LAUNDRY APPLIANCE FILTER ASSEMBLY RETENTION LATCH

A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. The cabinet defines an interior volume. The laundry appliance also includes an air filter assembly. The air filter assembly is positioned in the cabinet. The air filter assembly includes a latch. The latch is configured to releasably engage a housing of the laundry appliance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to laundry appliances, and more particularly to air filters for laundry appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundry appliances include washing machine appliances, dryer appliances, and combination laundry appliances. Combination laundry appliances, sometimes also referred to as washer/dryer appliances, provide both washing and drying functions in a single unit. During the washing and drying operations, particles from clothing articles being treated therein, such as fiber particles, are dislodged and may become entrained in the flow of air through the laundry appliance. Such particles, e.g., lint, may impair the performance of the laundry appliance's heating system if the particles are carried to, for example, a heater of the heating system, by the flow of air. Thus, laundry appliances typically include at least one air filter, sometimes also referred to as a lint filter, to entrap such particles and remove the particles from the air flow. Over time, when the entrapped particles accumulate on the air filter, the air filter may be removed from the laundry appliance in order to clean the air filter, e.g., to remove the accumulated particles.

The air filter may be provided as part of a removable air filter assembly. In some cases, it may be desirable to prevent or restrict unauthorized or unintentional removal of the air filter assembly. For example, internal parts of the laundry appliance may be exposed when the air filter assembly is removed, and it may be desired to limit access to such internal parts.

Accordingly, a laundry appliance having improved features for retaining a removable air filter assembly in the laundry appliance would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance is provided. The laundry appliance includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume with a tub mounted within the interior volume of the cabinet. A laundry basket is rotatably mounted within the tub. The laundry basket defines a chamber for the receipt of articles for treatment. The laundry appliance also includes a heating system in thermal communication with the chamber whereby heated air flows from the heating system to the chamber. The laundry appliance further includes a housing positioned within the interior volume of the cabinet. An air filter assembly is removably positioned in the housing between the laundry basket and the heating system upstream of the heating system, whereby a flow of return air from the chamber passes through and is filtered by an air filter of the air filter assembly before flowing to the heating system. The air filter assembly includes a latch configured to releasably engage the housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance is provided. The laundry appliance includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume. An air filter assembly is positioned in the cabinet. The air filter assembly includes a latch configured to releasably engage a housing of the laundry appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “substantially,” “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

As used herein, the terms “articles,” “clothing,” or “laundry” include but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items which may be cleaned, dried, and/or otherwise treated in a laundry appliance. Furthermore, the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together in a washing machine appliance or dried together in a dryer appliance (e.g., clothes dryer), including washed and dried together in a combination laundry appliance, and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a laundry appliance, e.g., a combination washer/dryer appliance, such as the example combination appliance10illustrated inFIGS.1through5.FIG.1provides a perspective view of a laundry appliance10according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The laundry appliance10is a combination laundry appliance, and may also be referred to as a multifunction laundry appliance or washer/dryer combination appliance.FIG.2provides a section view of laundry appliance10.FIG.3provides a schematic illustration of a heat pump heating system which may be incorporated into the laundry appliance10.FIGS.4and5provide additional perspective views of the laundry appliance10. The laundry appliance10generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is defined. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of laundry appliance10, using the teachings disclosed herein, it will be understood that laundry appliance10is provided by way of example only. Other laundry appliances having different appearances and different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well.

Cabinet12includes a front panel14, a rear panel16, a left side panel18and a right side panel20spaced apart from each other by front and rear panels14and16, a bottom panel22, and a top cover24. As used herein, terms such as “left” and “right” or “front” and “back” refer to directions from the perspective of a user facing the laundry appliance10for accessing and/or operating the laundry appliance10. For example, a user stands in front of the laundry appliance10, e.g., at or near the front panel14, to access door33and/or inputs70(the door33and inputs70are described in more detail below). Within cabinet12, an interior volume29is defined. A drum or tub26is mounted within the interior volume29. A laundry basket130is mounted within the tub26. The laundry basket130defines a chamber25for receipt of articles of clothing for treatment, e.g., washing, rinsing, spinning, tumbling, and/or drying.

