GB2584102A

GB2584102A - Air purification display unit

Info

Publication number: GB2584102A
Application number: GB1907113.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hohmann Stefan
Original assignee: Hojo Consulting Ltd
Current assignee: Hojo Consulting Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-20
Filing date: 2019-05-20
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Also published as: GB201907113D0

Abstract

An air-purifying display unit comprises a display unit housing (52, Fig. 2) defining a display surface (54, Fig. 2); and an air purification member 10 in communication with the display unit housing, characterised in that the air purification member comprises an ionisation air purifier which applies an electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in air passing through the ionisation air purifier. The housing may have an entry aperture 18, an exit aperture 20 and a channel 22 therebetween to permit airflow. The air purification member may comprise an ionisation member 38 which applies a first electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in the air flowing in the channel; and a collection plate 40 having a second electrical charge, wherein the second electrical charge has an opposite polarity to the first electrical charge. Suitably, the first electrical charge has a positive polarity. The display unit may be a digital out-of-home advertising unit. The display surface can be selected from a LED screen, LCD screen, OLED screen and plasma screen. In another aspect, the air purifying unit has a collection plate that is arranged to induce a dipole in particulate matter suspended in air.

Description

AIR PURIFICATION DISPLAY UNIT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to air filtration technology, and particularly to air filtration technology for use in display units, such as billboards for example, in public spaces.

Background of the Invention

Interior and exterior metropolitan environments are currently faced with increasing levels of air toxicity. The increased toxicity poses a health risk, particularly relating to inhalation of harmful particulates.

Long-term exposure to polluted air can have serious and permanent implications on the health of individuals exposed. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to accelerated aging of the lungs; loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function; and development of a number of respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung infections, and potentially even cancer. These effects pose an enhanced risk to vulnerable individuals, such as children or the infirm, along with individuals having preexisting respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems.

Governments and city councils around the world are taking various drastic steps to address the issue of air pollution, including measures such as selective banning vehicles from city centres, providing a surcharge on emissions, and providing scrappage schemes, among others.

Such measures are generally punitive, and are primarily aimed at reducing the number of current sources of air pollution, while also deterring additions to the sources of pollution. Such measures rely on stringent adherence and enforcement, along with universal uptake. These measures also carry a number of drawbacks such as additional administrative overhead, difficulties in implementation and maintenance, and effects on public perception.

It is therefore desirable to provide a commercially feasible solution to tackle air pollution in public spaces while overcoming the drawbacks of current solutions.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an air-purifying display unit, the display unit comprising: a display unit housing having a display surface; and an air purification member in communication with the display unit housing, characterised in that the air purification member comprises an ionisation air purifier arranged to apply an electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in air passing through said ionisation air purifier.

The costs of deploying and maintaining ionisation-based air filtration systems are suited to applications like advertising which generate revenue, providing a uniquely sustainable application of this technology. Public spaces at risk from the greatest level of air toxicity are also typically those of exceptional advertising 'media value', given the concentration of human traffic, whether in car, on public transport or pedestrian. Such public spaces might include high streets; petrol stations; airports; on or around public transport; tunnels or underground railways; factories and other industrial settings having aerosols and/or airborne dust, metal, wood; as well as other settings which will be readily appreciated.

Advertising displays installed in such locations are attractive to advertisers and thus can potentially generate significant media revenues. The present invention integrates a uniquely scalable air purification technology, ionisation air filtration (which may, in a preferable embodiment, occur through positive ionisation of, or induction of a dipole in, particulate matter suspended in air), with the advertising display unit, thereby leveraging the consequent media revenues to fund the rapid deployment and maintenance of air cleaning devices in locations where they are needed most urgently. The display unit according to the invention is preferably an advertising display unit.

Other current forms of air purification technology are unsuitable for incorporation into a display unit for wide-scale deployment in public spaces, typically because they may be non-scalable, or may carry a number of functional drawbacks such as the requirement for additional cost outlay on consumables, such as filters. Air purification systems employing filters are typically unsuitable for outdoor environments where outdoor air moisture or humidity can act to clog the delicate filters. Logistical considerations and costs for maintenance, servicing and replacement of such air purification systems also mean that these forms of air purification are unsuitable for providing out-of-home advertising solutions.

The present proposal of using ionisation technology, and preferably positive ionisation or dipole-induction technology, eliminates the requirement for filters, while providing a low energy consumption alternative which is unaffected by otherwise adverse weather conditions, is easy to clean and has no effective upper volume threshold, making the technology scalable for any required advertising application.

Preferably the air purification member is adjacent the display unit housing. Preferably the display unit housing comprises a display unit cavity, and wherein the air purification member is located within the display unit cavity.

