CN110869090A

CN110869090A - Portable air treatment device

Info

Publication number: CN110869090A
Application number: CN201880046787.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·温纳斯特罗姆
Original assignee: Blueair AB
Current assignee: Blueair AB
Priority date: 2017-07-14
Filing date: 2018-07-12
Publication date: 2020-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-12
Also published as: SE1750927A1; SE540939C2; CN110869090B; WO2019012043A1; EP3651864C0; EP3651864B1; EP3651864A1

Abstract

According to the invention, the invention relates to a portable air treatment device (100). The device comprises: a housing (120) comprising a rigid support portion (122) and a soft portion (124), the soft portion being arranged at the rigid portion to form an enclosed space (125) within the housing, the housing further comprising an inlet (126) arranged at the support portion to allow air to enter the enclosed space and an outlet (128) arranged at the support portion to allow air to exit the enclosed space; an air handling section (140) arranged at the inlet operable to handle a flow of air drawn into the enclosure from outside the enclosure through the inlet and out of the enclosure through the outlet, the air handling section comprising air moving means (142) for generating the flow of air and filtering means (144) arranged within the enclosure such that the flow of air passes through said filtering means.

Description

Portable air treatment device

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to the field of air treatment devices. In particular, the present invention relates to portable air treatment devices.

Background

Different types of air treatment devices are commonly used to remove contaminants from air. Air pollution levels are increasing worldwide, especially in urban areas. In large cities where traffic congestion sometimes severely degrades air quality, people often find it desirable to purify the air to protect themselves from inhalation of smoke or other forms of air pollution.

Since many people have to spend time outdoors, some solutions to the problem of harmful pollution in the air have been proposed. For example, there are personal respiratory masks that have filters to remove contamination. Although respiratory masks provide portable air filtration, one disadvantage is that they may not be very effective because the size of the filter may only be small.

Another disadvantage of such respiratory masks is that they may not be suitable for use with small children or persons with breathing disorders who find the restriction of airflow by the respiratory mask filter a difficult problem.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved portable air purification.

Disclosure of Invention

It would be advantageous to obtain a portable air treatment device that at least alleviates the above disadvantages. To better address one or more of these issues, a portable air treatment device is provided as defined in the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Thus, according to one aspect, a portable air treatment device is provided. The portable air treatment device includes a housing containing a rigid support portion and a flexible portion. The soft portion is disposed at the rigid portion to form an enclosed space within the housing. The housing further includes an inlet disposed at the support portion to allow air to enter the enclosed space, and an outlet disposed at the support portion to allow air to exit the enclosed space. The portable air treatment device includes an air treatment section disposed at the inlet, the air treatment section being operable to treat a flow of air drawn into the enclosed space through the inlet from outside the enclosed space and out of the enclosed space through the outlet. The air treatment section comprises air moving means for generating an air flow and filtering means arranged within the enclosed space such that the air flow passes through the filtering means.

The rigid portion is adapted to support the structure of the portable air treatment device, which allows the housing to have a less rigid portion. For example, the rigid portion may be allowed to have a soft portion. In this way, the air treatment device is lighter and thus more portable.

The soft and rigid portions form a housing into which air flows via the inlet and out of the housing via the outlet. In this way, the air flow is controlled and treated by the air treatment section. The inlet and outlet allow air to flow through the enclosed section.

The outlet also allows clean air to be directed to a preferred area.

Having a soft portion allows for a smaller and lighter air treatment device. The flexible portion may be foldable to allow for easier storage of the air treatment device when not in use.

The air treatment section is adapted to remove unwanted particles and gaseous compounds from air flowing through the housing or enclosure section. Particles and/or gases are removed from the air stream by means of a filter means, thereby providing cleaner air at the outlet than at the inlet of the housing.

The air moving means is arranged to move air in through the inlet of the housing and out through the outlet of the housing to create an air flow through the filtering means before exiting the housing. The air moving means is adapted to move sufficient air into the enclosed section or housing to fill it with air or at least partially inflate it, thereby causing air to exit through the outlet.

