Air filter unit

Abstract

To provide an air filter for reducing the requirement of cost for shipping and storage due to its size.SOLUTION: An air filter unit includes a filter body 20 extending along an axis A; a first filter frame 30 configured on an opposite end of the filter body 20; and a second filter frame 40. The first and second filter frames 30, 40 each include four slender frame members fixed to one another in a rotational manner, and the four slender frame members are fixed to one another in a rotational manner such that the filter body 20 is configured in first and second states. In the first state, the filter body is folded so as to reduce the volume of the filter unit, and in the second state, the filter body is assembled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air filter for purifying air.

[0002] Air filtration units are used to clean indoor air from pollutants. A conventional air filtration unit includes a filter configured to filter the airflow generated by a blower, thereby removing airborne particles and other impurities from the air.

[0003] Unfortunately, commercially available filters for use in air purification devices have a number of drawbacks. First, in order to avoid restricting air flow and to provide the desired purification, the filters must have a significant area and, consequently, be of substantial size, which, due to their bulky design, makes shipping and storing replacement filters relatively expensive.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to develop an air filter that provides the desired purification while reducing the difficulty of transporting and storing replacement filters. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is directed to an air filter unit that eliminates or reduces, at least to some extent, the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0006] In order to better address one or more of these concerns, an air filter unit is provided having the features defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] The air filter unit according to the invention comprises: a filter body extending along an axis A; a first filter frame and a second filter frame configured on opposite ends of the filter body, each of the first and second filter frames including four elongated frame members rotatably fixed to one another; The four elongated frame members are rotatably fixed to one another so that the filter body is configured in a first and second state, in which the filter body is folded to reduce the volume of the filter unit, and in which the filter body is assembled.

[0008] The air filter unit according to the present invention is based on the idea of ​​structurally dividing the air filter unit into a filter body, a first filter frame and a second filter frame. The first and second filter frames, which are configured at opposite ends of the filter body and have four elongated frame members respectively rotatably fixed to each other, allow the filter unit to be folded, which considerably reduces the volume and therefore reduces the overall volume of the air filter unit, facilitating transportation.

[0009] According to one embodiment, in the second state, the filter body, the first filter frame, and the second filter frame have a rectangular cross section transverse to the axis A. This embodiment is highly advantageous because the volume of the air filter unit is significantly reduced when configured in the first state.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the filter body is rectangular and comprises four side walls that are rotatably fixed to one another along sides parallel to axis A. Because all side walls are rotatably fixed to one another, this embodiment provides a filter unit that is easy to fold.

[0011] According to one embodiment, each elongated frame member includes a recess so that the frame member fits into a corresponding wall of the filter body. When the air filter unit is assembled, the recess ensures that each elongated frame member is properly secured to the side wall of the filter body. Advantages associated with modular assembly include minimizing costs by reducing the number of parts and saving design and assembly time.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the elongated frame members have a substantially rectangular shape and are rotatably connected to one another by thin resilient and / or flexible elements at the interior corners of adjacent frame members. This embodiment provides a less complex filter unit with desirable folding characteristics.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each of the first and second filter frames is formed by first and second substantially identical filter frame sections, the first filter frame section comprising two of four elongated frame members and the second filter frame section comprising the remaining two of the four elongated frame members, and the first and second filter frames are structurally separated into two substantially identical parts, making the air filter unit more efficient to manufacture and assemble.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the two elongated frame members of each filter frame section are connected via a foldable element such that the connection is rotatable within a range of 90-180 degrees. The element ensures a reliable, simple, and foldable connection between the two frame members. The adjacent elongated frame members and the foldable element of each filter frame section may be formed as one single element or may be separated into separate parts that are joined during assembly of the filter frame sections.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first and second filter frame sections are connected via a rotatable coupling mechanism that is rotatable within a range of 0-90 degrees, which facilitates assembling the first and second filter frame sections onto one another.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each coupling mechanism comprises a male portion configured on one of the first or second filter frame sections and a female portion configured on the other filter frame section, the male and female portions configured to rotatably secure the first and second filter frame sections to one another. This embodiment of the coupling mechanism allows for the first and second frame sections to be manufactured separately and for the two sections to be assembled to form a rotatable coupling between the sections.

[0017] According to an embodiment, each coupling mechanism comprises a central hub configured on one of the first or second filter frame sections (80), the central hub defining an axis of rotation for the coupling mechanism. This embodiment provides a reliable coupling mechanism that is rotatable about the central hub.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the coupling mechanism further comprises an arc-shaped recess (150) extending around the central hub and a corresponding arc-shaped protrusion configured on the other filter frame section, the arc-shaped protrusion being configured to be slidable into the recess when the first and second filter frame sections are assembled.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the filter unit is a disposable filter unit. Alternatively, the first and second filter frames are reusable and the filter wall is disposable.

