U.S. patent application number 15/193788 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-20 for air purifying apparatus having shuntable air duct.
The applicant listed for this patent is Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sang Hee CHO, Sung Lim CHO, Jong Rack KIM, Jong Hyun KOO, Seong Min LEE, Jung Yeol PARK, Young Hwan SON, Dae Woong SUH, Jae Seon YI, Ju Won YOO.
Application Number | 20160303272 15/193788 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52448815 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160303272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOO; Jong Hyun ; et
al. |
October 20, 2016 |
AIR PURIFYING APPARATUS HAVING SHUNTABLE AIR DUCT
Abstract
An air purifying apparatus according to an embodiment includes a
body having first and second conduits through which a flow of air
is generated from an air inlet to an air outlet, an ultraviolet
light emitting diode part and a first filter part disposed within
the first conduit, and a second filter part disposed within the
second conduit.
Inventors: |
KOO; Jong Hyun; (Ansan-si,
KR) ; SUH; Dae Woong; (Ansan-si, KR) ; SON;
Young Hwan; (Ansan-si, KR) ; LEE; Seong Min;
(Ansan-si, KR) ; YI; Jae Seon; (Ansan-si, KR)
; PARK; Jung Yeol; (Ansan-si, KR) ; CHO; Sang
Hee; (Ansan-si, KR) ; YOO; Ju Won; (Ansan-si,
KR) ; CHO; Sung Lim; (Ansan-si, KR) ; KIM;
Jong Rack; (Ansan-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. |
Ansan-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
52448815 |
Appl. No.: |
15/193788 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14453337 |
Aug 6, 2014 |
9395095 |
|
|
15193788 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/10 20130101; A61L
9/205 20130101; A61L 2209/14 20130101; A61L 2209/15 20130101; F24F
2003/1625 20130101; F24F 2003/1667 20130101; A61L 2209/12 20130101;
F24F 3/1603 20130101; F24F 3/166 20130101; A61L 2202/23
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61L 9/20 20060101
A61L009/20; F24F 3/16 20060101 F24F003/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 9, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0095028 |
Claims
1. An air purifier, comprising: a main body having an inlet and an
outlet, the main body comprising a first portion and a second
portion; an air circulation device disposed in the first portion of
the main body and configured to draw air from the inlet to the
outlet; first, opposing support frames disposed in the second
portion of the main body, each first support frame comprising an
upper frame and a lower frame; a first filter retained by the first
support frames in a position disposed between the upper and lower
frames; and an ultraviolet (UV) light source disposed between the
air circulation device and the first filter and configured to emit
a UV light for causing a photocatalytic reaction in the first
filter.
2. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein the first support frames
protrude inwardly from an inner wall of the second portion of the
main body.
3. The air purifier of claim 1, further comprising: second,
opposing support frames disposed in the second portion of the main
body, each second support frame comprising an upper frame and a
lower frame.
4. The air purifier of claim 3, further comprising: a second filter
retained by the second support frames in a position disposed
between the upper and lower frames of the second support frames,
wherein the first filter is disposed in an adjoining position with
respect to the second filter.
5. The air purifier of claim 4, wherein the second filter comprises
a mesh material.
6. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein a wavelength of the UV
light emitted from the UV light source is less than 388 nm.
7. The air purifier of claim 2, wherein the UV light source is
configured to allow to pass the air between the air circulation
device and the first filter.
8. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein a joint generally having a
step shape is formed between the first portion and the second
portion of the main body.
9. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the
first support frame is generally "C" shaped.
10. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein: the first support frames
each have longitudinally extending side surfaces; and the first
filter has longitudinally extending ends with substantially the
entire longitudinal extent of each ends contacting one of the first
support frames.
11. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein the upper frame and the
lower frame of the first support frames cover portions of the first
filter.
12. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the
main body comprises a third portion coupled to the second portion
of the main body.
13. The air purifier of claim 4, wherein the upper frame and the
lower frame of the second support frames cover portions of the
second filter.
