阅读说明：本技术 空气净化器 (Air purifier ) 是由 A·丹德烈亚 P·P·F·甘尼斯 V·维蒂耶洛 于 2020-01-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种空气净化器,其包括：第一容器(22、14)；第二容器(24)；以及(c)风扇(4),该风扇适合于生成空气净化器的内部和外部之间的空气流动。第二容器(24)设置有底部(15)并且容纳在第一容器内,其中第二容器的侧壁由多个肋(24a)形成,肋(24a)在容器(24)的竖直方向上延伸,并且邻近的肋布置为基本彼此平行,在肋之间形成基本上为肋(24a)的长度的槽。间隔(30)在第一容器和第二容器(24)之间形成,该间隔优选地沿着所述槽的全部长度延伸。本发明还涉及该空气净化器的相关用法。(Disclosed is an air purifier, which includes: a first container (22, 14); a second container (24); and (c) a fan (4) adapted to generate a flow of air between the interior and the exterior of the air purifier. The second container (24) is provided with a bottom (15) and is accommodated within the first container, wherein the side wall of the second container is formed by a plurality of ribs (24a), the ribs (24a) extending in the vertical direction of the container (24), and adjacent ribs are arranged substantially parallel to each other, between which ribs grooves are formed substantially the length of the ribs (24 a). A space (30) is formed between the first and second containers (24), the space preferably extending along the entire length of the trough. The invention also relates to a related usage of the air purifier.)

1. An air purifier, comprising:

(a) a first container (22, 14);

(b) a second container (24) provided with a bottom (15) and accommodated within the first container (22, 14), wherein a side wall of the second container is formed by a plurality of ribs (24a), the ribs (24a) extending in an axial direction of the container (24), and wherein adjacent ribs are arranged substantially parallel to each other, forming between them a groove of a length substantially equal to the length of the ribs (24a), wherein a space (30) is formed between the first container (22, 14) and the second container (24), the space (30) preferably extending at least along the entire length of the groove; and

(c) a fan (4) adapted to effect air flow between the interior and the exterior of the air purifier.

2. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the fan (4) is placed horizontally below the bottom (15) of the second container (24).

3. The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom (15) of the second container (24) is located at a height within the side wall of the second container (24), and the rib (24a) is arranged around the bottom (15) and extends downwardly beyond the bottom (15), and the rib (24a) optionally also forms at least a part of the bottom (15) to allow air to flow along the groove from a part of the second container (24) above the bottom (15) towards a part of the second container (24) below the bottom (15), and forms a space within the side wall below the bottom (15).

4. The air purifier according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising (d) an air-permeable photocatalytic filter (20) arranged between the bottom (15) of the second container (24) and the fan (4), and (e) a light source (6) for activating a catalyst of the photocatalytic filter (20).

5. Air purifier according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor for measuring the air quality, and a control and communication unit (10), said control and communication unit (10) being adapted to manage said sensor and to indicate the air quality and to manage the speed of the fan (4) on the basis of the values detected by the sensor.

6. Air purifier according to claim 5, wherein the bottom (14) of the first container (22, 14) is provided with

(i) A tubular portion (14a) projecting towards the interior of the container and comprising a grid (14b), the fan (4) being positionable under the grid (14b) within the tubular portion (14 a); and

(ii) a box (8) for the sensor and the control and communication unit (10).

7. The air purifier of claim 6, further comprising:

(iii) a water tank (18) arranged on the bottom (14) of the first container (22, 14) and surrounding the tubular portion (14a) and the box (8); and

(iv) a channel (24c) which is formed in the bottom (15) of the second container (24) and which opens directly into the water tank (18).

8. Air purifier according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the box (8) and the walls of the first container (22, 14) each have a correspondingly arranged opening (14c, 22a) between them for placing the LED and the interface (16).

9. Air purifier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the interspace (30) there is a particulate matrix, in particular expanded clay.

10. An air cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the particulate substrate has a particle size equal to or greater than 8mm, more preferably in the range of 8 to 16mm, as determined according to UNI EN 13055-2 standard paragraph 4.3.

