EP1169106A1 - Purificateur d'air - Google Patents

Purificateur d'air

Info

Publication number
EP1169106A1
EP1169106A1 EP01903071A EP01903071A EP1169106A1 EP 1169106 A1 EP1169106 A1 EP 1169106A1 EP 01903071 A EP01903071 A EP 01903071A EP 01903071 A EP01903071 A EP 01903071A EP 1169106 A1 EP1169106 A1 EP 1169106A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
air
filter
portable air
fan
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01903071A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1169106A4 (fr
Inventor
Don Bryce
David Curtis
Yani Deros
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Holmes Group Inc
Original Assignee
Holmes Group Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/611,513 external-priority patent/US6425932B1/en
Application filed by Holmes Group Inc filed Critical Holmes Group Inc
Publication of EP1169106A1 publication Critical patent/EP1169106A1/fr
Publication of EP1169106A4 publication Critical patent/EP1169106A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
    • B01D46/0002—Casings; Housings; Frame constructions
    • B01D46/0005—Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/108—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering using dry filter elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0071—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/28—Arrangement or mounting of filters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/15—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering by chemical means
    • F24F8/158—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering by chemical means using active carbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2279/00—Filters adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours specially modified for specific uses
    • B01D2279/50—Filters adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours specially modified for specific uses for air conditioning

