KR100909065B1 - Air filter replacement timing detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air filter change timing detection device, wherein an air filter change timing detection device according to the present invention is provided with at least one specific filter surface of the air filter, A light emitting element for emitting and irradiating light including ultraviolet light or visible light; A light receiving element for receiving light emitted from the light emitting element and passing through or reflecting at least one specific filter surface of the air filter and generating an output signal corresponding thereto; And a comparator for comparing the level of the output signal output from the light receiving element with a predetermined reference level and outputting the result as a comparison signal. According to the present invention, the dust amount of the air filter can be detected by using visible light or ultraviolet light, and a sterilizing effect can be obtained when ultraviolet light is used.

Air filter, visible light, ultraviolet light, comparator, dust

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air filter replacement timing detection device, and more particularly, to an air filter replacement timing detection device that can easily detect the replacement timing and cleaning timing of an air filter with a low cost and high efficiency structure.

BACKGROUND ART Air filters, which generally filter air, are used in various devices and devices such as air conditioners, air purifiers, and automobiles.

In particular, in the case of an automobile, the temperature inside the automobile is kept constant by supplying cold air or warm air to the inside of the automobile through an air intensity adjusting device and a temperature adjusting device attached to the driver's seat. At this time, the air sucked into the vehicle from the outside is sucked through the air suction path shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air sucked into the vehicle from the outside is transferred to the interior of the automobile through the air transfer passage 40 by the suction pump 30. Since dust and dust which are harmful to the human body are contained in the air to be sucked, an air filter 50 is used in the air moving passage 40 between the outside air inlet and the suction pump 30 in order to remove it.

However, if the air filter is used for a long time and a lot of dust or dust accumulates, the suction and input of the pump will be deteriorated to deteriorate the cooling and heating performance, and the mold will grow and smell dirty. To prevent this, the air filter should be replaced if dust or dust accumulates more than a certain amount.

In order to replace the air filter, it is necessary to be able to measure the amount of dust and the life of the air filter.

As a method for measuring the amount of dust in the air filter, there are a method of using light scattering using infrared rays, a method of measuring a pressure difference before and after the air filter, a method of measuring the speed of wind passing through an air filter, And a method of measuring electric power have been proposed. However, in addition to such a method, there has been a demand for a device for measuring the dust amount of the air filter, i.e., the degree of dust collection, at low cost and simply.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air filter replacement timing detection device capable of overcoming the above-described problems of the related art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an air filter change timing detection device capable of measuring the amount of dust or dust accumulated in an air filter.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air filter change timing detection device for indicating a replacement timing or a cleaning timing of an air filter.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an air filter replacement timing detection device which can measure the degree of dust collection of the air filter simply and at low cost.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air filter replacement timing detection device capable of detecting a dust amount of an air filter provided in a place without light.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air filter change timing detection device capable of not only detecting the replacement timing of the air filter but also bringing about the sterilization effect of the air filter.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air filter replacement timing detecting device capable of detecting a dust amount of an air filter by using visible light or ultraviolet light.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air filter replacement timing detection device capable of obtaining a sterilizing effect.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting an air filter change time according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus includes at least one air filter having a plurality of filter surfaces, A light emitting element for generating and emitting light including ultraviolet rays or visible rays on a filter surface; A light receiving element for receiving light emitted from the light emitting element and passing through or reflecting at least one specific filter surface of the air filter and generating an output signal corresponding thereto; And a comparator for comparing the level of the output signal output from the light receiving element with a predetermined reference level and outputting the result as a comparison signal.

Wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged in such a manner that the plurality of filter surfaces have a wrinkle structure and are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other among the filter surfaces to which air is filtered out, And the air filter replacement timing can be detected in accordance with the level change of the output signal of the light receiving element in accordance with the light transmittance change of the V-shaped space.

The light emitting element and the light receiving element may be fixed and attached by a fixing table having a material that does not transmit light, connecting the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

Wherein the light emitting element is disposed on a side to which external air is introduced into the air filter and the light receiving element is disposed on the side where air is filtered out from the air filter, The air filter replacement time can be detected.

Wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on the side where the air is filtered out from the air filter, and the air filter replacement time period is changed according to the level change of the output signal of the light receiving element according to the reflectance of light reflected from the filter surface of the air filter. Can be detected.

The light emitting element may be a bulb or an LED that generates visible light, and the light receiving element may be a CdS cell or a CdSe cell.