11. Air purifier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second container (24) comprises plants (36).

12. Use of an air purifier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the air purifier comprising plants in a second container to purify the air of a space

(I) -activating the fan (4),

(II) circulating air through the gap (30) and the second receptacle (24) by activation of the fan (4);

(III) after said circulating, conveying air along said tank towards said fan (4), first through said photocatalytic filter (20), if said photocatalytic filter (20) is present; and is

(IV) discharging outwards the air purified by the roots of the plants (36) contained in the second container (24), the air purified by the substrate contained in the second container (24) and in the interspace (30) if the substrate is present, and the air purified by the photocatalytic filter (20) if the photocatalytic filter (20) is present, and optionally the air purified by the photocatalytic filter (20)

(V) managing the air flow (38) by adjusting the speed of the fan (4) according to the values measured by the air quality sensor.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air purifier in which air purification is performed in a natural manner by plants and their culture substrates. The ventilation system optimizes air filtration through the plants and substrate. In this regard, the air purifier includes a first container, and a second container and a fan housed within the first container.

Background

In order to keep air entering a living space or a working space healthy, various types of air purification apparatuses have been developed in the market. Generally, an air purifier is an apparatus for removing pollutants, toxic agents, powders, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), etc. from air through various types of filters. A natural air cleaner is a device using roots of plants or a substrate on which they grow as a filter.

At the roots, the microorganisms can actively biofilter and break down toxic substances. Currently available natural air purifiers facilitate the transport of air to the roots and/or culture substrate by means of a ventilation system integrated in the container, as described for example in US2015/0282436a1, US6,230,437B1 and US2011/0154985a 1. In these systems, the air flow inside the container containing the plants and the substrate is not optimized and the purification itself is not entirely satisfactory.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to propose an improved air purifier for purifying air in an interior space, in particular an air purifier with an optimized air flow towards and through a root rooted substrate. Another object of the invention is to further improve the degree of air purification with respect to the prior art. These and other objects that will be apparent from the following description of the invention are achieved by an air purifier as defined in the first claim, and in particular by an air purifier comprising:

(a) a first container;

(b) a second container provided with a bottom and accommodated within the first container, in which first container the side wall of the second container is formed by a plurality of ribs extending in the axial direction of the container and adjacent ribs are arranged substantially parallel to each other, forming between the ribs a groove of a length substantially equal to the length of the ribs, wherein a space is formed between the first container and the second container, which space preferably extends at least along the entire length of the groove; and

(c) a fan adapted to enable air flow between an inside and an outside of the air purifier.

A second container with ribs is inserted in the first container, forming said gap between the walls of the container and allowing a defined air flow, which is also directed linearly through the slot towards the bottom of the system. Subsequently, the grooves allow the roots of the plants to exit from the second container and allow their "diffusion" in the gap, where air can easily enter the gap to contact the roots.

The axial direction of the container is to be understood as the direction perpendicular to the support plane in which the container is placed.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the fan is placed horizontally below the bottom of the second container. Such positioning creates a vertical air flow inside the purifier.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the bottom of the second container is located at a certain height within the side wall of the second container, the rib is arranged around and extends downwards beyond the bottom, and the rib also forms at least a part of the bottom (optionally) which allows air to flow along the groove from the part of the second container located above the bottom towards the part of the second container located below the bottom, and forms a space within the side wall below the bottom. To form part of the bottom, the ribs diverge at the height of the bottom, continuing downwards in a linear shape and in a curved shape within the bottom.

Particularly preferred is a variant of the present invention in which the air purifier further comprises (d) an air-permeable photocatalytic filter disposed between the bottom of the second container and the fan, and (e) a light source for activating a catalyst of the photocatalytic filter. The purification is further promoted by the addition of a photocatalyst, which is a filter capable of degrading other compounds relative to the natural components in the system. Preferably, the filter is disposed in a space formed under the bottom inside the sidewall of the second container.

Advantageously, the purifier according to the invention comprises a sensor for measuring the air quality, and a control and communication unit for managing the sensor, and indicating the air quality and managing the fan speed on the basis of the values detected by the sensor. These components are adapted to make the system autonomous and automatic.

Preferably, the first container comprises a bottom, wherein the bottom is provided with

(i) A tubular portion that protrudes toward the interior of the container and that includes a grill, wherein the fan is positioned within the tubular portion below the grill; and

(ii) a cartridge for the sensor and the control and communication unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the purifier with tubular part and cartridge according to the invention preferably further comprises

(iii) A water tank disposed on the bottom of the first container and surrounding the tubular portion and the box body; and

(iv) a passage formed in the bottom of the second container and leading directly to the water tank.