Definitions

  • the field of the invention relates to air purifiers, particularly to portable air purifiers including HEP A filters.
  • Portable air purifiers for removing airborne particles are used in many homes and offices. Such purifiers often include a fine particle high efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter. In addition to a HEPA filter, some purifiers include a carbon filter to remove odors. The carbon may be incorporated within a fibrous matrix. A filter for trapping relatively large particles may also be found in portable air purifiers. In operation, one or more fans cause air to be drawn through the filter(s) and emitted through an outlet.
  • HEPA A high efficiency particulate air
  • HEPA filters have gained increasing acceptance for use in purifiers directed to consumers as they remove 99.97% of particles having a size equal to or greater than 0.3 microns.
  • a filter includes both a HEPA component and filter component, the lifespan of the filter is generally dependent upon the carbon component. This is because the trapping capacity of the carbon component is generally exhausted prior to that of the HEPA component.
  • Replacement HEPA filter elements are traditionally bulky and expensive inventory for retailers to maintain.
  • the retailer must stock the replacement filters for every air purifier that is sold, but the filters generally do not need replacement very frequently.
  • the retailers that carry air purifiers are required out of necessity to offer a line of different size units that are expensive to purchase, do not turn over very often, and take up a lot of shelf space.
  • the inventory is old and looks beat up.
  • a general problem associated with air purifiers is that the devices create noise which can be disturbing to the user. Most of the noise attributed to the air purifier is attributed to the airflow through the unit. Generally the noise levels generated by the unit will increase with the volume of airflow passing through the unit. In addition, the overall size of the unit is important too because it is also known that if portable purifiers could be made larger (while remaining portable) the unit would be quieter. Accordingly when assessing the performance characteristics of an air purifier the volume or Clean Air Delivery Rate ("CADR”), size and noise generated must all be considered.
  • ACR Clean Air Delivery Rate
  • a portable air purifying device for removing airborne particles.
  • the device includes a housing including an exterior surface formed with an air inlet and an air outlet.
  • the air outlet is formed as a plurality of openings.
  • a scroll is located within the housing and has walls formed with an intake opening and an exhaust port. The exterior surface and the walls define a cavity.
  • the cavity has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is in communication between the exhaust port and the air outlet.
  • a fan is positioned within the intake opening for drawing air in through the air inlet to pass through the scroll and the first portion of the cavity to be expelled through the air outlet while the second portion of the cavity is under a positive pressure.
  • a filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan.
  • the plurality of openings of the air outlet are formed as a grill.
  • the scroll preferably includes an exhaust duct portion having a first end and a second end with the walls defining a cross section of the exhaust duct portion. The first end is in fluid communication with the intake opening and the second end terminates at the exhaust port.
  • the cross section increases between the first end and the second end.
  • the walls of the scroll are configured to form a reducer at the intake opening having a cross section.
  • the fan preferably includes a motor mount assembly connected to one of the housing or the scroll; and a fan blade coupled to the motor mount assembly and positioned within the scroll adjacent to the reducer.
  • the cross section of the reducer is circular and decreases from the intake opening towards the fan blade.
  • the motor mount assembly preferably includes a motor, a motor mount ring, and a plurality of brackets.
  • the motor preferably has a shaft for coupling to the fan blade.
  • the motor mount ring is preferably attached to the motor and has a center.
  • Each of the brackets preferably has a pronged end attached to the motor mount ring and extending radially from the center, and a curved end for connecting to one of the housing or the scroll.
  • a wire ring is connected to at least two of the plurality of brackets adjacent to the curved end.
  • a grommet is located at the curved end of each bracket.
  • a portable air purifying device in an alternative embodiment, includes a housing, a fan, and at least two filter assemblies.
  • the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet.
  • the fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet.
  • the modular filter assemblies are positioned within the housing in parallel between the air inlet and the fan.
  • Each of the filter assemblies include a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame.
  • the housing includes a door configured to engage the filter assemblies.
  • each of the filter assemblies has a second filter element in series with the filter element.
  • the filter element is a HEPA filter and the second filter element is a removably attached carbon filter.
  • a family of portable air purifying devices is also presented in accordance with the present invention.
  • the family includes a plurality of portable air purifying devices.
  • Each of the plurality of portable air purifying devices include a housing, a fan, and a number of modular filter assemblies.
  • the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet.
  • the fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet.
  • the number of modular filter assemblies are positioned within the housing in parallel between the air inlet and the fan.
  • the filter assemblies have a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The number for at least one of the plurality of portable air purifying devices is different from the number for another of the plurality of portable air purifying devices.
  • Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown therein;
