JP2007136334A - Filter and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter capable of suppressing the coming-off of a filter element at use of the filter and suppressing the generation of a foreign matter such as a welding burr in a filtration chamber. <P>SOLUTION: The filter 1 is provided with a first case member (upper case member 2) and a second case member (lower case member 3) abutted on each other to form the filtration chamber S, and the filter element 8 having a peripheral edge clamped between the respective abutment ends 2a, 3a of the first case member and the second case member. The first case member has a laser permeability and the second case member has a laser absorptivity. A hole part 9 is provided on a peripheral edge of the filter element and an element welding part W1 by a laser light L1 irradiating it in an abutment direction is formed between the abutment end of the second case member and the hole part of the filter element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a filter that can suppress the removal of a filter element when the filter is used and can suppress the generation of foreign matters such as welding burrs in a filtration chamber and the method for manufacturing the same.

Conventionally, an oil filter for an automatic transmission is known in which a filter element is sandwiched between respective butted ends of a first case member and a second case member that are butted together to form a filtration chamber. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
In Patent Document 1, the spike 56 provided on the lower cover member 16 is passed through the edge of the filtration medium 20, and the rib 60 provided on the outside of the spike 56 of the lower cover member 16 is melted by a vibration process so that the upper portion is formed. It is disclosed that the cover member 14 and the lower cover member 16 are integrated. However, in this patent document 1, since vibration welding is adopted, it is difficult to carry out welding immediately after the molding of each case member, the production efficiency is poor, and the shape of the cover member is limited, and the design is free. There was a problem that the degree was low.

Therefore, as a technique for solving the problems related to vibration welding and the like described above, a technique in which a case member and a filter element are welded with laser light has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
In Patent Document 2, a filter 4 having laser transmittance is placed on the bottom surface of the case 2 having laser absorbability, and the filter 4 is pressed up and down with a jig 19 to increase the fiber density of the welded portion B2. In addition, it is disclosed that the case 2 and the filter 4 are welded by irradiating laser light from the same direction as the pressing direction (butting direction) toward the upper surface of the edge of the filter 4 through the slit 19a of the jig 19. (See FIGS. 6 and 7 in Patent Document 2).

However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, laser light is irradiated in the abutting direction, and the case is melted through the filter element by the laser light. Therefore, a stable welding state is obtained depending on the transmittance of the filter element. There was a fear that it could not be obtained.
Moreover, in the said patent document 2, since the laser beam was irradiated through the slit of a holding jig, it was difficult to ensure the necessary and sufficient welding width in a welding site | part. In addition, if the slit width of the presser jig is set to a large value in order to secure the necessary and sufficient weld width, the pressurizing force of the filter element by the presser jig becomes weak and the fiber density at the welded part decreases, making sure welding difficult. It will be something.
Further, in Patent Document 2, since the welding part B2 is formed in the filtration chamber of the case, depending on the output of the laser beam or the like, welding is performed at the gap between the case inner wall and the edge of the filter element or the slit of the jig. There is a possibility that foreign matters such as burrs are generated and the foreign matters remain in the filtration chamber and deteriorate the product performance as a filter. In addition, in order to suppress the generation of foreign matter such as welding burrs in the gap between the inner wall of the case and the edge of the filter element, if the welding part is disposed at a position sufficiently away from the gap, the outside of the welding part in the case There is a problem in that the dimension on the side increases and the size of the entire filter increases.
Furthermore, in the said patent document 2, the outer end side of a filter element is exposed in the filtration chamber, and there exists a possibility of deteriorating product performance by lack of the fiber etc. of the outer end side of a filter element. Therefore, it is necessary to make fine adjustments such as infiltrating and solidifying the melted laser absorbing material over the entire thickness of the filter element, and it is necessary to have a function for adjusting the amount of laser irradiation heat in consideration of variations in transmittance.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-156118 JP 2003-311838 A

