Air purifier

Abstract

To provide: a structure of a photocatalyst filter which can exert extremely efficient performance even in a compact space; and a light source.SOLUTION: This invention relates to an air cleaner arranged with a photocatalyst filter and a dust collection filter, and causes air to circulate also in a space between an external housing and an internal housing. The air conditioner includes: the external housing in which a suction port and a discharge port are formed; the internal housing arranged in the external housing, and configured separately from the external housing; a fan arranged at the internal housing, and forcibly discharging air toward a direction of the discharge port; a photocatalyst filter arranged in the internal housing, in an air discharge direction of the fan, or in a direction opposite to the air discharge direction of the fan; and a UV-ray light source for irradiating a UV-ray toward the photocatalyst filter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier, and more particularly, to an air purifier comprising a housing divided into an outer housing and an inner housing, wherein the outer housing and the inner housing are separated from each other, a photocatalyst filter and a dust collection filter are installed in the inner housing, and air is also caused to flow in the space between the outer housing and the inner housing.

[0002] In addition, the present invention relates to an air purifier in which a photocatalyst filter is installed inside a housing, a suction port is installed at the bottom of the housing, and a base housing supports the housing at the lower part of the housing.

Background Art

[0003] An air purifier is a device that filters dust and impurities mixed in the air by placing a filter in the air flow passage while forcibly flowing the air. A normal air purifier collects dust through a filter and removes harmful gases contained in the air in various ways.

[0004] When collecting dust in an air purifier, it is usually purified in the order of a pre-filter that filters large dust and a HEPA filter that filters fine dust. This is to prevent the life of the relatively expensive HEPA filter from being shortened by filtering large dust.

[0005] In addition, a filter capable of removing harmful gases may be installed in the air purifier. As a method of removing harmful gases, there are various methods, but a method of removing harmful gases by adsorbing harmful gases in the air using activated carbon or the like is common.

[0006] As another method for removing harmful gases, there is a method of irradiating light that activates a photocatalytic substance, causing air to flow around it, and removing harmful gases in the flowing air through a photocatalytic reaction. There are various photocatalytic substances, but generally titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used.

[0007] Titanium dioxide is activated by ultraviolet rays to cause a photocatalytic reaction, but recently, there are cases where a photocatalytic substance that reacts in the visible light region is developed due to reasons such as the harmfulness of ultraviolet rays.

[0008] In any case, such a photocatalytic substance obtains energy that can activate itself from light. Therefore, a photocatalytic substance activated by ultraviolet rays must be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. For this reason, in order for light to irradiate the photocatalytic substance, it is inevitable that the light source and the photocatalytic substance are separated by a certain distance.

[0009] However, ordinary household and small air purifiers generally have a structure in which filters are arranged in multiple layers and a fan is installed behind them. Such a structure restricts the shape of the air purifier to a flat shape. Therefore, it is not easy to provide sufficient space to install a photocatalytic substance and a light source in such a form of air purifier. That is, the structure of conventional ordinary household and small air purifiers is generally flat, so it is not suitable for applying a photocatalytic filter.

[0010] Therefore, in order to apply the structure of a photocatalytic filter to household and small air purifiers, it is necessary to newly consider and design all aspects such as the air flow path, the air intake and discharge directions, the installation structure of the filter, the relationship between the installation direction of the filter and the air flow direction, and the installation position of the light source.

[0011] In addition, when configuring an ultraviolet light source and a photocatalytic filter in a small air purifier, the characteristics of the ultraviolet light source and the photocatalytic filter must be tuned to such an extent that their effects can be fully exerted.

[0012] On the one hand, it is common for such conventional household and small air purifiers to be equipped with sensors for measuring the amount of dust and harmful gases in the air. However, as described above, household and small air purifiers are in a flat form, and filters are arranged in multiple layers and stacked inside them. Therefore, there is not enough space to install sensors in the air flow path inside the housing, and the air that has already been filtered to a certain level by the filters is flowing, so it is also inappropriate to install sensors.

[0013] Therefore, conventionally, the quality of air is measured by installing sensors outside the housing. However, when the sensors are installed outside in this way, the intensity of light generated by differences in lighting and between day and night changes. As a result, even with the same amount of dust, the aspect of light scattering changes, and sensors that measure the amount of dust through the degree of light scattering cannot accurately measure the amount of dust.

[0014] Next, when a sensor for measuring harmful gases is arranged outside, harmful gases that float or sink because they are lighter or heavier than air cannot be accurately measured, and only harmful gases existing at a height similar to the height where the sensor is installed can be measured, so the meaning of installing the sensor is lost. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0015] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a structure in which a photocatalyst filter containing a photocatalyst substance and a light source can be installed in a household or small air purifier, and at the same time, provides a sensor installation structure that can accurately measure the quality of flowing indoor air.

[0016] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a photocatalyst filter and a light source that can exhibit very efficient performance even in a compact space.

[0017] In addition, even if a dust collection filter is installed in a compact space, the air flow resistance does not increase significantly, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of an air cleaner with improved air flow efficiency.

[0018] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner in which maintenance, repair, and replacement of a filter installed in the air cleaner are easy.

[0019] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an installation structure of each filter in which a photocatalyst filter can exhibit optimal efficiency.

[0020] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of an air cleaner that can be made compact despite installing a photocatalyst filter and a light source.

[0021] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a small household air cleaner that performs deodorization and harmful gas removal using a photocatalyst filter and a light source.