  • Figure 4 is a partially exploded rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1 with the filter assembly cover removed;
  • FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the filter assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 6 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the hanger and elongate hanger supports located at the side of the filter assembly;
  • Figure 8 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention that include the hangers and elongate hanger supports shown in Figures 26 and 29.
  • Figure 9 is a partially exploded rear view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention that includes the hanger and elongate hanger supports shown in Figures 30 and 31;
  • Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a first member of a family of air purifiers in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG 11 is an exploded perspective view of the air purifier shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 as shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 12A is an open view of the air purifier shown in Figure 10 looking at the fan and scroll relationship with the rear panel and top grill removed;
  • Figure 12B is a perspective view of the motor mount assembly of the air purifiers shown in both Figures 10 and 19;
  • Figure 12C is a partially exploded perspective view of the motor mount assembly shown in Figure 12B illustrating the relationship of the boss caps to the assembly;
  • Figure 12D is a front elevational view of the motor mount assembly shown in Figure 12B;
  • Figure 12E is a side elevational view of the motor mount assembly shown in Figure 12B;
  • Figure 12F is a perspective view of the fan blade of the air purifiers shown in both Figures 10 and 19;
  • Figure 13 is a front perspective view of a second member of a family of air purifiers in accordance with the present invention;
  • Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the air purifier shown in Figure
  • Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 as shown in Figure 13;
  • Figure 15A is an open view of the air purifier shown in Figure 13 looking at the fan and scroll relationship with the rear panel and top grill removed;
  • Figure 15B is a perspective view of the motor mount assembly of the air purifier shown in Figure 13;
  • Figure 15C is a partially exploded perspective view of the motor mount assembly showing the relationship of the boss caps to the assembly of the air purifier shown in Figure 13;
  • Figure 15D is a front elevational view of the motor mount assembly of the air purifier shown in Figure 13;
  • Figure 15E is a side elevational view of the motor mount assembly of the air purifier shown in Figure 13;
  • Figure 15F is a perspective view of the fan blade of the air purifier shown in Figure 13;
  • Figure 16 is a front perspective view of a third member of a family of air purifiers in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of the air purifier shown in Figure 16;
  • Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 as shown in Figure
  • Figure 18A is an open view of the air purifier shown in Figure 16 looking at the fan and scroll relationship with the rear panel and top grill removed;
  • Figure 18B is a perspective view of the motor mount assembly of the air purifier shown in both Figures 16 and 22;
  • Figure 18C is a partially exploded perspective view of the motor mount assembly shown in Figure 18B illustrating the relationship of the boss caps to the assembly;
  • Figure 18D is a front elevational view of the motor mount assembly shown in Figure 18B;
  • Figure 18F is a perspective view of the fan blade of the air purifiers shown in both Figures 16 and 22;
  • Figure 19 is a front perspective view of a fourth member of a family of air purifiers in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the air purifier shown in Figure 19;
  • Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 as shown in Figure
  • Figure 21 A is an open view of the air purifier shown in Figure 19 looking at the fan and scroll relationship with the rear panel and top grill removed;
  • Figure 22 is a front perspective view of a fifth member of a family of air purifiers in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of the air purifier shown in Figure 22;
  • Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 as shown in Figure
  • Figure 24 A is an open view of the air purifier shown in Figure 22 looking at the fan and scroll relationship with the rear panel and top grill removed;
  • Figure 25 is an exploded view of a filter assembly for the family of air purifiers shown in Figures 10 through 24;
  • Figure 26 is a partially exploded view showing the relation of the filter assembly to the housing
  • Figure 27 is a perspective view showing the filter assembly mounted to the housing inside the door
  • Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 as shown in Figure 27;
  • Figure 29 is a partial elevational view showing the connection of the filter assembly to the housing as shown in Figure 27;
  • Figure 30 is similar to Figure 26 but illustrates an alternative configuration of the housing;
  • Figure 31 is a view similar to Figure 29 of the housing shown in Figure 30.
  • an air purifying device 10 in accordance with the present invention is depicted.
  • the device includes a housing 12, a fan 14, a filter assembly 16, first and second hangers 18, 20, and first and second elongate hanger 22, 24 supports as shown in Figure 4.
  • the housing 12 includes an air inlet 26 and an air outlet 28.
  • both the air inlet 26 and an air outlet 28 are configured as a grill with a plurality of slot-like openings or the like formed in the exterior walls of the housing 12.
  • the housing 12 preferably includes a filter assembly cover 30 that is removable and has the air inlet 26 formed therein as shown in Figure 2.
  • the housing 12 preferably includes an inner grate 32 having a plurality of slot-like openings positioned between the filter assembly 16 and the fan 14. The particular shapes of the openings is not deemed critical so long as they permit satisfactory throughput of air.
  • the lower portion of the housing 12 below the filter assembly 16 preferably includes a plurality of stiffening ribs 34 to strengthen the housing 12 between the air inlet 26 and the inner grate 32.
