and a right plate 34. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the filter frame 10 is preferably configured from four corner members 20 (21-24) that connect the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left plate 33, and right plate 34 so that the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left plate 33, and right plate 34 can be firmly connected. Hereinafter, the filter frame 10 will be described as being configured from the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left plate 33, right plate 34, and the four corner members 20.

[0020] Furthermore, the filter frame 10 of the present invention has an insertion recess M on at least one of the left and right sides of the filter frame 10. In Fig. 1 , which shows an example of a filter frame 10, corner members 21 and 22 on the left side and corner members 23 and 24 on the right side have insertion recesses M extending in the depth direction of the filter frame 10. Here, in the present invention, the depth direction of the filter frame 10, a male filter frame 11 described below, and a female filter frame 11' means the direction from the air inlet surface toward the air outlet surface of the filter frame 10, male filter frame 11, and female filter frame 11', or the opposite direction, and does not necessarily mean a direction perpendicular to the air inlet surface or air outlet surface as in Fig. 1, i.e., a direction at an angle of 90 degrees, and it is also possible for the depth direction to be at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the air inlet surface or air outlet surface.

[0021] 1, the insertion recess M extends in the depth direction of the filter frame 10, but it may extend in a direction other than the depth direction (for example, the up-and-down direction of the filter frame 10, which is perpendicular to the depth direction). Furthermore, when the insertion recess M extends in the depth direction of the filter frame 10, the male fitting or female fitting inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10 will not come off even if an external force is applied in the depth direction. Furthermore, when, for example, adhesive is poured into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10 and the male fitting or female fitting is inserted therein to bond the filter frame 10 to the male fitting or female fitting, the adhesive is less likely to leak out of the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, and a male filter frame or female filter frame with strong adhesion between the filter frame 10 and the male fitting or female fitting can be manufactured, so it is preferable that the insertion recess M does not penetrate to the air inlet surface or the air outlet surface, as shown in FIG.

[0022] The insertion recess M in the filter frame 10 is provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the filter frame 10, but when a male fitting 14 or a female fitting 14' is inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10 to form a male filter frame 11 or a female filter frame 11', it is preferable that the insertion recess M be provided in one of the corner members 21-24 of the filter frame 10, because this facilitates connection with the adjacent female filter frame 11' or male filter frame 11, and it is more preferable that the insertion recess M be provided in all of the corner members 21-24 of the filter frame 10. Furthermore, the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10 preferably extends in the depth direction of the filter frame to facilitate insertion of the male fitting 14 or female fitting 14'.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that a stopper 40 be provided at the air outlet portion of the bottom plate 32 of the filter frame 10 of the present invention to prevent the filter element 12 from being pushed out of the filter frame 10 by wind pressure.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferable that a stopper 50 be provided at the air outlet of the corner member 20 to prevent the filter element 12 from being pushed out of the filter frame 10 by wind pressure.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the filter frame 10 is provided with a rod-shaped or fence-shaped pressing member 51 for preventing the filter element 12 from being pushed out of the filter frame 10 by wind pressure.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the male filter frame 11 of the present invention comprises the filter frame 10 and a male fitting 14. The male fitting 14 has a protrusion 14A on the male fitting 14 and an insertion portion 14B on the filter frame for mating with a female fitting 14' having a recessed shape on at least one of the left and right sides of the female filter frame, or with a female fitting member having a recess on the left or right side of the filter frame itself. The insertion portion 14B of the male fitting 14 is inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10. In FIGS. 2 and 3, which show an example of the male filter frame 11, the male fitting 14 is inserted into the insertion recess M on the corner members 23 and 24 on the right side of the filter frame. Preferably, the filter frame 10 and the male fitting 14 inserted into the filter frame are bonded together. The bonding method is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, bonding with an adhesive.

[0027] The position of the male fitting 14 on the male filter frame 11 is such that the male fitting 14 is inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, and therefore the male fitting 14 is located on at least one of the left and right sides of the male filter frame 11; however, since this makes it easier to connect to the adjacent female filter 11', it is preferable that the male fitting 14 is inserted into one of the corner members 21 to 24 of the male filter frame 11, and it is even more preferable that the male fitting 14 is inserted into all of the corner members 21 to 24 of the male filter frame 11.

