DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner having an automated air purifier to provide both air conditioning and air purification in a confined environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, an air conditioner is an apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity of air in a particular area according to use. An air purifier is used to eliminate dust, microbes and contaminants in the air to provide purified clean air.
Currently air purifiers and air conditioners are available as two separate products. Some inventions have focussed on adding air filters in a small section of pre-filters of indoor units of room air conditioners, in order to claim air purification. However, such an arrangement does not ensure that the entire air will pass through such small sections of air filters provided in pre-filters of indoor units of room air conditioners.
Further, most of the air purifiers integrated with room air conditioners have focussed on integrating purification technology in pre-filters of indoor units of room air conditioners, this affects the efficiency and cooling capacity of air conditioner during cooling.
Also, current air purification techniques integrated with room air conditioners trap and remove bacteria and virus from air stream instead of killing them. This leads to deposition of live bacteria/pathogens on the pre-filter of room air conditioners, which acts as active sites over a period. Moreover, these integrated systems neither filters particulate matter (PM) 2.5 (carcinogen) nor displays PM 2.5 levels in the air. It can thus be observed that there is no air purification technology available that is integrated with room air conditioners removes and displays PM 2.5, and kills pathogens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect, the present invention provides an air conditioner having an automated air purifier to provide both air conditioning and air purification in a confined environment. The air purifier is integrated in an indoor unit (IDU) of the air conditioner and comprises a composite filter assembly having a mesh cage and a composite filter. The composite filter is clamped or pinned to the mesh cage. A prefilter configured to accommodate the composite filter assembly, wherein the mesh cage has design features to fix the composite filter assembly to the prefilter. The air purifier further comprises a filter feedback unit mounted on the composite filter assembly and at least comprising an air quality monitor unit, a comparing unit and a control unit. The air quality monitor unit monitors the instant air quality of the confined environment. The comparing unit receives the air quality information monitored by the air quality monitor unit, and compares the instant air quality information with a preset threshold value to generate a comparison result, and the control unit receives the comparison result generated by the comparing unit and controls the air purification function of the air conditioner to be started or closed according to the comparison result.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows mesh cage having mounting and locking features, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a) illustrates hook type feature in the mesh cage, b) illustrates slot in the mesh cage for locking mechanism;
Figure 2 shows composite filter assembly having composite filter attached to the mesh cage, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows composite filter assembly with 12K prefilter mesh, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a) illustrates enlarged view of mounted hook type feature in the 12K mesh cage, b) illustrates enlarged view of the locking mechanism;
Figure 4 shows composite filter assembly with 18K prefilter mesh, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a) illustrates assembly enlarged view of mounted hook type feature in the 18K mesh cage, b) illustrates enlarged view of the locking mechanism; and
Figure 5 shows composite filter assembly with 22K prefilter mesh, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a) illustrates slot for mounting hook type feature in the 22K mesh cage, b) illustrates assembly enlarged view of mounted hook type feature in the 22K mesh cage, c) illustrates locking feature in the mesh cage, and d) illustrates enlarged view of the locking mechanism.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The present invention relates to an air conditioner having an automated air purifier to provide both air conditioning and air purification in a confined environment. The air purifier is integrated in an indoor unit (IDU) of the air conditioner. The air purifier functions as a purifier trapping any particulate matter (PM) in the air and also kills bacteria, moulds and viruses and removes odour from air stream. Killing the bacteria and fungi present in the room ensures that there are no active sites in the air conditioner.
The air purifier of the present invention comprises, a composite filter assembly (2), a prefilter (8) and a filter feedback unit. The arrangement consists of the composite filter assembly (2) being configured to be integrated in the prefilter (8) and the filter feedback unit being configured to be mounted on the composite filter assembly (2).
In an embodiment composite filter assembly (2) comprising of a mesh cage (4) and a composite filter (6). The composite filter (6) can be fixed in the mesh cage (4) to form the assembly (2). The mesh cage (4) has design features to fix composite filter assembly (2) to the prefilter (8). The design features can be hook mechanism, locking mechanism, clamping mechanism or any other known mechanism in the art. The design features can also be combination of mechanisms disclosed therebefore. Figure 1 shows mesh cage (4) having design features for assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1a illustrates hook type feature (4a) in the mesh cage (4). Figure 1b illustrates slot (4b) in the mesh cage (4).
Figure 2 shows composite filter (6) attached to the mesh cage (4), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The composite filter (6) can be clamped or pinned to the mesh cage (4) to form the assembly (2).
