Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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MODULAR AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to air purification systems. More particularly,
the
present invention relates to a modular air purification system having
versatility
with regard to function, position, and productivity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air purification systems are known in the art. Modular air purification
systems are less known although the air quality is varying from time to time.
The quality of air in rooms is affected of factors within the room itself such
as
people smoking in the room or cloths made of certain fabrics in the room and
of factors outside the room such as polluting factories in the area. The
pollutants in a closed space such .as a room vary from time to time due to
changes in the room itself or changes in the environment outside the space.
Therefore, there is a need for purification systems that are versatile; hence
modular system of which the filter t~rpes can be easily changed, enhanced, or
reduced according to the quality of air in the space.
As mentioned herein before there are known modular purifications
systems. An example is disclosed in US patent no. 6,001,145 "Air purification
apparatus" by Hammes. This air purification system comprises a suction part,
a ventilator housing with one or several ventilators and one or more filters
disposed before or after the venti3ators. Another exarnr~le disclosed as US
patent no. 5,034,033 "Modular electronic air cleaning device" teaches a
cleaning device comprised of modular subassemblies. US patent no.
5,223,008 "Horizontally mounted filter carir idge dust collector" by Troxall
teaches a cartridge dust collector that includes a housing and a plurality o
filter cartridges horizontally mounted in rows in a cartridge cradle.
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However, there are no available systems in which the purification system
can accord specific environmental needs that can change in time without
major modifications of the system. Moreover, there is no available system that
can accord any physical requirements of the space it is positioned in; hence
ceiling positioning, floor positioning, corners, walls, supporting pillar,
etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular air
purification system in which purification units can be easily changed or
extended according to the specific needs and conditions in the space to be
purified.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular air
purification system in which the modular units that are no longer needed since
environmental conditions in the space had been changed, for example, can
be withdrawn without dismantling the system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a modular air
purification system having a central electricity unit that can provide voltage
to
the specific purification system in a modular manner.
It is therefore provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention A modular air purification system comprising:
a basic purification unit having an inlet and an outlet, said
basic purification unit comprising:
a motor;
a fan actuated by said motor;
a controller;
at least one enhancing unit adapted to be electrically
connected to said basic purification unit or to another enhancing
unit;
at least one of a plurality of filters wherein air passing through
said purification system passes through said at least one of a
plurality of filters and wherein at least one of said plurality of filters is
provided in said basic purification unit;
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at least one voltage connection plugs adapted to electrically
connect said basic purification system to said at least one
enhancing unit;
whereby a plurality of enhancing units are adapted to be connected to
said basic purification unit and wherein air circulates through the
purification system due to the rotation of the fan that force air to pass
through said at least one of said plurality of filters.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said modular system further comprises at least one air
diverting unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said at least one enhancing units can be connected to said
basic purification unit in an aligned manner.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said at least one enhancing units can be connected to said
basic purification unit as well as other enhancing units with a predetermined
angle between the units.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said at least one enhancing units can be connected to the
basic purification unit as well as to other enhancing units by a hinge so as
to
adjust the angle between the units.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
presenfi invention, said at least one of a plurality of filters is selected
from a
group of filters such as UV lamp, electrostatic filter, mosquito killer, scent
box,
active coal, coarse filter, ionic discharger.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said basic purification unit is provided with a a plurality
of
contacts adapted to receive at least one of said plurality of filters that are
operates with an electricity support.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said enhancing unit is provided with a a plurality of
contacts
adapted to receive at least one of said plurality of filters that are operates
with
an electricity support.
