FILTER CARTRIDGE, ROLLER, AND AIR HUMIDIFIER

Abstract

A filter cartridge for filtering water, for use in an air humidifier, having a storage chamber for storing filter material, and having at least one opening for feeding to the storage chamber and/or for releasing from the storage chamber the water to be filtered is proposed. For the purpose of relatively quick filling, the filter cartridge is formed to be arranged in a container, containing water to be filtered, such that the filter cartridge can project at least partially into the water stored in the container, with the at least one opening formed both as a water inlet for feeding water from the container into the storage chamber and as a water outlet for discharging water from the storage chamber into the container. A roller, an air humidifier and a filtering method are also proposed.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A humidifier for humidifying air by cold evaporation of a liquid, in particular water, with a tank for the storage of the liquid, wherein a roller for humidifying air through cold evaporation of the liquid as well as a motorized drive for rotation of the roller about the axis of rotation are provided, wherein the roller has a shaft and at least one plate, wherein the at least one plate is arranged coaxially in respect to a shaft, and wherein the roller is designed such that the at least one plate dips at least partially into the liquid, in order with the moistened part exiting with further rotation from the liquid to release the liquid through cold evaporation to the air to be dehumidified, wherein the roller comprises a filter cartridge, which is designed for filtering water for use in a humidifier or the like, with a storage space for the storing of filter material, in particular of ion exchange resin, activated carbon or the like, and with at least one opening, in order to supply the water to be filtered to the storage space and/or to release it from the storage space, wherein the filter cartridge is designed to be arranged in the tank with water to be filtered, so that the filter cartridge can protrude into the water stored in the tank, wherein the at least one opening is designed both as water inlet for supplying water from the tank into the storage space as well as the water outlet for release of water from the storage space into the tank, wherein as a mounting device is provided for the mounting in the tank, namely a hub for fastening to the shaft and/or axis of rotation, wherein the filter cartridge is applied to the shaft, wherein the filter cartridge, in particular the at least one opening is arranged in and/or on the tank such that the water absorbed by the filter cartridge from the tank for the filtering is released again into the tank to the water which has not yet been absorbed.

21. The humidifier according to claim 20, wherein the filter cartridge is designed as a disk, which is designed in particular rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation.

22. The humidifier according to claim 20, wherein the filter cartridge has at least one transport structure for the absorption and release of water.

23. The humidifier according to claim 22, wherein the at least one transport structure runs radially outwards and simultaneously curved in relation to the axis of rotation, so that the at least one transport structure can absorb the water in a bucket-like and/or spoon-like manner.

24. The humidifier according to claim 21, wherein the disk has an edge and the at least one transport structure is designed in particular as a spoke between the hub and the edge.

25. The humidifier according to claim 22, wherein the at least one transport structure is designed for the purpose of transporting water absorbed in a rotation about the axis of rotation in at least one direction of rotation in its upper area in the direction of gravity and for the purpose of releasing the water there from the transport structure, so that the water can flow downwards along the filter cartridge, in particular along the filter material in the direction of gravity.

26. The humidifier according to claim 22, wherein the at least one transport structure is designed as a separation wall for the separation of individual compartments within the storage space.

27. The humidifier according to claim 26, wherein at least two of the compartments are mutually filled with different filling materials, wherein in particular at least one of the following filling materials is provided: ion exchange resin and/or active carbon and/or a fragrant substance and/or a hygiene agent, which is preferably designed for the purification and/or disinfection of the water.

28. The humidifier according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least one opening is delimited by a net-like, water-permeable material.

29. The humidifier according to claim 20, wherein the filter cartridge is designed to be openable and re-closable, in order to be able to empty and refill the storage space.

30. The humidifier according to claim 20, wherein the filter cartridge is designed and/or is fastened to the shaft in such a manner that the bulge side of the curvature of the at least one transport structure is on the side facing away in the direction of rotation.

31. The humidifier according to claim 20, wherein the filter cartridge is arranged parallel to at least one of the at least one plates.

