air purifier
The air purification device with a recirculation system and perforated panel ensures high purification capacity and reduced dimensions, addressing the limitations of existing plant-based systems by maintaining substrate humidity for effective air purification.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025519048
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-04
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing air purification devices using plants have low purification capacity, require bulky devices, and are costly and complex to implement and manage.
An air purification device with a sealed growth chamber containing plants and a substrate, utilizing a recirculation system and a panel with perforated protrusions to facilitate airflow through the substrate while maintaining humidity, ensuring optimal growing conditions and high purification capacity.
The device achieves high air purification capacity with reduced dimensions and lower costs by maintaining a biofilm on the substrate for effective air purification, while being easier to implement and manage.
Smart Images
Figure 2025535027000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an air purification device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.
[0002] As has been known for many years, plants are able to absorb and partially decompose some pollutants from the air: they can absorb some volatile molecules directly through their stomata and decompose them.
[0003] Despite this, it is only in the last few years that plants have been cultivated and therefore used to purify the air.
[0004] In particular, in recent years, air purification devices have been devised that include a pot containing the substrate necessary for the growth of one or more plants, and a forced recirculation system that generates an airflow past the plants and the substrate.
[0005] Examples of these systems are described in CN101451751A, WO2011115806A2, and WO2014123722.
[0006] The known techniques described have some important drawbacks.
[0007] In particular, known air purification devices that utilize one or more plants have a low purification capacity and are capable of purifying small amounts of air.
[0008] Another drawback is then represented by the fact that such a low purification capacity requires the implementation of particularly bulky devices.
[0009] These drawbacks also lead to high costs and complexities in implementation and management, which reduces interest in known air purification devices and, therefore, their use.
[0010] In this context, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to devise an air purification device that makes it possible to at least partially substantially avoid the mentioned drawbacks.
[0011] Within the scope of the above technical problem, an important object of the present invention is to obtain an air purification device having a high purification capacity, in particular capable of purifying a huge amount of air.
[0012] Another important object of the present invention is to implement a purification device with reduced overall dimensions.
[0013] It is yet a further object of the present invention to have an air purification device that is reduced in cost and complexity of implementation.
[0014] The technical problem and the stated object are achieved by an air purification device as claimed in the attached claim 1. Examples of preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0015] The features and advantages of the present invention are explained below in a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] [Figure 1] 1 shows, to scale, an air purification device according to the invention in use; [Figure 2] The purification device is shown to scale. [Figure 3] 1 shows, to scale, some details of an air purification device according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As used herein, measurements, values, shapes, and geometric references (such as vertical and horizontal), when associated with "about" or other similar terms, such as "approximately" or "substantially," are intended to exclude inaccuracies due to measurement errors or production and / or manufacturing errors, and in particular to exclude slight deviations from the associated value, measurement, shape, or geometric reference. For example, such terms, when associated with a value, preferably refer to a deviation of no more than 10% from the value itself.
[0018] Also, when used, terms such as "first," "second," "higher," "lower," "primary," and "secondary" do not necessarily specify an order, priority in relationship, or relative position, but may simply be used to more clearly distinguish different components from one another.
[0019] Unless otherwise specified, terms such as "vertical," "transverse," "parallel," or "perpendicular," or other terms of geometric positioning between geometric elements (e.g., axes, directions, and lines), are intended with reference to their mutual geometric position between corresponding projections, said projections being defined on a single plane parallel to the plane in which said geometric elements reside.
[0020] Measurements and data reported herein are assumed to have been carried out under the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO2533:1975) unless otherwise indicated.
[0021] Unless otherwise expressly stated as arising from the discussion below, terms such as "procedure," "computer science," "determination," "computation," or the like, are deemed to relate to operations and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulate and / or transform data represented as physical data, such as electronic quantities in registers of a computer system and / or memory, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in a computer system, register, or other device for storing, transmitting, or displaying information.
[0022] Referring to the drawings, an air purification device according to the present invention is generally designated 1.
[0023] As shown in Figure 1, it is configured to purify the air by utilizing one or more plants 1a or other vegetables, and in particular a substrate 1b for growing the plants 1a.
