WO2019008512A1

WO2019008512A1 - Indoor air purification, heating, cooling, humidification and vaporization of substances for inhalation device

Info

Publication number: WO2019008512A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/054921
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gintautas KAIRAITIS
Original assignee: Kairaitis Gintautas
Priority date: 2017-07-05
Filing date: 2018-07-03
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Also published as: LT2017518A; LT6595B

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for creating a microclimate of premises, and more precisely, the present device (RUG5IN1 (Lux)) can heat, cool, humidify indoor air and vaporize substances for inhalation. The basis of the structure of the invention is an indoor heating radiator. By adding additional structural elements to its structure, the device can perform additional functions listed above. Additional elements can be added to the radiator structure during manufacture of the radiator or it is possible to modify a conventional already manufactured radiator. Additional elements performing additional functions include the following: an air system (grilles, a filter, an air distribution pipe, an air valve, a water tank pipe for air, a pipe for directing the air to a lower part of the radiator, other elements), a system of water and substances for inhalation (a water tank, a water supply and discharge node, a cover, etc.), grilles, body-forming elements, control units, and other elements. The device maintains an appropriate indoor air temperature and humidity, purifies indoor air, and also vaporizes substances for inhalation that can help cure respiratory or other diseases.

Description

INDOOR AIR PURIFICATION, HEATING, COOLING, HUMIDIFICATION AND VAPORIZATION

OF SUBSTANCES FOR INHALATION DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the technical field of indoor air heating devices, and in particular to improvements to the structure of the mentioned heating devices, when the device is provided with additional air humidification, vaporization (of substances for inhalation), air purification and air cooling functions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The present invention provides a structure of an indoor heating radiator, which, in addition to heating, gives the radiator additional functions, in particular: air purification, air humidification, vaporization of substances for inhalation and air cooling (when heating is not working).

Document EP0359095 (published on 21 /03/90) provides a technical solution that performs indoor air filtration, heating, cooling and ionizing functions. A deficiency of the cited solution is that there is no possibility to vaporize substances for inhalation, the whole structure of the device is complex.

Document WO9530862 (published on 16/1 1 /1995) provides a radiator structure with a fan and a filter for purification of indoor air. The device presented in the mentioned document does not have an ability of air humidification and liquid vaporization. Air humidification, liquid vaporization and air purification accessories cannot be incorporated into existing radiators.

Documents WO9530862 (published on 16/1 1 /1995) and DE391532 (published on 1 1 /3/1924) provide an indoor air heater with additional air humidification and filtration functions controlled by a control unit. The cited document does not mention anything about vaporization of substances for inhalation or cooling. In addition, in the sense of a structure, the air filtration device is outside air humidification, i.e. the air already saturated with humidity is filtered, which makes it impossible to use substances for inhalation that would be removed by a filtration device.

The listed analogues of the related art compared to the solution presented in this invention have the following deficiencies:

- it is impossible to vaporize substances for inhalation;

- devices do not have an electronic control unit, so the air parameters cannot be accurately controlled; - there is no air humidification function;

- there is no air cooling function;

- devices have a complex structure, it is impossible to add additional functions to the already existing radiator.

This invention provides a technical solution that does not have the above deficiencies.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a device for creating a microclimate of premises, and more precisely, the present device (RUG5IN1 (Lux)) can purify, heat, cool, humidify indoor air and vaporize substances for inhalation.

The basis of the structure of the invention is an indoor heating radiator. By adding additional structural elements to its structure, the device can perform additional functions listed above. Additional elements can be added to the radiator structure during manufacture of the radiator or it is possible to modify a conventional already manufactured radiator. Additional elements performing additional functions include the following: an air system (grilles, a filter, an air distribution pipe, an air valve, a water tank pipe for air, a pipe for directing the air to a lower part of the radiator, other elements), a system of water and substances for inhalation (a water tank, a water supply and discharge node, a cover, etc.), grilles, body-forming elements, control units, and other elements.

The device maintains an appropriate indoor air temperature and humidity, purifies indoor air, and also vaporizes substances for inhalation that can help cure respiratory or other diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 provides a general view of the device.

Fig. 2 provides a principal drawing of the assembly of the device.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section and side view of the device.

The presented figures are more illustrative, scale, proportions and other aspects do not necessarily correspond to a real technical solution.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various devices are used for heating indoor air. In the present invention, a radiator which is connected to a water heating system, where the heated water circulating in the radiator transfers heat to the ambient air, is used. The invention can be adapted and used not only for the mentioned type of radiators but also for other types. In the present invention, there is provided a structural improvement, which allows the radiator to perform other functions changing the parameters of indoor air. In spite of the fact that the device provided by the present invention can perform not only indoor air heating function, the device mentioned in this invention will be referred to hereinafter as the "radiator".