Preferably the air purification member comprises, a housing having an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a channel therebetween, the channel being arranged to permit flow of air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture. Preferably the air purification member further comprises, an ionisation member positioned in fluid communication with the channel, the ionisation member being arranged to apply a first electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in the air flowing between the entry aperture and the exit aperture. Preferably the air purification member further comprises a collection plate having a second electrical charge, the second electrical charge having an opposite polarity to the first electrical charge, the collection plate being in fluid communication with the channel. In some embodiments the collection plate may be earthed, and may carry a neutral charge, the second electrical charge therefore being "more positive" or "more negative" relative to the first electrical charge. The first electrical charge applied to the particulate matter may therefore cause an attraction of the particulate matter to the collection plate.

In the context of the present invention, the term "fluid communication" will be understood to mean having access to a fluid (liquid or gas) flow therebetween.

Preferably the first electrical charge is applied to the particulate matter through induction or a voltage applied thereto. In embodiments wherein the first electrical charge is applied to the particulate matter through induction, the ionisation member and the collection plate may be the same. In embodiments wherein the first electrical charge is applied to the particulate matter through induction, the "ionisation" referred to may be understood to refer to induction of a charge in a portion of the particulate matter through shifting of electron density in the particulate matter.

Preferably the second electrical charge is actively applied to the collection plate. Preferably said charge is actively applied through induction and/or the application of a voltage to the collection plate.

In preferable embodiments, the first electrical charge comprises a positive polarity and is therefore a positive charge. As such, in said embodiments the collection plate comprises a negative charge. Such embodiments incorporate positive ionisation air filtration technology which is thought to be highly scalable and is therefore suitable for various sizes of display unit.

In the present invention, the collection plate is preferably an electrical conductor and is therefore arranged to acquire a charge when a voltage is applied thereto. In embodiments wherein the collection plate comprises a negative charge, said negative charge is preferably applied to the collection plate using a negative voltage.

In embodiments wherein the display unit comprises a display unit cavity, the collection plate is preferably arranged to occupy at least a portion of said cavity. In such embodiments, the channel of the air purification member may extend through at least a portion of said cavity. In some embodiments, the channel and the cavity may be the same, forming a plenum through which air may pass between the entry aperture and the exit aperture. In such embodiments, the entry aperture and the exit aperture may be located on or adjacent the display unit housing.

In preferable embodiments, the collection plate is arranged to maximise its occupancy of said display unit cavity. Such maximising of occupancy of the cavity may be by shaping and sizing the collection plate to substantially occupy a largest cross-sectional area of said cavity. In such preferable embodiments, the collection plate may be formed of any shape or size in order to maximise occupancy of the cavity. In some embodiments, the collection plate preferably occupies greater than 50% of a principal cross-sectional area of the display unit cavity. In preferable such embodiments, the collection plate occupies greater than 70% of a principal cross-sectional area of the display unit cavity. The principal, or largest, cross-sectional area is preferably defined as the area of the cavity within a plane occupied, at least in part, by the display surface. It will be appreciated that the present invention is intended to include embodiments wherein occupancy of a space within or adjacent a display unit having any shape or size may be maximised by a collection plate of an ionisation air purifier.

S

Preferably the display unit has a display unit shape and the collection plate has a collection plate shape, which are preferably the same. The skilled addressee will appreciate that in some embodiments the shape of the collection plate may be any suitable shape for containment inside a display unit housing.

Preferably the air purification member further comprises a turbine arranged to propel air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture. Preferably the turbine is located within the entry aperture. Preferably the turbine is powered. Most preferably the turbine is motor-driven. Said motor may be energy efficient, contributing to a reduced overall energy consumption by the present invention. An example of such a motor may be a digital motor.

Preferably the air purification member is arranged to transmit air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture at a transmission rate greater than 5,000 cubic metres per hour. Preferably the transmission rate is greater than 7,000 cubic metres per hour.

Preferably the air purification member further comprises a power supply in electrical communication with the ionisation member and the collection plate, and arranged to power the ionisation member and the collection plate, which may be the same. The display unit preferably comprises a display unit power supply, arranged to power a display screen which may be incorporated therein. In such embodiments, the display unit power supply and the air purification member power supply are preferably the same.

Preferably the particulate matter comprises a particle size of between 10 nm and 30 pm. Preferably the display unit is a digital out-of-home advertising unit.

Preferably the display unit further comprises a display screen forming the display surface, the display screen being selected from the range: a poster screen; a revolving/rotating poster screen; LED screen; LCD screen; OLED screen; plasma screen. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that any suitable display screen of the current art may form the display surface. Industry standard display units will be understood, and an example suitable display unit comprises a rectangular LED display panel having a width of 5 m and a height of 7 m. Other industry standard formats include landscape as well as portrait arrangements having various dimensions according to specific locational requirements, and will be appreciated by the skilled reader.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an air-purifying display unit comprising: a display unit housing defining a display surface, the display unit housing having an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a channel therebetween, the channel being arranged to permit flow of air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture; the display unit further comprising an electrically-charged collection plate in fluid communication with the channel.