[0024] The purification device 1 may include one or more plants 1a.
[0025] The purification device 1 can include a substrate 1b for growing at least one plant 1a.
[0026] Substrate 1b can be defined as the substrate or substance (possibly a mixture) that one or more plants 1a need to live and grow, to which one or more plants 1a are fixed and from which they draw nutrients. Substrate 1b then meets the specific needs of plants 1a for balanced growth, such as, for example, the amount of air, water and nutrients.
[0027] The purification device 1 may define a longitudinal axis 1c that is preferably parallel to the gravity gradient.
[0028] The purification device 1 may define a chamber for growing at least one plant 1a. Preferably, the growth chamber is substantially sealed except for the inlet and outlet sections mentioned below.
[0029] At least one plant 1a and at least a portion of the substrate 1b can be placed in a growth chamber.
[0030] The device 1 can include an inlet section 1d that allows airflow into the grow chamber and an outlet section 1e that allows airflow out of the grow chamber.
[0031] The inlet section 1d may be substantially transverse, in particular substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1c, in particular to the gravity gradient.
[0032] The outlet section 1e may be on the opposite side of the chamber from the inlet section 1d.
[0033] It may be approximately transverse, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis 1c, in particular to the gravity gradient. It may be approximately parallel to the inlet section 1d.
[0034] The purification device 1 shown in FIG. 2 may include a container 2 for receiving a substrate 1b, and an opening defining a growth section of one or more plants 1a, the opening being the surface through which at least the stem organs / systems (portions protruding from the substrate and thus including, for example, stems, branches, and leaves) of one or more plants 1a protrude from the container 2 and thus from the substrate 1b.
[0035] The airflow follows the following path: it enters the purification device 1, preferably exclusively, through inlet section 1c; it reaches the housing, where it preferably passes through substrate 1b; it enters the cultivation chamber through an opening and then leaves the device 1, preferably exclusively, through outlet section 1d.
[0036] The container 2 may comprise a panel 21 defining the wall of the housing, and preferably at least a secondary panel 22 which together with the panel 21 and preferably the opening define and thus delimit the housing.
[0037] At least the auxiliary panel 22 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 1c.
[0038] Panel 21 (FIG. 3) is configured to contact substrate 1b and block the airflow coming from inlet section 1d before it reaches substrate 1b. It is sandwiched between inlet section 1d and the housing, which in turn is sandwiched between inlet section 1d and substrate 1b. In this specification, terms and expressions such as "sandwiched," "downstream," and "upstream" are intended with respect to the direction / sense of the path of the airflow as described above.
[0039] The panel 21 defines the bottom of the housing and thus, in use (when the substrate 1b is placed in the housing and the plants are in the growth chamber), can identify the mounting surface of the substrate 1b and thus of one or more plants 1a.
[0040] The panel 21 defines a separation plane 21a. Consequently, the panel 21 unfolds along the separation plane 21a, which is preferably substantially the center of gravity.
[0041] With respect to the plane 21a, it comprises at least a recess 211 that defines a collection compartment for a portion of the substrate 1b; and at least a protrusion 212 that is at least partially, and in particular substantially entirely, covered by the substrate 1b.
[0042] Preferably, the panel 21 comprises several recesses 211 and several protrusions 212, preferably alternating with one another, which can then have a contour substantially similar to a known egg carton / container / tray.
[0043] The separation plane 21a can be the center of gravity.
[0044] The separation plane 21a may be substantially transverse, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the direction / sense of advance of the airflow.
[0045] It may be substantially parallel to the outlet section 1e.
[0046] The separation plane 21a, and thus the panel 21, may be substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 1c, in particular approximately vertical.
[0047] Each recess 211 presents a hollow in relation to the separating plane 21a, which then preferably protrudes from the plane 211 on the opposite side of the housing and defines a portion of the panel 21 which delimits the collecting housing portion of the substrate 1b.
[0048] It may preferably have a tapered profile with its largest cross section at the separation plane 21a.
[0049] Each recess 211 may have a substantially flat bottom.
