Air cleaner and control method for same

Abstract

Provided is an air cleaner (1) comprising: a cleaner body (10); and a detection unit (20) that is provided to the cleaner body (10) and that stepwisely detects the air quality in a plurality of circumferential directions of the cleaner body (10). As a result of stepwise detection, by the detection unit (20), of the air quality in a plurality of circumferential directions of the cleaner body (10), it is possible to determine, on the basis of the detection results in different directions, a direction in which cleaning treatment is to be performed, whereby highly directional air cleaning treatment is realized while improving cleaning efficiency.

Description

Air purifier and control method thereof

[0001] The present application relates to the field of air purification, and in particular to an air purifier and a control method thereof.

[0002] With the development of science and technology and the improvement of living standards, people pay more and more attention to air quality, and more and more attention is paid to the air quality in specific spaces, such as the air quality inside a house or the air quality inside a car, rather than the outdoor air quality.

[0003] Currently, the main way to improve the air quality in a space is to purify the air within the space using air purification equipment. Typically, the air to be purified is drawn into the equipment, where it is purified using adsorption technology, negative (positive) ion technology, catalyst technology, photocatalysis technology, ultra-structured photomineralization technology, HEPA high-efficiency filtration technology, electrostatic precipitator technology, etc., and then discharged outside the equipment.

[0004] It should be noted that the above description of the technical background is only provided to make the technical solutions of the present application clear, easy to explain completely, and easy to understand for those skilled in the art, and these solutions are not considered to be known to those skilled in the art just because they are described in the background section of the present application.

[0005] The air quality inside a space is not only related to the air quality outside, but also to human activities within the space. For example, in a house, pollutants such as harmful gases volatilized from interior materials, oily smoke from cooking, and blanket-like fibers from textiles all affect the indoor air quality. Similarly, in a car, pollutants such as harmful gases volatilized from decorative materials and exhaust gases recirculated inside the car also affect the air quality inside the car.

[0006] In reality, airborne pollutants are usually distributed unevenly in space and time. For example, when a decorative material emits harmful gases such as formaldehyde, the concentration of formaldehyde increases in areas closer to the decorative material. Also, the concentration of oily smoke during cooking is higher than that during no cooking. However, conventional air purifying systems are unable to intentionally purify situations where pollutants are distributed unevenly in space and time, resulting in low purification efficiency.

[0007] To address at least one of the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides an air purifier and a control method thereof.

[0008] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an air purifier including a purifier body and a detection unit provided in the purifier body that detects air quality in multiple directions in a circumferential direction of the purifier body in a stepwise manner.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, there is provided an air purifier control method for controlling the air purifier described in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the control method including controlling a detection unit to detect air quality in multiple directions in a circumferential direction of the purifier body in stages.

[0010] One of the beneficial effects of the embodiment of the present application is that the detection unit detects air quality in multiple directions around the circumferential direction of the purifier body in stages, and the direction of purification can be determined based on the detection results of different directions, thereby achieving highly directional air purification and improving purification efficiency.

[0011] With reference to the following description and drawings, particular embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, demonstrating the manner in which the principles of the present application may be employed. It is to be understood that the scope of the present application is not limited thereby. Many variations, modifications, and equivalents are encompassed within the spirit and terms of the appended claims.

[0012] The included drawings are provided for a better understanding of the examples of the present application, constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present application, and together with the written description, explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the following drawings are merely some examples of the present application, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive efforts. The drawings are as follows: A schematic diagram of an air purifier according to an example of the present application; A perspective view of an embodiment of an air purifier according to an example of the present application; A schematic diagram of the air purifier shown in FIG. 2 in an operating state; A schematic diagram of an embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application; A schematic diagram of another embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application; A schematic diagram of a further embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application; A schematic diagram of a further embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application; A schematic diagram of a control method for an air purifier according to an example of the present application.

[0013] These and other features of the present application will become apparent from the following specification, which refers to the drawings. The specification and drawings specifically disclose certain embodiments of the present application and show some of the embodiments in which the principles of the present application may be employed. The present application is not limited to the described embodiments; on the contrary, the present application is to be understood as including all amendments, modifications, and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0014] In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first," "second," "upper," and "lower" are used to distinguish different elements from one another, but do not indicate the spatial or chronological order of these elements, and these elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. Terms such as "include," "comprise," and "have" refer to the presence of stated features, elements, components, or parts, but do not exclude the presence / addition of one or more other features, elements, components, or parts.

[0015] In the examples of this application, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "the," and the like should be understood to include the plural and not be limited to the meaning of "one," but broadly to mean "one kind" or "one type," and the term "said" should be understood to include both the singular and the plural. Also, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "according to" should be understood to mean "at least in part depending on ...," and the term "based on" should be understood to mean "at least in part based on ...."