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Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, data exchanging plugs are provided so as to allow data
communication between the enhancing units and the basic purification unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, said basic purification system as well as said at (east one
enhancing unit is provided with a cabinet adapted to receive said plurality of
filters.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, each one of said at least one voltage connection plugs is
exposed is at !east one side of said basic purification unit and said
enhancing
unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, each one of said at Least one voltage connection is
connected to a main plug through a voltage guide.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment f the
present invention, safety switches are provided in any side of said basic
purification unit as well as at least one enhancing units where the units are
adapted to be connected.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided a modular air purification system comprising:
a supporting unit having an inlet and an outlet, said supporting
unit comprising:
a motor;
a fan actuated by said motor;
a controller;
at least one enhancing unit electrically connected to said basic
purification unit;
at (east one of a plurality of filters provided within said at least
one enhancing unit, wherein air passing through said purification
system passes through said at least one of a plurality of filters;
a fan provided in each of said at least one enhancing units;
at least one voltage connection plugs adapted to electrically
connect said supporting unit to said at least one enhancing unit;
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whereby a plurality of enhancing units are adapted to be connected to
said supporting unit and wherein air circulates through the purification
system due to the rotation of the fans.
5
BRIEF DESRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its
practical
applications, the following Figures are attached and references herein. Like
components are denoted by like reference numerals.
It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and preferred
embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as
defined in the appending Description and Claims.
Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of a basic modular air
purification system in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a basic modular air purification
system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the basic modular air purification
system shown in Figure 2, enhanced by enhancing purification
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure ~. illustrates a partially exploded view of the system shown in
Figure 3.
Figures 5a-b illustrate schematic representations of longitudinal and lateral
cross sectional views of a modular basic purification unit
enhanced by enhancing unit in accordance with yet another
preferr~:d embodiment of the present invention.
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Figures 6a-a illustrate modular purification systems in accordance with other
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
S Figures 7a-f illustrate modular arrangements of air purification system in
accordance with different embodiments of the present invention,
adapted for suspending of ceiling or attached to a wall.
Figures 8a-c illustrate modular purification system in accordance with yet
another preferred embodiment of the present invention, housed
in a floor housing.
Figures 9a-c illustrate an arrangement of the modular purification system in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE FIGURES
The present invention provides a modular air purification system adapted
to purify the air in spaces. The modularity of the system is in several
aspects.
In the first aspect, the modularity is physical so as to allow arranging the
system in every place in a room in accordance with specific limitations or
conditions in the room. For example, in large spaces, several basic
purification units may be connected to each other in one packaging while the
number of units is versatile. The system can be suspended of the ceiling or
put on the floor, again according to specific conditions of the space. In
another
aspect, the purification units are versatile since different filters or air
improvers
can be placed within a specific purification unit in a simple manner. The
versatility is also pronounced in the productivity of the purification system.
Each system is provided with a main controller and electricity unit while the
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voltage is transferred through the modular purification units also in a
modular
manner.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the modular air
purification system comprises a basic purification unit having an inlet and an
outlet, a motor, a fan actuated by the motor, a control panel adapted for
controlling the motor, at least one voltage provider plug and at least one
filter.
The modular air purification system further comprises at least one enhancing
unit housed in a housing that can be connected to the basic purification unit.
Each one of the enhancing units comprises at least one filter.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the modular
air purification system comprises a basic supporting unit having an inlet and
an outlet, a motor, a control panel adapted for controlling the motor, and at
least one voltage provider plug. The modular air purification system further
comprises at least one enhancing unit housed in a housing that can be
connected to the basic supporting unit. Each one of the enhancing units
comprises at least one filter and a fan actuated by the motor.
In any of the aspects of the present invention, the enhancing units can
be arranged in groups and housed so as to be electrically supported by a
basic purification unit or a supporting unit, respectively.
Generally, the purification system of the present invention comprises
basic purification units or supporting units as well as enhancing units, angle
adjusting means, air divergence units, different types of outer housings and
other parts. The purification system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention can comprise any of the units arranged
according to the physical and environmental conditions in the space to be
purified. In this text, the expressions "filter" or "environment improver" are
alternately used and refer to units or elements that are used in order to
change the physical conditions of the space. Examples for filters will be
given
herein after.
Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating a cross sectional view of a
basic modular air purification system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. A basic purification unit 10 comprises
two louvered ports; an air inlet port 12 and an air outlet port 14, both
provided
with grille 16. Basic purification unit 10 is provided with a cabinet 18
adapted
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to receive filtration units wherein the filtering units correspond to the
specific
conditions in the environment. Cabinet 18 is covered by a cover 28 and is
provided with grooves 20 into which at least one filtration unit 22 is
inserted. A
motor (cannot be seen in Figure 1 ) is provided so as to drive an air
circulating
fan 26. The air circulated through basic purification unit 10 pass through
filtration unit 22 so as to produce purified air that exits the unit through
air
outlet port 14.
