An air conditioner with air purification function and the control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner (1) comprising an outdoor unit; an indoor unit (2); at least one sensor which is disposed in the indoor unit (2) and which detects the pollution level in the environment; at least one fan which is disposed in the indoor unit; an air suction duct (3); one or more than one additional filter (4) which enables particles or gases increasing the pollution level in the environment to be retained; and a movement mechanism (5) which enables the additional filter (4) to be moved towards the air suction duct (3) when the ambient pollution level detected by the sensor exceeds a value determined by the manufacturer.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner with air purification function, comprising a plurality of filters, and to the control method thereof.

[0002] As a result of technological studies aimed at improving the indoor air quality, air conditioners are provided with air purification functions in addition to heating and cooling functions by means of various special filters integrated into wall-mounted air conditioners, which are currently available, without the need for an additional air purifier. The biggest disadvantage of this situation is that due to the addition of special filters placed along the suction line under the pollen filter in the air conditioners, high resistance to air flow is formed and hence, the heating / cooling efficiency decreases. In case of adding and placing filters with different permeability targeting different particles and gases such as PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 side by side on the air flow path, the air is enabled to flow at a different flow rate through each filter depending on the variable pressure drop. As a result, serious problems such as inadequate individual performance of the filters arise. Moreover, since the air is forced to pass through the filter even when the particle concentration in the environment is below the acceptable levels, the economic life of the filters decreases and the user is required to change the filter much more frequently.

[0003] In the state of the art Chinese Utility Model Document Application No. CN213020229, an air conditioner is disclosed, comprising a HEPA or IFD (Intense Field Dielectric) filter which is referred to an air purification module and which moves in the air suction area. When the user activates the air purification mode, the filter moves towards the air suction area.

[0004] In the state of the art United States Patent Application No. US2015354872, an air conditioner is disclosed, wherein the rate of air passage through the filter is adjusted in different ways by moving the same up, down and at an angle. Depending on the location of the filters such as HAF, active carbon filter, antiviral filter in the air suction area, the air is enabled to be filtered at any value between 0% and 100% and the air flow is enabled to be adjusted as per user preference within the same rate range.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of an air conditioner comprises one or more than one filter with air purification function, which moves on the air flow path depending on the pollution level detected in the environment by the sensors provided in the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0006] The air conditioner realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises an outdoor unit; an indoor unit; at least one sensor which is disposed in the indoor unit and which detects the pollution level in the environment; at least one fan which is disposed in the indoor unit; an air suction duct; one or more than one additional filter which enables particles or gases increasing the pollution level in the environment to be retained; and a movement mechanism which enables the additional filter to be moved towards the air suction duct when the ambient pollution level detected by the sensor exceeds a value determined by the manufacturer.

[0007] In the embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner comprises a movement mechanism which enables the additional filter to move horizontally on the air suction duct.

[0008] In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional filters provided in the indoor unit are closed and positioned on the right and / or left sides of the indoor unit when the air conditioner operates in the heating / cooling mode. PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 and similar sensors positioned on the indoor unit of the air conditioner continuously measure the ambient air quality. For example, when the VOC concentration in the ambient air exceeds 100 pbb and the PM concentration exceeds 100 µg / m3, the movement mechanism is activated so as to enable the additional filters to move towards the air suction duct to be positioned on the air suction duct. When the additional filter closes the air suction duct, the movement mechanism is stopped and the ambient air is enabled to be filtered with a suitable additional filter so as to clean the ambient air. When the ambient air is cleaned, this time the movement mechanism moves in the opposite direction, and the additional filter is enabled to be pulled aside from the air suction duct so as to enable the air conditioner to effectively perform its normal function.

[0009] By means of the present invention, PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 and similar particle and gas levels are detected by the sensors on the indoor unit, and when the said values exceed the threshold value determined by the manufacturer, the relevant additional filter is moved towards the air suction duct by means of the movement mechanism, and the ambient air pollution level is reduced by means of the additional filter positioned on the air suction duct so as to improve the air quality of the environment. Thus, by preventing the additional filters from blocking the air suction duct except for the air cleaning function, the main functions of the air conditioner, that is cooling / heating, are enabled to be efficiently performed without blocking the air flow when the pollution level is below a certain value. Moreover, since the additional filters are exposed to the air flow when not needed, the economic life of the additional filters is increased.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner comprises a movement mechanism having a guide which extends on the horizontal axis, a holder which is disposed on the guide and whereon the additional filter is mounted and a motor which moves the holder.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner comprises the movement mechanism having a guide which is a worm screw, a circular holder which is coaxially attached to the guide and which moves on the guide right or left on the horizontal axis with the rotation of the guide, and a motor which rotates the guide around the horizontal axis.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the additional filters provided in the indoor unit are closed and positioned on the right and / or left sides of the indoor unit when the air conditioner operates in the heating / cooling mode. PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 and similar sensors positioned on the indoor unit of the air conditioner continuously measure the ambient air quality. When the pollution level in the ambient air exceeds the value determined by the manufacturer, the motor is operated and the guide is enabled to be moved. By means of the movement of the guide, the holder on the guide and hence the additional filter connected thereto are moved such that the additional filters are moved towards the air suction duct so as to be positioned on the air suction duct. When the additional filter reaches the position to close the air suction duct, the motor is stopped and the guide and the holder connected thereto are stopped. In this case, by means of the additional filter which closes the air suction duct, the ambient air is enabled to be filtered and cleaned with a suitable additional filter. When the ambient air pollution level falls below the value determined by the manufacturer, this time the motor moves in the opposite direction so as to enable the guide and the holder moving thereon and the additional filter connected to the holder to be pulled aside from the air suction duct. In this case, the additional filter is pulled from the air suction duct so as to enable the air conditioner to effectively perform its normal function.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, while the additional filter performs the filtering process on the air suction duct, the fan is operated gradually depending on the pollution level of the ambient air.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the PM filter is a HEPA, aerogel coated filter, MOF coated filter, electrostatic filter and / or IFD filter.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the VOC filter is an active carbon filter, MOF filter or aerogel filter.

