JP6034794B2 - Air purification system - Google Patents

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is directed to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 417,090, filed Nov. 24, 2010, entitled “Air Cleaning System”, US Pat. S. C. We claim the benefit of the priority of section 119, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

  The air used to control the air in a building (ie, a house, building) can originate from either the inside of the building or the outside of the building. Some problems associated with using air from outside the building to control the air in the indoor areas of the building include the introduction of contaminants and particles normally found in the outside air. Outside air may also contain smoke and smog, which may contain carbon monoxide, ozone and other pollutants that can irritate the human respiratory system. In addition, the introduction of mold spores and pollen, which are common particles found in the open air, can also cause unwanted mold generation inside and can also induce allergic reactions in people living in the building. In addition to air pollutants brought into the building from the outside, air pollutants also leak from the basement (that is, through narrow vertical spaces) and accumulate in people's living areas. Air leaking from the basement can carry mold spores and potentially harmful gases, such as radon, that pose a health risk to people living in the building.

  In addition, most buildings are generally “breathed”, at least in part, due to changes in the external air pressure relative to the air pressure inside the building. For example, if the air pressure outside the building is higher than the air pressure inside the building, the outside air tends to leak into the building. If the air pressure outside the building is lower than the air pressure inside the building, the air inside the building tends to leak out of the building. In general, the pressure differential between the exterior and interior of a building can be caused by a number of factors (ie, atmospheric changes, wind, exhaust fan operation, stove and fireplace operations, etc.). The continuous “breathing” of the building may be essential to provide fresh oxygen to the building occupants. However, if the inflow of air into the building is uncontrollable, the air entering the building can lead to undesirable contaminants and particles and can eventually be inhaled by the occupants.

  Some conventional air cleaning systems currently in use recirculate air within the building, which at least for the reasons described above interferes with the overall indoor air cleanup to be achieved. To do. In addition, some air cleaning systems emit harmful by-products, such as ozone, into the building air as a result of the air cleaning process. Ozone is a harmful air pollutant that can be harmful to breathing, and prolonged exposure to ozone can permanently reduce a person's respiratory function. In particular, children, the elderly and people with respiratory illness may be particularly sensitive to ozone inhalation. Therefore, for at least the reasons described above, there is a need for an air cleaning system that can provide clean air to the interior of a building without the detrimental emission of ozone into the building.

  The details of one or more aspects are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

  Some embodiments of the air cleaning system include at least one housing. The housing may include an attachment mechanism for attaching the air cleaning system to the building. In addition, the housing may further include an air inlet and an air outlet. Further, the air purification system can include a fan that can be operated by a control circuit. In addition, the control circuit can control the flow rate of the airflow through the air cleaning system by controlling the fan speed. The housing may further include at least one filter located within the housing and an ultraviolet light source mounted within the housing. In addition, the at least one photocatalytic element (or member) may be positioned adjacent to the ultraviolet light source such that air passing through the air cleaning system is exposed to the photocatalytic element and the ultraviolet light source. The housing may further include at least one chemical catalyst element that is exposed to air passing through the air purification system.

  The details of one or more aspects are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

These and other aspects will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an air purification system. FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of the pressure differential function of the air cleaning system. FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of the heating function of the air cleaning system. FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of the cooling function of the air purification system. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

  This specification describes an air cleaning system that can at least draw air from outside the building and at least clean to a level that is generally sound even if a person inhales it. In addition, the air cleaning system may function to provide warmer or cooler clean air to the interior of the building. Further, the air cleaning system may include a function of cleaning air circulated inside the building. In another embodiment, the air cleaning system can also include a solar heating element that can function to raise the temperature of the air cleaned in the air cleaning system.

  The present specification includes a feature that allows the building to be integrated into a building, and provides a flow path for airflow between the exterior (ie, “external space”) and interior (ie, “internal space”) of the building An air purification system is provided. Air purification systems are typically installed with air ducts or pipes that are already part of the building, so that no additional holes or through holes are required in any wall of the building to install the air cleaning system. You may connect. Alternatively, in general, a through-hole may be provided in any wall of the building so that an air cleaning system can be installed in the building. As described in more detail below, an air cleaning system is generally integrated with a building so that air can be cleaned while flowing air from the outside of the building to the interior region of the building.