[0016] In the following description of the present application, for convenience of explanation, the direction of gravity will be referred to as the "axial direction" and the direction around the "axial direction" will be referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Example of First Aspect] A first aspect of an example of the present application provides an air purifier. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air purifier according to an example of the present application.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , the air purifier 1 includes a purifier main body 10 and a detection unit 20 provided in the purifier main body 10 .

[0020] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 , the purifier body 10 has a columnar structure and includes an air inlet 110 on the outer periphery, a filter 120 and a fan 130 provided inside, and an air outlet 140 provided on the upper portion. The air inlet 110, the filter 120, the fan 130, and the air outlet 140 are arranged, for example, along an axial direction OO′. For example, when the air purifier 1 performs a purification process, the fan 130 operates to draw air around the purifier body 10 into the interior of the purifier body 10 through the air inlet 110, and the drawn air is filtered by the filter 120 before being discharged through the air outlet 140. However, embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, the purifier body 10 may not include the filter 120. The purifier body 10 may also include an air catalytic device that catalyzes harmful gases in the air and converts them into harmless gases. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the shape and structure of the purifier body 10, the installation positions of the above-mentioned components, or the cleaning process method, and specific examples can refer to related art.

[0021] In some embodiments, the detection unit 20 detects air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10 in a stepwise manner. This makes it possible to determine the direction that needs to be cleaned based on the results of stepwise detection by the detection unit 20.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, "detecting stepwise" refers to the detection unit 20 detecting the air quality in different directions sequentially or one by one according to a fixed or predetermined order.

[0023] For example, the detection unit 20 detects the air quality in one circumferential direction at a time, and sequentially detects the air quality in multiple directions one by one.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, the detection unit 20 switches one detection direction at a time and detects the air quality in the switched direction. For example, the detection unit 20 can switch the detection direction in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10, and when the detection direction is switched, the detection unit 20 is controlled to detect the air quality in the switched direction.

[0025] Also, for example, the air quality in different directions is detected one by one at a predetermined time interval.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present application, the "multiple directions" may be multiple directions that are set in advance, for example, six directions may be determined by dividing a 360° range in the circumferential direction of the purifier body 10 at intervals of a predetermined angle (for example, 60°), or may be consecutive directions in the circumferential direction, i.e., all directions in the entire circumferential direction.

[0027] Alternatively, the “plurality of directions” may dynamically adjust the directions that need to be detected based on the actual detection results of the detection unit 20 .

[0028] Alternatively, the "multiple directions" may be set to directions that need to be detected depending on the actual usage scene. For example, if air purifier 1 is placed in a living room, directions such as toward bedroom A, toward bedroom B, and toward the kitchen may be set as the multiple directions. Furthermore, for example, in a scene where the formaldehyde content in a house needs to be detected, cabinets, walls, and the like are main sources of formaldehyde emission, and directions such as toward the cabinet and toward the wall may be set as the multiple directions.

[0029] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of "plurality of directions", the specific directions, and the method for determining the "plurality of directions" are not limited.

[0030] In the embodiments of the present application, the "air quality" detected by the detection unit 20 may be expressed by a specific numerical value. For example, it may be expressed by the concentration of pollutants in the air, with higher concentrations of pollutants indicating poorer air quality. Alternatively, it may be expressed by the concentration of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the air, with higher concentrations of oxygen indicating better air quality and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide indicating poorer air quality.

[0031] For example, pollutants include particulate matter and / or harmful gases. Particulate matter includes, but is not limited to, PM2.5, PM10, floc, kitchen fumes, cigarette smoke, etc. Harmful gases include, but are not limited to, formaldehyde, TVOCs, coal gas, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfides, etc.

[0032] Alternatively, the "air quality" detected by the detection unit 20 may be expressed by a level. For example, a higher level may indicate better air quality, or a higher level may indicate worse air quality.

[0033] In some embodiments, the detection unit 20 includes at least one sensor. For example, if the air quality to be detected is the concentration of formaldehyde, the detection unit 20 includes a sensor for detecting formaldehyde, and if the air quality to be detected includes the concentration of particulate matter, the detection unit 20 includes a sensor for detecting particulate matter.

[0034] In some embodiments, when the detection unit 20 includes multiple types of sensors, the multiple types of sensors may be provided individually or integrated into a single sensor.

[0035] The type of sensor included in the detection unit 20 and the specific content of the detection result, ie, the air quality, may be determined according to the actual application scenario, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present application, although one detection unit 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as an example, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto, and the number of detection units 20 may be multiple. For example, the number of detection units 20 may be two or other numbers. For example, two detection units 20 may each be capable of detecting air quality in two directions. For example, the directions detected by the two detection units 20 may be 180° apart. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present application will be described using one detection unit 20 as an example, but it will be known to those skilled in the art that each embodiment of the present application is similarly applicable to other numbers of detection units 20.

[0037] When the purifier has one detection unit 20, detection of air quality in multiple directions can be realized with a simple structure and operation.

