MOVEABLE IONIZATION UNIT FOR CLEANING AIR IN A ROOM

Abstract

An Ionization unit (7) for cleaning air in a room (1) with a ceiling (3) and a floor (5), comprising an ionizer (19) configured to electrically charge particles in the air; and a support unit (13) configured to enable the ionization unit (7) to be positioned at a distance of at least 50 centimeters above the floor (5) of the room (1), wherein the support unit (13) allows the ionization unit (7) to travel within the room (1) while being distanced from the floor (5).

Claims

1. An ionization unit for cleaning air in a room with a ceiling and a floor, comprising: an ionizer configured to electrically charge particles in the air; and a support unit configured to enable the ionization unit to be positioned at a distance of at least 50 centimeters above the floor of the room, wherein the support unit allows the ionization unit to travel within the room while being distanced from the floor.

2. The ionization unit according to claim 1, wherein the support unit is configured to suspend the ionization unit from the ceiling of the room.

3. The ionization according to claim 1, wherein support unit comprises suction cups configured to hold the ionization unit at the ceiling of the room.

4. The ionization unit according to claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises an airborne unit configured to enable the ionization unit to fly or float above the floor.

5. A system for cleaning air in a room with a ceiling and a floor, comprising: an ionization unit, in particular according to any one of the preceding claims; and a cleaning robot configured to move on the floor, wherein the ionization unit and the cleaning robot are configured to move through the room in a coordinated manner.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the ionization unit and the cleaning robot are connected by a connection member.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning robot comprises a vacuum unit with an air flow unit configured to suck in air from the room through an inlet opening of the cleaning robot, wherein the inlet opening faces upwards.

8. A method for cleaning air in a room with a ceiling and a floor, comprising: moving an ionization unit at a distance of at least 50 centimeters above the floor of the room; and electrically charging particles in the air by the ionization unit.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising moving a cleaning robot at the floor of the room in coordination with the movement of the ionization unit.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the ionization unit is displaced by the cleaning robot.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning robot sucks in air from within the room through an inlet opening facing towards an upside direction.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the ionization unit moves at the ceiling of the room.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the ionization unit hangs from the ceiling while moving at the ceiling.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the ionization unit flies or floats in the room.

15. Use of an ionization unit moving within a room at a distance of at least 50 centimeters above a floor of the room to accelerate gravitation-based descent of particles within the room.

Description

[0099] Examples with now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0100] FIG. 1 schematically shows a system comprising an ionization unit and a cleaning robot within a room according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows schematic top, bottom and perspective views of the ionization unit of FIG. 1;

[0102] FIG. 3 shows schematic top, bottom and perspective views of the cleaning robot of FIG. 1;

[0103] FIG. 4 schematically shows a system comprising an ionization unit and a cleaning robot in a room according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0104] FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of the ionization unit and the cleaning robot of FIG. 4.

[0105] FIG. 1 shows a system for cleaning air in a room 1 according to an embodiment. The room comprises a ceiling 3 and a floor 5. The system comprises an ionization unit 7 and a cleaning robot 9.

[0106] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the ionization unit 7 moves at the ceiling 3 of the room 1. The ionization unit 7 hangs from the ceiling 3 of the room 1.

[0107] FIG. 2 shows details of the ionization unit of FIG. 1. Part A of FIG. 2 shows a top view of the ionization unit 7 of FIG. 1, Part B of FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the ionization unit 7 of FIG. 1, and Part C of FIG. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of the ionization unit 7 of FIG. 1.

[0108] The ionization unit 7 comprises a main body 11 and a support unit 13 configured to hold the ionization unit 7 at the ceiling 3 of the room 1. The support unit 13 comprises suction cups 15 for engaging the ceiling 3 of the room 1. The ionization unit 7 comprises a suction unit configured to create an underpressure between the suction cups 15 and a lower surface of the ceiling 3 to hold the ionization unit 7 at the lower surface of the ceiling 3. The suction cups 15 are provided at a rotatable structure 17 of the ionization unit 7. In the present embodiment, the rotatable structure 17 comprises two caterpillar devices. Alternatively, the rotatable structure 17 could comprise one or more wheels, for example. The ionization unit 7 comprises a drive unit for driving the rotatable structure 17 to move the ionization unit 7 along the lower surface of the ceiling 3.