[0016] By means of the present invention, depending on the level of pollution detected by the sensors, the additional filter specific to the particle or gas causing the pollution is enabled to be automatically moved to the air suction duct and the pollutant is enabled to be effectively filtered by using the correct additional filter. Thus, by determining which pollutant is in higher concentration, the correct additional filter is enabled to be moved to the air suction duct and the ambient air quality is enabled to be improved.

[0017] By means of the present invention, at least one additional filter is automatically positioned on the air suction duct adaptively depending on the level of pollution in the environment, and when the additional filter is not required to improve the indoor air quality, the additional filter is enabled to be automatically pulled from the air suction duct so as to enable the air conditioner to efficiently perform its main functions of heating and cooling.

[0018] An air conditioner realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figure, where: Figure 1 - is the detailed perspective view of an air conditioner when the additional filter is in the closed position. Figure 2 - is the detailed perspective view of an air conditioner when the additional filter is in the open position. Figure 3 - is the sideways detailed view of the air conditioner.

[0019] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows. 1. Air conditioner 2. Indoor unit 3. Air suction duct 4. Additional filter 5. Movement mechanism 6. Motor 7. Guide 8. Holder

[0020] The air conditioner (1) comprises an outdoor unit; an indoor unit (2); at least one sensor which is disposed in the indoor unit (2) and which detects the pollution level in the environment; at least one fan which is disposed in the indoor unit; an air suction duct (3); one or more than one additional filter (4) which enables particles or gases increasing the pollution level in the environment to be retained; and a movement mechanism (5) which enables the additional filter (4) to be moved towards the air suction duct (3) when the ambient pollution level detected by the sensor exceeds a value determined by the manufacturer.

[0021] In the embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner (1) comprises a movement mechanism (5) which enables the additional filter (4) to move horizontally on the air suction duct (3).

[0022] In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional filters (4) provided in the indoor unit (2) are closed and positioned on the right and / or left sides of the indoor unit (2) when the air conditioner (1) operates in the heating / cooling mode. PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 and similar sensors positioned on the indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) continuously measure the ambient air quality. For example, when the VOC concentration in the ambient air exceeds 100 pbb and the PM concentration exceeds 100 µg / m 3< , the movement mechanism (5) is activated so as to enable the additional filters (4) to move towards the air suction duct (3) to be positioned on the air suction duct (3). When the additional filter (4) closes the air suction duct (3), the movement mechanism (5) is stopped and the ambient air is enabled to be filtered with a suitable additional filter (4) so as to clean the ambient air. When the ambient air is cleaned, this time the movement mechanism (5) moves in the opposite direction, and the additional filter (4) is enabled to be pulled aside from the air suction duct (3) so as to enable the air conditioner (1) to effectively perform its normal function.

[0023] By means of the present invention, PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 and similar particle and gas levels are detected by the sensors on the indoor unit (2), and when the said values exceed the threshold value determined by the manufacturer, the relevant additional filter (4) is moved towards the air suction duct (3) by means of the movement mechanism (5), and the ambient air pollution level is reduced by means of the additional filter (4) positioned on the air suction duct () so as to improve the air quality of the environment. Thus, by preventing the additional filters (4) from blocking the air suction duct (3) except for the air cleaning function, the main functions of the air conditioner (1), that is cooling / heating, are enabled to be efficiently performed without blocking the air flow when the pollution level is below a certain value. Moreover, since the additional filters (4) are exposed to the air flow when not needed, the economic life of the additional filters (4) is increased.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner (1) comprises a movement mechanism (5) having a guide (7) which extends on the horizontal axis, a holder (8) which is disposed on the guide (7) and whereon the additional filter (4) is mounted and a motor (6) which moves the holder (8).