The light emitting element may be a light bulb or an LED that generates a visible light, and the light receiving element may be a phototransistor.

The light emitting element may be an ultraviolet LED, and the light receiving element may be an ultraviolet sensor.

According to the present invention, the amount of dust or dust accumulated in the air filter can be measured, and the replacement time or the cleaning time of the air filter can be automatically known. In addition, the dust collecting degree of the air filter can be measured simply and at low cost. In addition, the amount of dust in the air filter that is not exposed to light can be measured using visible light. On the other hand, when ultraviolet rays are used, the sterilizing action of the ultraviolet rays brings about the sterilizing effect of the air filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings without intending to intend to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Fig. 2 shows the internal structure of a general air filter 50. Fig.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air filter 50 has a plurality of filter surfaces (also referred to as " dust collecting surfaces " in the present invention) connected by a bellows shape or a wrinkle structure . Accordingly, the filter surfaces adjacent to each other among the plurality of filter surfaces have a structure that becomes narrower toward the folding line where the two filter surfaces adjacent to each other meet at the folding line meeting with the other filter surfaces. That is, the cross-sections of two filter surfaces adjacent to each other have a structure of a 'V' shape or a shape similar to 'V'. Also, the two filter surfaces adjacent to each other have not a correct angle but a structure of a facing type.

Here, dust or other foreign matter (hereinafter referred to as dust) introduced from the outside is accumulated in the space of the 'V' character structure between the two adjacent filter surfaces. That is, the dust or dust contained in the air is filtered by the air filter 50, and the dust is separated into the V-shaped space where the two filter surfaces on the outer surface of the air filter 50, It will accumulate.

In the present invention, a light emitting element and a light receiving element are used for detecting the replacement time of the air filter. That is, the air filter replacement timing detection device according to the embodiments of the present invention includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a comparator.

The light emitting element generates and irradiates light including ultraviolet rays or visible rays to at least one specific filter surface of the air filter having a plurality of filter surfaces.

The light receiving element receives the light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through or reflected by at least one specific filter surface of the air filter, and generates an output signal corresponding thereto.

The comparator compares the level of the output signal output from the light receiving element with a predefined reference level and outputs the result as a comparison signal.

If the amount of dust in the air filter is large, the amount of light transmitted through the light emitting element and the amount of reflected light will be small. If the amount of dust in the air filter is small, the amount of light transmitted through the light emitting element and the amount of reflected light will be large. When transmission of light is used, the light is blocked or absorbed by dust, and the transmittance is reduced. In the case of using reflection of light, dust absorbs light and the amount of reflection is reduced.

Therefore, when the light transmittance is used, it is judged that the exchange time of the air filter is imminent as the light transmittance is lower, and even when the reflectance of light is used, it can be judged that the exchange time of the air filter is imminent as the reflectance of light is lower.

Embodiments of the present invention may find it useful to detect the time of filter change when the air filter is disposed in the absence of light

Hereinafter, specific examples of installation and examples of the light emitting device and the light receiving device used in the air filter replacement timing detecting device according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show various examples of the arrangement structure of the light emitting device and the light receiving device in the air filter 50. FIG.

3 is an example of a case in which light transmittance is used and in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are disposed adjacent to filter surfaces of an air filter.

3, the light emitting element 60a and the light receiving element 70a are arranged such that the filter surfaces on the side where the air is filtered out from the air filter 50 having the wrinkle- Is disposed between the two filter surfaces 52b, 52c which are adjacent to each other and face each other among the filter surfaces 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d.

That is, the light emitting device 60a is provided in a space between the filter surface 52a and the filter surface 52b of the filter surfaces 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, and the filter surface 52c, The light receiving element 70a may be provided in a space between the light emitting element 60a and the light receiving element 70a and the light receiving element 70a may be fixedly connected to the light receiving element 70a.

The light emitting element 60a and the light receiving element 70a are fixedly attached by the fixing table 65. [ The fixing table 65 may have a material which can not transmit light. Generally, plastic or metal materials can be used.

The detection of the replacement time of the air filter 50 can be performed by changing the level of the output signal of the light receiving element 70a according to the change of the light transmittance of the V-shaped space.