[0020] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, the detailed description and specific examples indicating preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0021] Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific component parts of the devices described. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of an element, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprise," "include," "includes," and similar words do not exclude other elements or steps. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates the air filter unit assembled and configured in a second state, i.e., positioned for use in an air cleaner. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of one of the first and second frame sections in a first position. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of one of the first and second frame sections in a second position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the air filter unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an air filter unit according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0023] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0024] 1 illustrates an example of an air filter unit 10 that may be suitable for purifying air in an indoor space. The air filter unit extends along a longitudinal axis A. The air filter unit 10 has a box-like shape, optionally with one or more circular outer edges, and is designed to fit into a corresponding air purification device, not shown.

[0025] The air filter unit 10 has a substantially rectangular cross section transverse to axis A as shown in FIG.

[0026] The air filter unit 10 comprises three structural parts: a filter body 20 in which the filter media is arranged, a first filter frame 30 and a second filter frame 40 .

[0027] The filter body 20 includes four rectangular side walls 60 rotatably fixed to one another along sides parallel to the axis A. One or more of the side walls 60 are made of filter media or include parts formed of filter material and extend circumferentially around the filter body 20 such that an open interior is formed within the filter body. Preferably, the four side walls are made of filter material to maximize the filter area. In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls have a substantially constant wall thickness.

[0028] A first filter frame 30 is configured on the upper surface of the filter body 20, and a second filter frame 40 is configured on the lower surface of the filter body 30 in the illustrated embodiment. The first and second filter frames support opposite ends of the filter body to provide the desired structural strength of the air filter unit. The first and second filter frames have substantially identical designs to reduce the number of different components in the air filter unit.

[0029] Each filter frame 40 includes four elongated frame members rotatably secured to one another. The frame members are substantially straight and have lengths corresponding to the sidewalls of the filter unit. The frame members of the filter frame extend parallel to and are rotatably connected to one another about axis A at each corner of the rectangular filter frame. Recesses are formed along the sides of the frame members facing the filter body. The recesses have widths corresponding to the thickness of the sidewalls so that the filter frame fits the filter body during assembly.

[0030] The air filter unit 10 can be folded by pressing diagonally opposite corners of the air filter unit to change between a first and second state.

[0031] Both the first and second filter frames are formed of two substantially identical filter frame sections 80. One filter frame section configured in a first position is illustrated in Figure 2a and one filter frame section configured in a second position is illustrated in Figure 2b.

[0032] The two elongated frame members 50 that together form the filter frame section 80 are connected to one another via a foldable element 52 that is configured in a position where the edges of the filter side walls meet so that the two frame members are rotatably connected. The elastic element allows the two frame members to be configured in a position where the angle α is in the range of 90-180 degrees, i.e., the frame members are configured perpendicular to one another or stretched along a line.

[0033] Each filter frame comprises two substantially identical filter frame sections 80, namely a first and a second filter frame section. The two filter frame sections are rotatably connected to one another by one coupling mechanism 100 configured at each end of the filter frame sections.

[0034] A locking mechanism ensures that the first filter frame section 80 and the second filter frame section 90 are rotatably coupled to one another to form the filter frame (30, 40). The coupling mechanism includes a male connector portion 120 and a female connector portion 130. The male connector portion is configured on one of the adjacent frame members, and the female connector portion is configured on the adjacent frame member to connect the adjacent frame members. An identical coupling mechanism is also configured on the opposite end of the filter frame section 90. The male and female connector portions are configured to rotatably securely couple the first filter frame section with the second filter frame section to form the filter frame (30, 40).

[0035] Each coupling mechanism includes a centrally configured hub 102 configured at one end of the filter frame section 80. The central hub defines an axis of rotation for the coupling mechanism, which is preferably coaxial with an interior angle of the sidewalls. After assembly of the two sections, an arc-shaped recess 104 extends around the central hub, and a corresponding arc-shaped protrusion 106 is configured at the corresponding end of the other filter frame section, such that the arc-shaped protrusion is slidably configured in the recess.

[0036] The coupling mechanism further comprises a second protrusion 108 intended to be configured on the opposite end of the frame members so that the first protrusion 106 maintains and locks the adjacent frame members in an assembled state in the coupling mechanism.