  As described above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described present situation, and it is possible to suppress a filter element from being removed when a filter is used, and to provide a filter and a method for manufacturing the same that can suppress the generation of foreign matters such as welding burrs in a filtration chamber. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention is as follows.
1. A first case member and a second case member that are abutted against each other to form a filtration chamber; and a filter element having a peripheral edge sandwiched between respective butted ends of the first case member and the second case member; With
The first case member has a laser transmission property, the second case member has a laser absorption property, a hole is provided in a peripheral portion of the filter element, and a butt end portion of the second case member and the butt end portion A filter characterized in that a welded portion for an element by a laser beam irradiated in a butting direction is formed between the hole portion of the filter element.
2. The above-mentioned 1. is provided at the butting end portion of the second case member, wherein a projecting portion that breaks the peripheral edge portion of the filter element in the butting direction to form the hole portion. The filter described.
3. The above-described 2. is provided with a recess capable of accommodating the tip end side of the protrusion at the butt end of the first case member. The filter described.
4). The hole is provided in advance in the peripheral portion of the filter element. The filter described.
5. The above-mentioned 4. The convex part which penetrates the said hole part is provided in the butt | matching edge part of the said 2nd case member. The filter described.
6). The first case member has an outer wall portion that extends along the butting direction from the outside of the butting end portion of the first case member and that abuts against the butting end portion of the second case member, Between the butting end portions of the second case member, a case welding portion is formed by laser light irradiated in a direction intersecting the butting direction. To 5. The filter as described in any one of.
7). Above 1. To 6. A method for producing a filter according to any one of
Sandwiching the periphery of the filter element between the butted ends of the first case member and the second case member;
Irradiating laser light in the butting direction from the outside of the butting end portion of the first case member toward the hole provided in the filter element in the clamped state of the filter element. A method for manufacturing a filter.

According to the filter of the present invention, since the welded portion for the element is formed between the butted end portion of the second case member and the hole portion of the filter element, the filter element of the filter element is irradiated by the laser beam irradiated in the butting direction. The butt end portion of the second case member can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted through the hole, and a stable welded portion of the element can be obtained without being affected by the transmittance of the filter element. Since the second case member and the filter element are firmly welded by the welded portion for the element, the filter element remains between the first and second case members even when an excessive internal pressure is applied to the filtration chamber when the filter is used. Can be prevented from coming off. The element welded portion is disposed in the filter element sandwiched portion by the butted end portions of the first and second case members, and is welded near the element welded portion by the output of laser light or the like. Even if foreign matters such as the above occur, the foreign matter can be prevented from entering the filtration chamber through the space between the contact surfaces of the second case member and the filter element. Moreover, since the outer end side of the filter element is not exposed in the filtration chamber, fibers and the like that are missing on the outer end side of the filter element are less likely to enter the filtration chamber.
Further, in the case where the protruding portion is provided at the butting end portion of the second case member, the peripheral portion of the filter element is caused by the protruding portion in a state where the filter element is sandwiched between the first and second case members. It is pierced and a hole is formed. As a result, the projecting portion of the second case member can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted by the laser beam in the butting direction, and the amount of melting can be increased to obtain a more stable welded portion for the element. it can.
Moreover, when the recessed part is provided in the butt | matching edge part of the said 1st case member, the front end side of a protrusion part can be escaped in a recessed part, and it penetrates a filter element more reliably by this protrusion part and pierces it. Can do.
Further, when the hole portion is provided in advance in the peripheral portion of the filter element, the butt end portion of the second case member can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted through the hole portion by the laser beam in the butt direction. It is possible to obtain a welded portion for an element in a stable welded state.
In addition, when a convex portion is provided at the butt end portion of the second case member, the convex portion is inserted into the hole portion with the filter element sandwiched between the first and second case members. As a result, the convex portion of the second case member can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted through the hole portion by the laser beam in the abutting direction, and the weld portion for the element in a more stable weld state can be obtained by increasing the amount of fusion. .
Further, when the first case member has an outer wall portion, and a case weld portion is formed between the outer wall portion and the butted end portion of the second case member, the element weld portion While a 2nd case member and a filter element are welded, a 1st case member and a 2nd case member are welded by the welding part for cases. Therefore, the three members of the first case member, the second case member, and the filter element can be firmly integrated.
According to the filter manufacturing method of the present invention, first, the peripheral edge of the filter element is sandwiched between the first and second case members, and then the laser beam is directed toward the hole provided in the filter element in the abutting direction. Is irradiated. Then, the laser beam can sufficiently and sufficiently melt the butted end portion of the second case member through the hole, and a stable welded portion for the element can be obtained without being affected by the transmittance of the filter element. it can. Since the second case member and the filter element are firmly welded by the welded portion for the element, the filter element remains between the first and second case members even when an excessive internal pressure is applied to the filtration chamber when the filter is used. Can be prevented from coming off. The element welded portion is disposed in the filter element sandwiched portion by the butted end portions of the first and second case members, and is welded near the element welded portion by the output of laser light or the like. Even if foreign matters such as the above occur, the foreign matter can be prevented from entering the filtration chamber through the space between the contact surfaces of the second case member and the filter element. Moreover, since the outer end side of the filter element is not exposed in the filtration chamber, fibers and the like that are missing on the outer end side of the filter element are less likely to enter the filtration chamber.