For example, when there is no dust in the V-shaped space, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 60a and transmitted through the V-shaped space to reach the light receiving element 70a will be large, The amount of light passing through the V-shaped space and reaching the light receiving element 70a will be small. Therefore, it is possible to detect the replacement timing of the air filter by the level change of the output signal of the light receiving element 70a in accordance with the change of the light transmittance.

In the case of using visible light, the light emitting element 60a may be a bulb or an LED (light emitting diode, red, green, or yellow), and the light receiving element 70a may be a CdS cell. CdSe cells or phototransistors may be used. The CdS cell or the CdSe cell has a property that the resistance changes according to the amount of light, and the phototransistor has a property that a current flowing according to the amount of light changes.

When ultraviolet rays are used, an ultraviolet LED may be used as the light emitting element 60a, and an ultraviolet sensor may be used as the light receiving element 70a. Here, when ultraviolet rays are used, the sterilizing effect of the air filter by ultraviolet rays can be expected.

4 shows an example of a case where a light emitting element is disposed on the side where air is introduced and a light receiving element is arranged on the side where air is output.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting device 60b is disposed outside the air filter 50 on the side where the outside air flows into the air filter 50. The light receiving element 70b is disposed on the side where the air is filtered out from the air filter 50. [

The detection of the replacement time of the air filter 50 may be performed according to the level change of the output signal of the light receiving element 70b according to the amount of light transmission.

For example, when there is no dust in the air filter 50, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 60b and transmitted through the air filter 50 to reach the light receiving element 70b may be large, The amount of light passing through the air filter 50 and reaching the light receiving element 70b may be small. Therefore, it is possible to detect the replacement timing of the air filter by the level change of the output signal of the light receiving element 70b in accordance with the change of the light transmittance.

In the case of using visible light, the light emitting element 60b may be a bulb or an LED (light emitting diode, red, green, or yellow), and the light receiving element 70b may be a CdS cell. CdSe cells or phototransistors may be used. The CdS cell or the CdSe cell has a property that the resistance changes according to the amount of light, and the phototransistor has a property that a current flowing according to the amount of light changes.

In the case of using ultraviolet rays, an ultraviolet LED may be used as the light emitting element 60b, and an ultraviolet sensor may be used as the light receiving element 70b. Here, when ultraviolet rays are used, the sterilizing effect of the air filter by ultraviolet rays can be expected.

Fig. 5 shows the case where the light reflectance is used, and the light emitting element 60c and the light receiving element 70c are disposed on one side of the air filter.

As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting device 60c and the light receiving device 70c are disposed on the side where air is filtered out from the air filter 50.

The detection of the replacement time of the air filter 50 is carried out based on the change in the level of the output signal of the light receiving element 70c in accordance with the reflectance of the light reflected by the filter surface of the air filter 50 .

For example, when there is no dust in the air filter 50, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 60b and reflected by the air filter 50 to reach the light receiving element 70b may be large. This is because the surface of most of the air filters 50 is composed of a white system in which light is well reflected, and reflects light well. If the air filter 50 is dusty, the amount of light transmitted through the air filter 50 and reaching the light receiving element 70b may be small. In general, when there is a lot of dust, the surface of the air filter changes to black, and the reflectance decreases accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to detect the replacement time of the air filter by the level change of the output signal of the light receiving element 70c in accordance with the change of the light reflectance.

In the case of using visible light, the light emitting element 60c may be a bulb or an LED (light emitting diode, red, green, or yellow), and the light receiving element 70c may be a CdS cell. CdSe cells or phototransistors may be used. The CdS cell or the CdSe cell has a property that the resistance changes according to the amount of light, and the phototransistor has a property that a current flowing according to the amount of light changes.

In the case of using ultraviolet rays, an ultraviolet LED may be used as the light emitting element 60c, and an ultraviolet sensor may be used as the light receiving element 70c. Here, when ultraviolet rays are used, the sterilizing effect of the air filter by ultraviolet rays can be expected.

6 to 8 illustrate examples of the configuration of an air filter replacement timing detecting apparatus of the present invention in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged as shown in FIG. 4, .

6 shows a case where a light source or an LED is used as the light emitting element 62 and a CdS cell is used as the light receiving element 72. [

6, the apparatus for detecting the air filter replacement timing according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element 62, a light receiving element 72, resistors R11 and R21, and a comparator 82. As shown in FIG.

