WO2020251372A1

WO2020251372A1 - A head-mounted wearable air-purifying device comprising a motorized rotating filter

Info

Publication number: WO2020251372A1
Application number: PCT/NO2020/050158
Authority: WO
Inventors: Morten Gulliksen
Original assignee: Peakvent As
Priority date: 2019-06-14
Filing date: 2020-06-12
Publication date: 2020-12-17

Abstract

A device and system for purifying air of virus, dust, pollen and the like, comprising one or more rotating filter assemblies being rotatable in a balanced rotational motion, for providing a filtered air flow.

Description

A head-mounted wearable air-purifying device comprising a motorized rotating filter

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a head mounted wearable air purifying device and system for purifying air of virus, dust, pollen and the like. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a head mounted wearable air purifying device, for cleaning air of virus dust, pollen and the like, as defined in the introductory parts of and claim 1.

Background art

A problem with the solutions of the prior art is that most focus has been put on quarantine equipment for health personnel. This is expensive equipment which protects the entire body and often draws air from a clean air supply source. Other devices are related to industry masks for supplying clean air to workers working in gaseous environments. This is expensive equipment which normally draws air from a clean air supply source. These type of equipment require specific arrangements for air supply, or exchangeable containers holding compressed air. It will lead to problems on many levels if these types of equipment and devices were to be deployed by many peoples at once, or for example if all inhabitants in a defined area, city or country, should use such equipment for eliminating personal threat of being infected with a virus in a pandemic. Facemasks, as seen worn by inhabitants in major Asian cities, are cheap, but are unable to minimize the infection risk in most cases related to virus spread.

The present invention builds on and claims priority to the earlier patent application:

N020190732, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety or copied in its whole. In the latter case the earlier patent application is recited at the end of this document wherein figure references are renumbered by adding 2000, and figure numbers by 200.

Summary

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem. According to a first aspect there is provided a head mounted wearable air purifying device for purifying air of virus, dust, pollen and the like, comprising: one or more rotating filter assemblies being rotatable in a balanced rotational motion, for providing a filtered air flow, each rotating filter assembly having a corresponding motor for spinning the rotating filter assembly, where each motor and rotating filter assembly being arranged in a casing, an exit guide for channeling air from/to the filter assembly to/from the front of a user's eyes/nose/mouth area, a headgear for providing attachment of the components and for arranging the components correctly relative a user head, and an energy source for powering the motors.

The advantage of the rotating filter assembly is that a sufficient air flow is provided by the device to assure that all user breathed air is filtered either prior to inhalation and/or after exhalation, depending on whether the user is healthy, in need of fresh air supply, or has been infected by a virus, in need of purifying exhaled air. No additional equipment must be supported or used, the device may be completely self-contained and easy to mount and wear.

It should be understood that although most of the embodiments discussed here provides airflow from the filter to the face area, it is merely a small adjustment of the exit guide that will enable the invention to turn the flow direction to go from the face area to the filter, and clean the air before released to the ambient air.

The embodiments and figures are merely examples of the invention using rotating filters to increase air cleaning efficiency, and provide a device with lower power use and noise, and it should be understood that any feature discussed in one embodiment may be combined with any of the other embodiments to enhance that embodiment further.

According to some embodiments, the head comprises: a transparent face shield, for being arranged in front of a user's eyes/nose/mouth area.

Combining the clean air supply from present invention, and a face shield ensure better control of the environment in front of a user's eyes, nose and mouth.

According to some embodiments, the headgear is one of a caps, a hat, a helmet, and a hood.

Several embodiments is shown in the accompanying figures, wherein the present invention may be combined with traditional headgear and protective equipment. According to some embodiments, the one or more casings are arranged in a position embracing one or both ears of a user, and each motor and filter assembly being arranged in a corresponding casing.

There is a challenge to maintain stability and posture when arranging headgear devices, and arranging devices as "headphones" make use of well proven techniques, and the ability to combine both headphones and noise cancellers are features ideal for combining with the features to the present invention.

According to some embodiments, the transparent face shield, defines an enclosure in front of a user's eyes/nose/mouth area, and a first filter assembly provides airflow from the ambient air to the enclosure, and a second filter assembly provides air flow from the enclosure to the ambient air, such that the clean air flow from a first side of the head and exhaled air flows out at the other side of the head.

When using two or more filter assemblies it is possible to both supply filtered air, and clean exhaled air before releasing the air to the ambient air, and this solve both the threat of the user being affected of impurities, and the ambient air to be polluted if the user is infected.

According to some embodiments, the casing further comprise a speaker assembly.

According to some embodiments, the casing is arranged in a position behind the neck of the user.

Depending on what type of rotating filter assembly being used, there will in some embodiments be a challenge to fit the filter assembly in a casing worn as a headphone, or caps/hat or the like, and an embodiment of the invention may arrange the filter assembly in a casing arranged behind the neck of the user, wherein the airflow is channeled to/from the front of the users head. The advantage with such an embodiment is that the filter height may be substantially larger, and provide for a better filter efficiency.

According to some embodiments, the face shield being comprised of one or more shield sections, wherein each shield section is rotationally connected to a pivot connector arranged on each side of the head mounted wearable air purifying device, such that the shield sections can be rotated vertically up and down from a non-active state, to an active state wherein the face shield protects a portion of the face of a user.

A challenge with present face masks and filters are that they must be removed when eating, drinking, and when user is not in need of using the equipment. Present invention provides for an easy to activate feature changing the use state from an easy to wear not active state, to an active state, simply by rotating the shield components around pivot points.

According to some embodiments, the face shield sections in the non-active state is folded in a collapsible stacked arrangement, and the face shield sections in the active state is unfolded substantially overlapping wherein each face shield section protects a portion of the face of a user.

When the face shield has two or more shield sections the sections may be folded to a stacked collapsible non active state, possibly arranged on top of the head of the user, in line with a head band of the headgear.

According to some embodiments, the exit guide is arranged to provide for channeling air from the filter assembly to an area close to the eyes of the user, such that the air stream is guided over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user.

According to some embodiments, the exit guide is arranged to provide for channeling air from the filter assembly to the enclosure defined by the face shield and has an air outlet arranged inside the enclosure in a position between the ear and eye of the user, such that the air stream is guided over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user by substantially following the inside contour of the face shield.

In a further embodiment it is by providing the exit air stream in a substantially perpendicular direction relative the head in an up/down direction at the line of the eyes will provide a calm flowing air stream of filtered air from the eyes towards the nose and mouth.

According to some embodiments, the face shield further comprise an upper flange arranged to close the gap between the face shield and the forehead of the user, and a lower flange arranged to close the gap between the face shield and the chin and jaw of the user, and the flanges are further configured to flex due to the higher air pressure inside the face shield and the surroundings such that air easily can pass between face and flanges.

The advantage of having flanges closing the potential gap between the face of the user and the face shield is to make sure there is a slight overpressure behind the face shield, and thus avoid ambient air to be introduced in the breathing environment of the user.

According to some embodiments, the face shield sections further comprise in between seal material to prohibit unwanted air leakage between the face shield sections. According to some embodiments, the face shield having two or more sections being arranged to provide a gap between two adjacent shield sections to provide a controllable air exit opening, and a gap flange arranger on either of the adjacent shield sections to close the gap of the exit opening and the gap flange being configured to flex due to the higher air pressure inside the face shield and the surroundings such that air easily can pass between the shield portions.

When breathing out, the user increase the pressure behind the face mask considerably, and there may be advantageous to provide an increased outflow capacity to avoid stale air to build up, and to avoid condensation inside the face screen, by for example letting the face shield sections define a gap between two neighboring shield sections for increasing the outlet area. A soft flange should be provided in the gap to prohibit ambient air to be drawn in behind the face shield sections.

According to some embodiments a shell, a rotating filter assembly being rotatable in a balanced rotational motion, for providing a filtered air flow, a face shield being arranged on a forward pointing portion of the shell for channeling the airflow pass the eyes, nose and mouth of a user, and a motor for spinning the rotating filter assembly in a rotating direction around a center axis ; such that when the motor rotates the rotating filter assembly, an air flow is generated behind the face shield area past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user.

According to some embodiments, the filter assembly has a cylinder form comprising: an inlet provided by the orifice of a first side of the cylinder formed filter assembly, a pressure generating component, and a fine filter, wherein: the fine filter is arranged radially outside and in rotational connection to the pressure generating component.

According to some embodiments, the pressure generating component is one or more of: a coarse filter, having a relatively higher permeability than the fine filter, a pleated filter, or

impeller blades being longitudinal arranged in the cylinder formed filter assembly.

According to some embodiments, the pressure generating component is comprised of the fine filter, and the fine filter is a pleated filter. In an even further embodiment the pressure generating component and the fine filter may be the same and for example comprised of a pleated filter having a fine filter characteristics portion arranged most radially outwards.

According to some embodiments, the impeller blades are longitudinal arranged around a cylinder formed center body, and the cylinder formed center body having a tapering cone form towards the inlet of the fine filter, and the first side of the impeller being defined by the side of the impeller where the tapering cylinder formed center body is smallest, and an exit of the rotating filter assembly is defined by the radially outward facing surface of the radially mounted fine filter.

According to some embodiments, the exit guide has an increasing radius in the rotating direction, such that the area between the exit and the exit guide, the radial gap, expands.

According to some embodiments, the expansion of the radial gap between the exit and the exit guide is greater than a factor of 1,2 over the length of the exit guide in the rotating direction, such that the exiting air creates a sub pressure on the air exiting the exit and enhances the air flow/increase the throughput.

According to some embodiments, the fine filter is a standard air filter being rolled around the impeller in sufficient layers to reach a required purifying efficiency.

According to some embodiments, the air flow in a first flow direction, for suppling filtered air to the user, when flowing from the face shield area which is channeling the air flow from the ambient air, through inlet and the rotating filter assembly, and from the exit of the rotating filter assembly towards the face shield area which is channeling the air flow past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, or in a second flow direction, for filtering exhaled air from infected user, when flowing past the area of the mouth, nose and eyes of the user, through the inlet and the rotating filter assembly, and from the exit of the rotating filter assembly towards the ambient air.

The problems with for example pandemics are that it is difficult to provide sufficient separation of people being infected from people not being infected. And infected people is a huge risk for those not yet being infected. Therefore it is just as important to prevent infected people from infecting those not infected, as it is for the not infected to stay not infected. This is solved by present invention in that the device may be used in an opposite mode or two different modes where the air cleansing function either is performed on air that shall be inhaled by non-infected users, and/or on air that has been exhaled by infected users.

According to some embodiments, the present invention comprise an exit guide which is arranged radially adjacent to the exit of the rotating filter assembly and is arranged to guide the air flow out of the rotating filter assembly in the first or second flow direction.