1. Filter Embodiment 1 The filter according to the above includes a first case member, a second case member, and a filter element described below.

  The “first case member” is not particularly limited in shape, size, material, and the like as long as it is abutted with a second case member described later to form a filtration chamber and has laser permeability. This first case member usually has a frame-shaped butted end. The first case member may be formed with a fluid inlet or outlet, for example. Furthermore, examples of the shape of the first case member include a dish shape, a bowl shape, and a flat plate shape.

  The first case member can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin material can contain, for example, a dye and / or a pigment. From the viewpoint of laser transparency, the first case member is preferably made of a synthetic resin material containing a dye. Examples of the synthetic resin material include amorphous resins such as polystyrene (PS), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Examples thereof include crystalline resins such as polyamide (PA) and polyacetal (POM). Among these, from the viewpoint of laser transmittance, an amorphous resin is preferable.

  The “second case member” is not particularly limited in shape, size, material, and the like as long as it is abutted against the first case member to form a filtration chamber and has laser absorption. This second case member usually has a frame-shaped butted end. The second case member may be formed with a fluid inlet or outlet, for example. Furthermore, examples of the shape of the second case member include a dish shape, a bowl shape, and a flat plate shape.

  The second case member can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin material can contain, for example, a pigment and / or a dye. From the viewpoint of easily adjusting the heat generation amount, the second case member is preferably made of a synthetic resin material containing a pigment and a dye. Examples of the synthetic resin material include amorphous resins such as polystyrene (PS), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide ( Examples thereof include crystalline resins such as PA) and polyacetal (POM). From the viewpoint of laser absorbability, either an amorphous resin or a crystalline resin may be used.

The “filter element” (hereinafter also simply referred to as “element”) has a shape as long as its peripheral edge can be sandwiched between the respective butted ends of the first case member and the second case member. The size, material, etc. are not particularly limited.
Examples of the shape of the element include a fold shape, a sheet shape, and a wave shape. Examples of the fold-shaped element include (1) a form composed of an element body having a large number of fold-shaped portions, and (2) an element body having a large number of fold-shaped portions, and a holding frame for holding the element body. The form etc. which consist of can be mentioned. Moreover, as a material of the said element, a nonwoven fabric, a textile fabric, paper etc. can be mentioned, for example. In addition, the said element may have a laser transmittance, for example, and may have a laser absorptivity.

  A hole is provided in the peripheral edge of the filter element, and the welded portion for the element by the laser beam irradiated in the butting direction is provided between the butting end of the second case member and the hole of the filter element. Is formed.

The shape, size, number, etc. of the “hole” are not particularly limited.
For example, (a) a form in which the peripheral edge of the filter element is pierced in the butting direction by a projection provided at the butting end of the second case member, and (b) the filter is formed as the hole. The form etc. which were previously provided in the peripheral part of the element can be mentioned.

  In the form (a), the shape, size, number, etc. of the protrusions are not particularly limited. For example, the protruding portion can be formed in a spike shape that protrudes sharply in the abutting direction. Moreover, in the said (a) form, the said hole part (a to-be-breached part) can be formed by penetrating and breaking through the peripheral part of a filter element by the said projection part in the butting direction, for example. In this case, it is preferable to provide a recess capable of accommodating the tip end side of the protrusion at the butt end of the first case member. The shape, size, number, etc. of the recesses are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately employed depending on the protrusions.

  In the form (b), examples of the cross-sectional shape of the hole include a circle, a polygon, and a slit. Moreover, in the said (b) form, the said hole part penetrated in the abutting direction can be previously provided in the peripheral part of the filter element, for example. In this case, it is preferable to provide a projecting portion that can be inserted into the hole portion at the butt end portion of the second case member. The shape, size, number, etc. of the convex portions are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately employed according to the hole portion.

