Filter arrangement, humidifying device comprising a filter arrangement and method for cleaning a humidifying filter member of a humidifying device

Abstract

A filter arrangement for a humidifying device. The filter arrangement has: a rotatable body; a humidifying filter member arranged to be wetted with water; a guiding arrangement configured to guide water to a discharge region; and at least one discharge bucket arranged on the rotatable body. The at least one discharge bucket is configured to lift water from a tray and to discharge the water to the guiding arrangement as the rotatable body rotates in a first direction about a rotational axis. A humidifying device comprising a filter arrangement and a method for cleaning a humidifying filter member of a humidifying device are also provided.

Claims

1. A filter arrangement for a humidifying device, the filter arrangement comprising: a rotatable body; a humidifying filter member arranged to be wetted with water; a tray located below the rotatable body; a guiding arrangement configured to guide water to a discharge region located outside the tray; and at least one discharge bucket arranged on the rotatable body, wherein the at least one discharge bucket is configured to lift water from the tray and to discharge the water to the guiding arrangement as the rotatable body rotates in a first direction about a rotational axis.

2. The filter arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable body comprises a rotatable filter frame supporting the filter member.

3. The filter arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each discharge bucket comprises a spout for discharging water to the guiding arrangement.

4. The filter arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rotatably arranged wetting bucket configured to lift water from the tray and to sprinkle the water on the filter member as the at least one wetting bucket rotates.

5. The filter arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the at least one wetting bucket is arranged on the rotatable body and is configured to lift water from the tray and to sprinkle the water on the filter member as the rotatable body rotates in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, about the rotational axis.

6. The filter arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the at least one wetting bucket and the at least one discharge bucket are aligned in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.

7. The filter arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a motor arranged to drive the rotatable body in the first direction and in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, about the rotational axis.

8. The filter arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the rotatable body comprises driven teeth at a periphery of the rotatable body, wherein the filter arrangement further comprises a drive gear wheel having drive teeth in meshing engagement with the driven teeth, and wherein the motor is arranged to drive the drive gear wheel.

9. The filter arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the motor and the guiding arrangement are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis.

10. A humidifying device comprising a filter arrangement according to claim 1.

11. A method for cleaning a humidifying filter member of a humidifying device, the method comprising: wetting the filter member with water; rotating a rotatable body in a first direction about a rotational axis such that at least one discharge bucket arranged on the rotatable body lifts water from a tray located below the rotatable body and discharges the water to a guiding arrangement; and guiding the water along the guiding arrangement to a discharge region located outside the tray.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one wetting bucket is arranged on the rotatable body and wherein the wetting of the filter member with water from the tray comprises rotating the rotatable body in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, about the rotational axis such that the at least one wetting bucket lifts water from the tray and sprinkles the water on the filter member.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the wetting of the filter member with water from the tray and the rotation of the rotatable body in the first direction are carried out repeatedly and alternatingly.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the wetting of the filter member with water from the tray and the rotation of the rotatable body in the first direction are carried out repeatedly and alternatingly until a predetermined condition is met.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined condition is based on a time limit, a number of rotations of the rotatable body, a water level in the tray and/or a water flow out from a tank or a housing of the humidifying device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1: represents a perspective view of a humidifying device;

(3) FIG. 2: represents a perspective view of the interior of the humidifying device in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3: represents a side view of the interior of the humidifying device in FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4: represents a cross-sectional view of section A-A in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5: represents a cross-sectional view of section B-B in FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6: represents a cross-sectional front view of the humidifying device in FIGS. 1 to 5;

(8) FIG. 7: represents a perspective view of the interior of a further humidifying device;

(9) FIG. 8: represents a side view of the interior of the humidifying device in FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9: represents a cross-sectional view of section C-C in FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10: represents a perspective view of the interior of a further humidifying device;

(12) FIG. 11: represents a side view of the interior of the humidifying device in FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12: represents a cross-sectional view of section D-D in FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13: represents a cross-sectional view of section E-E in FIG. 11;

(15) FIG. 14: represents a perspective view of the interior of a further humidifying device; and

(16) FIG. 15: represents a front view of the interior of the humidifying device in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) In the following, a filter arrangement for a humidifying device, a humidifying device comprising a filter arrangement and a method for cleaning a humidifying filter member of a humidifying device, will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

(18) FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a humidifying device 10. The humidifying device 10 comprises a filter arrangement according to the present disclosure. The humidifying device 10 may or may not comprise further functions, such as a cleaning function to clean air, e.g. a cleaning arrangement arranged upstream of the filter arrangement.

