Filter Support Mechanism, Filter Support Apparatus, and Filter Apparatus

A filter support mechanism, mounted on a body to support a filter, the body defining a first opening, the filter for a fluid flowing through the first opening, the filter support mechanism comprising:

• a first roller to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• a second roller to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• wherein the axis of the second roller is parallel to the axis of the first roller;
• the first roller rolls one end of the filter;
• the second roller rolls a second end of the filter;
• and
• a portion of the filter extending between the first roller and the second roller covers the first opening;
• and
• a press-on part movable with respect to the body, wherein the press-on part moves to clamp the filter against the body in an annular shape surrounding the first opening;
• wherein the press-on part moves with respect to the body along a first direction and a second direction reverse to the first direction, the first direction perpendicular to a plane where both the axis of the first roller and the axis of the second roller are within;
• and
• a gear to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• wherein the press-on part further comprises a rack portion;
• the gear and the rack portion engage with each other to drive the press-on part to move along the first direction and the second direction by rotation of the gear;
• a first drive motor;
• and
• a control unit;
• wherein the first drive motor drives the gear to rotate;
• and
• the control unit controls operation of the first drive motor.

A filter support apparatus comprising:

• a body having a first opening;
• and
• filter support mechanism mounted on the body to support a filter for a fluid flowing through the first opening, the filter support mechanism comprising:
• a first roller to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• a second roller to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• wherein the axis of the second roller is parallel to the axis of the first roller;
• the first roller rolls one end of the filter;
• the second roller rolls a second end of the filter;
• and
• a portion of the filter extending between the first roller and the second roller covers the first opening;
• and
• a press-on part movable with respect to the body, wherein the press-on part moves to clamp the filter against the body in an annular shape surrounding the first opening;
• wherein the press-on part moves with respect to the body along a first direction and a second direction reverse to the first direction, the first direction perpendicular to a plane where both the axis of the first roller and the axis of the second roller are within;
• and
• a gear to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• wherein the press-on part further comprises a rack portion;
• the gear and the rack portion engage with each other to drive the press-on part to move along the first direction and the second direction by rotation of the gear;
• a first drive motor;
• and
• a control unit;
• wherein the first drive motor drives the gear to rotate;
• and
• the control unit controls operation of the first drive motor.

A filter apparatus comprising:

• a body defining a first opening;
• a filter to filter a fluid flowing through the first opening;
• and
• filter support mechanism, mounted on a body to support a filter, the body defining a first opening, the filter for a fluid flowing through the first opening, the filter support mechanism comprising:
• a first roller to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• a second roller to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• wherein the axis of the second roller is parallel to the axis of the first roller;
• the first roller rolls one end of the filter;
• the second roller rolls a second end of the filter;
• and
• a portion of the filter extending between the first roller and the second roller covers the first opening;
• and
• a press-on part movable with respect to the body, wherein the press-on part moves to clamp the filter against the body in an annular shape surrounding the first opening;
• wherein the press-on part moves with respect to the body along a first direction and a second direction reverse to the first direction, the first direction perpendicular to a plane where both the axis of the first roller and the axis of the second roller are within;
• and
• a gear to rotate about an axis thereof with respect to the body;
• wherein the press-on part further comprises a rack portion;
• the gear and the rack portion engage with each other to drive the press-on part to move along the first direction and the second direction by rotation of the gear;
• a first drive motor;
• and
• a control unit;
• wherein the first drive motor drives the gear to rotate;
• and
• the control unit controls operation of the first drive motor.