Having the air moving means at the inlet allows the air moving means to push air into the enclosed space, i.e. there is no need for air to be present in the enclosed space at the start of use of the device. This allows the use of a soft part, i.e. it does not have to be air-filled or provide a space for air to flow through itself. Instead, a space in the housing in which air flows is formed by expanding the soft portion. The soft part does not have to be fully inflated to move the air, it is sufficient to partially inflate the soft part to move the air.

With this portable air treatment device, air treatment can be used even while in motion or outdoors because of its relatively light weight and portability.

It has been recognized that by having a rigid portion and a flexible portion in the housing of the air treatment device, the weight and size of the air treatment device can be reduced. Having a lower weight or smaller size allows the air treatment device to be portable. In this way. A relatively large filter can be used in the device compared to a respiratory mask, thereby achieving better filtration, less maintenance and greater ease of use.

In this specification, the term "portable" is to be construed as being movable or easily movable by a person. The air treatment device is relatively easy to carry by an individual.

By "closed section" of the housing is understood that air does not substantially pass through the closed section at other sections than at the inlet or at the outlet.

The "rigid portion" is harder or more rigid than the soft portion and is sufficiently rigid to support the air treatment section, inlet, outlet and enclosure sections.

The "soft part" is soft and relatively thin, i.e. made of an elastic material, which allows to be flexible and to stretch or expand when filled with air, while keeping the weight low.

By "filter means" is meant any means for filtering air, i.e. means for removing particles or contaminants from air flowing through the filter means.

According to one embodiment, the soft portion is pocket-like and extends from the rigid portion.

In this manner the soft portion forms an enclosed space with the support portion, thereby enclosing the air and, as mentioned above, allowing the air to flow out of the enclosed space through the outlet.

The size of the enclosed space depends in part on how large the soft portion is or how much it extends from the rigid portion. Having a large pocket-like flexible portion allows having a larger air treatment section and allows treating more air with the air treatment device.

According to one embodiment, the soft portion comprises at least one of a dense textile, a plastic film, paper, a non-woven fibrous media, or a combination thereof.

The material is relatively airtight so that air is not expelled through the flexible portion but is contained within the enclosed space. This allows the closed space to be filled with air, so that the filter means is stretched and the air flows better and can be filtered more effectively.

According to one embodiment, the housing comprises means for opening and closing the enclosed space.

The means for opening and closing the enclosed space is sufficiently airtight to maintain a volume of air within the housing or enclosed space.

The means for opening and closing the enclosure is used to access the interior of the enclosure. The means for opening and closing the enclosed space may be used for accessing the air filtering means, e.g. for maintenance, replacement of the filtering means or for cleaning the air treatment device.

According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a tube attached to the outlet. The tube is attached such that air exiting the housing enters the tube at the end of the tube. The tube serves to direct air away from the housing.

Alternatively, or in combination with a tube attached to the outlet, a tube is attached to the inlet. This allows the air treatment device to be arranged within a space where clean air is required and air to be drawn from outside the space using a tube attached to the inlet.

According to one embodiment, the tube may be connected to a breathing mask, a baby carriage, a baby carrier, a crib or a tent. An end of the tube may be connected to at least one of the devices listed above, and the other end of the tube is attached to the outlet. This allows the treated air (i.e., air passing through the air treatment device) to be directed to another device or area where clean air is desired.

In this way, clean air may be distributed to, for example, a breathing mask, thereby making it easier for a user to breathe when filtering air without requiring the user to move the air with his or her breath.

The air treatment device may be configured to be disposed on the person's body, such as by a safety belt clip, harness, sling, handle, or otherwise, so that the person may easily carry it.

This also allows clean air to be moved into previously difficult spaces such as a stroller, baby carrier, crib, tent or the like. In this way, a child who may not be able to use the breathing mask may also obtain treated air.