  • the housing 12 is preferably configured to accommodate a control knob 36 for adjusting the fan speed to control the flow of air.
  • the housing 12 is preferably made from a light weight durable material such as a rigid plastic.
  • the fan 14 includes an electric motor 38, which is preferably operable on alternating current, and a fan blade 40 that is coupled to the electric motor 38 by a drive shaft 42.
  • the fan 14 is positioned within the housing 12 so that air is drawn through the air inlet 26 and is expelled through the air outlet 28 as shown in Figure 3.
  • the fan 14 is a forward curved centrifugal blower which draws air in axially to the center of the fan blade 40 and then expels the air out radially into a scroll 44.
  • the scroll 44 is preferably attached to the air outlet 28 of the housing 12 to accommodate the resulting airflow.
  • the filter assembly 16 is positioned within the housing 12 between the air inlet 26 and the fan 14.
  • the filter assembly 16 includes a frame 46 and a filter element 48 mounted to the frame 46 as shown in Figures 3 and 5.
  • the filter element 48 is a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
  • the frame 46 has an exterior surface 50 including top 52 and first and second side surfaces 54, 56.
  • the frame 46 preferably includes a top wall 58, a bottom wall 60, and first and second opposing side walls 62, 64 connecting the top and bottom walls 58, 60 with the filter element 48 being positioned within the walls as shown in Figure 5.
  • the frame 46 is generally rectangular, but could include other shapes and sizes.
  • the frame 46 includes an outlet end 66 and an inlet end 68.
  • a support 70 is coupled to the outlet end 66 of the frame 46.
  • the support 70 includes a plurality of strap-like elements 72 which extend across the frame 46 to maintain the filter element 48 against the air pressure created by the fan 14 as air is drawn through the filter assembly 16.
  • a seal 74 is preferably mounted to the outlet end 66 of the frame 46.
  • the housing 12 is formed with a cavity 76 defined by a perimeter 78 that is adapted to bear against the seal 74 when the filter assembly 16 and filter assembly cover 30 are installed.
  • a substantially air-tight seal is formed by the engagement of the frame seal 74 and housing 12. Operation of the blower tends to draw the frame 46 towards the housing 12, thereby enhancing the seal.
  • the first and second hangers 18, 20 are coupled to the frame 46 of the filter assembly 16.
  • Each of the hangers 18, 20 preferably includes a channel 80.
  • the hangers 18, 20 are coupled to an exterior surface 50 of the frame 46 as shown in Figures 5 and 7.
  • the hangers 18, 20 are coupled to the top surface 52 of the frame 46 as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
  • the first and second hangers 18, 20 are respectively coupled to the first and second side surfaces 54, 56 of the frame 46 as shown in Figure 7 (second hanger not shown).
  • each hanger 18, 20 includes at least one pair of converging walls 82 bounding the channel 80 as shown in Figure 3.
  • each of the hangers 18, 20 preferably includes two pairs of converging walls.
  • the converging walls 82 serve to ensure that the filter assembly is installed correctly.
  • the channels 80 are plugged at their end adjacent to the inlet end 68 of the frame 46 to prevent the filter assembly 16 from being installed backwards.
  • Figures 4 and 5 is generally rectangular, the cross section can also be circular, ovular, triangular or polygonal provided that the first and second elongate hanger supports 22, 24 as described below are configured accordingly.
  • first and second hangers 18, 20 the present invention can be practiced with only one hanger.
  • first and second elongate hanger supports 22, 24 are mounted to the housing 12.
  • the first and second elongate hanger supports 22, 24 are respectively configured to be removably extended within the first and second hangers 18, 20. While the filter assembly 16 should be easily installed or removed, a relatively snug fit between the hangers 18, 20 and hanger supports 22, 24 is preferred. Such a fit will provide for frictional retention of the filter assembly 16. Detents may optionally be provided on the hangers 18, 20 and/or hanger supports 22, 24 for retention purposes.
  • the hanger supports 22, 24 provide support for the filter assembly 16 so that it can be hung between the air inlet 26 and the fan 14.
  • the hanger supports 22, 24 preferably, but not necessarily, provide the sole means of supporting the filter assembly 16. As noted above with respect to the first and second hangers 18, 20, the present invention can be practiced with only one hanger support.
  • FIG. 6 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown where the first and second hangers 18, 20 are coupled to the housing 12 and the first and second elongate hanger supports 22, 24 are coupled the frame 40 of the filter assembly 16.
  • the alternative embodiment is similar to the embodiment that is shown in Figures 4 and 5 as the hanger supports 22, 24 are coupled to the top surface 52 of the frame 46.
  • the alternative embodiment can be similarly configured to that as shown in Figure 7, where the hanger supports 22, 24 are coupled to the side surfaces 54, 56 of the frame 46 and the hangers 18, 20 are coupled to the housing 12.
  • first and second hangers 18, 20 and first and second elongate hanger supports 22, 24 one of the hangers is coupled to the frame 46 of the filter assembly 16 while the other is coupled to the housing 12.
  • the hanger supports 22, 24 are similarly coupled to cooperate with the hangers 18, 20 for supporting the filter assembly 16. This configuration is beneficial in that the arrangement 18, 20 of the hangers and hanger supports 22, 24 ensures that the filter assembly 16 is not installed backwards.
  • control knob 36 on the housing 12 is turned by the user to select a desired fan speed.
  • Rotation of the fan blade 40 causes air to be drawn into the air inlet 26 through the filter assembly 16.
  • the filtered air then moves through the inner grate 32 and enters the fan 14.
  • the fan 14 expels the air into the scroll 44 which then exits through the air outlet 28. Since the filter assembly 16 restricts the airflow, considerable suction is created across the outlet end 66 of the filter assembly 16 causing the filter assembly 16 to be drawn towards the perimeter 78 of the cavity 76. This enhances the engagement of the seal 74 and the perimeter 78 of the housing cavity 76 to ensure that unfiltered air does not bypass the filter assembly 16 prior to entering the fan 14.