  Reference is now made to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an air cleaning system 100. The air cleaning system 100 may generally include a housing 102 that houses components of the air cleaning system 100. The housing 102 may be formed from one or more parts and include features (ie, mounting holes, fasteners, etc.) that can assist in the secure installation of the air cleaning system 100 to a building. . In addition, the housing 102 of the air cleaning system 100 can accommodate a fan 104 that feeds air through the air cleaning system 100 when rotated. For example, the fan 104 in the housing 102 is arranged to draw air from the outside of the building, pass it through the air cleaning system 100, and release freshly purified air to the building. The fan 104 can be a variable speed fan so that the speed of air passing through the air cleaning system 100 can be changed. The rotational speed of the fan 104 may be manually controlled by a user or may be controlled by a program as described in detail below. Although described herein as a fan, any mechanism may be used to pump air into the air cleaning system 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  In general, all structural fixtures (ie, windows, doors, etc.) that allow air to pass through the building are normally closed, and the air cleaning system 100 provides adequate air flow from outside to the building. If so, the air purification system 100 can be essentially the only source of outside air into the building. Thus, the air purification system 100 generally can not only provide a single source of outside air to the building, but can also create and maintain a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the building. For example, since the air cleaning system 100 takes in air from the outside of the building and releases it into the building, the air cleaning system 100 eventually has a higher interior of the building than the outside of the building. Causes pressure. Due to the ability of the air cleaning system 100 to create and maintain this pressure differential, the air entering the building from the outside is generally limited to only through the air cleaning system 100. Therefore, the surplus air that could be a source of contaminants entering the building leaks throughout the building and is limited to the air leaving the building. By limiting the source of air flow to the building to only those that pass through the air cleaning system 100, external contaminants (ie, molds) entering the interior of the building, as described in detail below. Spore, pollen, dust, smoke, etc.) can be reduced depending on the ability of the air cleaning system 100 to remove air pollutants as the air passes through the air cleaning system 100. Ultimately, it can help alleviate other health problems associated with exposure to allergic reactions, respiratory irritation and air pollutants for people living in the building.

  The air cleaning system 100 can be sized, dimensioned and powered so that it can properly maintain clean air within the area of the building. For example, the air cleaning system 100 may provide 0.5 ventilation per hour, which is the number of ventilations (AER) required to continuously ventilate the house under humid conditions. It is known that there is. However, the air cleaning system 100 may be sized and powered to efficiently maintain cleaner air in buildings of various sizes and dimensions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. .

  The air cleaning system 100 includes air cleaning technology that, when not removed, reduces ozone emissions to the interior areas of the building where clean air is supplied. Ozone can cause health problems, including airway irritation and dyspnea. Accordingly, the air cleaning system is configured to sufficiently reduce the release of ozone into the building by the air cleaning process if it is not prevented, as described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air purification system 100 includes one or more filters 106, a photocatalytic element 108, an ultraviolet (UV) source 110, a reflective material 112, and a chemical catalytic element 114. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the air cleaning system 100 further includes a louver screen 116 and a directional outlet 118. The air cleaning system 100 is installed in a building such that the louver screen 116 is normally in contact with the outside air of the building and the directional outlet 118 is normally in contact with the air inside the building. In this arrangement, the fan 104 can function to draw air from the outside, pass the air through the louver screen 116, the filter 106, the photocatalytic element 108, and be exposed to UV light. After the air is exposed to the UV light source, the fan 104 can continue to push the air out as it passes through the chemical catalyst element 114 and the directional outlet 116 until it is released into the building.