As mentioned herein before, the purification units are modular and can
be provided with filtration units that accord the conditions that affect the
air in
the space where the system works.
Reference is now made to Figure 2 illustrating an isometric view of a
basic modular air purification system in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Modular air purification system 50
comprises a basic supporting unit 52 supporting an enhancing unit 54.
Supporting unit 52 is provided with electricity support, control panel 56, and
a
fan that is adapted to circulate air coming through inlet 58 and exit through
outlet 60. The inner parts are shown in an exploded view in Figure 4. A grille
is provided in outlet 60 and another grille in the inlet. The inlet can be
positioned in the rear side of supporting unit 52 such as in embodiment 50 or
in the upper side of the supporting unit such as will be shown in Figure 3.
Reference is now made to Figure 3 illustrating an isometric view of the
basic modular air purification system shown in Figure 2, enhanced by
enhancing purification unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. An additional enhancing unit 62 is provided in the upper
portion of supporting unit 52 wherein the outlet as shown in Figure 2 is
covered. The air that passes through both enhancing units 54 and 62 as well
as through supporting unit 52 is diverted in 90 degrees so as to establish a
circulation in the room. The same filtering units can be provided in both
enhancing units, however, different filtration units can be employed.
Reference is now made to Figure 4 illustrating a partially exploded view
of the system shown in Figure 3. Supporting unit 52 is provided with a fan 64
that circulates the air and a control panel 56. Control panel 56 is adapted to
supply voltage to the whole system without any consideration of the amount of
enhancing units that may be connected to the supporting unit. The modular
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voltage transfer between the units will be elaborated herein after. A cover 66
is provided in supporting unit 52 that covers the rear outlet. The upper
portion
of supporting unit 52 is open so as to allow the connection of enhancing unit
62 that comprises a cabinet 68 and several air improvers or filters 70.
Cabinet
68 is provided with several slots 72 adapted to receive the filters. An
additional cover 74 is provided so as to allow access to cabinet 68 in order
to
change or clean air improvers 70. Smell stick 74 is optionally provided in
supporting unit 52 so as to spread pleasant smell in the purified space.
Enhancing units 54 and 62 are units that are solely for filtration wherein the
air
passively passes through them. The air is circulated by fan 64 that is
positioned in the supporting unit. Other active purification units can be also
provided wherein an independent fan is provided.
Reference is now made to Figures 5a-b illustrating schematic
representation of longitudinal and lateral cross sectional views,
respectively,
of a modular basic purification unit enhanced by enhancing unit in accordance
with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5a
depicts a basic purification unit 100 that is provided with a fan 118 that
circulates the air through filters 112 and is actuated using a motor 117. The
voltage modularity is shown in Figure 5. Purification unit 100 is adapted to
receive voltage from the voltage mains through a voltage plug 102 that is
adapted to receive voltage from any voltage mains: 200V; 1000V; 8000V or
any other type. Basic purification unit 100 is provided preferably with three
modular voltage plugs 104, each is adapted to be connected to enhancement
units, if necessary. Electronic unit 116 electronically communicates voltage
plug 102 to modular voltage plugs 104 through voltage guide 124.
Grille 114 is provided on air outlet 116. Air can enter the unit through the
rear of purification unit 100 (as shown in the Figure) or enter through the
upper side if air direction modification cover 122 is withdrawn and put on the
rear inlet. Voltage guide 106 is provided with electricity contacts 124 along
purification unit 100 so that filters 112 that are inserted into positions or
other
components such as control panel and processor can be electrically
connected to the mains and operated through contacts 124. It is optional to
provide within purification unit 100 environmental purification and enrichment
components, some of which require voltage for operation and some do not. In
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addition, a motor of air circulating fan 118 is also provided adapted to force
air
to pass through purification unit 100 and through the purification and
enrichment elements so as to filter and enrich the air in the space to be
purified. It should be noted that any filter operated in any voltage can be
5 provided in any position or any order other than the order indicated in the
example and it will be successfully operated.