  • the filter assembly 16 of the air purifier 10 is easily replaced.
  • the filter assembly cover 30 is first removed and then the spent filter assembly 16 is taken off the elongate hanger supports 22, 24.
  • the new filter assembly 16 is installed by aligning the hangers thereof with the hanger supports and sliding the new filter assembly onto the hanger supports 22, 24.
  • the hangers 18, 20 and hanger supports 22, 24 are advantageous because a user is assured that the correct replacement filter assembly 16 is being used when it is properly mounted to the air purifier 10.
  • the converging walls 82 of the hangers 18, 20 are beneficial to the user in that they prevent the user from installing the filter assembly 16 backwards.
  • the present invention can also be used in a family of air purifiers 110 that use a modular filter assembly 116.
  • the air purifying devices 110 generally include a housing 112, a fan 114, at least one filter assembly 116, at least one set of first and second hangers 118, 120, and at least one set of first and second elongate hanger supports 122, 124.
  • the housings 112 also include air inlets 126 and air outlets 128 as described above.
  • All of the purifiers 110 shown in Figures 10, 13, 16, 19, and 22 are configured to use the same filter assembly 116 that is detailed in Figures 25 through 31.
  • the air purifying devices 110 use either 2, 3 or 4 filter assemblies 116.
  • an air purifier can be configured to use only 1 filter assembly 116 as evidenced by the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 9.
  • the exploded views also illustrate that the filter assemblies 116 can be either vertically hung (as shown in Figures 17 and 23), cantilevered—horizontally arranged ⁇ (as shown in Figures 11 and 20), or a combination of both vertically hanging and cantilevering (as shown in Figure 14).
  • the filter assembly 116 includes a frame 146 and a first filter element 148 mounted within the frame 146 and preferably a second filter element 152 mounted on the intake side 168 of the filter assembly 116.
  • the first filter element 148 is a HEPA filter for removing particulate matter and the second filter element 148 is a carbon filter 152 for removing odors.
  • the second filter element 152 is preferably removably attached to the filter assembly 116 by a plurality of filter tabs 154.
  • the frame 146 of the filter assembly 116 has an exterior surface 150 and preferably includes a top wall 158, a bottom wall 160, and first and second opposing side walls 162, 164 connecting the top and bottom walls 158, 160 with the first filter element 148 being positioned within the walls.
  • the frame 146 is generally rectangular, but could include other shape and sizes.
  • the frame 146 includes straps 166 that extend between the first and second opposing side walls 162, 164.
  • the frame 146 is preferably configured to receive a rubber gasket 174 to ensure a good seal against the housing.
  • the frame 146 includes a lip 170 that extends around the perimeter of the frame 146 formed with a recess for receiving the gasket 174.
  • the filter assembly 146 also includes at least one hanger for facilitating the connection to an elongate hanger support.
  • the filter assembly includes first and second hangers 118, 120.
  • Each hanger 118, 120 preferably includes a pair of legs 119 attached to the top wall 158 at the lip 170 to form an open "C" shaped section. This arrangement defines a gap 121 between the legs 119.
  • the elongate hanger supports 122, 124 are attached at one end to the housing 112 as a cantilever.
  • the elongate hanger supports 122, 124 include at least one rib 130 extending between the gap, and most preferably a pair of ribs 130 that are arranged to contact the legs of the hanger 118, 120 when the filter assembly 116 is installed thereon as shown in Figure 29.
  • the ribs 130 help stiffen the elongate member 122, 124 against bending and reduce the rotation of the filter assembly 116 when the filter assembly 116 is cantilevered—horizontally arranged—as shown in Figures 11 and 20.
  • the housing 112 includes a wall element 132 that is attached to the ribs 130 and runs substantially perpendicular thereto as shown in Figures 30 and 31.
  • Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention that includes the housing 12 and filter assembly 16 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5 while utilizing the hangers 118, 120 and hanger supports 122, 124 as detailed in Figures 29 and 31.
  • the air purifiers 110 preferably include a door 134 for gaining access to the filter assemblies 116.
  • the filter assembly 116 is shown positioned within the housing 12 with respect to the door 134.
  • the door 134 includes door tabs 136 that are configured to make contact with the filter tabs 154 that secure the second filter element 152 to the filter assembly 116. The contact helps ensure that a good seal is maintained between the gasket 174 and housing 112.
  • the door tabs 136 can be arranged to make contact with the filter tabs 154 in a variety of ways as shown in Figures 27 and Figure 15.
  • the door tabs 136 are arranged to span the filter assembly 116 in a horizontal manner.
  • the filter assembly 116 is hung vertically as shown in Figure 27 preferably at least one pair of door tabs 136 makes contact with the filter tabs 154 on opposite side walls 162, 164.
  • the filter assembly 116 is cantilevered as represented by the top filter assembly 116 in Figure 15 preferably at least one pair of door tabs 136 makes contact with the filter tabs 154 on the top and bottom walls 158, 160.
  • the family of air purifiers 110 formed in accordance with the present invention solves a huge problem with retailers that market air purifiers.
  • the family of air purifiers 110 includes a variety of members designed to have different Clean Air Delivery Rates ("CADR") to suit consumers particular performance requirements.
  • the filter assembly disclosed herein can be used in all the members' housings. This allows retailers to stock a single filter assembly 116 to suit the demands of all consumers. This benefits the retailer because the filter assemblies will turn over more frequently and the retailer does not have to allocate as much shelf space as is needed to stock a variety of different size units.