[0022] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of an air cleaner that minimizes air flow resistance and enhances photocatalytic reaction efficiency.

[0023] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an air flow direction, an installation direction of a photocatalyst filter, a form of the photocatalyst filter, a relationship between the photocatalyst filter and a light source, and features that the light source must have, which can enhance photocatalytic reaction efficiency.

[0024] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner that is compact and yet easy to maintain, repair, and replace the filter.

[0025] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner in which various electrical and electronic equipment is efficiently arranged.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0026] To achieve the above object, the present invention divides the housing of the air purifier into an external housing and an internal housing, separates and arranges them at a predetermined interval, installs each filter in the internal housing, places a surround-shaped dust collection filter upstream of the air flow, arranges a fan downstream of the dust collection filter, arranges a light source downstream of the fan, and arranges a photocatalyst filter downstream of the light source, providing a filter installation structure. At the same time, air is also allowed to flow between the internal housing and the external housing so that the sensor can measure the quality of the air flowing in such a separated space, providing an air purifier.

[0027] More specifically, the present invention includes an external housing (10, 20, 40) formed with an intake port (215, 221, 222) and an outlet port (45), an internal housing (30) provided inside the external housing and formed separately from the external housing, a fan (60) installed in the internal housing to forcibly discharge air in the direction of the outlet port, a photocatalyst filter (80) installed in the internal housing and arranged in the air discharge direction of the fan (60) or in the opposite direction of the air discharge direction of the fan (60), an ultraviolet light source arranged upstream of the air flow direction generated by the fan (60) from the photocatalyst filter (80) and irradiating ultraviolet rays toward the photocatalyst filter, and a dust collection filter (70) arranged upstream of the air flow direction from the fan, the photocatalyst filter, and the ultraviolet light source and installed in the internal housing, providing an air purifier.

[0028] A sensor (90) for measuring the quality of air is installed on the outer surface of the internal housing or the inner surface of the external housing, and the quality of the air between the internal housing and the external housing can be measured. Here, by installing the sensor between the intake port and the outlet port of the external housing, the quality of the air that enters through the intake port, passes through the space between the external housing and the internal housing, and is discharged to the outlet port can be measured.

[0029] The photocatalyst filter is in a form where a photocatalytic substance is coated on a support in which a plurality of cells with air flow paths formed therein are adjacent to each other, and the inlet of the air flow path may be arranged facing an ultraviolet light source.

[0030] The air discharge direction of the fan (60) is upward, and the photocatalyst filter may be fitted and fixed to the internal housing in a form where it is placed on the internal housing from the upper part of the internal housing. Here, the external housing includes an upper surface housing (40) including the upper surface where the discharge port (45) is formed, the upper surface housing is detachably installed, and the photocatalyst filter may be insertable and extractable through an opening provided by separating the upper surface housing.

[0031] The ultraviolet light source may have a peak wavelength of 360 nm to 370 nm. The UV LED (51) may be installed on one or more thin and long UV LED substrates (50) whose both ends are supported by the internal housing, and the distance between the UV LED (51) and the surface of the photocatalyst filter (80) may be 25 mm to 40 mm.

[0032] The dust collection filter (70) may include a HEPA filter (71) having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. A carbon filter (72) having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface corresponding to the shape of the HEPA filter and larger than the HEPA filter may be externally inserted on the outer peripheral surface of the HEPA filter (71).

[0033] The dust collection filter is cylindrical with filter members arranged on its outer peripheral surface. The discharge port (45) of the external housing is formed at the upper end, the suction ports (215, 221, 222) of the external housing are formed at the lower part of the side surface, the lower surface of the dust collection filter is in close contact with the bottom of the external housing, and the upper surface of the dust collection filter is in close contact with the lower surface of the fan installation part (32) of the internal housing, and it may be horizontally fitted into the air cleaner.

[0034] Here, the bottom of the external housing is composed of a bottom housing (10) including an upper surface member (11) and a lower surface member (12) separated by a predetermined interval. The lower surface of the dust collection filter is in close contact with the upper surface of the upper surface member (11). A control PCB (14) that controls the operation of the air cleaner and is provided with a connector (15) to which an external power supply is connected may be installed in the space between the upper surface member and the lower surface member.

[0035] Here, the body housing (20) including the side surface of the external housing includes a front housing (21) and a rear housing (22). The rear housing is detachably installed, and the dust collection filter may be insertable and withdrawable through an opening provided by separating the rear housing. Here, a display unit (211, 212, 213) for displaying the operating state of the air cleaner may be installed in the front housing (21).

[0036] The external housing includes an upper surface housing (40) including its upper surface, and an operation unit (41, 42, 43) may be installed in the upper surface housing (40).

[0037] Also, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention arranges the components for the photocatalytic reaction in the order of a fan, a light source, and a photocatalytic filter along the air flow direction while flowing air upward in the body housing, forms an air inlet at the bottom of the body housing, and provides an air cleaner in which a base housing is further installed below the body housing to separate the body housing from the bottom surface.

[0038] More specifically, the present invention provides an air purifier including a housing (120, 130, 140) having a suction port (1231) and a discharge port (145), a fan (160) installed in the housing for forcibly discharging air in the direction of the discharge port, a photocatalyst filter (180) installed in the housing and disposed in the air discharge direction of the fan (160) or in the direction opposite to the air discharge direction of the fan (160), a light source disposed upstream of the photocatalyst filter (180) in the air flow direction generated by the fan (160) for irradiating light toward the photocatalyst filter, and a base housing (110) installed at the lower end of the housing for supporting the lower surface of the housing to be spaced apart from the bottom.

