Air cleaner

Abstract

Disclosed is an air cleaner. The air cleaner includes a case including a suction port disposed at a peripheral surface of the case, a first filter disposed in the case, the first filter being configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a first blower fan disposed above the first filter, a first discharge port disposed above the first blower fan, a second filter disposed in the case, the second filter being configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a second blower fan disposed below the second filter, a second discharge port disposed below the second blower fan, and a dual-shaft motor including shafts, the dual-shaft motor being disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts protruding from two different sides of the dual-shaft motor in a vertical direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0033177, filed on Mar. 8, 2024 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner, and more particularly to an air cleaner capable of improving energy efficiency.2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] An air cleaner is a device that filters air in a certain space and discharges the filtered air, thereby reducing dust or bacteria in the air in the corresponding space. The air cleaner filters out foreign matter by generating a flow of air in the corresponding space, and discharges air with the foreign matter removed therefrom.

[0004] Related Art Document 1 (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2022-0083719) and Related Art Document 2 (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2017-0140578) disclose air cleaners, in each of which blowers are disposed in a vertical direction to filter a large amount of air. Such an air cleaner of the related art has an advantage in that the blowing capacity is increased.

[0005] However, in the air cleaner of the related art, because each of the blowers is provided with a motor to rotate a fan, a large amount of energy is consumed to operate the fan, whereby power consumption may increase and energy efficiency may decrease. Further, because a space for mounting components of each of the blowers is necessary, the overall height of the air cleaner of the related art increases.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing an air cleaner capable of reducing power consumption and improving energy efficiency.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing an air cleaner capable of improving suction capacity of air suctioned into the air cleaner.

[0008] A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing an air cleaner capable of simplifying an internal component mounting structure and reducing the height of the product.

[0009] The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aspects mentioned above, and other aspects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0010] An air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that blower fans are rotated by a dual-shaft motor, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0011] An air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that an air cleaning module configured to discharge purified air downwardly and an air cleaning module configured to discharge purified air upwardly are stacked in an upward-downward direction, thereby exhibiting improved air cleaning performance.

[0012] An air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case having a suction port formed in the peripheral surface thereof, a first filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a first blower fan disposed above the first filter, a first discharge port formed above the first blower fan, a second filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a second blower fan disposed below the second filter, a second discharge port formed below the second blower fan, and a dual-shaft motor including shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in an upward-downward direction. The dual-shaft motor is disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts of the dual-shaft motor include a first shaft extending downward to be connected to the first blower fan and a second shaft extending upward to be connected to the second blower fan.

[0013] The suction port may include a first suction port formed below the first discharge port and a second suction port formed above the second discharge port.

[0014] The air cleaner may further include a first grille disposed inside the first discharge port to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan in a radially outward direction and a second grille disposed inside the second discharge port to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction.

[0015] The first shaft may be connected to the first blower fan through a central cavity formed in the first grille, and the second shaft may be connected to the second blower fan through a central cavity formed in the second grille.

[0016] Each of the first grille and the second grille may include a plurality of grilles bent in an outward direction.

[0017] The plurality of grilles may have a concentric circle structure.

[0018] The plurality of grilles may have a length greater than an interval between the plurality of grilles.

[0019] Each of the first grille and the second grille may include a plurality of grilles disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle.

[0020] The air cleaner may further include a motor fastening part configured to accommodate the dual-shaft motor, and a plurality of grilles may be disposed on the peripheral surface of the motor fastening part.

[0021] The motor fastening part may include a first motor fastening part disposed at a lower position and including a first grille portion corresponding to the first discharge port and a second motor fastening part disposed at an upper position and including a second grille portion corresponding to the second discharge port.

[0022] The first grille may be inserted into and mounted in the first motor fastening part, and the second grille may be inserted into and mounted in the second motor fastening part.

[0023] The first grille may be located below the first grille portion, and the second grille may be located above the second grille portion.

[0024] The first and second discharge ports may have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the first and second grille portions.

[0025] The case may include a first case having a semi-cylindrical shape and having the suction port and the first discharge port and a second case having a semi-cylindrical shape and having the suction port and the second discharge port.

[0026] The air cleaner may further include a top cover disposed on the top of the case, a control module disposed inside the top cover, and a display panel disposed on the top of the control module.

[0027] An air cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case having a suction port formed in the peripheral surface thereof, a first filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a first blower fan disposed above the first filter, a first discharge port formed below the first filter, a second filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a second blower fan disposed below the second filter, a second discharge port formed above the second filter, and a dual-shaft motor including shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in an upward-downward direction. The dual-shaft motor is disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts of the dual-shaft motor include a first shaft extending downward to be connected to the first blower fan and a second shaft extending upward to be connected to the second blower fan.

[0028] The air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a grille disposed inside the first discharge port to guide air flowing downward from the first blower fan in a radially outward direction.

[0029] The air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a grille disposed inside the second discharge port to guide air flowing upward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction.

[0030] The air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a motor fastening part configured to accommodate the dual-shaft motor.

[0031] The first blower fan and the second blower fan may be disposed symmetrically to each other with respect to the dual-shaft motor.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other objects, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a view showing the external appearance of an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a view showing a dual-shaft motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a view showing an inner grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a first grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a second grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an air cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0042] In the drawings, illustration of parts unrelated to the description is omitted to clearly and briefly describe the present disclosure, and the same or extremely similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0043] As used herein, the terms with which the names of components are suffixed, “module” and “unit”, are assigned to facilitate preparation of this specification, and are not intended to suggest unique meanings or functions. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

[0044] It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a view showing the external appearance of an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a case 10 may have a suction port 10a formed in the peripheral surface thereof to suction air from various directions. Air may be suctioned from all directions with respect to a central line passing through the internal center of the case 10 in an upward-downward direction. The suction port 10a is provided in plural, and the plurality of suction ports 10a is spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the case 10. The plurality of suction ports 10a is evenly formed in the circumferential direction along the peripheral surface of the case 10 so that air is capable of being suctioned into the case 10 from any direction.

[0047] In this specification, the upward-downward direction or the vertical direction is defined as an axial direction. The axial direction may correspond to the central axis-direction of blower fans 140 and 240, which will be described later, i.e., the motor shaft direction of the fans. The radial direction or the horizontal direction may be understood as a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The circumferential direction may be understood as a circumferential direction of an imaginary circle that is formed when rotating about the axial direction with a distance in the radial direction as a rotational radius.

[0048] The air cleaner 1 includes air cleaning modules 100 and 200 that generate airflows. The air cleaning modules 100 and 200 include blower fans 140 and 240, which are disposed in the case 10, and filters 120 and 220, which remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port 10a, respectively.

