AMBIENT AIR PURIFICATION DEVICE

Abstract

An ambient air purification device has a filter device arranged in a filter receiving region of its housing. The filter device has a main filter element and a prefilter element, each having a circumferential frame device. A clamping force generating device is provided in the housing to exert an axial clamping force on the frame device of the main filter element resting, when mounted, at the frame device of the prefilter element. The clamping force is transmitted to the frame device of the prefilter element and presses the latter seal-tightly via a seal against a circumferential contact shoulder of the filter receiving region to seal the filter device in the filter receiving region. The frame device of the main filter element is sealed indirectly by the frame device of the prefilter element in relation to the housing and has no seal location of its own in relation to the housing.

Claims

1. An ambient air purification device comprising: a housing comprising at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; at least one air flow generating device arranged in the housing and configured to generate an air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet; a filter device arranged in the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet in relation to the air flow, the filter device comprising a main filter element that comprises a plurality of filter medium bodies arranged in a V-shape relative to each other, and a prefilter element arranged upstream of the main filter element in regard to the air flow and comprising at least one filter medium body, wherein the main filter element comprises a circumferentially extending frame device, wherein the prefilter element comprises a circumferentially extending frame device, wherein the housing comprises a filter receiving region, and wherein the filter device is arranged in the filter receiving region comprising a protruding circumferentially extending contact shoulder; a clamping force generating device arranged in the housing and configured to exert, in a mounted state of the filter device, an axially directed clamping force on the circumferentially extending frame device of the main filter element, wherein, at an upstream end of the main filter element, the circumferentially extending frame device of the main filter element, in the mounted state of the main filter element, rests at the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element, and wherein the axially directed clamping force is transmitted to the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element; and a first circumferentially extending seal interposed between the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element and the protruding circumferentially extending contact shoulder of the filter receiving region, wherein the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element is pressed by the axially directed clamping force via the first circumferentially extending seal seal-tightly against the protruding circumferentially extending contact shoulder of the filter receiving region to seal the filter device in relation to the housing, and wherein the circumferentially extending frame device of the main filter element is sealed indirectly by the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element in relation to the housing and comprises no seal location of its own in relation to the housing.

2. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, further comprising a second circumferentially extending seal arranged between the main filter element and the prefilter element, the second circumferentially extending seal sealing the circumferentially extending frame device of the main filter element in relation to the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element.

3. The ambient air purification device according to claim 2, wherein the first circumferentially extending seal and the second circumferentially extending seal are arranged at the prefilter element or at the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element.

4. The ambient air purification device according to claim 2, wherein the second circumferentially extending seal is arranged at a surface of the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element and/or of circumferentially extending frame device of the main filter element, and wherein said surface is oriented normal in relation to a main inflow direction of the air flow.

5. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the first circumferentially extending seal is arranged at a surface of the circumferentially extending frame device of the prefilter element, and wherein said surface is oriented normal in relation to a main inflow direction of the air flow.

6. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one service door, through which an interior of the housing or the filter receiving region is accessible.

7. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein a length extension of the plurality of filter medium bodies of the main filter element extends in a horizontal direction in a predetermined operating orientation of the ambient air purification device.

8. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the filter medium bodies of the prefilter element and/or at least one of the plurality of filter medium bodies of the main filter element comprises a folded bellows of a folded filter medium.

9. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a front wall and a rear wall positioned opposite each other; side walls positioned opposite each other; and a top wall and a bottom wall positioned opposite each other, wherein the air outlet is arranged in the front wall or the rear wall, wherein the air inlet is arranged in one of the side walls, and wherein a main flow direction of the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet experiences at least one directional change in a main flow direction.

10. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one partition arranged in the housing and separating the filter receiving region from a fan receiving region, wherein the air flow generating device is arranged in the fan receiving region, wherein the air flow generating device is held at the partition, and wherein a fluid connection between the filter receiving region and the fan receiving region exists.

11. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the filter receiving region comprises a clean air region.

12. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferentially extending frame device at least of the prefilter element or at least of the main filter element is comprised of, or comprises, a material rigid in compression.

13. The ambient air purification device according to claim 12, wherein the material rigid in compression is a plastic material or a steel material.

14. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferentially extending frame device of the main filter element comprises a radially projecting circumferentially extending collar, and wherein the clamping force generation device attacks at the radially projecting circumferentially extending collar in the mounted state of the filter device.

15. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the main filter element and the prefilter element comprises one or more features selected from the group consisting of a particle filter medium, an adsorbent, an antimicrobial finish, an antibacterial finish, and an antiviral finish.

16. The ambient air purification device according to claim 15, wherein the particle filter medium is a HEPA filter medium, and wherein the adsorbent is an active carbon and/or a zeolite.

17. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the main filter element and the prefilter element comprises a polygonal form or a cuboid form.

18. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the filter device is arranged at a suction side in relation to the air flow generating device.

19. The ambient air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of filter medium bodies of the main filter element comprises at least four filter medium bodies.

20. The ambient air purification device according to claim 19, wherein the at least four filter medium bodies each have a filter surface area of 0.5 m.sup.2 to 3.5 m.sup.2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0082] Further advantages result from the following drawing description. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The drawings, description, and claims contain numerous features in combination. A person of skill in the art will consider the features expediently also individually and combine them to expedient further combinations.

[0083] FIG. 1 shows an isometric illustration of the ambient air purification device according to the invention.

[0084] FIG. 2 shows a further isometric illustration of the ambient air purification device according to the invention.

[0085] FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show isometric illustrations of the servicing of the ambient air purification device according to the invention, respectively.

[0086] FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section of the ambient air purification device according to the invention.

[0087] FIG. 9 shows a detail A of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] In the Figures, same or same-type components are identified with same reference characters. The Figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0089] The ambient air purification device 10 according to the invention and illustrated in FIG. 1 in an isometric external view comprises a housing 1 which comprises an air inlet 15 as well as an air outlet 14. The air inlet 15 and the air outlet 14 are each spanned across by a screen 16 which guards against access to the interior of the housing 1 and keeps away other foreign bodies. The housing 1 according to this embodiment has a substantially cuboid shape and comprises side walls 12 as well as a top and a bottom wall 11, respectively. The housing 1 comprises rounded edges that minimize the risk of injury, which is in particular advantageous in case of an indoor installation of the device according to the invention. Rounded edges are respectively provided at the short edges of the cuboid shape. The air inlet 15 is provided in a side wall 12 and the air outlet 14 in a front wall. Between the air inlet 15 and the air outlet 14 in regard to flow, a filter device 2 as well as an air flow generating device 3, which is configured to generate an air flow from the air inlet 15 through the filter device 2 to the air outlet 14, are arranged in the housing 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The air flow generating device 3 of the illustrated ambient air purification device 10 is a radial fan which is driven by an electric motor. The ambient air purification device 10 according to the invention comprises furthermore a service door 13 which can be opened for servicing.

[0090] The air flow generating device 3 comprises a fan (fluid flow engine) as well as an electric motor which drives the fan. The fan can be designed by a person of skill in the art as a function of the system characteristic line, wherein in particular known configurations such as axial fans, diagonal fans, and radial fans are conceivable.

[0091] In embodiments, the ambient air purification device 10 comprises a control device 4. The control device 4 can be in particular an electronic control device which can control operating times and strategies. The control device 4 is to be coupled in a manner appearing suitable to a person of skill in the art to the electric motor. As an alternative, the electric motor of the air flow generating device 3 can also be actuated by a simple switch.

[0092] The service event for exchange of the filter element 2 as well as further details of the ambient air purification device 10 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7 in a detailed manner with the open service door 13.

[0093] The service door 13 is pivotably connected and, in the closed state, is sealed by a seal 132 which circumferentially extends around the service opening of the housing 1. In its closed state, the service door 13 can be locked relative to a housing body by lock means 131 and is opened for the service event.

[0094] The housing 1 comprises a filter receiving region 17 in which a filter device 2 comprising a main filter element 21 and a prefilter element 22 (see FIGS. 5 to 9) is arranged. The main filter element 21 comprises a plurality of filter medium bodies 211, here six of them, arranged relative to each other in a V-shape. The filter medium bodies 211 can be in particular filter bellows of a folded filter medium. The main filter element 21 comprises in particular a HEPA filter medium.

[0095] In FIG. 4, the attachment of the filter elements 21, 22 in the filter receiving region 17 of the housing 1 can be seen. The main filter element 21 is clamped in the housing 1 by a clamping force generating device 5 which exerts an axial clamping force on its frame device 212 (see FIG. 5). The clamping force generating device 5 comprises a clamping bar 51 which can exert, by means of one or a plurality of clamping screws 52, a clamping force on the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21. FIG. 4 shows in this context the mounted state, i.e., a state with mounted/clamped filter elements 21, 22.