The “welding portion for element” is not particularly limited in terms of the welding width, depth, shape, and the like as long as the second case member and the filter element can be coupled.
Examples of the welded portion for the element include (1) when the filter element has a laser transmission property, the butted end portion (the protruding portion, the protruding portion, etc.) of the second case member is irradiated by laser light. A form in which a part of the melted portion penetrates into the inside of the filter element or a part of the filter element is melted by the melted portion, and the melted portion is solidified, (2) In the case where the filter element has laser absorptivity, the butt end portion of the second case member and the filter element are melted substantially simultaneously by the irradiation of the laser beam, and the melted portion is solidified to be mentioned. Can do.
In addition, the said weld part is normally solidified, fuse | melting in the state containing a bubble, and thermally expanding.

The “laser light” is usually irradiated in the butting direction from the outside of the butting end of the first case member toward the hole of the filter element. For example, the laser light can be irradiated in a state where the first and second case members sandwiching the filter element are pressed in the butting direction. Examples of the type of laser light include semiconductor, gas, solid, and liquid laser light.
The “butting direction” is not limited to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the filter element, but includes a direction inclined with respect to the plane of the filter element as long as the butting end of the second case member can be melted. Shall be.

  The first case member has, for example, an outer wall portion, and the contact portion between the outer wall portion and the butting end portion of the second case member is a case of laser light irradiated in a direction intersecting the butting direction. A welded part can be formed.

The “outer wall portion” is not particularly limited in shape, size, or the like as long as it extends from the outside of the butting end portion of the first case member along the butting direction and can come into contact with the butting end portion of the second case member. For example, the outer wall portion can be brought into contact with the butted end portion of the second case member at an abutment surface in an arbitrary direction. However, the outer wall portion and the second case member are pressed by the pressure of the first and second case members. From the standpoint that the gap between the contact surfaces does not change, it is preferable that the outer wall portion is in contact with the butted end portion of the second case member with a contact surface extending along the butting direction.
In addition, the above “contact” includes facing with a minute gap (for example, a gap of 0.2 mm or less) that can form a welded portion by laser light.

The “case weld portion” is not particularly limited in terms of welding width, depth, shape, and the like as long as the first case member and the second case member can be coupled.
As the case welding portion, for example, a butt end portion of the second case member is melted by a laser beam irradiated in a direction crossing the butt direction, and a part of the outer wall portion of the first case member is melted by the melting portion. A form formed by melting and solidifying the melted portion can be mentioned.

  The above-mentioned “laser light” is normally directed to the contact portion between the outer wall portion of the first case member and the butting end portion of the second case member, and the direction intersecting the butting direction from the outside of the outer wall portion of the first case member. Is irradiated. For example, the laser light can be irradiated in a state where the first and second case members sandwiching the filter element are pressed in the butting direction. Examples of the type of laser light include semiconductor, gas, solid, and liquid laser light.

  In addition, as a filter according to another embodiment, for example, the above-described first embodiment. In this filter, the outer weld portion for the element by the laser beam irradiated in the direction crossing the butting direction is provided on the outer surface side of the contact portion between the butting end portion of the second case member and the filter element. What is formed can be mentioned. Thereby, the laser beam of a different irradiation direction according to the external shape etc. of a filter is suitably selected, and the element welding part and the element outer welding part can be selectively formed at a predetermined portion on the outer periphery of the filter.

2. Method for manufacturing filter 2. Embodiment 2 The filter manufacturing method according to the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. The filter manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second case members sandwich the peripheral edge portion of the filter element, and the filter element is sandwiched between the first and second hole members toward the hole portion. Irradiating a laser beam in the butting direction from the outside of the butting end of the case member.

  In the clamping step, for example, the peripheral edge of the filter element is sandwiched between the first and second case members, and the peripheral edge of the filter element is formed by the protrusion provided at the butt end of the second case member. Can be pierced in the butting direction to form the hole. Thereby, the projection of the second case member can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted by the laser light irradiated in the abutting direction, and the amount of the melt is increased so that the transmittance of the filter element is not affected. Thus, it is possible to obtain a weld portion for an element in a stable weld state.

  In the clamping step, for example, the peripheral portion of the filter element is clamped between the first and second case members, and the convex portion provided at the butt end of the second case member is the hole portion of the filter element. It can be a process inserted through. As a result, the convex portion of the second case member can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted by the laser beam irradiated in the abutting direction, and the amount of melting is increased, and the transmittance of the filter element is not affected. Thus, it is possible to obtain a weld portion for an element in a stable weld state.