According to one embodiment, the air treatment section further comprises an ionization unit arranged at the inlet of the housing to charge particles in the air flowing into the enclosed space.

The ionization unit charges the particles so that they can be more effectively filtered from the air flowing through the air treatment device. Having an ionization unit at the inlet of the housing to charge the particles allows for a relatively large filter within the enclosed space or housing to filter out the charged particles.

Furthermore, as the charged particles are more effectively filtered from the gas stream, the size of the required filter is reduced.

According to one embodiment, the ionization unit includes a collector electrode (collector electrode) disposed around an inlet of the housing and an emitter electrode (emitter electrode) disposed at a center of the inlet.

The collecting electrodes are arranged in such a way that all air passing through the inlet passes the collecting electrodes, which makes the particles in the air stream more efficiently charged.

Arranging the emitter electrode at the center of the inlet means that the maximum distance to the collector electrode is minimized, which results in a more efficient charging of the air stream.

According to one embodiment, the ionization unit is arranged upstream of the filtering means.

This is advantageous because, for example, the ionization unit charges particles flowing in the gas flow, which may increase the likelihood of the particles subsequently being captured by the filter means.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power source for powering the air treatment section. The power source is adapted to provide power to the ionization unit and/or the air moving means. The power source may be, for example, a battery, a mobile power source, or other suitable mobile power source. The power source may be connected to the air handling section, the air moving means or the ionization unit by, for example, an electrical cable.

In this way, the air treatment device need not be plugged into an electrical outlet, but is portable or mobile. The capacity of the power source may be selected such that the air treatment device may be used for 1 day, 2 days, or other number of days.

According to one embodiment, the air moving means comprises a fan arranged at the inlet of the housing. Arranging the air moving means at the inlet of the housing allows air to flow into the enclosed space, filling it with air.

When the enclosed space is filled with air, it at least partially expands. The expansion provides space for the filtering means to filter air. Once the enclosure is inflated, the air moved into the enclosure by the air moving means causes the air to exit the enclosure at the outlet.

The means for generating the air flow may be arranged on either side of the ionization unit.

According to one embodiment, the filtration means comprises a particulate filter medium, a molecular filter medium, or a combination thereof. In this way, a relatively large filtering area is obtained while keeping the device light in weight.

According to one embodiment, the filtration means comprises a bag filter or a pleated filter. In this way, a relatively large filtering area is obtained while keeping the device light in weight.

According to one embodiment, the filter means is arranged to extend along the inner side of the soft portion. The filter means extends in substantially the same direction relative to the rigid portion as the soft portion. This allows for a relatively large filter tool relative to the size of the housing and support portion.

According to one embodiment, the filtration means encloses the inlet. By enveloping the inlet is meant that the filter means is arranged such that all air flowing through the inlet also flows through the filter means. This allows for more efficient filtering of air flowing in through the inlet, as substantially all of the air passes through the filter.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to form embodiments other than those described in the following.

Drawings

The invention may be better understood by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable air treatment device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable air treatment device mounted on a stroller according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable air treatment device mounted on a respiratory mask according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portable air treatment device according to one embodiment, as viewed from the side.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable air treatment device 100 according to one embodiment.

The portable air treatment device 100 includes a housing 120 and an air treatment section 140. The housing includes a rigid support portion 122 and a soft portion 124. The soft portion 124 is arranged at the rigid portion 122 to form an enclosed space 125 within the housing. The air treatment device comprises a duct 160 for guiding treated air out of the air treatment device through the outlet 128.

More details of the air handling section 140 will be described with reference to fig. 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the use of a portable air treatment device. The portable air treatment device 100 is mounted on a stroller 200. The duct 180 guiding the treated air is arranged to guide the air into the roof 210 of the stroller 200. The hood 210 may, for example, be surrounded by a blanket 215, a mesh, or another fabric or material to enclose the space of the hood 210. In this way, the child in the stroller receives a treated air flow that has less contaminants or harmful substances than the air outside the hood.