14. A method of supporting air filters in an air purifier having a
main body comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled
to each other, the method comprising: retaining a first one of the
air filters in first, opposing support frames, each first support
frame comprising upper and lower frames protruding inwardly from an
inner wall of the second portion; and retaining a second one of the
air filters adjoining the first filter in second, opposing support
frames, each second support frame comprising upper and lower frames
protruding inwardly from the inner wall of the second portion,
wherein air drawn into the air purifier passes through the first
and second filters, and is subjected to a photocatalytic reaction
in the first filter by ultraviolet light emitted from inside the
air purifier.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein retaining the first filter
comprises: mounting the first filter in the first support frames in
a position disposed between the upper and lower frames of the first
support frames, such that two ends of the first filter contact
substantially the entire extent of side walls of the first support
frames.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the upper and lower frames of
the first support frames cover portions of the first filter.
17. The method of 14, wherein a cross-section of the first support
frame is substantially "I" shaped.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein: the second filter comprises a
mesh material; and retaining the second filter comprises: mounting
the second filter in the second support frames in a position
disposed between the upper and lower frames of the second support
frames, such that two ends of the second filter contacts
substantially the entire extent of side walls of the second support
frames.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the upper and lower frames of
the second support frames cover portions of the second filter.
20. The method of 19, wherein a cross-section of the second support
frame is generally "C" shaped.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/453,337 filed on Aug. 6, 2014 and claims
the benefit of and priority from Korean Application No.
10-2013-0095028, filed on Aug. 9, 2013, which applications are
incorporated by references for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an air
purifying apparatus, and more particularly, to an air purifying
apparatus having a shuntable air duct.
[0003] In recent years, air quality has becomes rapidly worse in
nations such as Korea. For example, air contaminants generated as
the result of rapid industrialization of China are carried into
Korea by yellow dust, and thus the concentration of hazardous heavy
metals in air is a significant level of concern in Korea. In
addition, indoor air within buildings can be contaminated by
contaminants such as fine dust, formaldehyde, and floating
bacteria. These contaminants may cause sick building syndromes such
as dry nose, eye, and throat, pain in the nose, eye, and throat,
sneezes, nasal stuffiness, and fatigue.
[0004] This environment increases the demand for air purifying
apparatus capable of purifying contaminated air. Most of air
purifying apparatus that are commonly used today use various
filters such that air is purified by introducing contaminated air
and filtering out contamination particles in a physical manner or
through adsorption using the filters.
[0005] Recently, in order to improve purification performance, the
mesh of filters used in air purifying apparatus has increased. That
is, the number of holes per unit length in the filter is increased
so as to filter or adsorb more fine particles. However, as the mesh
of the filter is increased, a differential pressure of air applied
to front and rear ends of the filter consequently increases as
well. As a result, air volume and air pressure are decreased at the
air outlet.
[0006] Conventionally, in order to increase air volume and air
pressure at an air outlet, the approach used is to enlarge the
blower fan or to otherwise improve the performance of the blower
fan. However, since this method results in an increase in product
costs, a measure to complement the approach described above is
required.
SUMMARY
[0007] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the
subject matter of this patent, and is not intended to identify
essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed
embodiments. The proper scope of this patent may be ascertained
from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description
below and the drawings.
[0008] Air filters constructed according to the principles of the
invention avoid the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an air
purifier includes a main body having an inlet and an outlet, the
main body including a first portion and a second portion, an air
circulation device disposed in the first portion of the main body
and configured to draw air from the inlet to the outlet. First,
opposing support frames are disposed in the second portion of the
main body, with each first support frame including an upper frame
and a lower frame. A first filter is retained by the first support
frames in a position disposed between the upper and lower frames,
and an ultraviolet (UV) light source is disposed between the air
circulation device and the first filter and configured to emit a UV
light for causing a photocatalytic reaction in the first
filter.
[0009] The first support frames may protrude inwardly from an inner
wall of the second portion of the main body.
[0010] The air purifier may further include second, opposing
support frames disposed in the second portion of the main body,
with each second support frame including an upper frame and a lower
frame.
[0011] The air purifier may further include a second filter
retained by the second support frames in a position disposed
between the upper and lower frames of the second support frames,
and in which the first filter is disposed in an adjoining position
with respect to the second filter.
[0012] The second filter may include a mesh material.
[0013] A wavelength of the UV light emitted from the UV light
source may be less than 388 nm.
[0014] The UV light source may be configured to allow air to pass
between the air circulation device and the first filter.
[0015] A joint generally having a step shape may be formed between
the first portion and the second portion of the main body.
