EP4368909A1 - Appareil de déplacement d'air - Google Patents

Appareil de déplacement d'air Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4368909A1
EP4368909A1 EP23152292.1A EP23152292A EP4368909A1 EP 4368909 A1 EP4368909 A1 EP 4368909A1 EP 23152292 A EP23152292 A EP 23152292A EP 4368909 A1 EP4368909 A1 EP 4368909A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
impeller
housing
air inlet
appliance
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP23152292.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Aaron QIN
Yusuf KUC
Yingdan SHEN
Emiel Koopmans
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.)
Versuni Holding BV
Original Assignee
Versuni Holding BV
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
Application filed by Versuni Holding BV filed Critical Versuni Holding BV
Priority to PCT/EP2023/081526 priority Critical patent/WO2024104929A1/fr
Publication of EP4368909A1 publication Critical patent/EP4368909A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F24F8/80—Self-contained air purifiers
    • 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
    • F24F13/20—Casings or covers
    • F24F2013/205—Mounting a ventilator fan therein

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an air displacement appliance.
  • air displacement appliances may include an air treatment system for treating the air, such as one or more of an air purification system, e.g. comprising a filter assembly; an air cooling system; an air heating system; an air humidification system; an air dehumidification system; and a fragrance emitting unit.
  • an air purification system e.g. comprising a filter assembly; an air cooling system; an air heating system; an air humidification system; an air dehumidification system; and a fragrance emitting unit.
  • a traditional architecture for an air displacement appliance comprising an air purification system, in other words an air purifier, comprises an impeller arranged to draw in air through an air inlet provided in a side of the appliance's housing along an axial direction, and blow air out in a radial direction through an air outlet provided at an upper end of the appliance's housing.
  • Such a design may include a single squirrel-cage impeller, one air inlet, and one air outlet.
  • Other known architectures include an impeller arranged to draw in air through air inlets provided in opposite sides of the appliance's housing along an axial direction and blow air out in a radial direction through an air outlet provided at an upper end of the appliance's housing.
  • Such a design may include a single mirrored impeller, two air inlets, and one air outlet.
  • a so-called "tower” architecture is also known in which a centrifugal fan is arranged to draw air into the appliance's housing via an air inlet provided around a perimeter of the housing, and blow air towards an upper end of the housing.
  • an air displacement appliance comprising: a housing delimiting a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and an air outlet; a first impeller arranged such that air from the first air inlet is drawn axially into the first impeller and radially expelled from the first impeller; and a second impeller arranged such that air from the second air inlet is drawn axially into the second impeller and radially expelled from the second impeller, the air outlet being arranged to permit the air radially expelled from the first impeller and from the second impeller to pass therethrough to exit the housing, wherein the air outlet is provided around a perimeter of the housing such that the air exits the housing in frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • an airflow rate of the air displacement appliance may be effectively doubled in comparison to a single-impeller design.
  • a lower sound level can be achieved at the same flow rate.
  • energy consumption of the air displacement appliance may depend on fan efficiency and motor efficiency of motor(s) that may rotate the first and second impellers.
  • the fan efficiency value may change according to the impeller design. This value may be equal to the ratio of the hydraulic power produced to the mechanical power.
  • the dual impeller design when compared to a single fan design in the same volume, may provide a larger suction area, corresponding to suction from two separate zones (rather than suction from a single zone in the case of the single fan design). The larger suction area may increase fan efficiency.
  • air velocities may be relatively high in the case of the single fan design, especially in the single suction zone, and the fan efficiency may be correspondingly lower in the case of the single fan design.
  • the dual impeller design may provide a more efficient air displacement appliance compared to the single fan design. This more efficient air displacement appliance may provide comparable performance relative to the single fan design while consuming less energy.
  • the air displacement appliance may spread air relatively homogeneously in a room in which the air displacement appliance is operating in a relatively short period of time, for example in comparison to a scenario in which air exits the housing in fewer directions, such as in only one direction.
  • air when air is supplied into the room from fewer directions, for example from only one direction, it may take longer for the air to spread homogeneously in the room.
  • fresh air may be spread over a wider area in a shorter period of time.
  • Distributing the airflow to the frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions may also result in enhanced user comfort than, for instance, a scenario in which airflow is directed in fewer directions, such as only frontwards and backwards directions. This is because distributing the airflow in more directions can lessen the risk that a user positioned along such directions experiences an uncomfortably high velocity airflow.
  • closing off of the air delivery section of the system may be more likely, and the system's performance may be significantly impacted.
  • Arranging such a system in a corner of a room may mean that the entire area over which air is supplied may be relatively easily closed off, with concomitant significant detriment to the system's performance.
  • the air outlet of the air displacement appliance By providing the air outlet of the air displacement appliance according to the present disclosure around the perimeter of the housing such that air exits the housing in frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions, the risk of blocking of the air outlet, and concomitant interference with airflow, may be reduced.