[0038] Furthermore, although the detection unit 20 in FIG. 1 is located outside the purifier main body 10, the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. The detection unit 20 may be located at any position in the purifier main body 10. For example, the detection unit 20 may be located inside the purifier main body 10. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the relative position of the detection unit 20 with respect to the purifier main body 10, and may be set according to actual conditions.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] In some embodiments, the detection unit 20 rotates around the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10, thereby being able to detect the air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10 in stages.

[0041] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the detection unit 20 can be provided in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10. The air purifier 1 further includes a first drive unit 30 that can drive the detection unit 20 to rotate around the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10.

[0042] 2, the purifier body 10 is provided with, for example, an annular opening 40 extending in the circumferential direction. The first driving unit 30 drives the detection unit 20 to move along the annular opening 40.

[0043] 2 , the purifier main body 10 may include an annular guide rail 50 provided along the annular opening 40. The detection unit 20 is movably connected to the annular guide rail 50, and the first drive unit 30 drives the detection unit 20 to move while being guided by the annular guide rail 50.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first drive unit 30 may employ various drive methods. For example, the first drive unit 30 may move the detection unit 20 by magnetic force drive. Alternatively, the first drive unit 30 may include a link. The detection unit 20 is attached to one end of the link and is rotatable around the other end, thereby allowing the detection unit 20 to rotate around the circumferential direction of the purifier body 10. Alternatively, the detection unit 20 may rotate around the circumferential direction of the purifier body 10 by referring to other related art. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to an embodiment in which the detection unit 20 rotates around the circumferential direction of the purifier body 10.

[0045] Furthermore, although the first drive unit 30 is shown schematically in FIG. 2, the actual position of the first drive unit 30 may be provided inside the purifier main body 10 .

[0046] In some embodiments, the detection unit 20 can detect the air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10 in stages by switching the detection direction.

[0047] For example, the detection unit 20 can switch the detection direction by rotating on its own axis. For example, a rotation device may be provided on the top or bottom of the purifier body 10, the detection unit 20 may be attached to the rotation device, and the rotation device may be driven to rotate the detection unit 20 on its own axis, allowing the detection unit 20 to detect in multiple directions. Furthermore, by controlling the rotation angle, speed, or frequency of the rotation device, stepwise detection can be achieved.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, the detection unit 20 may switch the detection direction using an introduction unit capable of selecting the suction direction. For example, an air guide pipe may be provided on the detection surface of the detection unit 20, and the air guide pipe may be configured to draw air in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10, thereby allowing the detection unit 20 to perform detection in multiple directions. Furthermore, stepwise detection may be achieved by controlling the speed or frequency at which the suction direction of the air guide pipe is switched. The air guide pipe may be, for example, a conduit shaped like an elephant's trunk or a bendable and expandable conduit, and may be any conduit capable of changing the intake direction, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the detection unit 20 may switch the detection direction in other ways. For specific examples, see related art, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0049] By rotating the detection unit 20 around the circumference of the purifier body 10 or by switching the detection direction, it is possible to gradually detect air quality in different directions around the circumference of the purifier body 10. In this case, there is no need to change the position or orientation of the purifier body 10, so air quality detection in different directions can be achieved with a simple structure, making operation more convenient and efficient and improving the user experience.

[0050] The "control" described in the examples of the present application may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. For specific embodiments, reference may be made to related art, and the examples of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0051] In some embodiments, the purifier main body 10 is provided with a gas passage, and the direction of the gas passage changes depending on the air quality detected by the detection unit, thereby enabling intentional air purification and improving purification efficiency.

[0052] The gas passage in the embodiment of the present application may be a suction passage, a discharge passage, or may further include a suction passage and a discharge passage, and may be installed according to actual needs, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0053] 2, the purifier main body 10 can include an outer case 60 and an inner case 70 provided inside the outer case 60. The inner case 70 and the outer case 60 can cooperate to form a gas passage, and the direction of the gas passage can be controlled by the relative movement of the inner case 70 and the outer case 60.

[0054] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , the outer case 60 is provided with an annular opening 60a extending in the circumferential direction. The inner case 70 has a notch 70a extending in the axial direction in the circumferential direction, and the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60 and the notch 70a of the inner case 70 cooperate to form a gas passage. Note that the annular opening 60a may be the same as the annular opening 40 in the above-described embodiment, may overlap with the annular opening 40, or may be an opening different from the annular opening 40. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to these, and may be installed according to actual needs. Below, an example will be described in which the annular opening 60a and the annular opening 40 are the same opening.

[0055] In some embodiments, the air purifier 1 may further include a second drive unit 80 that can drive the inner case 70 to rotate in the circumferential direction so as to change the direction of the gas passage, as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, although Fig. 2 schematically shows the second drive unit 80, the second drive unit 80 may actually be provided inside the purifier main body 10.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the air purifier shown in FIG. 2 in an operating state.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 3, the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60 and the notch 70a of the inner case 70 cooperate to form a gas passage. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, when the inner case 70 is located within the range of the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60 in the axial direction OO', the wall of the inner case 70 shields a portion of the circumferential direction of the annular opening 60a, and the portion of the annular opening 60a that overlaps with the notch 70a in the circumferential direction forms the gas passage CH.