According to some embodiments exit guide has an increasing radius in the rotating direction such that the area between the exit and the exit guide the radial gap, expands.

The advantage of this element is a potential creation of a vacuum pull on the air exiting the rotating filter assembly.

According to some embodiments, the rotating filter assembly being arranged in the shell.

Having the filter assembly arranged in the shell may have several advantages such as ease of use and wear. Having a compact design also make the device much less vulnerable to damage, and short air stream distances between filtering and breathing is power saving- and throughput efficient. That said, the filter assembly may be supplied in a detachable unit with an air hose/pipe connecting to the shell. Advantage of such arrangement is for example lighter shell assembly.

According to some embodiments a head supporting member for supporting the shell and/or supporting the rotating filter assembly, and for prohibiting leakage between a filtered air flow and non-filtered air may be comprised. The head supporting member may be connected to the exit guide via a connecting member. An advantage of such an arrangement may be that when resilience in the design is comprised, it may be possible to eliminate or reduce vibrations propagating from the rotating filter assembly to the users head.

According to some embodiments present invention further comprise an inlet guide which is arranged adjacent to the inlet providing an inlet channel for air entering the rotating filter assembly.

According to some embodiments, present invention further comprises: an air flow direction shifting unit, for shifting the flow path between the first flow direction and the second flow direction by being operable to change the position or orientation of one or both of the inlet guide and the exit guide. It is thus possible to provide a shifting unitbeing able to shifting between operation modes of the present invention during its lifetime, depending on whether the actual user is infected or non-infected.

According to some embodiments, one or both of the inlet guide and exit guide is controlled by an air flow direction shifting unit (not shown) for shifting the flow path between the first flow direction and the second flow direction.

According to some embodiments, the exit guide has a snail house form being arranged around the exit of the rotating filter assembly changeable between two different orientations, such that: when the exit guide is directing the air in the first flow direction, the snail house formed exit guide is arranged such that it defines an opening towards the face shield area channeling the air flow past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, and when exit guide is directing the air in the second flow direction, the snail house formed exit guide is arranged such that it defines an opening towards an environment of ambient air and a blocking barrier towards the face shield area such that exiting air streaming from the exit is prohibited to reach the face shield area around the eyes, nose and mouth of the user.

According to some embodiments the face shield further comprising an extending shield of a soft permeable material arranged to close off any openings between the face shield edges and the head and neck of the user.

According to some embodiments, the inlet guide is rotatable and in air flow communication with a conduit, the rotatable inlet guide is arranged such that: when the air exit guide is directing the air in the first flow direction, the rotatable inlet guide item defines the inlet guide to be comprised of a first branch of the conduit leading the air flow in from the ambient air or from the backside of the shell past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, and when the air exit guide is directing the air in the second flow direction, the rotatable inlet guide item defines the inlet guide to be comprised of a second branch of the conduit leading the air flow in from the face shield area past the area of the mouth, nose and eyes of the user to the ambient air.

The advantage of having an inlet guide being able to direct the inflow for two different environments allow the same production version of the present invention to be configured for use by either healthy users, or by infected user, simply by switching/mounting the device in two different operation modes.

According to some embodiments the shell comprise head fastening means, or is retrofittable into a modified hat, caps, or helmet, or a preconfigured hat, caps, or helmet.

According to some embodiments, the face shield comprise: adjustable side portions for close adaption to the users head form in any of the cheek, chin and jaw areas.

The advantage with adjustable side portions is that the same size face shield may be adapted to fit a large number of different head/face forms of users, and fewer versions of the device must be offered to ensure all users of a population may have one device that can provide acceptable fit.

According to some embodiments, present invention comprises an air flow direction signaling device.

According to some embodiments, the air flow direction signaling device is one or more of: a unique color coding of the shell, a visible identification tag on flow direction controller device, or a led light device color coded to identify air flow direction mode.

According to some embodiments, the visible identification tag on flow direction controller device is provided by a transparent portion of the shell providing visibility of the arrangement of the exit guide.

According to some embodiments, the filter is a standard air filter being rolled around the impeller in sufficient layers to reach a required purifying efficiency. The advantage of this characteristic is that the filter module may be easily adapted to various needs.

According to some embodiments, the filter is a pleated filter.

According to some embodiments, the efficiency of the filter is 99,97 or better The filter may be provided in a way that provides high efficiencies, as high as 99,97 or more.

According to some embodiments, the shell comprise connecting means for the rotating filter assembly, motor, inlet guide, and exit guide, and some or all of the connecting means may further comprise dampening means. The latter will improve the comfort level and lessen any vibration propagation to the users head. According to some embodiments, the connecting means provide two connection modes, wherein the rotating filter assembly, motor, inlet guide, and exit guide is arranged: in a first mode for providing air flow in the first flow direction, and in a second mode for providing air flow in the second flow direction.

According to some embodiments, present invention comprises one or more of: internal disposable energy source, internal chargeable energy source, external energy source, energy charging connector device, motor operation mode controller means, motor operation mode signaling means, energy source status signaling means, and identification means.

According to some embodiments, present invention further comprising a face shield extender for closing off openings between the face shield edges and the head and neck of the user.

According to some embodiments, present invention further comprising a filter holder being arranged radially outside the filter assembly for stabilizing and keep the shape of the fine filter form when rotating.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words

"comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps. The term "filter" is to be interpreted as any type of filter including but not limited to: pleated filters, woven fiber filters, bag filters, High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, Carbon filters, UV light filters, or other.

The term "shell" is to be interpreted as any type of casing, shell, cap, hat, helmet, molded form or the like that can be worn on the head, and which provides a confined volume above the head of the user, and which will be used to contain the filter assembly and motor of present invention.

When the term "fine filter" is used it is to be interpreted as any filter type usable in the filter assembly of present invention for filtration of air.

The term "face shield" is used to define the shield or brim attached to the front of the shell/hat/cap/helm/helmet for controlling the air stream to/from the rotating filter assembly.

The term "area defined by the face shield" is used to define the space where the air stream to or from the rotating filter assembly in front of all or portions of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user. This area is screened off by or defined by the face shield and the face of the user.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective of the air purifying device, where the outer portions are shown as transparent.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the present invention having a partial cross section view of the internal of the rotating filter assembly.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the air purifying device of present invention for use by a healthy user.

Figure 4A shows an exploded view of the air purifying device of present invention, comprising impeller and filter, for use by an infected user. Figure 4B shows an exploded view of the air purifying device of present invention, comprising impeller and pleated filter, for use by an infected user.

Figure 4C shows an exploded view of the air purifying device of present invention, comprising filter holder, coarse filter and fine filter, for use by an infected user.

Figure 4D shows an exploded view of the air purifying device of present invention, comprising filter holder and pleated filter, for use by an infected user.

Figure 4E shows a cross section of an installed filter assembly and exit guide

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a cross section view of the rotating filter assembly.

Figure 7 shows another cross section view of the rotating filter assembly.

Figure 8 shows a bottom view and partial cross section of the air purifying device of present invention for use by healthy user.

Figure 9 show a detail of the inlet to the rotating filter section of the air purifying device of present invention for use by a healthy user.

Figure 10 shows a bottom view and partial cross section of the inlet to the rotating filter assembly section of the air purifying device of present invention for use by an infected user.

Figure 11 shows a side view and partial cross section of the inlet to the rotating filter assembly section of the air purifying device of present invention for use by an infected user.

Figure 12 show a further embodiment of the present invention

Figure 13 show a user wearing the device of present invention shown in figure 12

Figure 14A-E shows a collapsible face shield mounted on "headphones" style embodiments

Figure 15A-B shows a casing with a rotating pleated filter

Figure 16A-F shows a casing and "headphones" style filter assemblies comprising a filter unit comprising multiple radially spaced filters

Figure 16G shows the filter unit in figure 16A without an outer casing Figure 16H shows the filter unit in figure 16A with an outer casing

Figure 17A-C shows a face shield and neck style mounted filter assembly

Figure 17D-E shows two cross section views of the neck mounter filter assembly.

Fig. 18A illustrates a cylindrical formed pleated filter seen at an oblique angle

Fig. 18 B is the filter in fig. 18A seen from above with a section of the pleats enlarged

Fig. 19A describes the pressure graph over the axial to radial impeller and filter Fig. 19B illustrates the value of a filters' Gu-number according to the present invention Fig. 19C is a concrete case study of performance CADR/L at 35dB with various Gu for present invention v.s. typical prior art

Fig. 19D is a concrete case study of performance CADR/Volume of filter cylinder at 35dB with various Gu for present invention v.s. typical prior art

Fig. 20 shows corridor and column effects through pleated filter

Fig. 21 illustrates pleats in cylindrical filter in - air passage

Fig. 22A illustrate a single impeller one side throwing embodiment of the filter assembly seen from the front and side

Fig. 22B illustrated a cross section view of the embodiment in fig. 22A

Fig. 22C illustrates an exploded view of a filter of fig. 22A

Fig. 23A shows a cross section of a pleated filter embodiment of the cap shown in fig. 216A-B.

Fig. 23B shows the pleated filter in 23A have an increasing radius from bottom to top

Fig. 23C shows the cap in fig. 23A from an upper front angle

Fig. 23D shows some of the internals of the filter assembly

Fig. 23E shows a real life implementation inside a cap

Fig. 23F shows an alternative filter configuration

Detailed description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

Figure 1, 14B, and 17B shows embodiments of the air purifying device of present invention, and Figure 2, 15A , 16E, and 17C shows a side view of the present invention having a partial cross section view of the internal of the rotating filter assembly. The first aspect of this disclosure shows a head mounted wearable air purifying device 1 for purifying air of virus, dust, pollen and the like, comprising: one or more rotating filter assemblies 3 being rotatable in a balanced rotational motion, for providing a filtered air flow, each rotating filter assembly 3 having a corresponding motor 5 for spinning the rotating filter assembly 3, where each motor 5 and rotating filter assembly 3 being arranged in a casing 2,153,170, an exit guide 11,15,171 for channeling air from/to the filter assembly 3 to/from the front of a user's eyes/nose/mouth area, a headgear 1,141,151 for providing attachment of the components and for arranging the components correctly relative a user head, and an energy source for powering the motors.

The present invention uses rotating filters to increase air cleaning efficiency compared to existing fan and filter technologies, and specifically will this techniques be adapted to wearable headgears to provide a device with lower power use and noise able to clean and deliver filtered air directly to the area in front of the face of a user. The concept of rotating filter and in particular rotating pleated filter is inspired by the priority application.

Typically the motor 5 assembly may comprise an inbuilt rechargeable or replaceable battery used for powering the motor 5 operation and optional sensor devices.