Another embodiment using a portable air treatment device is shown in fig. 3. The air treatment device 100 is connected to a respiratory mask 300. The respiratory mask has an opening 310 to which the tube 160 of the air treatment device 100 is connected to the opening 310. The treated air exiting the air treatment device 100 is in this way directed via the tube 160 and is used by the person wearing the respiratory mask 300. The respiratory mask 300 may be any type of respiratory mask suitable for connection to a tube of an air treatment device.

The air treatment device will now be described with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of the portable air treatment device 100.

The air treatment device includes a housing having a rigid support portion 122 and a flexible portion 124. The air treatment device further comprises an air treatment section 140.

The rigid support portion 122 is substantially flat and extends in a plane. In some embodiments, the rigid support portion 122 is curved, but flat enough to support the air treatment device 100. In this embodiment, the rigid support portion 122 is oval, but may be rectangular, or have another shape. The rigid support section 122 is large enough to have an inlet 126 and an outlet 128 and to support the air treatment device 140.

The rigid support section 122 is sufficiently rigid to support the air treatment device without bending or flexing. The rigid support portion 122 comprises, for example, a rigid and resilient plastic, metal, or another rigid material. Preferably, the material of the rigid support portion is not heavy to keep the weight of the portable air treatment device low.

The soft portion 124 is pocket-like and extends orthogonally from the plane along the rigid portion. The soft portion may be formed from two sheets of material that are moulded or sewn together to form the bag, which are arranged around the edges of the rigid portion.

The soft portion 124 comprises a soft or flexible material, for example, comprising a dense textile, a plastic film, paper, a non-woven fibrous media, or a combination thereof. The soft portion 124 is airtight to keep air in the enclosed space. The soft portion comprises a flexible plastic material or another airtight and flexible material.

The housing 120 also includes an inlet 126 disposed at the support portion 122 to allow air to enter the enclosed space 125 and an outlet 128 disposed at the support portion 122 to allow air to exit the enclosed space. The inlet 126 and outlet 128 may, for example, be circular, oval, or rectangular holes in the rigid support portion 122. The inlet 126 and the outlet 128 are disposed adjacent to each other at the rigid support portion 122, but do not overlap.

The air handling section 140 includes an air moving means 142 and a filtering means 144. In this embodiment, the air moving means 142 is a fan disposed in the inlet 126 of the housing 120. The fan axis is perpendicular to the plane along the rigid support section 122 and is centered on the inlet 126. The fan has blades that rotate about the fan's axis to move air.

The filter tool 144 is disposed within the enclosed space 125 of the housing 120. In this embodiment, a filter tool 144 is disposed at the inlet 126 to enclose the inlet 126. The filter means 144 may also be arranged in other ways within the enclosed space 125 such that the air F flowing through the enclosed space 125 flows through the filter means.

The filtration means may comprise a particulate filter media, a molecular filter media, or a combination thereof. The filtration means may comprise a bag filter or a pleated filter.

In this embodiment, the air treatment section 140 includes an ionization unit 146, which is omitted in some embodiments. The ionization unit charges the particles in the air flow F, making them easier to filter by the filter means 144.

The ionization cell 146 includes an emitter electrode 148 disposed at the center of the inlet and a collector electrode 147 disposed around the inlet of the housing. The emitter electrode 148 is disposed on the support portion 149 at the center of the entrance. The support portions 149 are arranged on the rigid part of the housing on both sides of the inlet. The support portion 149 is elongated and long enough to extend across the diameter of the inlet 126 or past the inlet 126.

The ionization unit is disposed at the inlet 126 of the housing 120. In this embodiment, the ionization unit 146 is arranged downstream of the air moving means 142, which is also arranged at the inlet 126. However, the ionization unit 146 may alternatively be arranged upstream of the air moving means 142.

