AN AIR CONDITIONING FILTER CLEANER AND FILTER CLEANING SYSTEM

Abstract

An air conditioning filter cleaner for use with an air conditioning system of multiple units. The filter cleaner comprises a brush configured to clean dust from an air filter. The brush is in moving contact with the air filter and driven by a motor. A conduit is connected between the brush and a vacuum source that provides a suction force through the conduit to the brush. The conduit is remotely opened and closed by way of a solenoid or remotely controlled valve. A system controller oversees filter cleaners each connected to a network of ducts, each filter cleaner has an associated valve which opens a duct to which the filter cleaner is connected. A control system selectively actuates the filter cleaner and actuates the associated valve so that dust from the filter is removed to a remote dust collector. Optionally a HEPA filter is provided at a remote collection location.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An air conditioning system comprises: a plurality of air conditioning filter cleaners that are connected to a network of conduits; a central vacuum system is connected to the network of conduits; and a control system is operative to control the central vacuum system and a plurality of valves in the network of conduits, the air conditioning filter cleaners include a brush and a drive means which is operable to move the brush with respect to a filter to be cleaned so as to remove dust and debris therefrom; the network of conduits is configured to define pathways for dust and debris to pass from air conditioning filter cleaners to a remote collection location where the dust and debris is collected; the control system is operative to remotely open and close at least one valve associated with a selected air conditioning filter cleaner so that a selected pathway is defined in the network of conduits from the selected air conditioning filter cleaner to the remote collection location; and the control system is operative to actuate the selected air conditioning filter cleaner associated with the selected pathway, so that a suction force provided by the central vacuum system is directed through the selected pathway and directs dust and debris removed by the brush of the selected air conditioning filter cleaner, via the selected pathway, to the remote location where dust and debris is collected.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein a clamping means is configured to connect at least one air filter cleaner to a filter housing.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the clamping means has a front fascia that extends and overlaps with an air filter when connected to a filter housing.

24. A system according to claim 23 wherein a fascia forms a surrounding frame for the air filter.

25. A system according to claim 21 wherein at least one of the drive means is an electric motor.

26. A system according to claim 21 wherein at least one of the brushes is sized and arranged to pass across an air filter in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air filter.

27. A system according to claim 21 wherein at least one elastically extendable conduit connects a filter cleaner to the network of conduits.

28. A system according to claim 27 wherein the elastically extendable conduit is aligned with the direction of movement of the brush, the elastically extendable conduit extends and retracts as the brush moves with respect to the air filter.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the elastically extendable conduit is positioned adjacent to an edge of the air filter.

30. A system according to claim 21 wherein the air conditioning filter cleaners are located in at least one of the group comprising: a building, a vehicle, a ship, a vessel and an aircraft.

31. A system according to claim 21 which includes a vibration means configured to vibrate at least one air filter to assist in dislodging dust and debris therefrom.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the vibrating means comprises a cam, configured to rotate and to cause the filter to vibrate.

33. A system according to claim 21 wherein at least one filter cleaner includes a sensor that senses the amount of dust that is present and/or the state of an air filter before and after cleaning.

34. A system according to claim 21 includes at least one moveable shutter which isolates an air conditioner vent from a room during cleaning.

35. A system according to claim 21 wherein a port is provided on a branch of the network of conduits to permit insertion of a specialised plug or hose at the end of a cleaning attachment or vacuum cleaner head so as to enable cleaning to be carried out.

36. A system according to claim 21 wherein a conduit is installed between at least one air filter cleaner and a socket or outlet port provided on a wall for receiving a plug or hose at the end of a cleaning attachment or vacuum cleaner head.

37. A system according to claim 21 includes a collection unit for collecting dust at the remote collection location, wherein the collection unit has a HEPA filter.

38. A system according to claim 21 includes an air jet means to assist in dislodging dust and debris from the filter.

39. A system according to claim 21 wherein a valve is selectively switched on and off by an electrically controlled servo device or solenoid valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the front and to one side of an embodiment of an air conditioning filter cleaner;

[0050] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the air conditioning filter cleaner of FIG. 1 from generally the same angle;

[0051] FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c show the air conditioning filter cleaner of FIGS. 1 and 2 connected to an air filter housing in operation moving across the filter to clean the filter;

[0052] FIG. 4a shows a perspective view from above and to one side of a housing and duct which optionally surrounds an air conditioning unit on which the air filter cleaner is fitted;

[0053] FIG. 4b shows an exploded view from the same angle as FIG. 4a of the housing;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows an overall diagrammatical view of an alternative embodiment of an air conditioning filter cleaner located in front of an air conditioning unit;

[0055] FIG. 6a is a diagrammatical view of a network of air conditioning filter cleaning units interconnected by way of air ducts;

[0056] FIG. 6b is a plan view of a ground floor of a building showing where air conditioning units are located and are interconnected with concealed air ducts and corresponds to FIG. 6a;