  • the sidewards direction(s) along which air exits the housing via the air outlet include(s) a sidewards direction perpendicular to each of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the air outlet is provided around the perimeter of the housing such that the air exits the housing in the frontwards and backwards directions, a first sidewards direction, and a second sidewards direction facing away from the first sidewards direction.
  • the air outlet design may assist to enhance spreading of air relatively homogeneously in the room in which the air displacement appliance is operating in a relatively short period of time, as well as assisting to provide lower air velocities, and less risk of interference with airflow caused by blocking of the air outlet.
  • the first sidewards direction and the second sidewards direction each include a sidewards direction perpendicular to both of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the air outlet is provided around substantially the entirety of the perimeter of the housing, for example at least 70% of the perimeter of the housing.
  • air may exit the housing from all radial directions, e.g. via a 360 degrees fully open air outlet. This may assist to enhance spreading of air relatively homogeneously in the room in which the air displacement appliance is operating in a relatively short period of time. In other words, the air delivered via the air outlet may be able to disperse into the room faster, since the distance the air is required to move is effectively shortened due to the 360 degrees open air outlet.
  • the 360 degrees open air outlet Due to the 360 degrees open air outlet, operation of the air displacement appliance may be less likely to be adversely affected by the manner in which the air displacement appliance is used, e.g. positioned in a room, by the user. This is because the 360 degrees open air outlet may mean that closure, e.g. unintentional closure, of the entire air outlet is unlikely, thereby assisting to ensure consistent performance of the air displacement appliance that is minimally affected by the way in which the air displacement appliance is used.
  • the air displacement appliance may not be able to deliver air efficiently from a 90 degree portion of the air outlet, but may still deliver air effectively from the remaining 270 degree portion of the air outlet.
  • the 360 degrees open air outlet may assist to minimize performance being compromised by such positioning of the air displacement appliance in the room.
  • frontwards exit of air from the air outlet may be via a front part of the air outlet provided at a front portion of the housing, with backwards exit of air from the air outlet being via a back part of the air outlet provided at a back portion of the housing, and sidewards exit of air from the air outlet being via side part(s) of the air outlet provided at side portion(s) of the housing that extend(s), e.g. curve(s), between the front and back portions.
  • the air displacement appliance includes one or more outlet grids arranged in the air outlet.
  • the one or more outlet grids may be arranged to deflect the air exiting the air outlet.
  • the one or more outlet grids can, for example, be arranged to provide an upwards or downwards deflection of the air exiting the air outlet in the frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • the one or more outlet grids are adjustable to enable selection of angle at which the air exiting the air outlet is deflected by the one or more outlet grids.
  • a non-uniform distribution of outlet grids may be provided around the air outlet.
  • the air can be delivered more densely in some regions and less densely in other regions.
  • the air may turn the air displacement appliance so that they are faced by a portion of the air outlet having fewer outlet grids, in other words a portion in which the outlet grids are more widely spaced from each other.
  • the user wants to receive less air, he or she can turn the air displacement appliance so that they are faced by a different portion of the air outlet having more outlet grids, in other words a portion in which the outlet grids are more frequent/more closely spaced apart from each other.
  • Some conventional air displacement appliances include a cover called a volute to assist in pressurizing the air.
  • This type of cover may span a relatively large area and hence may increase the size of such air displacement appliances.
  • Such a cover may not be required for the air displacement appliance according to embodiments disclosed herein. There may be no need for such a volute.
  • a high-performance structure may be obtainable in a relatively limited space.
  • the first impeller may have a first periphery from which air is radially expelled from the first impeller
  • the second impeller may have a second periphery from which air is radially expelled from the second impeller.
  • the air outlet preferably aligns with the first periphery and the second periphery.
  • the air outlet aligning with the first periphery and the second periphery By the air outlet aligning with the first periphery and the second periphery, the air being radially expelled from the first impeller and the second impeller may directly exit the housing.
  • no volute, in other words scroll housing, for pressurizing air expelled from the first and second impellers may be needed, and therefore may be omitted.
  • the housing is an elongate housing whose length extends from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing.
  • the first end may be an upper end of the housing, with the second end being a lower end of the housing when the air displacement appliance is orientated for use.
  • the elongate housing has a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shape so that the elongate housing is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical.
  • substantially circular cross-sectional shape may refer to an elliptical cross-sectional shape.
  • the elongate housing has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as polygonal cross-sectional shape having rounded vertices.
  • the elongate housing has a soft triangular cross-sectional shape, with one side of the soft triangular shape corresponding to a front portion of the housing, and the other two sides respectively corresponding to a side portion and a back portion.
  • cross-sectional shapes can also be contemplated, such as a soft square or soft rectangular cross-sectional shape.
  • soft in the context of such soft polygonal cross-sectional shapes for the housing may refer to polygonal cross-sectional shapes having rounded vertices.
  • first impeller and the second impeller are arranged at an intermediate region along the length of the housing between the first end and the second end.
  • first impeller and the second impeller for example as well as a motor (or motors) for rotating the first and second impellers, in the intermediate region along the length of the housing, a center of gravity of the air displacement appliance may be lowered, thereby alleviating vibration of the air displacement appliance.