[0028] A method for manufacturing a male filter frame 11 by inserting a male fitting 14 into a filter frame 10 can be, for example, a method in which the above-mentioned filter frame 10 and a male fitting 14 having a protrusion 14A and an insertion portion 14B that can be inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, as shown in cross section in Figure 4, are prepared, adhesive is injected into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, and the insertion portion 14B of the male fitting 14 is inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, as shown in Figure 5.

[0029] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction of convex portion 14A of male fitting 14 is not particularly limited as long as male filter frame 11 and female filter frame 11' can be connected by fitting convex portion 14A of male fitting 14 with concave portion 14'A of female fitting 14' (female fitting member), but other than the T-shape shown in Fig. 4, it can be an approximate L-shape, an alphanumeric shape such as an approximate number 6 (or an approximate number 9), or a convex portion having a narrowed cross section with a tip that is wider than its base. Furthermore, in the present invention, convex portion 14A does not need to be formed continuously, and convex portion 14A may be formed partially.

[0030] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 3, the male fitting 14 constituting the male filter frame 11 of the present invention has a tapered shape in which the convex portion 14A of the male fitting 14 extends in the depth direction of the filter frame and at least one end of the convex portion 14A is tapered, which makes it easy to insert the convex portion 14A of the male fitting 14 into the concave portion 14'A of the female fitting 14', facilitating the engagement between the convex portion 14A of the male fitting 14 and the concave portion 14'A of the female fitting 14', and making the male filter frame 11 easier to handle, which is preferable.

[0031] The female filter frame 11' of the present invention has a filter frame 10 and a female fitting 14', and the female fitting 14' has a recess 14'A in the female fitting 14' for mating with a male fitting 14 having a convex shape on at least one of the left and right sides of the male filter frame 11, or a male fitting member having a convex portion on the left or right side of the filter frame itself, and an insertion portion 14'B that is inserted into insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, and the insertion portion 14'B of the female fitting 14' is inserted into insertion recess M of the filter frame 10. In Figures 6 and 7 showing an example of the female filter frame 11', the female fitting 14' is inserted into insertion recess M in corner members 21', 22' of the left side plate 33' of the filter frame 10.

[0032] At this time, it is preferable to adhere the filter frame 10 to the female fitting 14' inserted into the filter frame 10. There are no particular limitations on the adhering method, but it can be, for example, adhesion using an adhesive.

[0033] The position of the female fitting 14' in the female filter frame 11' is such that the female fitting 14' is located on at least one of the left and right sides of the female filter frame 11', as the female fitting 14' is inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10; however, in order to facilitate connection with an adjacent male filter frame 11, it is preferable that the female fitting 14' be inserted into one of the corner members 21' to 24' of the female filter frame 11', and it is even more preferable that the female fitting 14' be inserted into all of the corner members 21' to 24' of the female filter frame 11'.

[0034] A method for manufacturing a female filter frame 11' by attaching a female fitting 14' to a filter frame 10 can be, for example, a method in which the above-mentioned filter frame 10 and a female fitting 14' having a recess 14'A and an insertion portion 14'B that can be inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, as illustrated in cross section in Figure 8, are prepared, adhesive is injected into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, and the insertion portion 14'B of the female fitting 14' is inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, as illustrated in Figure 9.

[0035] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction of recess 14'A of female fitting 14' is not particularly limited as long as male filter frame 11 and female filter frame 11' can be connected by fitting recess 14'A of female fitting 14' with protrusion 14A of male fitting 14, but it is possible to employ, for example, a rail-like recess having a roughly U-shape as shown in Fig. 8, a number shape such as a roughly number 9 (or a roughly number 6), an English letter shape, or a rail-like recess having a depression in which the inner width is greater than the width between the tips in the cross section perpendicular to the depth direction. Furthermore, in the present invention, recess 14'A does not need to be formed continuously in a fixed direction, and recess 14'A may be formed partially.

[0036] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 7, the female fitting 14' that constitutes the female filter frame 11' of the present invention has a rail-shaped recess 14'A in the female fitting 14' that extends in the depth direction of the filter frame, and at least one end of the recess 14'A in the female fitting 14' has a rounded corner shape, which makes it easy to insert the recess 14'A of the female fitting 14' into the protrusion 14A of the male fitting 14, making it easy to fit the protrusion 14A of the male fitting 14 into the recess 14'A of the female fitting 14', and making the female filter frame 11' easy to handle, which is preferable.