A remote power connector (not shown) may be provided and used for longer lifetime power supply, and for charging a battery. A battery may be arranged in other parts of the a head mounted wearable air purifying device 1 (not shown).

In one embodiment of the present invention the head comprises: a transparent face shield 4,142,143,144, for being arranged in front of a user's eyes/nose/mouth area. The face shield may arranged to the headgear in a fixed fashion, or it may be movable between active and passive state. The face shield may be provided in partially or fully face covering versions.

The motors of the device may be switched on and off using a switch (not shown), and/or the switch may be implemented as a sensor switch sensing when the face shield is brought to an active position, and then turn the motors on. Likewise the sensor switch may turn off the motors if the face shield is moved to an inactive position, for example turned upward, collapsed, to a side, or the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention the headgear is one of a caps, a hat, a helmet, and a hood. One examples is shown in figure 23A-D. The latter may be used in a retrofit version or as an OEM product that can be embedded in any type of headgear.

In one embodiment of the present invention the one or more casings 2,153 are arranged in a position embracing one or both ears of a user, and each motor and filter assembly being arranged in a corresponding casing, such that the filter and motor assemblies are mounted and worn as a pair of "head speakers".

The head speaker format is advantageously when considering the possibilities it offers related to maintaining stability and posture, and arranging devices as headphones make use of well proven techniques, and the ability to combine both headphones and noise cancellers are features ideal for combining with the features to the present invention. The headband connecting the casings of the headphones may be used for power unit storage, sensors arrangements, air supply, holding face shield and more. Also an adjustable headband will enable better fit of the device to any type of head shape and size.

In one embodiment of the "headphone" design the present invention is provided with dampening means in form of resilient components such as spears 148, motor plate 151 for arranging motor, the motor plate is provided with conduits for friction receiving the spears 148 such that the motor is held in a suspension mode hanging midway on the spears 148, and the spears are fastened in one end to a fixed floor 149,150 that may be of any material, but advantageously by a material that have a noise dampening effect. This is seen in detail at least in figure 16A.

In a further embodiment the transparent face shield 4,142,143,144, defines an enclosure in front of a user's eyes/nose/mouth area, and a first filter assembly provides airflow from the ambient air to the enclosure, and a second filter assembly provides air flow from the enclosure to the ambient air, such that the clean air flow from a first side of the head and exhaled air flows out at the other side of the head.

Being able to both supply and retrieve air to and from the enclosure defined in front of the face of the user increase the usability of the device where there is a need to protect the user of unfiltered ambient air, and at the same time protect other persons in the vicinity of potential contaminated air exhaled by the user. The flow of air will then be supplied either at one side of the face, and exit at the other side. It may also be envisaged to let air flow from above and down or from below and up, wherein exit channels are provided in outlets and inlets correspondingly in chin/forehead area. In a further embodiment these "head speaker" fashioned filter and motor assemblies may also actually contain speakers 2,153 and/or silencer technology, such that the potential noise from the spinning filters, motors and other noise may be annulled or distorted.

As seen in figure 17A - E the casing 170 is arranged in a position behind the neck of the user. This is advantageous if needing to use a longer filter, optionally pleated filter, with characteristics as discussed below in relation to figure 18-22.

In one embodiment the face shield 4,142,143,144 being comprised of one or more shield 4,142,143,144 sections, wherein each shield section 4,142,143,144 is rotationally connected to a pivot connector 154 arranged on each side of the head mounted wearable air purifying device 1, such that the shield sections 4,142,143,144 can be rotated vertically up and down from a non-active state, to an active state wherein the face shield protects a portion of the face of a user.

In a further embodiment the face shield sections 4,142,143,144 in the non-active state is folded in a collapsible stacked arrangement, and the face shield sections in the active state is unfolded substantially overlapping wherein each face shield section protects a portion of the face of a user. See figure 14A-E where various embodiments and face shield section states are illustrated.

In a further embodiment the exit guidell,15,171 is arranged to provide for channeling air from the filter assembly to an area close to the eyes of the user, such that the air stream is guided over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user

In an even further embodiment the exit guide 11,15,171 is arranged for channeling air from the filter assembly to the enclosure defined by the face shield and may have an air outlet arranged inside the enclosure 11 in a position between the ear and eye of the user, such that the air stream is guided over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user by substantially following the inside contour of the face shield 4,142,143,144.

The face shield may further comprise an upper flange 155 arranged to close the gap between the face shield 4,142,143,144 and the forehead of the user, and a lower flange 156 arranged to close the gap between the face shield 4,142,143,144 and the chin and jaw of the user, and the flanges 155,156 are further configured to flex due to the higher air pressure inside the face shield 4,142,143,144 and the surroundings such that air easily can pass between face and flanges. These flanges need not only be on the upper and lower sections of the face shield, but may be provided to close any openings between the device and headform of the user such that any openings to the enclosed area in front of the face of the user may be completely closed off, and when filter assembly channels air into the enclosure, the supply of false air (air entering the enclosure by other routes than through the spinning filter) is kept to an absolute minimum. Typically < 5% and advantageously <1%.

The face shield sections may further comprise in between seal material 157 to prohibit unwanted air leakage between the face shield sections.

The face shield having two or more sections being arranged to provide a gap 147 between two adjacent shield sections to provide a controllable air exit opening, and a gap flange 158 arranger on either of the adjacent shield sections to close the gap of the exit opening and the gap flangel58 being configured to flex due to the higher air pressure inside the face shield and the surroundings such that air easily can pass between the shield portions.

Now the air flow details as illustrated in figure 1 - 13 is discussed in detail, but the effect is seen also in embodiments as shown in figures 14 - 17 and 216. These embodiments are implemented in a shell 2, wherein the shell can have the same function as the casing 153, 170 above.

The filter assembly 3 is provided in a substantially cylinder form, wherein an inlet 9 of the filter assembly 3 is provided by the orifice of a first side of the cylinder formed filter assembly 3. The filter assembly 3 further comprising a pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 and a fine filter 10, wherein the fine filter 10 is arranged radially outside and in rotational connection to the pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43.

By rotating the filter assembly 3 comprising the radially mounted fine filter 10, it is created an air flow into the filter assembly 3 through the inlet 9 and the air flow is distributed along the pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 and thrown towards the attached rotating fine filter 10. The fine filter 10 may be composed of a standard filter, for example a HEPA filter, being rolled around the pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43, in one or more layers to add up to a purifying efficiency satisfying the required purifying needs.

The pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 may be comprised of a variety of arrangements, and most importantly it is necessary that the pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 is able to spin the air and generate an air pressure that when hits the rotational connected fine filter 10 radially outside the pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43, no energy is wasted before entering the fine filter 10. Spinning the air in the same rotational motion as the fine filter also ensures that noise level is kept exceptionally low. The pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 may be one or more of: a coarse filter 43 having a relatively higher permeability than the fine filter 10, a pleated filter 42, or an impeller 6, 7 being longitudinal arranged in the cylinder formed filter assembly 3. Various pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 alternatives are exemplified in figure 4A-D. In the cases where a filter assembly is comprised of soft filters only, a filter holder 44 may be provided to ensure a stable and balanced filter assembly. The holder may simply be comprised of a helix line/thread 67 of any suitable material spun around the fine filter of any suitable material. The holder may in its simplest form be comprised of one or more rubber bands tightly arranged around the fine filter 10.

The rotation of the filter ensure that no additional energy is wasted on air hitting a static filter as is normal in traditional air filtering techniques, and further the rotation of the filter will add centrifugal forces to the air molecules which will aid their passage through the fine filter 10. This way a low energy, high throughput, low noise, working characteristics of the rotating filter assembly 6 is ensured. When air exits the filter assembly it flows in a guided direction between the outer surface of the filter and an exit guide 15 or between the outer surface of the filter and the inner surface of the shell 2. In an even further embodiment the pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43 and the fine filter 10 may be the same and for example be comprised of a pleated filter 42 having a fine filter characteristics portion arranged most radially outwards. One typically embodiment of such combined pressure generating component and fine filter may be a pleated filter 42.

The following description describes in more detail the effects of how the spinning pleated filter enhances the transport of air molecules through the filter, and which is illustrated by the details in figure 18A - 21.

In figure 19A, a cross section half of the spinning filter and axial to radial impeller blade is illustrated with the air flow 2010 building up radial pressure p as it passes through the impeller. Ideally in accordance with: p = 0.5*p*ro²*(ro²-ra²). Where n is the inner radius of the pleated filter ra is a characteristic radius depending upon incoming radius for each streamline and more specifically where the morphed impeller cause more radiall than axial pressure build up. 0 is the air density, 0 the angular frequency. The radiuses ro and ra are defined in figure 19A. However the actual pressure field is much more complex and it is difficult to express useful relationships by simple analytic expressions.

The pressure zone can simplified be divided in the following sections:

1) The axial to radial pressure build up zone.

2) The radial spin pressure.

3) The pressure distribution in the filter.

4) The pressure in the rotational exit air.

A phenomenological representation of how the tangentially averaged pressure is distributed radially is shown in the bottom of figure 19A. The actual pressure however variate a lot depending upon how the both blades and pleats in the filter accelerates and decelerates both around the z axis and in radial direction. The shaping of the impeller blades are done to evenly distribute in both z direction and around the circumference of the z axis. The figure illustrates how the exit velocity and spin field represents a suction effect on the air molecules exiting the pleated filter.

In figure 20 we see exaggerated examples of streamlines through the pleated filter under static and rotational conditions, and how slow air molecule buildup in static filters increase pressure drop relative to a spinning filter wherein:

I. Corridor effect (Discovered): Air molecules entering the exit channel normal to exit channel are partly accelerated by the high speed core flow (B) which in turn, in the static case, are accelerated by a high pressure in the bottom of the exit channels. The resulting increased pressure, compared to that of a parallel flow situation, may thus be postulated as the Corridor effect. When spinning a pleated filter, centrifugal forces pull/accelerate the newly fed air molecules together with the column and core, hence the speed of the core can be lower in order to exit the same amount of air. Corridor effect is then reduced and a more uniform velocity profile occur at the outlet, reducing the pressure drop in the exit channel. Efficiency is increased with less viscous loss and loss of kinetic energy in the exit jet (A). With narrow exit channels and high media velocities the corridor effects becomes more important.

II. Column effect (Discovered) while spinning: Centrifugal forces help pull the entire column so the actual pressure buildup along the exit channel decreases. Given the right pleat geometry a spinning pleated filter enables more even pressure which promotes more flow through the innermost portion of the exit channel relative a static pleated filter situation. More even flow is the result and this reduces the differential pressure over the filter media. Pressure drop in the inlet channel is not discussed, but this is important to understand the whole picture.