The method for manufacturing the filter includes, for example, the first case member facing the abutting portion between the outer wall portion provided on the first case member and the butted end portion of the second case member in a state where the filter element is sandwiched. A step of irradiating laser light from the outside of the outer wall portion in a direction crossing the butting direction. Thereby, the welding part for cases by a laser beam is formed in the contact part of an outer wall part and the butting end part of a 2nd case member, and a 1st case member and a 2nd case member can be welded firmly.
In addition, the laser beam irradiation for forming the case welding portion and the laser beam irradiation for forming the element welding portion may be performed in a predetermined order or may be performed simultaneously.

For example, the filter manufacturing method may include an outer wall portion of the first case member facing the outer surface of the contact portion between the butted end portion of the second case member and the filter element in a state where the filter element is sandwiched. A step of irradiating the laser beam in a direction crossing the abutting direction from the direction can be further provided. Thereby, the outer welding part for elements by a laser beam is formed in the butt end part of a 2nd case member, and the outer surface side of the contact part of a filter element. Therefore, according to the external shape of the filter or the like, the laser beam having a different irradiation direction can be appropriately selected, and the element welded portion and the element outer welded portion can be selectively formed at a predetermined portion on the outer periphery of the filter.
The laser beam irradiation for forming the element outer welded portion and the laser beam irradiation for forming the element welded portion may be performed in a predetermined order or simultaneously.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples 1 to 3 with reference to the drawings.
In the first to third embodiments, an oil filter for an automatic transmission of a vehicle is exemplified as the filter. In the first to third embodiments, the same reference numerals are assigned to substantially the same components, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Example 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the filter 1 according to the first embodiment is illustrated as a rectangular dish-shaped upper case member 2 that is abutted with each other to form a filtration chamber S (a “first case member” according to the present invention). ) And the lower case member 3 (illustrated as “second case member” according to the present invention), and a sheet-like shape sandwiched between the frame-like butted end portions 2 a and 3 a of the case members 2 and 3. Filter element 8 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “element”). The lower case member 3 is formed with a contaminated oil inlet (not shown), and the upper case member 2 is formed with an oil outlet 4 filtered by the element 8.

  The upper case member 2 is made of a synthetic resin material containing a dye and has laser transparency. As shown in FIG. 2, an outer wall portion 5 that extends along the butting direction P and contacts the outer surface of the butting end portion 3 a of the lower case member 3 is provided outside the butting end portion 2 a of the upper case member 2. It has been. Further, a groove-like recess 7 is provided along the entire periphery of the upper end of the butted end 2a of the upper case member 2. The lower case member 3 is made of a synthetic resin material containing a pigment such as carbon black, and has laser absorption. Further, a large number of spike-like protrusions 6 are provided at predetermined intervals along the entire circumference of the tip end side of the butting end 3a of the lower case member 3. Each of these protrusions 6 protrudes in the butting direction P. Further, the element 8 is made of a nonwoven fabric and has laser transparency.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the filter 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when the peripheral edge of the element 8 is sandwiched between the respective butted ends 2a and 3a of the upper and lower case members 2 and 3, and both case members 2 and 3 are pressed in the butting direction P, The protrusion 6 penetrates and breaks the peripheral edge of the element 8 in the butting direction P to form a hole 9 (a breakthrough), and the tip of each protrusion 6 is housed in the recess 7.

Next, the first laser beam L <b> 1 is irradiated in the butting direction P from the outside of the butting end 2 a of the upper case member 2 toward the hole 9 from the sandwiched / pressurized state of the element 8. Then, by the first laser light L1, the tip end side of the protrusion 6 starts to melt, and a part of the molten resin enters the constituent fibers around the protrusion 6 in the element 8 (hole 9). When the molten resin is solidified, as shown in FIG. 3, an element welding portion W <b> 1 is formed between the butted end 3 a of the lower case member 3 and the element 8. It becomes.
The element welding portion W1 irradiates the entire circumference of the filter 1 by continuously irradiating the first laser beam L1 having a predetermined heat quantity capable of achieving the above-described molten state along the outer circumference of the filter 1. It is formed. In addition, the element welding portion W1 may include a structure in which the heat generated by the molten resin of the protrusion 6 is transmitted to the element 8 and the constituent fibers of the element 8 are partially melted and solidified. .