[0058] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the air purifier 1 may further include a third drive unit 90. The third drive unit 90 can drive the inner case 70 to move in the axial direction OO′ relative to the outer case 60 between a first position (the position where the inner case 70 is located in FIG. 2 ) and a second position (the position where the inner case 70 is located in FIG. 3 ). As shown in FIG. 2 , when the inner case 70 is located in the first position, the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60 is open. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the inner case 70 is located in the second position, the inner case 70 covers a portion of the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60, and the notch 70a of the inner case 70 and the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60 cooperate to form the gas passage CH. Furthermore, while FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically illustrate the third drive unit 90, the third drive unit 90 may actually be located inside the purifier main body 10.

[0059] For ease of explanation, the examples herein use the terms "first drive unit 30," "second drive unit 80," and "third drive unit 90" to distinguish between different drive systems or different drive targets. However, this does not imply that the above drives must each be realized using three different drive units. In other words, the "first drive unit 30," "second drive unit 80," and "third drive unit 90" may be realized by the same drive unit or different drive units, and the examples herein are not limited thereto. Unless otherwise specified, all of the drive units or drive units described in the examples herein may be realized by the same drive unit or drive unit, or by different drive units or drive units. Some of the drive units or drive units may be realized by the same drive unit or drive unit, and some of the drive units or drive units may be realized by different drive units or drive units. Furthermore, the drive units or drive units according to the examples herein may or may not be provided in the purifier main body 10 of the air purifier 1, and the examples herein are not limited thereto.

[0060] In some embodiments, the detection unit 20 and the notch 70a of the inner case 70 correspond to each other in the axial direction, allowing the detection unit 20 and the inner case 70 to rotate synchronously and move relative to each other in the axial direction. For example, when the inner case 70 is located at a first axial position, the detection unit 20 and the notch 70a of the inner case 70 are offset from each other in the axial direction. Although the detection unit 20 is not located within the notch 70a of the inner case 70, the two still correspond to each other in the axial direction. After the detection unit 20 completes air quality detection in multiple circumferential directions by rotating along the circumferential direction, the detection unit 20 rotates in a direction that requires air purification processing based on the detection results, and the inner case 70 moves to a second axial position. Because the detection unit 20 and the notch 70a of the inner case 70 correspond to each other in the axial direction, the detection unit 20 is located within the notch 70a of the inner case 70.

[0061] As a result, by checking and moving the position of the detector 20, the position of the notch can be checked and moved in synchronization, i.e., the direction of the gas passage can be checked in synchronization, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the air purifier.

[0062] As described above, the detection unit 20 according to the embodiment of the present application can rotate in synchronization with the inner case 70. For example, the detection unit 20 is provided in the inner case 70, and the detection unit 20 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the inner case 70. Alternatively, the inner case 70 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the detection unit 20. Alternatively, the drive device that drives the rotation of the detection unit 20 is the same drive device as the drive device that drives the rotation of the inner case 70. Alternatively, the drive device that drives the rotation of the detection unit 20 is independent from the drive device that drives the rotation of the inner case 70, and the two drive devices are driven in synchronization. However, the embodiment of the present application is not limited to these.

[0063] 3, the detector 20 is positioned in the notch 70a of the inner case 70 in the circumferential direction. This allows the detector 20 to intentionally detect the air quality in the direction in which the gas passage CH faces. For example, the detector 20 is provided integrally with the inner case 70 and is positioned at a position corresponding to the notch 70a of the inner case 70.

[0064] To clarify the examples of the present application, an embodiment of detecting air quality using the air purifier 1 according to the examples of the present application will be described below using Figures 2 and 3 as examples. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the following description does not limit the examples of the present application.

[0065] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , when air quality needs to be detected, the inner case 70 is positioned, for example, at a first position shown in FIG. 2 and rotated circumferentially around the purifier body 10 to control the detector 20 to detect air quality in multiple directions around the purifier body 10. For example, the direction with the worst air quality is determined based on the detected results, and the inner case 70 is then controlled to move in the axial direction OO′ to a second position shown in FIG. 3 and rotate relative to the outer case 60. By rotating the notch 70a of the inner case 70 to an angle corresponding to the direction of the worst air quality, the gas passage CH is directed toward the direction of the worst air quality. The gas passage CH is, for example, an intake passage. Next, the fan 130 begins operating, drawing air to be purified in that direction into the purifier body 10 through the intake passage. The air to be purified is then purified by the filter 120 or the like inside the purifier body 10 before being discharged from the purifier body 10. For example, the cleaning process may be continued until a predetermined condition is met (for example, a predetermined time has elapsed or the air quality in the direction is acceptable). Furthermore, the inner case 70 may be controlled to return to the state shown in FIG. 2.