In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs70, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on the cabinet12, e.g., on a control panel71thereof and are in operable communication (e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band) with a processing device or controller56. The control panel71may also include a display64. Controller56may also be provided in operable communication with various components of the laundry appliance, such as the motor, blower, and/or heating system80. In turn, signals generated in controller56direct operation of such components in response to the inputs70. As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The controller56may be programmed to operate laundry appliance10by executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media). The controller56may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller.

Tub26extends between a front portion37and a back portion38. Tub26is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall28and a front flange or wall30that defines an opening32of tub26, e.g., at front portion37of tub26, for loading and unloading of articles into and out of a chamber25defined by and within a laundry basket130inside of the tub26. Tub26includes a rear wall34opposite the front flange30. A door33provides for closing or accessing tub26through opening32. A window36(FIG.1) may be provided in door33for viewing of the chamber25and/or laundry articles therein, e.g., during operation of the laundry appliance10.

Laundry basket130is rotatably mounted within tub26such that the laundry basket130is rotatable about an axis of rotation. According to the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. In this regard, laundry appliance10is generally referred to as a “horizontal axis” or “front load” laundry appliance10. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present subject matter may be used within the context of a vertical axis or top load laundry appliance as well.

Laundry appliance10includes a motor assembly126that is in mechanical communication with laundry basket130to selectively rotate laundry basket130. The motor assembly126may be a pancake motor, as illustrated, or any other suitable type, size, or configuration of motor may be used to rotate laundry basket130according to various embodiments. For example, a motor, such as a brushless DC motor, may be mounted within the cabinet12and the motor may be coupled to the laundry basket130by a belt and pulley, whereby the motor rotates the laundry basket130through the belt and pulley.

Laundry basket130may define one or more agitator features that extend into chamber25to assist in agitation and cleaning of articles disposed within laundry chamber25during operation of laundry appliance10. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, a plurality of ribs128extends from laundry basket130into chamber25. In this manner, for example, ribs128may lift articles disposed in laundry basket130during rotation of laundry basket130, such as during an agitation or rinse portion of a wash operation of the laundry appliance10. During a drying operation of the laundry appliance10, the ribs128may also lift articles in the chamber25of the laundry basket130and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of laundry basket130as laundry basket130rotates.

As illustrated for example inFIG.2, laundry basket130may also include a plurality of perforations140extending therethrough in order to facilitate fluid communication between chamber25and tub26, e.g., whereby wash liquid may flow between the tub26and the chamber25during a wash operation or cycle and/or heated air may flow into the chamber25and moisture-laden air may flow out of the chamber25during a drying operation or cycle. A sump142is defined by tub26outside of laundry basket130at a bottom of the tub26along the vertical direction V. Thus, sump142is configured for receipt of, and generally collects, wash liquid (the wash liquid may include, e.g., water, and may also includes additives such as detergents, etc.) during wash operations of laundry appliance10. For example, during a wash operation of laundry appliance10, wash liquid may be urged (e.g., by gravity) from the chamber25within the laundry basket130to sump142through the plurality of perforations140. A pump assembly40is located beneath tub26for gravity assisted flow when draining tub26(e.g., via a drain41). Pump assembly40is also configured for recirculating wash liquid within tub26.

In some embodiments, laundry appliance10includes an additive dispenser or spout150. For example, spout150may be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) into tub26. Spout150may also be in fluid communication with the sump142. For example, pump assembly40may direct wash liquid disposed in sump142to spout150in order to circulate wash liquid in tub26.

As illustrated, a detergent dispenser drawer152may be slidably mounted within front panel14. Detergent dispenser drawer152receives an additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the additive to chamber25during operation of laundry appliance10. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent dispenser drawer152may also be fluidly coupled to spout150to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of the additive.