The radiator (RUG5IN1 (Lux)) having the structure provided in this invention performs additional functions such as air purification, air humidification, vaporization of substances for inhalation and air cooling (when heating is not working). The structural elements performing the listed additional functions are installed during the manufacture of the radiator; in the other embodiment of the invention, additional structural elements performing additional functions can be installed by modifying a radiator of a similar shape and function as described in this invention. In one embodiment, a conventional radiator consists of supply/discharge units for a heat medium (most commonly water); a front (1 ) and rear walls (2) where the heat medium circulates; a part of the radiator (24) placed between the mentioned walls with the heat medium which accelerates heat release from the heat medium to the air, is generally made of metal which is folded in such a way that the surface of the sheet of metal which is in contact with the air would be as large as possible; a unit (21 ) to remove air from the radiator, a radiator thermostat (5) and/or other conventional radiator-specific units. All of the above-mentioned conventional radiator units form a heat energy exchange system. In the present invention, additional structural elements are added to the heat energy exchange system, which can be summarized in the following way:

an air system;

a system of water and substances for inhalation;

structural elements of a body;

other elements.

In the present invention, the air system refers to the totality of additional structural elements through which the air coming from the environment is distributed and directed to the required directions according to the need for a radiator to perform the needed function.

The system of water and substances for inhalation is a totality of structural elements to put water and substances for inhalation, to properly direct, etc.

In this invention, the structural elements that allow to implement the mentioned additional air purification, humidification, cooling and vaporization (of substances for inhalation) functions are called additional elements, devices, units.

Additional structural elements that allow to perform additional air purification, humidification, cooling and vaporization (of substances for inhalation) functions are the following:

in the air system:

- a filter grille (22),

- an air filter (12),

- a fan (13),

- an airflow distribution pipe (14) (hereinafter - the distribution pipe),

- an airflow distribution valve (16) (hereinafter - the valve),

- a pipe for directing the air towards a water tank (15) (the water tank pipe),

- a pipe for directing the air towards a lower part of the radiator (17),

in the system of water and substances for inhalation:

- a water tank (1 1 ) with a cover (7), a vapour grille (3) and a container for substances for inhalation (25),

- a water supply (9) and emergency discharge (8) node,

- a cover for adding substances for inhalation and/or water (26),

other elements:

- lower (18) and closing grilles (19),

- body-forming elements (covers, walls, etc.),

- a control unit (6),

- other elements.

All listed additional elements of the radiator structure that create new functions can be added to the conventional radiator structure during manufacture, or already manufactured radiators can be modified, their structure can be changed by adding listed additional structural elements. Of course, better performance of the device will be easier to achieve by manufacturing the device with additional elements performing additional functions from the beginning. As mentioned, the radiator consists of a front (1 ) and a rear wall (2) in which the heat medium circulates. Additional structural elements which create additional radiator functions are enclosed in a space which is limited by: the rear wall (2) of the radiator with the heat medium; an element of metal (24) stimulating the heat release from the heat medium to the air; other elements forming the body for additional elements. Below are the peculiarities of additional structural elements and the interconnections of the elements, which may change without departing from the functions performed by the elements provided.

In one of the best embodiments the filter grille (22) is mounted on the outside of the radiator. The filter grille (22) consists of a plate with openings of various shapes (in the present invention - elongate) through which the ambient air enters the air system. The filter grille (22) can be formed from a seamless material in combination with a sidewall of the radiator (23). An air filter (12) which completely covers the cavity through which the air enters the air system is placed behind the filter grille (22) towards the radiator. The filter grille (22) and the filter (12) are placed in such a way that the air filter

(12) can be easily replaced by removing the filter grille (22). An electrically driven fan

(13) that draws the ambient air and transfers it (the air) through the filter (12) to the air distribution pipe (14) is placed towards to the centre of the radiator, behind the air filter

(12) . In order to more efficiently implement additional functions of the radiator, the fan

(13) is chosen such that the rotational speed and airflow can be adjusted. The fan (13) is tightly attached to the air distribution pipe (14). At the other end of the airflow distribution pipe (14) than the mentioned fan (13), there is an air distribution valve (16). In other embodiments, the valve (16) may be placed in a different location on the pipe