[0066] In some embodiments, the opening of the gas passage CH is adjustable.

[0067] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of an inner case according to an example of the present application.

[0068] For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the inner case 70 may include a first case half 701 and a second case half 702 that are rotatable relative to one another. A notch 70a is formed between one circumferential end 701a of the first case half 701 and one circumferential end 702a of the second case half 702. By rotating at least one of the first case half 701 and the second case half 702, the size L1 of the notch 70a is adjusted, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the gas passage CH. The size L1 of the notch 70a is, for example, the width of the notch 70a in the circumferential direction. For example, at least one of the first case half 701 and the second case half 702 can be driven by the second drive unit 80 to rotate in the circumferential direction.

[0069] 5, the inner case 70 includes a slider 703 that engages with the notch 70a, and the size H1 of the notch 70a can be adjusted by sliding the slider 703 in the axial direction OO', thereby adjusting the opening degree of the gas passage CH. The size H1 of the notch 70a is, for example, the height of the notch 70a in the axial direction.

[0070] For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the inner case 70 includes a baffle portion 704 located on one side of the notch 70a in the axial direction OO′. By controlling the movement of the inner case 70 in the axial direction OO′ relative to the outer case 60, the distance S1 between the baffle portion 704 and the edge 60a1 of the annular opening 60a of the outer case 60 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the gas passage CH. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , by making the axial dimension of the inner case 70 larger than the axial dimension of the annular opening 60a and providing the baffle portion 704 on the upper side of the axial direction OO′ (i.e., the O side) of the notch 70a, the inner case 70 can be moved downward in the axial direction OO′ (i.e., toward the O′ side) relative to the outer case 60 until the inner case 70 completely covers the annular opening 60a in the axial direction. At this time, the opening of the gas passage CH reaches its maximum, and as the inner case 70 continues to move downward in the axial direction OO' relative to the outer case 60, the distance S1 between the lower edge of the baffle portion 704 and the lower edge 60a1 of the annular opening 60a decreases. This reduces the opening of the gas passage CH.

[0071] In some embodiments, the baffle portion 704 may be provided below the cutout 70a in the axial direction OO' (i.e., on the O' side). In this case, the inner case 70 can be moved upward in the axial direction OO' (i.e., toward the O' side) relative to the outer case 60 until the inner case 70 completely covers the annular opening 60a in the axial direction. At this time, the opening of the gas passage CH is maximized. If the inner case 70 continues to be moved upward in the axial direction OO' relative to the outer case 60, the distance between the upper edge of the baffle portion 704 and the upper edge 60a2 of the annular opening 60a decreases. This reduces the opening of the gas passage CH.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of an inner case according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0073] In some embodiments, the inner case may further include a plurality of sub-cases connected in series in an annular shape, wherein at least one of the plurality of sub-cases is axially movable relative to the other sub-cases, and the misalignment between the at least one sub-case and the other sub-cases forms the notch in the inner case.

[0074] For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the inner case 70 includes multiple subcases 705. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 7 shows only subcases 705-1 through 705-5, but the embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of subcases. For example, subcase 705-1 may move axially relative to the other subcases 705-2 through 705-5, causing subcase 705-1 to become misaligned with adjacent subcases 705-2 and 705-4, thereby forming the notch 70a. However, the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, subcases 705-1 and 705-2 may move axially, causing subcases 705-1 and 705-2 to become misaligned with adjacent subcases 705-3 and 705-4, thereby forming the notch 70a. Alternatively, subcases 705-1 and 705-5 may move axially, causing them to become misaligned with their adjacent subcases, thereby forming two notches. Specifically, which sub-case is moved in the axial direction may be set according to actual needs, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0075] Furthermore, although FIG. 7 illustrates a rectangular subcase and a rectangular ring-shaped inner case as an example, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The shapes of the inner case 70 and the subcase 705 may be determined according to actual needs. For example, the subcase may be tile-shaped, and a cylindrical inner case may be formed by connecting multiple tile-shaped subcases. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to an embodiment in which the subcase moves in the axial direction. For example, the subcase 705 may be driven to move in the axial direction by a driving device or the like.

[0076] In some embodiments, the degree of opening of the gas passage formed in cooperation between the notch in the inner case and the annular opening in the outer case may be adjusted by controlling at least one subcase to move axially relative to the other subcases, thereby adjusting the distance between the at least one subcase and the edge of the annular opening in the outer case.

[0077] For example, when the axial position of the inner case 70 shown in Figure 7 relative to the outer case 60 (not shown in Figure 7) is the same as or similar to the relative position of the inner case 70 and outer case 60 shown in Figure 6, the opening degree of the gas passage CH can be adjusted by controlling the subcase 705-1 to move back and forth in the axial direction as shown in Figure 7, and changing the distance between the axial side edge 705b of the subcase 705-1 and, for example, the axial side edge 60a1 of the outer case 60 shown in Figure 6, or by changing the distance between the axial side edge 705a of the subcase 705-1 and, for example, the axial side edge 60a2 of the outer case 60 shown in Figure 6, thereby adjusting the axial size of the notch 70a.