32. A method for the filtering of water, in particular for the water softening and/or purification of water, in a tank for the storage of water in a humidifier or the like, wherein a tank for storage of water and a filter material, in particular of ion exchange resin, active carbon or the like, are used, wherein the filter material is moved in such a manner that it is dipped periodically at least partially into the water and is removed again from the water, wherein a humidifier is used according to claim 20.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below, with further details and advantages being specified.

[0032] FIGS. 1 to 5 show, in different views, schematic illustrations of part of an air humidifier having a roller and a container according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a filter cartridge according to the present invention on a shaft; and

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a schematic exploded illustration for constructing a filter cartridge according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIGS. 1 to 5 schematically show part of an air humidifier 1 having a roller 2 and a container 3; the cover with the blower is not illustrated for simplicity. The view in FIG. 1 with regard to the roller 2 is directed directly toward the filter cartridge 4, that is to say, in the direction of the axis of rotation or the shaft 5. This part of the air humidifier 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the view of the viewer is directed perpendicularly toward the shaft 5. The roller 2, which comprises the filter cartridge 4 and a plate stack 6, is mounted on the shaft 5. The individual plates in the plate stack 6 are connected to one another. They are arranged in a parallel manner such that individual intermediate spaces are situated between them. The plate stack 6 and the filter cartridge 4 are, as already described, arranged on the same shaft 5, wherein a spacing is likewise provided between them.

[0036] The water which is used for the air humidification is introduced in the container 3. It can further be seen that, with regard to its height, the axis 5 is arranged at such a height that the plate stack 6 and the filter cartridge 4 can dip in the water that is introduced into the container. A type of gearwheel 7, which forms part of the mechanism which belongs to the drive of the shaft 5, can likewise be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0037] The plates of the plate stack 6 serve for humidifying the air via cold evaporation. This means that the plates rotate and dip into the water during the rotation such that the surfaces of the individual plates of the plate stack 6 are moistened. The air humidifier 1 also has in principle a cover, which is situated above the container 3 or the plate stack 6 and through which air is blown in for example perpendicularly to the shaft from the top downward via a fan (not shown). Consequently, the air comes into contact with the plates of the plate stack 6 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, with the filter cartridge 4 too. The air is able to absorb moisture in particular via the plates 6, if appropriate also via the filter cartridge 4, and subsequently passes to the outside again. The plate stack 6 also has the advantage that it can also bring about a filtering effect, that is to say particles are separated off via the contact with the water so that a cleaning effect of the air comes into being.

[0038] A plan view from above into the container 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The air is generally blown in such that it flows, here according to the illustration in FIG. 4, into the plane of the drawing. An oblique view of the air humidifier 1 is illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0039] A schematic section B-B, which extends perpendicularly through the shaft 5, is illustrated in FIG. 3. The section B-B extends precisely through the filter cartridge 4. The section through the shaft 5 shows that the internal cross section of said shaft is not circular, but rather is flattened on three sides in comparison with a circle, in a manner similar to a Reuleaux triangle. A Reuleaux triangle is a geometric shape which is constructed starting from an equilateral triangle, wherein a circular arc having the edge length of the original triangle is drawn around each vertex. As a result, two adjacent vertices are connected to one another via a circular arc. It is also conceivable for other fitting shapes to be used here. A two-fold function can be considered here. Firstly, the cross section, deviating from the circular shape, of the shaft makes it easier for the plate stack or the filter cartridge to be mounted on the shaft in a rotationally conjoint manner. Secondly, this fitting shape allows coding to be performed, that is to say it is only possible to arrange on the shaft plates or filter cartridges whose hub has a corresponding fitting shape. This makes it possible to prevent unsuitable components being installed on the shaft, which components could possibly lead to malfunctions of, or damage to, the air humidifier. Also, it is generally sufficient to provide only that part of the shaft, with a deviating fitting shape in cross section, in which the plates or the filter disk are to be attached.

