Air treatment device

Abstract

Air Treatment Device. The invention relates to an air treatment device comprising a casing (1) defining an internal volume (7) in which is arranged a fan (5), a UV-C LED module (6) comprising a first opening (2) at which is arranged a pre-filter (4), and a second opening (3) at which is arranged an activated carbon filter (8). The present invention will find application for filtering and purifying air in order to improve its quality and effectively protect human health. The invention applies more particularly to indoor air, i.e., the air of a building. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Air treatment device technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air treatment device. The present invention will find application in filtering and purifying air in order to improve its quality and effectively protect human health. The invention is particularly applicable to indoor air, that is, the air inside a building. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Indoor air quality has become a particularly topical issue since the emergence of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), which has resulted in tens of millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths. As the virus spreads primarily through the air, air treatment to eliminate airborne pathogens, particularly the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has become a global health concern.

[0003] This subject is an old problem which aims to purify the air, particularly inside a building. Usually, air treatment is carried out by various known technological processes to purify the air of chemical fumes, volatile particles or odors.

[0004] Among the known solutions for disinfecting air, photocatalytic treatments exist. These combine a catalyst, typically titanium dioxide (TiO2), with a UV-A emitter. When pathogenic microorganisms present in the airflow come into contact with the catalyst activated by UV-A rays, the microorganisms are destroyed by OH radicals. This method works; however, it requires that the pathogen come into direct contact with the catalyst, which limits the volumes or flow rates of air that can be treated.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a solution that improves air quality.

[0006] The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from an examination of the following description and accompanying drawings. It is understood that other advantages may be incorporated. SUMMARY

[0007] To achieve this objective, according to one embodiment, an air treatment device is provided comprising a box defining an internal volume in which is arranged a fan, a UV-C wavelength LED module and comprising a first opening at the level of which is arranged a pre-filter and a second opening at the level of which is arranged an activated carbon filter.

[0008] According to another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a device for air treatment according to the invention representing a volume between 50 and 70m3 / h. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The aims, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof, which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] [Fig.1] Fig.1 represents a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention.

[0011] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents a perspective view of a device according to Fig.1.

[0012] The drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not necessarily to scale with practical applications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before proceeding with a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, optional features that may be used in combination or alternatively are listed below:

[0014] According to an example, the first opening is opposed to the second opening;

[0015] According to one example, the box includes an orifice configured to allow the introduction of a liquid into the internal volume;

[0016] According to one example, the liquid is an essential oil.

[0017] According to one example, the axis of rotation of the fan is arranged transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the pre-filter and / or the activated carbon filter;

[0018] According to one example, the device includes a switch and a power supply;

[0019] According to one example, the LED module emits at a wavelength of 275nm + / -5nm;

[0020] According to one example, the LED module emits an irradiation power of 14mW at + / - 4mW;

[0021] According to one example, the LED module emits with an angle of 120°.

[0022] For the remainder of this description, 'top' and 'bottom', or their derivatives, refer to a relative positioning quality of an element of the reactor or reactor system when it is functionally installed, with 'top' oriented away from the ground and 'bottom' oriented towards the ground. The upper end is located at the top and the lower end is located at the bottom.

[0023] Vertical means that which is parallel to the direction of gravity, given in particular by the plumb line, and horizontal means that which is perpendicular to the vertical. top and bottom being vertically opposite.

[0024] Horizontal means that which is perpendicular to the vertical.

[0025] Transverse means a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. A transverse section is a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0026] The upstream and downstream, the inlet, the outlet, at a given point are taken in reference to the direction of fluid flow.

[0027] A parameter "approximately equal to / greater than / less than" or "of the order of" a given value means that this parameter is equal to / greater than / less than the given value, to within 10% or even 5% of that value.

[0028] In the detailed description that follows, terms such as "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "inner", and "outer" may be used. These terms should be interpreted in a relative manner with respect to the normal operating position of the device according to the invention.

[0029] The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" for an element or a step does not exclude, unless otherwise stated, the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

[0030] The terms "first", "second" and "third", etc. are used simply as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0031] In the detailed description that follows, air is understood to mean the indoor air of a room, of a building.

[0032] The air circulation is advantageously carried out along a main extension direction of the box, "longitudinal" is understood to be parallel to this direction, and "transverse" is understood to be perpendicular to this direction.