[0078] In some embodiments, the degree of opening of the gas passage formed in cooperation between the notch in the inner case and the annular opening in the outer case may be adjusted by further controlling the number of at least one subcase that is moved axially relative to the other subcases.

[0079] 7, when it is necessary to increase the opening of the gas passage, a large number of subcases can be controlled to move. For example, subcases 705-1, 705-2, 705-5, etc. can be controlled to move relative to adjacent subcases, and when it is necessary to decrease the opening of the gas passage, a small number of subcases can be controlled to move. For example, only subcase 705-1 can be controlled to move.

[0080] In the air purifier according to the embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the detection unit detects the air quality in multiple directions around the purifier body in stages, and the direction of the cleaning process can be determined based on the detection results of different directions, thereby achieving highly directional air cleaning process and improving cleaning efficiency.

[0081] [Embodiment of Second Aspect] A second aspect of the present invention provides a control method for an air purifier. The control method can be used to control the air purifier described in the embodiment of the first aspect, and the relevant content described in the embodiment of the first aspect is incorporated herein, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a control method for an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 8, the control method 800 may include the following steps.

[0084] In step 801, the detection unit is controlled to detect the air quality in a plurality of directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier body in a stepwise manner.

[0085] Hereinafter, a control method according to an embodiment of the present application will be described using the air purifier 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3 as an example, although those skilled in the art should understand that the control method according to the embodiment of the present application can be applied to any of the air purifiers according to the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0086] In step 801, the detection unit 20 can be controlled to detect air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10 in a stepwise manner. For example, the air quality in multiple directions may be detected by changing the detection direction of the detection unit 20. For example, the detection unit 20 may be driven to rotate around the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10 to change the detection direction. The detection unit 20 may also be driven to rotate on its axis to change the detection direction. Furthermore, the detection direction of the detection unit 20 may be changed in conjunction with the rotation of the purifier main body 10. Furthermore, air quality in multiple directions may be detected by controlling air to enter the detection unit 20 from different directions. For example, an air inlet conduit may be provided on the detection surface of the detection unit 20, and the position and direction of the suction port of the inlet conduit may be changed to change the air source detected by the detection surface, thereby achieving stepwise detection of air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10.

[0087] Furthermore, step 801 may further include storing the detection results of the air quality in multiple directions.

[0088] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the control method 800 may further include the following steps.

[0089] In step 802, the direction of the gas passage in the purifier main body is changed according to the air qualities in the multiple directions detected by the detection unit.

[0090] This allows for intentional air cleaning, thereby improving cleaning efficiency.

[0091] In some embodiments, in step 802, for example, a direction with the worst air quality among a plurality of directions is determined, and the direction of the gas passage is changed to the direction with the worst air quality, thereby purifying the air in the direction with the worst air quality and improving the purifying efficiency.

[0092] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the criteria for evaluating air quality. For example, when the detection unit 20 detects the concentration of pollutants in the air, the higher the concentration of the pollutants, the worse the air quality is considered to be, and the direction with the highest detected concentration of the pollutants can be determined as the direction with the worst air quality. Alternatively, when the detection unit 20 detects the concentration of oxygen, the lower the concentration of oxygen, the worse the air quality is considered to be, and the direction with the lowest concentration of oxygen can be determined as the direction with the worst air quality.

[0093] In some embodiments, step 802 may involve calculating an average value of the air quality in multiple directions, determining the direction in which the difference between the air quality in the multiple directions and the average value is greatest, and redirecting the gas passage in the direction in which the difference between the air quality and the average value is greatest, thereby purifying the air in the direction in which the difference between the air quality and the average value is greatest, thereby making the air quality in the space more uniform and making the user feel more comfortable.

[0094] The embodiments of the present application are not limited to the metric value of "air quality." For example, air quality may be evaluated by pollutant concentration, with the average value of the pollutant concentrations being the average value of the air quality, and the direction corresponding to the pollutant concentration that is higher than the average and has the largest difference from the average value being the "direction where the difference between the air quality and the average value is the largest." For example, air quality may be evaluated using different levels, with higher levels indicating better air quality, with the average value of the levels being the average value of the air quality, and the direction corresponding to the level lower than the average and with the largest difference being the "direction where the difference between the air quality and the average value is the largest." Furthermore, a weighted average may be calculated to calculate the "average value." For example, the concentrations of one or more pollutants may be detected, and the concentrations of one or more pollutants may be weighted according to preset weights.