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner (1) comprises the movement mechanism (5) having a guide (7) which is a worm screw, a circular holder (8) which is coaxially attached to the guide (7) and which moves on the guide (7) right or left on the horizontal axis with the rotation of the guide (7), and a motor (6) which rotates the guide (7) around the horizontal axis.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the PM filter is a HEPA, aerogel coated filter, MOF coated filter, electrostatic filter and / or IFD filter.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the VOC filter is an active carbon filter, MOF filter or aerogel filter.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the additional filters (4) provided in the indoor unit (2) are closed and positioned on the right and / or left sides of the indoor unit (2) when the air conditioner (1) operates in the heating / cooling mode (Figure 1). PM, VOC, NOx, formaldehyde, CO2 and similar sensors positioned on the indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) continuously measure the ambient air quality. When the pollution level in the ambient air exceeds the value determined by the manufacturer, the motor (6) is operated and the guide (7) is enabled to be moved. By means of the movement of the guide (7), the holder (8) on the guide (7) and hence the additional filter (4) connected thereto are moved such that the additional filters (4) are moved towards the air suction duct (3) so as to be positioned on the air suction duct (3). When the additional filter (4) reaches the position to close the air suction duct (3), the motor (6) is stopped and the guide (7) and the holder (8) connected thereto are stopped. In this case, by means of the additional filter (4) which closes the air suction duct (3), the ambient air is enabled to be filtered and cleaned with a suitable additional filter (4) (Figure 2 and Figure 3). When the ambient air pollution level falls below the value determined by the manufacturer, this time the motor (6) moves in the opposite direction so as to enable the guide (7) and the holder (8) moving thereon and the additional filter (4) connected to the holder (8) to be pulled aside from the air suction duct (3). In this case, the additional filter (4) is pulled from the air suction duct (3) so as to enable the air conditioner (1) to effectively perform its normal function.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, while the additional filter (4) performs the filtering process on the air suction duct (3), the fan is operated gradually depending on the pollution level of the ambient air.

[0030] By means of the present invention, depending on the level of pollution detected by the sensors, the additional filter (4) specific to the particle or gas causing the pollution is enabled to be automatically moved to the air suction duct (3) and the pollutant is enabled to be effectively filtered by using the correct additional filter (4). Thus, by determining which pollutant is in higher concentration, the correct additional filter (4) is enabled to be moved to the air suction duct (3) and the ambient air quality is enabled to be improved. Moreover, by means of the present invention, at least one additional filter (4) is automatically positioned on the air suction duct (3) adaptively depending on the level of pollution in the environment, and when the additional filter (4) is not required to improve the indoor air quality, the additional filter (4) is enabled to be automatically pulled from the air suction duct (3) so as to enable the air conditioner (1) to efficiently perform its main functions of heating and cooling.

Claims

1. An air conditioner (1) comprising an outdoor unit; an indoor unit (2); at least one sensor which is disposed in the indoor unit (2) and which detects the pollution level in the environment; at least one fan which is disposed in the indoor unit; an air suction duct (3); and one or more than one additional filter (4) which enables particles or gases increasing the pollution level in the environment to be retained, characterized by a movement mechanism (5) which enables the additional filter (4) to be moved towards the air suction duct (3) when the ambient pollution level detected by the sensor exceeds a value determined by the manufacturer.

2. An air conditioner (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a movement mechanism (5) which enables the additional filter (4) to move horizontally on the air suction duct (3).

3. An air conditioner (1) as in Claim 1 and 2, characterized by a movement mechanism (5) having a guide (7) which extends on the horizontal axis, a holder (8) which is disposed on the guide (7) and whereon the additional filter (4) is mounted and a motor (6) which moves the holder (8).

4. An air conditioner (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the movement mechanism (5) having a guide (7) which is a worm screw, a circular holder (8) which is coaxially attached to the guide (7) and which moves on the guide (7) right or left on the horizontal axis with the rotation of the guide (7), and a motor (6) which rotates the guide (7) around the horizontal axis.

5. A control method for an air conditioner (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 4, comprising the steps of positioning the additional filters (4) in a closed position on the indoor unit (2) on the right and / or left sides of the indoor unit (2) when in the heating / cooling mode, measuring the ambient air quality with the sensors provided on the indoor unit (2), and activating the movement mechanism (5) and moving the additional filters (4) towards the air suction duct (3) to be positioned on the air suction duct (3) when the dirt or particle concentration in the ambient air exceeds a value determined by the manufacturer.

6. A control method as in Claim 5, characterized by the step of stopping the movement mechanism (5) when the additional filter (4) closes the air suction duct (3).

7. A control method as in Claim 5 and 6, characterized by the steps of moving the movement mechanism in the opposite direction when the ambient air is cleaned and pulling the additional filter (4) aside from the air suction duct (3).

8. A control method as in any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized by the step of operating the fan gradually depending on the pollution level in the ambient air while the additional filter (4) performs the filtering process on the air suction duct (3),

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