[0109] The ionization unit 7 comprises an ionizer 19. The ionizer 19 may be provided at a lower surface of the ionization unit 7. The ionizer 19 may comprise a piezoelectric transformer, in particular a Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer. The ionizer 19 is configured to electrically charge particles in the air, such as dust particles in the air. The ionizer 19 may charge the particles in the air by way of a corona discharge. If particles in the air are electrically charged by the ionizer 19, the particles tend to form clusters with other particles in the air due to electrostatic interaction. Such clusters of particles have a higher tendency to settle down within the room 1 due to gravity than individual particles. Clusters of particles may descend within the room 1 at a higher velocity than individual particles.

[0110] The ionization unit 7 may comprise a rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeable battery. The ionization unit 7 may return to a base station 21 from time to time to recharge the rechargeable power source. The base station 21 may be provided at the ceiling 3. Alternatively, the ionization unit 7 could be removed from the ceiling 3 after use to be recharged. As a further alternative, the ionization unit 7 could be connected to a power source by wire.

[0111] The ionization unit 7 comprises a control unit 23. The control unit 23 may control the drive unit and the ionizer 19 of the ionization unit 7. The ionization unit 7 may comprise a sensor unit 25. The sensor unit 25 may, for example, comprise an obstacle sensor. The sensor unit 25 may, for example, comprise a particle sensor.

[0112] As mentioned, the system further comprises a cleaning robot 9. The cleaning robot 9 moves on the floor 5 of the room 1. Details of the cleaning robot 9 of FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 3. Part A of FIG. 3 shows a top view of the cleaning robot 9, Part B of FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the cleaning robot 9 and Part C of FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of the cleaning robot 9.

[0113] The cleaning robot 9 comprises a main body 27. The cleaning robot 9 may be self-driving. The cleaning robot 9 comprises a drive assembly 29 enabling the cleaning robot 9 to move on the floor 5. The cleaning robot 9 comprises a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit has a filter unit provided within the main body 27 and configured to filter dust from air. Further, the vacuum unit comprises an airflow unit configured to suck in air from the room 1 and provide the air to the filter unit. The cleaning robot 9 comprises an inlet opening 31 through which the vacuum unit sucks in air. The inlet opening 31 faces away from the floor 5 and is open towards an upper side. As the inlet opening 31 faces upward, particles or clusters of particles falling down by gravity may be directly sucked in through the inlet opening 31. The cleaning robot 9 comprises an electrically charged surface 33 provided at the inlet opening 31. In the present embodiment, the electrically charged surface 33 is plate-shaped with through holes for allowing air and dust to pass through. The electrically surface 31 may attract dust particles. In particular, the electrically charged surfaced 33 may attract particles that were electrically charged by the ionization unit 7. Air sucked in through the inlet opening 31 may be filtered within the main body 27 of the cleaning robot 9 and may then be discharged through an outlet opening 35 provided at a lateral side of the main body 27.

[0114] In addition or as an alternative to the inlet opening 31 facing upwards, the cleaning robot 9 may comprise an inlet opening 37 facing towards the floor 5. The vacuum unit may suck in air through the inlet opening 37 facing towards the floor 5 to provide a floor cleaning function similar to the floor cleaning function of standard cleaning robots. Air sucked in through the inlet opening 37 facing the floor 5 may be discharged through the outlet opening 35 after being filtered.

[0115] The cleaning robot 9 may comprise a power source. The power source of the cleaning robot 9 may be a rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeable battery. The cleaning robot 9 may return to a base station 41 from time to time to be recharged. Alternatively, the cleaning robot 9 could be powered via a wired connection.

[0116] The cleaning robot 9 comprises a control unit 43 controlling the drive unit 29 to move the cleaning robot 9 on top of the floor 5. The control unit 43 may also control other functions of the cleaning robot 9. The cleaning robot 9 may comprise a sensor unit 45. The sensor unit 45 may comprise an obstacle sensor. The sensor unit 45 may comprise a particle sensor.

[0117] The ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may move through the room 1 in a coordinated manner. The movement of the ionization unit 7 within the room 1 may be coordinated with the movement of the cleaning robot 9 on the floor 5. One of the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may be configured as a lead device. The other one of the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may be configured as a follow device. The follow device may be configured to move based on the movement of the lead device. The follow device may be configured to follow the lead device through the room 1. The lead device may be configured to move through the room 1 based on a predetermined movement pattern. The predetermined movement pattern may be programmed by a user or may be derived based on previous runs. The lead unit may move through the room 1 based on a random walk scheme. The lead unit may move through the room 1 based on output of the sensor unit 25, 45 of the lead unit. For example, the lead unit may be configured to move through the room 1 based on output of an obstacle sensor of the lead unit, possibly in combination with a random walk scheme. The lead unit may be configured to move through the room based on output of a particle sensor of the lead unit. For example, the lead unit may remain stationary as long as its particle sensor detects a particle density in the air that is above a predetermined threshold at the location of the lead unit. Once the particle density detected by the particle sensor of the lead unit falls below the threshold value, the lead unit may move to another location within the room 1.