  In general, the louver screen 116 provides a directional airflow inlet to the air cleaning system 100. In addition, the louver function of the louver screen 116 helps reduce turbulence and reduce direct leakage of UV light from the air cleaning system 100 if not prevented. As shown in FIG. 1, once the air passes through the louver screen 116, the air is passed through one or more filters 106. In general, one or more filters 106 function to capture and remove particles of various sizes from the air. In general, the filter may have the function of catching larger particles. However, many filters designed to capture particles of various types and sizes can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  Once air has passed through one or more filters 106, the air is passed through the photocatalytic element 108 and exposed to the UV light source 110. For example, the photocatalytic element 108 may be composed of a thin film-like photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide, and is generally coated with an element (ie, a louver screen) that allows air to pass through. Similar to the louver screen 116 described above, the louvers can again be used to minimize the direct leakage of UV light from the air cleaning system 100 and reduce air turbulence. The photocatalytic coating contacts the photocatalyst such that particles in the air, such as organic compounds, are destroyed when exposed to UV light. After the particles contact the photocatalyst, the particles are exposed to the UV light source 110. As described above, the UV light source 110 activates the photocatalyst and destroys the particles remaining in the air. The reflective material 112 can surround at least a portion of the UV light source 110 and function to increase the intensity of the UV light and increase the exposure of the UV light to the particles. Increasing the intensity of UV light and the exposure of UV light to particles can increase the efficiency of photocatalytic activation and removal of particles from the air. Generally, the combination of a photocatalyst and UV light can efficiently remove residual particles in the air that could not be removed by the filter. Various photocatalysts can be used to remove particles from the air without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  After being exposed to the UV light source, the air is passed through the fan 104, through the chemical catalyst element 114, and then through the directional outlet 118 and released into the building. The chemical catalyst element 114 can generally be a screen or filter coated with a chemical catalyst. The chemical catalyst generally functions to decompose ozone generated as a by-product during the air cleaning process performed in the air cleaning system 100. As noted above, ozone can be detrimental to human health, and therefore it is an advantage of the air cleaning system 100 that ozone emissions can be prevented. As an example, a chemical catalyst, such as one containing manganese dioxide, can be used to decompose ozone in the air cleaning system 100. However, various chemical catalysts can be used to decompose ozone without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  In addition, the directional outlet 118 may include a slat that allows a user to regulate the flow of air exhausted from the air cleaning system 100 into the building. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the path of airflow to the directional outlet 118 may be designed and configured to be a generally cylindrical flow path. A generally cylindrical air flow path can facilitate laminar flow, which can ultimately provide the desired streamlined flow from the air cleaning system 100 to the interior of the building. However, the air cleaning system 100 may be provided with various shapes of channels that facilitate laminar flow of air through the air cleaning system 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  The air cleaning system 100 may further include a control circuit that may be included in at least a portion of the housing 102. For example, the control circuit may be placed on the part of the housing that touches the inside of the building. In addition, the control circuit serves to provide the air cleaning system 100 with user-programmable functions and functions that are convenient and accessible to the user from within the building. The control circuit can control various electrical output elements and mechanisms within the air cleaning system 100. For example, the control circuit can control the speed of the fan 104 so that it can provide the desired airflow velocity through the air cleaning system 100. In addition, the control circuit may allow the fan speed to be programmed to be manually controllable by the user or to run at a specific speed or a specific range of speeds. In addition, as described in detail below, the control circuit performs additional measurements (i.e., pressure, temperature, etc.) and, in general, automatically changes the speed of the fan 104 depending on the acquired measurement. Various mechanisms may be included.

  As an example, the control circuit may include a pressure measurement element that can obtain pressure values both inside and outside the building. From these measurements, the control circuit can then increase or decrease the fan speed as needed to achieve a predetermined pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the building or a range of pressure differences. . The predetermined atmospheric pressure difference or the predetermined atmospheric pressure difference may be set by a user or may be a preprogrammed setting built in the air cleaning system 100. The ability of the air cleaning system 100 to monitor this pressure differential allows the air cleaning system 100 to respond efficiently to changes in the pressure inside the building without relying on the user when the door is opened. To.

  FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method 120 for controlling an air purifier according to an embodiment. The method 120 can be used to measure the pressure differential that exists between the exterior and interior of a building and change the fan speed accordingly. As shown in FIG. 2, the internal air pressure is measured at 122 and the external air pressure is measured at 124. Internal and external barometric pressure can be measured by one or more pressure measuring elements, such as a digital barometer or pressure gauge. However, various pressure measuring elements may be used by the pressure monitoring circuit of the air cleaning system 100 to measure at least the air pressure inside and outside the building. For example, the pressure measuring element used to measure the atmospheric pressure inside the building may also be the same as the pressure measuring element that measures the atmospheric pressure outside the building. The method 120 further includes determining at 126 whether the measured internal atmospheric pressure is significantly greater than the measured external atmospheric pressure. If the measured internal pressure is significantly greater than the measured external pressure, the fan speed is generally not changed. However, if the measured internal pressure is not significantly greater than the measured external pressure, the fan speed is changed. At 128, it is determined whether the internal pressure is too high. If the internal air pressure is too high at 130, the fan speed is reduced. If it is determined at 132 that the internal air pressure is too low, the fan speed is increased. As described above, increasing the fan speed increases the amount of air released to the building by the air cleaning system 100 and ultimately increases the pressure inside the building relative to the outside of the building. Become.

  In addition to air cleaning, the air cleaning system 100 can provide the building with warmer or cooler air relative to the temperature inside the building. For example, the control circuit may include a temperature measuring element (ie, thermistor, thermocouple, etc.) that can measure the temperature outside and inside the building. From these measured values, the control circuit can increase or decrease the fan speed as necessary so that the temperature inside the building falls within a predetermined temperature or temperature range. The predetermined temperature or temperature range may be set manually by the user or may be a pre-programmed setting of the air cleaning system 100. The ability to measure the temperature inside the building of the air cleaning system 100 is efficient for changing the temperature inside the building, such as when the door is opened, without relying on the user. It makes it possible to respond well.

  FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 140 for controlling the temperature inside a building using an air cleaning system, according to embodiments described herein. The method 140 can be used to measure the temperature inside the building and change the fan speed accordingly, in order to keep the internal air temperature normally warm. As shown in FIG. 3, the internal temperature is measured at 142. At 144, it is determined whether the internal air temperature is a user defined or pre-programmed desired temperature or within a desired temperature range. If the measured internal temperature is within a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range, the fan speed is generally not changed. However, if the measured internal temperature is not within a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range, the fan speed is changed. At 146, it is determined whether the internal temperature is too high. If it is determined that the internal temperature is too high, at 148, the fan speed is reduced. If it is determined that the internal temperature is too low, at 150, increase the fan speed. In general, this warming function only works under conditions where the temperature outside the building is higher than the temperature inside the building.

  FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 160 for controlling the temperature inside a building using an air cleaning system in accordance with embodiments described herein. The method 160 can be used to measure the temperature inside the building and change the fan speed accordingly, in order to keep the internal air temperature normally cool. As shown in FIG. 4, the internal temperature is measured at 162. At 164, it is determined whether the internal air temperature is at a user defined or pre-programmed desired temperature or within a desired temperature range. If the measured internal temperature is within a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range, the fan speed is generally not changed. However, if the measured internal temperature is not within a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range, the fan speed is changed. At 166, it is determined whether the internal temperature is too high. If it is determined that the internal temperature is too high, at 168, the fan speed is increased. If it is determined that the internal temperature is too low, at 170, the fan speed is reduced. As above, in general, this cooling function will only work under conditions where the temperature inside the building is lower than the temperature outside the building.

  The air purification system described herein is configured with a solar heating element so that the solar heating element can function to increase the temperature of the air at least before the air passes through the air purification system. Also good. In this configuration, the air cleaning system can provide warm air having a higher temperature than the temperature inside and outside the building. As an example, the air purification system 100 may be installed in a south-facing portion of a building that receives solar radiation during winter. In this configuration, when it is desired to warm the building, solar radiation strikes this south-facing wall in the northern hemisphere, generally only during winter. Furthermore, the heating effect of the walls that are exposed to the sun can be enhanced by coating the walls darkly and covering them with clear glass or plastic so that at least solar energy is trapped between the cover and the wall. In addition, the air cleaning system 100 includes a solar cover disposed adjacent to the air inlet or louver screen 116 so that the air cleaning system 100 can release sun-warmed air to the building. Also good.