Figure 3 -5 shows composite filter assembly (2) with different prefilter mesh sizes (8). Even though prefilter mesh size of 12K, 18K, and 22K are shown in figures, the composite filter assembly (2) can be fixed or accommodated in the other known prefilters sizes (8). In an embodiment composite filter assembly (2) is fixed to the prefilters (8) by hook and lock mechanism (4a’ & 4b’), as shown in figures.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the composite filter (6) can be a coated washable media integrated in the prefilter section of the indoor unit (IDU). As the air filter assembly (2) is mounted to the prefilter (8), it may affect the cooling performance of the room air conditioner. This drop in cooling performance and efficiency of the air conditioner is compensated by providing high efficiency motor in the IDU and increasing air flow in terms of cubic feet per minute (CFM). The composite filter (6) can be composite or separated as different layers and components depending on the application. The filter media is washable and does not lose its capacity to kill bacteria even after multiple wash.
The filter feedback unit according to the present invention at least comprises an air quality monitor unit, a comparing unit and a control unit, the air quality monitor unit is used for monitoring the current air quality of environment, the comparing unit is used for receiving current air quality information monitored by the air quality monitor unit and comparing the received current air quality information with a pre-set threshold value to obtain a comparison result, and the control unit is used for receiving the comparison result generated by the comparing unit and controlling the air purification function of an air conditioner to be started or closed according to the comparison result. In an embodiment of the invention the filter feedback unit is a PM 2.5 sensors to measure and display air quality in a room.
In operation of the present invention, the blower of the indoor unit is ON and entire air stream passes through the filter media, thus filtration efficiency significantly improve when compared to current techniques. Once the air stream passes through the composite filter media, filter feedback unit measures and displays the PM 2.5 levels in the air stream on the IDU. When the air purification levels are achieved or when the cooling demand increases IDU motor adjusts its rpm to increase the CFM to ensure cooling performance will not be affected.
The air conditioner according to the present invention can be operated in different modes. In cooling and purification mode both cooling and purification of air stream is performed together in a cycle. In only purification mode, when the desired set point temperature is achieved while air conditioning, cooling can be stopped, and only purification of air can be performed without further air cooling. These different modes i.e. cooling and purification mode, purifying only mode etc., can be achieved by using a control system. The speed of the blower of indoor unit changes speed based on the cooling requirement or PM levels in the room depending on which mode has been selected.
The air conditioner according to the invention describes air-conditioner having an air purifier has the capacity to provide the required cooling and purification by filtering the particulate matter (PM 2.5), killing the pathogens (such as bacteria, moulds & viruses), and removing odour from the air stream and yet does not attach itself to the pre-filter of the room air conditioner.
Although but one preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, it will be obvious to those skilled in this art that other embodiments may be readily designed within the scope and teachings thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting.

,CLAIMS:
1. An air conditioner having an automated air purifier to provide both air conditioning and air purification in a confined environment, wherein said air purifier is integrated in an indoor unit (IDU) of the air conditioner, said air conditioner comprising:
a composite filter assembly (2) having a mesh cage (4) and a composite filter (6), the composite filter (6) is clamped or pinned to the mesh cage (4);
a prefilter (8) being configured to accommodate the composite filter assembly (2), the mesh cage (4) has design features (4a, 4b) to fix the composite filter assembly (2) to the prefilter (8); and
a filter feedback unit mounted on the composite filter assembly (2), the filter feedback unit having an air quality monitor unit, a comparing unit and a control unit, wherein
said air quality monitor unit monitors the instant air quality of the confined environment,
said comparing unit receives the air quality information monitored by the air quality monitor unit, and compares the instant air quality information with a preset threshold value to generate a comparison result, and
said control unit receives the comparison result generated by the comparing unit and controls the air purification function of the air conditioner to be started or closed according to the comparison result.
2. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a motor for increasing the air flow.
3. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said motor compensates the drop in cooling performance and efficiency of the air conditioner by increasing air flow.
4. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter feedback unit is a particulate matter (PM) sensors.
5. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 4, wherein said filter feedback unit is a PM 2.5 sensors.
6. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composite filter (6) is a coated washable media.
7. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said design features include plurality of hooks (4a) for mounting, and plurality of slots (4b) for locking.
8. An automated method of air purifying in an air conditioner, said method comprising the steps of:
allowing air stream to pass through an air purifier integrated in an indoor unit (IDU) of the air conditioner; and
measuring and displaying the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels in the air stream by a filter feedback unit, wherein the step of measuring including the steps of,
monitoring the air quality of the environment by an air quality monitor unit,
receiving the air quality information monitored by the air quality monitor unit and comparing the received air quality information with a preset threshold value by a comparing unit to generate a comparison result; and
receiving the comparison result generated by the comparing unit and controlling the air purification function of the air conditioner by a control unit either to be started or closed according to the comparison result.