  • the air displacement appliance may comprise a foot assembly provided at the lower end of the housing.
  • the foot assembly is arranged to enable the air displacement appliance to stand on a surface, such as a floor.
  • the foot assembly may assist the air displacement appliance to balance when standing on the surface.
  • the foot assembly may assist to lower the center of gravity of the air displacement appliance, thereby assisting to alleviate vibration of the air displacement appliance.
  • the motor(s) that rotate the first and second impellers may be mounted via resilient mounting member(s) arranged to suppress transmission of vibration from the motor(s) to the housing.
  • the resilient mounting member(s) include absorber parts, e.g. rubber absorber parts, placed on motor mounting feet by which the motor(s) is or are mounted to the housing.
  • absorber parts e.g. rubber absorber parts
  • the first air inlet is arranged at or proximal to the first end
  • the second air inlet is arranged at or proximal to the second end
  • the air outlet is arranged in a central region along the length of the housing between the first air inlet and the second air inlet.
  • the first impeller and the second impeller may draw air into the housing from opposing ends of the air displacement appliance, and the air exiting the air displacement appliance may exit from the central region between the opposing ends.
  • This has been found to provide effective air displacement performance in combination with a relatively compact design.
  • this arrangement may assist in maximizing suction and air supply areas. Velocities can be reduced due to such relatively large areas, and a relatively quiet air displacement appliance can be correspondingly obtained (noting that lower velocities may result in lower sound levels).
  • the first air inlet is arranged at or proximal to the upper end of the housing and the second air inlet is arranged at or proximal to the lower end of the housing when the air displacement appliance is orientated for use.
  • air suction can be from both the upper and lower ends, with the air intake via the first air inlet drawing air from an upper area of the room, while the air intake via the second air inlet draws air from a lower area of the room.
  • the first air inlet is provided around the perimeter of the housing such that air enters the housing, via the first air inlet, from frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • Frontwards entry of air into the first air inlet may be via a front part of the first air inlet provided at the front portion of the housing, with backwards entry of air into the first air inlet being via a back part of the first air inlet provided at the back portion of the housing, and sidewards entry of air into the first air inlet being via side part(s) of the first air inlet provided at side portion(s) of the housing that extend(s), e.g. curve(s), between the front and back portions.
  • the second air inlet is provided around the perimeter of the housing such that air enters the housing, via the second air inlet, from frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • Frontwards entry of air into the second air inlet may be via a front part of the second air inlet provided at the front portion of the housing, with backwards entry of air into the second air inlet being via a back part of the second air inlet provided at the back portion of the housing, and sidewards entry of air into the second air inlet being via side part(s) of the second air inlet provided at side portion(s) of the housing that extend(s), e.g. curve(s), between the front and back portions.
  • air can be drawn into the first air inlet and/or the second air inlet from around the air displacement appliance along several radial directions.
  • the sidewards direction(s) along which air enters the housing via the first air inlet and/or the second air inlet include(s) a sidewards direction perpendicular to each of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the first air inlet and/or the second air inlet is or are provided around the perimeter of the housing such that the air enters the housing along the frontwards and backwards directions, a first sidewards direction, and a second sidewards direction opposing the first sidewards direction.
  • the first sidewards direction and the second sidewards direction each include a sidewards direction perpendicular to both of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the first air inlet and/or the second air inlet is or are provided around substantially the entirety of the perimeter of the housing, for example at least 70% of the perimeter of the housing.
  • a 360 degrees air suction may be provided.
  • the air inside the room can be drawn efficiently into the housing, e.g. at/proximal to upper and lower ends of the housing, and then, owing to the air outlet opening being provided around a perimeter of the housing, e.g. around substantially the entirety of the perimeter of the housing, the air can be delivered into the room from a relatively large area air outlet.
  • the first air inlet may be provided at an end, for example the first end or upper end, of the housing.
  • air may enter the housing, via the first air inlet, along a direction normal to such an end, e.g. the first end or upper end, of the housing.
  • the first air inlet can be regarded as being provided at a top side or top face of the housing.
  • the second air inlet may be provided at an end, for example the second end or lower end, of the housing.
  • air may enter the housing, via the second air inlet, along a direction normal to such an end, e.g. the second end or lower end, of the housing.
  • the second air inlet can be regarded as being provided at a bottom side or bottom face of the housing.
  • the first air inlet is (at least partly) provided at the top end, e.g. top side or top face, of the housing
  • the second air inlet is (at least partly) provided at the bottom end, e.g. bottom side or bottom face, of the housing.
  • the air displacement appliance may include at least one motor arranged to rotate the first impeller and the second impeller.
  • the at least one motor includes a first motor for rotating the first impeller, and a second motor for rotating the second impeller.
  • the first and second motors may be controllable independently of each other, for instance to enable rotation of the first and second impellers at different rotational speeds relative to each other.
  • the air displacement appliance includes a motor, in other words a common motor, arranged to rotate the first impeller and the second impeller.