III. Result of column effect and reduction of corridor effect while spinning: More flow can enter at low radius at bottom of exit channel A^'. Filter usage is more even B^' hence media pressure difference is reduced. Core velocity in exit channel are reduced hence less pressure is needed to accelerate the core C^'. This reduces the pressure deep in the exit channel and promote flow through filter media at low R. Dynamic losses in exit channel are reduced as air exit with lower speed.

In figure 21 it is shown how the cylindrical shape of the pleated filter facilitates wider exit channels than input channels, which is the result when bending a pleated filter in a curve and to a cylindrical shape. The present invention postulates that because the pressure drop in the exit pleat channel is larger than a same sized inlet pleat channel it is beneficial to reverse the direction of flow of cylindrical filters from how they typically are used today where the air goes through the filter from the outside of the filter to the inside of the filter. When additionally the other positive discovered effects that are present in a rotating pleated filter are added, the advantages of a rotating filter become very significant.

IV. Cylindrical shape: Widening exit channel reduces exit velocity. Pressure build up and corridor effects are reduced further. V. Spinn outside exit channels promotes suction/pull and reduces final exit velocities and hence energy loss. This increases the efficiency of the system.

Some or all features discussed in relation to figure 19-21 is independent on which

embodiment configuration the pleated filter is implemented in. Obviously when filters of different diameters are mounted outside each other as depicted in figure 16A-G and/or other filters configurations the exit suction may have less impact in filter performance.

Figure 16A-G show one embodiment using multiple filters 160, 161, 162 of different diameter. The filters may be mounted in an assembly wherein each space between filters are provided with a diagonally arranged air tight sleeve 146 providing an input guiding channel for air entering into the inner space of the filter being arranged outside a smaller diameter filter as illustrated in the assembly cross section in figure 16D. The same air tight sleeve thus provide an output guiding channel for air exiting to the outside space of the filter being arranged inside a larger diameter filter.

Radial foils 164 may be arranged inside and outside (in between) the filters, to provide radial fanned air flow. Thus when the multi-filter assembly rotates, the inflow air is pushed into the inside of each filter, centrifugal forces drives the air through the filters, and in the case of pleated filter the exit channels between the pleats further enhance the air flow through the filter.

An axial to radial impeller 7 is arranged in the input casing lid. The purpose is to spin the air smoothly up to the angular velocity of the assembly supplying the radial fan feature of the filter assembly. Like axial fans the air foils shall have an angle of attack matching the incoming air, however unlike axial fans that strive for low exit spin, the air shall leave the air foils in a spinning fashion similar to the rotating pleated filter.

A rotating exhaust air director unit (not shown) may be rotationally attached to the filters 140, 141, 142 exhaust side of the assembly to provide a reverse exit direction relative the rotation. Air inflow enters the inside of each cylindrical shaped filter and exits out of the filters in an exit flow. The foils may also from the lowest radius be tilted upwards towards the filters for more even pressure over the exit of the director. It is further claimed that the centrifugal forces of a spinning filter of almost any type, such as for example a spinning carbon filter, wherein an axial to radial impeller is working inside the spinning cylindrical filter, have unparalleled characteristics to a filter of same configuration which is mounted for static operation.

At least when utilizing present invention with pleated filters, and specifically to the neck mounted filter assembly as shown in figure 17A-E an important filter effect is provided influencing the power consumption coming from the propelling of both dust particles and air into a rotating pleated filter. Compared to an air supply system where a fan works in combination with a static filter, the turbulent hydrodynamic energy loss or the fan loss, is almost eliminated. As a result the power consumption is significantly reduced. Compared to products with similar function and size, power consumption is reduced with 40-90%.

Reference is made to fig. 18A and fig. 18B, which shows a pleated filter 42 having a longitudinal cylindrical shape.

The filters of present invention provides a certain ratio between the inner radius r, and the outer radius r₀ of the filter, and between the inner radius r, and the length/_/, along the rotational axis 20. If the inner radius r, is to large, and the RPM too high, like if a filter was placed in a centrifugal fan of a flat room heat convector, the entering air would hit the pleats too hard, and energy is spoiled in in turbulence and noise instead of building up pressure. In such a case, in order to obtain sufficient centrifugal driving pressure overcoming the pressure drop of the filter, the outer radius r₀ could be chosen larger, however since the tangential exit velocity scales with r, this results in too much energy input to the spinning exiting air. On the other hand, too small inner radius r, of the pleated filter result in small entrance area into the channels in the pleated filter that result in high air inflow velocity that makes it hard to feed the filter portion close to the entrance, resulting in uneven filter use. The same negative effect from high air inflow velocity can be seen when air is fed from just one of the filter openings. Further negative effects with one opening is that it requires greater motor torque to maintain the performance which in turn requires a larger and more expensive motor.

The usefulness of different embodiments of rotating pleated filters depend upon a series of measures or parameters that might be weighted differently for the different embodiments. The product size is of importance for most customers and the price increase following a large product is also of importance. Other vital parameters, when used in air purifiers, are the noise and clean air delivery rate (CADR). The latter is often defined as the floor area the air purifier can cover. After studying the range of available prior art air purifiers thoroughly, as well as the intricate physics holding the key to the potential of the rotating pleated filter, it has been discovered that it is possible to define a new relation that surprisingly well describes the commercial usefulness of the rotating pleated filter of present invention as an air purifying element.

For appropriate operation without other functioning pressure improving parts attached, the relationships between r, , r₀ , pleat spacing p_s, filter efficiency e and height/_/, of the spinning pleated filter can be expressed by the dimensionless number which hereby has been denoted as the Gu number. The number apply also for rotating pleated filters used in ventilation systems.

The relation is phenomenological and empirical based and derived through CFD

(Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations, 3D printing and measurements on numerous models as well as testing different filters. The Gu number is defined as:

Gu number º f_h*p_r/{2*r₀*£^7/lf)

Where r₀ may represent the outer pressure generating radius spanning over an optional additional filter, such as for example a carbon filter. p_r is defined by : (r₀-n)/ p_s, where p_sis the pleat spacing. The precision of the Gu number is more accurate in the growth interval of the usefulness level. As the Gu number gets higher, passing 10, it will be more difficult to interpret depending on which parameter is altered, and how the resulting effect from these alterations are regarded by the observer. Such variations may be in relation to how the observers regard product size, and how they perceive different levels of noise. Also the pollution level and type in the environment of use will contribute, and the recommended air exchanges rate, (air changes per hour for a room) differs accordingly, typically from 2 to 4 or higher.

The Gu number take into account the fluid dynamics in every involved parameter, but it's not trivial in any way to isolate or address why and how these parameters contribute isolated and hence should apply. By best effort it is concluded or stated that every parameter represent the usefulness well, over a relatively wide range. The relation apply for filter efficiencies from 20% to well above 90 %.

In order to be able to prove the unique positive effects of the rotating pleated filters it has been necessary to do experiments within the interval shown in figure 19B. Outside this interval at Gu < 1 it is not possible to explore the benefits due to high noise per CADR. In prior art the above discussed and postulated effects has not been recognized, and they have been running at Gu numbers below 1. Additionally prior art embodiments has been running at too high RPM without reflecting on the above discussed relationships, or even discussing any such, and the hidden potential has remained undiscovered. An example of a product having shape factors of Gu substantially equal to 1 with radial blades according to present invention is shown in figure 22A-C. Present invention claim the following interval: Gu > 1

Table 1: Benchmark present invention v.s. prior art

In Table 1 it is provided an empirical test of best available prior art, compared with 3 versions of present invention wherein the residential usefulness of claimed relationship to the Gu number is concretisized by using CADR/L at a constant noise of 35 dB measured at lm. L is the longest device length in the horizontal plane. Looking at the embodiment of present invention as described in figure 22A-C L is approximately 1,25 * diameter = l,25*2*r₀ of pleated filter, due to the snailhouse design. Tabel 1 is plotted into the concretized graph in figure 19 C showing an interval of Gu values from 0 to 5, wherein the first row is related to a prior art spinning filter shape replica having Gu = 0,8. The three following rows show numbers related to 3 embodiments of present invention, being that of figure 22A-C without casing and non-enhanced fan blades.

Common for all filters are e= 0,88·

In the embodiment when rotating a pleated filter with two openings with a radial impeller inside or radial blades inside, outside or both inside and outside of the pleated filter, the performance will depend on the blades regarding angle of attack, the inner blade height or the sum of the blade heights if more than one layer of blades are employed. The attacking blade edge meeting incoming air may advantageously be rounded. According to some embodiments, the angle of attack may be less than 75°, preferably between 75° and 30°, depending upon n, f_h and the An_nner _blade- The inner blade height An_nner _blade inward from inner filter radius r, shall be more than 12 mm, preferably 0,2*r, <An_nner _blade < 0,4*r, mostly depending upon f_h.

At same flow and else similar shape factors, a matched attacking inner blade An_nner _biade= 10 mm resulted in a noise improvement of approximately 4,5 dB relative standard forward leaning blades optimised for unhindered flow in a radial fan geometry. Typically forward refers to the outer part of the blade, hence tilting in "wrong direction" relative our case. Matched attacking blades with double blade lengths An_nner _biade= 20mm lead to noise improvement of up to approximately 10 dB.

Similarly improvements are observed relating to power use of up to 30 % savings in light of radial blade construction.

In an even further embodiment a very narrow implementation of the invention is arranged in a headgear, such as a helmet, caps, protection hood or the like as exemplified in figure 23A-D and later mentioned in regards to figure 216A-B. In figure 23A showing a cross section of the present invention in a cap exclusive the impeller wherein the filter configuration is a pleated filter. The figure 23C which illustrate the same present invention in a cap seen from above exclusive motor assembly and impeller in order to better illustrate the filter configuration. The filter in this embodiment is having an increasing radius from bottom and upwards, where the pleats will stretch out with higher radius. It is thus possible to provide a slimmer implementation without reducing filter area and efficiency. The filter which then will have a coned form is shown in detail in figure 23B, illustrated by the dotted liens showing a tapering radius from top to bottom of the filter.

The present invention as shown in figure 23 A-C may also be arranged with the filter assembly and motor inside a traditional cap or the like having a cloth or material which is permeable to air, such that the look will be of a normal cap or the like, and the inlet 9 is thus arrange underneath the material of the hat or the like. The exit channel being arranged to throw the filtered air stream from the front head and down 13 as seen in figure 23E.

In an even further implementation the shield 4 may be of a glasses form such that they only cover the eyes in a minimal configuration, where the glasses or cap may have attachment means for an extended shield 4 covering more of the face area, and even having optional flanges sealing off an enclosure in front of the users face, ensuring an over pressure in front of the eyes , nose and mouth of the user relative the ambient air.