[0049] The suction port 10a allows the inside of the case 10 and the outside to communicate with each other. The suction port 10a is provided in plural. The plurality of suction ports 10a may be formed in the peripheral surface of the case 10.

[0050] The plurality of suction ports 10a is evenly formed in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the case 10 so that air is capable of being suctioned into the case 10 from any direction.

[0051] The plurality of suction ports 10a is formed in a stripe shape that is elongated in the upward-downward direction. Alternatively, the plurality of suction ports 10a may be formed through perforation in a circular or elliptical shape.

[0052] As described above, because the case 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the plurality of suction ports 10a is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the case 10, the amount of air suctioned may increase.

[0053] The air introduced into the suction ports 10a may pass through the filters 120 and 220. Each of the filters 120 and 220 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may have a filter surface that filters air.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the air cleaning modules 100 and 200 include a first air cleaning module 100 and a second air cleaning module 200 that are disposed in the upward-downward direction.

[0055] For example, the second air cleaning module 200 may be disposed on the first air cleaning module 100. Because the first air cleaning module 100 is disposed at a lower portion of the air cleaner 1, the first air cleaning module 100 may be referred to as a “lower air cleaning module” or a “lower module”, and because the second air cleaning module 200 is disposed at an upper portion of the air cleaner 1, the second air cleaning module 200 may be referred to as an “upper air cleaning module” or an “upper module”.

[0056] The first air cleaning module 100 and the second air cleaning module 200 include blower fans 140 and 240 and filters 120 and 220 configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction ports 10a, respectively.

[0057] The first air cleaning module 100 includes a first blower fan 140 and a first filter 120 configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction ports.

[0058] The second air cleaning module 200 includes a second blower fan 240 and a second filter 220 configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction ports.

[0059] The case 10 may have a cylindrical shape. The case 10 may include a first case 11, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers portions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the air cleaning modules 100 and 200, and a second case 12, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers the remaining portions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the air cleaning modules 100 and 200.

[0060] Alternatively, the case 10 may have a shape of a truncated cone (i.e. a cone with the top cut off), and each of the first case 11 and the second case 12 may have a shape of a semi-truncated cone.

[0061] The first case 11 and the second case 12 may be coupled to each other to form the external appearance of the air cleaner 1. Because the first case 11 covers the front surface of the air cleaner 1, the first case 11 may be referred to as a “front case” or a “front cover”. Because the second case 12 covers the rear surface of the air cleaner 1, the second case 12 may be referred to as a “rear case” or a “rear cover”.

[0062] The first case 11 includes an upper portion 11a corresponding to the second air cleaning module 200 and a lower portion 11b corresponding to the first air cleaning module 100. The suction ports 10a are formed in the upper portion 11a and the lower portion 11b.

[0063] The second case 12 includes an upper portion 12a corresponding to the second air cleaning module 200 and a lower portion 12b corresponding to the first air cleaning module 100. The suction ports 10a are formed in the upper portion 12a and the lower portion 12b.

[0064] The suction ports 10a may include first suction ports 10ab formed in the lower portions 11b and 12b and second suction ports 10aa formed in the upper portions 11a and 12a.

[0065] A central discharge portion 30 is formed between the first case 11 and the second case 12. The air introduced into the suction ports 10a is purified by the filters 120 and 220, and the purified air is discharged through the central discharge portion 30.

[0066] In another embodiment, the case 10 may include an upper case (not shown) and a lower case (not shown). In this case, the central discharge portion 30 may be formed between the upper case and the lower case.

[0067] The upper case may include a first upper case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second air cleaning module 200, and a second upper case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers the remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second air cleaning module 200. In addition, the lower case may include a first lower case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first air cleaning module 100, and a second lower case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers the remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first air cleaning module 100.

[0068] The first blower fan 140 is disposed above the first filter 120. First discharge ports 30a are located above the first blower fan 140. When the first blower fan 140 rotates, the air suctioned through the suction ports 10a formed in the lower cases 11b and 12b flows upward via the first filter 120, and then is discharged through the first discharge ports 30a.

[0069] The second blower fan 240 is disposed below the second filter 220. Second discharge ports 30b are located below the second blower fan 240. The air suctioned through the suction ports 10a formed in the upper cases 11a and 12a flows downward via the second filter 220, and then is discharged through the second discharge ports 30b.

[0070] The first discharge ports 30a and the second discharge ports 30b may be formed adjacent to the central portion of the air cleaner 1. A combination of the first discharge ports 30a and the second discharge ports 30b may be referred to as the central discharge portion 30.

[0071] The first suction ports 10ab may be located below the first discharge ports 30a, and the second suction ports 10aa may be located above the second discharge ports 30b. The lower suction airflow introduced into the first suction ports 10ab passes through the first filter 120, and then is discharged through the first discharge ports 30a located above the first filter 120. The upper suction airflow introduced into the second suction ports 10aa passes through the second filter 220, and then is discharged through the second discharge ports 30b located below the second filter 220.

[0072] A dual-shaft motor 500 with shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in the upward-downward direction is disposed between the first blower fan 140 and the second blower fan 240.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a view showing a dual-shaft motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the dual-shaft motor 500 includes a motor body 510 and shafts 515 protruding from two opposite sides of the motor body 510 in the upward-downward direction. The shafts 515 include a first shaft 515a extending downward to be connected to the first blower fan 140 and a second shaft 515b extending upward to be connected to the second blower fan 240.

[0075] The first blower fan 140 is rotatably connected to the first shaft 515a. The second blower fan 240 is rotatably connected to the second shaft 515b.

[0076] A first gear 520 may be connected to the first shaft 515a and may be inserted into the central portion of the first blower fan 140 to be connected thereto. A second gear 530 may be connected to the second shaft 515b and may be inserted into the central portion of the second blower fan 240 to be connected thereto.

[0077] The first blower fan 140 and the second blower fan 240 may be rotated by rotational force received from the dual-shaft motor 500. When the dual-shaft motor 500 operates, the first blower fan 140 and the second blower fan 240 connected to the dual-shaft motor 500 rotate at the same speed.

[0078] According to the present disclosure, because the two fans 140 and 240 are rotated by the single dual-shaft motor 500, power consumption may be reduced, and energy efficiency may be improved compared to when two motors are used.

[0079] According to the present disclosure, the discharge portion 30 may be integrated with the central portion of the product, the discharge structure may be simplified, and an airflow may be formed intensively in the central portion of the air cleaner 1.

[0080] Inner grilles 110 and 210 configured to guide air in the radially outward direction are disposed inside the central discharge portion 30.