[0050] With respect to the separation plane 21a, each projection 212 represents a protrusion, which then preferably defines the portion of the panel 21 that protrudes from the plane 211 towards the housing.
[0051] As a result, at least the protrusion 212 protrudes from the separation plane 21 a at least on the opposite side to the recess 211 .
[0052] Each protrusion 212 may preferably have a tapered profile with its largest cross section at the separation plane 21a.
[0053] Each protrusion 212 may have a substantially S-curved apex.
[0054] Preferably, the recesses 211 and the protrusions 212 have substantially the same thickness, and thus the panel 21 has a substantially constant thickness, which may be less than 10 mm, in particular substantially comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm.
[0055] They can be made from a plastic material. In particular, the panel 21 is in one piece.
[0056] At least one of the protrusions 212 can be perforated, and thus can be provided with one or more holes 212a to allow airflow through said holes and through the panel 21. In particular, the holes 212a are the only section for passing airflow from the inlet section 1d to the housing and thus to the substrate 1b.
[0057] Preferably, all of the protrusions 212 are provided with holes 212a. Alternatively, only a portion of the protrusions 212 may be provided with holes 212a.
[0058] The holes 212a may advantageously be obtained only in the protrusions 212 by leaving the recesses without holes, so that the airflow passes through the substrate 1b at the protrusions 212, while the airflow does not pass through the substrate 1b at (particularly inside) the recesses 211, ensuring the persistence of humidity in the substrate 1b at (particularly inside) the recesses 211 and thus the definition of a biofilm on said substrate 1b, which comes into contact with the airflow passing through the substrate 1b and purifies the same.
[0059] The holes 212a are configured to allow the passage of air and prevent the passage of substrate and preferably water. 2 , and in detail 50mm 2 , more specifically 10mm 2 (Preferably 3 mm 2 ) and / or has a linear extent smaller than 10 mm, and in particular substantially comprised between 1 mm and 5 mm.
[0060] The holes 212a can have any cross section, for example, they can be circular (as shown) or similar to slots.
[0061] The holes 212a may have the same cross section, i.e. they may have a cross section with the same extent. In a preferred alternative, they have different cross sections, in particular they have a cross section that is inversely proportional to the distance from the apex of the protrusion 212.
[0062] It is emphasized that the device 1 can then include a channel 3 defining an inlet section 1d, said section 1d being in fluid communication with the panel 21. The channel 3 can be an extension of one or more auxiliary panels 22.
[0063] The purification device 1 may include a container 2 and a structure 4 that defines the growing chamber, which in use contains a substrate 1b and at least a portion of one or more plants 1a.
[0064] The structure 4 may include a frame 41 that supports the structure 4 and thus the apparatus 1, and one or more walls that define the growing chamber. In particular, the walls 41 may include one or more side walls 42, a lower wall 43 to which the container 2 is fixed, and an upper wall 44 disposed opposite the lower wall with respect to the chamber.
[0065] The lower wall 43 may define an inlet section 1d.
[0066] The upper wall 44 may define an outlet section 1e.
[0067] At least a portion of one or more sidewalls 42 may be made from glass or other transparent material to allow light to pass through.
[0068] One or more side walls 42 may be substantially parallel to axis 1c.
[0069] Optionally, they may define the extent of the auxiliary panel 22 .
[0070] The purification device 1 can include a recirculation system 5 that defines the airflow through the inlet section 1d and thus the housing.
[0071] The recirculation system 5 is configured to allow the device 1 to exchange air between the outside and the growing chamber.
[0072] It can be forced, which can work by placing the cultivation chamber, and more precisely the housing, under a pressure drop, in particular at a pressure lower than the inlet section 1d, preferably with a pressure equal to the pressure outside the device and thus to atmospheric pressure.
[0073] The recirculation system 5 may include an aspirator 51 for collecting air from the growing chamber, and a duct 52 fluidly connecting the aspirator 51 with the outlet section 1e.
[0074] The recirculation system 5 may be integrated into the top wall 44 .
[0075] The purification device 1 can include a system 6 for the supply of one or more plants 1a for their nutritional needs.
[0076] The supply system 6 may be integral with the structure 4 .
