(19)
(11)EP 3 913 293 A1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC

(43)Date of publication:
24.11.2021 Bulletin 2021/47

(21)Application number: 21719016.4

(22)Date of filing:  26.02.2021
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24F 7/06(2006.01)
F24F 11/77(2018.01)
F24F 11/56(2018.01)
F24F 13/28(2006.01)
F24F 8/10(2021.01)
F24F 11/61(2018.01)
F24F 12/00(2006.01)
F24F 13/10(2006.01)
(52)Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
Y02B 30/70; Y02D 30/70
(86)International application number:
PCT/KR2021/002478
(87)International publication number:
WO 2021/206292 (14.10.2021 Gazette  2021/41)
(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(30)Priority: 06.04.2020 KR 20200041474

(71)Applicant: Won, Taeyeon
Seo-gu Incheon 22747 (KR)

(72)Inventor:
  • Won, Taeyeon
    Seo-gu Incheon 22747 (KR)

(74)Representative: M. Zardi & Co S.A. 
Via G. B. Pioda, 6
6900 Lugano
6900 Lugano (CH)

  


(54)WINDOW-MOUNTED SMART VENTILATION PURIFIER


(57) The invention provides a window-mounted smart air purifier comprising a housing unit divided into an indoor air exhaust space, an outdoor air introduction space, an outdoor air discharge space, a central space, and an indoor air introduction space that air moves therebetween; circulation units in the indoor air exhaust space/the outdoor air discharge space, comprising fans that forcibly circulates air and that polluted indoor/outdoor air moves toward outside/inside; an air purification unit comprising filters between the indoor air introduction space and the central space, between the outdoor air introduction space and the central space, and a hepa and deodorization filter and filtering impurities contained in indoor/outdoor air; a heat exchanger exchanging heats between outdoor and indoor air in respective pipes; a controller controlling the first and the second air circulation unit, and a fixing unit fixing the housing unit to a window frame.




Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION



[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier, and more particularly, to a window-mounted smart air purifier that can ventilate indoor through air circulation between indoor and outdoor air; supply purified air into indoor through an additional air purification unit; adjust the temperature of the purified air to room temperature when supplying fresh and purified air into indoor from outdoor, by improving the structure of a smart air purifier, which can maintain comfortable indoor environment and enable to save heating expense.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



[0002] In order to maintain comfortable indoor environment, ventilation is essential by sending indoor air to outside and bring in fresh air from outside.

[0003] In case a lot of people stay in a small space, such as an apartment, an office, and a vehicle, polluted indoor air should be replaced with fresh air frequently.

[0004] Ventilation can be categorized into a natural circulation type, in which indoor air is replaced with fresh air by natural wind through an opened window, and a forced circulation type, which uses a ventilator.

[0005] These days, air purification is performed by a ventilation device, which exchanges indoor air for outdoor air, and an air cleaning device, which purifies indoor polluted air into fresh air. These two functional devices are separately installed.

[0006] As the ventilation device is installed at the ceiling, and the air cleaning device is put at an indoor space, each of them is separately turned on, as necessary.

[0007] The conventional method for improving indoor air quality has low efficiency because the ventilation device and the air cleaning device should be installed and used separately.

[0008] Thus, when ventilating indoor using the ventilation device, polluted outdoor air is not filtered, and pollutants are introduced into indoor due to poor performances on dust collection and deodorization of the ventilation device. Furthermore, when using the air cleaning device, dust collection and deodorization abilities of the air cleaning device are not enough to improve the quality of the indoor air.

[0009] Therefore, new devices in which a ventilation device and an air cleaning device can be installed at the same time, are being developed.

[0010] Meanwhile, Korean Publication No. 10-2003-0029955 discloses "A wall-mounted air cleaner with ventilation function."