[0016] A cross-section of the first support frame may be generally
"C" shaped.
[0017] The first support frames may each have longitudinally
extending side surfaces, and the first filter may have
longitudinally extending ends with substantially the entire
longitudinal extend of each ends contacting one of the first
support frames.
[0018] The upper frame and the lower frame of the first support
frames may cover portions of the first filter.
[0019] The second portion of the main body may include a third
portion coupled to the second portion of the main body.
[0020] The upper frame and the lower frame of the second support
frames may cover portions of the second filter.
[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of
supporting air filters in an air purifier having a main body
including a first portion and a second portion coupled to each
other includes the steps of: retaining a first one of the air
filters in first, opposing support frames, with each first support
frame including upper and lower frames protruding inwardly from an
inner wall of the second portion; and retaining a second one of the
air filters adjoining the first filter in second, opposing support
frames, each second support frame including upper and lower frames
protruding inwardly from the inner wall of the second portion, such
that air drawn into the air purifier passes through the first and
second filters, and is subjected to a photocatalytic reaction in
the first filter by ultraviolet light emitted from inside the air
purifier.
[0022] The step of retaining the first filter may include mounting
the first filter in the first support frames in a position disposed
between the upper and lower frames of the first support frames,
such that two ends of the first filter contact substantially the
entire extent of side walls of the first support frames.
[0023] The upper and lower frames of the first support frames may
cover portion of the first filter.
[0024] A cross-section of the first support frame may be
substantially "I" shaped.
[0025] The second filter may include a mesh material and retaining
the second filter may include mounting the second filter in the
second support frames in a position disposed between the upper and
lower frames of the second support frames, such that two ends of
the second filter contacts substantially the entire extent of side
walls of the second support frames.
[0026] The upper and lower frames of the second support frames may
cover portions of the second filter.
[0027] A cross-section of the second support frame may be generally
"C" shaped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The above and other aspects, features and other advantages
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0029] FIG. 1A is a view schematically illustrating an air
purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the air purifying
apparatus;
[0030] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in
the air purifying apparatus of FIG. 1A;
[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views that illustrate an
operation of the air purifying apparatus according to an embodiment
of the air purifying apparatus;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
an opening and closing device according to the embodiment of the
air purifying apparatus;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
an ultraviolet light emitting diode part and a first filter part
according to the embodiment of the air purifying apparatus; and
[0034] FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating the ultraviolet
light emitting diode part according to an embodiment of the air
purifying apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, the
embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the disclosure. For clarity, the detailed
descriptions herein describe certain exemplary embodiments, but the
disclosure in this application may be applied to any air
purification apparatus comprising certain of the features described
herein and recited in the claims. In particular, although the
following detailed description describes certain exemplary
embodiments of air purification apparatus, it should be understood
that other embodiments may have different structures, forms, and
configurations. The drawings may not be to scale, and the widths,
lengths, and thicknesses shown may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0036] Unless stated otherwise, terms such as "first" and "second"
in the specification of the present disclosure are used to
arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe.
Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal
or other prioritization of such elements. In addition, terms "on,"
"above," "below," and "adjacent" as used herein refer to a position
of one element relative to other elements. As such, an element
disposed on, above, or below another element may be directly in
contact with the other element or it may include one or more
intervening elements. It will be understood that when an element is
referred to as being "connected" or "arranged" to another element,
it can be directly connected or arranged to the other element or
intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly
arranged" to another element, there are no intervening elements
present.
[0037] Throughout the disclosure, like reference numerals refer to
like parts throughout the various figures and embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 1A is a view schematically illustrating an air
purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in
the air purifying apparatus of FIG. 1A. For example, an air
purifying apparatus, which is designated by reference numeral 100,
may be an air cleaner for purifying indoor air.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the air purifying apparatus
100 may include a body 105 defining a frame. As shown in the
drawing, the body 105 may be supported by a support structure
107.
[0041] The body 105 includes a first conduit 120 and a second
conduit 130 through which air flows from air inlets 110 to air
outlets 115. The first and second conduits 120 and 130 may be
arranged in the body 105 so as to be compatible with each other.
The body 105 may be formed to have a first portion 105A shown at
the bottom of FIG. 1B and a second portion 105B above the first
portion 105A and coupled to each other by a joint J1 generally
having a stepped shape.