[0081] A first grille 110 is disposed inside the first discharge ports 30a in order to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan 140 in the radially outward direction. A second grille 210 is disposed inside the second discharge ports 30b in order to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan 240 in the radially outward direction. FIG. 5 is a view showing an inner grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a first grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a second grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may include a plurality of grilles 613 having a concentric circle structure. The plurality of grilles 613 may be a plurality of circles having the same center and different radii. Each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may further include an outer wall 612 and an inner wall 611, between which the plurality of grilles 613 having a concentric circle structure is disposed.

[0083] A central cavity 614 may be located inside the inner wall 611. The first shaft 515a of the dual-shaft motor 500 extends through the central cavity 614 in the first grille 110 to be connected to the first blower fan 140. The second shaft 515b of the dual-shaft motor 500 extends through the central cavity 614 in the second grille 210 to be connected to the second blower fan 240.

[0084] The lengths of the grilles 613 may be greater than an interval d1 between the grilles 613. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a sufficient distance for guiding an airflow in the lateral direction.

[0085] Each of the plurality of grilles 613 may include a section bent in the radially outward direction. Each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may include a plurality of grilles 613 bent at a predetermined angle in the outward direction. The first grille 110 may be disposed inside the first discharge ports 30a in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing upward in the lateral direction. The second grille 210 may be disposed inside the second discharge ports 30b in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing downward in the lateral direction.

[0086] Each of the grilles 900 of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may be bent at a predetermined angle ag. The grille bending angle ag may be set to 20 degrees to 40 degrees. If the grille bending angle ag is less than 20 degrees, the airflow may not be sufficiently delivered in the lateral direction. If the grille bending angle ag is greater than 40 degrees, airflow loss may increase. The thickness d2 of the grille 900 may not be constant in some sections thereof.

[0087] In another embodiment, each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may include a plurality of linear grilles disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle. The linear grilles may be disposed so as to be inclined at an angle corresponding to the discharge angle ag. Also in this case, the airflow may be formed along the discharge angle ag corresponding to the angle at which the linear grilles are disposed.

[0088] The dual-shaft motor 500 may be accommodated in motor fastening parts 125 and 225. A plurality of grilles may be disposed on the peripheral surfaces of the motor fastening parts 125 and 225.

[0089] The motor fastening parts 125 and 225 include a first motor fastening part 125 disposed at a lower position and a second motor fastening part 225 disposed at an upper position. The first motor fastening part 125 and the second motor fastening part 225 may be coupled to each other to define an inner space in which the dual-shaft motor 500 is accommodated.

[0090] The first motor fastening part 125 includes a first grille portion 125a corresponding to the first discharge ports 30a, and the second motor fastening part 225 includes a second grille portion 225a corresponding to the second discharge ports 30b.

[0091] The first grille 110 may be inserted into and mounted in the first motor fastening part 125, and the second grille 210 may be inserted into and mounted in the second motor fastening part 225. The first motor fastening part 125 may further include a coupling portion 125b for accommodation of the dual-shaft motor 500 and mounting of the first grille 110. The second motor fastening part 225 may further include a coupling portion 225b for accommodation of the dual-shaft motor 500 and mounting of the second grille 210.

[0092] In this case, the first grille 110 may be located below the first grille portion 125a, and the second grille 210 may be located above the second grille portion 225a.

[0093] In some embodiments, the shapes of the first and second discharge ports 30a and 30b may correspond to the shapes of the first and second grille portions 125a and 225a. For example, if the first and second discharge ports 30a and 30b are formed in a stripe type, and the first and second grille portions 125a and 225a may also be formed in a stripe type.

[0094] According to the present disclosure, because the dual-shaft motor 500 and the motor fastening parts 125 and 225, which are commonly used, are disposed between the first and second air cleaning modules 100 and 200, the height of the product may be reduced, and manufacturing costs may be reduced.

[0095] The first air cleaning module 100 includes a first filter mounting part 160 to which the first filter 120 is mounted. The first filter 120 may be removably mounted to the first filter mounting part 160. The first filter 120 may have a hollow cylindrical shape, and air may be introduced through the outer circumferential surface of the first filter 120. While the air passes through the first filter 120, impurities such as fine dust may be removed from the air.

[0096] Because the first filter 120 has a cylindrical shape, air is capable of being introduced into the first filter 120 from any direction. Therefore, the air filtering area may increase.

[0097] The first filter mounting part 160 may be formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the first filter 120. In the process of mounting the first filter 120, the first filter 120 may be slidably fitted into the first filter mounting part 160. Conversely, in the process of demounting the first filter 120, the first filter 120 may be slidably withdrawn from the first filter mounting part 160.

[0098] The first air cleaning module 100 includes a first fan housing 145 disposed above the first filter 120. The first blower fan 140 may be rotatably disposed in the first fan housing 145.

[0099] The first blower fan 140 suctions air in the axial direction and discharges the air upwardly in the radial direction. The first fan housing 145 may form a fan path that accommodates the first blower fan 140 and guides the air moved by the first blower fan 140 upwardly.

[0100] The second air cleaning module 200 also includes a second filter mounting part 260 to which the second filter 220 is mounted. The above description of the first filter 120 and the first filter mounting part 160 may be similarly applied to the second filter 220 and the second filter mounting part 260. However, while the first filter 120 and the first filter mounting part 160 are located below the first blower fan 140 and the first fan housing 145, the second filter 220 and the second filter mounting part 260 are located above the second blower fan 240 and the second fan housing 245.

[0101] The second blower fan 240 suctions air in the axial direction and discharges the air downwardly in the radial direction. The second fan housing 245 may form a fan path that accommodates the second blower fan 240 and guides the air moved by the second blower fan 240 downwardly.

[0102] When the first filter 120 is mounted to the first filter mounting part 160 of the first air cleaning module 100, the first filter 120 presses a lower filter pressing plate 350. When the second filter 220 is mounted to the second filter mounting part 260 of the second air cleaning module 200, the second filter 220 presses an upper filter pressing plate 340. The first air cleaning module 100 may include a lower filter mounting part cover 320, and the second air cleaning module 200 may include an upper filter mounting part cover 310.

[0103] A support 170 is disposed below the first air cleaning module 100. The support 170 may be coupled to a plate 330. The support 170 is disposed in contact with the floor to support the air cleaning modules 100 and 200.

[0104] A top cover 270 is disposed on the top of the case 10. A control module 400 is disposed inside the top cover 270. The control module 400 may accommodate a main printed circuit board (PCB) on which circuits such as a controller that controls overall operation of the air cleaner 1 are mounted.

[0105] A display 390 is disposed on the top of the control module 400. In addition, an operation button for operation of the air cleaner 1 may be further disposed on the top of the control module 400. A display base 350 may support the display 390 from below.