The light emitting device 62 is disposed on the side where the outside air flows into the air filter 50 outside the air filter 50. The light receiving element 72 is arranged on the side where air is filtered out from the air filter 50.

The resistor R11 is disposed between the power supply voltage terminal VCC and the light emitting element 62 for controlling the brightness of light of the light emitting element 62. The resistor R21 is connected to the light receiving element 72, And is disposed between the power supply voltage terminal (VCC) and the light receiving element (72).

The comparator 82 compares the reference level with the input signal V11 and outputs a comparison signal V21.

The output signal of the light receiving element 72, that is, the input signal V11 of the comparator 82, is given as follows. V11 = (VCC * Rs) / (R21 + Rs) '.

CdS, which is the light-receiving element 72, has a property that the resistance is small when the light is large, and the resistance is increased when the light is small. Therefore, the resistance 'Rs' of the light receiving element 72 is determined by the intensity of light passing through the air filter surface.

The resistance 'Rs' decreases as the amount of light passing through the surface of the air filter 50 increases, and increases as the amount of light decreases. Therefore, when there is no dust in the air filter 50, the amount of light is increased, so that the resistance Rs decreases, and the level of the output signal V11 of the light receiving element 72, which is the input of the comparator 82, The amount of light decreases, so that the value of the resistance 'Rs' increases and the level of the output signal V11 of the light receiving element 72, which is the input of the comparator 82, becomes large.

Therefore, when the level of the output signal V11 of the light receiving element 72 becomes larger than a predetermined reference level, the time can be detected as the air filter replacement time.

For example, the reference voltage of the comparator 82 is determined in consideration of the amount of dust. When a voltage larger than the reference voltage is input, the comparator 82 recognizes that the amount of dust is higher than the reference value. And the comparator 82 outputs a comparison signal V21 in a high state. In the case of an automobile, the comparison signal V21 may be transmitted to a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU) acting as a brain of an automobile to generate a signal for notifying the replacement of the air filter in the automobile have.

7 shows a case where a light source or an LED is used as the light emitting element 64 and a phototransistor is used as the light receiving element 74. [

7, the apparatus for detecting the air filter replacement timing according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element 64, a light receiving element 74, resistors R12 and R22, and a comparator 84.

The light emitting device 64 is disposed on the side where the outside air flows into the air filter 50 outside the air filter 50. The light receiving element 74 is arranged on the side where air is filtered out from the air filter 50.

The resistor R12 is disposed between the power supply voltage terminal VCC and the light emitting device 64 for controlling the brightness of light of the light emitting device 64. The resistor R22 is connected to the light receiving element 74, And is disposed between the power supply voltage terminal (VCC) and the light receiving element (74).

The comparator 84 compares the reference level with the input signal V12 and outputs a comparison signal V22.

When there is no dust in the air filter 50, the light is well transmitted and the current I12 flowing through the phototransistor as the light receiving element 74 increases. However, since the light is blocked as the dust increases, Becomes smaller.

At this time, the input signal V12 of the comparator 84 is given as follows. V12 = VCC-R22 * I12 '.

The current 'I12' flowing through the phototransistor as the light receiving element 74 is determined by the intensity of light passing through the surface of the air filter 50. The current 'I12' increases as the amount of light passing through the air filter surface 50 increases, and as the amount of light decreases, the amount of current decreases. Therefore, when there is no dust on the filter surface, the amount of light increases, so that the current 'I12' increases and the level of the input signal V12 of the comparator 84 decreases. However, The level of the input signal V12 of the comparator 84 is increased. Therefore, the amount of dust can be determined based on the level value of the input signal V12 of the comparator 84. [

For example, the reference voltage of the comparator 84 is determined in consideration of the amount of dust. When the voltage V12 larger than the reference voltage is input, it is recognized that the amount of dust is larger than the reference value. The comparator 84 outputs a comparison signal V22 of a high level. In the case of an automobile, the comparison signal V22 may be transmitted to a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU) acting as a brain of an automobile to generate a signal indicating the exchange of the air filter in the automobile have.

8 shows a case where an ultraviolet LED is used as the light emitting element 66 and an ultraviolet sensor is used as the light receiving element 76. [ Here, when ultraviolet rays are used, the sterilizing effect of the air filter by ultraviolet rays can be expected.

8, the apparatus for detecting the air filter replacement timing according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element 66, a light receiving element 76, resistors R13 and R23, and a comparator 86. As shown in FIG.