[0095] For how to change the direction of the gas passage, please refer to the relevant description in the embodiment of the first aspect, and detailed description will be omitted here. Furthermore, the control method 800 may include a drive control related to changing the direction of the gas passage, and for specific control, please refer to the relevant description in the embodiment of the first aspect. Alternatively, the control method 800 may not include the drive control, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0096] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the control method 800 may further include the following steps.

[0097] In step 803, the purifier main body is controlled to purify the air in a direction corresponding to the direction of the gas passage.

[0098] In step 804, the cleaning process is terminated if a first predetermined condition is met.

[0099] This makes the cleaning process more targeted and improves cleaning efficiency.

[0100] The examples of the present application do not limit the specific embodiment of the purification process, and for example, as shown in Figure 3, the gas passage CH may be an intake passage. The air purifier 1 starts the fan 130, and the operation of the fan 130 draws air around the purifier body 10 into the inside of the purifier body 10 through the intake passage CH. The drawn air is filtered by the filter 120 and then discharged to the outside of the air purifier 1. For example, the gas passage CH may be an exhaust passage. The purified air is discharged from the exhaust passage CH, thereby achieving air purification.

[0101] Furthermore, in step 804, terminating the cleaning process may temporarily stop the cleaning process. For example, the cleaning process may be continued when a predetermined condition is met, such as when it is detected that the concentration of pollutants exceeds a threshold or that the rate of change in the concentration of pollutants exceeds a threshold. Alternatively, terminating the cleaning process may stop an intentional cleaning process in a corresponding direction and perform a general cleaning process around the entire circumferential direction of the purifier main body 10. Alternatively, terminating the cleaning process may stop the operation of the air purifier 1. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to these.

[0102] Furthermore, in step 804, the inner case may be controlled to return to its original state after the cleaning process is completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner case 70 may be controlled to return to the state shown in FIG.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first predetermined condition is at least one of the detection unit detecting that the air quality in a direction corresponding to the direction of the gas passage satisfies a second predetermined condition, and the time of the cleaning process reaching a predetermined time.

[0104] For example, the second predetermined condition may include a condition in which the concentration of a pollutant representing the air quality is equal to or less than a first threshold value. The first threshold value may be an average value of the pollutant concentrations in multiple directions detected by the detection unit or a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be, for example, a standard value conforming to a specific standard, a value customized by a user, or a value set by a manufacturer. For example, taking the concentration of formaldehyde as an example, in step 804, if the formaldehyde content in the measured air is equal to or less than the average value of the formaldehyde content detected in multiple directions, the cleaning process may be terminated. Alternatively, if the formaldehyde content in the measured air is equal to or less than the standard value for indoor air quality, the cleaning process may be terminated. Alternatively, if the formaldehyde content in the measured air is equal to or less than the value customized by a user or the value set by a manufacturer, the cleaning process may be terminated.

[0105] The control method may further include timing the cleaning process and terminating the cleaning process when the cleaning process time exceeds a preset time. The preset time may be a cleaning time length customized by a user or a cleaning time length preset by a manufacturer, or may be a cleaning end time or time period customized by a user, such as 8:00 PM or from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0106] The control method described in the example of the second aspect of the present application controls the detection unit to detect air quality in multiple directions around the circumferential direction of the purifier body in stages, thereby making it possible to determine the direction of cleaning processing based on the detection results of different directions, thereby achieving highly directional air cleaning and improving cleaning efficiency.

[0107] The control method according to the embodiments of the present application may be controlled by software. For example, a control program may be stored in a storage medium, and the control program may be executed by a processor to realize the control method described in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the control method according to the embodiments of the present application may be controlled by hardware. For example, the operation of the detection unit and the drive unit may be controlled by a relay. Alternatively, the control method may be controlled by a combination of software and hardware. For specific examples, see the related art. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to these.

[0108] Although the present application has been described in combination with specific embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that these descriptions are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations to the present application based on the ideas and principles of the present application, and these modifications and alterations are also within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. The purifier body and A detection unit provided in the purifier body and configured to detect air quality in multiple directions in a circumferential direction of the purifier body in stages; An air purifier comprising:

2. The detection unit rotates around the circumferential direction of the purifier body to detect air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier body in a stepwise manner. The air purifier according to claim 1 .

3. The detection unit is provided in the circumferential direction of the purifier body, The air purifier further includes a first drive unit that drives the detection unit to rotate around the circumferential direction of the purifier body. The air purifier according to claim 2.

4. The purifier body is provided with an annular opening extending along a circumferential direction, a first driving unit driving the detection unit to move along the annular opening; The air purifier according to claim 3.

5. an annular guide rail provided along the annular opening; further comprising the detection portion is movably connected to the annular guide rail; the first drive unit drives the detection unit to move while being guided by the annular guide rail; The air purifier according to claim 4.

6. the first driving unit drives the detection unit to move by magnetic force; The air purifier according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. the first drive unit includes a link; The link has the detection unit attached to one end and rotates around the other end to drive the detection unit to rotate around the circumferential direction of the purifier body. The air purifier according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

8. The detection unit switches the detection direction to detect air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier body in a stepwise manner. The air purifier according to claim 1 .