[0118] The ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may be configured to move so as to be positioned above each other. The ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may be configured to move so as to at least partially overlap along a vertical direction. The ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may be configured to move so as to be positioned above each other within a certain tolerance. For example, the cleaning robot 9 may move so as to remain within a certain region around a vertical projection of the ionization unit 7 onto the floor 5 of the room 1.

[0119] The ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 may be in data communication with each other. Preferably, the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 communicate wirelessly. For example, the lead unit may communicate movement information to the follow unit to allow the follow unit to move in coordination with the lead unit.

[0120] There may be direct data communication between the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9. It would also be conceivable that both the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 are in communication with an external entity, such as an external control unit. Such external control unit might, for example, be provided in the base station 21 of the ionization unit 7 or in the base station 41 of the cleaning robot 9, or could be part of a smart house control unit. The external control unit could coordinate movement of the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9.

[0121] FIG. 1 shows the ionization unit 7 moving at the ceiling 3 of the room 1. As an alternative, the ionization unit 7 could move at another support structure provided at a distance to the floor 5. For example, the ionization unit 7 could move at an intermediate ceiling hanging from the ceiling 3. The ionization unit 7 could also move at walls of the room 1.

[0122] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a system for cleaning air in a room 1 with a ceiling 3 and floor 5. The system again comprises an ionization unit 7 and a cleaning robot 9. The cleaning robot 9 may be the same as the cleaning robot 9 described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3. The ionization unit 7 of the embodiment show in FIG. 4 is different from the ionization unit 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0123] According to the embodiment of FIG. 4 the ionization unit 7 comprises a lifting cell 51 filled with gas having a lower density than air. For example, the lifting cell 51 may be filled with helium. The lifting cell 51 serves as a support unit 13 allowing the ionization unit 7 to move above the floor 5 of the room 1. The ionization unit 7 moves at least 50 centimeters above the floor 5. The ionization unit 7 may move at a distance of at least 80 centimeters, or a distance of at least 100 centimeters, or at a distance of at least 150 centimeters, or at a distance of at least 200 centimeters, or at a distance of at least 250 centimeters above the floor 5.

[0124] In the illustrated embodiment, the ionization unit 7 is connected to the cleaning robot 9 with a connection member 53. The connection member 53 is non-supportive. This means that if the helium would be released from within the lifting cell 51, the lifting cell 51 would not be held at it position by the connection member 53, but would fall down due to gravity. The connection member 53 may be flexible. The connection member 53 may comprise a rope, or a cord, or a wire, or a rod for example.

[0125] An ionizer 19 may be provided at the lifting cell 51. The ionizer 19 may be configured in the same way as the ionizer 19 described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3. The ionizer 19 is operable to electrically charge particles in the air.

[0126] According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the cleaning robot 9 on the floor 5 acts as the lead unit. The lifting cell 51 is moved according to the movement of the cleaning robot 9, when the cleaning robot 9 moves on the floor 5. The ionization unit 7 is pulled along with the cleaning robot 9 via the connection member 53. Due to the ionization unit 7 being pulled along by the cleaning robot 9, the ionization unit 7 does not require separate drive means. Further, no complex means for coordinating movement of the ionization unit 7 with the movement of cleaning robot 9 are required.

[0127] The connection member 53 may comprise a conductive wire for supplying the ionization unit 7 with power. In particular, the ionizer 19 may be provided with power through the connection member 53. Alternatively, the ionization unit 7 may comprise its own power source, such as a rechargeable battery.

[0128] According to an embodiment, a distance between the ionization unit 7 and the floor 5 is adjustable via the connection member 53. For example, the cleaning robot 9 may be configured to pull in the connection member 53 to lower the ionization unit 7 or to release additional length of the connection member 53 to increase the distance between the ionization unit 7 and the floor 5.

[0129] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the cleaning robot 9 with the ionization unit 7 having the lifting cell 51 connected to the cleaning robot 9 by the connection member 53.

[0130] According to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the ionization unit 7 is not provided with a separate drive unit. However, it would be conceivable to not provide the connection member 53 and instead provide the ionization unit 7 having the lifting cell 51 with separate drive means, such as propeller drive means. In this case, the movements of the ionization unit 7 and the cleaning robot 9 could be coordinated in a similar manner as described for the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0131] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ±10% of A.