Next, with the upper and lower case members 2 and 3 being held and pressed, the contact portion between the outer wall portion 5 of the upper case member 2 and the butted end portion 3a of the lower case member 3 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the second laser light L2 is irradiated in a direction crossing the butting direction P from the side of the outer wall 5. Then, a part of the outer surface side of the butted end portion 3a of the lower case member 3 starts to be melted by the second laser light L2, and the heat generated by the molten resin is transmitted to the outer wall portion 5 of the upper case member 2 and the part. Is melted. When the molten resin is solidified, a case weld W2 is formed between the butted end 3a of the lower case member 3 and the outer wall 5 of the upper case member 2. Become.
The element welding portion W2 irradiates the entire circumference of the filter 1 by continuously irradiating the second laser light L2 having a predetermined heat quantity capable of achieving the above-described molten state along the outer circumference of the filter 1. It is formed.

(Example 2)
Next, the filter 11 according to the second embodiment will be described. In this filter 11, as shown in FIG. 5, a large number of holes 19 penetrating in the butting direction P at predetermined intervals along the outer periphery of the element 18 are formed in advance on the peripheral edge of the element 18. Then, when the first laser beam L1 is irradiated in the butting direction P from the outside of the butting end portion 12a of the upper case member 12 toward the hole portion 19 from the sandwiched / pressurized state of the element 18, the first laser is emitted. By the light L1, the surface side of the butted end portion 13a of the lower case member 13 starts to be melted, and a part of the molten resin enters the constituent fibers of the hole portion 19 in the element 18. When the molten resin is solidified, as shown in FIG. 6, an element welding portion W <b> 1 is formed between the butted end portion 13 a of the lower case member 13 and the element 18. It becomes. Next, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second laser beam L2 in the direction intersecting the butting direction causes a gap between the butting end 13a of the lower case member 13 and the outer wall 15 of the upper case member 12 to be both. A weld portion W2 for the case that joins the two is formed.

(Example 3)
Next, the filter 21 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the filter 21, as shown in FIG. 7, a large number of holes 29 that are penetrated in the butting direction P at predetermined intervals along the outer periphery are formed in advance on the peripheral edge of the element 28. A large number of convex portions 26 are provided at positions corresponding to the holes 29 on the distal end side of the butted end portion 23 a of the lower case member 23. And the convex part 26 is penetrated by the hole 29 of the element 28 in the state which clamped the peripheral part of the element 28 between the upper and lower case members 22 and 23. The first laser beam L 1 is irradiated in the butting direction P from the outside of the butting end 22 a of the upper case member 22 toward the hole 29 from the sandwiched / pressurized state of the element 28. Then, by the first laser beam L1, the tip end side of the convex portion 26 of the lower case member 23 starts to melt, and a part of the molten resin enters the constituent fibers around the convex portion 26 (hole 29) in the element 28. invade. When the molten resin is solidified, as shown in FIG. 8, between the butted end 23a of the lower case member 23 and the element 28, an element welding portion W1 for connecting the two is formed. It becomes. Next, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second laser beam L2 in the direction intersecting the abutting direction causes a gap between the abutting end 23a of the lower case member 23 and the outer wall 25 of the upper case member 22 to be both. A weld portion W2 for the case that joins the two is formed.

(Effect of Example)
According to the filters 1, 11 and 21 of the first to third embodiments, the butted ends 3a, 13a, and 23a of the lower case members 3, 13, and 23 and the holes 9, 19, and 29 of the filter elements 8, 18, and 28 Since the element welding portion W1 is formed between the first laser beam L1 and the first laser beam L1 having a relatively low output, the holes of the filter elements 8, 18, and 28 are formed by the first laser beam L1 in the butting direction. The butt end portions 3a, 13a, and 23a of the lower case members 3, 13, and 23 (including the protruding portion 6, the convex portion 26, and the like) can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted through the portions 9, 19, and 29, so that the filter element 8 , 18, 28 without being affected by the transmittance, it is possible to obtain the welded portion W1 for the element in a stable welded state. Since the lower case members 3, 13, and 23 and the filter elements 8, 18, and 28 are firmly welded by the element welding portion W1, even if an excessive internal pressure is applied to the filtration chamber S when the filter is used. The filter elements 8, 18, 28 can be prevented from coming off between the upper case members 2, 12, 22 and the lower case members 3, 13, 23. As a result, the holding rib for the element provided on the case member side can be made the minimum necessary (basically zero), and the sandwiching width of the elements 8, 18 and 28 can be set to a smaller value, The product shape of the filter can be simplified and downsized.