  • the air displacement appliance including a common motor that rotates both the first impeller and the second impeller, there may be advantages in terms of size, cost, and energy consumption.
  • the air displacement appliance may be made more compact, and the complexity and cost of the design may be reduced, e.g. relative to embodiments in which a first motor rotates the first impeller and a second motor rotates the second impeller. Designs including two motors may require a larger space for accommodating the two motors, and two motors may require separate motor controller outputs. Hence dual motor designs may suffer from greater complexity and higher cost compared to embodiments in which a common motor rotates both the first impeller and the second impeller.
  • the motor is sandwiched between the first impeller and the second impeller, with a drive shaft of the motor comprising a first drive shaft portion extending from the motor to the first impeller, and a second drive shaft portion extending from the motor, in an opposite direction relative to the first drive shaft portion, to the second impeller.
  • Sandwiching the motor between the first impeller and the second impeller in this manner may assist to provide a relatively compact and robust design for the air displacement appliance.
  • a shaft length extending from the motor may be required to increase, thereby increasing torsion of the shaft and shortening the life of the air displacement appliance.
  • the motor may obstruct the flow, and cause an additional pressure drop, with concomitant decrease in efficiency of the air displacement appliance because more energy may be required to provide a given flow from the air outlet.
  • the motor is arranged to drive rotation of the first impeller and the second impeller from a position adjacent to the first impeller, so that the first impeller is positioned between the motor and the second impeller.
  • the motor is arranged to drive rotation of the first impeller and the second impeller from a position adjacent to the second impeller, so that the second impeller is positioned between the motor and the first impeller.
  • the air displacement appliance comprises an air treatment system configured to treat air displaced by the air displacement appliance.
  • the air treatment system can include one or more of: an air purification system, e.g. comprising a filter assembly, arranged to purify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance; an air heating system arranged to heat the air displaced by the air displacement appliance; an air cooling system arranged to cool the air displaced by the air displacement appliance; an air humidification system arranged to humidify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance; an air dehumidification system arranged to dehumidify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance; and a fragrance emitting unit arranged to emit fragrance into the air displaced by the air displacement appliance.
  • an air purification system e.g. comprising a filter assembly, arranged to purify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance
  • an air heating system arranged to heat the air displaced by the air displacement appliance
  • an air cooling system arranged to cool the air displaced by the air displacement appliance
  • an air humidification system arranged to humidify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance
  • an air dehumidification system arranged to
  • the air displacement appliance comprises a filter assembly for filtering air displaced by the air displacement appliance.
  • the filter assembly can, for example, include a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter material.
  • HEPA high-efficiency particulate absorbing
  • the filter assembly may comprise a gas removal material.
  • gas removal materials include active carbon, and porous and gas-absorbing materials, such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks.
  • HEPA and activated carbon layers included the filter assembly can be arranged separately or in a sandwich form.
  • the filter assembly may also have a pre-filtering structure.
  • the filter assembly comprises a first filter, with the first filter and the first impeller being arranged such that air from the first air inlet is drawn through the first filter prior to the filtered air being drawn axially into the first impeller and radially expelled from the first impeller.
  • the filter assembly may comprise a second filter, with the second filter and the second impeller being arranged such that air from the second air inlet is drawn through the second filter prior to the filtered air being drawn axially into the second impeller and radially expelled from the second impeller.
  • the inclusion of two filters may mean that it is possible to use first and second filters with different filtering properties relative to each other.
  • one of the first and second filters may include a filter configured to alleviate pet odor, while the other of the first and second filters may include a filter configured to alleviate cooking odor.
  • the air displacement appliance comprises a housing that delimits a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and an air outlet.
  • a first impeller is arranged such that air from the first air inlet is drawn axially into the first impeller and radially expelled from the first impeller.
  • a second impeller is arranged such that air from the second air inlet is drawn axially into the second impeller and radially expelled from the second impeller.
  • the air outlet is arranged to permit the air radially expelled from the first impeller and from the second impeller to pass therethrough to exit the housing.
  • FIGs. 1 to 4 show an air displacement appliance 100 according to an example.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 includes a housing 102.
  • the housing 102 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastic material, a metal and/or a metal alloy. Particular mention is made of the housing 102 being formed of a plastic material, such as an engineering thermoplastic, since this may assist the air displacement appliance 100 to be made more lightweight.
  • the housing 102 may have any suitable shape.
  • the housing 102 is an elongate housing 102 whose length extends from a first end 103A of the housing 102 to a second end 103B of the housing 102.
  • the first end 103A may be an upper end of the housing 102, with the second end 103B being a lower end of the housing 102 when the air displacement appliance 100 is orientated for use, as shown in FIGs. 1 , 3 and 4 .
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may comprise a foot assembly 105 provided at the lower end 103B of the housing 102.
  • the foot assembly 105 is arranged to enable the air displacement appliance 100 to stand on a surface, such as a floor.
  • the foot assembly 105 may assist the air displacement appliance 100 to balance when standing on the surface. Moreover, since the foot assembly 105 is provided at the lower end 103B of the housing 102, the foot assembly 105 may assist to lower the center of gravity of the air displacement appliance 100, thereby assisting to alleviate vibration of the air displacement appliance 100.