[0040] FIG. 3 likewise shows that separating structures 9, which are arranged like individual spokes, extend between the shaft 5 or the hub of the filter cartridge 4 and the outer boundary 8 of the filter cartridge 4. The spokes 9 extend in a curved manner, wherein the direction of rotation extends in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3. The scoop-like separating structures 9 are thus able to receive water at the bottom of the container and to carry the water along until the water is finally tipped out upon further rotation and can flow down the filter cartridge 4. The individual compartments 10 between the separating structures 9 can receive filter material. In principle, both in the static case and in the case of a rotating filter cartridge 4, the water passes through the openings 11 into the interior of the filter cartridge 4 (cf. also FIG. 6). The fact that the separating strips 9 in each case separate individual compartments 10 from one another means that the compartments 10 can in each case also be filled with different filter material, with fragrances or hygiene products.

[0041] At the same time, the filter cartridge 4 is formed to be open via the openings 11, and so the water is in principle able to trickle out at each position. Particularly advantageously, it proves to be the case for this device that not only can it be easily replaced and if appropriate refilled, but that the container 3 can be filled immediately and, during operation, descaling can be performed simultaneously. This measure is generally completely sufficient to be able to prevent or significantly reduce scaling of the air humidifier 1.

[0042] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the plate stack 6 and the filter cartridge 4 almost reach the bottom of the container 3, and so optimal utilization of the water can occur even in the case of a low water level. The filter cartridge 4 is formed as a filter disk (disk-shaped).

[0043] The filter cartridge 4 can advantageously be used particularly well for the retrofitting of an air humidifier because, in the case of an air humidifier of said type, the roller drive is already integrated in the device. An additional drive motor can therefore be omitted. The filter disk 4 is placed only on the axis 5 of the evaporator roller 2 (cf. also FIG. 6). The filling process can therefore be carried out without delay, since the water does not first have to be forced through a filter in the inflow line. Apart from simplified maintenance and simple changing of the filters, the filter disk 4 can additionally promote the humidification process via the large surface area. The production can be realized in a very low-cost manner. The filter disk has a large filling volume and simultaneously a relatively small installation space. It is also stackable and can be packed in a space-saving manner. Due to the great storing possibility for filter material, the capacity of the filter cartridge or the lifetime thereof can be very long-lasting. Also, in relation to a smooth operation, the filter cartridge makes it possible for there to be in principle no risk of functional impairment even in the case of clogging of the filter material, for example of an ion exchange resin. Also, it is not possible for lines to burst so that the apparatus would be damaged or even that safety-related concerns could exist, even in the case of clogging of the filter material.

[0044] For a particularly hygienic operation, it is advantageously possible to use for example an ion exchange resin doped with silver ions as an ion exchange resin. Silver-impregnated activated carbons are also conceivable. Antibacterial granular materials or silver fabrics can also be integrated. If also a fragrance or perfume is to be released to the surroundings, a fragrance oil for room fragrancing can be stored in individual compartments. This can also interact with the water and be released thereto. The openings 11 can be provided with a PP/PA fabric, while the housing frame consists for example of PP/PE (abbreviations: PP: polypropylene, PE: polyethylene, PA: polyamide).

[0045] As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the filter cartridge 4 (here without filling of the compartments 10) can be for example of five-part form, namely composed of a framework 4.1 in which the separating structures 9 are likewise integrated in order to separate the compartments 10 from one another. There is likewise a hub 12 for fitting onto the shaft 5. There are furthermore provided two cover regions 4.2 and 4.3 by way of which the filter cartridge 4 is delimited laterally. Between the central structure 4.1 and the boundary structures 4.3 there is inserted in each case a fabric mat 4.4 and 4.5, respectively, which separates the compartments 10 from the outside. If the filter disk 4 is formed to be openable, it is possible, for reasons of hygiene, for example, for the structures 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 to be cleaned (for example, in the dishwasher), while the fabrics are replaced, for example, and furthermore the compartments 10 are refilled.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0046] 1 Air humidifier [0047] 2 Roller [0048] 3 Container [0049] 4 Filter disk [0050] 5 Shaft [0051] 6 Plate stack [0052] 7 Gearwheel [0053] 8 Outer boundary [0054] 9 Separating structures [0055] 10 Compartments [0056] 11 Opening [0057] 12 Hub [0058] 4.1 Framework [0059] 4.2 Cover region [0060] 4.3 Cover region [0061] 4.4 Fabric mat [0062] B-B Section through filter disk