Figure 23F shows a different alternative filter configuration providing a "pleated" filter where one or more filter discs 71 of any filter material are placed horizontally, and each space between filters are provided with a diagonally arranged air tight sleeve 172 providing an input guiding channel for air entering along a guiding cone and impeller blades into an upper side of the filter disc, and exit out of the filter assembly via the underside of the filter disc as illustrated by the arrows. This allows for a height reduced filter assembly without sacrificing too much filter area.

In one embodiment wherein the pressure generating component comprise an impeller 6 having impeller blades 7 longitudinal arranged around a cylinder formed center body 8, and the cylinder formed center body 8 having a tapering cone form towards the inlet 9 of the fine filter 10. A first side of the impeller 6 being defined by the side towards which the tapering cylinder formed center body 8 of the impeller is smallest, and an exit 11 of the rotating filter assembly is defined by the radially outward facing surface of the radially mounted fine filter 10.

Depending on the mounting arrangement of pressure generating component 6, 7, 42, 43, the fine filter 10, and the motor the air flow in a first flow direction 13, for suppling filtered air to the user, when flowing from the ambient air, through inlet 9 and the rotating filter assembly 3, and from the exit 11 of the rotating filter assembly 3 towards the face shield 4 area past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, or the air flow in a second flow direction 14, for filtering exhaled air from infected user, when flowing from the area defined by the face shield 4 past the area of the mouth, nose and eyes of the user, through the inlet 9 and the rotating filter assembly 3, and from the exit 11 of the rotating filter assembly 3 towards the ambient air.

In a further embodiment the air purifying device 1 further comprise an exit guide 15 which is arranged radially adjacent to the exit 11 of the rotating filter assembly 3 and is arranged to guide the air flow 12 out of the rotating filter assembly.

The exit guide 15 may be arranged to ensure that all air exiting from the fine filter 10 is collected and lead either to the breathing area of the user, or out to the ambient air. The form of the exit guide may be designed to collect the exiting air from the rotating filter in a manner that do not impose unnecessary flow restrictions, and a snail house like increasing radius in the rotational direction may be advantageous.

In a further embodiment of the air purifying device as illustrated in figure 4Ethe exit guide 15 has an increasing radius, R1 to R2, in the rotating direction 20 such that the area between the exit 11 and the exit guide 15, the radial gap, expands.

The expansion of the radial gap between the exit 11 and the exit guide 15 is advantageously greater than a factor of 1,2 over the length of the exit guide 15 in the rotating direction 20, such that the exiting air creates a sub pressure on the air exiting the exit 11 and enhances the air flow/increase the throughput. The tuning of the expansion rate of the gap distance between the filter exit 11 and the exit guide 15 is used to promote suction through the filter. When the gap is in the range of the viscous boundary layers, flow separation is delayed so that dynamic energy of the tangential air flow exiting the filter 10 can more easily be recovered to static energy. Given that the gap increase in accordance with a certain expansion rate the flow through the filter can be enhanced significantly. By utilizing something similar to the venturi principle in this more complex flow situation it is possible to design a suction that promotes the flow throughput and hence the filtering capability of the device. The said expansion rate may be equal or larger than 1,2 times the angular rate corresponding to the tangential exit velocity and the non- guided or free flow rate given by the balance between centrifugal pressure build up through the rotating filter assembly 3 and the permeability of the filter(s). The exiting air then creates a vacuum pull on the air exiting the exit (11).

The length in the rotational direction of the exit guide 15 is preferably > 180°, but may be less if the shell 2 is provided with further air stream guiding elements ensuring that the air flow 12 is controlled in respective air flow directions 13, 14.

In a favorable embodiment of the present invention the rotating filter assembly 3 is arranged in the shell 2, and thus all components of the air purifying device 1 may be worn on the head.

In alternative embodiments the rotating filter assembly 3 is arranged in in a detachable/remote unit with an air hose/pipe connecting to the shell. For example could the rotating filter assembly 3 be installed in a custom shoulder bag to be carried by the user. Taking some of the weight away from the head might be advantageous in some user scenarios.

In one embodiment as shown in figure 3 and 4A-D, the exit guide, along with the other internal parts of the air purifying device 1, are mountable in two assembly modes. As shown in figure 3, a first assembly mode ensuring the exit air flow to stream in the first direction 13, wherein the exit guide 15 is mounted on the rear side of the rotating filter assembly 3. The rotating filter assembly 3 and motor is further mounted to rotate the rotating filter assembly in the direction throwing air into the exit guide and forward to the front of the shell 2 enclosure. The exit guide 15 having a partial cylinder form of approximately a half longitudinal cut pipe form, around 180°, optionally with an increasing radius in the rotating filter assembly 3 rotational direction, such that all air is led to the area radially outside the forward pointing half of the rotating filter assembly 3. All the filter configurations shown in figure 4A-D may be adapted to provide the air flow direction as shown in figure 3.

As shown in figure 4A-D, further assembly modes is shown for ensuring the exit air flow to stream in the second direction 14, wherein the exit guide 15 is mounted on the front side of the rotating filter assembly 3. The rotating filter assembly 3 and motor is further mounted to rotate the rotating filter assembly in the direction throwing air into the exit guide and backward to the rear of the shell 2 enclosure. The exit guide 15 having a partial cylinder form of approximately a half longitudinal cut pipe form, alternatively with an increasing radius in the rotating filter assembly 3 rotational direction, such that all air is led to the area radially outside the backward pointing half of the rotating filter assembly 3.

In an even further embodiment the present invention may comprise a head supporting member 16, 19 for supporting one or both of the shell 2 and the rotating filter assembly 3. In this area the air stream has regained its pressure and will also ensure that any gaps between head and head supporting member 16 probably will not feed contaminated air into the clean air stream. The head supporting member 16 may be connected to the exit guide 15 via a connecting member 28, wherein the connecting member 28 may have a resilience characteristic such that it may prohibit vibrations to propagate to the users head. The configuration of the head supporting member 16, 19, the exit guide 15, and the connecting member 28 may have one or more of the following characteristics for: the head supporting member 16, the exit guide 15, and the connecting member 28 is formed in one piece of the same material

the head supporting member 16, the exit guide 15, and the connecting member 28 is formed in one piece of the same material and the connecting member 28 has a spring form

the connecting member 28 is thinner than the head supporting member 16 and the exit guide 15

grooves 29 are provided across the connecting member 28 between the head supporting member 16 and the exit guide 15 the connecting member 28 is made of a different more resilient material compared to one or both of the head supporting member 16, 19and the exit guide 15

the head supporting member 16,19 is separately connected to or part of the shell 2 and pointing downward towards the users head forward of the rotating filter assembly 3.

The head supporting member 16 when integrated with the exit guide 15 functions also to ensure the device sit correct on the users head. Although the head supporting member 16 illustrated is mainly a top of the head resting element, it may have other forms to ensure cooperation with the face shield to ensure there are no leakage into or out of the air stream 12.

In yet another embodiment of the invention an inlet guide 17 mounted to an inlet cap 41 which is arranged adjacent to the inlet 9 providing an inlet channel 21 for air entering the rotating filter assembly 3. The inlet guide 17is provided to be arranged in a first position when air inlet is fed ambient air into the rotating filter assembly 3, and in a second position when air inlet is fed air from the volume of air behind the face shield 4.

The inlet guide may even be comprised in an air flow direction shifting unit, for shifting the flow path 12 between the first flow direction 13 and the second flow direction 14 by being operable to change the position or orientation of one or both of inlet guide 17 and exit guide 15 (not shown).

When the exit guide 15 has a snail house form that may be arranged around the exit 11 of the rotating filter assembly 3 changeable between two different orientations, such that: when the exit guide 15 is directing the air in the first flow direction 13, the exit guide is arranged such that it defines an opening towards the area defined by the face shield 4 channeling the filtered clean air flow past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, and when the exit guide 15 is directing the air in the second flow direction 14, the exit guide 15 is arranged such that it defines an opening towards an environment of ambient air and a blocking barrier towards the area defined by the face shield 4 such that exiting air stream from the exit 11 is prohibited to reach the area defined by the face shield 4 around the eyes, nose and mouth of the user. The face shield 4 may further comprise face shield extender 66 of an air permeable fabric/material, for example a cloth, arranged to close off some or all openings between the face shield edges and the head and neck of the user. This may provide an over-pressure in the area surrounding the eyes, nose and mouth when the air flow in the first flow direction 13, the user is healthy, and an sub-pressure in the same area when the air flow in the second flow direction 14, the user is infected. The face shield extender 66 may be attachable to the edge of the face shield 4 on one side , and attachable to the face, neck, shirt/jacket or other on other side(s). The face shield extender 66 may be comprised of more than one parts, for example one for downward facing side of face shield, and one for each side of face shield. Other configurations and tightening mechanisms may be adapted to various needs.

In one embodiment of th epresent invention, the inlet guide 17 is rotatable and in air flow communication with a conduit 21,22. The rotatable inlet guide 17 may be arranged such that: when the exit guide 15 is arranged such that the air flow in the first flow direction 13, the rotatable inlet guide 17 defines the inlet 9 to comprise a first branch 21 of the conduit 21,22 leading the air flow in from the ambient air or from the backside of the shell 2 channeling the filtered air flow out past the area of the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, and when the exit guide 15 is arranged such that the air flow in the second flow direction, the rotatable inlet guide 17 defines the inlet 9 to comprise a second branch 22 of the conduit 21,22 leading the air flow in from the area defined by the face shield 4 past the area of the mouth, nose and eyes of the user towards the ambient air.

The air purifying device may be used as a standalone device, or it may be incorporated in further equipment to be worn by the user. Therefore in one embodiment the shell 2 may comprise head fastening means 64, 65, for example sideflaps 64 and/or chin strap 65, to ensure correct use and maintenance of the user wearing the device correctly. Alternatively the device may be retrofittable into a for example modified hat, cap, helmet, or a preconfigured hat, caps, or helmet, or the like.

To further improve the use and personal adaption to face and head contour of the user the face shield 4 in one embodiment comprise adjustable side portions 23. The need for close adaption to the users head form in any of the cheek, chin and jaw areas is important to prevent leakage from/to the air stream passing in front of the users eyes, nose and mouth. In an even further embodiment it may be provided custom formed face shields formed to fit a user's unique face and head form.

It may be advantageous to be able to see in what mode the air purifying device worn by a user is operating, providing air flow in the first flow direction 13 or in the second flow direction 14. In one embodiment of present invention it is provided an air flow direction signaling device. Alternatives for such air flow direction signaling devices may be one or more of: a unique color coding of the shell 2, a visible identification tag on flow direction controller device 15,17, or a led light device 25 color coded to identify air flow direction mode. The last needing a power source connection and a sensor or switch for setting the mode.