In exemplary embodiments, during operation of laundry appliance10, laundry items are loaded into laundry basket130through opening32, and an operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors70. For example, a wash cycle may be initiated such that tub26is filled with water, detergent, or other fluid additives (e.g., via spout150). One or more water valves (not shown) can be controlled by laundry appliance10to provide for filling laundry basket130to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed or rinsed. By way of example, once laundry basket130is properly filled with fluid, the contents of laundry basket130can be agitated (e.g., with ribs128) for an agitation phase of laundry items in laundry basket130. During the agitation phase, the basket130may be motivated about the axis of rotation at a set speed (e.g., a tumble speed) by a motor. As the basket130is rotated, articles within the basket130may be lifted by ribs128and permitted to drop therein due to gravity.

After the agitation phase of the washing operation is completed, tub26can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed (e.g., through a rinse cycle) by again adding fluid to tub26, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs128may again provide agitation within laundry basket130. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash liquid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket130is rotated at relatively high speeds. For instance, basket130may be rotated at one set speed (e.g., a pre-plaster speed) before being rotated at another set speed (e.g., a plaster speed). As would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed and the plaster speed may be greater than the pre-plaster speed. Moreover, agitation or tumbling of articles may be reduced as basket130increases its rotational velocity such that the plaster speed maintains the articles at a generally fixed position relative to basket130.

After the spin cycle, a drying operation may begin. A supply duct82may be mounted to tub26and may extend between tub26and a heating assembly or system80, whereby the tub26is downstream of the heating system80along the supply duct82such that the heating system80supplies heated air that has been heated by the heating system80to the tub26via the supply duct82. A return duct84may also be mounted to the tub26and may extend between tub26and the heating system80whereby the tub26is upstream of the heating system80along the return duct84such that the heating system80receives relatively warm and humid air from the tub26via the return duct84, e.g., air returns to the heating system80from the tub26, e.g., after flowing over and around articles within the chamber25, through the return duct84. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the heating system80may be positioned above the tub26and the return duct84may be oriented generally along the vertical direction V, and the return duct84may also be referred to as a chimney. The supply duct82may be mounted to the tub26, e.g., at the rear wall34thereof as in the illustrated example, or the supply duct82may be mounted to the cylindrical wall28of the tub26, such as above the basket130, similar to the return duct84in the illustrated example embodiment.

The heating system80, may include, e.g., a resistance heating element, a gas burner, and/or a heat pump, such as the example heat pump embodiment illustrated inFIG.3and described in more detail below, or any other suitable heat source. Moisture-laden, warm air is drawn from tub26by an air handler, such as a blower fan, which generates a negative air pressure within the chamber25. As the air passes from the blower fan, it enters return duct84and then is passed into heating system80. Heated air (with a lower moisture content than was received from tub26), exits heating system80and is supplied to tub26by supply duct82. After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the chamber25via opening32.

Turning now toFIG.3, a schematic view of selected components of one or more exemplary embodiments of laundry appliance10is provided. In particular,FIG.3illustrates components used during drying operations of the laundry appliance10. It is understood that, except as otherwise indicated, laundry appliance10inFIG.3may include some or all of the features described herein with respect toFIGS.1,2,4, and5.