(14) , not just at the end. In this case, a wall (14.1 ) which prevents mixing of separated airflows in the valve (16) is placed from the valve (16) to openings into other pipes. The valve (16) in the air distribution pipe (14) is placed in such a way that it can rotate inside the pipe (14) so that it can lean tightly to the inner walls of the air distribution pipe (14) in its side rotational positions. The valve (16) has a fixed elongate element (handle) which protrudes through the body-forming elements, which can be used to rotate the mentioned valve (16). One side rotational position of the valve (16) directs the air entering through the distribution pipe (14) towards the water tank (1 1 ) through a pipe

(15) for directing air to the water tank; the other side rotational position of the valve (16) directs the air towards the lower part of the radiator, through the pipe (17) for directing the air to the lower part of the radiator. When valves (16) direct the air from the distribution pipe (15) to the water tank (1 1 ), the air from the distribution pipe (14) enters the pipe (15) for directing the air to the water tank (1 1 ), which is tightly fixed at one end to the air distribution pipe (14), and the other end is open and directed to the water tank (1 1 ).

The mentioned air water tank pipe (15) extends towards the water tank from the lower part of the radiator where, as mentioned, it is connected to the air distribution pipe

(14) , to the upper part of the radiator. In one embodiment, the mentioned water tank

(15) is placed between the element of metal (24) for a faster transfer of the heat of the heat medium to the ambient air and the water tank (1 1 ). At the top of the tank (15) of the water tank, the end of the pipe is curved in such a way that the airflow enters the water tank (1 1 ). The angle of the airflow with the surface of water (in the water tank (1 1 )) may have different values.

The valve (16) in the air distribution pipe (14), in one of its positions, directs the air to the air pipe (17) towards the lower part of the radiator. The mentioned pipe (17) towards the lower part of the radiator is tightly attached at one of its ends to the air distribution pipe (14), the pipe is oriented downward, then, before the lower grille of the radiator (18) is curved in such a way that the air coming from the pipe (17) is directed between the lower grille (18) and the element of metal (24) releasing the heat of the heat medium faster. At the lower part of the radiator, oriented to the floor, there are two grilles: the lower grille (18) and the closing grille (19). These grilles are parallel to one another, the lower grille (18) forms the bottom of the radiator, they are fixedly attached to the radiator, and the closing grille (19) can slide along the lower grille (18). The two grilles are constructed so that, in one case, the closing grille (19) moves towards one side of the lower grille (18), the air can freely enter through two grilles from the environment to the inner cavities of the radiator, otherwise, when the closing grille (19) is moved to the opposite side, the two grilles form a barrier for entering the air from the environment, while the air system circulates the air towards the element of metal (24), which intensifies heat exchange. In this way, when the valve (16) in the distribution pipe (14) directs the air towards the lower part of the radiator, the mentioned air does not enter the environment, but is directed towards the inner cavities of the radiator due to the barrier formed by the lower (18) and closing grilles (19). Direction of the air from the distribution pipe (14) towards the water tank (1 1 ) is most commonly used in the heating of premises and intensifies the vaporization of the water; air direction towards the lower part of the radiator is required when it is necessary to cool the air of premises.

As mentioned above, the end of the water tank (1 1 ) of the water tank (1 1 ) is curved; the airflow coming from the pipe (15) falls to a certain angle to the water surface, thereby intensifying vaporization of the water. The water for vaporization is stored in the water tank (1 1 ). The water tank (1 1 ) is made of a heat-conducting material (stainless steel, polycarbonate, etc.); the tank (1 1 ) in its shape resembles a cuboid without the upper wall. The water tank (1 1 ), like other additional elements, is placed in the cavity of the radiator, which is limited by the wall (2) of the radiator in which the heat medium circulates; the element of metal (24) accelerating the heat transfer from the heat medium to the ambient air, and other body-forming structural elements. The water tank (1 1 ) is continuously filled with water, which is supplied to the tank through the water supply element (8); In case of failure, if necessary, water from the tank can discharge through the water emergency discharge element (9).

In the present invention, water supply (8) and discharge (9) elements are pipes which are tightly connected to the water tank (1 1 ) through which the water enters the tank (1 1 ) and, in case of failure, it can discharge from the tank (1 1 ). The water discharge pipe (9) has a float (10) that measures the water level; when the water level rises to critical values, the water discharge pipe (9), which allows the water to discharge safely from the tank (1 1 ), is opened. As mentioned above, the water supply (8) and discharge (9) pipes are tightly connected to the water tank (1 1 ) at one end. (1 1 ) Another end of the pipes extends through the side wall (23) of the radiator, which forms the body for additional elements. Water supply and discharge pipes are connected to the ends of the pipes on the outside of the radiator. In the other embodiment of the invention, instead of water supply (8) and discharge (9) pipes, a water inlet through which water can be added to the water tank (1 1 ) can be used. The water inlet may not be on the side wall of the radiator (23), but on other walls of the radiator, for example, on the front wall (4). In the other embodiment of the invention, water can be added to the water tank (1 1 ) through the door (26) on the front wall (4), through which substances for inhalation are usually placed into the radiator.