Generally, there are filters or air enrichment elements that require
electricity in order to work such as UV lamp, electrostatic filter, mosquito
killer,
or other and there are also filters 'or air enrichment elements that do not
10 require electricity and perform only due to the air that passes through
them
such as scent box, active coal, or coarse filters from different types. The
types
of filters and environmental enrichment elements that will be used in a
specific
purification unit depend of the type of air in the space to be purified and
the
specific requirements. One of the scopes of the present invention is the
ability
to provide a purification system in which the type of filters can be
determined
or altered in a simple manner and the arrangement of the filters or air
enrichment elements in the positions is fully modular so that any position
(grooves 20 in Figure 1 or slots 72 in Figure 4) is adapted to receive any
filter
or enrichment element without consideration of the voltage it receives. Any
type of filter, whether electrically operated or not, can be inserted into the
positions. This is also fully modular.
As mentioned herein before, preferably three modular voltage plugs 104
are provided in direction through which enhancements units may be
connected. In Figure 5a, an enhancing unit that comprises modular voltage
plugs 132 oppositely positioned and electrically communicating through
voltage guide 134, while one of them is connected through the rear side to
plug 104. Filters 136 are provided in enhancing unit 130 so as to enhance the
filtering capacity of basic purification unit 100. Filters 136 can be
optionally
connected to contacts 138.
Additionally, safety switches 140 are provided also in a modular manner
so as to prevent system failure. Safety switches 140 are provided in any
direction where cover or enhancing unit or grille is provided - in any
direction
where the electricity system may be exposed. Safety switches 140, whether in
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basic purification unit 100 or in enhancing unit 130 are electrically
connected
to electronic unit 116.
Reference is now made to Figures 6a, b, c, d, and a illustrating modular
purification systems in accordance with other preferred embodiments of the
present invention_ A floor purification system 200 having two housings 201
with two basic purification units 202 electrically connected and communicating
through corresponding voltage and data plugs 206 (the electricity lines are
shown clearly in Figure 6b). Voltage line 220 is electrically communicating
with an electronic unit 210 that is provided with a control panel 212.
Electronic
unit 210 and control panel 212 are electrically communicating with each one
of voltage plugs 204 of purification units 202 through voltage wires passing
through voltage line 220. Similarly, communication lines communicate
between purification units 202 and the control panel through corresponding
data plugs and voltage guide line 205. The voltage plugs are connected in a
mail-female manner. The user can easily detach a purification unit so as to
change the air improvers within the purification units, maintenance or for any
other purpose. In a similar manner, one can modify the filters if the
conditions
in the space are changed as well as add additional enhancing units if there is
a need. As can be seen in Figure 6a, floor housings are connected with a fast
connector 222. Additional housings can be connected with additional
purification units that are plugged to the system in an easy manner. An
integral grille 203 is provided in the outlets and the inlets of the units
(basic or
enhanced). Voltage connection or exits are covered by coves 207.
Figures 6c and d illustrate a modular purification system in accordance
with other preferred embodiments, housed in a ceiling housing. A ceiling
housing 300 is suspended of the ceiling wherein as many purification units
can be employed within individual housings and wherein in the Figures a
basic purification unit 202 and another basic purification unit 202 are
oppositely connected to ceiling housing 300. One of purification units 202 is
a
basic unit provided with electronic unit 308. Electronic unit 308 is
electronically
connected and communicating with the other purification unit that acts as an
enhancing unit. Purification units 202 are housed within housing 201 (similar
to the floor housing) and is provided with a fan 310 adapted to circulate the
air
through filters 312.
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Ceiling housing can be designed to accommodate any number of
purification units. As an example, one can see in Figure 6e a ceiling housing
320 adapted to accommodate three housings such as housings 201 and three
purification units such as purification unit 202. Ceiling housing 320 s
provided
with voltage transmission channels adapted to transmit voltage through the
main unit to the other purification units.