[0039] The photocatalyst filter is in a form in which a photocatalyst substance is coated on a support on which a plurality of cells having an air flow path formed therein are adjacent to each other, and the inlet of the air flow path may be arranged toward the linear light source.

[0040] The housing (120, 130, 140) may include an external housing (120, 140) having the suction port (1231) provided at the bottom portion and the discharge port (145) provided at the upper surface, and an internal housing (130) in which the fan (160), the light source, and the photocatalyst filter (180) are installed.

[0041] The air discharge direction of the fan (160) is upward, and the photocatalyst filter may be fitted and fixed to the internal housing in a form mounted on the upper portion of the internal housing.

[0042] The external housing includes an upper surface housing (140) including the upper surface on which the discharge port (145) is formed. The upper surface housing is detachably installed, and the photocatalyst filter can be inserted and pulled out through an opening provided by separating the upper surface housing.

[0043] The light source may be a UV LED (151) having a peak wavelength of 360 nm to 370 nm.

[0044] The UV LED (151) may be installed on one or more thin and long UV LED substrates (150) supported at both ends by a housing.

[0045] The base housing (110) includes a neck member (111) connected to the center of the lower end of the housing and gradually widening downward, and a lower surface member (112) formed at the lower end of the neck member. The upper end of the neck member (111) communicates with the internal space of the housing, and a control PCB (113) for controlling the operation of the air cleaner and having a connector (114) to which an external power source is connected may be installed in the space between the neck member and the lower surface member.

[0046] The housing includes a side housing (121) including its side surface, and a display unit (1211, 1212, 1213) for displaying the operating state of the air cleaner may be installed on the side housing (121).

[0047] The base housing (110) includes a neck member (111) connected to the center of the lower end of the housing and gradually widening downward. The housing includes a lower housing (123) forming its lower part. The upper end of the neck member (111) is fixed to the central part of the lower housing (123), and a suction port (1231) may be formed in the outer peripheral part of the central part of the lower housing (123).

[0048] The lower housing (123) may include a plurality of ribs (1232) radially extending from the central part toward the outer peripheral surface and a grate (1233) formed between the plurality of ribs.

[0049] The housing (120, 130, 140) includes an external housing (120, 140) provided with the suction port (1231) and the discharge port (145), and an internal housing (130) in which the fan (160), the light source, and the photocatalyst filter (180) are installed. The external housing (120, 140) includes a side housing (121) including its side surface. An installation portion (125) of the internal housing may protrude inwardly from the inner periphery at the lower end of the side housing (121).

[0050] The internal housing includes a fan housing (132) in which the fan (160) is installed, and a photocatalyst housing (133) in which the photocatalyst filter (180) and the light source are installed. The fan housing may be disposed above the installation portion, and the photocatalyst housing may be disposed above the fan housing.

[0051] The housing includes an upper surface housing (140) including its upper surface, and operation portions (141, 142, 143) may be installed on the upper surface housing (140).

Advantages of the Invention

[0052] According to the present invention, while maintaining the air purifier in a compact size, a photocatalyst filter and a light source can be installed inside the air purifier, and harmful gases in the air can be removed.

[0053] Also, according to the present invention, the air flow resistance generated by the filter is reduced, and the air purification efficiency of a small-sized air purifier is high.

[0054] Also, according to the present invention, despite the air purifier being compact, the harmful gas removal efficiency is very high due to the structure and characteristics of the photocatalyst filter and the light source installed inside.

[0055] Also, according to the present invention, the maintenance and repair of the air purifier are simple.

[0056] Moreover, according to the present invention, by configuring the air flow direction in a straight line and reducing the air flow resistance, the air purifier has high air purification efficiency despite its small size.

[0057] Together with the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while explaining the specific matters for carrying out the following invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0058]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0059] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be embodied in various different forms. However, these embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those with ordinary knowledge of the scope of the invention.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows, as a perspective view of an embodiment of an air purifier according to the present invention, an air purifier having a structure in which air inlets are formed on all of the front and rear sides. FIG. 2 shows, as a perspective view of another embodiment of an air purifier according to the present invention, an air purifier having a structure in which an air inlet is formed on the rear side. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air purifier of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view (in a form in which a photocatalyst filter is removed) of an embodiment of the air purifier of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an air purifier configured to be smaller than the air purifier of FIG. 3 as another embodiment of the air purifier of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an air purifier configured to be smaller than the air purifier of FIG. 4 as another embodiment of the air purifier of FIG. 2.

[0062] The air purifiers shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 all have a form in which air inlets are formed on the front and rear sides, and the air purifiers shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 have a form in which an air inlet is formed on the rear side.

[0063] Compared with FIGS. 3 and 4, the air purifiers of FIGS. 5 and 6 are configured to be smaller.

[0064] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the external form and structure of the air purifier according to the present invention will be described. The air purifier according to the present invention includes external housings 10, 20, 40 having a substantially cylindrical structure. The external housing includes an upper housing 40 that defines the upper surface of the air purifier, a body housing 20 that defines the side surface of the air purifier, and a bottom housing 10 that defines the bottom surface of the air purifier.