[0077] The apparatus 6 may include an irrigation block 61 configured to provide water to the substrate 1b.
[0078] The irrigation block 61 may include at least one source 611 of preferably sanitary water; one or more nozzles 612 for spraying water; and a distributor 613 configured to collect water from the source 611 and provide it to the substrate 1b through the nozzles 612.
[0079] The source 611 may comprise a water tank. Alternatively or additionally, it may comprise a connection to a water mains outside the device 1. In particular, the source 611 may be configured to sanitize the water and thus may comprise a sanitizer such as a UV lamp.
[0080] The distributor 613 may be a known irrigation device such as a sprinkler, atomizing, infiltration, or drip irrigation device.
[0081] The supply system 6 may include a lighting block 62 configured to ensure the necessary light conditions for one or more plants 1a.
[0082] The lighting block 62 may for example comprise one or more light emitters of the full spectrum type, thus covering the electromagnetic spectrum from infrared to ultraviolet, useful for one or more plants 1a.
[0083] The purification device 1 may include a system 7 for controlling the operation of the device.
[0084] The control system 7 is shown only in FIG. 2 for simplicity and may include a board 71 for controlling the recirculation system 5 (specifically the aspirator 51 ) and preferably the supply system 6 .
[0085] The control system 7 may include an interface configured to allow an operator to exchange data with the board 71, and means for connecting between the board and the interface.
[0086] The interface may comprise a screen and / or a keyboard integrated into the device 1, in particular into the structure 4. Alternatively, the interface may be an external processor (e.g. a tablet or a smartphone) and the connection means may be wireless.
[0087] The control system 7 may include at least a humidity sensor 72 configured to detect humidity of the substrate 1b at least in the recess 211.
[0088] The humidity sensor 72 may be a known tensiometer.
[0089] The humidity sensor 72 may be in data connection with the board 71, which then controls the irrigation block 61 and / or the recirculation system 5 depending on the humidity of the substrate 1b detected by said sensor 72.
[0090] In particular, the substrate 71 controls the deactivation of the recirculation system 5 when the humidity of the substrate 1b is below a minimum humidity threshold and controls its activation when the humidity of the substrate 1b is at least equal to a maximum humidity threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the substrate 71 controls the activation of the irrigation block 61 when the humidity of the substrate 1b is below said minimum humidity threshold and controls the deactivation of the irrigation block 61 when the humidity of the substrate 1b is at least equal to said maximum humidity threshold.
[0091] The control system 7 may include a light sensor 73 configured to measure the illumination of one or more plants 1 .
[0092] The light sensor 73 can be in data connection with the board 71, which then controls the irrigation block 61 depending on the amount of light detected by said light sensor 73. In particular, the board 71 controls the activation of the irrigation block 61 when the amount of light 1b is below a minimum light threshold.
[0093] The control system 7 may include a flow sensor 74 configured to measure the airflow through the substrate and thus through one of sections 1d and 1e.
[0094] The flow sensor 74 may be in data communication with the board 71, which then controls the recirculation system 5 in response to the presence of flow detected by said flow sensor 74. In particular, the board 71 controls the activation of the recirculation system 5 when the presence of flow is below a minimum flow threshold, and controls its deactivation when the presence of flow is at least equal to a maximum flow threshold.
[0095] The control system 7 may include a clock 75 configured to measure the passage of time.
[0096] The clock 75 may be in data connection with the board 71 , which in turn controls one or more blocks 61 , 61 and / or 62 according to the preset times of the clock 75 .
[0097] The operation of the purification device 1 described above in structural terms is as follows.
[0098] Once the substrate 1b and thus the plant 1a are in place, the device is ready.
[0099] Drawn by the pressure drop caused by the aspirator 51, air enters through the inlet section 1d and passes through the panel 21 (precisely through one or more holes 212a obtained in the protrusion 212) into the container 2, precisely through the substrate. The air then leaves the container 2 through an opening and is then collected and purified by the plant 1a. Once the purification is complete, the air, still being pushed by the aspirator 51 of the recirculation system 5, is discharged from the device 1 through the duct 52 and thus through the outlet section 1e.