The water tank (1 1 ), as mentioned, does not have an upper wall, i.e. the tank (1 1 ) is open at the top. A cover (7) of the water tank (1 1 ) is placed on the open upper part of the tank (1 1 ). The shape of the cover (7) resembles a cuboid whose lower wall and side wall adjoining the lower wall are removed. The cover (7) is intended to direct vapours rising from the tank towards the front wall of the radiator (4) (or the front wall forming the body of additional elements), where the vapours penetrate through the vapour grille (3) and enter the environment. The above-mentioned vapour grille (3) has a condensate discharge duct at its lower part, which discharges condensate formed on the grille (3) back into the water tank (1 1 ). In the other embodiment, the cover (7) between the mentioned open planes has a condensate discharge duct consisting of a plane of the cover (7) leaning towards the inner side of the water tank (1 1 ). In this way, the condensate formed on the vapour grille (3) does not fall on the floor of the room, but falls on said inclined plane, which directs the condensate back to the water tank (1 1 ).

In the other embodiment of the invention, the vapour grille (3) is attached to the front wall (4) so that it can be easily removed and reinstalled, in this way, the grille (3) can perform a door function, when they are opened, and substances for inhalation and/or water can be added.

The container (25) for substances for inhalation is attached to the inner or outer part of the water tank (1 1 ) by adhering to the walls of the water tank (1 1 ). The container (25) for substances for inhalation may be of various shapes, a container with an open upper part for liquid substances, this container (25) must be placed in the upper part of the water tank (1 1 ), in the path of vapours rising from the water tank (1 1 ), i.e. vapours rising from the water tank (1 1 ) shall be in contact with the container (25) for substances for inhalation. In this way, the environment of the container (25) for substances for inhalation is warm and wet, which exacerbates the release of substances for inhalation and mixing with the air in premises. In the other embodiment, the container (25) for substances for inhalation is partially immersed in water in a water tank (1 1 ), in this way, substances for inhalation are heated to a temperature of water. In other embodiments, the container (25) for substances for inhalation can be made of a seamless material in combination with a water tank (1 1 ), i.e. a separate container for substances for inhalation is formed in the upper part of the water tank (1 1 ). In the other embodiment, the container (25) for substances for inhalation has a hook in its outer upper part, which is hinged on the walls of the water tank (1 1 ), thus the container (25) for substances for inhalation is fixed in the inner part of the water tank (1 1 ). In this embodiment, the water tank (1 1 ) has guides in its inner part, to which, when coupled, a container (25) for substances for inhalation is inserted. The hook of the container (25) for substances for inhalation and the guides of the water tank (1 1 ) form a system for fixing the container (25) for substances for inhalation in the water tank (1 1 ).

The additional elements of the radiator that create additional air humidification, purification, cooling and vaporization (of substances for inhalation) functions are placed in the body formed by body elements. As already mentioned, the rear wall of the radiator (2) forms the rear wall of the additional elements as well. The front wall of the additional elements (4) is formed as a separate structural element in the present invention, it includes openings for the vapour grille (3), an opening with doors (26) through which substances for inhalation and/or water can be added to the water tank (1 1 ), an opening, through which the elongate element (handle) for controlling the air valve (16) is pushed through. On the side of one of the additional elements, as mentioned, there is the element of metal (24) of the radiator, which accelerates the heat release of the heat medium to the environment, on the other side, there is the side wall (23) with the air grille (22). As mentioned, in other embodiments, the side wall (23) and the grille (22) may be made of a seamless material, the side wall (23) has openings through which the water supply (8) and water discharge (9) pipes are pushed through. At the bottom of the additional elements, there is the lower grille (18) and the closing grille (19), on top, there is an upper wall (23) that covers the entire radiator and the additional elements from the top. The mentioned upper wall (23) above the element of metal (24) accelerating the heat release has the grille through which the air flows from the radiator. Also, a control unit (6), an air outlet unit of the radiator (21 ), and other units, elements may also be provided on the upper wall (23) or in the opening thereof.