[0037] As illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the male filter frame 11 of the present invention can be connected to an adjacent female filter frame 11' to form a filter frame connection body 13, and similarly, the female filter frame 11' of the present invention can be connected to an adjacent male filter frame 11 to form a filter frame connection body 13.

[0038] 10 to 12 of the present invention, the corner members 23 and 24 of the male filter frame 11 have the same shape as the corner members 23' and 24' of the female filter frame 11'. That is, the male fittings 14 adhered to the corner members 23 and 24 and the male fittings 14 adhered to the corner members 23' and 24' have the same shape. Similarly, in FIGS. 10 to 12 of the present invention, the corner members 21' and 22' of the female filter frame 11' have the same shape as the corner members 21 and 22 of the male filter frame 11. That is, the female fittings 14' adhered to the corner members 21' and 22' and the female fittings 14' adhered to the corner members 21 and 22 have the same shape.

[0039] 10 to 12 has a male fitting 14 with a protrusion 14A extending in the depth direction on corner members 23, 24 of a right side plate 34 facing the female filter 11', and the female filter frame 11' has a female fitting 14' with a rail-shaped recess 14'A extending in the depth direction of the female filter frame 11' on corner members 21', 22' of a left side plate 33' facing the male filter frame 11, and the male filter frame 11 can be connected to the female filter 11' by fitting the protrusion 14A of the male fitting 14 with the recess 14'A of the female fitting 14'. In addition to the recess 14'A of the female fitting 14', if the filter frame to be connected has a female fitting member with a recess on the right side surface of the filter frame itself, the protrusion 14A of the male fitting 14 can also fit into that recess.

[0040] Furthermore, the female filter frame 11' illustrated in Figures 10 to 12 has a female fitting 14' at the corner members 21', 22' of the left side plate 33' facing the male filter frame 11, which has a rail-shaped recess 14'A extending in the depth direction of the female filter frame 11', and the male filter frame 11 has a male fitting 14 at the corner members 23, 24 of the right side plate 34 facing the female filter frame 11', which has a protrusion extending in the depth direction of the male filter frame 11, and the female filter frame 11' can be connected to the male filter frame 11 by fitting the recess 14'A of the female fitting 14' into the protrusion 14A of the male fitting 14. In addition, the recess 14'A of the female fitting 14' can fit not only with the protrusion 14A of the male fitting 14, but also with the protrusion if the filter frame to be connected has a male fitting member with a protrusion on the left side surface of the filter frame itself.

[0041] As illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the male filter frame 11 will be described below as having male fittings 14 with protrusions 14A extending in the depth direction of the male filter frame 11 on corner members 23 and 24 of the right side plate 34, and the female filter frame 11' will be described below as having female fittings 14' with rail-shaped recesses 14A' extending in the depth direction of the female filter frame 11 on corner members 21' and 22' on the left side surface.

[0042] In Figure 10, adjacently arranged male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' are joined to form a connected filter frame body 13, and a filter element 12 is housed in the female filter frame 11'. Figures 11 and 12 also show the state before the male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' are joined, and the male filter frame 11 can be joined to the female filter frame 11' to form the connected filter frame body 13 by moving the male filter frame 11 so that the male fitting 14 of the male filter frame 11 slides within the recess of the female fitting 14', or by moving the female filter frame 11' so that the male fitting 14 slides within the recess of the female fitting 14' of the female filter frame 11', thereby fitting the male fitting 14 and the female fitting 14' together.

[0043] As can be seen from the above explanation, the male filter frame 11 illustrated in Figures 10 to 12 has the same shape as the female filter frame 11'. Therefore, as can be seen by switching the positions of the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' in Figures 10 to 12, it is also possible to refer to the male filter frame 11 as the female filter frame, and the female filter frame 11' as the male filter frame. Having the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' have the same shape in this way reduces the number of parts and the number of molds required for manufacturing, making it possible to improve production efficiency. Furthermore, quality control, installation, and replacement are easier, which contributes to reducing manufacturing and sales costs.