[0057] FIG. 7a shows a plan view of a first floor of a building of interconnected cleaning units and also shows separate conduits for vacuum cleaners;

[0058] FIG. 7b is an overall diagrammatical view of a first floor of a building which corresponds to FIG. 7a;

[0059] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a building in which air conditioning units, air conditioning filter cleaners and air conditioning ducting is installed;

[0060] FIG. 9a shows an overall diagrammatic view of an alternative embodiment of an air conditioning filter cleaner with a retractable duct having a telescopic conduit;

[0061] FIG. 9b shows an alternative embodiment of an air conditioning filter cleaner having a circular front panel filter which is arranged to rotate with respect to a cleaning element;

[0062] FIG. 9c is a side sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9b; and

[0063] FIG. 9c shows a side elevation view of a telescopic duct with a cleaning head which corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0064] Embodiments of the air conditioning filter cleaner of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

[0065] A first embodiment of the filter cleaner is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The filter cleaner 1 has a front fascia 7 that forms a hollow-centred frame which attaches to a front of a housing for an air filter 3, so that the perimeter of the hollow centre of the fascia 7 surrounds the air filter 3, generally in alignment with the perimeter of the air filter 3. This feature enables the air filter cleaner 1 to be retrofitted onto existing air conditioning units.

[0066] A brush 2 is connected to the front or outer side (away from the air filter 3) of the front fascia 7. The brush 2 is dimensioned and aligned so that it passes across the entire width or height of the open part of the air filter 3. The brush 2 is connected to the front fascia 7 via a vacuum body 8 that forms a housing for the brush 2. The housing of the vacuum body 8 connects the brush 2 to the front fascia 7 so that the vacuum body 8 is able to move from side-to-side, in direction of arrow A-A across the full width of the front fascia 7.

[0067] This sideways movement of the vacuum body 8 ensures that the filter 3, as shown in FIG. 3, is thoroughly brushed and dirt and dust is dislodged therefrom. The brush 2 is held close to the filter 3 surface to ensure dust is dislodged. This is achieved by way of the drive means 4 and mountings, such as rails (not shown) which support the vacuum body 8 and housing and hold them in close proximity to the filter 3.

[0068] An adjustment means (not shown) is optionally provided so as to enable the gap between the brush 2 and the front face of the filter 3 to be adjusted in order to achieve optimal spacing. That is so that they are sufficiently spaced apart to permit free travel of the brush 2, but close enough to ensure the brush 2 contacts the entire surface area of the filter 3 as it travels backwards and forwards.

[0069] Movement of the vacuum body 8 is driven by motor 4 attached to the vacuum body 8. The brush 2 may have a straight edge but is preferably of the type that rotates as it passes across the filter 3. The motor 4 drive may be arranged to drive this rotational movement as well as the side-to-side movement (left-right-left) movement of the brush 2. The brush 2 is ideally mounted in the vacuum body 8 on a drive shaft (not shown) that forms an axis of rotation and has a flexible and lightweight hose or conduit 5 connected to it so as to receive dislodged dirt and dust from the filter 3.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c conduit 5 connects to the vacuum body 8. One end of the conduit 5 connects to the vacuum body 8 at the top on an inner side. The other or outer end of the conduit 5 is connected in use to a vacuum source (not shown), typically via a larger conduit or network 60 (FIGS. 6a and 7a) of conduits, so that a vacuum is provided through the conduit to the vacuum body 8 and is drawn across bristles of the brush 2 as the brush passes over the filter 3. Thus ensuring that dust displaced from the filter 3 is drawn through the vacuum body 8 by the vacuum and into and along the conduit 5.

[0071] As seen in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c the conduit 5 is elastically extendable, stretching and retracting as the vacuum body 8 moves from side-to-side across the filter 3. It is most preferred that the conduit 5 is aligned with the direction of movement of the brush 2. The conduit 5 extends as brush 2 moves in the direction of arrow. This helps to ensure the conduit 5 extends with the brush 2 across the filter 3 and does not sag or move into an air path which might otherwise block the filter 3 in use.

[0072] The outer end of the conduit (not shown), remote from the brush 2 is configured for connection to a suction hose or outer conduit 6, which in use provides a pathway to a remote pump, fan, blower or exhauster that provides the vacuum. The suction hose 6 in turn leads to a main collection receptacle (not shown) from where dust from each filter 3 is collected for disposal.

[0073] The air conditioning filter cleaner can be fitted during construction, or it can be retrofitted to an existing system. An air conditioning system comprises a plurality of ducts and associated filters. Each of these is fitted with a filter cleaner 1, the filter cleaners fluidically connected via the suction hoses 6, a central vacuum system providing a suction force to the filter cleaners 1. A plurality of solenoid valves (not shown) are located in the hoses 6 and are selectively activated to close or open pathways within the hoses to direct suction force to one or more of the filter cleaners 1. This allows the air filter cleaners to be selectively or sequentially activated to help direct the vacuum with necessary force. Dust cleaned from the filters 3 is directed to a central collection unit for disposal. This central collection point can include HEPA filtration.