[0033] The present invention relates to an air treatment device comprising a treatment unit 1. Advantageously, the air treatment device, and more specifically the unit 1, is placed in an area or space within a building whose indoor air is intended to be treated. For example, the device may be inserted into a ventilation duct or near air conditioning outlets.

[0034] The casing 1 can be of various shapes. Preferably, the casing 1 is parallelepiped-shaped and, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], rectangular. The casing 1 comprises an upper wall 10, a lower wall 11, and four side walls 12. The upper wall 10 and the lower wall 11 are opposite and advantageously parallel to each other. The upper wall 10 and the lower wall 11 are considered according to the normal operating position of the device, the upper wall 10 being intended to face the ceiling while the lower wall 11 is intended to face the floor and, for example, to rest on a surface.

[0035] The side walls 12 are advantageously opposite and parallel 2 to 2, forming a first set 12a of side walls and a second set 12b of side walls.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the box comprises at least two openings formed in at least one of the upper wall 10 and / or the lower wall 11 and / or the side walls 12.

[0037] Preferably, the box includes a first opening 2 formed on at least one wall 10, 11, 12 of the box 1.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the first opening 2 corresponds to all or part of the surface of a wall 10, 11, 12 of the box 1. By way of example, the first opening 2 corresponds to the entire surface of a side wall 12 of the box 1.

[0039] Preferably, the box includes a second opening 3 formed on at least one wall 10, 11, 12 of the box 1.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the second opening 3 corresponds to all or part of the surface of a wall 10, 11, 12 of the box 1. By way of example, the second opening 3 corresponds to the entire surface of a side wall 12 of the box 1. This allows optimal air circulation in the box.

[0041] Advantageously, the first opening 2 and the second opening 3 are opposite each other. This configuration ensures optimal air circulation in the housing 1. Preferably, the air circulation occurs transversely to the first opening 2 and the second opening 3.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the box is configured to allow the airflow 14 to circulate along its principal extension direction, that is, along its greatest influence. In this way, the first opening 2 and the second opening 3 are formed on two opposing lateral walls 12 that are as far apart as possible.

[0043] The box 1 defines an internal volume 7 delimited by the walls 10, 11, 12.

[0044] For example, the casing is made of plastic, such as ABS plastic, which has the advantage of being totally recyclable and can be used by 3D printing.

[0045] According to the invention, the device comprises a pre-filter 4 advantageously arranged at the first opening 2. The pre-filter 4 is advantageously a paper filter designed to remove grease and impurities from the airflow intended to enter the housing 1. The pre-filter 4 prevents dust from accumulating and obstructing the airflow. The air entering the housing 1 is thus better able to be treated by the LED module 6 described below. The pre-filter can be cleaned by an air jet or by brushing.

[0046] According to one possibility, the device includes a cover intended to be attached to the housing 1 at the level of the first opening 2 so as to keep the pre-filter 4 in position.

[0047] According to the invention, the device comprises an activated carbon filter 8 advantageously arranged at the second opening 3. The activated carbon filter 8 is advantageously A filter designed to deodorize the airflow coming out of box 1. The carbon filter also advantageously eliminates bacteria and / or viruses from the airflow.

[0048] The activated carbon filter 8 has a highly porous structure and a high specific surface area intended to purify the airflow 13 of odors, fumes and vapors present.

[0049] Advantageously, the device includes a fan 5 preferably arranged in the internal volume 7 of the box 1.

[0050] The fan 5 is advantageously arranged so as to ensure circulation of the airflow 14 transversely to at least one of the first opening 2 and the second opening 3. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the fan 5 is parallel to the direction of circulation of the airflow 14 and thus perpendicular to the plane of at least one of the first opening 2 and the second opening 3, i.e. also perpendicular to the plane of the pre-filter 4 and / or to the plane of the activated carbon filter 8.

[0051] Preferably, the fan 5 is arranged near the first opening 2. This arrangement of the fan 5 in the internal volume 7 allows the internal volume 7 to be left as free as possible for the arrangement of the LED module 6.

[0052] By way of example, the fan 5 has a diameter of 12 cm. The fan 5 is advantageously electrically powered at 12 V.