[0065] Above the upper housing 40, a discharge port 45 is formed. The discharge port is in the form of a grate, preventing foreign objects from the outside from entering the interior. A button 43 is formed in the front portion of the upper housing. Therefore, the user can control the operation of the air cleaner by pressing the button on the upper side downward. The button may be a physical button or a touch button. When the button is placed on the upper part, even if a force is applied to the air cleaner while the user presses the button, the air cleaner can be prevented from moving. When the button is placed on the front surface of the air cleaner, there is a problem that the air cleaner is pushed backward each time the button is pressed. However, when the button is placed on the upper surface, there is no worry about such a problem occurring.

[0066] Next, a display screen 213 that provides information regarding the operation of the air cleaner is formed on the front surface of the body housing 20. The display screen on the front surface has better visibility than the one on the upper surface. The body housing 20 is divided into a front housing 21 positioned forward with reference to the boundary portion 23 and a rear housing 22 positioned rearward with reference to the boundary portion. As shown in the figure, the front housing 21 is connected to the upper housing 40 on the upper side, connected to the rear housing 22 on the rear side, and connected to the bottom housing 10 on the lower side. The rear housing 22 is connected to the front housing 21 on the front side and connected to the bottom housing 10 on the lower side. As will be described later, the upper housing 40 is detachably connected to the front housing 21, and the rear housing 22 is also detachably connected to the front housing 21.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows an air purifier in which air inlets 215 and 222 are formed in both the front housing 21 and the rear housing 22, and FIG. 2 shows an air purifier in which an air inlet 222 is formed only in the rear housing 22. Each air inlet is formed in the lower part of the body housing 20. Therefore, according to the structure of the air purifier of the present invention, air is inhaled through the lower inlets 215, 221, 222 and then discharged from the upper discharge port 45. Since dust generally settles, it is preferable to form an inlet at the lower part of the air purifier. Also, by directing the discharge port upward, the flow of the purified air does not raise the dust settled on the bottom of the room again.

[0068] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the internal structure of the air purifier according to the present invention will be described. Inside the space of the external housing, an internal housing 30 is installed in a form separated from the external housing. Each filter 70, 80 and light sources 50, 51 are installed in the internal housing 30.

[0069] First, a cylindrical dust collection filter 70 is installed below the internal housing 30. The upper and lower surfaces of the dust collection filter 70 are perforated, and the side surface is surrounded by a filter member, and as shown in the figure, it is installed in the lower part of the internal housing 30. The upper surface of the dust collection filter 70 is in close contact with the surface of the internal housing, and the lower surface of the dust collection filter is in close contact with the upper surface of the bottom housing 10. Therefore, air can flow into the internal space of the internal housing only through the filter member of the dust collection filter 70. As described above, the air inlets 215, 221, and 222 are formed in the external housing, and as shown in the figure, the external housing and the internal housing are installed in a separated form from each other. Since the dust collection filter 70 is installed at the lower part of the internal housing, the air existing outside the external housing flows into the internal part of the external housing through the inlets 215, 221, and 222, passes through the space between the external housing and the internal housing, and then flows into the internal part of the internal housing through the dust collection filter. Since the dust collection filter is formed in a cylindrical shape in all side directions, its area is considerably larger than that of a planar shape. Therefore, compared with a planar shape, the cylindrical dust collection filter has a relatively small flow resistance to the air passing through the dust collection filter. Also, according to the present invention, since there is a certain space between the external housing and the internal housing, air can pass uniformly through all parts of the dust collection filter surface.

[0070] The dust collection filter 70 includes a HEPA filter 71 formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical shape, and a carbon filter 72 surrounding the outer surface of the HEPA filter 71. That is, the carbon filter 72 is externally inserted on the outer peripheral surface of the HEPA filter 71. These are connected to be separable from each other, and only the parts that need to be replaced are replaceable. As a method of separating these, a method of separating two filters relative to each other in the vertical direction on the drawing may be used, or a method of tightening a belt-shaped carbon filter on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical HEPA filter like a method of wearing a waist belt may be used.

[0071] The dust collecting filter 70 can be removed through an opening formed by separating the rear housing 22 after separating the rear housing. That is, the dust collecting filter may be inserted and mounted in a direction from the rear side toward the front side, and separated in a direction from the front side toward the rear side.

[0072] The carbon filter 72 forming the outside of the dust collecting filter 70 has a structure that houses granular activated carbon, and is housed in a sieve-shaped case to prevent the activated carbon from overflowing. The sieve-shaped case not only prevents the activated carbon from overflowing, but also serves to filter relatively large particulate dust. The activated carbon functions to adsorb harmful gases in the air. In particular, the activated carbon adsorbs ammonia and acetic acid, so that acetaldehyde, which reacts slower than these harmful gases in the photocatalytic reaction, can be decomposed first by the photocatalytic filter described later.

[0073] The HEPA filter 71 is a filter that filters fine dust, and filters fine dust from the air flowing into the inner housing. In this way, the present invention can prevent the phenomenon that dust entangles with the fan 60, the photocatalytic filter 80, and the light sources 50 and 51 located behind the dust collecting filter by first filtering fine dust through the HEPA filter.

[0074] In the inner housing 30, a fan installation part 32 is formed above the accommodation part 31 that accommodates the dust collecting filter. The fan 60 installed in the fan installation part 32 generates an air flow that flows upward. As the fan 60 rotates, a negative pressure is formed upward inside the dust collecting filter 70. As a result, the outside air of the dust collecting filter moves into the inner space of the dust collecting filter with relatively low pressure, and then is pressurized by the fan and rises. According to the present invention, since the fan is placed behind the filter that resists air flow, a pressure difference is generated between the inner space and the outer space of the dust collecting filter by the operation of the fan, and the air flow due to such a pressure difference is induced to increase the air filter passing efficiency.