[0011] However, when this air cleaner with ventilation function is turned on during the winter, air from outdoor has low temperature and reduces room temperature, which lowers the heating efficiency.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM



[0012] The present invention is devised to solve the problems mentioned above. One object of the invention is to provide a window-mounted smart air purifier that can supply purified air into indoor through an additional air purification unit as well as ventilate indoor through air circulation between indoor and outdoor air by improving the structure of a ventilator and an air cleaner, which can maintain comfortable indoor environment.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a window-mounted smart air purifier that can supply the purified air that is adjusted to have room temperature when supplying fresh and purified air into indoor from outside, which can enable to save heating expense.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a window-mounted smart air purifier that can transfer the heat of the polluted indoor air that is discharged from indoor to the fresh and purified air that is supplied into indoor using a heat exchanger, which can improve energy efficiency.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a window-mounted smart air purifier that can enable to be installed without perforation in the ceiling during the installation process, which can enhance convenience of installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a window-mounted smart air purifier comprising: a housing unit that is divided into an indoor air exhaust space 311, an outdoor air introduction space 314, an outdoor air discharge space 316, a central space 318, and an indoor air introduction space 319 in such a way that air moves around between the spaces, wherein the indoor air exhaust space 311 includes an indoor air exhaust opening 313, the indoor air introduction space 319 includes an indoor air suction opening 312, the outdoor air introduction space 314 includes an outdoor air suction opening 315, and the outdoor air discharge space 316 includes a fresh air discharge opening 317; a first air circulation unit 320 that is installed in the indoor air exhaust space 311 and comprises a first air circulation fan 321 that forcibly circulates air so that polluted indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening 312 moves toward the indoor air exhaust opening 313; a second air circulation unit 330 that is installed in the outdoor air discharge space 316 and comprises a second air circulation fan 331 that forcibly circulates air so that outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening 315 moves toward the outdoor air discharge space 316; an air purification unit 340 that purifies air by filtering impurities contained in the indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening 312 and in the outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening 315, and that comprises a first free filter P1 installed between the indoor air introduction space 319 and the central space 318, a second free filter P2 installed between the outdoor air introduction space 314 and the central space 318, and a hepa filter and deodorization filter P3; a heat exchanger 350 that is installed at the central space 317 where each of the indoor air and the outdoor air passes through an individual pipe, intersecting with each other, and that is disposed in such a way that the pipes of the indoor air and the outdoor air exchanges heats each other; a controller 360 that controls operations of the first air circulation unit 320 and the second air circulation unit 330, and a fixing unit 370 that fixes the housing unit 310 to a window frame 30.

[0017] The controller 360 further comprises a timer T to check a replacement period of the hepa filter and deodorization filter P3, and a reset function to reset the timer T when replacing the filter.

[0018] In addition, the controller 360 further comprises a sensor module that measures qualities of outdoor air and indoor air, wherein the sensor module comprises a VOC sensor N1, a CO2 sensor N2, and a coarse particle sensor N3.

[0019] Furthermore, the window-mounted smart air purifier according to claim 1, the window-mounted smart air purifier further comprises a spring damper 380 that is installed in the outdoor air suction opening 315, wherein the spring damper 380 opens the outdoor air suction opening 315 when air circulates, and closes down the outdoor air suction opening 315 when air stop circulating, wherein when the controller 360 determines that there are problems in the outdoor air that are detected by the VOC sensor N1, and stops an operation of the second air circulation unit 330, the spring damper 380 closes down the outdoor air suction opening 315 by its own elastic force, and when the controller 360 determines that there is no issue in the outdoor air that is detected by the VOC sensor P1, and allows an operation of the second air circulation unit 330, a force generated by the air circulation forcibly opens the outdoor air suction opening 315.

[0020] The controller 360 further comprises a loT function that exchanges data through a smart device and internet, and that enables a user to check information including an outdoor temperature, an outdoor humidity, an overall outdoor air quality, an outdoor air quality, an overall indoor air quality, an indoor air quality, remote control, and filter replacement time, through the smart device.

[0021] Moreover, the fixing unit 370 comprises: a frame body 371 that has a square shape with an opening upward, and that includes: a first connection groove 373 formed on an outer side of the frame body 371 to connect the frame body 371 to a rail of the window frame 30; a roller 374 formed on a bottom side of the first connection groove 373; a slide groove 375 formed on an inner side of the frame body 371 to conjointly engage with edges of the housing unit 310; an inserting hole 377 formed on a top end of the frame body 371, and a mohair 373a formed in the first connection groove 373; a slide wall 470 that is fixed to a top end of the housing unit 310, and covers from the top end of the housing unit 310 to a top portion of the window frame 30.