Reference is now made to Figures 7a-f illustrating modular arrangements
of air purification system in accordance with different embodiments of the
present invention, adapted for suspending of ceiling or attached to a wall. It
is
possible to modularly arrange the purification units into an air purification
system according to the physical conditions in the space to be purified.
Figure
7a illustrates a two units ceiling arrangement wherein both units can be
arranged in a different arrangement. Purification unit 400 provided with a
controller and an operation panel 406 is connected to an enhancing unit 402
through a hinge 404 about which the units can be rotated. The units can be
closed together or in an angle between them such as shown in Figure 7a.
Figure 7b illustrates a three units system- purification unit 500 provided
with a
controller and a control panel 502 and two enhancing units 504 on both sides
of the purification unit. The units are adjacent to each other on one side so
as
to establish an arrangement that can be suspended of the ceiling or hanged
on a wall. Figure 7c illustrates a triangular arrangement of the same three-
units system. Figure 7d illustrates a sis units purification system 600
comprising two units each comprising a , main purification unit and two
enhancing units. In this case, each three units system can be operated
independently; however this arrangement can be also built of six units
comprising a purification unit connected to five enhancing units.
Figures 7e and 7f illustrates a purification system arranged of four units
in a row 700 and in a square 800, respectively. Only one purification unit 702
and 802, respectively, is provided with controller and controlling panel 704
and 804, respectively. Each unit is provided with a door 706 in the bottom of
the unit through which a cabinet 708 with the filters can be removed for
maintenance or treatment.
In all units shown in Figure 7, the units are partially independent and
having their own fan (cannot be seen in the Figures).
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Reference is now made to Figures 8a, b and c illustrating modular
purification system in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of
the present invention, housed in a floor housing. In the floor housing shown
as
purification system 900, four enhancing units 902 are getting circulation of
air
from a single fan 904 that serves all units. Enhancing units are similar to
the
units that are shown in Figures 2 and 3 wherein only filters are provided
within
the cabinets in the units. A supporting unit 806 (clearly shown in Figure 8c
which is an exploded view of the purification system) is provided with fan 904
that supports all four enhancing units as well as a controller 908. Controller
908 supports the voltage of all four enhancing units as explained herein
before, in a modular manner. Dividers direct the air coming through inlet port
912 to pass through all four enhancing units 902 so as to purify all the air
in
the space. The air exits through the grilled outlet ports 914 purified.
Reference is now made to Figure 9 a-c illustrating an arrangement of the
modular purification system in accordance with another preferred embodiment
of the present invention. As mentioned herein before, the modular system is
adapted to allow positioning the purification system in any place within the
space in regard with different physical limitations. An example of a step-wise
arrangement is shown in Purification system 950. An isometric view is shown
in Figure 9a and a cross sectional corresponding view is shown in Figure 9b.
Purification system 950 comprises a basic purification unit 952 that includes
a
fan 954, filters 956 and a controller 958. The controller is adapted to
control
the system including as many enhancing units as needed. A grilled port 960 is
provided on the side of basic unit 952. An enhancing unit 962 is provided also
with filters 964 and grilled port 966.
Due to positioning limitations, the enhancing unit has to be connected in.
a step-wise positioning relative to the basic unit. For that reason, a
diverting
unit 968 is provided to divert the air coming from basic unit 952 into the
connected enhancing unit. Voltage is transferred from controller 958 through
electricity channels that are provided all through the units are provided also
in
diverting unit 958. Plugs 970 for transferring voltage through the units are
provided on diverting unit 968 as well as corresponding plugs available in the
basic unit and the enhancing unit (not shown in the figures). Adjacent to
every
plug, a safety micro-switch 972 is provided so as to prevent electricity
failure.
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It should be mentioned that the filters or air improvers can be mounted
near the outlet of the system or near the inlet of the system according to the
needs of the environment.
It should be emphasized that the purification system can be provided
with several enhancing units, all operated through a single controller.
It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached
Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding
of
the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.
It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the
present specification can make adjustments or amendments to the attached
Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the
following Claims.