[0106] According to the present disclosure, because the dual-shaft motor 500 is disposed at the center of the air cleaner 1, the upper and lower blower fans 140 and 240 are capable of being rotated by the single motor, whereby the amount of power consumed during rated operation may be reduced, and energy efficiency may be improved. Further, because the number of motors is reduced, the component fastening structure may be simplified, and the overall height of the product may be reduced.

[0107] Unlike the above-described embodiment, the discharge ports may be divided into upper discharge ports disposed at an upper portion of the air cleaner 1 and lower discharge ports disposed at a lower portion of the air cleaner 1.

[0108] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an air cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which discharge ports are divided into upper discharge ports disposed at an upper portion of the air cleaner 1 and lower discharge ports disposed at a lower portion of the air cleaner 1.

[0109] Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The following description will focus on differences from the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. With regard to any non-described component of the other embodiment shown in FIG. 10, reference may be made to the description of the above-described embodiment.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 10, the first air cleaning module 100 includes a first blower fan 140a and a first filter 120 that removes foreign matter from the air introduced into the suction ports. First discharge ports 110b may be disposed below the first filter 120.

[0111] The second air cleaning module 200 includes a second blower fan 240a and a second filter 220 that removes foreign matter from the air introduced into the suction ports. Second discharge ports 210b may be disposed above the second filter 220.

[0112] A dual-shaft motor 500 with shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in the upward-downward direction is disposed between the first blower fan 140a and the second blower fan 240a. The dual-shaft motor 500 may be accommodated in motor fastening parts 125 and 225. Because the discharge ports are not formed at the center of the product, a plurality of grilles does not need to be disposed on the peripheral surfaces of the motor fastening parts 125 and 225.

[0113] When the dual-shaft motor 500 operates, the first blower fan 140a and the second blower fan 240a connected to the dual-shaft motor 500 rotate. The air introduced into the suction ports 10a formed in the side surface of the case 10 may pass through the filters 120 and 220.

[0114] The first blower fan 140a and the second blower fan 240a may be disposed symmetrically to each other with respect to the dual-shaft motor 500.

[0115] The first blower fan 140a shown in FIG. 10 may be disposed so as to be oriented opposite the first blower fan 140 shown in FIG. 2 in the upward-downward direction, thereby blowing the air downwardly. As the first blower fan 140a rotates, the air suctioned through the suction ports 10a flows downward via the first filter 120, and then is discharged through the first discharge ports 110b. A grille 110a may be disposed inside the first discharge ports 110b in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing downward in the lateral direction. For example, the grille 110a may be implemented in the same shape as the grille 210 illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0116] The second blower fan 240a shown in FIG. 10 may be disposed so as to be oriented opposite the second blower fan 240 shown in FIG. 2 in the upward-downward direction, thereby blowing the air upwardly. As the second blower fan 240a rotates, the air suctioned through the suction ports 10a flows upward via the second filter 220, and then is discharged through the second discharge ports 210b. A grille 210a may be disposed inside the second discharge ports 210b in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing upward in the lateral direction. For example, the grille 210a may be implemented in the same shape as the grille 110 illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0117] As is apparent from the above description, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first blower fan is disposed at an upper position, a second blower fan is disposed at a lower position, and a dual-shaft motor is disposed so that shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in the upward-downward direction are connected to the first and second blower fans, whereby power consumption may be reduced, and energy efficiency may be improved.

[0118] Further, because the dual-shaft motor and motor fastening parts, which are commonly used, are disposed at the center of the air cleaner, the height of the product may be reduced, and manufacturing costs may be reduced.

[0119] Furthermore, first discharge ports are formed above the first blower fan, second discharge ports are formed below the second blower fan, first suction ports are formed below the first discharge ports, and second suction ports are formed above the second discharge ports, whereby suction airflows may be formed in the upper and lower portions of the product, and discharge airflows may be formed intensively in the central portion of the product.

[0120] Furthermore, a first grille is disposed inside the first discharge ports in order to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan in the radially outward direction, and a second grille is disposed inside the second discharge ports in order to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction, whereby the discharge direction of air may be effectively guided.

[0121] The effects achievable through the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0122] Other effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0123] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments and is embodied in many forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, which is described in the following claims. These modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0041]Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0042]In the drawings, illustration of parts unrelated to the description is omitted to clearly and briefly describe the present disclosure, and the same or extremely similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0043]As used herein, the terms with which the names of components are suffixed, “module” and “unit”, are assigned to facilitate preparation of this specification, and are not intended to suggest unique meanings or functions. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

[0044]It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not b...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0033177, filed on Mar. 8, 2024 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner, and more particularly to an air cleaner capable of improving energy efficiency.2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] An air cleaner is a device that filters air in a certain space and discharges the filtered air, thereby reducing dust or bacteria in the air in the corresponding space. The air cleaner filters out foreign matter by generating a flow of air in the corresponding space, and discharges air with the foreign matter removed therefrom.

[0004] Related Art Document 1 (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2022-0083719) and Related Art Document 2 (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2017-0140578) disclose air cleaners, in each of which blowers are disposed in a vertical direction to filter a large amount of air. Such an air cleaner of the related art has an advantage in that the blowing capacity is increased.

[0005] However, in the air cleaner of the related art, because each of the blowers is provided with a motor to rotate a fan, a large amount of energy is consumed to operate the fan, whereby power consumption may increase and energy efficiency may decrease. Further, because a space for mounting components of each of the blowers is necessary, the overall height of the air cleaner of the related art increases.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing an air cleaner capable of reducing power consumption and improving energy efficiency.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing an air cleaner capable of improving suction capacity of air suctioned into the air cleaner.

[0008] A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing an air cleaner capable of simplifying an internal component mounting structure and reducing the height of the product.

[0009] The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aspects mentioned above, and other aspects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0010] An air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that blower fans are rotated by a dual-shaft motor, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0011] An air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that an air cleaning module configured to discharge purified air downwardly and an air cleaning module configured to discharge purified air upwardly are stacked in an upward-downward direction, thereby exhibiting improved air cleaning performance.

[0012] An air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case having a suction port formed in the peripheral surface thereof, a first filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a first blower fan disposed above the first filter, a first discharge port formed above the first blower fan, a second filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a second blower fan disposed below the second filter, a second discharge port formed below the second blower fan, and a dual-shaft motor including shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in an upward-downward direction. The dual-shaft motor is disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts of the dual-shaft motor include a first shaft extending downward to be connected to the first blower fan and a second shaft extending upward to be connected to the second blower fan.

[0013] The suction port may include a first suction port formed below the first discharge port and a second suction port formed above the second discharge port.

[0014] The air cleaner may further include a first grille disposed inside the first discharge port to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan in a radially outward direction and a second grille disposed inside the second discharge port to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction.

[0015] The first shaft may be connected to the first blower fan through a central cavity formed in the first grille, and the second shaft may be connected to the second blower fan through a central cavity formed in the second grille.

