WO2022195333A1

WO2022195333A1 - An air purification apparatus and a method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2022195333A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/053620
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gaurav Dahiya
Original assignee: Gaurav Dahiya
Priority date: 2021-03-18
Filing date: 2021-04-30
Publication date: 2022-09-22

Abstract

An air purification apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing which includes at least four detachable doors assembled on at least four lateral surfaces, wherein the at least four detachable doors include a plurality of layered filters to absorb one or more pollutants. The plurality of layered filters includes a non-woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer. A fan to suck impure air and pump out pure air in the environment. A detachable solar panel positioned on the top surface to provide power for operation of the fan. A relay to determine supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel, to switch a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter. A regulator to control speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement.

Description

AN AIR PURIFICATION APPARATUS AND A METHOD THEREOF

EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202111011636, filed on March 18, 2021 and titled “AN AIR PURIFICATION APPARATUS AND A METHOD THEREOF”.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technical field of air purification and more particularly, to an air purification apparatus and a method thereof.

Poor air quality and pollution has become a major concern for the whole world. Both internal as well as external environment faces such poor air quality issues all year around. The environment within homes, offices, and other indoor facilities is often contaminated with a variety of pollutants of both gaseous and particulate matter. Organic aerosols, viral microbes, bacterial microorganisms, tobacco smoke, dust, pollen, mould, mildew, allergens, yeasts, parasites, and organic vapours including malodours containing amines and are typically found floating in the air. Such gaseous and particulate matter poses a health hazard to humans due to either the chemical nature of the particle or by the particle's physical size. Some airborne particles may merely have an unpleasant odour usually from the chemicals or amines others may accumulate onto surfaces, while others cause the health hazard to those exposed to the materials. Various systems and apparatuses are available in market which are utilised for air purification of the environment to make it sustainable for one or more living organisms.

Conventionally, the apparatus available for air purification includes a device which releases fresh air in the environment by removing one or more contaminants from the air for improving air quality. However, such a conventional device has a complex structure with several irreplaceable components thereby creates maintenance problem and also increases maintenance cost. Moreover, such a conventional device is designed specifically for controlling indoor pollution and does not solves the purpose in combating external air pollution. Furthermore, such a conventional device is operated using a single source of power which makes the device inflexible in terms of operation. Also, power consumption by such a conventional device is more which further affects energy saving.

Hence, there is a need for an improved air purification apparatus and a method thereof in order to address the aforementioned issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure an air purification apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing. The housing includes at least four detachable doors assembled on at least four lateral surfaces, wherein the at least four detachable doors comprises a plurality of layered filters provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment. The plurality of layered filters includes a non- woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer. The housing also includes a fan placed inside an internal chamber and directed towards a top surface. The fan is configured to suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters. The fan is also configured to pump out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air. The housing also includes a detachable solar panel positioned on the top surface. The detachable solar panel provides power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment. The housing also includes a relay operatively coupled to the detachable solar panel, wherein the relay is configured to determine a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel. The relay is also configured to switch a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage. The housing also includes a regulator operatively coupled to the fan and the relay. The regulator is configured to control speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing an air purification apparatus is disclosed. The method includes assembling at least four detachable doors on at least four lateral surfaces of an enclosed housing, wherein the at least four detachable doors include a plurality of layered filters provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment, wherein the plurality of layered filters comprises a non-woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer. The method also includes placing a fan inside an internal chamber to suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters. The method also includes pumping out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air by the fan placed inside the internal chamber and directed towards a top surface. The method also includes providing, by a detachable solar panel positioned on the top surface, power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment. The method also includes determining, by a relay coupled to the detachable solar panel, a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel. The method also includes switching, by the relay, a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage. The method also includes controlling, by a regulator, speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an air purification apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of an air purification apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for manufacturing an air purification apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an air purification apparatus and a method thereof. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing. The housing includes at least four detachable doors assembled on at least four lateral surfaces, wherein the at least four detachable doors comprise a plurality of layered filters provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment. The plurality of layered filters includes a non-woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer. The housing also includes a fan placed inside an internal chamber and directed towards a top surface. The fan is configured to suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters. The fan is also configured to pump out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air. The housing also includes a detachable solar panel positioned on the top surface. The detachable solar panel provides power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment. The housing also includes a relay operatively coupled to the detachable solar panel, wherein the relay is configured to determine a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel. The relay is also configured to switch a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage. The housing also includes a regulator operatively coupled to the fan and the relay. The regulator is configured to control speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an air purification apparatus (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus (100) includes an enclosed housing (110). In one embodiment, the housing may include, but not limited to, a cube shaped housing, a cuboid shaped housing, a cylindrical shaped housing and the like. In such embodiment, the housing is manufactured from aluminium, plastic, or fibre. The housing (110) includes at least four detachable doors (120) assembled on at least four lateral surfaces. The at least four detachable doors (120) includes one or more handles through which the at least four detachable doors are lifted and adjusted within at least four channels at the least four lateral surfaces (125). The at least four detachable doors are operable like normal house doors or windows instead of being sliding. In one embodiment, the at least four doors may be slidable.