In operation, one or more laundry articles1000may be placed within the chamber25of laundry basket130. Hot dry air118may be supplied to chamber25whereby moisture within laundry articles1000may be drawn from the laundry articles1000by evaporation, such that warm saturated air120may flow from chamber25to an evaporator102of the heating system80, e.g., via the return duct84illustrated inFIG.2. As air passes across evaporator102, the temperature of the air is reduced through heat exchange with refrigerant that is vaporized within, for example, coils or tubing of evaporator102. This vaporization process absorbs both the sensible and the latent heat from the moisture-laden air-thereby reducing its temperature. As a result, moisture in the air is condensed and such condensate may be drained from heating assembly80, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Air passing over evaporator102becomes drier and cooler than when it was received from tub26of laundry appliance10. As shown, cool dry air122from evaporator102is subsequently caused to flow across a condenser108(e.g., across coils or tubing of the condenser108), which condenses refrigerant therein. The refrigerant enters condenser108in a gaseous state at a relatively high temperature and pressure compared to the cool, dry air122from evaporator102. As a result, heat energy is transferred to the air at the condenser section108, thereby elevating the temperature of the air and providing hot dry air118for supply to the tub26of laundry appliance10, e.g., via the supply duct82illustrated inFIG.2. The hot dry air118passes over and around laundry articles1000within the chamber25inside of the tub26, such that warm saturated air120is generated, as mentioned above. For example, the hot dry air may circulate around and through the articles1000while the articles1000are tumbled within the chamber25such as by rotating the basket130, and the tumbling may be promoted by ribs128as well. Because the air is recycled through tub26and heating system80, e.g., in a closed-loop as mentioned above, laundry appliance10can have a much greater efficiency than traditional clothes dryers where warm, moisture-laden air is exhausted to the environment.

As shown inFIG.3, some embodiments of heating system80include a compressor104that pressurizes refrigerant (i.e., increases the pressure of the refrigerant) supplied by a suction line110and generally motivates refrigerant through the sealed refrigerant circuit of heating system80. Compressor104may be in operable communication with controller56and is generally designed to pressurize a gas phase refrigerant. Accordingly, in order to avoid damage, refrigerant in suction line110is supplied to the compressor104in a gas phase from the evaporator section102. The pressurization of the refrigerant with compressor104increases the temperature of the refrigerant (e.g., as directed by controller56). The compressed refrigerant is fed from compressor104to condenser108through line112. As relatively cool air122from the evaporator102is passed over the condenser108, the refrigerant is cooled and its temperature is lowered as heat is transferred to the air for supply to tub26.

Upon exiting condenser108, the refrigerant is fed through line114to an expansion device106. Although only one expansion device106is shown, such is by way of example only. It is understood that multiple such devices may be used. In the illustrated example, expansion device106is a thermal expansion valve. In additional embodiments, any other suitable expansion device, such as a capillary tube, may be used as well as or instead of the thermal expansion valve106. Expansion device106lowers the pressure of the refrigerant and controls the amount of refrigerant that is allowed to enter the evaporator102via line116. Importantly, the flow of liquid refrigerant into evaporator102is limited by expansion device106in order to keep the pressure low and allow expansion of the refrigerant back into the gas phase in the evaporator102. The evaporation of the refrigerant in the evaporator102converts the refrigerant from its liquid-dominated phase to a gas phase while cooling and drying the air120from tub26. The process is repeated as air is circulated through tub26and between evaporator102and condenser108while the refrigerant is cycled through the sealed refrigerant circuit, as described above.

The laundry appliance10may include an air filter202, e.g., positioned between the tub26and the heating system80with the air filter202upstream of the heating system80, whereby air flowing from the chamber25passes through and is filtered by the air filter202before flowing to the heating system80.

As mentioned, the air filter202filters the air, e.g., the air filter202may remove particles such as lint particles from the air, as well as dust, hair, or other airborne matter, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, such particles may accumulate on and in the air filter202, and in particular on an outer surface or upstream surface of the air filter202, over time. If left unchecked, such accumulated particles may eventually obstruct air flow through the filter202, resulting in reduced efficiency or performance of the air filter202and/or the laundry appliance10, such as the heating system80of the laundry appliance10. Thus, the air filter202may be user accessible, e.g., to permit a user to clean the air filter202.

FIG.4provides a perspective view of laundry appliance10with a portion, e.g., an upper portion such as top cover24, of the cabinet12thereof removed to reveal a housing200of the laundry appliance10. As illustrated inFIGS.4and5, the heating system80may be enclosed within a housing200. InFIG.5in particular, an upper portion, e.g., upper half, of the housing200is also removed, e.g., in addition to the portion of the cabinet12. As may thus be seen inFIG.5, the heating system80may include a heat exchanger, e.g., evaporator102(see, e.g.,FIG.3) and an air filter assembly201may be positioned between the laundry basket130and the heating system80. The air filter202may be a part of the air filter assembly201.