[0075] Above the fan installation part 32, an installation part 33 for the UV LED substrate 50 is provided, and a photocatalyst filter installation part 34 where the photocatalyst filter 80 is installed is formed at a position spaced apart by a predetermined interval above the installation part 33.

[0076] The UV LED substrate 50 installed in the installation part 33 is thin and long in a flat plate shape, and the UV LED 51 is mounted on the upper surface. The number of substrates can be configured in a plurality according to the number of UV LEDs required corresponding to the size of the air purifier. However, FIGS. 3 and 4 show an air purifier using 4 substrates, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show an air purifier using 2 substrates. On the other hand, although not shown, it is preferable to form a streamlined air guiding structure having a convex cross section downward at the lower part of the UV LED substrate 50 to prevent the air resistance from increasing due to the flat shape of the substrate.

[0077] The ultraviolet rays irradiated from the UV LED have a diffusion angle of approximately 120 degrees and are irradiated toward the photocatalyst filter 80. The photocatalyst filter 80 has a structure in which a photocatalyst substance is fixed on a support, and in the present invention, titanium oxide is used as the photocatalyst substance.

[0078] The ultraviolet absorption rate of the photocatalyst filter according to the ultraviolet wavelength best absorbs the wavelength near 270 nm, and the absorption rate linearly decreases as it approaches 400 nm. Therefore, it seems advantageous to use a UV LED having a peak wavelength of 270 nm. However, when actually using a UV LED, it was confirmed that the UV LED with the best photocatalyst activation has a peak wavelength of 365 nm. This was confirmed to be due to the light emission efficiency of the UV LED. That is, the smaller the peak wavelength of the UV LED, the more rapidly the light emission amount of the element decreases. Therefore, it was confirmed that the photocatalytic reaction is the best when using a UV LED having a peak wavelength of 365 nm.

[0079] In other words, a UV LED having a peak wavelength near 270 nm has a weak ultraviolet intensity itself, far from meeting the appropriate ultraviolet intensity required on the surface of the photocatalyst filter, and instead, the photocatalytic reaction is not active. Considering such a point, it is possible to consider using a large number of UV LEDs to increase the ultraviolet intensity, but since it interferes with the air flow, there is a limit to increasing the size of the substrate, and as the number of UV LEDs increases, the manufacturing cost and power consumption increase rapidly.

[0080] As a result of conducting experiments with this in mind, it was confirmed that when using a UV LED having a peak wavelength of 340 nm or less, the deodorization efficiency by the photocatalyst filter decreases rapidly.

[0081] In addition, when using a UV LED having a peak wavelength of 380 nm or more, the ultraviolet absorption rate of the photocatalyst itself decreases significantly, and there is no difference between the existing lamp-shaped black light and the UV LED, so the great meaning of using the UV LED is lost.

[0082] As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that when using a UV LED having a peak wavelength of 360 nm or more and 370 nm or less, the deodorization performance by the photocatalyst filter can be maximized.

[0083] The photocatalyst filter has a structure in which a photocatalytic substance is coated on a support on which a plurality of cells having an air flow path with a regular hexagonal cross-section or a regular square cross-section are adjacent to each other, similar to the honeycomb form, and the inlet of the air flow path is arranged in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction toward the ultraviolet light source, as shown in FIG. 3. When manufacturing the photocatalyst filter in such a form, ultraviolet light is irradiated not only on the outer surface of the photocatalyst filter but also on the inner surface of the air flow path, and more photocatalytic activation reactions can be induced.

[0084] The distance between the UV LED 51 and the front surface of the photocatalyst filter 80 facing it varies depending on the change in the flow characteristics of the air due to the distance between the UV LED substrate and the photocatalyst filter, and the area and intensity of the ultraviolet rays reaching the photocatalyst. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that when the distance between the UV LED and the front surface of the photocatalyst filter decreased to 2.5 cm or less or increased to 4 cm or more, the deodorization efficiency decreased rapidly.

[0085] If the distance between the UV LED and the front surface of the photocatalyst filter is excessively close, at 2.5 cm or less, the area of the photocatalyst filter irradiated with ultraviolet rays among the area of the photocatalyst filter decreases. On the other hand, even if the intensity of the ultraviolet rays per unit area of the photocatalyst filter increases, the photocatalyst activation efficiency does not increase any further. In addition, when the UV LED substrate is excessively close to the photocatalyst filter, air flow does not occur well in the intermediate region of the photocatalyst filter mainly irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the amount of air actually contacting the region where activation occurs most effectively becomes smaller. Therefore, the deodorization efficiency by the photocatalyst filter is rather decreased. Also, if the distance between the UV LED and the front surface of the photocatalyst filter is excessively far, at 4 cm or more, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays per unit area of the photocatalyst filter decreases, and the degree of photocatalyst activation decreases.

[0086] On the other hand, it is also necessary to consider the air flow direction. According to the present invention, the air flow direction is the same as the direction from the UV LED, which is the ultraviolet light source, toward the photocatalyst filter.

[0087] This is based on the results of the experiment. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that when the air was flowed in the same direction as the direction from the ultraviolet light source toward the photocatalyst filter, the purification efficiency was superior to when the air was flowed in the opposite direction.

