APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A FLUID, IN PARTICULAR AIR

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, comprising a through-channel for the fluid, a radiation source device and a photocatalysis device, wherein the radiation source device emits electromagnetic radiation, wherein, in order to generate a photocatalytic reaction, the photocatalysis device can be exposed to at least some of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein a sensor device is provided to detect at least one change in radiation parameters of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein a control device is connected to the sensor device via signals, and wherein at least one control parameter of the radiation source device can be modified by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint/threshold value or setpoint/threshold range.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, comprising a through-channel for the fluid, a radiation source device and a photocatalysis device, the radiation source device emitting electromagnetic radiation, it being possible for the photocatalysis device to be exposed to at least some of the electromagnetic radiation in order to generate a photocatalytic reaction, wherein a sensor device is provided to detect at least one change in radiation parameters of the electromagnetic radiation, a control device being connected to the sensor device via signals, it being possible to modify at least one control parameter of the radiation source device by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint/threshold value or setpoint/threshold range.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalysis device comprises a photocatalysis surface which comprises at least one photocatalytic material, the photocatalytic material being a semiconductor, the photocatalytic material being titanium (IV) oxide, TiO.sub.2; the radiation source device emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of less than 400 nm, the radiation source device emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range from 380 nm to 315 nm.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source device comprises at least one radiation source, the at least one radiation source being a light-emitting diode (LED), an efficiency (η.sub.tot) of the apparatus for cleaning a fluid being a product comprising an optical or geometric efficiency (η.sub.opt), an efficiency (η.sub.Rs) of the radiation source device and an efficiency (η.sub.Pc) of the photocatalysis device, it being possible for electromagnetic radiation having an optimal radiation parameter to be emitted by the radiation source device, a first number (N.sub.1) of radiation sources being operable for the emission of the optimal radiation parameter, the first number (N.sub.1) of radiation sources being operable with a maximum operating current (I.sub.max).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the radiation source device comprises a total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources, the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources in the radiation source device being greater than or equal to 2, the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources in the radiation source device being greater than the first number (N.sub.1).

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one control parameter is an operating current (I.sub.O), the operating current (I.sub.O) being smaller than the maximum operating current (I.sub.max) at least in a first operating state, an operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources corresponding to the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources, it being possible for the operating current (I.sub.O) of the operated radiation sources to be increased by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one control parameter is an operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources, the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources being smaller than the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources at least in a first operating state, it being possible for the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources to be increased by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein two control parameters are provided in the form of the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources and the operating current (I.sub.O), the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources being smaller than the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources at least in a first operating state, the operating current (I.sub.O) being smaller than the maximum operating current (I.sub.max) at least in a first operating state, it being possible for the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources and the operating current (I.sub.O) of the operated radiation sources to be increased by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation source is arranged on a carrier device, the carrier device being plate-like, the carrier device being arranged substantially opposite the photocatalysis device, the through-channel for the fluid being provided between the carrier device and the photocatalysis device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensor device comprises at least one sensor, the electromagnetic radiation detected by the at least one sensor being emitted directly by the radiation source device and/or being reflected by the photocatalysis device, the at least one sensor being arranged on the carrier device, the at least one sensor detecting electromagnetic radiation of electromagnetic radiation reflected by the photocatalysis device, the at least one sensor of the sensor device being arranged to the side of the radiation source device.

10. A method for controlling an apparatus for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, comprising a through-channel for the fluid, a radiation source device and a photocatalysis device, wherein the radiation source device emits electromagnetic radiation, wherein the photocatalysis device can be exposed to at least some of the electromagnetic radiation in order to generate a photocatalytic reaction, the method comprising the following method steps: a) detecting at least one radiation parameter of the electromagnetic radiation by means of a sensor device; b) comparing the detected sensor data with a setpoint value range by means of the control device; c) modifying at least one control parameter of the radiation source device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one control parameter is an operating current (I.sub.O), the operating current (I.sub.O) being smaller than the maximum operating current (I.sub.max) at least in a first operating state, an operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources, which corresponds to the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources, being operated, the operating current (I.sub.O) of the operated radiation sources being increased by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one control parameter is an operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources, the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources being smaller than the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources at least in a first operating state, the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources being increased by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein two control parameters are provided in the form of the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources and the operating current (I.sub.O), the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources being smaller than the total number (N.sub.tot) of radiation sources at least in a first operating state, the operating current (I.sub.O) being smaller than the maximum operating current (I.sub.max) at least in a first operating state, the operating number (N.sub.O) of radiation sources and the operating current (I.sub.O) of the operated radiation sources being increased by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value.

14. A household appliance comprising an apparatus for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, according to claim 1.