[0022] The sliding wall 470 comprises: a lower plate 471 that is engaged with the top end of the housing unit 310, and that includes: a guide groove 472 formed in an inner side of the lower plate 471; an insertion bump 473 protruded from and formed in a bottom end of the lower plate 471 to be inserted and connected to the inserting hole 377 of the frame body 371; a second connection groove 474 formed in both lateral sides of the lower plate 471, to connect lower plate 471 to the rail of the window frame 30, and a fixing hole H formed in a top portion of lower plate 471; an upper plate 475 that is sliding-movably connected to the lower plate 471, and that includes: a guide bump 476 formed in an outer side of the upper plate 475 and sliding-movably connected to the guide groove 472; a contact member 477 formed in both lateral sides of the upper plate 475 along the lower plate 471 and meeting with edges of the lower plate 471 for stable sliding motion; and a third connection groove 478 formed in both lateral sides of a top end of the upper plate 475 and connected to the rail of the window frame; a stopper 570 that is disposed between the lower plate 471 and the upper 475 plate and that limits a sliding motion of the upper plate 475 when an adjustable length of the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 by the sliding motion of the upper plate 475, reaches to a desired length, and a binder 670 that is engaged with the fixing hole H, wherein an end of the binder 670 pressurizes the guide bump 476, whereby enabling the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 to be fixed.

[0023] The stopper 570 comprises: a wedge type stopper 571 that is formed at a back side of the lower plate 471 and that is protruded toward the upper plate 475 by an elastic force of an elastic spring 572, and a stopper rail 574 that is formed at a front side of the upper plate 475 to be stuck in and connected to the wedge type stopper 571, and that has a shape where wedge type grooves and bumps are alternatively formed.

TECHNICAL EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION



[0024] According to a window-mounted smart air purifier of the present invention, it can maintain comfortable indoor environment by improving the indoor air quality. The window-mounted smart air purifier also enables to save heating expense by supplying the purified air that is adjusted to have room temperature.

[0025] In addition, the window-mounted smart air purifier can provide more comfortable indoor environment through automatic control of the speed of air circulation fan according to concentrations of indoor CO2 and coarse particles.

[0026] Furthermore, the window-mounted smart air purifier can improve energy efficiency using a heat exchanger by transferring the heat of the polluted indoor air that is discharged from indoor to the fresh and purified air that is supplied into indoor.

[0027] Moreover, the window-mounted smart air purifier can enhance convenience of its installation by enabling it to be installed without perforation in the ceiling or the walls during the installation process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



[0028] 

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operational motion of a spring damper of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operational motion of a spring damper of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an inner structure of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing unit of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a stopper and a binder of a fixing unit of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a connection of a housing unit and a fixing unit of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an operational motion of an inner structure of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9a is a drawing showing a setting screen of a controller of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 9b and 9c are drawings showing a setting screen displaying a loT function that is embodied through a controller of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIGs. 10a and 10b are drawings showing an installment of a window-mounted smart air purifier at a window frame according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front exploded perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a back exploded perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIGs. 13a and 13b are a schematical cross-sectional view of a slid wall of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a drawing of another embodiment of a slid wall of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a drawing prefiguratively showing a window-mounted smart air purifier with UV-C LED (Ultraviolet-C Light Emitting Diode) according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a drawing prefiguratively showing a UI (User Interface) screen for managing consumables such as a filter, a heat exchanger, and others, of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a drawing prefiguratively showing a UI (User Interface) screen for adding reservation of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.


DETAILED DESCIPTION EMBODIEMENTS OF THE INVENTIONS



[0029] All of the terms used specification and claims should not be interpreted to limit as meanings in a generally used dictionary and should be interpreted as having the same meanings as the contextual meanings of the relevant technology.

[0030] Thus, embodiments described in the specification and structures illustrated in the drawings of the present invention are preferable embodiments of the present invention and do not define the inventive concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it would be apparent that many more equivalents, modifications, and variations than mentioned above are possible.

[0031] Hereafter, a window-mounted smart air purifier according to preferable embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operational motion of a spring damper of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operational motion of a spring damper of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operational motion of a spring damper of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an inner structure of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing unit of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a stopper and a binder of a fixing unit of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a connection of a housing unit and a fixing unit of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 7, a window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing unit 310, a first air circulation unit 320, a second air circulation unit 330, an air purification unit 340, a heat exchanger 350, a controller 360, and a fixing unit 370.

[0034] The housing unit 310 is a passage that indoor air and outdoor air move through.

[0035] In this instance, the housing unit 310 is divided into an indoor air exhaust space 311, an outdoor air introduction space 314, an outdoor air discharge space 316, a central space 318, and an indoor air introduction space 319. In this instance, these spaces are formed to enable air to move around between the spaces freely.