  • the housing 102 delimits a first air inlet 104, a second air inlet 106, and an air outlet 108.
  • the first air inlet 104 is defined by a plurality of holes of a perforate portion of the housing 102 that permit air to enter the housing 102.
  • the perforate portion may be provided at or proximal to the upper end 103A of the housing 102.
  • the perforate portion may, for example, be provided around a perimeter of the housing 102 proximal to the upper end 103A of the housing 102. This is illustrated by the example shown in FIGs. 1 to 4 .
  • the second air inlet 104 may be defined by a plurality of holes of a further perforate portion of the housing 102 that permit air to enter the housing 102.
  • the further perforate portion may be provided at or proximal to the lower end 103B of the housing 102.
  • the further perforate portion may, for example, be provided around a perimeter of the housing 102 proximal to the lower end 103A of the housing 102. This is illustrated by the example shown in FIGs. 1 to 4 .
  • the first air inlet 104 may be provided around a perimeter of the housing 102 such that air enters the housing 102, via the first air inlet 104, from frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions. Thus, air can be drawn into the first air inlet 104 from around the air displacement appliance 100 along several radial directions.
  • the sidewards direction(s) along which air enters the housing 102 via the first air inlet 104 include(s) a sidewards direction perpendicular to each of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the first air inlet 104 may be provided around the perimeter of the housing 102 such that the air enters the housing 102 along the frontwards and backwards directions, a first sidewards direction, and a second sidewards direction opposing the first sidewards direction.
  • first sidewards direction and the second sidewards direction may each include a sidewards direction perpendicular to both of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the first air inlet 104 is provided around substantially the entirety of the perimeter of the housing 102, for example at least 70% of the perimeter of the housing 102. Thus, a 360 degrees air suction may be provided. In this way, the air inside the room can be drawn efficiently into the housing 102 via the first air inlet 104.
  • the second air inlet 106 is provided around the perimeter of the housing 102 such that air enters the housing 102, via the second air inlet 106, from frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • the sidewards direction(s) along which air enters the housing 102 via the second air inlet 106 include(s) a sidewards direction perpendicular to each of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the second air inlet 106 may be provided, e.g. similarly to the first air inlet 104, around the perimeter of the housing 102 such that the air enters the housing 102 along the frontwards and backwards directions, a first sidewards direction, and a second sidewards direction opposing the first sidewards direction.
  • first sidewards direction and the second sidewards direction may each include a sidewards direction perpendicular to both of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the second air inlet 106 may be provided, e.g. similarly to the first air inlet 104, around substantially the entirety of the perimeter of the housing 102, for example at least 70% of the perimeter of the housing 102.
  • a 360 degrees air suction may be provided. In this way, the air inside the room can be drawn efficiently into the housing 102 via the second air inlet 106.
  • the first air inlet 104 is arranged at or proximal to the upper end 103A of the housing 102 and the second air inlet 106 is arranged at or proximal to the lower end 103B of the housing 102 when the air displacement appliance 100 is orientated for use.
  • air suction can be from both the upper and lower ends 103A, 103B, with the air intake via the first air inlet 104 drawing air from an upper area of the room, while the air intake via the second air inlet 106 draws air from a lower area of the room.
  • Such arrangement of the first and second air inlets 104, 106 at or proximal to the upper and lower ends 103A, 103B of the housing 102 respectively can be combined with the first and the second air inlets 104, 106 being each provided around the perimeter of the housing 102 such that air enters the housing 102, via the first and second air inlets 104, 106, from frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions. This has been found to provide a particularly effective air intake arrangement.
  • the width of each of the hole(s) through which air enters the housing 102 around the perimeter of the housing 102 may be measured and summed, and this sum divided by the perimeter and multiplied by one hundred.
  • the maximum width of each hole may be used for the percentage determination.
  • the elongate housing 102 has a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shape so that the elongate housing 102 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical.
  • substantially circular cross-sectional shape may refer to an elliptical cross-sectional shape.
  • a front portion 109A and a back portion 109B of the housing 102 may be separated from each other by a diameter of the cylindrical or substantially cylindrical housing 102.
  • side portions 110A, 110B may include, or correspond to, portions of the circumference of the housing 102 that curve between the front and back portions 109A, 109B.
  • the elongate housing 102 has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as a polygonal cross-sectional shape having rounded vertices.
  • the elongate housing 102 has a soft triangular cross-sectional shape, with one side of the soft triangular shape corresponding to a front portion of the housing 102, and the other two sides respectively corresponding to a side portion and a back portion of the housing 102.
  • cross-sectional shapes can also be contemplated, such as a soft square or soft rectangular cross-sectional shape.
  • a soft square or soft rectangular cross-sectional shape of the elongate housing 102 may mean that the elongate housing 102 is substantially cuboidal.
  • soft in the context of such soft polygonal cross-sectional shapes for the housing 102 may refer to polygonal cross-sectional shapes having rounded vertices.