  • the filter assembly 116 also provides advantages in reducing shelf space by having the hangers formed as an open "C" shaped section that defines the gap 121.
  • the hanger 118, 120 could have been designed as illustrated by the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5 without a gap 121, but it was found that the gap allows for the packaging size for the replacement filter assemblies 116 to be reduced if the ribs 130 of the elongate members 122, 124 are allowed to extend between the legs 119 of each hanger 118, 120.
  • Housing 112 design having a cavity 176 that extends around the perimeter thereof;
  • Figures 12 A, 15 A, 18 A, 21 A, and 24A all illustrate the same view for each purifier. Accordingly for the remainder of this disclosure reference to a similarly noted group of Figures will be hereinafter referred to as the "A drawings,” “B drawings” etc.
  • each purifier has an exterior surface 180 that is formed with the air inlet 126 and air outlet 128.
  • the scroll 144 is located within the housing 112 and has walls 182 formed with an intake opening 184 and an exhaust port 186.
  • the exterior surface 180 and the walls 182 define the cavity 176.
  • the cavity 176 has a first portion 188 and a second portion 190.
  • the first portion 188 is in communication between the exhaust port 186 and the air outlet 128.
  • the scroll 144 preferably includes an exhaust duct portion 192 having a first end 194 and a second end 196 with the walls 182 defining a cross section of the exhaust duct portion 192.
  • the first end 194 is in fluid communication with the intake opening 184 and the second end 196 terminates at the exhaust port 186.
  • the cross section increases between the first end 194 and the second end 196.
  • the walls 182 of the scroll 144 are configured to form a reducer 198 at the intake opening 184 having a cross section.
  • the cross section of the reducer 198 is circular and decreases from the intake opening 184 towards the fan blade 200.
  • the fan 114 preferably includes a motor mount assembly 178 connected to either the housing 112 or the scroll 144, and a fan blade 200 coupled to the motor mount assembly 178.
  • the fan blade 200 is positioned within the scroll 144 adjacent to the reducer 198.
  • the motor mount assembly 178 and fan blade 200 for the first member ( Figure 10) and the fourth member (Figure 19) of the family of air purifiers are the same and are shown in Figures 12B through 12F.
  • the motor mount assembly 178 and fan blade 200 for the third member ( Figure 16) and the fifth member (Figure 22) of the family of air purifiers are the same and are shown in Figures 18B through 18F.
  • the motor mount assembly 178 includes a motor 202 and motor mount frame 204 attached to the motor 202.
  • the assembly 178 also includes a motor mount ring 206 that has a center and facilitates the connection between the motor 202 and motor mount frame 204.
  • the motor 202 is generally an electric motor that is powered by A.C. current.
  • the motor 202 preferably has a shaft 210 for coupling to the fan blade 200.
  • the motor mount frame 204 preferably includes a plurality of U-shaped brackets 208 made from wire.
  • Each of the brackets 208 preferably has a pronged end 212 that is attached to the motor mount ring 206 and extends radially from the center, and a curved end 214 for connecting to either the housing 112 or the scroll 144.
  • a wire ring 216 is connected to at least two of the plurality of brackets 208 adjacent to the curved end 214 for stiffenning the motor mount frame 204.
  • a grommet 218 made from rubber is located at the curved end 214 of each bracket.
  • the mounting assembly 178 also includes boss caps 220 to fit over the star shaped bosses 222 of the housing 112 or scroll 144 as shown in Figure 13.
  • the mounting assembly 178 is generally secured with screws through washers to sandwich the grommet 218 between the boss cap 220.
  • the motor mount assembly 178 is advantageous because it is designed to reduce air turbulence and vibration providing for quieter operation without loss of CADR.
  • the fan blade 200 includes a plurality of fins 224 sandwiched between a circular plate 226 and a circular ring 228.
  • the circular plate 226 is preferably formed with an opening in the center for cooperating with the shaft 210 of the motor 202.
  • the fan blade 200 is made from plastic such as ABS.
  • the configuration of the fan blade 200 is also significant in enhancing each air purifiers performance characteristics.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de purification d'air (10) portable permettant d'extraire des particules en suspension. Le dispositif comprend un logement (12) comprenant une surface extérieure pourvue d'une entrée d'air (26) et d'une sortie d'air (28). La sortie d'air est constituée d'une pluralité d'ouvertures. Une volute (44) est placée à l'intérieur du logement et elle est pourvue de parois présentant une ouverture d'admission (194) et un orifice d'échappement (186). La surface extérieure et les parois définissent une cavité (76). La cavité présente une première portion et une seconde portion. La première portion communique avec l'orifice d'échappement et avec la sortie d'air. Un ventilateur (14) est placé à l'intérieur de l'ouverture d'admission de manière à attirer l'air à travers l'entrée d'air pour qu'il traverse la volute et la première portion de la cavité et qu'ils soit évacué à travers la sortie d'air, alors que la seconde portion de la cavité est placée sous pression positive. Un ensemble filtre (48) est monté à l'intérieur du logement entre l'entrée d'air et le ventilateur. Le dispositif peut également comprendre un second ensemble filtre.
EP01903071A 2000-01-14 2001-01-12 Purificateur d'air Withdrawn EP1169106A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17641300P 2000-01-14 2000-01-14
US17625300P 2000-01-15 2000-01-15
US176253P 2000-01-15
US09/611,513 US6425932B1 (en) 1999-07-07 2000-07-07 Air purifier
PCT/US2001/001272 WO2001051169A1 (fr) 2000-01-14 2001-01-12 Purificateur d'air
US611513 2003-07-01
US176413P 2009-05-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1169106A1 true EP1169106A1 (fr) 2002-01-09
EP1169106A4 EP1169106A4 (fr) 2003-03-26