[0044] In the present invention, if necessary, male fittings 14 may be adhered to corner members 21 and 22 of male filter frame 11, unlike in Figures 10 to 12, and female fittings 14' may be adhered to corner members 23' and 24' of female filter frame 11', unlike in Figures 10 to 12.

[0045] Next, the corner members 20 that make up the filter frame 10, male filter frame 11, and female filter frame 11', as well as the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34, will be described in detail. Note that the male filter frame 11 and female filter frame 11' of the present invention each comprise a filter frame 10 and a male fitting 14 or a female fitting 14', with the insertion portions 14B, 14'B of the male fitting 14 or female fitting 14' inserted into the insertion recess M of the filter frame 10, and because the same filter frame 10 is used, the following explanation will mainly focus on the filter frame 10.

[0046] The top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34 are members disposed between two corner members 20, and in the filter frame of Fig. 1, the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34 are joined to two corner members 20, and the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34 and the four corner members 20 form the filter frame 10. As the corner members 20 and the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34, the corner members 20 and the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34 illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 can be used.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 13, corner member 21 has a protrusion Q that protrudes horizontally toward corner member 23 (not shown) located to the right, and a protrusion R that protrudes vertically toward corner member 22 located above. Similarly, although not shown in Fig. 13, other corner members 22 to 24 shown in Fig. 1 and elsewhere also have a protrusion Q that protrudes horizontally from the corner member facing laterally, and a protrusion R that protrudes vertically from the corner member facing up and down.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13, the bottom plate 32 is disposed between the corner member 21 and the corner member 23. A recess V is formed in the left end of the bottom plate 32 to fit with the protrusion Q of the corner member 21, and a recess V is also formed in the right end of the bottom plate 32 to fit with the protrusion Q of the corner member 23. This recess V is formed by extrusion molding the bottom plate 32, and the relationship between the protrusion Q and the recess V is like that of a plug and a socket. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14, the top plate 31 is disposed between the corner member 22 and the corner member 24. A recess V is formed in the left end of the top plate 31 to fit with the protrusion Q of the corner member 22, and a recess V is formed in the right end of the top plate 31 to fit with the protrusion Q of the corner member 24. This recess V is formed by extrusion molding the top plate 31, and the relationship between the protrusion Q and the recess V is like that of a plug and a socket.

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13 , the left side plate 33 is disposed between the corner member 21 and the corner member 22. A recess W (not shown, but similar in shape to recess V) is formed in the lower end of the left side plate 33 to fit with the protrusion R of the corner member 21. Similarly, although not illustrated, a recess W is also formed in the upper end of the left side plate 33 to fit with the protrusion R of the corner member 22. This recess W is formed by extrusion molding the left side plate 33, and the relationship between the protrusion R and recess W is similar to that of a plug and a socket. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13 , the right side plate 34 is disposed between the corner member 23 and the corner member 24. Like the left side plate 33, a recess W (not shown, but similar in shape to recess V) is formed in the lower end of the right side plate 34 to fit with the protrusion R of the corner member 23. Similarly, although not illustrated, a recess W is also formed in the upper end of the right side plate 34 to fit with the protrusion R of the corner member 24. Like the left side plate 33, the recess W is also formed by extrusion molding of the right side plate 34, and the relationship between the protrusion R and the recess W is that of a plug and a socket.

[0050] 13 and 14, the protrusions Q and R have the same shape, and the recesses V and W have the same shape. In other words, the top plate 31, the bottom plate 32, the left plate 33, and the right plate 34 can be formed by extrusion molding using the same mold. Thus, the filter frame 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed from four different corner members and the top plate 31, the bottom plate 32, the left plate 33, and the right plate 34 obtained by the same extrusion molding. Here, because the top plate 31, the bottom plate 32, the left plate 33, and the right plate 34 are extrusion molded, their dimensions can be freely changed. Therefore, the size of the air inlet or air outlet of the filter frame 10 (male filter frame 11, female filter frame 11′) can be freely selected using a total of five types of members: four types of corner members and one type of member that can be used for the top plate 31, the bottom plate 32, the left plate 33, and the right plate 34.