The water tank may be used for automatic irrigation of the system (if associated ropes or capillaries connected into the second container and/or into the gap to supply water to the roots) and/or for collecting excess water. The presence of the channels helps to guide the water flow.

The case is advantageously a recess in the outer container of the air purifier, the recess being closed by an interface that conveys system status information to a user; that is, preferably, the box and the wall of the first container each have a correspondingly placed opening between them to position the LEDs, the interface for communicating with the user, and the light diffuser (possibly).

Advantageously, the cover is provided with a series of chamfered cuts which allow external air to enter the sensor chamber for analysis of the air quality. The cut-outs are advantageously designed with a grid system to protect the electronic components from any water coming from the outside, but to ensure a correct air flow.

In a very preferred variant of the invention, there is a granular substrate, in particular a swelling clay, in the interstices, preferably having a particle size equal to or greater than 8mm, more preferably in the range from 8 to 16mm, as determined according to UNI EN 13055-2 standard paragraph 4.3. The granular substrate has a flow-guiding capacity (like the ribs of the second container), and the roots of the plants can penetrate the granular substrate through the gaps. These characteristics allow good air circulation and good accessibility to the roots, which are also present in the channels (gaps) formed between the particles acting as flow directors.

The purification system shown in the figure is characterized by two parts, the first part being entirely natural and consisting of the plant and its roots, the second part consisting of a photocatalytic filter, in particular made of titanium dioxide (TiO)₂) Ceramic honeycomb filter (SiO) treated and activated with UVA type ultraviolet LED lamps₂)。

One of the active centers of the decontamination system is the plant. In nature, plants have the ability to remove harmful substances present in the air, both by their volatile parts (leaves), and by their root system and their interaction with the cultivation substrate. In the lower region of this plant, biochemical processes take place which intercept and degrade/convert harmful substances present in the outside air, purifying the air.

The system according to the invention is designed to enhance and make more effective this natural characteristic of normal houseplants.

To ensure that the air flow through the plant root system is greater and constant, the upper part of the air purifier is designed by carefully calibrating the full and empty areas.

The key element is the central crown (i.e. the second ribbed container) where the plants are housed. The crown features a series of ribs arranged at regular intervals that keep the plants in an optimal position, leaving the necessary space for the circulation of the air flow and the growth of the roots.

Between the central crown and the inner wall of the container, a gap is formed, which is advantageously filled with an inert substance (for example, swelling clay) and has the function of regulating the air supply between the first filtering part (plant) and the second filtering part (photocatalytic filter), balancing the air supply and significantly increasing the air flow.

With this system, the roots of the growing plants penetrate into the interspace, thus ensuring a better plant growth and an increase in the cleaning capacity.

In the studies conducted by the present inventors, it has been noted that this first filtration part is particularly effective in reducing VOC (volatile organic compounds).

In the second part, the air purifier houses a photocatalytic filter, for example consisting of a ceramic honeycomb filter, 140mm in diameter, dip-coated with titanium dioxide (TiO)₂) Nanoparticles and activated by four UVA LEDs. Other filters are conceivable that can be easily identified by the person skilled in the art with his ordinary knowledge.

Photocatalysis is a natural process in which light is irradiated to a mineral (e.g. titanium dioxide-TiO)₂A common mineral) and activates chemical processes that safely and instantly oxidize and decompose organic matter to form water vapor and carbon dioxide.

All air delivered by the ventilation system will eventually pass through the second filtering section to ensure the elimination of viruses, bacteria, and odors.

Such filters do not wear out and do not need to be replaced, but only need to be cleaned with running water.

The combination of photocatalysis and plants ensures the significant improvement of purification performance.

According to the air purifier of the invention, thanks to a forced ventilation system (preferably characterized by a horizontally placed fan), advantageously fully automated, the external air is conveyed inside the filtering system, first towards the roots of the plants, then towards the photocatalytic filter, and then out of the system (for example from an opening located along the lower edge of the container).