[0016] Each of the first grille and the second grille may include a plurality of grilles bent in an outward direction.

[0017] The plurality of grilles may have a concentric circle structure.

[0018] The plurality of grilles may have a length greater than an interval between the plurality of grilles.

[0019] Each of the first grille and the second grille may include a plurality of grilles disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle.

[0020] The air cleaner may further include a motor fastening part configured to accommodate the dual-shaft motor, and a plurality of grilles may be disposed on the peripheral surface of the motor fastening part.

[0021] The motor fastening part may include a first motor fastening part disposed at a lower position and including a first grille portion corresponding to the first discharge port and a second motor fastening part disposed at an upper position and including a second grille portion corresponding to the second discharge port.

[0022] The first grille may be inserted into and mounted in the first motor fastening part, and the second grille may be inserted into and mounted in the second motor fastening part.

[0023] The first grille may be located below the first grille portion, and the second grille may be located above the second grille portion.

[0024] The first and second discharge ports may have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the first and second grille portions.

[0025] The case may include a first case having a semi-cylindrical shape and having the suction port and the first discharge port and a second case having a semi-cylindrical shape and having the suction port and the second discharge port.

[0026] The air cleaner may further include a top cover disposed on the top of the case, a control module disposed inside the top cover, and a display panel disposed on the top of the control module.

[0027] An air cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case having a suction port formed in the peripheral surface thereof, a first filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a first blower fan disposed above the first filter, a first discharge port formed below the first filter, a second filter disposed in the case to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a second blower fan disposed below the second filter, a second discharge port formed above the second filter, and a dual-shaft motor including shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in an upward-downward direction. The dual-shaft motor is disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts of the dual-shaft motor include a first shaft extending downward to be connected to the first blower fan and a second shaft extending upward to be connected to the second blower fan.

[0028] The air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a grille disposed inside the first discharge port to guide air flowing downward from the first blower fan in a radially outward direction.

[0029] The air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a grille disposed inside the second discharge port to guide air flowing upward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction.

[0030] The air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a motor fastening part configured to accommodate the dual-shaft motor.

[0031] The first blower fan and the second blower fan may be disposed symmetrically to each other with respect to the dual-shaft motor.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other objects, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a view showing the external appearance of an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a view showing a dual-shaft motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a view showing an inner grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a first grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a second grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an air cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0042] In the drawings, illustration of parts unrelated to the description is omitted to clearly and briefly describe the present disclosure, and the same or extremely similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0043] As used herein, the terms with which the names of components are suffixed, “module” and “unit”, are assigned to facilitate preparation of this specification, and are not intended to suggest unique meanings or functions. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

[0044] It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a view showing the external appearance of an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a case 10 may have a suction port 10a formed in the peripheral surface thereof to suction air from various directions. Air may be suctioned from all directions with respect to a central line passing through the internal center of the case 10 in an upward-downward direction. The suction port 10a is provided in plural, and the plurality of suction ports 10a is spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the case 10. The plurality of suction ports 10a is evenly formed in the circumferential direction along the peripheral surface of the case 10 so that air is capable of being suctioned into the case 10 from any direction.

[0047] In this specification, the upward-downward direction or the vertical direction is defined as an axial direction. The axial direction may correspond to the central axis-direction of blower fans 140 and 240, which will be described later, i.e., the motor shaft direction of the fans. The radial direction or the horizontal direction may be understood as a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The circumferential direction may be understood as a circumferential direction of an imaginary circle that is formed when rotating about the axial direction with a distance in the radial direction as a rotational radius.

[0048] The air cleaner 1 includes air cleaning modules 100 and 200 that generate airflows. The air cleaning modules 100 and 200 include blower fans 140 and 240, which are disposed in the case 10, and filters 120 and 220, which remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port 10a, respectively.

[0049] The suction port 10a allows the inside of the case 10 and the outside to communicate with each other. The suction port 10a is provided in plural. The plurality of suction ports 10a may be formed in the peripheral surface of the case 10.

[0050] The plurality of suction ports 10a is evenly formed in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the case 10 so that air is capable of being suctioned into the case 10 from any direction.

[0051] The plurality of suction ports 10a is formed in a stripe shape that is elongated in the upward-downward direction. Alternatively, the plurality of suction ports 10a may be formed through perforation in a circular or elliptical shape.

[0052] As described above, because the case 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the plurality of suction ports 10a is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the case 10, the amount of air suctioned may increase.

[0053] The air introduced into the suction ports 10a may pass through the filters 120 and 220. Each of the filters 120 and 220 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may have a filter surface that filters air.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the air cleaning modules 100 and 200 include a first air cleaning module 100 and a second air cleaning module 200 that are disposed in the upward-downward direction.

[0055] For example, the second air cleaning module 200 may be disposed on the first air cleaning module 100. Because the first air cleaning module 100 is disposed at a lower portion of the air cleaner 1, the first air cleaning module 100 may be referred to as a “lower air cleaning module” or a “lower module”, and because the second air cleaning module 200 is disposed at an upper portion of the air cleaner 1, the second air cleaning module 200 may be referred to as an “upper air cleaning module” or an “upper module”.

[0056] The first air cleaning module 100 and the second air cleaning module 200 include blower fans 140 and 240 and filters 120 and 220 configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction ports 10a, respectively.

[0057] The first air cleaning module 100 includes a first blower fan 140 and a first filter 120 configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction ports.

[0058] The second air cleaning module 200 includes a second blower fan 240 and a second filter 220 configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction ports.

[0059] The case 10 may have a cylindrical shape. The case 10 may include a first case 11, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers portions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the air cleaning modules 100 and 200, and a second case 12, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers the remaining portions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the air cleaning modules 100 and 200.

[0060] Alternatively, the case 10 may have a shape of a truncated cone (i.e. a cone with the top cut off), and each of the first case 11 and the second case 12 may have a shape of a semi-truncated cone.

[0061] The first case 11 and the second case 12 may be coupled to each other to form the external appearance of the air cleaner 1. Because the first case 11 covers the front surface of the air cleaner 1, the first case 11 may be referred to as a “front case” or a “front cover”. Because the second case 12 covers the rear surface of the air cleaner 1, the second case 12 may be referred to as a “rear case” or a “rear cover”.

[0062] The first case 11 includes an upper portion 11a corresponding to the second air cleaning module 200 and a lower portion 11b corresponding to the first air cleaning module 100. The suction ports 10a are formed in the upper portion 11a and the lower portion 11b.

[0063] The second case 12 includes an upper portion 12a corresponding to the second air cleaning module 200 and a lower portion 12b corresponding to the first air cleaning module 100. The suction ports 10a are formed in the upper portion 12a and the lower portion 12b.