Family

ID=27390649

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01903071A Withdrawn EP1169106A4 (fr) 2000-01-14 2001-01-12 Purificateur d'air

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1169106A4 (fr)
CA (1) CA2366656C (fr)
WO (1) WO2001051169A1 (fr)

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CN107388439A (zh) * 2017-08-17 2017-11-24 长兴普艾尔环境科技有限公司 用于电子仪器室的过滤系统

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101005862A (zh) 2004-08-20 2007-07-25 日晷公司 低型面空气净化器的方法和设备
US8273144B2 (en) * 2009-10-12 2012-09-25 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Air treatment device and housing for an air treatment device
ES2734948B2 (es) * 2018-06-07 2020-05-08 Zobele Espana Sa Dispositivo de purificación de aire

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JPH06262020A (ja) * 1993-03-11 1994-09-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 空気清浄器
US5407469A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-04-18 Sunova Company Improved air ionizing apparatus
EP0933600A2 (fr) * 1998-02-02 1999-08-04 Carrier Corporation Purificateur d'air

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JPH01121643A (ja) * 1987-11-02 1989-05-15 Mitsubishi Electric Corp フィルタ付き換気扇
JPH01168315A (ja) * 1987-12-23 1989-07-03 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 空気清浄器
US4858683A (en) * 1988-04-04 1989-08-22 Heil-Quaker Corporation Stamped discharge grille including two louvred sections
US6004367A (en) * 1998-02-02 1999-12-21 Carrier Corporation Front access cover for air purifier

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06262020A (ja) * 1993-03-11 1994-09-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 空気清浄器
US5407469A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-04-18 Sunova Company Improved air ionizing apparatus
EP0933600A2 (fr) * 1998-02-02 1999-08-04 Carrier Corporation Purificateur d'air

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 664 (C-1288), 15 December 1994 (1994-12-15) & JP 06 262020 A (MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD), 20 September 1994 (1994-09-20) *
See also references of WO0151169A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107388439A (zh) * 2017-08-17 2017-11-24 长兴普艾尔环境科技有限公司 用于电子仪器室的过滤系统

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1169106A4 (fr) 2003-03-26
CA2366656A1 (fr) 2001-07-19
CA2366656C (fr) 2005-08-02
WO2001051169A1 (fr) 2001-07-19

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