[0053] According to the invention, the device comprises an LED module 6 arranged to irradiate the internal volume 7 of the box 1 and more particularly the circulating airflow 14.

[0054] The LED module 6 is advantageously configured to emit at a wavelength in the Ultraviolet-C spectrum, i.e., between 230 nm and 280 nm. More preferably, the LED module 6 emits at a wavelength of 275 nm. The variation in emission and measurement is on the order of plus or minus 5 nm.

[0055] The LED module 6 is intended for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms preventing their reproduction and thus reducing bad odors from the airflow 13.

[0056] Preferably, the LED module 6 comprises a single light-emitting diode.

[0057] The LED module 6 has an advantageously 14 mW radiation power, with a power and measurement variation of plus or minus 4 mW.

[0058] As a preferred example, the LED module 6 is configured to have an emission angle of approximately 120°.

[0059] Advantageously, the LED module 6 is of reduced dimensions, for example on the order of 25 mm X 25 mm, ensuring easy placement in the housing 1.

[0060] The LED module 6 is advantageously powered by 12 V.

[0061] The LED module 6 is fixed by any type of means inside the housing 1.

[0062] According to one possibility, the LED module 6 includes a switch 15. The switch 15 can preferably be arranged outside the housing 1 so as to be easily operated by the user.

[0063] Optionally, the casing 1 includes an orifice 9 formed on one of the walls 10, 11, 12. The orifice 9 is advantageously configured to allow the introduction of a liquid into the internal volume 7 of the casing 1. By way of example, the liquid is an, or a mixture of, essential oil intended to disinfect, deodorize the airflow 13.

[0064] Advantageously, the device according to the invention includes a power supply configured to electrically supply the fan 5 and / or the LED module 6. The power supply is adapted to the electrical requirements of the fan 5 and / or the LED module 6.

[0065] In one possibility, the power supply is provided by connection to the mains, for example via an electrical outlet or USB port. In another possibility, the power supply is provided by a battery, preferably rechargeable, notably by a photovoltaic panel.

[0066] In one embodiment, the air treatment device includes a control module. The control module is intended, for example, to program the operation of the air treatment device over predefined time periods. In one possibility, the control module includes remote connection means to allow remote control, in particular via a mobile application, whether via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, for example.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the air treatment device according to the invention is intended to ensure the treatment of air with a volume between 50 and 70 cubic meters per hour, more preferably 63m3 / h, that is to say of a room of about 23 m2 with dimensions 4.75x5.00 2.70 m2.

[0068] By way of example, a box 1 according to the invention has the following dimensions:

[0069] Depth P: 12.8 cm

[0070] Height H: 12.8 cm

[0071] Length L: 18.5 cm

[0072] The device according to the invention is configured to operate with reduced electricity consumption so as to be able to be left in operation 24 hours a day. The electrical consumption of the device as described above has been measured to be on the order of 0.00192 kWh.

[0073] The invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described and extends to all embodiments covered by the invention.

[0074] List of references 1. Casing 2. First opening 3. Second opening 4. Pre-filter 5. Fan 6. LED Module 7. Interior volume 8. Activated carbon filter 9. Orifice 10. Upper wall 11. Lower wall 12. Side wall 12a. First set of side wall 12b. Second set of side wall 13. Airflow 14. Airflow direction 15. Switch

Claims

Claims

1. Air treatment device comprising a box (1) defining an interior volume (7) in which a fan (5) is arranged, a UV-C wavelength LED module (6) comprising a first opening (2) at which a pre-filter (4) is arranged, and a second opening (3) at which an activated carbon filter (8) is arranged.

2. Air treatment device according to the preceding claim in which the first opening (2) is opposite the second opening (3).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the box (1) comprises an orifice (9) configured to allow the introduction of a liquid into the interior volume (7).

4. Device according to the preceding claim in which the liquid is an essential oil.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axis of rotation of the fan (5) is arranged transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the prefilter (4) and / or to the activated carbon filter (8).

6. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a switch (15) and a power supply.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the LED module (6) is configured to emit at a wavelength of 275nm to + / -5nm.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the LED module (6) is configured to emit an irradiation power of 14mW at + / - 4mW.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the LED module (6) is configured to emit with an angle of 120°.

10. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims for the treatment of air representing a volume of between 50 and 70m3 / h.

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