  • Frontwards entry of air into the first air inlet 104 may be via a front part 104A of the first air inlet 104 provided at the front portion 109A of the housing 102, with backwards entry of air into the first air inlet 104 being via a back part of the first air inlet 104 provided at the back portion 109B of the housing 102, and sidewards entry of air into the first air inlet 104 being via side part(s) 104C, 104D of the first air inlet 104 provided at side portion(s) 110A, 110B of the housing 102 that extend(s), e.g. curve(s), between the front and back portions 109A, 109B.
  • An example of this is illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4 .
  • frontwards entry of air into the second air inlet 106 may be via a front part 106A of the second air inlet 106 provided at the front portion 109A of the housing 102, with backwards entry of air into the second air inlet 106 being via a back part of the second air inlet 106 provided at the back portion 109B of the housing 102, and sidewards entry of air into the second air inlet 106 being via side part(s) 106C, 106D of the second air inlet 106 provided at side portion(s) 110A, 110B of the housing 102 that extend(s), e.g. curve(s), between the front and back portions 109A, 109B.
  • FIGs. 3 and 4 An example of this is illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4 .
  • the air displacement appliance 100 includes a first impeller 116 arranged such that air from the first air inlet 104 is drawn axially into the first impeller 116 and radially expelled from the first impeller 116.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 further includes a second impeller 118 arranged such that air from the second air inlet 106 is drawn axially into the second impeller 118 and radially expelled from the second impeller 118.
  • the air displacement provided by the first and second impellers 116, 118 is represented in FIG. 1 by four arrows 119.
  • the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118 are arranged at an intermediate region along the length of the elongate housing 102 between the first end 103A and the second end 103B.
  • first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118 for example as well as a motor (or motors) 128 for rotating the first and second impellers 116, 118, in the intermediate region along the length of the housing 102, a center of gravity of the air displacement appliance 100 may be lowered, thereby alleviating vibration of the air displacement appliance 100.
  • an airflow rate of the air displacement appliance 100 may be effectively doubled in comparison to a single-impeller design.
  • a lower sound level can be achieved at the same flow rate.
  • the air outlet 108 is provided around the perimeter of the housing 102 such that air exits the housing 102 via the air outlet 108 in frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may spread air relatively homogeneously in a room in which the air displacement appliance 100 is operating in a relatively short period of time, for example in comparison to a scenario in which air exits the housing 102 in fewer directions, such as in only one direction.
  • air when air is supplied into the room from fewer directions, for example from only one direction, it may take longer for the air to spread homogeneously in the room.
  • fresh air may be spread over a wider area in a shorter period of time.
  • Distributing the airflow to the frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions may also result in enhanced user comfort than, for instance, a scenario in which airflow is directed in fewer directions, such as only frontwards and backwards directions. This is because distributing the airflow in more directions can lessen the risk that a user positioned along such directions experiences an uncomfortably high velocity airflow.
  • closing off of the air delivery section of the system may be more likely, and the system's performance may be significantly impacted.
  • Arranging such a system in a corner of a room may mean that the entire area over which air is supplied may be relatively easily closed off, with concomitant significant detriment to the system's performance.
  • the risk of blocking of the air outlet 108, and concomitant interference with airflow, may be reduced.
  • frontwards exit of air from the air outlet 108 may be via a front part 108A of the air outlet 108 provided at the front portion 109A of the housing 102, with backwards exit of air from the air outlet 108 being via a back part 108B of the air outlet 108 provided at the back portion 109B of the housing 102, and sidewards exit of air from the air outlet 108 being via side part(s) 108C, 108D of the air outlet 108 provided at side portion(s) 110A, 110B of the housing 102 that that extend(s), e.g. curve(s), between the front and back portions 109A, 109B.
  • the sidewards direction(s) along which air exits the housing 102 via the air outlet 108 may include a sidewards direction perpendicular to each of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the air outlet 108 is provided around the perimeter of the housing 102 such that the air exits the housing 102 in the frontwards and backwards directions, a first sidewards direction, and a second sidewards direction facing away from the first sidewards direction.
  • the air outlet 108 design may assist to enhance spreading of air relatively homogeneously in the room in which the air displacement appliance 100 is operating in a relatively short period of time, as well as assisting to provide lower air velocities, and less risk of interference with airflow caused by blocking of the air outlet 108.
  • the first sidewards direction and the second sidewards direction each include a sidewards direction perpendicular to both of the frontwards and backwards directions.
  • the air outlet 108 is provided around substantially the entirety of the perimeter of the housing 102, for example at least 70% of the perimeter of the housing 102.
  • air may exit the housing 102 from all radial directions, e.g. via a 360 degrees fully open air outlet 108. This may assist to enhance spreading of air relatively homogeneously in the room in which the air displacement appliance 100 is operating in a relatively short period of time. In other words, the air delivered via the air outlet 108 may be able to disperse into the room faster, since the distance the air is required to move is effectively shortened due to the 360 degrees open air outlet 108.