[0100] In operation, the sensor 72 can control the irrigation block 61 and / or the recirculation system 5 depending on the humidity of the substrate 1b so that the substrate 1b has a desired humidity.
[0101] Also, depending on the programming selected by the operator, the control system 7 regulates the lighting (intensity and / or duration) and the amount of fertilizer dispensed by the fertilizer block 61 .
[0102] The purification device 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.
[0103] Indeed, in contrast to known purification devices, it is possible to purify a relatively large amount of air, such an advantage being obtained mainly due to the fact that the device is still able to provide optimal growing conditions for the plants 1a.
[0104] Moreover, air purification is advantageously achieved by passing air through the substrate 1b. Indeed, since the holes 212a are only provided in the protrusions 212, excessive drying of the substrate can be avoided even with significant airflow, and thus a biofilm can still be present that comes into contact with the air passing through the substrate 1a and purifies the air. Specifically, the substrate 1b at the protrusions 212 is subject to airflow, while the substrate 1b at (specifically, the interior of) the recessed portions 211 is not subject to such flow, ensuring the persistence of humidity within the substrate 1b at (specifically, the interior of) the recessed portions 211 and thus the formation of a biofilm on the substrate 1b, which comes into contact with the air flow passing through the substrate 1a and purifies the airflow. The novel panel 21 then prevents excessive drying of the substrate even with significant airflow, and thus a biofilm can still be present that comes into contact with the air passing through the substrate 1a and purifies the air. Due to this, the device 1 has a high purification capacity, in particular it can purify huge amounts of air.
[0105] Another advantage is represented by the ability of the purification device 1 to purify vast amounts of air while having reduced overall dimensions.
[0106] A non-secondary advantage is then represented by the reduced implementation and management costs of the purification device 1, resulting in a simpler implementation and, in particular, the management that allows all parameters of the device 1 to be monitored and therefore adjusted thanks to the substrate 71 and several sensors 72, 73 and 74.
[0107] The present invention covers variations that are within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims.
[0108] For example, the panel 21 may include several modules, each defining a portion of the panel; and restraining means configured to restrain said modules to each other, preferably together.
[0109] Each module may include at least said recess and at least said protrusion 212, and preferably provides one or more of the holes 212 mentioned above.
[0110] Within such limits, all details may be replaced by equivalent elements, and materials, shapes and sizes may be arbitrary.
Claims
1. An air purification device, comprising: A container defining a housing for a substrate for growing at least one plant An air purifying device comprising: The container - having panels defining the walls of the housing, adapted to contact the substrate and the separation plane; The panel is - recesses each defining a collection compartment for a portion of said substrate; - having protrusions configured to be at least partially covered by said substrate; The protrusion is including holes that allow airflow through the panel and into the housing; and the holes being cut only into the protrusions, thereby o the airflow passes through the substrate at least at the protruding portion; A purification device in which the air flow does not pass through the substrate corresponding to the recessed portion, thereby ensuring the persistence of humidity in at least the substrate contained in the recessed portion and therefore the formation of a biofilm on the substrate, and the biofilm comes into contact with the air flow and purifies the air flow.
2. 10. The purification device of claim 1, wherein the panel defines a bottom of the housing, such that the substrate can rest on the panel by gravity.
3. The hole is 10 mm ２ 3. The purification device of claim 1 or 2, having a cross-sectional area of less than 100 mm.
4. 3. The purification device according to claim 1, wherein the hole has a cross-sectional area that is inversely proportional to the distance from the apex of the protrusion.
5. 3. A purification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the panel has a substantially constant thickness that is substantially between 3 mm and 5 mm.
6. 3. The purification device of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation block configured to supply water to the substrate, a substrate for controlling the purification device, and a control system having a humidity sensor configured to detect humidity of the substrate at least in the recess, whereby the substrate can control the irrigation block in response to the humidity of the substrate.
7. 3. The purification device of claim 1, comprising a structure defining a substantially sealed growth chamber, an inlet section for air to the growth chamber, and an outlet section for the air from the growth chamber; and wherein the container is positioned in the growth chamber such that the panel is downstream of the inlet section relative to the direction of travel of the air.