The at least four detachable doors (120) include a plurality of layered filters (130) provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment. The plurality of layered filters (130) includes a non-woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer. The non-woven filter layer is used to remove ultrafine dust, aerosols, and viable organisms to meet highest requirements to the cleanliness of air. The thermal air cotton filter layer is used as inner layer for filtration of dust and enables air permeability. Similarly, the melt blown filter layer is utilised as a layer for absorbing one or more liquids. Again, the non-woven fibre filter layer is utilised as a barrier protection layer for restricting one or more particles from external environment. In one embodiment the predefined size of the one or more pollutants may include a size of 2.5 particulate matter (PM). In a specific embodiment, the plurality of replaceable layered filters, wherein the plurality of layered filters is accommodated within the at least four detachable doors using a clip mechanism. In such embodiment, the clip mechanism is actuated for holding the plurality of replaceable layered filters by using one or more spring forced clips. In one embodiment, the plurality of replaceable layered filters is arranged one after the other in parallel manner. In another embodiment, the plurality of replaceable layered filters is clubbed together and placed within a slot of the at least four detachable doors.

The housing (110) also includes a fan (140) placed inside an internal chamber and directed towards a top surface. The fan is configured to suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters. The fan is also configured to pump out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air. In one embodiment, the fan may include a direct current powered exhaust fan, a direct current powered table fan or a direct current powered window fan. In a specific embodiment, the fan may include a 12-volt (V) direct current (DC) fan which sucks air through these filters and pumps out clean air towards the top.

The housing (110) also includes a detachable solar panel (150) positioned on the top surface. The detachable solar panel provides power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment. In one embodiment, the detachable solar panel is set up on top of the box on outward direction. In such embodiment, the detachable solar panel may include a 100- watt detachable solar panel which powers the fan directly without the need of any electronic controllers. In another scenario, the detachable may be kept outside in an external environment from the air purifier. In such case, the air purifier may be kept inside during operation and the detachable solar panel is coupled with the air purification apparatus with a help of one or more core extension wires.

The housing (110) also includes a relay operatively coupled to the detachable solar panel (150). The relay is configured to determine a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel. The relay is also configured to switch a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage.

The housing (110) also includes a regulator operatively coupled to the fan (140) and the relay. The regulator (160) is configured to control speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement. As used herein, the term ‘predefined environmental requirement’ is defined as amount of air purification required for a polluted requirement as well as a less-polluted environment. The regulator (160) is configured to control speed of the apparatus based on determination of level of pollution in the environment. In one embodiment, the speed of the regulator may be increased when the level of the pollution is high in the environment. In another embodiment, the speed of the regulator may be decreased when the level of the pollution is low in the environment. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus also includes a motor placed inside the internal chamber and operatively coupled to the fan. The motor is configured to activate operation of the fan for pumping of the pure air during night in absence of solar energy. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of an air purification apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described in aforementioned FIG.l, the apparatus includes an enclosed housing (110) which includes at least four detachable doors (120), a plurality of layered filters (130), a fan (140), a detachable solar panel (150), a relay and a regulator (160). In addition, the apparatus (100) further includes one or more castor wheels (170) coupled at a bottom side, wherein the one or more wheels enable movement of the apparatus along one or more directions. The one or more castor wheels (170) are assembled on just one side of the apparatus so that it can be moved easily by lifting it from the opposite side and dragging it like a wheelbarrow. Since just one side has wheels, it will not require any brakes to keep it stable. To keep it levelled, the opposite side of the wheels also have one or more rubber stumps corresponding to height of the one or more castor wheels.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (200) for manufacturing an air purification apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (200) includes assembling at least four detachable doors on at least four lateral surfaces of an enclosed housing, wherein the at least four detachable doors include a plurality of layered filters provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment, wherein the plurality of layered filters comprises a non- woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer in step 210. In one embodiment, assembling the at least four detachable doors on the at least four lateral surfaces of the enclosed housing may include assembling the at least four detachable doors on a cube shaped housing, a cuboid shaped housing, a cylindrical shaped housing and the like. In such embodiment, the housing is manufactured from aluminium, plastic, or fibre.