  • the 360 degrees open air outlet 108 Due to the 360 degrees open air outlet 108, operation of the air displacement appliance 100 may be less likely to be adversely affected by the manner in which the air displacement appliance 100 is used, e.g. positioned in a room, by the user. This is because the 360 degrees open air outlet may mean that closure, e.g. unintentional closure, of the entire air outlet is unlikely, thereby assisting to ensure consistent performance of the air displacement appliance 100 that is minimally affected by the way in which the air displacement appliance 100 is used.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may not be able to deliver air efficiently from a 90 degree portion of the air outlet 108, but may still deliver air effectively from the remaining 270 degree portion of the air outlet 108.
  • the 360 degrees open air outlet 108 may assist to minimize performance being compromised by such positioning of the air displacement appliance 100 in the room.
  • the air outlet 108 is defined by a grille portion of the housing 102 whose plurality of slots permit air to exit the housing 102.
  • the width of each of the aperture(s), e.g. slots, through which air exits the housing 102 around the perimeter of the housing 102 may be measured and summed, and this sum divided by the perimeter and multiplied by one hundred.
  • the maximum width of each aperture may be used for the percentage determination.
  • the first air inlet 104 is arranged at or proximal to the first end 103A
  • the second air inlet 106 is arranged at or proximal to the second end 103B
  • the air outlet 108 is arranged in a central region along the length of the elongate housing 102 between the first air inlet 104 and the second air inlet 106.
  • the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118 may draw air into the housing 102 from opposing ends 103A, 103B of the air displacement appliance 100, and the air exiting the air displacement appliance 100 may exit from the central region between the opposing ends 103A, 103B.
  • This has been found to provide effective air displacement performance in combination with a relatively compact design.
  • this arrangement may assist in maximizing suction and air supply areas. Velocities can be reduced due to such relatively large areas, and a relatively quiet air displacement appliance 100 can be correspondingly obtained (noting that lower velocities may result in lower sound levels).
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may include one or more outlet grids arranged in the air outlet 108.
  • the one or more outlet grids may be arranged to deflect the air exiting the air outlet 108.
  • the one or more outlet grids can, for example, be arranged to provide an upwards or downwards deflection of the air exiting the air outlet 108 in the frontwards, backwards and sidewards directions.
  • the one or more outlet grids are adjustable to enable selection of angle at which the air exiting the air outlet 108 is deflected by the one or more outlet grids.
  • a non-uniform distribution of outlet grids may be provided around the air outlet 108.
  • the air can be delivered more densely in some regions and less densely in other regions.
  • the user wants to receive more dense air, he or she may turn the air displacement appliance 100 so that they are faced by a portion of the air outlet 108 having fewer outlet grids, in other words a portion in which the outlet grids are more widely spaced from each other.
  • the user wants to receive less air, he or she can turn the air displacement appliance 100 so that they are faced by a different portion of the air outlet 108 having more outlet grids, in other words a portion in which the outlet grids are more frequent/more closely spaced apart from each other.
  • the first impeller 116 may have a first periphery 120 from which air is radially expelled from the first impeller 116
  • the second impeller 118 may have a second periphery 122 from which air is radially expelled from the second impeller 118.
  • the air outlet 108 preferably aligns with the first periphery 120 and the second periphery 122.
  • the air outlet 108 aligning with the first periphery 120 and the second periphery 122, the air being radially expelled from the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118 may directly exit the housing 102.
  • no volute, in other words scroll housing, for pressurizing air expelled from the first and second impellers 116, 118 may be needed, and therefore may be omitted, between the peripheries 120, 122 of either or both of the first and second impellers 116, 118 and the air outlet 108.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may include at least one motor 128 arranged to rotate the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118.
  • Any suitable type of motor 128 can be contemplated for the at least one motor 128, such as a brushless motor 128.
  • a brushless motor 128 may assist to make operation of the air displacement appliance 100 quieter.
  • Other types of motor 128 can be used.
  • the motor(s) 128 that rotate the first and second impellers 116, 118 may be mounted via resilient mounting member(s) (not visible) arranged to suppress transmission of vibration from the motor(s) 128 to the housing 102.
  • the resilient mounting member(s) may include absorber parts, e.g. rubber absorber parts, placed on motor mounting feet by which the motor(s) 128 is or are mounted to the housing 102.
  • absorber parts e.g. rubber absorber parts
  • energy consumption of the air displacement appliance 100 may depend on fan efficiency and motor efficiency of the motor(s) 128 that may rotate the first and second impellers 116, 118.
  • the fan efficiency value may change according to the impeller design. This value may be equal to the ratio of the hydraulic power produced to the mechanical power.
  • the dual impeller design when compared to a single fan design in the same volume, may provide a larger suction area, corresponding to suction from two separate zones (rather than suction from a single zone in the case of the single fan design). The larger suction area may increase fan efficiency.
  • air velocities may be relatively high in the case of the single fan design, especially in the single suction zone, and the fan efficiency may be correspondingly lower in the case of the single fan design.