The tube 160 is disposed at the outlet 128 of the air treatment device 100. The tube 160 is elongated and flexible for directing air away from the air treatment device 100. The tube 160 comprises a plastic tube or another tube suitable for directing the flow of air F. In some embodiments, the tube has a reinforcing element (e.g., a wire embedded in the tube) to keep it in place once guided.

The air moving means 142 moves air through the inlet into the housing and the enclosed space. Thereby expanding the soft portion 124. When the soft portion 124, i.e. the closed space 125, is filled with air, the air starts to flow out through the outlet 128, thereby creating an air flow F between the inlet 126 and the outlet 128. When entering the enclosed space, the air flow F passes through or over the ionization unit 146. The ionization unit 142 ionizes particles in the air flow F. The filter means 144 then removes the particles from the air flow F.

The tube 160 directs the air flow F out of the housing 120 through the outlet 128 to a desired location or device, for example, a stroller 200 as described with reference to fig. 2, or a respiratory mask 300 as described with reference to fig. 3. Other devices contemplated are baby baskets, cribs or tents.

In this embodiment, the air treatment section, ionization unit and air moving means are powered by a power source 180. The power source 180 may be a battery or a mobile power source, or may be other portable power sources, such as small solar panels. The air treatment section, ionization unit and air moving means are connected to the power source 180 by one or more cables.

The speed of the air moving means, i.e. how much air it moves in a given time period, can be adjusted by adjusting means such as a regulator (not shown in the figure).

The housing 120 includes a tool 129 for opening and closing the enclosed space 125. In this embodiment, the tool 129 is a zipper. A zipper is disposed along the pliable portion and provides access to the interior of the enclosed space. The tool 129 may be used, for example, to replace or maintain a filter tool 144, an ionization unit 140, or an air moving tool 142. The tool 129 is reclosable.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The skilled person appreciates that various modifications, changes, and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

In addition, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A portable air treatment device (100) comprising:

a housing (120) including a rigid support portion (122) and a soft portion (124), the soft portion being arranged at the rigid portion to form an enclosed space (125) within the housing, the housing further including an inlet (126) arranged at the support portion to allow air to enter the enclosed space, and an outlet (128) arranged at the support portion to allow air to exit the enclosed space;

an air treatment section (140) disposed at the inlet and operable to treat a flow of air drawn into the enclosure from outside the enclosure through the inlet and exiting the enclosure through the outlet, the air treatment section comprising:

an air moving means (142) for generating the air flow;

a filter means (144) disposed within the enclosed space such that the air flow passes through the filter means.

2. The portable air treatment device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the soft portion (124) is pouch-shaped and extends from the rigid portion.

3. The portable air treatment device of any preceding claim, wherein the soft portion comprises at least one of a dense textile, a plastic film, paper, a non-woven fibrous media, or a combination thereof.

4. A portable air treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing (140) comprises means (129) for opening and closing the enclosed space.

5. A portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a tube (160) attached to the outlet.

6. The portable air treatment device of claim 5, wherein the tube is connectable to a mask (300), a stroller (200), a baby carrier, a crib, or a tent.

7. The portable air treatment device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the air treatment section (140) further comprises an ionization unit (146) disposed at the inlet of the housing to charge particles in air flowing into the enclosed space.

8. The portable air treatment device of claim 7, wherein the ionization unit (146) includes:

a trapping electrode (147) disposed about the inlet of the housing; and

an emitter electrode (148) disposed in the center of the inlet.

9. A portable air treatment apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the ionization unit (146) is arranged upstream of the filtering means.

10. A portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a power source (180) for powering the air treatment section.

11. A portable air treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the air moving means (142) comprises a fan arranged at an inlet of the housing.

12. The portable air treatment device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the filtering means (144) comprises a particulate filter medium, a molecular filter medium, or a combination thereof.

13. A portable air treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means comprises a bag filter or a pleated filter.

14. A portable air treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter means is arranged to extend along the inside of the soft portion.

15. A portable air treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter means encloses the inlet.