The control unit (6) of the radiator is an electronic unit measuring ambient air temperature, humidity and, depending on the measured parameters, under the specified conditions, controlling the rotational speed of the fan (13) and thereby the speed of the air entering to the radiator. The control unit (6) is also intended to manually adjust the speed of the fan (13), switch on and turn off the fan (13).

Operation of the device of the present invention. When the fan (13) is actuated by the control unit (6), the ambient air passes through the filter grille (22) and through the air filter (12) which purifies the air and enters the air distribution pipe (14), where, depending on the valve (16) position, the air is directed to the lower or upper part of the radiator. The position of the valve (16) is controlled by turning an elongated element (handle) protruding through the front wall (4) of the radiator. If it is necessary to cool indoor air, the valve (16) is lifted upwards, thus the airflow is directed to the lower part of the radiator. To allow the air to reach the element of metal (24) releasing heat more efficiently, the lower (18) and closing grilles (19) must be set so that the air system closes the path for the air downwards from the radiator. In this way, the air entering the radiator comes through the element of metal (24) stimulating heat release to the upper part of the radiator, when it rises, it releases heat to the cool heat medium in the radiator and passes through the upper part of the radiator, through the upper grille placed on the upper wall (23) and enters the ambient air. The other side position of the valve (16) is the valve (16) lowered. In this way, all air from the air distribution pipe (14) is directed through the water tank (15) to the upper part of the radiator. The air tank pipe (15) directs the air to the upper part of the water tank (1 1 ), the air is blown to the surface of water. In this way, vaporization of water and substances for inhalation is intensified. The air valve (16) can also be set in the intermediate positions, thus a part of the air is directed to the lower part of the radiator and the other part of the air is directed to the upper part of the radiator. In this way, it is possible to adjust more accurately the operating parameters of the radiator such as the speed of vaporization of water and substances for inhalation, the speed of the heat energy exchange between the heat medium of the radiator and the ambient air, rather than changing the speed of the fan (13).

In order to illustrate and describe the invention, the description of the preferred embodiments is presented above. This is not a detailed or restrictive description to determine the exact form or embodiment. The above description should be viewed more than the illustration, not as a restriction. It is obvious that specialists in this field can have many modifications and variations. The embodiment is chosen and described in order to best understand the principles of the present invention and their best practical application for the various embodiments with different modifications suitable for a specific use or implementation adaptation. It is intended that the scope of the invention is defined by the definition added to it and its equivalents, in which all of these definitions have meaning within the broadest limits, unless otherwise stated.

In the embodiments described by those skilled in the art, modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of this invention as defined in the following definition.

Claims

1 . An indoor air purification, heating, cooling, humidification, vaporization of substances for inhalation device, having

A front (1 ) and a rear wall (2) through which the heating medium circulates, between which an element of metal (24) accelerating heat exchange is;

heat medium supply and discharge (20), air temperature control (5) devices;

body-forming walls;

a water tank (1 1 );

characterized in that it additionally has

a container (25) for substances for inhalation in the inner or outer part of the water tank (1 1 ); and

an air system which has at least the following components:

a filter grille (22),

an air filter (12) for filtering the air entering the air system,

a fan (13) for moving the air in the air system,

an airflow distribution pipe (14),

an airflow distribution valve (16) for directing the airflow,

a pipe (15) for directing the air towards the water tank,

a pipe (17) for directing the air towards the lower part of the radiator, an air system for intensifying vaporization and implementing a cooling function.

2. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lower part oriented towards the floor has two grilles: the lower grille (18) and closing grille (19); these grilles are parallel to one another: the lower grille (18) forms the bottom of the device, they are fixedly attached to the radiator, and the closing grille (19) can slide along the lower grille (18).

3. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rotational speed of the fan (13) is variable.

4. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that a control unit (6) is an electronic unit measuring the ambient air temperature, humidity and, taking into account the measured parameters, under the specified conditions, controlling the rotational speed of the fan (13).

5. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tank (1 1 ) is made of a heat-conducting material (stainless steel, polycarbonate, etc.), a shape of the tank (1 1 ) resembles a cuboid without the upper wall.

6. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the water tank (1 1 ) has a cover (7), the shape of which resembles a cuboid, where

the lower wall and side wall adjoining the lower wall are removed

the cover (7) is designed to direct vapours rising from the tank (1 1 ) to the environment.

7. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that below the vapour grille (3) there is a duct for discharging the condensate which can be attached to different structural elements of the radiator such as a vapour grille (3), the front wall (4) or other elements.

8. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the air filter (12) is in the direction of airflow behind the air grille (22), in front of the fan (13).