[0088] Since the photocatalytic filter has a structure in which air must pass through a large number of air flow paths, the air pressure decreases due to the flow resistance while passing through the photocatalytic filter. On the other hand, the photocatalytic reaction proceeds more actively as the contact between the surface of the photocatalytic substance and air increases. Therefore, when decomposing harmful gases in the air by the contact between the air before the pressure drop occurs while passing through the photocatalytic filter and the photocatalytic substance, the decomposition efficiency is higher than when decomposing harmful gases in the air by the contact between the air after the pressure drops while passing through the photocatalytic filter and the photocatalytic substance. Therefore, in the present invention, the air is configured to flow in the direction from the ultraviolet light source toward the photocatalytic filter, further enhancing the air purification efficiency of the photocatalytic filter.

[0089] Next, as shown in the figure, the photocatalytic filter installation portion 34 of the internal housing has a stepped shape at its lower end. Therefore, the photocatalytic filter 80 can be installed by lowering the photocatalytic filter 80 from the upper part of the internal housing.

[0090] On the other hand, the upper surface housing 40 of the external housing is detachably installed on the upper surface of the body housing 20, or more precisely, the front housing 21. Therefore, when the upper surface housing 40 is separated, an opening is formed in the upper part of the body housing 20, and it is possible to insert and remove the above-described photocatalytic filter through such an opening.

[0091] There is a small space between the upper end of the internal housing and the upper end of the external housing. In such a space, as shown in the figure, air flows upward. Such an air flow also pulls up the air existing in the space between the external housing and the internal housing to the upper side.

[0092] In the present invention, the sensor 90 for measuring the air pollution level is not placed outside the external housing, but is placed in the space between the external housing and the internal housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the dust sensor 91 and the gas sensor 92 are placed on the outer surface of the internal housing 30, but they may be installed on the inner surface of the external housing. However, for the convenience of wiring, it is better to install them on the inner surface of the front housing rather than the rear housing, and more preferably, on the outer surface of the internal housing.

[0093] The space between the external housing and the internal housing is filled with air having the same pollution level as the external air that has not passed through the filter, and is more stable than the air passing through the internal housing. However, as described above, it has a certain flow from the inlet through the suction port to the outlet, and the air with the same pollution level as the external air continues to flow, and since it is in a space isolated at a certain level, when measuring the air existing in such a space, it is possible to measure the air pollution level more accurately.

[0094] According to the present invention, the electrical and electronic components of the air cleaner are also arranged very reasonably. The bottom housing 10 of the present invention includes an upper surface member 11 and a lower surface member 12, and these are installed at a predetermined interval. Therefore, a little space is provided between them, and the control PCB 14 for controlling the operation of the air cleaner is installed here. That is, the control PCB 14 is installed at the bottom part of the air cleaner, embedded in the space between the upper surface member and the lower surface member, and will not be exposed even when the rear housing 22 is detached for maintenance of the air cleaner. A connector 15 is installed behind the control PCB, and this connector 15 is connected to an external power source.

[0095] The power received through the connector is transmitted to the fan 60, the UV LED substrate 50, and the sensor 90 installed in the internal housing. Also, the power is connected to the display parts 211, 212, 213 installed in the front housing 21, and the operation parts 41, 42, 43 installed in the upper housing 40.

[0096] A display PCB 212 is installed in the connection part 211 formed inside the front housing 21, and a display screen (optical part) 213 is formed in the front housing part adjacent thereto. The operation of the air purifier is externally displayed by the on / off, hue, blinking, etc. of the light-emitting diodes installed on the display PCB.

[0097] On the other hand, as a position close to the display part, an operation PCB 42 is installed in the connection part 41 formed on the lower surface of the upper housing 40, and buttons 43 are formed in the front part of the upper housing 40.

[0098] Therefore, the power lines connected to the two PCBs 212 and 42 can be wired together along the inner surface of the front housing.

[0099] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the air purifier shown in FIG. 3. When compared with the air purifier shown in FIG. 3, the air purifier shown in FIG. 7 has a difference in that the fan installation part 32 is installed above the UV LED substrate installation part 33 and the photocatalyst filter installation part 34 in the internal housing 30, and the other parts are the same. Hereinafter, the parts with such differences will be described, and the description of the same parts will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0100] That is, referring to FIG. 7, in the internal housing 30, an installation part 33 for the UV LED substrate 50 is provided above the accommodation part 31 for accommodating the dust collection filter, and a photocatalyst filter installation part 34 for installing the photocatalyst filter 80 is formed at a position spaced apart from the upper side of the installation part 33 by a predetermined interval. The UV LED substrate 50 installed in the installation part 33 is thin and long in a flat plate shape, and UV LEDs 51 are mounted on the upper surface. The number of substrates may be configured in a plurality according to the number of UV LEDs required corresponding to the size of the air purifier.

[0101] Above the installation part 33 of the UV LED substrate 50, a fan installation part 32 is formed. The fan 60 installed in the fan installation part 32 generates an air flow that moves upward. As the fan 60 rotates, a negative pressure is formed inside the dust collection filter 70 so as to face upward. As a result, the outside air of the dust collection filter moves into the inner space of the dust collection filter with relatively low pressure and then is pressurized by the fan and rises. According to the present invention, since the fan is placed behind the filter that resists air flow, a pressure difference is generated between the inner space and the outer space of the dust collection filter by the operation of the fan, and by inducing the air flow due to such a pressure difference, the air filter passing efficiency is increased.