The light emitting device 66 is disposed on the side of the air filter 50 on the side where the outside air flows into the air filter 50. The light receiving element 76 is disposed on the side where the air is filtered out from the air filter 50.

The resistor R13 is disposed between the power supply voltage terminal VCC and the light emitting element 66 to adjust the brightness of the light emitting element 66. The resistor R23 is connected to the light receiving element 76, And is disposed between the power supply voltage terminal (VCC) and the light receiving element (76).

The comparator 86 compares the reference level with the input signal V13 and outputs a comparison signal V23.

If there is no dust in the air filter 50, the ultraviolet light is transmitted well and the current I13 flowing to the ultraviolet sensor as the light receiving element 74 increases. However, since the ultraviolet light is blocked as the dust increases, The current I13 flowing through the resistor 76 decreases.

At this time, the input signal V13 of the comparator 86 is given as follows. V13 = VCC-R23 * I13 '.

The current 'I13' flowing through the ultraviolet sensor as the light receiving element 76 is determined by the intensity of light passing through the surface of the air filter 50. The current I13 flowing through the ultraviolet sensor increases as the amount of light passing through the air filter surface 50 increases, and as the amount of light decreases, the amount of current decreases.

Therefore, when there is no dust on the filter surface 50, the amount of light increases, so that the current 'I12' increases and the level of the input signal V13 of the comparator 86 decreases. However, The current 'I13' decreases and the level of the input signal V13 of the comparator 86 increases. Therefore, the amount of dust can be determined based on the level value of the input signal V13 of the comparator 86.

For example, the reference voltage of the comparator 86 is determined in consideration of the amount of dust, and when the voltage V13 larger than the reference voltage is input, it is recognized that the amount of dust is larger than the reference value. The comparator 86 outputting the high level comparison signal V22 can output the comparison signal V22. In the case of an automobile, the comparison signal V22 may be transmitted to a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU) that acts as a brain of an automobile to generate a signal to inform the automobile of the replacement of the air filter have.

Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate examples of the air filter replacement timing detecting device applied when the light emitting device and the light receiving device have the arrangement structure as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. However, even when the light emitting device and the light receiving device are arranged as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, it is possible to configure various embodiments of the air filter replacement timing detecting device by the same principle as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, Of course, to those of ordinary skill in the art.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described air filter replacement timing detecting device can be used in all devices and devices employing air filters, including air conditioners, air purifiers, and automobiles. It is self-evident. In addition, the air filter replacement timing detecting device can not only notify the replacement time of the filter, but also notify the cleaning timing and also measure the amount of specific dust.

The foregoing description of the embodiments is merely illustrative of the present invention with reference to the drawings for a more thorough understanding of the present invention, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the basic principles of the present invention.

1 is a view showing an air intake path of an automobile,

2 is a view showing the structure of a general air filter,

3 to 5 are views showing the arrangement structure of the light emitting device and the light receiving device,

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate exemplary configurations of the air filter replacement timing detecting apparatus of the present invention, which are different from the light emitting device and the light receiving device.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

50: air filter 62: light emitting element

72: light receiving element R11, R21: resistance

82: comparator

Claims (8)

delete delete An air filter replacement timing detection device comprising: A light emitting element for generating and emitting light including ultraviolet rays or visible rays, on at least one specific filter surface of the air filter, which is disposed in the absence of light and has a plurality of filter surfaces; A light receiving element for receiving light emitted from the light emitting element and passing through or reflecting at least one specific filter surface of the air filter and generating an output signal corresponding thereto; And a comparator which compares the level of the output signal outputted from the light receiving element with a predefined reference level and outputs the result as a comparison signal, Wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged in such a manner that the plurality of filter surfaces have a wrinkle structure and are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other among the filter surfaces to which air is filtered out, A space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the light emitting element being connected to the light receiving element and being fixed and attached by a fixing table having a material which does not transmit light, Wherein an air filter replacement timing is detected according to a level change of an output signal. delete delete The method of claim 3, Wherein the light emitting element is a bulb or an LED that generates visible light, and the light receiving element is a CdS cell or a CdSe cell. The method of claim 3, Wherein the light emitting element is a light bulb or LED that generates visible light, and the light receiving element is a phototransistor. The method of claim 3, Wherein the light emitting element is an ultraviolet LED, and the light receiving element is an ultraviolet ray sensor.

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