(19) The humidifying device 10 comprises a housing 12. A lid 14 is provided on one side of the housing 12 for a discharge operation which will be described in the following. FIG. 1 further denotes a first horizontal direction 16 (e.g. an X-axis), a second horizontal direction 18 (e.g. a Y-axis), perpendicular to the first horizontal direction 16, and a vertical direction 20 (e.g. a Z-axis).

(20) FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the interior of the humidifying device 10 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the housing 12 has been removed. The humidifying device 10 comprises a filter arrangement 22. The humidifying device 10 further comprises a tank 24 for being filled with water and a tray 26. The tank 24 of this example is vertically oriented at one side of the filter arrangement 22. The tray 26 is arranged below the filter arrangement 22. The tank 24 is configured to deliver water to the tray 26. The tank 24 and the tray 26 of this example may collectively house 2000 mL to 6500 mL water, for example approximately 4300 mL water.

(21) The filter arrangement 22 comprises a humidifying filter member 28. The filter member 28 is constituted by a porous medium to absorb water in order to moisturize air passing through the filter member 28 during normal operation of the humidifying device 10.

(22) The filter arrangement 22 further comprises a rotatable body 30. In this example, the rotatable body 30 supports the filter member 28. However, the filter member 28 may alternatively be stationary or supported by a further rotatable body.

(23) The rotatable body 30 and the filter member 28 are arranged to rotate about a rotational axis 32. In this example, the rotatable body 30 is circular and the filter member 28 is supported radially inside the rotatable body 30.

(24) The filter arrangement 22 further comprises a plurality of wetting buckets 34 and a plurality of discharge buckets 36. In this example, the wetting buckets 34 and the discharge buckets 36 are arranged on the rotatable body 30 and are substantially evenly distributed around the circumference of the rotatable body 30.

(25) The wetting buckets 34 and the discharge buckets 36 are aligned parallel to the rotational axis 32. Thus, the wetting buckets 34 and the discharge buckets 36 are arranged at substantially the same radial distance from the rotational axis 32 and are arranged next to each other along the rotational axis 32. The wetting buckets 34 are arranged closer to the filter member 28 along the rotational axis 32 than the discharge buckets 36.

(26) The rotatable body 30 further comprises driven teeth 38 for rotating the rotatable body 30. In this example, the driven teeth 38 are arranged around the periphery of the rotatable body 30.

(27) The filter arrangement 22 further comprises a motor 40, e.g. an electric motor. The filter arrangement 22 further comprises a drive gear wheel 42 to be rotated by means of the motor 40. The drive gear wheel 42 comprises drive teeth 44 in meshing engagement with the driven teeth 38 of the rotatable body 30. The rotatable body 30 can be rotated in both directions around the rotational axis 32 by means of the motor 40. In this example, the drive gear wheel 42 constitutes a transmission arrangement.

(28) The filter arrangement 22 further comprises a guiding arrangement 46. The guiding arrangement 46 is configured to guide water away from the rotatable body 30 and the filter member 28 to a discharge region (not shown), e.g. horizontally outside the tray 26. FIG. 2 shows that the guiding arrangement 46 comprises a channel 48, slightly inclined with respect to horizontal. The guiding arrangement 46 may comprise further components, such as a hose.

(29) Each discharge bucket 36 comprises a spout 50 for discharging water to the guiding arrangement 46. Each discharge bucket 36 may also comprise an opening (not shown) for collecting water from the tray 26. In this example, the discharge buckets 36 are arranged between the wetting buckets 34 and the guiding arrangement 46. The spouts 50 are directed towards the guiding arrangement 46 along the rotational axis 32.

(30) Each discharge bucket 36 is configured to collect water from the tray 26 and to discharge the water to the guiding arrangement 46. As the rotatable body 30 rotates in a first direction around the rotational axis 32 the discharge buckets 36 are dipped in the water in the tray 26 to collect water. The discharge buckets 36 carrying water are then elevated from the tray 26 to the upper region. At the upper region, the discharge buckets 36 discharge water to the guiding arrangement 46 via the spouts 50. The guiding arrangement 46 guides the water away from the filter member 28 to a discharge region. The discharge buckets 36 then return empty down to the tray 26 and the cycle is repeated.