9. The detection unit switches the detection direction by rotating. Or, The detection unit switches the detection direction using an introduction unit that can select a suction direction.

9. The air purifier according to claim 8.

10. The purifier body is provided with a gas passage, The direction of the gas passage changes depending on the air quality detected by the detection unit. The air purifier according to claim 1 .

11. The purifier body includes an outer case and an inner case provided inside the outer case, The inner case and the outer case cooperate to form the gas passage, The direction of the gas passage is controlled by the relative movement of the inner case and the outer case. The air purifier according to claim 10.

12. The outer case is provided with an annular opening extending in a circumferential direction, the inner case has a notch extending axially in the circumferential direction, The annular opening of the outer case and the notch of the inner case cooperate to form the gas passage. The air purifier according to claim 11.

13. a second drive unit that drives the inner case to rotate in a circumferential direction so as to change the direction of the gas passage; further comprising:

13. The air purifier of claim 12.

14. a third drive unit that drives the inner case to move axially relative to the outer case between a first position and a second position; further comprising When the inner case is located at the first position, the annular opening of the outer case is in an open state; When the inner case is located at the second position, the inner case covers a portion of the annular opening of the outer case, and the cutout of the inner case and the annular opening of the outer case cooperate to form the gas passage.

13. The air purifier of claim 12.

15. The detection portion and the notch of the inner case correspond to each other in the axial direction.

13. The air purifier of claim 12.

16. The opening degree of the gas passage is adjustable.

13. The air purifier of claim 12.

17. the inner case includes a first half case and a second half case that are rotatable relative to each other; the notch is formed between one end of the first half case in the circumferential direction and one end of the second half case in the circumferential direction, The size of the notch is adjusted by rotating at least one of the first half case and the second half case, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the gas passage.

17. The air purifier of claim 16.

18. the inner case includes a slider that engages with the notch, The size of the notch is adjusted by sliding the slider in the axial direction, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the gas passage.

17. The air purifier of claim 16.

19. the inner case includes a baffle portion located on one axial side of the notch, By controlling the inner case to move axially relative to the outer case, the distance between the baffle portion and the edge of the annular opening of the outer case is adjusted, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the gas passage.

17. The air purifier of claim 16.

20. the inner case includes a plurality of sub-cases connected in series in an annular shape, At least one of the plurality of subcases moves axially relative to the other subcases, and the notch is formed by the misalignment between the at least one subcase and the other subcases.

13. The air purifier of claim 12.

21. and adjusting a distance between the at least one sub-case and an edge of the annular opening of the outer case by controlling the at least one sub-case to move axially relative to the other sub-case, thereby adjusting an opening degree of a gas passage formed in cooperation between the notch of the inner case and the annular opening of the outer case. Or, and adjusting an opening degree of a gas passage formed in cooperation between the notch of the inner case and the annular opening of the outer case by controlling the number of the at least one sub-case that moves in the axial direction relative to the other sub-cases.

21. The air purifier of claim 20.

22. The gas passage includes at least one of an inlet passage and a discharge passage.

22. The air purifier according to any one of claims 10 to 21.

23. A control method for an air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or any one of claims 8 to 21, Controlling the detection unit to detect air quality in multiple directions in the circumferential direction of the purifier body in a stepwise manner; A method for controlling an air purifier, comprising:

24. changing the direction of the gas passage in the purifier body based on the air qualities in the plurality of directions detected by the detection unit; 24. The control method of claim 23, further comprising:

25. Changing the direction of the gas passage in the purifier main body based on the air qualities in the plurality of directions detected by the detection unit determining a direction among the plurality of directions in which air quality is the worst; changing the direction of the gas passage in the direction of the poorest air quality; Including, 25. The control method of claim 24.

26. Changing the direction of the gas passage in the purifier main body based on the air qualities in the plurality of directions detected by the detection unit calculating an average value of the air quality in the plurality of directions, and determining a direction in which the difference between the air quality in the plurality of directions and the average value is the largest; changing the direction of the gas passage in a direction that maximizes the difference between the air quality and the average value; Including, 25. The control method of claim 24.

27. Controlling the purifier body so as to purify air in a direction corresponding to the direction of the gas passage; terminating the cleaning process when a first predetermined condition is met; further comprising:

25. The control method of claim 24.

28. The first predetermined condition is: the detection unit detects that the air quality in the direction corresponding to the direction of the gas passage satisfies a second predetermined condition; and, the cleaning process has been completed for a predetermined time; At least one of 28. The control method of claim 27.

29. the second predetermined condition includes a concentration of a pollutant representing the air quality being equal to or less than a first threshold; the first threshold value is an average value or a predetermined value of the concentrations of the contaminants in the multiple directions detected by the detection unit; 29. The control method of claim 28.