[0064] The suction ports 10a may include first suction ports 10ab formed in the lower portions 11b and 12b and second suction ports 10aa formed in the upper portions 11a and 12a.

[0065] A central discharge portion 30 is formed between the first case 11 and the second case 12. The air introduced into the suction ports 10a is purified by the filters 120 and 220, and the purified air is discharged through the central discharge portion 30.

[0066] In another embodiment, the case 10 may include an upper case (not shown) and a lower case (not shown). In this case, the central discharge portion 30 may be formed between the upper case and the lower case.

[0067] The upper case may include a first upper case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second air cleaning module 200, and a second upper case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers the remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second air cleaning module 200. In addition, the lower case may include a first lower case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first air cleaning module 100, and a second lower case, which has a semi-cylindrical shape and covers the remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first air cleaning module 100.

[0068] The first blower fan 140 is disposed above the first filter 120. First discharge ports 30a are located above the first blower fan 140. When the first blower fan 140 rotates, the air suctioned through the suction ports 10a formed in the lower cases 11b and 12b flows upward via the first filter 120, and then is discharged through the first discharge ports 30a.

[0069] The second blower fan 240 is disposed below the second filter 220. Second discharge ports 30b are located below the second blower fan 240. The air suctioned through the suction ports 10a formed in the upper cases 11a and 12a flows downward via the second filter 220, and then is discharged through the second discharge ports 30b.

[0070] The first discharge ports 30a and the second discharge ports 30b may be formed adjacent to the central portion of the air cleaner 1. A combination of the first discharge ports 30a and the second discharge ports 30b may be referred to as the central discharge portion 30.

[0071] The first suction ports 10ab may be located below the first discharge ports 30a, and the second suction ports 10aa may be located above the second discharge ports 30b. The lower suction airflow introduced into the first suction ports 10ab passes through the first filter 120, and then is discharged through the first discharge ports 30a located above the first filter 120. The upper suction airflow introduced into the second suction ports 10aa passes through the second filter 220, and then is discharged through the second discharge ports 30b located below the second filter 220.

[0072] A dual-shaft motor 500 with shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in the upward-downward direction is disposed between the first blower fan 140 and the second blower fan 240.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a view showing a dual-shaft motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the dual-shaft motor 500 includes a motor body 510 and shafts 515 protruding from two opposite sides of the motor body 510 in the upward-downward direction. The shafts 515 include a first shaft 515a extending downward to be connected to the first blower fan 140 and a second shaft 515b extending upward to be connected to the second blower fan 240.

[0075] The first blower fan 140 is rotatably connected to the first shaft 515a. The second blower fan 240 is rotatably connected to the second shaft 515b.

[0076] A first gear 520 may be connected to the first shaft 515a and may be inserted into the central portion of the first blower fan 140 to be connected thereto. A second gear 530 may be connected to the second shaft 515b and may be inserted into the central portion of the second blower fan 240 to be connected thereto.

[0077] The first blower fan 140 and the second blower fan 240 may be rotated by rotational force received from the dual-shaft motor 500. When the dual-shaft motor 500 operates, the first blower fan 140 and the second blower fan 240 connected to the dual-shaft motor 500 rotate at the same speed.

[0078] According to the present disclosure, because the two fans 140 and 240 are rotated by the single dual-shaft motor 500, power consumption may be reduced, and energy efficiency may be improved compared to when two motors are used.

[0079] According to the present disclosure, the discharge portion 30 may be integrated with the central portion of the product, the discharge structure may be simplified, and an airflow may be formed intensively in the central portion of the air cleaner 1.

[0080] Inner grilles 110 and 210 configured to guide air in the radially outward direction are disposed inside the central discharge portion 30.

[0081] A first grille 110 is disposed inside the first discharge ports 30a in order to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan 140 in the radially outward direction. A second grille 210 is disposed inside the second discharge ports 30b in order to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan 240 in the radially outward direction. FIG. 5 is a view showing an inner grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a first grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a second grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may include a plurality of grilles 613 having a concentric circle structure. The plurality of grilles 613 may be a plurality of circles having the same center and different radii. Each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may further include an outer wall 612 and an inner wall 611, between which the plurality of grilles 613 having a concentric circle structure is disposed.

[0083] A central cavity 614 may be located inside the inner wall 611. The first shaft 515a of the dual-shaft motor 500 extends through the central cavity 614 in the first grille 110 to be connected to the first blower fan 140. The second shaft 515b of the dual-shaft motor 500 extends through the central cavity 614 in the second grille 210 to be connected to the second blower fan 240.

[0084] The lengths of the grilles 613 may be greater than an interval d1 between the grilles 613. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a sufficient distance for guiding an airflow in the lateral direction.

[0085] Each of the plurality of grilles 613 may include a section bent in the radially outward direction. Each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may include a plurality of grilles 613 bent at a predetermined angle in the outward direction. The first grille 110 may be disposed inside the first discharge ports 30a in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing upward in the lateral direction. The second grille 210 may be disposed inside the second discharge ports 30b in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing downward in the lateral direction.

[0086] Each of the grilles 900 of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may be bent at a predetermined angle ag. The grille bending angle ag may be set to 20 degrees to 40 degrees. If the grille bending angle ag is less than 20 degrees, the airflow may not be sufficiently delivered in the lateral direction. If the grille bending angle ag is greater than 40 degrees, airflow loss may increase. The thickness d2 of the grille 900 may not be constant in some sections thereof.

[0087] In another embodiment, each of the inner grilles 110 and 210 may include a plurality of linear grilles disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle. The linear grilles may be disposed so as to be inclined at an angle corresponding to the discharge angle ag. Also in this case, the airflow may be formed along the discharge angle ag corresponding to the angle at which the linear grilles are disposed.

[0088] The dual-shaft motor 500 may be accommodated in motor fastening parts 125 and 225. A plurality of grilles may be disposed on the peripheral surfaces of the motor fastening parts 125 and 225.

[0089] The motor fastening parts 125 and 225 include a first motor fastening part 125 disposed at a lower position and a second motor fastening part 225 disposed at an upper position. The first motor fastening part 125 and the second motor fastening part 225 may be coupled to each other to define an inner space in which the dual-shaft motor 500 is accommodated.

[0090] The first motor fastening part 125 includes a first grille portion 125a corresponding to the first discharge ports 30a, and the second motor fastening part 225 includes a second grille portion 225a corresponding to the second discharge ports 30b.

[0091] The first grille 110 may be inserted into and mounted in the first motor fastening part 125, and the second grille 210 may be inserted into and mounted in the second motor fastening part 225. The first motor fastening part 125 may further include a coupling portion 125b for accommodation of the dual-shaft motor 500 and mounting of the first grille 110. The second motor fastening part 225 may further include a coupling portion 225b for accommodation of the dual-shaft motor 500 and mounting of the second grille 210.