[0074] An alternative embodiment of air conditioning filter cleaner is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. In this embodiment, the front fascia 7b has an associated filter closing shutter array 10 configured to close across the filter to prevent air flow therethrough when activated or whilst being cleaned in order to stop dust falling into an office or room. The shutter array is open in use for normal operation of the air conditioning.

[0075] A vibration mechanism is connected to the front fascia 7, the vibration mechanism comprising a cam 11, configured to be driven by a motor or similar and rotate within the front fascia 7, eccentrically against the filter housing and therefore the filter, to cause them to vibrate. The front fascia shown in FIG. 2 has an aperture at the side for connection to a vacuum source such as the suction hose 6, to provide a suction force through the conduit and remove dust shaken free by the vibration caused by rotation of the cam.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, there is shown a system which is installed in a building (FIG. 8) on the ground and first floors. The diagrammatical overview of air conditioning units 55, ducts 60 and air filter cleaners 65 is depicted in FIGS. 6a and 7a. These are air conditioning filter cleaners installed on the ground and first floors shown in FIGS. 6b and 7b respectively. Down pipes (not shown) interconnect conduits on each floor and provide a connection to a main fan, or blower (not shown) which draws air to form a partial vacuum and as a result of which dust and dirt is drawn along the conduit network.

[0077] Suitable ports (not shown) may be provided in offices or corridors within a building. These serve to close off branch conduits 61 which permit cleaning personnel to insert a specialised plug or hose into a port or connection point (not shown) at the end of conduits 61. This feature enables a cleaning attachment or vacuum cleaner head to be connected to the main network 60, which is under a partial vacuum, thereby enabling local cleaning of offices and walkways to be carried out. An advantage of this feature is that shops and offices do not require expensive vacuum cleaners which may be expensive or heavy or cumbersome. This feature of the system requires a cleaner merely has to carry a relatively light weight handheld cleaning attachment (not shown).

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c there are shown two further embodiments of an air filter cleaning system. The air filter cleaner 100 shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b includes a cleaning head 102 which is mounted on a threaded rail or guide 104 and which translates forwards and backwards under the control of an air supply from the main fan or pump (not shown) and which acts to draw the cleaning head 102 in the direction of arrow A-A. The diagrammatical view in FIG. 9b illustrates a side elevation view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9a and shows in detail motor drive 120 and solenoid valve 122.

[0079] Threaded drive 124 supports the cleaning head 102 which is connected to the vacuum supply by way of a telescopic vacuum tube 126. Cleaning head 102 traverses a front panel 130 of air filter 132. Brushes 134 on the cleaning head 128 act to dislodge debris fibres and dust from front panel of the air filter 132. As is apparent from FIG. 9a, the area of filter to the right hand side of the brush 134 is darker with dust than the cleaned portion of the air filter to the left had side of the brush 134.

[0080] The embodiment shown in FIG. 9b is a plan view of an alternative cleaning system which is used for circular ducting, for example in larger buildings. Like parts bear the same reference numerals in FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c. The direction of air flow through the ducting is through the filter 3 past the brush. The motor 120 and vacuum ducting remain relatively stationery, for example in the vertical position as shown in the orientation in FIG. 9b. The circular filter panel shown in FIG. 9b has a toothed periphery which engages with a gear on a motor drive 202. The motor turns and rotates the filter in a guide so that brushes dislodge dirt and dust from the surface of the air filter. The direction of travel of the air filter is shown by the clockwise arrow B.

[0081] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

[0082] In an alternative embodiment a conduit is installed between the air filter cleaner and a socket, hose connection point or outlet port, ideally in a wall, for receiving a hose. Ideally the socket or outlet port is positioned in a convenient location and at a convenient height for access during or outside normal office hours, for example outside an office door or in a corridor or in a convenient position which can be accessed by a cleaner. If the socket is placed relatively high with respect to the floor in, for example a corridor, a relatively short length of conduit is sufficient to pass from it to the air conditioning filter cleaner.

[0083] A switch is ideally also located at the socket, or hose connection point (not shown) and when this is activated, for example manually or upon insertion of the hose, it switches on the motor 102 to commence a filter cleaning cycle, enabling extraction of the dust via the socket or outlet port. Local collection in a conventional vacuum clean may be performed. A switch is ideally activated upon insertion of a suitable hose or by way of a separate engagement means that initiates the cleaning head across the filter.

[0084] The benefit of the alternative embodiment is appreciated as it enables a filter to be cleaned locally by a cleaner and avoids the expense of installing conduit. Optionally a plug is fitted with a suitable cover so that only a hose is able to be received by it in order to activate the filter and to open a valve through which dust may be removed

[0085] With respect to the specification it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent to one skilled in the art. For example the air filter cleaner may be used with air conditioners in a building, in a vehicle, in a ship or vessel or in an aircraft.

[0086] Variation to the aforementioned embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.