It will be appreciated that the air-purifying display unit according to the second aspect may comprise any suitable features described herein relating to the first aspect. Preferably the collection plate is negatively charged and may therefore attract positively charged particulate matter suspended in the air within the channel. Preferably the negatively charged collection plate is arranged to induce a dipole in particulate matter suspended in the air within the channel, and may thus cause said particulate matter to be attracted to the negatively charged collection plate.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an air-purifying display unit comprising: a display unit housing defining a display surface, the display unit housing having an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a channel therebetween, the channel being arranged to permit flow of air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture; the display unit further comprising an ionisation member arranged to provide an electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in said air, and an earthed collection plate in fluid communication with the channel.

It will be appreciated that the air-purifying display unit according to the third aspect may comprise any of the features described herein relating to the first aspect. Preferably the ionisation member is arranged to provide a positive charge to particulate matter suspended in said air.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A shows a sectional view of an air purification member for use in an example embodiment of an air purifying display unit according to the first aspect of the present invention; FIG. 1B shows an additional view of the air purification member of FIG. 1A, in a maintenance configuration; FIG. 2 shows a front view of an example embodiment of an air purifying display unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, incorporating an air purification member as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B; and FIG. 3 shows a rear view of an example embodiment of an air purifying display unit according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an example air-purification member 10 is shown taking the form of a positive ionisation air purifier 10, which is suitable for incorporation into an air purifying display unit according to the first aspect of the present invention. The air purification member 10 comprises a substantially cuboidal housing 12 having a first face 14 and an opposing second face 16 defining end points along the longest dimension of the housing 12.

The housing 12 comprises a circular entry aperture 18 positioned in the first face 14 and a circular exit aperture 20 opposing the entry aperture 18 and positioned in the second face 16. The entry aperture 18 and the exit aperture 20 are in fluid communication with one another by way of a cuboidal channel 22 extending therebetween. The channel 22 therefore extends from the entry aperture 18 to the exit aperture 20. The channel 22 comprises an upper surface 24 and a lower surface 26, along with opposing side surfaces (not shown).

Extending between the upper surface 24 and the lower surface 26 and proximate the entry aperture 18 is a support frame 28 holding a motor 30 having a drive shaft 32 extending therefrom. At an operative end of the drive shaft 32 is positioned a turbine 34, the turbine 34 being positioned within the entry aperture 18 such that a plurality of blades 36 of said turbine 34 extending toward the walls of the entry aperture 18.

Positioned at a point along the channel 22 proximate the entry aperture 18 is a planar metallic mesh 38 occupying the channel and extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel 22 between the upper surface 24 and the opposing lower surface 26, and between the two opposing side surfaces (not shown).

Positioned along the channel 22 at a position proximate the exit aperture 20 is a planar metallic collection plate 40 (denoted using dotted lines for clarity). The collection plate 40 extends along the channel 22 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel 22, positioned approximately centrally within the channel 22. The collection plate 40 is held in position by opposing guide rails 42 located on the upper and lower surfaces 24, 26 of the channel 22, along which the collection plate 40 may slide to be cleaned. Occupying the exit aperture 20 in the example shown is a fine foraminous mesh 44 having holes arranged to permit free passage of air through the mesh 44. The holes are sized to prevent escape of macroscopic matter or particles from exiting the channel 22. Such macroscopic matter may have entered into the channel by way of the entry aperture 18, or may be the result of agglomerated particulate matter from the collection plate 40.

Comprised within the air purification member 10 and located beneath the channel 22 is a power supply 46, in electrical communication with the motor 30, the metallic mesh 38 and the collection plate 40. The power supply 46 is positioned to supply electrical power to the motor 30, the metallic mesh 38 and the collection plate 40.

In use, the motor 30 drives the turbine 34 which actively drives polluted air into the channel 22 of the apparatus through the entry aperture 18 and along the channel 22 toward the powered mesh 38. Electrical energy from the mesh 38 is used to strip electrons from particulate matter suspended in the polluted air, which in turn applies a positive electrical charge to the particulate matter. A negative voltage is applied to the collection plate 40 by the power supply 46, causing the collection plate 40 to become negatively charged. The negative charge of the collection plate 40 acts to attract the positively-charged particulate matter as the air and the containing particulate matter are forced further along the channel 22 through the continued action of the turbine 34. Following removal of said positively-charged particulate matter from the air, purified air passes through the mesh 44 occluding the exit aperture 20.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the air purification member 10 of FIG. 1A is shown during maintenance of the air purification member 10. During maintenance and cleaning, the mesh 44 occluding the exit aperture 20 may be removed as shown, and the collection plate 40 slid along the guide rails 42 such that particulate matter may be scraped from the collection plate 40.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example embodiment of a display unit 50 according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown comprising a cuboidal housing 52 having a display surface 54 located on a principal face 56 of the housing 52. In the embodiment shown, the housing 52 comprises an LED display panel arranged to display a series of advertisements, the LED display panel forming a display screen visible through the display surface 54 of the housing. Located in the housing 52 and beneath the display surface 54 are positioned a plurality of air purification members 56 which are substantially as described for FIG. 1A and for which equivalent numbering will be used. In the example 50 shown, the entry apertures 16 are positioned on the principal surface of the housing 52 and the corresponding channels 22 extend through the housing 52 to corresponding exit apertures 20 positioned on an opposing second principal face of the housing 52.