[0092] In this case, the first grille 110 may be located below the first grille portion 125a, and the second grille 210 may be located above the second grille portion 225a.

[0093] In some embodiments, the shapes of the first and second discharge ports 30a and 30b may correspond to the shapes of the first and second grille portions 125a and 225a. For example, if the first and second discharge ports 30a and 30b are formed in a stripe type, and the first and second grille portions 125a and 225a may also be formed in a stripe type.

[0094] According to the present disclosure, because the dual-shaft motor 500 and the motor fastening parts 125 and 225, which are commonly used, are disposed between the first and second air cleaning modules 100 and 200, the height of the product may be reduced, and manufacturing costs may be reduced.

[0095] The first air cleaning module 100 includes a first filter mounting part 160 to which the first filter 120 is mounted. The first filter 120 may be removably mounted to the first filter mounting part 160. The first filter 120 may have a hollow cylindrical shape, and air may be introduced through the outer circumferential surface of the first filter 120. While the air passes through the first filter 120, impurities such as fine dust may be removed from the air.

[0096] Because the first filter 120 has a cylindrical shape, air is capable of being introduced into the first filter 120 from any direction. Therefore, the air filtering area may increase.

[0097] The first filter mounting part 160 may be formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the first filter 120. In the process of mounting the first filter 120, the first filter 120 may be slidably fitted into the first filter mounting part 160. Conversely, in the process of demounting the first filter 120, the first filter 120 may be slidably withdrawn from the first filter mounting part 160.

[0098] The first air cleaning module 100 includes a first fan housing 145 disposed above the first filter 120. The first blower fan 140 may be rotatably disposed in the first fan housing 145.

[0099] The first blower fan 140 suctions air in the axial direction and discharges the air upwardly in the radial direction. The first fan housing 145 may form a fan path that accommodates the first blower fan 140 and guides the air moved by the first blower fan 140 upwardly.

[0100] The second air cleaning module 200 also includes a second filter mounting part 260 to which the second filter 220 is mounted. The above description of the first filter 120 and the first filter mounting part 160 may be similarly applied to the second filter 220 and the second filter mounting part 260. However, while the first filter 120 and the first filter mounting part 160 are located below the first blower fan 140 and the first fan housing 145, the second filter 220 and the second filter mounting part 260 are located above the second blower fan 240 and the second fan housing 245.

[0101] The second blower fan 240 suctions air in the axial direction and discharges the air downwardly in the radial direction. The second fan housing 245 may form a fan path that accommodates the second blower fan 240 and guides the air moved by the second blower fan 240 downwardly.

[0102] When the first filter 120 is mounted to the first filter mounting part 160 of the first air cleaning module 100, the first filter 120 presses a lower filter pressing plate 350. When the second filter 220 is mounted to the second filter mounting part 260 of the second air cleaning module 200, the second filter 220 presses an upper filter pressing plate 340. The first air cleaning module 100 may include a lower filter mounting part cover 320, and the second air cleaning module 200 may include an upper filter mounting part cover 310.

[0103] A support 170 is disposed below the first air cleaning module 100. The support 170 may be coupled to a plate 330. The support 170 is disposed in contact with the floor to support the air cleaning modules 100 and 200.

[0104] A top cover 270 is disposed on the top of the case 10. A control module 400 is disposed inside the top cover 270. The control module 400 may accommodate a main printed circuit board (PCB) on which circuits such as a controller that controls overall operation of the air cleaner 1 are mounted.

[0105] A display 390 is disposed on the top of the control module 400. In addition, an operation button for operation of the air cleaner 1 may be further disposed on the top of the control module 400. A display base 350 may support the display 390 from below.

[0106] According to the present disclosure, because the dual-shaft motor 500 is disposed at the center of the air cleaner 1, the upper and lower blower fans 140 and 240 are capable of being rotated by the single motor, whereby the amount of power consumed during rated operation may be reduced, and energy efficiency may be improved. Further, because the number of motors is reduced, the component fastening structure may be simplified, and the overall height of the product may be reduced.

[0107] Unlike the above-described embodiment, the discharge ports may be divided into upper discharge ports disposed at an upper portion of the air cleaner 1 and lower discharge ports disposed at a lower portion of the air cleaner 1.

[0108] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an air cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which discharge ports are divided into upper discharge ports disposed at an upper portion of the air cleaner 1 and lower discharge ports disposed at a lower portion of the air cleaner 1.

[0109] Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The following description will focus on differences from the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. With regard to any non-described component of the other embodiment shown in FIG. 10, reference may be made to the description of the above-described embodiment.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 10, the first air cleaning module 100 includes a first blower fan 140a and a first filter 120 that removes foreign matter from the air introduced into the suction ports. First discharge ports 110b may be disposed below the first filter 120.

[0111] The second air cleaning module 200 includes a second blower fan 240a and a second filter 220 that removes foreign matter from the air introduced into the suction ports. Second discharge ports 210b may be disposed above the second filter 220.

[0112] A dual-shaft motor 500 with shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in the upward-downward direction is disposed between the first blower fan 140a and the second blower fan 240a. The dual-shaft motor 500 may be accommodated in motor fastening parts 125 and 225. Because the discharge ports are not formed at the center of the product, a plurality of grilles does not need to be disposed on the peripheral surfaces of the motor fastening parts 125 and 225.

[0113] When the dual-shaft motor 500 operates, the first blower fan 140a and the second blower fan 240a connected to the dual-shaft motor 500 rotate. The air introduced into the suction ports 10a formed in the side surface of the case 10 may pass through the filters 120 and 220.

[0114] The first blower fan 140a and the second blower fan 240a may be disposed symmetrically to each other with respect to the dual-shaft motor 500.

[0115] The first blower fan 140a shown in FIG. 10 may be disposed so as to be oriented opposite the first blower fan 140 shown in FIG. 2 in the upward-downward direction, thereby blowing the air downwardly. As the first blower fan 140a rotates, the air suctioned through the suction ports 10a flows downward via the first filter 120, and then is discharged through the first discharge ports 110b. A grille 110a may be disposed inside the first discharge ports 110b in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing downward in the lateral direction. For example, the grille 110a may be implemented in the same shape as the grille 210 illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0116] The second blower fan 240a shown in FIG. 10 may be disposed so as to be oriented opposite the second blower fan 240 shown in FIG. 2 in the upward-downward direction, thereby blowing the air upwardly. As the second blower fan 240a rotates, the air suctioned through the suction ports 10a flows upward via the second filter 220, and then is discharged through the second discharge ports 210b. A grille 210a may be disposed inside the second discharge ports 210b in order to deliver the discharge airflow flowing upward in the lateral direction. For example, the grille 210a may be implemented in the same shape as the grille 110 illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0117] As is apparent from the above description, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first blower fan is disposed at an upper position, a second blower fan is disposed at a lower position, and a dual-shaft motor is disposed so that shafts protruding from two opposite sides thereof in the upward-downward direction are connected to the first and second blower fans, whereby power consumption may be reduced, and energy efficiency may be improved.