In an even further embodiment the operation mode may be advertised by providing a transparent portion of the shell 2, or the complete outer frame of the shell 2 is transparent, and having a signal color on some of the internal part. For example if the exit guide 15 having one color, and the outer surface of the filter having a different color, it may be possible to see if the air purifying device provide the user with filtered or non-filtered breathable air. If the transparent portion faces forward and the exit guide 15 color is red, the signal may be interpreted as the user is infected with a virus.

Depending on what the device is being used for the fine filter 10 may be provided in many forms and types. For example may a standard air filter being rolled around the impeller in sufficient layers to reach a required purifying efficiency. Other filters may be used. When being used for pollen or dust cleaning, it may be advantageous to use a pleated filter, which have high efficiencies and low noise. In an advantageous embodiment the efficiency of the filter is 99,97 or better.

The shell 2 comprise connecting means 26, 27 for connecting one or more of the rotating filter assembly 3, motor 5, inlet guide 17 and exit guide 15 to the shell 2, or hat, caps, or helmet. The connecting means 26, 27 may further comprise dampening means 31, 32, 33, 34 for providing dampening of vibrations. Examples of dampening means may be: a resiliant sealing ring 31 for attaching the motor to a connecting means 27 a resiliant friction ring 35 mounted on an rotating output orifice of the motor 5, a resiliant portion 32 of the inlet cap 41, a resiliant connecting member 33 of the inlet side of the cylinder formed center body 8

The shell 2 may be designed such that each longitudinal half is a mirror design of the other, or at least have means for connecting the one or more of the rotating filter assembly 3, motor 5, inlet guide 17 and exit guide 15 in a first mode 30 and/or a second mode 40 reverse order, such that when in the first mode 30 as illustrated in figure 3, the device will provide an air stream in the first air flow direction 13. When the one or more of the rotating filter assembly 3, motor 5, inlet guide 17 and exit guide 15 is connected in the reverse mode 40 order as illustrated in figure 4A-D, the device will provide an air stream in the second air flow direction 14.

In some embodiments of the present invention it will be advantageous to provide a further hair protection shield 68 arranged in the shell to prohibit hair of user and objects to reach the rotating filter assembly from the area defined by the face shield 4. The hair protection shield 68 has a high air permeability, sufficiently high not to hinder the air flow to and from the rotating filter assembly. The hair protection shield 68 may have different forms and may also for example be attached as a partial or complete static sleeve around the rotating filter assembly (not shown). The hair protection shield 68 may be provided in the form of a cloth, grid or lattice of a suitable material or other.

To be able to operate, and to enhance operation and usability the device may comprises one or more of: internal disposable energy source 50, internal rechargeable energy source 50, external energy source 51, energy charging connector device 52, motor operation mode controller means 53, motor operation mode signaling means 54, energy source status signaling means 55, and identification means 56.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

For example the device may further be provided with sensors for measuring one or more of: filter efficiency, filter status, air volume throughput, impeller rpm, pollution level, active organisms in air, target viruses or other. The device may further be defined by a system comprising communication and controlling means for transmitting device status and sensor data to a remote computer device. Further the device may receive operational data and control signal via the communication module. Thus, a program running as an app on a smart phone may for example communicate and interact with the device. Such smartphones may be connected to other smart phones or computer/cloud network computing resources to monitor and control usage and cleaning of air.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS: NO 20190732

It is a goal of the invention of the priority to provide an air fan/filtering unit also for use in domestic homes, either as a ceiling mounted device or as a device arranged for being placed on a table/floor, and solving all or some of the problems described above by reducing the secondary effects caused by tangential air speeds.

It is provided a low noise emitting air purifying device.

It is in a first embodiment of the invention provided an air filtering unit for ceiling mount, preferably at a light/electrical connection point/outlet. The unique design of the filtering unit allows higher air flow than traditional air fan flow, but with significantly less noise and less tangential air movement out of the fan/filter unit. Thus enabling a purifying capacity of equal or higher than comparable air fan/filter units also for the sub micro particles.

In further embodiments of the invention it is provided air fan/filtering units constructed for being arranged at tables or placed on the floor. Such devices face additional challenges, in that the rotating elements of the air filter device must be shielded from the environment. Such devices with shielding comprising unique features for partially or completely removal of operation noise are provided. The traditional problem related to tangential movement of air out of the units often prohibit the devices to be arranged in the vicinity of people, due to the draught becoming unacceptable strong One embodiment according to the invention comprise a casing holding a horizontally mounted fan/filter unit, and that directs the air stream partially or completely vertically upwards.

Common to all embodiments is that unwanted draught and noise is reduced without making tradeoffs like increasing size or reducing throughput.

Alternative embodiments of the invention comprise additional features such as carbon filtering, ionizing, light, heating, scent addition, humidification, loudspeakers and others.

Key feature of the various embodiments of the invention comprise a low noise emitting air purifying device assembly which is arranged on the downstream side of the filters, utilizing a low noise air directing device jet effect that will throw the air in a backward direction relative the spinning direction of the fan/filter. The low noise air directing device jet effect helps the motor propelling the rotating assembly hence reducing the power consumption and eliminating a portion of the resistance against the spinning of the assembly.

Additional features and advantages of the invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following brief description of the figures and the following detailed description, wherein:

Fig, 201 - Ceiling fan assembly, side view

Fig. 202 - Ceiling fan assembly, oblique view from below

Fig. 203 - Ceiling fan assembly, cross section oblique view from above

Fig. 204 - Ceiling fan assembly, cross section side view Fig. 205 - Ceiling fan assembly, view from below Fig. 206 - Ceiling fan assembly, cross section, exploded view

Fig. 207 - Ceiling fan assembly, cross section, partially exploded view Fig. 208 - Table fan assembly, side view

Fig. 209 - Table fan assembly, view from above

Fig. 210 - Table fan assembly, cross section side view

Fig. 211 - Table fan assembly, cross section oblique view from above Fig. 212A - Table fan assembly exploded view, longitudinal formed outer foils Fig. 212B - Table fan assembly exploded view, concentric cylinder shaped solid cover Fig. 213A - Floor fan assembly principle, longitudinal formed outer foils

Fig. 213B - Floor fan assembly principle, air director mesh Fig. 214A-B - air director mesh, inside Fig. 215A-C - air director mesh, outside

Fig. 216A-B - Caps embodiment and cross section side view

Fig. 216A-B - Flelmet embodiment cross section side views

In the following description the use of specific terms shall be interpreted widely and at least in the meaning as defined in the following:

CMH: Cubic Meter per Flour

CADR: Clean Air Delivery Rate, typically 3 values are measured: Smoke, pollen and dust. CADR is normally measured according to the ANSI/AFIAM AC-1 standard, giving a value of the fraction volume of a standard 28,5 M3 room that is filtered to remove all particles of either smoke, pollen or dust in the particular fraction multiplied by the flow throughput. In other words, the rate of delivered cleaned air. Air: The device of the invention is primarily adaptable to be used for air filtering, but the device and system may be used in any type of gaseous environment. When the term "air" is used in this document, it shall be understood to comprise the meaning of any type of gas.

Now the invention will be described in more detail, with references to the figures where appropriate.

Figure 201 to 207 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the ceiling mounted air fan/filter assembly 2001 comprising a rotating fan assembly consisting of at least a set of circularly mounted fan blades 2003 each mounted in a longitudinal direction 2100 providing an axial fan shape at an intake section 2040 and a radial fan shape at the exit section 2041, and when the fan/filter assembly rotates 2020 around a longitudinal center axis 2038, it is a spinner of the entering air.

The air flow generated by the fan blade 3 is distributed along the inside of a filter 2004 comprised in the air fan/filter assembly 2001. The filter 2004 may be formed as a circular concentric sleeve of for example a pleated shaped filter media, mounted outside the circle of longitudinal fan blades 2003. Other filter materials may be used. The filter 2004 is rotationally mounted to the fan blades 2003, and rotates around the longitudinal center axis 2038 together with the fan blades 2003.

The fan blades 2003 may be shaped to meet the entering air flow 2010 with matching foil angle and to pre-spin the air to exert radial pressure to the filter 2004. The air is partly pushed by the blades 2003 and partly pulled into the inner duct 2013 by the suction generated by the rotating filter 2004 and outer frame 2002. The figures illustrate an embodiment wherein the air is pulled into the fan/filter assembly 2001 only from the underside, and the top side of the fan/filter assembly 2001 is closed by a circularly formed end cap 2036. It should be understood that in a different embodiment, the end cap may be air permeable, formed as a mesh, or a plate, or other, comprising openings to let air through in a similar way, and wherein the fan blades 2003 are formed to propel air from both longitudinal openings of the fan/filter assembly 2001, from below and from above, when the fan/filter assembly 2001 is rotating. The fan blade assembly may comprise one or more armor rings 34 providing an even distance between the blades 2003.

The air fan/filter assembly 2001 further comprise a set of longitudinal formed outer foils 2002 arranged around the filter 2004 and fan blades 2003. The outer foils 2002 being rotationally connected to the filter 2004 and the fan blades 2003, and arranged to have a generally tangential direction relative the outside of the filter 2004, wherein an inner side edge 2050 are arranged closer to the outside of the filter 2004, and an outer side edge 2051 being arranged to lie radially outside the inner side edge 2050 of the neighbor outer foil 2002 in the opposite spinning direction 2020. The inflow area/distance 2052 defined by the area between all the inner side edges 2050 of the outer foils 2002 are larger than the outflow area defined by the area/distance 2053 between all the outer side edges 2051 of the outer foils 2002, and thus create a plurality of low noise air directing devices, wherein the outflow area form a type of outlet nozzle 2053.

The outer foils 2002 may be hinged to a frame 2035, 2039, 2039', and the nozzle openings 2053 may be changed by altering the foil 2002 direction relative the outside of the filter 2004, and thereby altering the outflow areas. The changing of the angle of the outer foils may be continuous, or according to a set of predefined angles, and the changing of the angle may be provided by a manually operated arrangement or an automatic or remotely operated arrangement.

The outer foils 2002 assembly may comprise one or more foil armor rings 2035 for maintenance of the outer foils 2002 form and the distance between them. The outer foils 2002 assembly distance between them may be provided in a non periodical pattern which may enhance noise reduction further.

When the air fan/filter assembly 2001 rotates air flow 2010 is pulled into the inner duct 2013 of the air fan/filter assembly 2001 from the below (optionally from both below and above), and the energy imposed on the air flow by the fan blades 2003, is partly used to push the air through 2011 the filter, and partly to increase the air flow speed through 2012 the low noise air directing device outlet openings of the outer foils 2002. The air is thus thrown out of the air fan/filter assembly 2001 in the opposite direction of the spinning direction 2020 of the air fan/filter assembly 2001.

The effect of the low noise air directing device jet generating outer foils 2002 is that all or a portion of the tangential air flow speed exiting from the filter 2004 is eliminated, thus draught and noise is also eliminated/reduced.