[0036] In addition, as both cold air and warm air move inside the housing unit 310, dew condensation can be occurred in the housing unit 310. The window-mounted smart air purifier 300 of the present invention is made of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) materials, which has an excellent insulation characteristic, to prevent this dew condensation.

[0037] The indoor air exhaust space 311 includes an indoor air exhaust opening 313, and the indoor air introduction space 319 includes an indoor air suction opening 312. The outdoor air introduction space 314 includes an outdoor air suction opening 315, and the outdoor discharge space 316 includes a fresh air discharge opening 317.

[0038] In this instance, the central space 318 is formed so that each of the indoor air and outdoor air passes through an individual pipe intersecting with each other.

[0039] Meanwhile, the first air circulation unit 320 is installed in the indoor air exhaust space 311 and forcibly circulates air in order to emit the polluted indoor air to outside.

[0040] Thus, the first air circulation unit 320 comprises a first air circulation fan 321, which forcibly circulates the air when external power is on. In this instance, the fist air circulation fan 321 forcibly circulates air so that polluted indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening 312 moves toward the indoor air exhaust opening 313.

[0041] Meanwhile, the second air circulation unit 330 is installed in the outdoor air discharge space 316 and forcibly circulates air in order to introduce outdoor air to the indoor.

[0042] Thus, the second air circulation unit 320 comprises a second air circulation fan 331, which forcibly circulates air when external power is on. In this instance, the second air circulation fan 331 forcibly circulates the air so that outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening 315 moves toward the outdoor air discharge opening 316.

[0043] Meanwhile, the air purification unit 340 purifies the air by filtering impurities contained in the indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening 312 and in the outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening 315.

[0044] In this instance, the air purification unit 340 is installed at moving paths of the indoor air and the outdoor air. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air purification unit 340 comprises a first free filter P1, which is installed between the indoor air introduction space 319 and the central space 318; a second free filter P2, which is installed between the outdoor air introduction space 314 and the central space 318; and a hepa filter and deodorization filter P3.

[0045] Meanwhile, the heat exchanger 350 is installed at the central space 318 inside the housing unit 310.

[0046] As illustrated in drawings, in the central space 318, each of the indoor air and the outdoor air passes through an individual pipe intersecting with each other. The heat exchanger 350 is installed on or haves contacts with the pipes of the indoor air and the outdoor air, and exchange heats between the indoor air and the outdoor air.

[0047] In other words, when the indoor air is warm and the outdoor air is cold, the heat of the indoor air is transferred to the outdoor air, and makes the air introduced into the indoor warm up. In contrast, when the indoor air is cold and the outdoor air is warm, the cold temperature of the indoor air is transferred to the outdoor air, and makes the air introduced into indoor cool down.

[0048] Accordingly, the heat exchanger 350 can minimize heat loss occurred during the operation of the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention by adjusting the temperature of the outdoor air supplied into the indoor.

[0049] Meanwhile, the controller 360 is installed at a front side of the housing unit 310. The controller 360 controls an on/off function and operations of the first air circulation unit 320 and second air circulation unit 330.

[0050] In addition, the controller 360 may include a timer T. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the controller 360 may further include a filter replacement notification function of the heap filter and deodorization filter P3 and a timer reset function.

[0051] Furthermore, a sensor module, which sends a signal to the controller 360, comprises a VOC sensor N1, a CO2 sensor N2, and a coarse particle sensor N3.

[0052] Accordingly, the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention can check air qualities of the outdoor air and the indoor air through the sensors.

[0053] Moreover, the controller 360 includes a loT function, which exchanges data through a smart device and the internet. The loT function enables a user to check various information including an outdoor temperature, an outdoor humidity, an overall outdoor air quality, an outdoor air quality, an overall indoor air quality, an indoor air quality, remote control, and filter replacement time, through the smart device.

[0054] A spring damper 380 is installed at the outdoor air suction opening 315. The spring damper 380 opens the suction opening 315 when air circulates, and closes the suction opening 315 when the air stops circulating.