The method (200) also includes placing a fan inside an internal chamber to suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters in step 220. In one embodiment, placing the fan inside the internal chamber may include placing a direct current powered exhaust fan, a direct current powered table fan or a direct current powered window fan. In a specific embodiment, the fan may include a 12-volt (V) direct current (DC) fan which sucks air through these filters and pumps out clean air towards the top. The method (200) also includes pumping out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air by the fan placed inside the internal chamber and directed towards a top surface in step 230.

The method (200) also includes providing, by a detachable solar panel positioned on the top surface, power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment in step 240. In one embodiment, providing the detachable solar panel to power for operation of the fan to circulate the pure air in the environment includes providing a 100- watt detachable solar panel which powers the fan directly without the need of any electronic controllers.

The method (200) also includes determining, by a relay coupled to the detachable solar panel, a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel in step 250. The method (200) also includes switching, by the relay, a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage in step 260.

The method (200) also includes controlling, by a regulator, speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement in step 270. In one embodiment, controlling the speed of the fan based on the predefined environmental requirement may include increasing the speed of the fan when the level of the pollution is high in the environment. In another embodiment, controlling the speed of the fan of the apparatus may include decreasing the speed of the fan by the regulator when the level of the pollution is low in the environment.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an air purification apparatus which is suitable for air purification of both internal as well as external environment thereby does not limit the usage of the apparatus depending upon application areas.

Moreover, the present disclosed apparatus is a user-friendly, cost-effective and energy saving air purification apparatus.

Furthermore, the present disclosed apparatus can be operated using multiple sources of energy so that it can be operated during any period of time for purification of air of the internal environment as well as the external environment. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the detailed description.

It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An air purification apparatus (100) comprising: an enclosed housing (110) comprising: at least four detachable doors (120) assembled on at least four lateral surfaces (125), wherein the at least four detachable doors (120) comprises a plurality of layered filters provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment, wherein the plurality of layered filters (130) comprises a non-woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non-woven fibre filter layer; a fan (140) placed inside an internal chamber and directed towards a top surface, wherein the fan is configured to: suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters; and pump out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air; a detachable solar panel (150) positioned on the top surface, wherein the detachable solar panel (150) provides power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment; a relay operatively coupled to the detachable solar panel, wherein the relay is configured to: determine a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel; and switch a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage; and a regulator (160) operatively coupled to the fan (140) and the relay, wherein the regulator (160) is configured to control speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement.

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (110) is manufactured from aluminium, plastic, or fibre.

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined size of the one or more pollutants comprises a size of 2.5 particulate matter.

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of layered filters comprises a plurality of replaceable layered filters, wherein the plurality of layered filters is accommodated within the at least four detachable doors using one or more spring forced clips.

5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan (140) comprises a direct current powered exhaust fan, a direct current powered table fan or a direct current powered window fan.

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a motor placed inside the internal chamber and operatively coupled to the fan, wherein the motor is configured to activate operation of the fan for pumping of the pure air.

7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more castor wheels (170) coupled at a bottom side, wherein the one or more castor wheels (170) enable movement of the apparatus along one or more directions.

8. A method (200) comprising: assembling at least four detachable doors on at least four lateral surfaces of an enclosed housing, wherein the at least four detachable doors comprises a plurality of layered filters provided to absorb one or more pollutants of a predefined size from environment, wherein the plurality of layered filters comprises a non- woven filter layer, a thermal air cotton filter layer, a melt blown filter layer and a non- woven fibre filter layer (210); placing a fan inside an internal chamber to suck impure air based on filtration of the one or more pollutants through the plurality of layered filters (220); pumping out pure air in the environment towards the top surface upon sucking of the impure air by the fan placed inside the internal chamber and directed towards a top surface (230); providing, by a detachable solar panel positioned on the top surface, power for operation of the fan to circulate pure air in the environment (240); determining, by a relay coupled to the detachable solar panel, a supply of voltage for a definite time interval from the detachable solar panel (250); switching, by the relay, a source of power supply from the detachable solar panel to a wall mounted adapter when the voltage received from the detachable solar panel is less than a preset threshold limit of voltage (260); and controlling, by a regulator, speed of the fan based on a predefined environmental requirement (270).