The invention can provide the same Clean Air Delivery Rate , CADR, with a smaller product size (diameter) and less power consumption than compared with prior art devices. The result is that highly effective pollen and dust filtering may be provided for domestic homes with limited ceiling height.

Without a static exit grille and the noise related to air passing such openings, the roof embodiment of the invention open for use of lower grade, higher permeability filters, enabling to shift a much higher volume of pollen cleaned air without adding noise. For the table and floor embodiments, higher permeability through the filter 2004 will further eliminate noise components as the velocity of the reverse jets are increased. Hence, the tangential velocity and in turn the exit velocity through the exit vents are reduced.

In one embodiment of the invention, the outer foils 2002 may be arranged slightly diagonal (not shown) to the longitudinal direction 2100, in order to divert the air flow upwards or downward. In an even further embodiment the outer foils 2002 may be designed in a fishbone pattern out from an "equator"-level 2101 (not shown) and in that manner throw air upward from the upper half portion of the outer fouls 2002, and downwards from the lower half portion of the outer foils 2002.

In a further embodiment of invention, the outer foils may alter between two or more positions/orientations such that the air flow when exiting the air fan/filter assembly 2001 may be altered.

The position/orientation may be dynamically changeable by mechanical manual switch, remotely controlled, or automatically changing.

In an even further embodiment the outer foils 2002 may alter its

position/orientation/angle between different mode of operations such as for example between: a position providing a first tangential air velocity by the -jet effect, and a position providing a second lower tangential air velocity. In a further embodiment it is possible to provide a plurality of positions. In the latter mode of operation it would be possible to operate the air fan/filter assembly 2001 in a way imitating a traditional ceiling fan.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention it is provided outer foils 2002 designed in various patterns to enable a multitude of various exiting air flow patterns, and in this way using the customized low noise air directing effect to meet custom needs related to sir flow pattern exiting the air fan/filter assembly 2001.

In an even further embodiment the low noise air directing device of the outer foils 2002 may be substituted by a concentric cylinder shaped solid cover 2124, 2125 comprising a plurality of jet nozzles 2150, as illustrated in figures 212B, 214A and B, and figure 215A, 215B and 215C. Figure 214 A and 214B illustrates one embodiment of a section of such concentric cylinder material seen from the inside 2125, the side facing the filter where the air stream is lead into 2151 the nozzles 2150, and figure 215A, 215B and 215C illustrates a similar example embodiment section from the outside 2124 where the air flow jets out 2152 of the jet nozzles 2150. Figure 212B illustrates the concentric cylinder shaped cover 2124, 2125 arranged in a table version air fan/filter assembly 80 as described below, but the concentric cylinder shaped cover 2124, 2125 may also be implemented both in the ceiling mounted air fan/filter assembly 2001 described above and the floor mounted air fan/filter assembly 2131 described below.

Further it may be provided a ceiling bracket 30 for mounting the air fan/filter assembly 2001 to a ceiling connection point comprising: electrical wiring for providing the motor and controller with power, controller, communication module and connectors 2031, and a motor20 2032 provided with a motor axle 2033 for driving and controlling the air fan/filter assembly 2001.

The connection between the fan blades 2003, the filter 2004, and the outer foils 2002 may be provided by a circular end collar 2036, 2037 in the bottom end of the air fan/filter assembly 2001, and/or the end cap 2036 in the top end of the air fan/filter assembly 2001.

Figure 206 and figure 207 illustrates the air fan/filter assembly 2001 in two versions of exploded views. Under maintenance as shown in figure 207 it may be possible to remove the filter 2004 by dismounting the circular end collar 2036, 2037 and then pull the filter out of the air fan/filter assembly 2001. A new filter may be inserted and the circular end collar 2036, 2037 reattached. The fan blades and outer foils are attached to the end cap 2036.

Figure 208 to 212 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a table version air fan/filter assembly 80. The same principles as above apply, with the addition of an optional mesh 2121 arranged around the air fan/filter assembly 80. for protection of accidental contact between the spinning outer foils and a person/animal. An air permeable fabric/cover 2122 may additionally be arranged outside the mesh 2121. Center cones 2102 is provided for additional channeling of air stream when input from both above and below. Motor 2032 may be arranged in the stand 2105, as well as other components for control an, power and cabling (not shown).

Figure 211 illustrates how the air stream 2011 flows through the filter 2004, and the rest pressure of the air is channelled through the low noise air directing device jet generating outer concentric device 2002, 2124, 2125, and is thrown in a direction 2012 opposite to the rotating direction of the fan/filter assembly 2080. The direction of the exit air 2012 is illustrated with the arrowhead 2022 symbol for movement towards the reader opposite the rotating direction 2020.

In yet a further embodiment the table version air fan/filter assembly 2080 may be provided as a free hanging device from the ceiling, hanging for example in a power cord, or a line (battery powered).

A bottom cap2 123 and a top cap 2123' is provided statically arranged to protect the underside as well as the top side of the air fan/filter assembly 80. The bottom cap 2123 and a top cap 2123' comprise in its inner portion a mesh covered opening corresponding in diameter to the inner diameter of the filter 2004. The bottom cap 2123 and a top cap 2123' inner portion lets the air flow into the air fan/filter assembly 2080. the mesh covers openings may also comprise a highly air permeable filter (not shown) for avoiding larger size dust particles to be blown into the filter 2004 of the air fan/filter assembly 80. The bottom cap 2123 and a top cap 2123' is connected to the stand 2105, the bottom cap 2123 directly, and the top cap 2123' via the mesh 2121/sleeve 2122 and the bottom cap 2123.

The mesh 2121 may be designed with only non-vertical mesh elements, as vertical elements have a louder noise pattern when a horizontal airstream passes through the mesh 2121. Diagonal mesh elements will have lower noise pattern.

The mesh 2121 and sleeve are statically connected to the stand 105. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a protection mesh 2121, as described for the table version, also on the ceiling mounted air fan/filter assembly 2001.

Figure 213A, illustrates a principle sketch for a floor mounted casing 2130 wherein the air fan/filter assembly 2131 is only partially shown. A snail house like collector channel 2132 is arranged around the air fan/filter assembly 2131 to collect the air stream from the low noise air directing formed outer foils, and lead the air stream towards an opening in the top of the casing 2130. The top opening 2137 comprise air directing foils 2133 to direct the airflow for example directly upwards.

In a further embodiment the floor mounted casing 2130 may be partially or fully covered by a high permeability fabric or cover (not shown) to prevent any accidental items to come into the air outlets 2136, 2137.

The floor mounted casing 2130 is provided in two embodiments, one with above defined fan/filter assembly 2001 as described in figure 213A, and one wherein the fan/filter assembly 2001 is provided without the outer low noise air directing device jet, but with an air director mesh 2135 to reduce the output velocity of the fan/filter assembly as described in figure 213B.

The an air director mesh 2135 arranged between the casing 2130 and the rotating assembly 2131 will reduce the tangential velocity, wherein the air director mesh 2135 is designed for optimal even throughput over the air director mesh 2135. By choosing a fine mesh it is possible to dampen the noise generating turbulence and at the same time reduce the tangential velocity. In other words: Invention is balancing the normal and the tangential permeability by the mesh size and form to avoid noise generating turbulence when air stream passes the air director mesh 2135 threading. The permeability of the air director mesh 2135 is balanced such that the radial flow throughput is evenly distributed over the desired exit opening 2136, 2137.

The reduce exit velocity gives significantly decrease potential noise from turbulence, which in turn provides freedom to the design of the exit grille 2133, 2136 such that the shape/form can be chosen according to desired design criteria of the casing. The balanced air director mesh for even distribution of air partially conserves the local velocity direction.

In a further embodiment of the floor mounted assembly, the air fan/filter assembly 2131 may be provided without the outer foils 2002. Such version may throw the air in a vertical upward direction, and since the draught or inconvenience effects may be ignored provided a device able to purify a higher volume of air. The casing 2130 and directing foils 2133 controls the exiting air flow form the air fan/filter assembly 2131.

The floor mounted air fan/filter assembly 2131 comprise a fan having an axial fan which provides an operation mode of a radial fan. A unique feature with invention is that the filter 2004 is mounted around the fan/impeller 2003 being rotational connected. The air fan/filter assembly 2131 may further comprise a filter/mesh module covering the air intake orifice 2134 in order to catch larger dust particles.

The floor mounted air fan/filter assembly 2131 may have an air intake orifice 2134 on both sides of the fan, similarly to the table version air fan/filter assembly 2080, and thus optionally be provided with two filter/mesh modules covering each air intake orifices 2134.

The filter/mesh module may comprise a self-cleaning function. Common for all the above described embodiments is the possibilities to combine one or more of additional features such as: carbon filtering, ionizing, light, heating, scent addition, humidification, loudspeakers and others.

Carbon filtering may for example be incorporated with the filter 2004 in a sandwich type arrangement, such that the carbon filter rotates with the filter 2004.

Lighting may be an additional feature, which when implemented with the ceiling mounted low noise emitting air purifying device according to the invention may be provided with a socket for lighting device. The socket may be arranged on the top- or bottom-side of the motor 2032, and may use same power source/supply as the motor 2032.

All embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more of: electrical wiring for providing the motor and controller with power, controller, communication module and connectors 2031, and a motor 2032. Controller and communication module may

communicate with a remote device either over a wired or a wireless communication channel. The remote device may be one of or similarly to: simple physical switch, Smart phone APP, cloud service and cloud connected computer application, Wireless communication any be any type of communication protocol, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

In an even further embodiment a very narrow implementation of the invention is arranged in a headgear, such as a helmet, caps, protection hood or the like to provide a constant stream of purified air towards the facial area of the parson wearing the headgear. The air may be delivered concentrated without or very low noise. One example of such implementation is illustrated in figure 216A-B.

The invention can also be described as a first device embodiment of a low noise emitting air purifying device comprising: a rotating fan assembly 2001, 2080, 2131 comprising: a radial fan, the radial fan comprising a plurality of fan blades 2003 rotating around a longitudinal center axis 38, wherein the fan blades 2003 are mounted in a longitudinal direction 100 providing an axial fan shape at an intake section 2040 and a radial fan shape at the exit section 2041,

a filter 2004 mounted radially outside the radial fan, wherein the filter 2004 is rotationally connected to the radial fan, and

the low noise emitting air purifying device further comprising: a low noise air directing device arranged peripherally to the fan assembly, and a motor 32 for rotating the fan assembly in a rotating direction 2020.

A second device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the first device embodiment, wherein the air directing device direct the airflow with a directional distribution to provide optimal flow distribution.

A third device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the first or second device embodiment, wherein the air directing device is rotationally connected to the fan assembly 2001, 2080, 2131.