15. An air conditioning system comprising an apparatus for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further advantages, aims and properties of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of the accompanying drawings. Similar components may have the same reference signs in the various embodiments.

[0039] In the drawings:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for cleaning a fluid according to an embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for cleaning a fluid according to an embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an apparatus for cleaning a fluid according to an embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows an apparatus for cleaning a fluid according to an embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a graph of the radiation parameter as a function of the operating time;

[0045] FIG. 6 is a graph of the radiation parameter as a function of the operating time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an apparatus 1 for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, comprising a through-channel 2 for the fluid, a radiation source device 3 and a photocatalysis device 4, the radiation source device 3 emitting electromagnetic radiation 5, it being possible for the photocatalysis device 4 to be exposed to at least some of the electromagnetic radiation 5 in order to generate a photocatalytic reaction, a sensor device 6 being provided to detect at least one change in radiation parameters of the electromagnetic radiation 5, a control device 7 being connected to the sensor device 6 via signals, and at least one control parameter of the radiation source device 3 being modifiable by means of the control device 7 in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint/threshold value or setpoint/threshold value range.

[0047] In addition, FIGS. 1 to 6 show a method for controlling an apparatus 1 for cleaning a fluid, in particular air, comprising a through-channel 2 for the fluid, a radiation source device 3 and a photocatalysis device 4, the radiation source device 3 emitting electromagnetic radiation 5, it being possible for the photocatalysis device 4 to be exposed to at least some of the electromagnetic radiation 5 in order to generate a photocatalytic reaction, the method comprising the following method steps: [0048] a) detecting at least one radiation parameter of the electromagnetic radiation 5 by means of a sensor device 6; [0049] b) comparing the detected sensor data with a setpoint value range by means of the control device 7; [0050] c) modifying at least one control parameter of the radiation source device 3.

[0051] The apparatus 1 extends along a height axis Z, a width axis Y and a longitudinal axis X.

[0052] The radiation source device 3 comprises at least one radiation source 8, the at least one radiation source 8 being a light-emitting diode (LED). The radiation source device 3 comprises a large number of radiation sources 8, having a total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8. The radiation sources 8 or the carrier device 9 are/is opposite the photocatalysis device 4 and the through-channel 2 for the fluid is provided between the carrier device 9 and the photocatalysis device 4. The carrier device 9 extends in a plane which is spanned by the width axis Y and a longitudinal axis X. The photocatalysis device 4 comprises a photocatalysis surface 4a. This photocatalysis surface 4a also extends in a plane which is spanned by the width axis Y and a longitudinal axis X. The radiation source device 3, or the carrier device 9 having the radiation sources 8 is spaced apart from the photocatalysis device 3 or the photocatalysis surface 4a along the height axis Z. This is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

[0053] The sensor device 6 comprises at least one sensor 10. The electromagnetic radiation 5 detected by the at least one sensor 10 could originate directly from the radiation source device 3 and/or could have been reflected by the photocatalysis device 4 or any other object. According to one embodiment, at least one sensor 10 of the sensor device 6 is arranged on the carrier device 9. FIGS. 2 and 3 show this embodiment. The at least one sensor is accordingly arranged between the radiation sources 8 on the carrier device 9. Such a sensor detects the electromagnetic radiation 5 reflected by the photocatalysis device 4. According to a further embodiment, the at least one sensor 10 of the sensor device 6 is arranged to the side of the radiation source device 3. This at least one sensor 10 is also arranged to the side of the carrier device 9 and to the side of the photocatalysis device 4. Along the height axis Z, this at least one sensor 10 is arranged between the photocatalysis device 4 and the radiation source device 3.

[0054] The photocatalysis surface 4a comprises at least one photocatalytic material. The photocatalytic material is a semiconductor, preferably titanium (IV) oxide, TiO.sub.2. The photocatalysis surface 4a in this case comprises regions 12 comprising the photocatalytic material. However, other embodiments of the photocatalysis surface 4a are also conceivable. When using titanium dioxide, it is advantageous for the radiation source device 3 to emit electromagnetic radiation 5 having a wavelength of less than 400 nm, preferably in a range of from 380 nm to 315 nm.