  Further, according to the filters 1, 11, and 21 of the first to third embodiments, the element welding portion W <b> 1 includes the filter elements 8, 18, and the upper case members 2, 12, 22 and the lower case members 3, 13, 23. 28. Even if a foreign matter such as a welding burr is generated near the element welding portion W1 due to the output of the first laser beam L1 or the like, the foreign matter remains in the lower case. It is possible to suppress the intrusion into the filtration chamber S through the space between the contact surfaces of the members 3, 13, 23 and the filter elements 8, 18, 28. Furthermore, since the outer end sides of the filter elements 8, 18, and 28 are not exposed in the filtration chamber S, fibers and the like that are missing on the outer end sides of the filter elements 8, 18, and 28 hardly enter the filtration chamber S. This eliminates the need for fine adjustment such as penetration and solidification of the melted laser absorbing material over the entire thickness of the filter elements 8, 18 and 28 as in the prior art, and the amount of laser irradiation heat in consideration of variation in transmittance and the like. No adjustment function is required.

Further, according to the filters 1, 11 and 21 of the first to third embodiments, as compared with the conventional case where the laser beam is irradiated from the abutting direction using a holding jig with a slit, the welded portion for element W1. The case size on the outer side can be minimized and a simple and small structure can be obtained.
In the first to third embodiments, the three members of the upper case members 2, 12, 22, the lower case members 3, 13, 23 and the filter elements 8, 18, 28 are integrated by laser welding. The production process can be shortened to about half as compared with the conventional case where the filter element held by the synthetic resin holding frame and the three members of each case member are welded by vibration. Further, since laser welding can be performed immediately after the molding of each case member, automation from the molding of each case member to the completion of laser welding can be achieved, and the number of work steps can be reduced. Furthermore, the design freedom regarding the shape of each case member is high.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first laser beam L1 in the butting direction P is irradiated toward the projecting portion 6 in a state where the projecting portion 6 penetrates the peripheral portion of the element 8 in the butting direction P. Therefore, the protrusion 6 can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted by the first laser light L1, and the amount of melted and permeated can be increased to improve the weldability of the element.
In the second embodiment, the hole 19 penetrating in the butting direction P is provided in the peripheral edge of the element 18 in advance, and the first laser beam L1 is irradiated toward the hole 19. The light L1 reaches the surface side of the butted end portion 3a of the lower case member 3 through the hole portion 19, and the surface side can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted to improve the weldability of the element.
In the third embodiment, the butt end portion 23 a of the lower case member 23 is provided with a convex portion 26 that can be inserted into the hole portion 29 of the element 28, and the first laser beam L 1 is irradiated toward the convex portion 26. Therefore, the convex portion 26 can be sufficiently and sufficiently melted through the hole 29 by the first laser beam L1, and the amount of melting / penetrating can be increased to improve the weldability of the element.
In the first to third embodiments, the case welding portion W2 is formed between the outer wall portions 5, 15, 25 and the butted end portions 3a, 13a, 23a of the lower case members 3, 13, 23. Therefore, the three members of the upper case member, the lower case member, and the filter element can be firmly integrated by the element welding portion W1 and the case welding portion W2.

  In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention depending on the purpose and application. That is, in the first to third embodiments, the form in which the outer wall portions 5, 15, 25 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the peripheral portions of the elements 8, 18, 28 are in contact with each other is exemplified. As shown, the outer wall 5 (15, 25) and the element 8 (18, 28) may be opposed to each other with a predetermined interval. Even in this case, substantially the same operations and effects as those of the first to third embodiments can be achieved.

  In the first to third embodiments, the outer wall portions 5, 15, 25 and the butted end portions 3 a, 13 a, 23 a of the lower case members 3, 13, 23 are in contact with each other at the contact surface along the butting direction P. Although illustrated, it is not limited to this, For example, as shown in FIG. 10, upper case member 2 (12, 22) has fitting part 30a, 30b, and lower case member 3 (13, 23), You may make it have the to-be-fitted part 31a, 31b fitted to this fitting part 30a, 30b and the butting direction P. FIG. In this case, in addition to the operations and effects substantially equivalent to those of the first to third embodiments, the case weld portion W2 is formed by fitting the fitting portions 30a and 30b and the fitted portions 31a and 31b. Warpage of the outer wall 5 (15, 25) due to thermal expansion of the melted part can be suppressed. Even if there is an initial gap in the direction perpendicular to the butting direction P between the outer wall 5 (15, 25) and the butting end 3a (13a, 23a) of the lower case member 3 (13, 23), Can be regulated to a predetermined value (for example, about 0.2 mm) or less.