(31) Each wetting bucket 34 is configured to collect water from the tray 26 and sprinkle the water on the filter member 28. Both the water collection and the water sprinkling may be effected by means of an opening (not shown) in the wetting bucket 34.

(32) As the rotatable body 30 rotates in a second direction around the rotational axis 32, opposite to the first direction, the wetting buckets 34 are dipped in the water in the tray 26 to collect water. The wetting buckets 34 carrying water are then elevated from the tray 26 to an upper region, e.g. on the opposite side of the rotatable body 30 with respect to the tray 26. At the upper region, the wetting buckets 34 sprinkle the water on the filter member 28. The wetting buckets 34 then return empty down to the tray 26 and the cycle is repeated.

(33) During normal operation of the humidifying device 10, the motor 40 rotates the rotatable body 30 in the second direction in order to moisturize the filter member 28 with water. The water is distributed over the filter member 28 by means of capillary action. As air is drawn through the filter member 28, e.g. by means of a fan (not shown), some water in the filter member 28 is evaporated into the air and the air is humidified. The rotatable body 30 may be rotated at a normal speed during normal operation of the humidifying device 10.

(34) In a cleaning mode, or prior to a cleaning mode, of the humidifying device 10, cleaning detergent may be added to the tank 24 or to the tray 26. This may be done automatically, e.g. by means of a cleaning detergent dispenser (not illustrated), or manually.

(35) The cleaning mode comprises at least one wetting operation and at least one discharge operation. During the wetting operation, the rotatable body 30 is rotated in the second direction to sprinkle water containing cleaning detergent on the filter member 28 by means of the wetting buckets 34. In the wetting operation, the rotatable body 30 may be rotated at a higher speed, e.g. higher than the normal speed. The wetting operation may be carried out during, for example, 1 minute. During the wetting operation, dirt collected on and in the filter member 28 is dissolved and dislodged. The dirty water is transported down to the tray 26 by means of gravity.

(36) After the wetting operation, the discharge operation is executed. During the discharge operation, the rotatable body 30 is rotated in the first direction to lift the dirty water from the tray 26 and discharges the dirty water to the guiding arrangement 46 by means of the discharge buckets 36. The guiding arrangement 46 then guides the dirty water away from the rotatable body 30 and the tray 26 to the discharge region, e.g. outside the humidifying device 10. Also in the discharge operation, the rotatable body 30 ay be rotated at a higher speed, e.g. higher than the normal speed. The discharge operation may be carried out during, for example, 1 minute.

(37) After the discharge operation, a new wetting operation may be executed. If necessary, water and cleaning detergent may be added to the tank 24 or tray 26 again. Thus, the cleaning operation and the discharge operation may be carried out repeatedly and alternatingly. The last cleaning operation may be carried out with only water and no cleaning detergent for the purpose of rinsing off excess cleaning detergent.

(38) FIG. 3 represents a side view of the interior of the humidifying device 10 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows that the filter arrangement 22 is very compact, in particular along the rotational axis 32. The motor 40 is arranged above, and horizontally aligned with, the guiding arrangement 46.

(39) FIG. 4 represents a cross-sectional view of section A-A in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the opening 52 of each wetting bucket 34 is shown and the second rotational direction of the rotatable body 30 is denoted as 54.

(40) FIG. 5 represents a cross-sectional view of section B-B in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5, the opening 56 of each discharge bucket 36 is shown and the first rotational direction of the rotatable body 30 is denoted as 58.

(41) FIG. 6 represents a cross-sectional front view of a humidifying device 10. In FIG. 6, the housing 12 is provided on the humidifying device 10. The guiding arrangement 46 comprises, in addition to the channel 48, a hose 60. The hose 60 opens to a discharge region 62. In this example, the discharge region 62 is provided in a container 64. However, the discharge region 62 may alternatively be provided over a drain on the floor.

(42) In FIG. 6, the lid 14 of the housing 12 is opened and the hose 60 has been pulled through the opening associated with the lid 14. After a cleaning operation, the hose 60 may be pushed into the housing 12 and the lid 14 can be closed.