[0055] An efficiency η.sub.tot of the apparatus 1 for cleaning a fluid is a product comprising an optical or geometric efficiency η.sub.opt, an efficiency η.sub.Rs of the radiation source device 3 and an efficiency η.sub.Pc of the photocatalysis device 4. The radiation parameter is the radiant power of the radiation source device. The sensor device 6 detects a value which changes analogously to the radiation parameter, such that the change in radiation parameter can be determined. The total radiant power P.sub.Tot of the radiation source device 3 is the product of the number N of radiation sources and the radiant power P.sub.N of the individual radiation sources 8. The radiation source device 3 can emit electromagnetic radiation 5 with an optimal radiation parameter or optimal radiant power P.sub.TotOPT. This optimal radiant power P.sub.TotOPT can be achieved by a first number N.sub.1 of radiation sources 8 which are operated with a maximum operating current I.sub.max. The provided total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8 in the radiation source device 3 is greater than the first number N.sub.1, however.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the at least one control parameter is an operating current I.sub.O. The operating current I.sub.O is smaller than the maximum operating current I.sub.max, at least in a first operating state. The operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 corresponds to the total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8. A larger number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is thus operated with a smaller operating current I.sub.O, as a result of which the optimal radiation parameter P.sub.TotOPT is emitted. In the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value 11, the operating current I.sub.O of the operated radiation sources 8 is increased by an amount ΔI by means of the control device 7. The increase in the operating current I.sub.O is dimensioned such that the optimal radiation parameter, preferably in the form of the optimal total radiant power P.sub.TotOPT, is emitted by the radiation source device 3 by means of the unchanged operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8. This increase can preferably take place even more times in the form of further operating states, a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range, in the form of falling below a threshold value 11, being detected in each further operating state. In a final operating state, the operating current I.sub.O is advantageously equal to the maximum operating current I.sub.max. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, which shows the radiation parameter as a function of the operating time. A threshold value was assumed in this case that is 80% of the optimal radiation parameter. A further line is drawn at approx. 50% of the optimal radiation parameter. This would characterise the maximum service life of the radiation source device 3. It can be seen that the maximum service life is significantly increased.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the at least one control parameter is an operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8. At least in a first operating state, the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is smaller than the total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8. The operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is preferably operated with the maximum operating current I.sub.max, as a result of which the optimal radiation parameter P.sub.TotOPT is emitted. The operating number N.sub.O advantageously corresponds to the first number N.sub.1. In the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value 11, the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is increased by an amount ΔN by means of the control device. The increase in the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is dimensioned such that the optimal radiation parameter in the form of the optimal total radiant power P.sub.TotOPT is emitted by the radiation source device 3 with the unchanged operating current I.sub.O. This increase can preferably take place even more times in the form of further operating states, a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range, in the form of falling below a threshold value, being detected in each further operating state. In a final operating state, the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources is advantageously equal to the total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, which shows the radiation parameter as a function of the operating time. A threshold value was assumed in this case that is 80% of the optimal radiation parameter. A further line is drawn at approx. 50% of the optimal radiation parameter. This would characterise the maximum service life of the radiation source device 3. It can be seen that the maximum service life is significantly increased.

[0058] According to a further advantageous embodiment, two control parameters are provided in the form of the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 and the operating current I.sub.O. At least in a first operating state, the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources is smaller than the total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8. At least in a first operating state, the operating current I.sub.O is smaller than the maximum operating current I.sub.max. In this case, it is advantageous that the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is increased by the amount ΔN and the operating current I.sub.O of the operated radiation sources 8 is increased by an amount ΔI by means of the control device in the case of a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range in the form of falling below a threshold value. The increase in the operating number N.sub.O and the operating current I.sub.O of radiation sources 8 is dimensioned such that the optimal radiation parameter, preferably in the form of the optimal total radiant power P.sub.TotOPT, is emitted by the radiation source device. This increase can take place even more times in the form of further operating states, a deviation of the radiation parameter from a setpoint value range, in the form of falling below a threshold value 11, being detected in each further operating state. In a final operating state, the operating number N.sub.O of radiation sources is advantageously equal to the total number N.sub.tot of radiation sources 8, and the operating current I.sub.O is advantageously equal to the maximum operating current I.sub.max.

[0059] Such apparatuses have the advantage that the service life is increased considerably; the user of a corresponding device having the apparatus 1 does not have to bear any maintenance costs, for example for replacing the radiation source device. The present apparatus combines detecting electromagnetic radiation with a smart LED controller.

[0060] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that these are novel individually or in combination over the prior art. It is further noted that features which can be advantageous per se have also been described in the individual drawings. A person skilled in the art will immediately recognise that a particular feature described in one drawing can also be advantageous without adopting further features from said drawing. A person skilled in the art will also recognise that advantages can also result from a combination of a plurality of features shown in individual or in different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0061] 1 Apparatus for cleaning a fluid [0062] 2 Through-channel for the fluid [0063] 3 Radiation source device [0064] 4 Photocatalysis device [0065] 4a Photocatalysis surface [0066] 5 Electromagnetic radiation [0067] 6 Sensor device [0068] 7 Control device [0069] 8 Radiation source [0070] 9 Carrier device [0071] 10 Sensor [0072] 11 Setpoint/threshold value or setpoint/threshold value range [0073] 12 Region comprising photocatalytic material [0074] X Longitudinal axis [0075] Y Width axis [0076] Z Height axis