Referring to FIG. 3, a rear view of an example embodiment of a display unit 60 according to the second aspect of the present invention is shown, the display unit 60 comprises a housing 62. The rear surface of the housing 62 is shown, and the front surface (not shown), which defines a display surface, is substantially as shown for the embodiment of FIG. 2. The embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises an entry aperture 64 (represented positionally using dotted lines) and an exit aperture 66. The housing 62 comprises a cavity defining a channel or plenum between the entry aperture 64 and the exit aperture 66 through which air may flow freely. Positioned within the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity is a planar collection plate 68, in electrical communication with a power supply 70.

In use, the power supply 70 is arranged to provide a negative voltage to the collection plate 68 which causes the collection plate to become negatively electrically charged. The display unit 60 is an out-of-home digital display unit displaying an advertising message, and is positioned in a high human traffic area wherein air pollution is a risk. In use polluted air 72 comprising particulate pollution material flows into the entry aperture 64 through the action of a motor-driven turbine located in the entry aperture 64. The polluted air then flows along the cavity 74 past the negatively charged collection plate 68. The negative charge on the collection plate 68 causes dipole induction upon the particulate matter suspended in the air, leading to an attraction of said particulate matter toward the collection plate 68. Air continues to flow toward the exit aperture 66 and out of the cavity 76. The exit aperture 66 comprises a foraminous mesh arranged substantially as earlier described arranged to capture macroscopic material within the apparatus. The air 76 exiting the cavity comprises a reduced concentration of particulate matter compared with that 72 entering the entry aperture 64.

It will be appreciated that the collection plate can be any shape as required, or as would be suitable for any shape of display unit.

In use, the display units 50, 60 are positioned in a public space, such as a high street where air pollution can present a health risk, and provides an advertisement opportunity while purifying air in the locality.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are given by way of example only and that various modifications thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the embodiments described show a charge being applied to the particulate matter, either using an ionisation member or dipole induction using the negatively charged collection plate. Embodiments will be appreciated wherein the collection plate is earthed and carries a neutral charge, thus may attract "more positively charged" particulate matter.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An air-purifying display unit, the display unit comprising: a display unit housing having a display surface; and an air purification member in communication with the display unit housing, characterised in that the air purification member comprises an ionisation air purifier arranged to apply an electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in air passing through said ionisation air purifier.
2. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air purification member is adjacent the display unit housing.
3. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display unit housing comprises a display unit cavity, and wherein the air purification member is located within the display unit cavity.
4. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the air purification member comprises, a housing having an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a channel therebetween, the channel being arranged to permit flow of air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture; wherein the air purification member further comprises, an ionisation member positioned in fluid communication with the channel, the ionisation member being arranged to apply a first electrical charge to particulate matter suspended in the air flowing between the entry aperture and the exit aperture; and further comprises a collection plate having a second electrical charge applied thereto, the second electrical charge having an opposite polarity to the first electrical charge, the collection plate being in fluid communication with the channel.
5. An air purifying display unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first electrical charge comprises a positive polarity.
6. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the air purification member further comprises a turbine arranged to propel air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture.
7. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the turbine is located within the entry aperture.
8. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the turbine is powered.
9. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the air purification member is arranged to transmit air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture at a transmission rate greater than 5,000 cubic metres per hour.
10. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transmission rate is greater than 7,000 cubic metres per hour.
11. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the air purification member further comprises a power supply in electrical communication with the ionisation member and the collection plate, and arranged to power the ionisation member and the collection plate.
12. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particulate matter comprises a particle size from between 10 nm and 30 pm.
13. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit is a digital out-of-home advertising unit.
14. An air-purifying display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a display screen forming the display surface, the display screen being selected from the range: LED screen; LCD screen; OLED screen; plasma screen.
15. An air-purifying display unit comprising: a display unit housing defining a display surface, the display unit housing having an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a channel therebetween, the channel being arranged to permit flow of air from the entry aperture to the exit aperture; the display unit further comprising an electrically-charged collection plate in fluid communication with the channel, wherein the collection plate is arranged to induce a dipole in particulate matter suspended in said air.