(43) FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of the interior of a further humidifying device 10. FIG. 8 represents a side view of the interior of the humidifying device 10 in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 represents a cross-sectional view of section C-C in FIG. 8. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described.

(44) With collective reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the humidifying device 10 comprises a filter arrangement 22. The filter arrangement 22 does not comprise any wetting buckets. The rotatable body 30 and the tray 26 are arranged such that the filter member 28 supported by the rotatable body 30 is submerged in the water in the tray 26. Thus, a segment of the filter member 28 comes in contact with the water in the tray 26. For this purpose, the tray 26 may be slightly higher than the tray 26 in FIGS. 1 to 6.

(45) By rotating the rotatable body 30 in FIGS. 7 to 9 in the second direction 54 about the rotational axis 32, different segments of the filter member 28 are brought into contact with the water in the tray 26 and the filter member 28 is thereby wetted with water from the tray 26. This type of wetting of the filter member 28 may be referred to as dip wetting. By rotating the rotatable body 30 in the first direction 58 about the rotational axis 32, each of the discharge buckets 36 arranged on the rotatable body 30 lifts water from the tray 26 and discharges the water to the guiding arrangement 46 for being guided to a discharge region. Also when the rotatable body 30 is rotated in the first direction 54 about the rotational axis 32, different segments of the filter member 28 are brought into contact with the water in the tray 26 and the filter member 28 is thereby wetted with water from the tray 26, i.e. dip wetted.

(46) FIG. 10 represents a perspective view of the interior of a further humidifying device 10. FIG. 11 represents a side view of the interior of the humidifying device 10 in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 represents a cross-sectional view of section D-D in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 represents a cross-sectional view of section E-E in FIG. 11. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described.

(47) With collective reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, the humidifying device 10 comprises a filter arrangement 22. The filter arrangement 22 comprises a plurality of wetting buckets 34 and a plurality of discharge buckets 36 arranged on the rotatable body 30. The wetting buckets 34 and the discharge buckets 36 face in the same direction around the circumference of the rotatable body 30.

(48) By rotating the rotatable body 30 in FIGS. 10 to 13 in the first direction 58 about the rotational axis 32, each of the wetting buckets 34 lifts water from the tray 26 and sprinkles the water on the filter member 28. At the same time, i.e. when the rotatable body 30 rotates in the first direction 58, each of the discharge buckets 36 lifts water from the tray 26 and discharges the water to the guiding arrangement 46 for being guided to a discharge region.

(49) FIG. 14 represents a perspective view of the interior of a further humidifying device 10. FIG. 15 represents a front view of the interior of the humidifying device 10 in FIG. 14. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described.

(50) With collective reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the humidifying device 10 comprises a filter arrangement 22. The filter arrangement comprises a plurality of wetting buckets 34 and a plurality of discharge buckets 36 alternatingly arranged around the circumference of the rotatable body 30. In the example of FIGS. 14 and 15, the wetting buckets 34 and the discharge buckets 36 are arranged in the same plane and face in the same direction around the circumference of the rotatable body 30.

(51) By rotating the rotatable body 30 in the first direction 58, each of the wetting buckets 34 lifts water from the tray 26 and sprinkles the water on the filter member 28. At the same time, i.e. when the rotatable body 30 rotates in the first direction 58, each of the discharge buckets 36 lifts water from the tray 26 and discharges the water to the guiding arrangement 46.

(52) According to a variation of the example in FIGS. 14 and 15, the discharge buckets 36 face in one direction around the circumference of the rotatable body 30 (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) and the wetting buckets 34 face in the opposite direction around the circumference of the rotatable body 30. In this case, by rotating the rotatable body 30 in the first direction 58 around the rotational axis 32, each of the discharge buckets 36 lifts water from the tray 26 and discharges the water to the guiding arrangement 46. By rotating the rotatable body 30 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction 58, about the rotational axis 32, each of the wetting buckets 34 lifts water from the tray 26 and sprinkles the water on the filter member 28. This variation of the example in FIGS. 14 and 15 provides for a further compact filter arrangement 22.

(53) While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. Although FIGS. 1 to 15 merely represent examples of a humidifying device 10 and a filter arrangement 22, FIGS. 1 to 15 are drawn to scale. However, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.