A fourth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to third device embodiment, wherein the air directing device comprising: nozzle openings 2053, 2150 for providing air jet flow 2012 in a direction opposite to the rotating direction 2020 of the rotating fan assembly 2001, 2080, 2131 to reduce power consumption and exit air velocity.

A fifth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the fourth device embodiment, wherein the nozzle openings 2053, 2150 are provided with a non-periodical pattern. A sixth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to fifth device embodiment, wherein the air directing device comprising: a plurality of longitudinal formed outer foils 2002 arranged around the filter 2004 and fan blades 2003, wherein the outer foils are arranged to direct the airflow out of the air purifying device in a defined pattern, and the outer foils 2002 are rotational connected to the rotating fan assembly 2001, 2080,

2131.

A seventh device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the sixth device embodiment, wherein the outer foils 2002 are hinged to a frame 2035, 2039, 2039', and the nozzle openings 2053 may be altered between two or more outflow areas.

An eighth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the seventh device embodiment, wherein the changing of the angle of the outer foils 2002 is continuous, and the changing of the angle may be provided by a manually operated arrangement, or an automatic, or a remotely operated arrangement.

A ninth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the fourth or fifth device embodiment, wherein the air directing device comprising a concentric cylinder shaped solid cover 2124, 2125 having nozzle openings 2150 for providing the air jet flow 2152 having a direction 2012 opposite to the rotating direction 2020 of the rotating fan assembly 2001, 2080, 2131.

A tenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to ninth device embodiment, further comprising a ceiling bracket 2030 for mounting the air fan/filter assembly 2001 to a ceiling connection point. An eleventh device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to ninth device embodiment, further comprising a stand 2105 for arranging the air fan/filter assembly 2080 on a table.

A twelfth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to ninth device embodiment, comprising:

a floor mounted casing 2130 having a front side 2138 and a back side 2139, wherein at least one of the front side 2138 and the back side 2139 comprise an air intake orifice 2134, two sides 2141, 2142, a bottom side 2143 and a top side 2144, wherein the top side 2144 comprising an opening 2137, and the floor mounted casing 2130 further comprise a collector channel 2132 wherein the rotating fan assembly 2131 is horizontally mounted.

A thirteenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the twelfth device embodiment, wherein the collector channel 2132 having a snail house like design and being arranged around the rotating fan assembly 2131 to collect the air stream from the rotating fan assembly 2131 and lead the air stream towards the opening 2137 in the top side 2144 of the casing 2130, and

the top side 144 comprising air directing foils 2133 arranged to direct the air flow, for example directly upwards.

A fourteenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to second device embodiment, comprising:

A fifteenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to the fourteenth device embodiment, wherein the side 2141, 2142 being arranged upstream relative the top side 14 in the spinning direction 2020 of the rotating fan assembly 2131 comprising air outlets 2136.

A sixteenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the fourteenth to fifteenth device embodiment, further comprising one or more air director mesh 2135 arranged between the casing 2130 and the rotating assembly 2131 for the radial flow throughput to be evenly distributed over the desired exit openings 2136, 2137.

A seventeenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth device embodiment, wherein

the top side 2144 comprising air directing foils 2133 arranged to direct the air flow, for example directly upwards.

An eighteenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to seventeenth device embodiment, further comprising one or more of carbon filtering, ionizing, light, heating, scent addition, humidification, and loudspeaker.

A nineteenth device embodiment of the low noise emitting air purifying device according to any one of the first to ninth and twelfth to eighteenth device embodiment, wherein the low noise emitting air purifying device is arranged in a headgear to send purified air towards the facial area of a person wearing the headgear.

Claims

1 . A head mounted wearable air purifying device (1) for purifying air of virus, dust, pollen and the like, comprising:

one or more rotating filter assemblies (3) being rotatable in a balanced rotational motion, for providing a filtered air flow,

each rotating filter assembly (3) having a corresponding motor (5) for spinning the rotating filter assembly (3), where each motor (5) and rotating filter assembly (3) being arranged in a casing (2, 153, 170),

an exit guide (1 1 , 15, 171) for channeling air from/to the filter assembly (3) to/from the front of a user’s eyes/nose/mouth area,

a headgear (1 , 141 , 151) for providing attachment of the components and for arranging the components correctly relative a user head, and

an energy source for powering the motors.

2. The head mounted wearable air purifying device (1) according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a transparent face shield (4, 142, 143, 144), for being arranged in front of a user’s eyes/nose/mouth area.

3. The head mounted wearable air purifying device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the headgear is one of a caps, a hat, a helmet, and a hood.

4. The head mounted wearable air purifying device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the headgear comprise one or more casings (2, 153) arranged over one or both ears of a user, and each motor and filter assembly being arranged in a corresponding casing (2, 153).

5. The head mounted wearable air purifying device (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the transparent face shield (4, 142, 143, 144), defines an enclosure in front of a user’s eyes/nose/mouth area, and

a first filter assembly provides airflow from the ambient air to the enclosure, and

a second filter assembly provides air flow from the enclosure to the ambient air, such that the clean air flow from a first side of the head and exhaled air flows out at the other side of the head.

6. The head mounted wearable air purifying device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein

the casing further comprise a speaker assembly (2, 153).

7. The head mounted wearable air purifying device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the casing (170) is arranged in a position behind the neck of the user.

8. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 2, wherein the face shield (4, 142, 143, 144) being comprised of one or more shield (4, 142, 143, 144) sections, wherein each shield section (4, 142, 143, 144) is rotationally connected to a pivot connector (154) arranged on each side of the head mounted wearable air purifying device (1), such that the shield sections (4, 142, 143, 144) can be rotated vertically up and down from a non-active state, to an active state wherein the face shield protects a portion of the face of a user.

9. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 8, wherein the face shield sections (4, 142, 143, 144) in the non-active state is folded in a collapsible stacked arrangement, and

the face shield sections in the active state is unfolded substantially overlapping wherein each face shield section protects a portion of the face of a user.

10. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the exit guide(1 1 , 15, 171) is arranged to provide for channeling air from the filter assembly to an area close to the eyes of the user, such that the air stream is guided over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user.

1 1 . The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to any one of claim 2 to 10, wherein

the exit guide(1 1 , 15, 171) is arranged to provide for channeling air from the filter assembly to the enclosure defined by the face shield and has an air outlet arranged inside the enclosure (1 1) in a position between the ear and eye of the user, such that the air stream is guided over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user by substantially following the inside contour of the face shield (4, 142, 143, 144).

12. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 2, wherein the face shield further comprise an upper flange (155) arranged to close the gap between the face shield (4, 142, 143, 144) and the forehead of the user, and a lower flange (156) arranged to close the gap between the face shield (4, 142, 143, 144) and the chin and jaw of the user, and

the flanges (155, 156) are further configured to flex due to the higher air pressure inside the face shield (4, 142, 143, 144) and the surroundings such that air easily can pass between face and flanges.

13. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 2, wherein the face shield sections further comprise in between seal material (157) to prohibit unwanted air leakage between the face shield sections.

14. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 2, wherein the face shield having two or more sections being arranged to provide a gap (147) between two adjacent shield sections to provide a controllable air exit opening, and

a gap flange (158) arranger on either of the adjacent shield sections to close the gap of the exit opening, and

the gap flange(158) being configured to flex due to the higher air pressure inside the face shield and the surroundings such that air easily can pass between the shield portions.

15. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly (3) has a cylinder form, and comprising:

an inlet (9) provided by the orifice of a first side of the cylinder formed filter assembly (3),

a pressure generating component (6, 7, 42, 43), and

a fine filter (10), wherein:

the fine filter (10) is arranged radially outside and in rotational connection to the pressure generating component (6, 7).

16. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 15, wherein the pressure generating component (6, 7) is one or more of:

a coarse filter (43), having a relatively higher permeability than the fine filter

(10),

a pleated filter (42), or

impeller blades (7) being longitudinal arranged in the cylinder formed filter assembly (3).

17. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 15, wherein the pressure generating component (6, 7) is comprised of the fine filter, and the fine filter is a pleated filter (42).

18. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the impeller blades (7) are longitudinal arranged around a cylinder formed center body (8), and the cylinder formed center body (8) having a tapering cone form towards the inlet (9) of the fine filter (10), and

an exit (1 1) of the rotating filter assembly is defined by the radially outward facing surface of the radially mounted fine filter (10).

19. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the exit guide (15) has an increasing radius in the rotating direction (20), such that the area between the exit (1 1) and the exit guide (15), the radial gap, expands.

20. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the expansion of the radial gap between the exit (1 1) and the exit guide (15) is greater than a factor of 1 ,2 over the length of the exit guide (15) in the rotating direction (20), such that the exiting air creates a sub pressure on the air exiting the exit (1 1 ) and enhances the air flow/increase the throughput.

21 . The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the fine filter (10) is a standard air filter being rolled around the impeller in sufficient layers to reach a required purifying efficiency.

22. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the fine filter (10) is a pleated filter.

23. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the efficiency of the filter is 99,97 or better.

24. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , further

comprising:

connecting means (26, 27) for the rotating filter assembly (3) and motor (5).

25. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein

the connecting means (26, 27) further comprise dampening means (31 , 32, 33, 34, 148, 149, 150, 151) for providing dampening of vibrations.

26. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , further

comprising:

one or more of: internal disposable energy source (50), internal rechargeable energy source (50), external energy source (51), energy charging connector device (52), motor operation mode controller means (53), motor operation mode signaling means (54), energy source status signaling means (55), and identification means (56).

27. The head mounted wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a filter holder (44, 67) being arranged radially outside the filter assembly (3) for stabilizing and keep the shape of the fine filter form when rotating.

28. The head wearable air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein

the filters are further designed according to the relation

Gu=f_h*prl{2*r_0*z^' )> 0,8, wherein Gu number correlates to a function of the commercial usefulness based on, and accounting for, the main customer’s needs, such as CADR, dB, product size, functioning and cost, wherein p_r = (r₀-ri)l pleat spacing (p_s), and pleat spacing(p_s) is the distance between two adjacent pleat tops on the inner radius ( n ), and e is the ASHRAE efficiency.

29. Air filter according to claim 1 , wherein Gu > 1 ,2.

30. Air filter according to claim 1 , wherein Gu > 1 ,5.

31 . System for providing air to a user, the air being purified of virus, dust, pollen and the like, wherein the system comprise:

a head mounted wearable air purifying device according to any one of claim 1 to 30,

a remote computer device, and

a communication and controlling means, for transmitting device control signals, status and sensor data to or from the remote computer device.

32. The system to claim 31 , wherein

the remote computer device is a smartphone, and the smartphone further comprise an app for receiving and sending data from/to the device.