The grooves in the crown have the following functions:

avoiding spillage of the soil as much as possible;

allowing the roots to grow and "invade" the gap filled with granular material; the purification capacity is improved;

adequately holding the plant;

the addition of air channels, much more than those of the holed container (for example, described in document WO/2018/211307 in the name of the applicant), thus having, in addition to the above-mentioned advantages, the main advantages: better air circulation and high air supply to the photocatalytic filter;

allowing more exposure of the root parts to the air, these exposed parts interact with the air conveyed inside due to natural air deflectors (see gaps of granular material), increasing the filtering capacity of the plants; and is

Increase the air flow through the gap, which allows balancing the air velocity inside the system. The flow guider is in the shape of granular materials and can guide air, thereby balancing the air permeability of the soil. In this way a system with an air supply evenly distributed between the plants and the photocatalytic filter is created.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of an air purifier according to the invention, which air purifier contains plants in a second container for purifying the air of the space

(I) The fan is activated and the fan is activated,

(II) circulating air through the gap and the second container by the action of the fan;

(III) after said circulating, conveying air along said slots towards said fan, first circulating through said photocatalytic filter (if present); and

(IV) discharging outwards the air purified by the roots of the plants contained in the second container, by the substrate (if present) contained in the second container and in the interspace, and by the photocatalytic filter (if present), and optionally

(V) managing the air flow by adjusting the speed of the fan according to the value measured by the air quality sensor.

Features described in relation to one aspect of the invention may be transferred to another aspect of the invention mutatis mutandis.

Embodiment variations of the present invention, as well as further objects and advantages, are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims. The description of the preferred embodiments of the air purifier and its use according to the present invention is given by way of illustration and not limitation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment variation of an air purifier according to the present invention.

Fig. 2a shows a side view of the air purifier of fig. 1 in an assembled state.

Fig. 2b shows the assembled air purifier of fig. 2a in a cross-sectional view.

Fig. 3 shows the air purifier (provided with the culture substrate and the plants) and indicates the air flow inside the purifier in the view of fig. 2 b.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment variation of an air purifier according to the present invention. Starting from the lowermost, there is a base 2, which may be made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood (e.g. beech). On the base 2, the whole remaining system is constrained by screws to be inserted in the four holes 2a (applied, for example, in the base 2). In the lower part, the base 2 has a milled part around its perimeter, which can accommodate a power cable (not shown).

The base 2 is provided with a fan4, the fan 4 is arranged in a horizontal position, but generates air vortex flow in the axial direction of the air cleaner. A 12V fan having a diameter of 140mm and a height of 25mm, designed to minimize noise, may be selected as the fan 4. The maximum speed was 1500rpm (+/-10%). The maximum flow rate under ideal conditions is 133.7m³H; its maximum noise emission is 25.8db (a). Due to the fan 4, outside air is fed into the system, circulating through the central crown 24 and the gap 30, as will be shown with reference to fig. 2b and 3.

Above the fan 4 there is an LED UVA board 6 (ultraviolet a type light emitting diodes), i.e. an electronic board housing four UVA LEDs, which are able to activate the photocatalytic filter 20 due to their light beam.

An electronic closure box 8 made of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is then provided, which represents a closure system of the whole electronic component by means of two screws.

The electronic board 10 represents the brain of the product, the electronic board 10 accommodating temperature, humidity, VOC (volatile organic compounds), CO (carbon monoxide) in addition to the LED system, power connector, and reset button₂(carbon dioxide), PM2.5 (particulate material having an average aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm), and proximity sensors. It also has a connection system to remotely manage the system, wherein the connection system is comprised of a Wi-Fi module, a bluetooth module, and a microcontroller.

The light diffuser 12, which is made of a translucent material, is capable of diffusing and enhancing the LED light beam. In addition to its main features, its two sides are provided with a series of oblique cuts that allow external air to enter the sensor chamber for air quality analysis. The cutouts are designed with a grid system to protect the electronic components from any water coming from the outside, but to ensure a correct air flow.

The frame bottom 14 (here made of ABS) is the support for all product technologies. It houses a honeycomb photocatalytic filter 20, a cover 16 for the aforementioned components 8 and 10, a UVA LED board 6, a fan 4, as well as a light diffuser 12, an electronic board 10, and an electronic closure box 8, inside a space 14 c.

The lid 16 is made of bio-plastic and represents the product interface. Since the back side has a series of LEDs, it communicates air quality to the user through an optical code.

On the frame 14, an additional ring-shaped frame is placed as a water tank 18, which water tank 18 is made of bio-plastic and contains about 1.5 liters of water. The water tank 18 surrounds a cylindrical or tubular portion 14a of the frame 14, the frame 14 comprising a grid 14b, the grid 14b protecting the wings of the fan 4 and acting as a support for the photocatalytic filter 20, while allowing air flow.