[0042] An air circulation device 180 may be disposed adjacent to
the air inlets 110. The air circulation device 180 may be, for
example, a blower fan. The air circulation device 180 may be, for
example, a fan that upwardly moves air introduced into the air
inlets 110. The air circulation device 180 may be disposed in the
first portion 105A of the body 105.
[0043] The first and second conduits 120 and 130 may be disposed
above the air circulation device 180 and may serve as passages
through which air flowing through the air circulation device 180
moves upward. The first and second conduits 120 and 130 may be
physically separated from each other by a partition wall portion
190. Air moving to one of the first and second conduits 120 and 130
may not be mixed with air moving to the other conduit until it is
discharged from the body 105 through the air outlets 115.
Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings, air passing
through a first filter part 150 and air passing through a second
filter part 160 may instead be discharged through the air outlets
115 in a mixed state.
[0044] An opening and closing device 170 may be disposed across
entrances of the first and second conduits 120 and 130 adjacent to
the air circulation device 180. The opening and closing device 170
may include a first opening and closing portion 172 acting on the
first conduit 120 and a second opening and closing portion 174
acting on the second conduit 130. The first and second opening and
closing portions 172 and 174 may respectively open and close the
first and second conduits 120 and 130. Thus, the opening and
closing device 170 may control the passage of air such that air
passing through the air circulation device 180 may pass through at
least one of the first and second conduits 120 and 130. That is,
for example, when both of the first and second opening and closing
portions 172 and 174 are opened, air may branch to the first and
second conduits 120 and 130 and then flow upward. On the contrary,
when one of the first and second opening and closing portions 172
and 174 is opened and the other is closed, air may flow upward
through opened one of the first and second conduits 120 and
130.
[0045] Referring to the drawings again, an ultraviolet light
emitting diode part 140 and a first filter part 150 may be disposed
within the first conduit 120. As shown in the drawings, the first
filter part 150 may be retained by first, opposing support frames
210, 220, with each first support frame including an upper frame
210A, 220A and a lower frame 210B, 220B. The first support frames
210, 220 may protrude inwardly from an inner wall of the main body
105, such that each of the first, opposing support frames 210 and
220 has a generally channel or "C" shaped cross section, as shown
in enlarged view of the first support frame 210 in FIG. 1B. As
such, end portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the first
filter part 150 may be covered by the upper and lower frames 210A,
210B, 220A, 220B, respectively. The ultraviolet light emitting
diode part 140 may include light emitting diodes for sterilization
146 and light emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148. The light
emitting diodes for sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes
for photocatalyst 148 may be disposed on a support member 142
having openings 144. The first filter part 150 may include a
photocatalytic filter 152 and a collection filter 154. In the first
filter part 150, the photocatalytic filter 152 and the collection
filter 154 may be arranged in order adjacent to the ultraviolet
light emitting diode part 140.
[0046] The ultraviolet light emitting diode part 140 purifies air
flowing in the first conduit 120 in conjunction with the first
filter part 150. Each of the light emitting diodes for
sterilization 146 may emit, for example, ultraviolet light of about
200 to 400 nm. Specifically, each of the light emitting diodes for
sterilization 146 may emit ultraviolet light of about 200 to 290
nm. The light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 may perform a
sterilization function for removal of bacteria in air flowing in
the first conduit 120, using the ultraviolet light within the
wavelength ranges listed above. In addition, the light emitting
diodes for sterilization 146 may sterilize bacteria captured by the
collection filter 154 by irradiating them with ultraviolet light
having wavelengths within the ranges listed above.
[0047] Each of the light emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148 may
emit, for example, ultraviolet light of about 200 to 400 nm.
Specifically, for example, each of the light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 may emit ultraviolet light of about 320 to 400
nm. The emitted ultraviolet light reacts with the photocatalytic
filter 152 to generate hydroxyl radicals such that the light
emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148 may deodorize the air.
[0048] In an embodiment, the deodorization function using the light
emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148 and the photocatalytic filter
152 or the sterilization function using the light emitting diodes
for sterilization 146 may also be selectively performed. That is,
one of the light emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148 and the
light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 may be selectively
operated. Thus, when one of the light emitting diodes 146 and 148
is operated, one of the associated deodorization and sterilization
functions may be performed. In another embodiment, the
deodorization function using the light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 and the photocatalytic filter 152 and the
sterilization function using the light emitting diodes for
sterilization 146 may also be simultaneously performed. That is,
when both of the light emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148 and
the light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 are operated, the
deodorization and sterilization functions may be simultaneously
performed. Air purified by the above-mentioned deodorization and/or
sterilization functions may be discharged out of the body 105
through the air outlets 115.