[0051] 13 and 14, the protrusions Q and R of the corner member 20 fit into the recesses V and W of the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left plate 33, and right plate 34 in a plug-and-socket relationship, but the present invention can also be configured in the opposite way, where recesses are provided in the corner member 20 and protrusions are provided in the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left plate 33, and right plate 34, and they fit into a socket-and-plug relationship. Furthermore, the shapes of the protrusions Q and R are not particularly limited as long as they can fit into the recesses V and W.

[0052] In addition, in Figures 1 and 13-14, for example, adhesive can be applied to at least one of the protrusions Q, R and the rail-shaped recesses V, W, and then the protrusions Q, R can be fitted into the recesses V, W to join the corner members 21-24 with the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34 to form the filter frame 10.

[0053] The filter frame 10, the male fitting 14 that constitutes the male filter frame 11, and the female fitting 14' that constitutes the female filter frame 11' of the present invention are preferably formed by molding resin. For example, the corner members 20, 20' that constitute the filter frame 10 can be formed by injection molding. In this case, the type of resin that can be used may be, for example, ABS, vinyl chloride, acrylic, polypropylene, or talc-containing polypropylene, with ABS or vinyl chloride being particularly preferred.

[0054] As described above, the top plate 31, bottom plate 32, left side plate 33, and right side plate 34 can be formed by extrusion molding. In this case, the resin type that can be used may be, for example, ABS, vinyl chloride, acrylic, polypropylene, or talc-containing polypropylene, but ABS or vinyl chloride is particularly preferred.

[0055] As described above, the filter frame 10, male fitting 14, and female fitting 14' of the present invention are made of resin, which has the advantage of being lightweight. This improves the efficiency of the installation and replacement of the filter frame 10, male filter frame 11, and female filter frame 11'. Furthermore, when disposing of the filter frame 10, male fitting 14, male filter frame 11, and female filter frame 11', they can be incinerated together with the organic filter element without sorting, allowing for thermal recycling. Furthermore, to further reduce the weight of the filter frame 10 or costs, it is also possible to provide cavities or holes in parts of the male filter frame 11 and female filter frame 11', such as the protrusions Q and R of the corner members 20.

[0056] The size of the filter frame 10 of the present invention is preferably such that the length of one side of the air inlet or outlet surface is 150 to 1500 mm. The length of the depth direction of the filter frame 10 is preferably 30 to 280 mm, and more preferably 45 to 160 mm. For general use, a combination of a side length of 305 mm or 610 mm on the air inlet or outlet surface and a depth length of 65 mm or 150 mm can be used.

[0057] In the method of attaching the male filter frame 11 and female filter frame 11' of the present invention to the filter casing, an example of a method in which the male filter frame 11 and female filter frame 11' are inserted into the filter casing from the right side as viewed from the air inlet side of the filter casing will be explained. First, the first filter element 12 is inserted into the first male filter frame 11.

[0058] Next, insert the first male filter frame 11 into the filter casing from its left side (corner members 21, 22 and left side plate 33) and push it in while sliding it sideways from right to left, leaving the right side 34 (corner members 23, 24 and right side plate 34) outside the filter casing.

[0059] Next, the second filter element 12 is inserted into the first female filter frame 11'. After that, the convex portion 14A of the male fitting 14 on the right side surface (corner members 23, 24) of the first female filter frame 11 is slid into the concave portion 14'A of the female fitting 14' on the left side surface 33' (corner members 21', 22') of the first female filter frame 11'. By engaging the convex portion 14A of the male fitting with the concave portion 14'A of the female fitting in this manner, the first male filter frame 11 and the first female filter frame 11' are connected to form the combined filter frame 13. Here, the first female filter frame 11' is considered to be the second male filter frame 11 because it has the male fitting 14 on its right side surface and the female fitting 14' on its left side surface.

[0060] Next, the filter frame connecting body 13 is pushed into the filter casing while sliding it laterally, leaving the right side surface of the second male filter frame 11 (corner members 23, 24 and right side plate 34) outside the filter casing.

[0061] The third filter element 12 is then inserted into the second female filter frame 11'.