[0055] In this instance, when the controller 360 determines that there are problems in the outdoor air, such as tobacco smoke, fire smoke, stink or offensive odor, which are detected by the VOC sensor P1, and stops an operation of the second air circulation unit 330, the spring damper 380 closes the outdoor air suction opening 315 and thereby the air circulation stops. Meanwhile, when the controller 360 determines that there is no issue, which is detected by the VOC sensor P1, in the outdoor air, and allows an operation of the second air circulation unit 330, a force generated by the air circulation forcibly opens the outdoor air suction opening 315.

[0056] Meanwhile, the fixing unit 370 is a mean to fix the housing unit 310 between a window frame and a window.

[0057] In this instance, the fixing unit 370 comprises a frame body 371 and a slide wall 470.

[0058] The frame body 371 is square-shaped, which has an opening upward. Specifically, the frame body 371 has a first connection groove 373 formed on an outer side of the frame body 371 to engage with a rail of the window frame; a roller 374 formed on a bottom side of the first connection groove 373 to make the frame body 371 roll on the rail of the window frame; a slide groove 375 formed on an internal side of the frame body 371 to conjointly engage with the edges of the housing unit 310; and an inserting hole 377 formed on a top end of the frame body 371.

[0059] In this instance, the first connection groove 373 may further comprise a mohair 373a to keep out draft or impurities such as dust coming through a gap of the window frame.

[0060] In addition, the slide wall 470 is fixed to a top end of the housing unit 310. Thus, the slide wall 470 covers from the top end of the housing unit 310 to the top portion of the window frame 30.

[0061] Specifically, according to the detailed structure of the slide wall 470, the slide wall 470 comprises a lower plate 471, an upper plate 475, a stopper 570, and a binder 670.

[0062] The lower plate 471 is engaged with the top end of the housing unit 310. The lower plate 471 has a guide groove 472 formed in an inner side; an insertion bump 473 protruded from and formed in a bottom end; a second connection groove 474 formed in both lateral sides, which are engaged with the rail of the window frame 30; and a fixing hole H formed in a top portion.

[0063] In this instance, the insertion bump 473 is inserted into and connected to the inserting hole 377, thereby the frame body 371 and the lower plate 471 having strong connection.

[0064] Furthermore, the upper plate 475 is sliding-movably connected to the lower plate 471. The upper plate 475 includes a guide bump 476 formed in an outer side of the upper plate 475 and sliding-movably connected to the guide groove 472; a contact member 477 formed in both lateral sides of the upper plate 475 along the lower plate 471 and meeting with the edges of the lower plate 471 for stable sliding motion; and a third connection groove 478 formed in both lateral sides of a top portion of the upper plate 475 and connected to the rail of the window frame.

[0065] Accordingly, when the guide bump 476 slidingly moves along the guide groove 472, the contact member 477 is more closely adhered to the lower plate 471, which enables more stable sliding motion of the upper plate 475.

[0066] The stopper 570 is disposed between the lower plate 471 and the upper 475 plate. The stopper 570 limits a sliding motion of the upper plate 475 when an adjustable length of the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 by the sliding motion of the upper plate 475, reaches to a desired length.

[0067] In this instance, the stopper 570 comprises a wedge type stopper 571 and a stopper rail 574.

[0068] The wedge type stopper 571 is formed at a back side of the lower plate 471 and can be protruded toward the upper plate 475 by an elastic force of an elastic spring 572.

[0069] In addition, the stopper rail 574 is formed at a front side of the upper plate 475 in order to be stuck in and connected to the wedge type stopper 571. The stopper rail 574 has a shape where wedge type grooves and bumps are alternatively formed.

[0070] Accordingly, the wedge type stopper 571 is inserted to a wedge-shaped groove of the stopper rail 574 and can limit the adjustment of the length of the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475. When a user pulls the upper plate 475 upward, the wedge type stopper 571 moves along the stopper rail 574 by the external force.

[0071] Then, when the external force that is applied to the upper plate 475 is removed, the wedge type stopper 571 inserted in the wedge-shaped groove of the stopper rail 574 can limit the length adjustment of the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475.

[0072] Meanwhile, the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 are fixed by the binder 670. Specifically, the binder 670 is engaged with the fixing hole H, and an end of the binder 670 pressurizes the guide bump 476, which enables the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 to be fixed.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an operational motion of an inner structure of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 8, a window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention starts to be operated by turning on the controller 360.

[0075] In this instance, when the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention starts to be operated, the first air circulation fan 321 of the first air circulation unit 320 is operated and emits the polluted indoor air to the outside.