[0037] The air filter unit 10 may thus be collapsible with a single action (or movement) by the user, and collapsing the filter unit 10 is thus facilitated as a result of the two movable filter frame sections. Dividing the filter frame into two structurally identical filter frame sections reduces the number of different components during manufacturing.

[0038] The embodiment of the first and second filter frame sections illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b includes a snap lock 160 intended to lock the air filter unit in a second, assembled state ready for use. The snap lock includes a protrusion extending from the arc-shaped recess 150 and a corresponding recess or hole 170 defined in the arc-shaped male protrusion that is adapted to receive the lock protrusion and secure the first and second filter frame sections in the second state.

[0039] The two snap protrusions may be two release buttons, and the filter frame can be separated into two parts by pressing the two release buttons, which further facilitates removing the filter frame from the air filter unit. In this embodiment, a pressing action performed by a user both activates the release buttons and pinches (grabs) the filter frame to remove it from the air filter unit, thereby reducing the volume and making the air filter unit foldable, which is more intuitive for the user.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the air filter unit 10 in which the filter body 20 is separated from the first filter frame 30 and the second filter frame 40 to more clearly illustrate the different parts of the air filter unit.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a second embodiment of the air filter unit 100 in which the filter body 200 is separated from the first filter frame 300 and the second filter frame 400 to more clearly illustrate the different parts of the air filter unit.

[0042] In this second embodiment, the air filter unit 100 has a less complex design and may be suitable for use in smaller electrical appliances to purify air in tighter spaces, such as vehicle interiors. The air filter unit elongates along a longitudinal axis A and has a box-like shape of selected dimensions so that the filter unit fits within a corresponding air purification device. The air filter unit 100 has a substantially rectangular cross-section transverse to axis A and includes a filter body 200, a first filter frame 300, and a second filter frame 400 configured on opposite ends of the filter body along axis A. The filter body 200 includes four substantially rectangular sidewalls 600 formed by folded filter media to provide a filter body with a larger filtering area. The four sidewalls are rotatably secured to one another along sides parallel to axis A to prevent air leakage between adjacent sidewalls. The sidewalls are made of filter media, extend circumferentially around the filter body 200, and have a substantially constant wall thickness. The filter media may have several layers of different materials to adapt the filtering characteristics to the expected conditions in which the filter will be used.

[0043] The first and second filter frames support opposite ends of the filter body to provide the desired structural strength for the air filter unit. Each filter frame includes four frame members with substantially identical designs to reduce the number of different components in the air filter unit. The frame members are made of a sustainable paper or plastic material and are substantially rectangular, with a length corresponding to the length of the sidewalls and a width corresponding to the width of the sidewalls. The frame members are rotatably connected to the interior corners of adjacent frame members so that they can rotate about an axis extending parallel to axis A at each interior corner of the filter frame. This connection can be achieved by a thin, elastic and / or flexible element 310 made of paper or plastic material. The air filter unit 100 can be moved between the first and second states by pressing against diagonally opposite corners of the air filter unit. The following is a summary of the claims as originally filed: [1] An air filter unit (10; 100) for purifying air, comprising: The air filter unit comprises: a filter body (20;200) extending along an axis A; a first filter frame (30; 300) and a second filter frame (40; 400) configured on opposite ends of the filter body (20; 200); each of the first (30; 300) and second (40; 400) filter frames comprising four elongated frame members (50; 500) rotatably fixed to one another; the four elongated frame members (50; 500) are rotatably fixed to one another so that the filter body (20; 200) can be configured in a first state and a second state; In the first state, the filter body is folded to reduce the volume of the air filter unit, and in the second state, the filter body is assembled. [2] The air filter unit according to [1], wherein in the second state, the filter body (20; 200), the first filter frame (30; 300), and the second filter frame (40; 400) have a rectangular cross section transverse to the axis A. [3] The air filter unit according to [1], wherein the filter body has four side walls (60; 600). [4] The air filter unit according to [3], wherein the side walls (60; 600) are rectangular and rotatably fixed to each other along sides parallel to the axis A. [5] An air filter unit as described in [3] or [4], wherein each elongated frame member (50) has a recess (70) so that the frame member fits into a corresponding wall (60) of the filter body (20). [6] The air filter unit described in [1], wherein the elongated frame members (500) have a substantially rectangular shape and are rotatably connected to each other by thin elastic and / or flexible elements (310) at the interior corners of adjacent frame members (500). [7] each of the first and second filter frames is formed by substantially identical first and second filter frame sections (80, 90); [1] The air filter unit according to [1], wherein the first filter frame section (80) comprises two of the four elongated frame members (50''), and the second filter frame section (90) comprises the remaining two of the four elongated frame members (50''). [8] The air filter unit described in [7], wherein the two elongated frame members of each filter frame section are connected via a foldable element (100) so as to be rotatably connected within a range of 90-180 degrees. [9] The first and second filter frame sections (80, 90) are connected via a rotatable coupling mechanism (110); [1] The air filter unit according to [1], wherein the rotatable coupling mechanism is rotatable within a range of 0-90 degrees.