  • the dual impeller 116, 118 design may provide a more efficient air displacement appliance 100 compared to the single fan design. This more efficient air displacement appliance 100 may provide comparable performance relative to the single fan design while consuming less energy.
  • the at least one motor 128 includes a first motor for rotating the first impeller 116, and a second motor for rotating the second impeller 118.
  • the first and second motors may be controllable independently of each other, for instance to enable rotation of the first and second impellers 116, 118 at different rotational speeds relative to each other.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may include a motor 128, in other words a common motor 128, arranged to rotate the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 including a common motor 128 that rotates both the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118, there may be advantages in terms of size, cost, and energy consumption.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may be made more compact, and the complexity and cost of the design may be reduced, e.g. relative to embodiments in which a first motor rotates the first impeller 116 and a second motor rotates the second impeller 118. Designs including two motors may require a larger space for accommodating the two motors, and two motors may require separate motor controller outputs. Hence dual motor designs may suffer from greater complexity and higher cost compared to embodiments in which a common motor 128 rotates both the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118.
  • the motor 128 is sandwiched between the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118, with a drive shaft 130A, 130B of the motor 128 comprising a first drive shaft portion 130A extending from the motor 128 to the first impeller 116, and a second drive shaft portion 130B extending from the motor 128, in an opposite direction relative to the first drive shaft portion 130A, to the second impeller 118.
  • Sandwiching the motor 128 between the first impeller 116 and the second impeller 118 in this manner may assist to provide a relatively compact and robust design for the air displacement appliance 100.
  • a shaft length extending from the motor 128 may be required to increase, thereby increasing torsion of the shaft and shortening the life of the air displacement appliance 100.
  • the motor 128 may obstruct the flow, and cause an additional pressure drop, with concomitant decrease in efficiency of the air displacement appliance 100 because more energy may be required to provide a given flow from the air outlet 108.
  • the air displacement appliance 100 comprises an air treatment system configured to treat air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100.
  • the air treatment system can include one or more of: an air purification system, e.g. comprising a filter assembly 132, 134, arranged to purify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100; an air heating system arranged to heat the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100; an air cooling system arranged to cool the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100; an air humidification system arranged to humidify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100; an air dehumidification system arranged to dehumidify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100; and a fragrance emitting unit arranged to emit fragrance into the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100.
  • an air purification system e.g. comprising a filter assembly 132, 134, arranged to purify the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100
  • an air heating system arranged to heat the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100
  • an air cooling system arranged to cool the air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100
  • an air humidification system arranged to humidify the air
  • the air displacement appliance 100 may include a filter assembly 132, 134 for filtering air displaced by the air displacement appliance 100.
  • the filter assembly 132, 134 can, for example, include a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter material.
  • HEPA high-efficiency particulate absorbing
  • the filter assembly 132, 134 may comprise a gas removal material.
  • gas removal materials include active carbon, and porous and gas-absorbing materials, such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks.
  • HEPA and activated carbon layers included the filter assembly 132, 134 can be arranged separately or in a sandwich form.
  • the filter assembly 132, 134 may also have a pre-filtering structure.
  • the filter assembly 132, 134 comprises a first filter 132, with the first filter 132 and the first impeller 116 being arranged such that air from the first air inlet 104 is drawn through the first filter 132 prior to the filtered air being drawn axially into the first impeller 116 and radially expelled from the first impeller 116.
  • the filter assembly 132, 134 may comprise a second filter 134, with the second filter 134 and the second impeller 118 being arranged such that air from the second air inlet 106 is drawn through the second filter 134 prior to the filtered air being drawn axially into the second impeller 118 and radially expelled from the second impeller 118.
  • the inclusion of two filters 132, 134 may mean that it is possible to use first and second filters 132, 134 with different filtering properties relative to each other.
  • one of the first and second filters 132, 134 may include a filter configured to alleviate pet odor, while the other of the first and second filters 134, 132 may include a filter configured to alleviate cooking odor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)
EP23152292.1A 2022-11-14 2023-01-18 Appareil de déplacement d'air Pending EP4368909A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2023/081526 WO2024104929A1 (fr) 2022-11-14 2023-11-10 Appareil de déplacement d'air

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2022131772 2022-11-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4368909A1 true EP4368909A1 (fr) 2024-05-15

Family

ID=84982292

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23152292.1A Pending EP4368909A1 (fr) 2022-11-14 2023-01-18 Appareil de déplacement d'air

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4368909A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20190075721A (ko) * 2017-12-21 2019-07-01 엘지전자 주식회사 공기청정기
US20200191153A1 (en) * 2017-09-01 2020-06-18 Lg Electronics Inc. Flow generator
KR20220120348A (ko) * 2021-02-23 2022-08-30 삼성전자주식회사 공기청정기

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200191153A1 (en) * 2017-09-01 2020-06-18 Lg Electronics Inc. Flow generator
KR20190075721A (ko) * 2017-12-21 2019-07-01 엘지전자 주식회사 공기청정기
KR20220120348A (ko) * 2021-02-23 2022-08-30 삼성전자주식회사 공기청정기

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