[0076] Thus, when the first air circulation fan 321 is operated, the polluted indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening 312 is emitted through the indoor air suction opening 312, the indoor air introduction space 319, the central space 318, the indoor air exhaust space 311, and the indoor air exhaust opening 313 to the outside.

[0077] In this instance, the polluted indoor air moving to the central space 318 through the indoor air introduction space 319 is filtered dust and impurities in the air while passing through the first free filter P1 of the air purification unit 340.

[0078] In addition, the second air circulation fan 331 of the second air circulation unit 330 is operated, fresh outdoor air is introduced to the indoor.

[0079] Thus, when the second air circulation fan 331 is operated, the outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening 315 is introduced to the indoor through the outdoor air suction opening 315, the outdoor air introduction space 314, the central space 318, the indoor air discharge space 316, and the outdoor air discharge opening 317 to the inside.

[0080] In this instance, the outdoor air moving to the central space 318 through the outdoor air introduction space 314 is filtered dust and impurities in the air while passing through the second free filter P2 and the hepa filter and deodorization filter P3 of the air purification unit 340, which allows fresh air to be supplied into the indoor.

[0081] In this instance, in the central space 318, each of the indoor air and outdoor air passes through an individual pipe intersecting with each other. The heat exchanger 350 installed at the central space 317 exchanges heats between the indoor air and the outdoor air, which can minimize heat loss caused by supplying the fresh outdoor air into the indoor.

[0082] Meanwhile, a replacement time of the hepa filter and deodorization filter P3 can be notified to a user by the timer T equipped in the controller 360. When a user replaces the filter P1, P2, P3, the user can reset the timer T to receive a notification of the replacement time of a new filter P3.

[0083] In addition, the VOC sensor N1, the CO2 sensor N2, and the coarse particle sensor N3 equipped in the controller 360 measure the air qualities of the outdoor air and the indoor air.

[0084] Accordingly, the controller 360 controls operation of the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 by stopping the operation of the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 when the air quality of the indoor air is in a clean level or air quality of the outdoor air is in a bad level, which are measured by the sensors N1, N2, N3; and by driving the operation of the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 when the air quality of the indoor air is in a bad level or air quality of the outdoor air is in a good level, which are measured by the sensors N1, N2, N3.

[0085] In some embodiments, the CO2 sensor N2 and the coarse particle sensor N3 may be equipped in the indoor.

[0086] In this instance, the CO2 sensor N2 and the coarse particle sensor N3 may automatically adjust the amount of ventilation by controlling the speed of the fan according to concentrations of the CO2 and the coarse particles measured indoor.

[0087] For example, the CO2 sensor N2 and the coarse particle sensor N3 may be set in such a way that when pollution is severely high, the fan 321, 331 speeds up, which leads to an increase of ventilation; in contrast, when pollution is low, the fan 321, 331 speed slows down, which leads to a decrease of ventilation. In addition, the CO2 sensor N2 and the coarse particle sensor N3 may be set in such a way that when pollution is very low, the fan 321, 331 stops; and when pollution gets high, the fan 321, 331 becomes reoperated. These functions can reduce costs of electricity, air conditioning, and heating.

[0088] In addition, the VOC sensor N1 may be equipped in the outdoor to detect outdoor odors.

[0089] In this instance, when the VOC sensor N1 detects outdoor odors, the controller 360 blocks the outdoor odors by control of the second air circulation fan 331.

[0090] Meanwhile, the spring damper 380 in the preferable embodiment of the present invention closes down the outdoor air suction opening 315 by its own elastic force when the controller 360 determines that there are problems in the outdoor air, such as tobacco smoke, fire smoke, stink or offensive odor, which are detected by the VOC sensor N1, and stops an operation of the second air circulation unit 330. On the other hand, when the controller 360 determines that there is no issue in the outdoor air, which is detected by the VOC sensor P1, and allows an operation of the second air circulation unit 330, a force generated by the air circulation forcibly opens the outdoor air suction opening 315.

[0091] The controller 360 of the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention further comprises a loT function that exchanges data through a smart device and the internet.

[0092] FIG. 9a is a drawing showing a setting screen of a controller of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 9b and 9c are drawings showing a setting screen displaying a loT function that is embodied through a controller of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 9a, the controller 360 of the present invention may be displayed as an indoor air quality display screen, a sleep mode setting screen, a WiFi display screen, a fan display screen, an artificial intelligence display screen, and a power display screen.