[0062] The above-described process is then repeated to connect the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' and place them in the filter casing. In this way, the present invention allows the male filter frame and the female filter frame to be efficiently placed in the filter casing while being connected. If the interior of the filter casing is small enough that connecting the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' and placing them in the filter casing would cause the male filter frame 11 or the female filter frame 11' to protrude from the filter casing, a filter frame 10 without the male fitting 14 or the female fitting 14' inserted can be placed inside the filter casing without connecting the filter frames. Alternatively, the male fitting 14 and the female fitting 14' can be inserted into only some of the insertion recesses of the filter frame, connecting only one side of the filter frame and leaving the other side unconnected.

[0063] Furthermore, when removing the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' from the filter casing to replace the filter elements, the third female filter frame 11' located at the end of the filter casing is first pulled out horizontally from left to right, thereby moving the multiple male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' horizontally while they are connected together.

[0064] Next, the pulled-out third female filter frame 11' is moved to release the connection between the pulled-out third female filter frame 11' and the adjacent third male filter frame 11, and the third female filter frame 11' is removed.

[0065] Next, the remaining multiple male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' are moved horizontally while still connected. Here, the third male filter frame 11 located at the end of the filter casing is regarded as the fourth female filter frame 11' because it has a male fitting 14 on its right side and a female fitting 14' on its left side.

[0066] Next, the pulled-out fourth female filter frame 11' is moved to release the connection between the pulled-out fourth female filter frame 11' and the adjacent fourth male filter frame 11, and the fourth female filter frame 11' is removed.

[0067] This process is repeated to sequentially remove the connected male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' until all of the male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' are removed. In this way, with the present invention, the male filter frames 11 and female filter frames 11' can be efficiently removed from the filter casing while being released from their connection.

[0068] As a method of sealing between the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' and the filter casing, it is desirable to provide packing, for example, at the portions where the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' come into contact with the frame of the filter casing. In this case, the packing can be provided on the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11', or on the filter casing. Furthermore, when such packing is provided, even if there is a small gap between the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11', it is possible to seal between the male filter frame 11 and the female filter frame 11' and the filter casing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10 Filter Frame 11 Male filter frame 11' Female Filter Frame 12 filter element 13 Filter frame connector 14 Male fitting 14A Convex part 14B Insertion part 14' Female fitting 14'A recess (rail-shaped recess) 14'B Insertion 20, 20' corner member 21, 22, 21', 22' Left side corner members 23, 24, 23', 24' Right side corner members 31, 31' top plate 32, 32' bottom plate 33, 33' left side board 34, 34' right side plate 40, 40' Stopper 50, 50' Stop 51, 51' Presser member M Insertion recess Q protrusion R protrusion V-shaped recess W recess

Claims

1. A filter frame including a top plate, a bottom plate, a left plate, and a right plate, and at least one of the left and right sides of the filter frame has an insertion recess into which a male or female fitting can be inserted; and a male filter frame having a male fitting, The male fitting has an insertion portion that is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame, and the insertion portion of the male fitting is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame, and the male filter frame has a protrusion that can fit with a female fitting that has a recess on at least one of the left and right sides of the female filter frame, or a female fitting member that has a recess on the left or right side of the filter frame itself, and the protrusion of this male fitting extends in the depth direction of the filter frame, and at least one end of the protrusion is tapered.

2. A male filter frame as described in claim 1, wherein the insertion recess of the filter frame extends in the depth direction of the filter frame, and this insertion recess does not penetrate to the air inlet surface or the air outlet surface.

3. A filter frame comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, a left side plate, and a right side plate, the filter frame having an insertion recess on at least one of the left and right sides into which a male or female fitting can be inserted, and a female filter frame having a female fitting, The female fitting has an insertion portion that is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame, and the insertion portion of the female fitting is inserted into the insertion recess of the filter frame. The female filter frame also has a recess that can be fitted with a male fitting that has a convex portion on at least one of the left and right sides of the male filter frame, or a male fitting member that has a convex portion on the left or right side of the filter frame itself, and the recess of this female fitting is a rail-shaped recess that extends in the depth direction of the filter frame, and at least one end of the recess has a rounded corner.

4. A female filter frame as described in claim 3, wherein the insertion recess of the filter frame extends in the depth direction of the filter frame, and this insertion recess does not penetrate to the air inlet surface or the air outlet surface.

5. A filter frame connector in which the convex portion of the male fitting of the male filter frame described in claim 1 and the concave portion of the female fitting of the female filter frame described in claim 3 are fitted together.

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