In various embodiments, the air filter assembly201may include one or more air filters or filter media therein. For example, the air filter assembly201may include a first filter or lint filter, such as a mesh filter or screen filter, at an upstream side240(FIG.6) of the air filter assembly201and a second filter at a downstream side242of the air filter assembly201. In some exemplary embodiments, the air filter202may be the second filter of the air filter assembly201, e.g., in combination with a first filter in the air filter assembly201.

For example, the air filter assembly201and the air filter202therein may be positioned upstream of the heating system80, such as upstream of the evaporator102of the heating system80, e.g., where the evaporator102is the furthest upstream portion or component of the heating system80, e.g., the first component of the heating system80to receive a flow of warm, moist air from the chamber25. With the air filter202so positioned, a flow of return air120(FIG.3) from the chamber25may pass through and may be filtered by the air filter202before flowing to the heating system80. For example, the air filter202may include a porous or air-permeable material, such as a foam material, which permits air to flow therethrough while trapping particles above a specified size therein. The air filter202and/or air filter assembly201may be removable from the housing200. For example, the air filter assembly201may also include a handle222, e.g., on an outer end of the air filter assembly201, such as an outer end of a shell208(FIG.6) thereof, and the handle222may be grasped by a user to extract the air filter assembly201from the housing200.

FIG.6provides a perspective view of an exemplary air filter assembly201according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.6, the air filter assembly201may include an outer shell208which interfaces with the housing200and a frame206mounted in the shell208. The handle222is omitted fromFIG.6in order to more clearly depict additional elements of the air filter assembly201, nevertheless, it should be understood that the handle222would be attached to the shell208at the left side of the page inFIG.6if the handle222were illustrated inFIG.6. The air filter202may be mounted to the frame206. For example, the frame206may be releasably mounted in the shell208and/or the air filter202may be releasably mounted to the frame206, such as to remove the air filter202and/or frame206for cleaning, e.g., to remove accumulated dust, lint, and/or other similar particles which may become entrapped in or on the air filter202over time after use. For example, the air filter202may be removed from the air filter assembly201, e.g., after taking the air filter assembly201out of the housing200.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.6, the air filter assembly201may also include a latch264. The latch264is illustrated in an as-manufactured position inFIG.6, which will be described in more detail below. For example, the latch264may be mounted on, such as integrally joined to, a cantilevered arm266. In some embodiments, the cantilevered arm266may be joined to the shell208of the air filter assembly201. For example, the shell208may include a perimetrical flange270extending across the shell208, such as across an outer perimeter of the shell208or at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the shell208. In some embodiments, the shell208(including the flange270thereof), the cantilevered arm266, and the latch264may be integrally formed as a single unitary piece, such as formed of a single piece of molded thermoplastic and/or polymeric material, e.g., injection molded plastic material.

Also as may be seen inFIG.6, the air filter assembly201may further include a gasket224, e.g., on the shell208and surrounding the air filter202. The air filter202and/or air filter assembly201may include an upstream side240(FIG.6) and a downstream side242, e.g., with respect to the flow of return air from the chamber25to the heating assembly80. For example, the downstream side242of the air filter202and/or air filter assembly201may be proximate to and face towards the heating system80, whereas the upstream side240may be opposite the downstream side242, e.g., the upstream side may be the farthest side of the air filter assembly201from the heating system80and may face away from the heating system80, such as towards the return duct84. For example, the gasket224may be disposed on the downstream side242of the air filter assembly201, e.g., whereby the gasket224sealingly engages the heating system80when the air filter assembly201is in an installed position within the housing200.