The honeycomb filter 20 is made of ceramic Sponge (SiO)₂) Made with a diameter of 140mm and dip-coated (by immersion) with titanium dioxide (TiO)₂) Nanoparticles, and for photocatalysis.

Everything described so far is accommodated on the base 2 in a container (consisting of the side wall 22 and the bottom 14) having an opening 22a, which opening 22a can be closed by the lid 16.

The container also receives a portion of the core of the invention, specifically the crown 24, the crown 24 serving as a container for the substrate, enabling the roots of the plants to grow in the natural air purifier. The crown is also made of bio-plastic, which contains the plants and allows more air to flow into the system. Characterized in that a series of ribs 24a, spaced evenly, form slots between the ribs 24 a. In the example shown, the ribs 24a (i.e., rod-like elements) are arranged at spaced vertical positions from one another around the ring 24b to form slots between each two adjacent ribs, thereby forming a series of substantially parallel slots extending around the entire perimeter of the crown 24 and across the entire height of the crown 24. At a certain height inside the crown 24 there is a sole 15, the sole 15 being provided with four drainage channels 24c, which open directly into the tank 18, allowing the excess water present in the lower part of the crown to drain onto the sole 15 and into the tank 18 without intruding into the electronic parts of the system. Air can circulate along the entire length of the slot from the portion of the crown 24 above the sole 15 to the portion of the crown 24 below the sole 15, the ribs 24a being placed circumferentially around the sole 15, wherein the perimeter of the sole 15 substantially coincides with the ring 24 b. The crown 24 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 14a of the frame 14; so that an opening of about 1 cm is formed between the two modules, which allows water to flow also directly into the water tank (this opening is provided for possible but not recommended irrigation of the plants from above).

A self-watering cover 26 made of translucent plastics material and a float 28 accommodated by the latter complete the system. The float 28 is made of plastic and an intumescent material and marks the water level in the tank.

Fig. 2a shows a side view of the air purifier of fig. 1 in an assembled state. The container is applied to the base 2 so as to leave a space between them for the ventilation of the air in the container. The cover 16 closes an opening 22a (not visible) containing the electronic board. Note also the float 28.

Fig. 2b shows the assembled air purifier of fig. 2a in a cross-sectional view. The crown 24 and the photocatalytic filter 20 are permeable to air due to the corresponding holes in the filter and the channels formed by the grooves between the ribs 24a in the crown 24. A gap 30 is observed between the inner wall of the container 22 and the crown 24, which gap 30 is capable of guiding an air flow into the container from above through the gap 30 and the slots in the crown 24. The gas flow generated inside the system is evident from fig. 3.

Fig. 3 shows the air purifier (provided with the culture substrate and the plants 36) and indicates the air flow 38 inside the purifier in the view of fig. 2 b. The gap 30 is filled with an inert intumescent material that allows air to circulate due to the holes built therein. The crown 24 is filled in the lower portion 32 with the same expanding material as the interspace 30 and in the upper portion 34 with a soil that is particularly suitable for the purposes described in the applicant's patent application IT102018000002488 (filed on 2018, 08.02/2018, not yet published). The soil comprises a mixture of organic matter comprising the soil and particulate material having a particle size of between 0.5mm and 10 mm. On top of which is again a layer of intumescent material. The roots of the plants 36 also pass through the troughs in the crown 24 and reach the gap 30. The air circulating through the latter easily reaches the roots which provide an effective natural air purification. The fan 4 is activated and air enters (in the direction of the arrow 38) the gap 30 and the crown 24, passes through the relevant matrix contained therein and reaches the root, then the air is directed towards the sole 15 of the crown 24 and is conveyed along the slot through which the air circulates in the portion of the crown 24 lower than the sole 15, the air then passing through the photocatalytic filter 20 activated by the UVA LED panel 6, these being attracted by the fan 4 below. The air path 38 follows the axial direction of the purifier.

The air purifier shown is an intelligent container that combines an innovative natural air purification system based on plant purification principles and a complex air monitoring system with sensors, all managed by an application.

The purifier is also equipped with a passive self-watering system consisting of a tank with a capacity of 1.5 litres and two strings which allow the plants to absorb the necessary amount of water by capillary action. In the upper part of the container there is a lid of translucent material from which the water level can be seen through the float.

The invention has been shown and described in connection with various embodiment variations. It is obvious to those skilled in the art and familiar with the subject matter that variations and modifications (e.g. materials, dimensions, different design shapes) may occur which do not exclude the concept of the invention and the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.