[0049] Referring to the drawing again, the second filter part 160
may be disposed within the second conduit 130. As shown in the
drawings, the second filter part 160 may be retained by second,
opposing support frames 230, 240, with each second support frame
including an upper frame 230A, 240A and a lower frame 230B, 240B.
The second support frames 230, 240 may protrude inwardly from an
inner wall of the main body 150, such that each of the second,
opposing support frames 230 and 240 has a generally channel or "C"
shaped cross section, as similarly to the enlarged view of the
first support frame 210 shown in FIG. 1B. As such, end portions of
the top and bottom surfaces of the second filter part 160 may be
covered by the upper and lower frames 230A, 230B, 240A, and 240B.
The second filter part 160 may include a filter having a relatively
smaller differential pressure applied between front and rear ends
of the filter, compared to the first filter part 150. For example,
the filter included in the second filter part 160 may have a
smaller mesh than that of the filter included in the first filter
part 150. That is, the number of holes per unit area in the filter
included in the second filter part 160 is less than that in the
filter included in the first filter part 150, thereby enabling the
velocity of air passing through the filter of the second filter
part 160 to be increased. Consequently, the differential pressure
applied between the front and rear ends of the filter in the second
filter part 160 may be reduced compared to the first filter part
150. On the other hand, the first filter part 150 may include a
filter having a relatively larger differential pressure applied
between front and rear ends of the filter, compared to the second
filter part 160. In this case, the filter included in the first
filter part 150 may have a larger mesh than that of the filter
included in the second filter part 160. The first and second filter
parts 150 and 160 may be disposed in the second portion 105B of the
body 105. As shown in the drawings, the second portion 105B of the
body 105 may further include a third portion 105C of the body 105
coupled to the second portion 105B of the body 105 by another
stepped joint J2.
[0050] In an embodiment, when the first filter part 150 includes
the photocatalytic filter 152 and the collection filter 154, the
second filter part 160 may include a carbon filter 160. The carbon
filter 160 includes activated carbon and a catalyst so that organic
chemical substances in air flowing in the second conduit 130 are
filtered out through the carbon filter 160. Consequently, it may be
possible to deodorize introduced air. In addition, if it is
satisfied that the second filter part 160 has a smaller
differential pressure compared to the first filter part 150,
various functional filters may also be provided. As described
above, air purified in the second conduit 130 may be discharged out
of the body 105 through the air outlets 115.
[0051] As described above, the air purifying apparatus 100 of the
present embodiment may deodorize and sterilize air flowing through
the first conduit 120 and deodorize air flowing through the second
conduit 130.
[0052] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for schematically explaining an
operation of the air purifying apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A shows a state in
which air introduced into the body 105 flows through the first
conduit 120. As shown in the drawing, it may be possible to control
the first and second opening and closing portions 172 and 174 such
that the first opening and closing portion 172 is opened and the
second opening and closing portion 174 is closed. In this case, air
may flow only through the first conduit 120. The first conduit 120
may be provided therein with the ultraviolet light emitting diode
part 140 and the first filter part 150, which may perform at least
one of the deodorization and sterilization functions. When air is
purified during flowing in the first conduit 120, at least one of
the deodorization and sterilization functions may be performed.
However, the volume and pressure of air discharged through the air
outlets 115 may be decreased.
[0053] FIG. 2B shows a state in which air introduced into the body
105 flows through the second conduit 130. As shown in the drawing,
it may be possible to control the first and second opening and
closing portions 172 and 174 such that the first opening and
closing portion 172 is closed and the second opening and closing
portion 174 is opened. In this case, air may flow only through the
second conduit 130. The second conduit 130 may be provided therein
with the second filter part 160 which may perform the deodorization
function. When air is purified during flowing in the second conduit
130, the deodorization function may be merely performed. However,
the volume and pressure of air discharged through the air outlets
115 may be relatively increased.