[0096] For exchange of the filter elements 21, 22, the clamping screws 52 are released and the clamping bar 51 can be radially displaced by means of an L-shaped cutout in the clamping bar 51, which is associated with the clamping screws 52, respectively, and through which the clamping screws 52 are guided, respectively, so that the clamping engagement of the clamping bar 51 on the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21 is released and the latter can be removed from the housing 1, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0097] The end of the main filter element 21 shown to the right in the drawing is its upstream end and the end to the left in the drawing is its downstream end. At its upstream side, the main filter element 21 has arranged upstream thereof a prefilter element 22 which also comprises a filter bellows of a folded filter medium and serves as protection for the main filter element 21 and prevents a premature excessive loading of the main filter element 21.

[0098] The prefilter element 22 comprises a frame device 222 which surrounds circumferentially the filter medium body 221. At a downstream side of the frame device 222 (in the drawing to the left), a second circumferentially extending seal 223 is provided by means of which, in the mounted state, the frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22 is sealed in relation to the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21. The sealing action between the frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22 and the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21 is realized axially.

[0099] In FIGS. 8 and 9, the interface of the prefilter element 22 and the main filter element 21 in relation to the housing 1 is shown in longitudinal section views which show the mounted state of the ambient air purification device 10. FIG. 9 shows in this context detail A of FIG. 8.

[0100] It can be seen that the main filter element 21 has no sealing device “of its own” in relation to the housing 1 but is sealed indirectly through the first circumferentially extending seal 224 which is present between the frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22 and the protruding contact shoulder 171 of the housing 1.

[0101] By means of the clamping force generating device 5, an axially directed clamping force is exerted on the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21. At its upstream end, the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21 rests at the frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22 with interposition of a second circumferentially extending seal 223, whereby the clamping force is transmitted to that of the frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22 and the frame device 212 of the main filter element 21 is sealed in relation to the frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22.

[0102] The frame device 222 of the prefilter element 22 rests at its end which is facing away from the main filter element 21, i.e., with its upstream side (in the drawing to the right), with interposition of the first circumferentially extending seal 224 at a protruding circumferentially extending contact shoulder 171 of the filter receiving region 17 of the housing 1 and is compressed by the clamping force in relation to the contact shoulder 171. The actual sealing contact of the filter device 2 is produced in the axial sealing contact between the first circumferentially extending seal 224 and the contact shoulder 171.

[0103] In an embodiment of the invention, the first circumferentially extending seal 224 as well as the second circumferentially extending seal 223 are arranged at the prefilter element 22. This has the advantage that with each exchange of the prefilter element 22, which in practice must be exchanged more frequently than the main filter element 21, new seals 224, 223 are used. This provides a permanent reliable sealing action of the filter device 2 in relation to the housing 1. However, embodiments are also in accordance with the invention in which the first seal 224 and/or second seal 223 are not connected to the prefilter element 22 and are provided loose.

[0104] The frame device 212 of the main filter element 21 has a circumferentially extending collar 213 which projects radially and provides the force introduction surface for the clamping force generating device 5.

[0105] The indirect sealing action of the main filter element 21 according to the invention in relation to the housing 1 has the advantage that the main filter element 21 requires no sealing location of its own in relation to the housing 1. In this way, the number of housing seal parts is reduced which reduces the risk of leakages and provides for a coarser tolerance in axial direction.

[0106] Furthermore, the prefilter element 22 can be exchanged without exchanging the main filter element 21 which is in practice relevant because the service life of the prefilter element 22 is two to three times longer than that of the main filter element 21.

[0107] For enabling this advantageous interface concept, the frame devices 212, 222 of the filter elements 21, 22 must have a sufficiently high compressive strength so that the forces required as a result of the sealing reaction forces can be transmitted without causing failure of the frame devices 212, 222. Therefore, the frame devices 212, 222 are produced preferably of a (hard) plastic material or steel material.

[0108] Within the housing 1, a partition 18 is provided which separates the filter receiving region 17 from a fan receiving region 19. The partition comprises a through opening which enables a fluid connection of the filter receiving region 17 to the fan receiving region 19 and carries the air flow generating device 3 which is arranged in the through opening. The fan receiving region 19 is lined with an acoustic damping material 191 which significantly lowers the operating noise level of the ambient air purification device 10.