FIG.7provides an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the air filter assembly201.FIG.8provides an enlarged side view of a portion of the air filter assembly201. In particular,FIGS.7and8illustrate a portion of the shell208with the cantilevered arm266extending from the shell208, where the cantilevered arm266is in an as-manufactured position. For example, the cantilevered arm266may be manufactured at the same time as, e.g., integrally formed with, the shell208, and may be manufactured in an extended or raised position, e.g., where the cantilevered arm266extends above a top of the shell208(see, e.g.,FIG.6). The cantilevered arm266may subsequently be installed in a retention box268, e.g., in an installed position such as is illustrated inFIG.10. The retention box268may restrain or limit travel of the cantilevered arm266. For example, upward movement of the cantilevered arm266along the vertical direction V may be limited by the retention box268, whereby the cantilevered arm266is held in tension within the retention box268, e.g., the cantilevered arm266and the latch264thereon may be biased into or towards the installation position illustrated inFIG.10, which may also be a locked position, e.g., a position in which the latch264is configured to engage the housing200and thereby prevent or limit removal of the air filter assembly201from the housing200. For example, the material memory of the cantilevered arm266may urge the cantilevered arm266towards the as-manufactured position, thereby biasing the arm266into the installation position and/or locked position when the arm266is constrained within the retention box268.

FIG.9provides an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the air filter assembly201including an exemplary retention box268thereof. As may be seen, e.g., inFIGS.7through9, the retention box268may include a plurality of walls, where each wall limits movement of the cantilevered arm266. For example, two or more of the walls of the retention box268may be mutually generally perpendicular, such as a first wall and a second wall generally perpendicular to the first wall, where the first wall adjoins the second wall, and the first wall and the second wall thereby at least partially define the retention box268of the air filter assembly201.

In some embodiments, the air filter assembly201may include a top wall272. The top wall272may be one of a plurality of walls of the retention box268. The top wall272may limit the movement, e.g., upward generally along the vertical direction V, of the cantilevered arm266. For example, the retention box268may also include a bottom wall276, e.g., the bottom wall276may be opposite the top wall272about a center of the retention box268along the vertical direction V. The bottom wall276and the top wall272may be spaced apart generally along the vertical direction V, e.g., such that the bottom wall276and the top wall272collectively define a vertical dimension, e.g., height, of the retention box268and thereby define upper and lower vertical limits of travel for the cantilevered arm266when the arm266is engaged with the retention box268.

In some embodiments, the retention box268may further include an outer wall274. The outer wall274may extend between the top wall272and the bottom wall276, such as from the top wall272to the bottom wall276, such as from a first end point defined at an intersection with one of the top wall272and the bottom wall276to a second end point defined at an intersection with the other of the top wall272and the bottom wall276. The outer wall274may be spaced apart from and generally parallel to a side of the air filter assembly, such as the upstream side240or the downstream side242of the air filter assembly201, whereby movement generally perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., generally along the lateral direction L, of the cantilevered arm266is limited by the outer wall274and the shell208, e.g., when the cantilevered arm266is engaged with the retention box268and the air filter assembly201is installed in the housing200. For example, the outer wall274may restrict movement of the cantilevered arm266and/or the latch264thereon away from the shell208of the air filter assembly201, such as outwards from the shell208in the upstream or downstream direction.

In some embodiments, the cantilevered arm266may extend longitudinally from a proximal end280which adjoins, e.g., is integrally joined to, the flange270, to a distal end282. The distal end282of the cantilevered arm266may be a free end, e.g., the distal end282may, in some embodiments, not be joined or fixed to the shell208or other portions of the air filter assembly201, other than indirectly via the remainder of the cantilevered arm266. For example, the cantilevered arm266may, in some embodiments, not be joined to the other portions of the air filter assembly201, such as the shell208, at the distal end282. The longitudinal direction of the cantilevered arm may be parallel to a travel direction, such as the air filter assembly201may be configured to translate in the travel direction between an inserted position in the housing200and an extracted position at least partially outside of the housing200, and the cantilevered arm266may extend, e.g., from the proximal end280to the distal end282, generally parallel to the travel direction, such as when the cantilevered arm266is in the locked position.