  In addition, some embodiments of the air cleaning system 100 may include a recirculation function that can clean the recirculated air inside the building. This recirculation function includes an air flow loop through the air cleaning system 100 that allows air to be drawn into the air cleaning system 100 from within the building and released back into the building as clean air. You may go out. In addition, the recirculation loop can be partially or completely closed at any time so that some or all of the air can be recirculated within the building. In particular, the recirculation function is desirable when there is a large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the building, or when the outside air is very contaminated. Generally, the user can manually operate the recirculation function, or the recirculation function is automatically operated by the control circuit, for example, according to the change of external air temperature or quality Can be made.

  Several specific examples have been described in detail, but other modifications are possible. Other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (18)

At least one housing having an attachment mechanism for attaching the air purification system to the building and further having an air inlet and an air outlet;
One or more pressure measuring elements configured to be able to measure the atmospheric pressure in the exterior space of the building and in the interior space of the building;
A control circuit including one or more pressure measuring elements, which is air purifying according to the measured air pressure so as to maintain a predetermined air pressure difference between the building exterior space and the building interior space. A fan housed inside the housing, operated by a control circuit that controls the flow velocity of the airflow through the system;
At least one filter located inside the housing;
UV source installed inside the housing;
At least one photocatalytic element located adjacent to the UV source such that air passing through the air cleaning system is exposed to the photocatalytic element and the UV source; and at least one chemical catalyst exposed to air passing through the air cleaning system An air cleaning system comprising an element.   The air cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the fan is a variable speed fan.   The air purification system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes one or more temperature measurement elements.   4. The air cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more temperature measuring elements are capable of measuring at least the temperature outside the building and inside the building.   The air cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a rotational speed of the fan in accordance with a measured temperature acquired by one or more temperature measuring elements. One or more pressure measuring element is configured to be able to measure the internal pressure of the external and buildings buildings, air purification system of claim 1. The air cleaning system of claim 6 , wherein the control circuit changes the rotational speed of the fan in response to the measured pressure obtained by the one or more pressure measuring elements.   The air purification system according to claim 1, wherein a solar heating element is used in the air purification system.   The air purification system of claim 1, wherein the air purification system includes an air flow passage that allows air inside the building to be recirculated through the air purification system. A housing mounted on the wall of the building and including an air inlet from the exterior space of the building and an air outlet from the interior space of the building;
One or more pressure measuring elements integrated with the housing and configured to measure the atmospheric pressure in the exterior space of the building and the interior space of the building;
A control circuit including one or more pressure measuring elements, the inlet depending on the measured air pressure so as to maintain a predetermined pressure difference between the exterior space of the building and the interior space of the building A fan housed inside the housing, operated by a control circuit that controls the flow rate of the airflow through the air purification system from the outlet to the outlet;
A filter inside the housing close to the inlet;
A photocatalytic element inside the housing adjacent to the filter;
At least one UV source within the housing adjacent to the photocatalytic element such that air passing through the air cleaning system is exposed to the photocatalytic element and the UV source; and at least one chemical catalyst element within the housing proximate to the outlet. An air cleaning system comprising. Filter, photocatalyst element and the ultraviolet radiation source is positioned inside the housing in the outdoor space of the building, air purification system of claim 1 0. Chemical catalyst, located inside the housing in the interior space of a building, air purification system of claim 1 0. Fan is speed fans, air purification system of claim 1 0. Control circuit comprises one or more temperature measuring elements, air purification system of claim 1 0. One or more temperature measuring elements is at least, it is possible to measure the internal temperature of the external and buildings buildings, air purification system of claim 1 4. The air cleaning system according to claim 15 , wherein the control circuit is configured to change a rotational speed of the fan in accordance with a measured temperature obtained by one or more temperature measuring elements. One or more pressure measuring element is configured to be able to measure the internal pressure of the external and buildings buildings, air purification system of claim 1 0. The air cleaning system according to claim 17 , wherein the control circuit changes the rotational speed of the fan in response to the measured pressure acquired by the one or more pressure measuring elements.

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