[10] An air filter unit as described in [9], wherein each coupling mechanism comprises a male portion (120) configured on one of the first or second filter frame sections (80) and a female portion (130) configured on the other filter frame section (90), the male portion and the female portion being configured to rotatably secure the first and second filter frame sections to each other.

[11] An air filter unit as described in [9] or

[10] , wherein each coupling mechanism comprises a central hub (104) configured on one of the first or second filter frame sections (80), the central hub defining an axis of rotation for the coupling mechanism.

[12] The coupling mechanism further comprises an arc-shaped recess (150) extending around the central hub and a corresponding arc-shaped protrusion configured on the other filter frame section;

[11] The air filter unit according to

[11] , wherein the arc-shaped protrusion is configured to be slidable into the recess when the first and second filter frame sections are assembled.

[13] An air filter unit according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the air filter unit is a disposable filter unit.

Claims

1. An air filter unit (10; 100) for purifying air, comprising: The air filter unit comprises: a filter body (20; 200) extending along an axis A; a first filter frame (30; 300) and a second filter frame (40; 400) disposed on opposite ends of the filter body (20; 200); each of the first filter frame (30; 300) and the second filter frame (40; 400) comprises four elongated frame members (50; 500) rotatably fixed to one another; the first filter frame is disposed on an upper surface of the filter body, and the second filter frame is disposed on a lower surface of the filter body; the four elongated frame members (50; 500) are rotatably fixed to one another so that the filter body (20; 200) can be placed in a first state and a second state; In the first state, the filter body is folded to reduce the volume of the air filter unit, and in the second state, the filter body is assembled; the first and second filter frame sections (80, 90) are connected via a rotatable coupling mechanism (110); the rotatable coupling mechanism is rotatable within a range of 0-90 degrees; each coupling mechanism comprising a central hub (140) disposed on one of the first or second filter frame sections (80, 90), the central hub defining an axis of rotation for the coupling mechanism; the coupling mechanism further comprising an arc-shaped recess (150) extending around the central hub and a corresponding arc-shaped protrusion disposed on the other filter frame section; the arc-shaped protrusion is slidably disposed in the recess when the first and second filter frame sections are assembled. Air filter unit.

2. 2. The air filter unit of claim 1, wherein in the second state, the filter body (20; 200), the first filter frame (30; 300), and the second filter frame (40; 400) have a rectangular cross section transverse to the axis A.

3. 2. An air filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter body comprises four side walls (60; 600).

4. 4. An air filter unit according to claim 3, wherein said side walls (60; 600) are rectangular and rotatably fixed to one another along a side parallel to the axis A.

5. 5. An air filter unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the four elongated frame members (50) is provided with a recess (70) so that the four elongated frame members fit into the corresponding side walls (60) of the filter body (20).

6. 2. The air filter unit of claim 1, wherein the elongated frame members (500) have a substantially rectangular shape and are rotatably connected to one another by thin elastic and / or flexible elements (310) at the interior corners of adjacent frame members (500).

7. each of the first and second filter frames being formed by a substantially identical first filter frame section (80) and a second filter frame section (90); 2. The air filter unit of claim 1, wherein the first filter frame section (80) comprises two of the four elongated frame members (50''), and the second filter frame section (90) comprises the remaining two of the four elongated frame members (50'').

8. 8. The air filter unit of claim 7, wherein the two elongated frame members of each filter frame section are connected via a foldable element (100) so as to be rotatably connected within a range of 90-180 degrees.

9. 2. The air filter unit of claim 1, wherein each coupling mechanism comprises a male portion (120) disposed on one of the first or second filter frame sections (80, 90) and a female portion (130) disposed on the other filter frame section (90, 80), the male portion and the female portion configured to rotatably secure the first and second filter frame sections to one another.

10. 10. An air filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air filter unit is a disposable filter unit.

11. 11. An air filter unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter body consists essentially of filter media, the filter media extending circumferentially around the filter body.

12. 12. An air filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first filter frame and the second filter frame are connected to each other solely by the filter body, the filter body consisting essentially of a filter medium, the filter medium extending circumferentially around the filter body.

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