[0102] The air flow generated by such a pressure difference passes through the photocatalyst filter below the fan 60, is purified, and is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 45 via the fan.

[0103] When such a structure is compared with the structure of FIG. 3, since the direction of the air flow is the same, there is no difference in the air purification efficiency. Instead, since the UV LED 51 is arranged deeper, the risk of ultraviolet rays being exposed to the outside through the discharge port 45 can be further reduced. Further, in such a structure, when trying to approach the photocatalyst filter for cleaning or separating the photocatalyst filter, after separating the rear housing 22, it is possible to easily approach the photocatalyst filter through the opening formed thereby.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the air purifier according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the air purifier of FIG. 8. FIGS. 10 and 11 are front and rear perspective views of the air purifier of FIG. 9.

[0105] First, referring to FIG. 8, the external form and structure of an air purifier will be described as another embodiment according to the present invention. The air purifier includes external housings 120 and 140 having a substantially cylindrical structure, and a base housing 110 that serves as legs for supporting the external housings 120 and 140. The base housing 110 is shaped to support the central portion of the lower surface of the external housings 120 and 140, and the lower surface of the external housing is exposed to the air. The external housings 120 and 140 include an upper housing 140 that defines the upper surface of the air purifier and a body housing 120 that defines the body of the air purifier.

[0106] The upper housing 140 has an air outlet 145 formed thereon. The air outlet has a grate form to prevent foreign objects from the outside from entering inside. A button 143 is formed in the front portion of the upper housing. Therefore, the user can control the operation of the air purifier by pressing the button on the upper surface downward. The button may be a physical button or a touch button. Placing the button on the upper part can prevent the air purifier from moving even when the user applies force to the air purifier while pressing the button. Placing the button on the front surface of the air purifier has a problem that the air purifier is pushed backward every time the button is pressed, but placing the button on the upper surface can avoid such a problem.

[0107] Next, a display screen 1213 for providing information regarding the operation of the air purifier is formed on the front surface of the body housing 120. The display screen on the front surface has better visibility than the one on the upper surface. The body housing 120 is divided into a side housing 121 that forms the side surface of the body of the air purifier and a lower housing 123 that forms the lower surface of the body of the air purifier. As shown in the figure, the side housing 121 is connected to the upper housing 140 on the upper side and to the lower housing 123 on the lower side. The lower housing 123 is connected to the base housing 110 on the lower side. As will be described later, the upper housing 140 is detachably connected to the side housing 121.

[0108] Although not shown in FIG. 8, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the air inlet 1231 is formed in the lower housing 123 that forms the bottom of the external housing. Therefore, according to the structure of the air purifier of the present invention, air is inhaled through the air inlet 1231 on the lower surface and flows upward, and is discharged upward from the discharge port 145.

[0109] In the present invention, by directing the discharge port upward, the flow of the purified air is prevented from disturbing the dust settled on the bottom of the room again. Also, when the purified air is discharged to the side, it is better to direct the discharge port upward in that a person directly exposed to such wind may feel uncomfortable.

[0110] When the discharge port is configured upward in this way, when the air flow in the air purifier is generally directed from the lower side to the upper side, it is advantageous for reducing the air flow loss. However, in a conventional air purifier, most of the body touches the bottom, and the air inlet is generally formed on the side of the air purifier. Therefore, when applying such a conventional structure as it is, the air flow in the air purifier becomes curved and a large flow loss occurs.

[0111] Therefore, the present invention supports the lower surfaces of the external housings 120 and 140 separated from the bottom through the base housing 110, and provides the air inlet 1231 on the lower surfaces of the external housings 120 and 140, so that the air in the air purifier flows from the lower side to the upper side as a whole. This not only simply smoothes the air flow, but also has the effect of further increasing the photocatalytic reaction efficiency by the photocatalytic filter described later.

[0112] Next, the internal structure of the air purifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. An internal housing 130 that houses the photocatalytic filter 180, the UV LED substrate 150, and the fan 160 is installed in the space inside the external housings 120 and 140. That is, the internal housing functions as a housing in which the internal components of the air purifier are installed.

[0113] On the lower inner surface of the side housing 121, an installation portion 125 is formed to project inward. The internal housing is installed on such an installation portion. The internal housing includes a fan housing 132 on which a fan 160 is installed, and a photocatalyst housing 133 on which a photocatalyst filter and a UV LED substrate are installed. As shown in the figure, the fan housing 132 is disposed on the installation portion 125, and the photocatalyst housing is disposed on the fan housing again. Therefore, in the internal housing, the components are installed in the order of the fan 160, the UV LED substrate 150, and the photocatalyst filter 180 from the lower side.

[0114] The fan 160 installed in the fan housing 132 generates an upward air flow. Therefore, the outside air of the air cleaner flows in through the suction port 1231 formed on the lower surfaces of the housings 120, 130, and 140, and then is pressurized by the fan and flows upward.

[0115] An installation portion 1331 for the UV LED substrate 150 is provided on the upper part of the fan housing 132, and a photocatalyst filter installation portion 1332 on which the photocatalyst filter 180 is installed is formed at a position spaced apart by a predetermined interval above the installation portion 1331.