In some embodiments, the cantilevered arm266may include a tongue284at the distal end282. When the cantilevered arm266is in the locked position, the tongue284may be received in the retention box268. In such embodiments, the cantilevered arm266may be moved from the as-manufactured position (e.g.,FIGS.7and8) to the locked position (e.g.,FIG.10) by rotating and twisting the arm266such that the tongue284passes through an opening278in the retention box268and the tongue284thereby enters the retention box268through the opening278. For example, in some embodiments, the opening278may be defined by and between the bottom wall276of the retention box268and the shell208, e.g., as may be seen inFIG.9.

As mentioned above,FIG.10illustrates the cantilevered arm266and the latch264thereon in an installation or locked position, e.g., a position in which the air filter assembly201may be locked within the housing200or at least partially in the housing200by engagement of the latch264with the housing200.FIG.11provides a similar illustration, where the cantilevered arm266and the latch264thereon are in a release position, such as a position to which the cantilevered arm266may be moved, e.g., by a user's finger as illustrated. In some embodiments, the housing200may include a filter gate218(FIG.13) through which the air filter assembly201may be inserted into and/or removed from the housing200. The release position, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.11, may permit removal of the air filter assembly201from the housing200, such as the latch264may be clear of the filter gate218, e.g., entirely below an edge of the housing200which defines a top of the filter gate218, when in the release position, whereby the air filter assembly201may be removed from the housing200through the gate218without the latch264engaging the housing200. For example, in some embodiments, the cantilevered arm266and the latch264thereon may be movable between the locked position (e.g.,FIG.10) and the release position (e.g.,FIG.11) over an actuation distance, such as generally along the vertical direction V. Also as noted above, the bottom wall276and the top wall272may define upper and lower vertical limits of travel for the cantilevered arm266within the retention box268, such as the actuation distance may be defined by and between the bottom wall276and the top wall272of the retention box268.

As may be seen, for example, inFIG.12which is a view looking up at the retention box268, the bottom wall276of the retention box268may constrain vertical movement of the cantilevered arm266, such as by engaging the tongue284on the distal end282thereof. For example, the bottom wall276may define a lower limit of a range of motion of the cantilevered arm266, such as a lower limit of the actuation distance.

InFIGS.10and11, the travel direction is left and right on the page, e.g., an insertion direction is to the left and a removal direction is to the right. As may be seen, e.g., inFIGS.10and11, the latch264may include an inclined or oblique face and a vertical stop face opposite the oblique face. For example, the inclined or oblique face may be oblique to the vertical direction V and may be oriented towards the insertion direction, and the stop face may extend generally along the vertical direction V. Thus, when the air filter assembly201is inserted into the housing200with the cantilevered arm266in the installation position, the oblique face of the latch264encounters the edge of the housing200which defines the top of the filter gate218, whereupon the angle of the oblique face of the latch264permits the latch264and the arm266to deflect downwards, whereby the air filter assembly201may be inserted without manually actuating the latch264. When the air filter assembly201is in the installed position within the housing200, e.g., as seen inFIG.4, and translates along the travel direction, e.g., in the removal direction, the stop face of the latch264engages the housing200, e.g., at an inside top portion of the filter gate218, as illustrated inFIG.13, when the air filter assembly201is partially removed from the housing200. Thus, where the extracted position of the air filter assembly201is entirely outside of the housing200or at least partially outside of the housing200, the latch264may be configured to releasably engage the housing200when the air filter assembly201is in an intermediate position between the inserted position and the extracted position along the travel direction, such as about halfway out of the housing200, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.13. Accordingly, unintentional removal of the air filter assembly201from the housing200may be reduced or prevented by the latch264. In order to fully remove the air filter assembly201from the housing200, the latch264may be actuated, e.g., manually, as described above with reference toFIG.11. For example, as illustrated inFIG.13, when the air filter assembly201is in the intermediate position at which the latch264engages the housing200, e.g., engages the filter gate218thereof, at least a portion of the cantilevered arm266may be outside of the housing200such that a user may access the arm266in order to actuate the cantilevered arm266and/or the latch264thereon and thereby release or unlock the air filter assembly201from the housing200.