HVAC filter locking systems and methods
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a filter housing system of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes an enclosure configured to support a filter, a connecting channel disposed within a corner of the enclosure and coupled to the enclosure, and a locking system configured to couple to the connecting channel and configured to secure the filter within the enclosure. The locking system is configured to secure the filter within the enclosure via rotation of a screw.
1. A filter housing system of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
an enclosure comprising a plurality of sides configured to receive a filter having a frame, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the enclosure is configured to enclose a perimeter of the first end;
a connecting channel coupled to at least one side of the plurality of sides of the enclosure and extending outward from the enclosure, wherein an end portion of the connecting channel is configured to extend beyond the filter received by the enclosure, the at least one side of the plurality of sides of the enclosure comprises an internally-facing surface, the connecting channel is coupled to the internally-facing surface, and the internally-facing surface and the connecting channel are each configured to engage with the filter; and
a locking system configured to couple to the connecting channel at the end portion, wherein the locking system comprises a screw extending through an aperture of the locking system and configured to extend toward the enclosure and apply pressure to the second end of the filter extending beyond the enclosure to secure the filter in engagement with the enclosure via rotation of the screw.
2. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting channel is coupled to the at least one side via a rivet.
3. The filter housing system of claim 2 , wherein the rivet is disposed within a counter-sunk hole disposed within an external surface of the enclosure.
4. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sides comprises:
a first side and a second side formed from a first continuous panel; and
a third side and a fourth side formed from a second continuous panel, wherein the connecting channel is coupled to the first continuous panel and to the second continuous panel.
5. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the connecting channel comprises a hemmed portion, and the locking system is configured to fit within the hemmed portion.
6. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the screw is arranged and configured to apply pressure to the frame of the filter to secure the filter within the enclosure.
7. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one side of the plurality of sides comprises an externally-facing surface opposite the internally-facing surface and comprises a depressed portion formed in the externally-facing surface such that a portion of the internally-facing surface of the at least one side of the plurality of sides of the enclosure extends inwardly towards the filter received by the enclosure to form a guide configured to support the filter during installation of the filter.
8. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the locking system comprises a bracket, a nut, and the screw.
9. The filter housing system of claim 8 , wherein the nut is a rivet nut configured to be coupled to the bracket via riveting.
10. The filter housing system of claim 8 , wherein the screw is configured to apply direct force to the filter to secure the filter within the filter housing system.
11. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the screw is a thumb screw.
12. The filter housing system of claim 1 , comprising the filter.
13. The filter housing system of claim 12 , wherein the filter is a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
14. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the internally-facing surface of the at least one side of the plurality of sides is configured to extend along a corresponding side of the frame of the filter in an installed configuration of the filter in the enclosure, and the connecting channel is configured to engage with the corresponding side of the frame of the filter in the installed configuration.
15. The filter housing system of claim 1 , wherein the locking system comprises a bracket, and the connecting channel comprises an internal surface configured to engage with the filter and the bracket of the locking system.
16. The filter housing system of claim 15 , wherein the internal surface of the connecting channel is configured to engage with a corner of the filter, and the bracket is configured to extend crosswise from the internal surface of the connecting channel and overlap with the filter in an installed configuration of the filter in the enclosure.