[0054] As such, the present embodiment configures the air conduits
such that an air passage may branch, so that air volume and air
pressure at the air outlets may be selectively controlled. In the
conventional air purifying apparatus, a method of increasing
performance of the air circulation device 180 is adopted in order
to increase air volume and air pressure at the air outlets.
However, this method may cause an increase in cost of the air
circulation device 180. In the present embodiment, since the air
passage is selectively controlled by the opening and closing device
170 without an increase in output of the air circulation device
180, it may be possible to increase air volume and air pressure at
the air outlets even when at least the deodorization function is
performed.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
the opening and closing device according to an embodiment. The
opening and closing device 170 may include the first opening and
closing portion 172 and the second opening and closing portion 174
which selectively open and close the respective first and second
conduits 120 and 130. The first and second opening and closing
portions 172 and 174 may be separately controlled. As shown in the
drawings, the first and second opening and closing portions 172 and
174 may be configured such that the first conduit 120 is opened and
the second conduit 130 is closed by reciprocating motion. However,
since the structure of the shown opening and closing device 170 is
illustrated as an example, other modified examples having known
configurations may also be applied to the opening and closing
device 170.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
the ultraviolet light emitting diode part and the first filter part
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to
FIG. 4, in the ultraviolet light emitting diode part 140, the light
emitting diodes for sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes
for photocatalyst 148 may be arranged on the support member 142
having openings (not shown) through which air flows. The light
emitting diodes for sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes
for photocatalyst 148 may be disposed such that the direction of
ultraviolet light emitted therefrom substantially coincides with
the flow direction of air in the body 105.
[0057] The support member 142 may be made of a material having high
thermal conductivity so as to conduct heat generated when the light
emitting diodes for sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes
for photocatalyst 148 are operated. For example, the support member
142 may be made of metal.
[0058] The light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 may emit
ultraviolet light for the removal of bacteria in air. Each of the
light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 may emit, for example,
ultraviolet light of about 200 to 400 nm. Specifically, each of the
light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 may emit ultraviolet
light of about 200 to 290 nm. The light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 may emit ultraviolet light for reacting with the
photocatalytic filter 152. Each of the light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 may emit, for example, ultraviolet light of about
200 to 400 nm. Specifically, each of the light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 may emit ultraviolet light of about 320 to 400
nm.
[0059] In the present embodiment, the light emitting diodes are
classified as light emitting diodes for photocatalyst and light
emitting diodes for sterilization and are arranged according to
functions of the light emitting diodes. However, in some
embodiments, such classification may not be strictly appropriate.
That is, in a region in which wavelength ranges of ultraviolet
light generated by the light emitting diodes overlap, the light
emitting diodes for photocatalyst may also perform a sterilization
function and the light emitting diodes for sterilization may also
generate a photocatalytic reaction together with the photocatalytic
filter.
[0060] The first filter part 150 may include the photocatalytic
filter 152 and the collection filter 154. The photocatalytic filter
152 may be a photocatalytic medium and include a substance
providing a photocatalytic reaction. For example, the
photocatalytic medium may include a titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2), a
silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), a tungsten oxide (WO.sub.3), or a
zirconium oxide (ZnO). The photocatalytic filter 152 may be formed
in a layered structure including a titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2). The
photocatalytic filter 152 may be manufactured by a layer coated
with a material such as metal foam or porous metal through which
air may flow.
[0061] The photocatalytic filter 152 may promote a photocatalytic
reaction when ultraviolet light is emitted from the light emitting
diodes for photocatalyst 148. When the ultraviolet light is
absorbed into the photocatalytic medium, electrons (e-) and holes
(+) may be generated on a surface of the photocatalytic medium and,
as such, the electrons may react with oxygen on the surface of the
photocatalytic medium to generate superoxide anions
(O.sub.2.sup.-). In addition, the holes may react with moisture
present in air to generate hydroxyl radicals (OH.sup.-). In this
case, the generated hydroxyl radicals may oxidize and decompose
organic substances. Consequently, containments and odor substances
in air introduced into the air purifying apparatus may be
decomposed and converted into water and carbon dioxide. In this
way, the photocatalytic filter 152 may deodorize introduced air by
cooperating with the light emitting diodes for photocatalyst
148.