[0116] The UV LED substrate 150 installed in the installation portion 1331 is thin and long in a flat plate shape, and UV LEDs 151 are mounted on the upper surface. The number of substrates can be configured in a plurality according to the number of UV LEDs required corresponding to the size of the air cleaner. In the corresponding embodiment, an air cleaner using two substrates is shown.

[0117] Regarding the irradiation angle and wavelength of the UV LEDs, the form and orientation of the photocatalyst filter, the distance between the UV LEDs and the photocatalyst filter, and the relationship between the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet rays and the air flow direction, etc., have already been described in the above-described embodiment, so duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0118] As shown in the figure, the photocatalyst filter installation part 1332 of the internal housing has an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the photocatalyst filter, and a stepped part is formed at the lower end. Therefore, the photocatalyst filter 180 can be installed by lowering the photocatalyst filter 180 from the upper part of the internal housing.

[0119] On the other hand, the upper surface housing 140 of the external housing is detachably installed on the upper surface of the body housing 120. Therefore, when the upper surface housing 140 is separated, an opening is formed in the upper part of the body housing 120, and it is possible to insert and remove the above-mentioned photocatalyst filter through such an opening.

[0120] At the lower ends of the housings 120, 130, and 140 in which various components for purifying air are incorporated, a base housing 110 is installed to maintain a state in which the lower surface of the housing is separated from the installation surface of the air cleaner.

[0121] The base housing 110 includes a neck member 111 connected to the central part of the lower housing 123 and a lower surface member 112 formed at the lower end of the neck member. The neck member 111 has a shape that gradually widens in a streamline form as it descends downward from the upper end connected to the lower housing, and guides the flow of air flowing into the suction port 1231 formed in the lower housing 123. The suction port 1231 is formed in the peripheral part around the central part of the lower housing 123 and functions as a passage for air to flow in.

[0122] On the other hand, in the present invention, the base housing 110 is fixed to the bottom central part of the body housing 120 to support the body housing. However, from the perspective of the body housing, all the loads of the body housing can only be concentrated on the central part of the lower housing 123. Therefore, the lower housing 123 must have a strength that can withstand this. However, as described above, since the suction port 1231 must be formed in the lower housing 123, the strength thereof will inevitably be weakened.

[0123] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of ribs 1232 extending radially from the central portion of the lower housing 123 toward the outer peripheral surface are formed to reinforce the strength of the lower housing. Further, by connecting the arcuate grates 1233 to each other again between these ribs 1232, the strength of the ribs is reinforced again. Therefore, the grate 1233 not only functions to simply prevent foreign matter from passing through the inside of the air cleaner, but also functions to reinforce the strength of the lower housing 123.

[0124] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the electrical and electronic components of the air cleaner are also very reasonably arranged. The base housing 110 not only simply serves to support the housings 120, 130, and 140, but also the internal space thereof is utilized. In the space between the neck member 111 and the lower surface member 112 forming the base housing 110, a control PCB 113 for controlling the operation of each component of the air cleaner is installed. Further, at the rear end of this control PCB 113, a connector 114 to which an external power source is connected is installed.

[0125] The power received via the connector is transmitted to the fan 160 and the UV LED board 150 installed in the internal housing. Further, the power is connected to the display units 1211, 1212, 1213 installed in front of the side housing 121 and the operation units 141, 142, 143 installed in the upper housing 140. These wirings extend into the housing through the connection portion between the neck member 111 and the lower housing 123 connected to each other.

[0126] A display PCB 1212 is installed in the connection portion 1211 formed inside the side housing 121, and a display screen (optical part) 1213 is formed in the front housing portion adjacent thereto, and the operation of the air cleaner is externally displayed by means such as turning on / off, hue, and blinking of the light-emitting diodes installed on the display PCB.

[0127] On one hand, as a position close to the display unit, an operation PCB 142 is installed on a connection part 141 formed on the lower surface of the upper housing 140, and a button 143 is formed on the front part of the upper housing 140.

[0128] Therefore, the power lines connected to the two PCBs 1212 and 142 can be wired together along the inner surface of the side housing.

[0129] On one hand, in the present invention, an example in which the positions of the fan and the photocatalyst module (photocatalyst filter and ultraviolet light source) are changed with respect to the air purifier shown in FIG. 3 is presented (see FIG. 7). Such a modification is applicable not only to the air purifier shown in FIG. 3, but also to the air purifier shown in FIG. 5 and the air purifier shown in FIG. 9.

[0130] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings illustrated for the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, even if the effects of the configuration of the present invention are not explicitly described while explaining the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

1. a light source having a substrate and a UV light emitting diode disposed on the substrate; The device includes a first housing and a second housing that are detachable from each other, and has an intake port and an exhaust port formed therein. an outer housing having a an inner housing provided inside the outer housing and having a fan mounting portion; A fan that is installed in the fan installation section and generates an air flow; Equipped with Air is drawn in through the intake port formed in the lower part of the external housing and discharged upward through the exhaust port formed in the upper part of the external housing, the dust collection filter includes a HEPA filter and a carbon filter, and is disposed below the inner housing and upstream of the fan in the air flow direction; The light source is disposed downstream of the dust collection filter, The air purifier, wherein the light source is disposed downstream of the fan, and a photocatalytic filter is disposed downstream of the light source.

2. The air purifier of claim 1 , wherein the HEPA filter and the carbon filter are detachable and replaceable from each other.

3. The air purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate is in the form of an elongated flat plate.

4. The air purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the outer housing has a space between the inner housing and the outer housing, and the air flows upward inside the inner housing.

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