  Moreover, in the said Example 1, although the form which penetrates and penetrates the peripheral part of the element 8 was illustrated as the protrusion part 6 of the lower case member 3, it is not limited to this, For example, as shown in FIG. It is good also as protrusion part 6 'of the shape which breaks through the peripheral part of 8 without penetrating completely in the butting direction P. FIG. Even in this case, the butt end portion of the lower case member can be easily melted as compared with the embodiment in which no hole is formed in the element.

  Moreover, in the said Examples 1-3, although the form which forms the welding part W1 for elements along the perimeter of the filter 1,11,21 was illustrated, it is not limited to this, For example, as shown in FIG. In the outer periphery of the filter 1 ′, a predetermined portion corresponding to the convex portion 36 provided on the outer surface of the filter 1 ′ is set as the first outer peripheral region 37, and another outer peripheral portion of the first outer peripheral region 37 is set as the first outer peripheral region 37. 2 is set as the outer peripheral region 38. In the first outer peripheral region 37, the element welding portion W1a is formed by the first laser light L1a in the butting direction P (see FIG. 13), and in the second outer peripheral region 38, the butting direction The element welding portion W1b may be formed by the first laser light L1b in a direction intersecting with P. In this case, in addition to the operations and effects substantially equivalent to those of the first to third embodiments, the irradiation direction of the first laser beam can be appropriately selected according to the outer shape of the filter (the convex portion 36 and the like).

  Moreover, in the said Examples 1-3, although the sheet-like filter element 8,18,28 was illustrated, it is not limited to this, For example, as a fold-folded filter element hold | maintained with the synthetic resin holding frame Also good.

  Used as a filter to filter contaminated fluid. In particular, it is suitably used as an oil filter for a vehicle automatic transmission.

1 is an overall perspective view of a filter according to an embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in 1st laser irradiation of the filter which concerns on Example 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state after the first laser irradiation of the filter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a main part sectional view showing a state of the filter according to Example 1 after the second laser irradiation. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in 1st laser irradiation of the filter which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state after the 1st and 2nd laser irradiation of the filter which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state during the 1st laser irradiation of the filter which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state after the 1st and 2nd laser irradiation of the filter which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other butt | matching form of an upper case member and a 2nd case member. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the further butting form of an upper case member and a 2nd case member. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other form of a lower case member. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other form of a filter. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state after the 1st and 2nd laser irradiation of the 1st outer peripheral area | region of the said filter. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state after the 1st and 2nd laser irradiation of the 2nd outer peripheral area | region of the said filter.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 1 ', 11, 21; filter, 2, 12, 22; upper case member, 2a, 12a, 22a; butt end, 3, 13, 23; lower case member, 3a, 13a, 23a; butt end 5, 15, 25; outer wall part, 6; projection part, 7; concave part, 8, 18, 28; filter element, 9, 19, 29; hole part, 26; convex part, S; filtration chamber, P; Direction, L1; First laser beam, L2; Second laser beam, W1; Welding portion for element, W2; Welding portion for case.

Claims (7)

A first case member and a second case member that are abutted against each other to form a filtration chamber; and a filter element having a peripheral edge sandwiched between respective butted ends of the first case member and the second case member; With
The first case member has a laser transmission property, the second case member has a laser absorption property, a hole is provided in a peripheral portion of the filter element, and a butt end portion of the second case member and the butt end portion A filter characterized in that a welded portion for an element by a laser beam irradiated in a butting direction is formed between the hole portion of the filter element.   2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein a butt end portion of the second case member is provided with a protrusion portion that pierces a peripheral edge portion of the filter element in the butt direction to form the hole portion.   The filter according to claim 2, wherein a butt end portion of the first case member is provided with a recess capable of accommodating the tip end side of the projection portion.   The filter according to claim 1, wherein the hole is provided in advance in a peripheral portion of the filter element.   The filter according to claim 4, wherein a projecting portion that is inserted through the hole is provided at a butt end portion of the second case member.   The first case member has an outer wall portion that extends along the butting direction from the outside of the butting end portion of the first case member and that abuts against the butting end portion of the second case member, The case welding portion by laser light irradiated in a direction crossing the butting direction is formed between the butting end portions of the second case member. filter. It is a manufacturing method of the filter as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6, Comprising:
Sandwiching the periphery of the filter element between the butted ends of the first case member and the second case member;
Irradiating laser light in the butting direction from the outside of the butting end portion of the first case member toward the hole provided in the filter element in the clamped state of the filter element. A method for manufacturing a filter.

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