[0062] The collection filter 154 performs a function of capturing
bacteria in introduced air. To this end, the collection filter 154
may have fine pores such that bacteria do not easily pass through
the collection filter 154. In order to increase a surface area of
the collection filter 154 to increase a captured amount per unit
area, the collection filter 154 may include a filter substance
having a folded shape in the flow direction of air as shown in the
drawing. Bacteria captured by the collection filter 154 may be
sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting
diodes for sterilization 146. The collection filter 154 may
increase a time for which bacteria in air are exposed to
ultraviolet light for sterilization, thereby enhancing
sterilization efficiency of the light emitting diodes for
sterilization 146. The collection filter 154 may be, for example, a
known cabin filter. In some embodiments, the collection filter 154
may include germicides. Sterilization efficiency may be further
enhanced by the germicides.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating the ultraviolet
light emitting diode part according to an embodiment. Referring to
FIG. 5, the ultraviolet light emitting diode part 140 may include a
support member 142 on which the light emitting diodes for
sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes for photocatalyst
148 are mounted. The support member 142 may include the openings
144 provided at an outside portion and at a central portion thereof
such that air flows through the openings 144. The support member
142 may be made of a material such as metal having high thermal
conductivity.
[0064] As shown in the drawing, since the light emitting diodes for
sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes for photocatalyst
148 may be alternately arranged on the support member 142,
ultraviolet light may be uniformly irradiated toward the first
filter part 150.
[0065] The ultraviolet light emitting diode part 140 is not limited
necessarily to the shown configuration. For example, the
ultraviolet light emitting diode part 140 may be arranged in
various configurations. That is, if the openings 144 are located
such that air may smoothly flow through the openings 144, the
openings 144 may be formed at various positions of the support
member 142. The light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 and the
light emitting diodes for photocatalyst 148 may be arranged in
various modified configurations. For example, the light emitting
diodes for sterilization 146 and the light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 may be arranged in a partitioned manner such that
a plurality of light emitting diodes for sterilization 146 is
present in one region and a plurality of light emitting diodes for
photocatalyst 148 is present in the other region.
[0066] As described above, in accordance with the embodiments of
the present disclosure, the air purifying apparatus may include the
air conduits allowing the air passage to branch. An operation at a
low air volume mode for performing sterilization and deodorization
functions or an operation at a high air volume mode for performing
a sterilization function may be selectively determined. In the
related art, a method of increasing output of an air circulation
device such as a circulation fan is adopted in order to increase
air volume and air pressure at an air outlet. On the contrary, in
the present embodiments, it may be possible to perform an air
purification function at the high air volume mode, in addition to a
method of increasing output of the air circulation device. Although
the present embodiment illustratively describes a case in which the
deodorization function is possible during the operation at the high
air volume mode, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. If
it is satisfied that a differential pressure between the front and
rear ends of the second filter part is less than that between the
front and rear ends of the first filter part, the second filter
part may include various functional filters. In this case, the
second filter part may include a filter which may perform the
sterilization function. Consequently, the second filter part may
perform the sterilization and deodorization functions.
[0067] In addition, in the present embodiment, the air purifying
apparatus may be operated in a state in which the first conduit 120
is opened together with the second conduit 130. In this case, it
may be possible to simultaneously and efficiently perform
sterilization and deodorization functions and to properly adjust
air volume and air pressure, compared to a case in which the first
or second conduit 120 or 130 is selectively opened.
[0068] As is apparent from the above description, according to
embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to
configure different air conduits such that an air passage may
branch differently to arrange filters having different differential
pressures across their respective conduits. Consequently, air
volume and air pressure at an air outlet may be selectively
controlled.
[0069] In accordance with embodiments of an air purifying apparatus
as disclosed herein, an operation at a low air volume mode for
performing sterilization and deodorization functions or an
operation at a high air volume mode for performing a sterilization
function may be selectively performed without the aid of a blower
fan.
[0070] The embodiments of the present air purifying apparatus have
been disclosed above for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in
the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the inventive concept as disclosed in the accompanying
claims, and their equivalents.
[0071] Further, in describing embodiments, the specification may
have presented methods and/or processes as particular sequences of
steps. However, to the extent that the methods or processes do not
rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the methods
or processes should not be limited to the particular sequences of
steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would
appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore,
the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification
should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition,
the claims directed to the methods and/or processes should not be
limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and
one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences
may be varied.
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