[0118] Further, because the dual-shaft motor and motor fastening parts, which are commonly used, are disposed at the center of the air cleaner, the height of the product may be reduced, and manufacturing costs may be reduced.

[0119] Furthermore, first discharge ports are formed above the first blower fan, second discharge ports are formed below the second blower fan, first suction ports are formed below the first discharge ports, and second suction ports are formed above the second discharge ports, whereby suction airflows may be formed in the upper and lower portions of the product, and discharge airflows may be formed intensively in the central portion of the product.

[0120] Furthermore, a first grille is disposed inside the first discharge ports in order to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan in the radially outward direction, and a second grille is disposed inside the second discharge ports in order to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction, whereby the discharge direction of air may be effectively guided.

[0121] The effects achievable through the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0122] Other effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0123] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments and is embodied in many forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, which is described in the following claims. These modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0041]Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0042]In the drawings, illustration of parts unrelated to the description is omitted to clearly and briefly describe the present disclosure, and the same or extremely similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0043]As used herein, the terms with which the names of components are suffixed, “module” and “unit”, are assigned to facilitate preparation of this specification, and are not intended to suggest unique meanings or functions. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

[0044]It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not b...

Claims

1. An air cleaner comprising:a case comprising a suction port disposed at a peripheral surface of the case;a first filter disposed in the case, the first filter being configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port;a first blower fan disposed above the first filter;a first discharge port disposed above the first blower fan;a second filter disposed in the case, the second filter being configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port;a second blower fan disposed below the second filter;a second discharge port disposed below the second blower fan; anda dual-shaft motor comprising shafts, the dual-shaft motor being disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts protruding from opposite sides of the dual-shaft motor in a vertical direction, the shafts comprising:a first shaft extending downward and connected to the first blower fan; anda second shaft extending upward and connected to the second blower fan.

2. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction port comprises:a first suction port disposed below the first discharge port; anda second suction port disposed above the second discharge port.

3. The air cleaner according to claim 2, further comprising:a first grille disposed in the first discharge port, the first grille being configured to guide air flowing upward from the first blower fan in a radially outward direction with respect to the air cleaner; anda second grille disposed in the second discharge port, the second grille being configured to guide air flowing downward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction with respect to the air cleaner.

4. The air cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the first shaft is connected to the first blower fan through a central cavity disposed in the first grille, andwherein the second shaft is connected to the second blower fan through a central cavity disposed in the second grille.

5. The air cleaner according to claim 3, wherein each of the first grille and the second grille comprises a plurality of grilles bent in an outward direction with respect to the air cleaner.

6. The air cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of grilles are arranged in a concentric circle structure.

7. The air cleaner according to claim 5, wherein each grille of the plurality of grilles has a length greater than a length of an interval between adjacent grilles of the plurality of grilles.

8. The air cleaner according to claim 3, wherein each of the first grille and the second grille comprises a plurality of grilles, andwherein each grille of the plurality of grilles is inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical direction.

9. The air cleaner according to claim 3, further comprising a motor fastening part configured to accommodate the dual-shaft motor,wherein a plurality of grilles are disposed on a peripheral surface of the motor fastening part.

10. The air cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the motor fastening part comprises:a first motor fastening part disposed at a lower position of the motor fastening part, the first motor fastening part comprising a first grille portion corresponding to the first discharge port; anda second motor fastening part disposed at an upper position of the motor fastening part, the second motor fastening part comprising a second grille portion corresponding to the second discharge port.

11. The air cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the first grille portion is configured to surround a first portion of the dual-shaft motor, andwherein the second grille portion is configured to surround a second portion of the dual-shaft motor.

12. The air cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the first grille is located below the first grille portion, andwherein the second grille is located above the second grille portion.

13. The air cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the first discharge port and the second discharge port have shapes corresponding to shapes of the first grille portion and the second grille portion, respectively.

14. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the case further comprises:a first case having a semi-cylindrical shape, the first case including the first discharge port and a first portion of the suction port; anda second case having a semi-cylindrical shape, the second case including the second discharge port and a second portion of the suction port.

15. The air cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising:a top cover disposed on a top of the case;a control module disposed inside the top cover; anda display panel disposed on a top of the control module.

16. An air cleaner comprising:a case including a suction port disposed at a peripheral surface of the case;a first filter disposed in the case, the first filter being configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port;a first blower fan disposed above the first filter;a first discharge port disposed below the first filter;a second filter disposed in the case, the second filter being configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port;a second blower fan disposed below the second filter;a second discharge port disposed above the second filter; anda dual-shaft motor comprising shafts, the dual-shaft motor being disposed between the first blower fan and the second blower fan, and the shafts protruding from opposite sides of the dual-shaft motor in a vertical direction, the shafts comprising:a first shaft extending downward and connected to the first blower fan; anda second shaft extending upward and connected to the second blower fan.

17. The air cleaner according to claim 16, further comprising:a first grille disposed in the first discharge port, the first grille being configured to guide air flowing downward from the first blower fan in a radially outward direction with respect to the air cleaner; anda second grille disposed in the second discharge port, the second grille being configured to guide air flowing upward from the second blower fan in the radially outward direction with respect to the air cleaner.

18. An air cleaner comprising:a case including a suction port disposed at a peripheral surface of the case;a first cleaning module including a first filter configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a first blower fan and a first discharge port;a second cleaning module disposed above the first cleaning module and including a second filter configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the suction port, a second blower fan and a second discharge port; anda dual-shaft motor including a portion that overlaps the first discharge port and the second discharge port with respect to a vertical direction, the dual-shaft motor comprising:a motor body;a first shaft protruding from a first side of the motor body, the first shaft being configured to rotate the first blower fan; anda second shaft protruding from a second side of the motor body, the second shaft being configured to rotate the second blower fan.

19. The air cleaner according to claim 18, wherein the dual-shaft motor further comprises:a first gear disposed on the first shaft, the first gear being coupled to the first blower fan; anda second gear disposed on the second shaft, the second gear being coupled to the second blower fan.

20. The air cleaner according to claim 19, wherein the first blower fan and the second blower fan each include a central cavity,wherein the first gear is coupled to the first blower fan from inside the central cavity of the first blower fan, andwherein the second gear is coupled to the second blower fan from inside the central cavity of the second blower fan.

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