[0094] In addition, referring to FIGs. 9b and 9c, the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention may enable a user to check various information including an outdoor temperature, an outdoor humidity, an overall outdoor air quality, an outdoor air quality, an overall indoor air quality, an indoor air quality, remote control, and filter replacement time, through the smart device, and control operation of the smart air purifier 300.

[0095] The operation principle of the loT function is a widely well-known technology, and the detailed explanation of it is omitted.

[0096] Meanwhile, an installment of the fixing unit 370 for installing the present invention at the window frame 30 will be described referring to drawings.

[0097] FIGs. 10a and 10b are drawings showing an installment of a window-mounted smart air purifier at a window frame according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front exploded perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a back exploded perspective view of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 13a and 13b are a schematical cross-sectional view of a slid wall of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Referring to FIGs. 10a to 13b, to install the window-mounted smart air purifier 300 according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention at the window frame 30, first of all, the frame body 371 of the fixing unit 370 is installed in a gap between the window frame 30 and the window 31.

[0099] In this instance, the frame body 371 is connected to a rail (not shown) of the window frame 30 through the first connection groove 373 formed in edges of the frame body 371. The roller 374 formed in a bottom side of the frame body 371 is sit on the rail of the window frame 30, and enables the frame body 371 to be moved from side to side by rolling.

[0100] The housing unit 310 is inserted into and combined to the slide groove 375 of the frame body 371.

[0101] The top end of the housing unit 310 is connected to the bottom end of the lower plate 471, which is a part of the slide wall 470.

[0102] The guide groove 472 of the lower plate 471 is connected to the guide bump 476 of the upper plate 475.

[0103] An entire length of the slide wall 470 is adjusted to a desired length by sliding-movement of the upper plate 475.

[0104] When the length of the slide wall 470 reaches to the desired length, the stopper 570 limits further length adjustment of the upper plate 475 and the lower plate 471.

[0105] Thus, the wedge type stopper 571 of the slide wall 470 is inserted into the wedge-shaped groove of the stopper rail 574, thereby limiting the length adjustment of the upper plate 475 and the lower plate 471. When a user pulls the upper plate 475 upward, the wedge type stopper 571 moves along the stopper rail 574 by the external force.

[0106] Then, when the external force that is applied to the upper plate 475 is removed, the wedge type stopper 571 inserted into the wedge-shaped groove of the stopper rail 574 can limit the length adjustment of the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475.

[0107] In this state, the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 are fixed by the binder 670. Specifically, when the slide wall 470 reaches to the desired length by the stopper 570, the binder 670 is engaged with the fixing hole H, and an end of the binder 670 pressurizes the guide bump 476, which enables the lower plate 471 and the upper plate 475 to be fixed.

[0108] Meanwhile, the embodiment of the present invention mentioned above is explained according to a sequential installation process of the frame body 371, the lower plate 471, and the upper plate 475, but the present invention is not limited to those installation method. The pre-assembled set of the frame body 371, the lower plate 471, and the upper plate 475 may be mounted on the window frame 30, depending on installation places.

[0109] Accordingly, the window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention comprising an additional heat exchanger inside can prevent potential heat loss that may be caused by a ventilation process and reduce costs of heating and air conditioning.

[0110] In addition, the window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention is installed at the window frame and does not need perforation in the ceiling or the wall during the installation process, which can enhance convenience of installation.

[0111] FIG. 14 is a drawing of another embodiment of a slid wall of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 14, the window-mounted smart air purifier may further comprise a locking device 700. The locking device 700 is formed above the top end of the lower plate 471 and vertically moves along the guide bump 476.

[0113] The locking device 700 prevents the wedge type stopper 571 from moving backward by supporting the wedge type stopper 571.

[0114] Accordingly, the wedge type stopper 571 is fixed to the wedge-shaped groove of the stopper rail 574, which enables the lower plate 471 to have a stable fixed structure.

[0115] Meanwhile, FIG. 15 is a drawing prefiguratively showing a window-mounted smart air purifier with UV-C LED (Ultraviolet-C Light Emitting Diode) according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] The UV-C LED according to embodiments of the present invention may be installed in the central space 318 of the window-mounted smart air purifier, such as an area near the heat exchanger 350.

[0117] The UV-C is a kind of ultraviolet light having a short-wavelength range from about 100nm to about 280 nm. By installing the UV-C LED inside the air purifier, bacteria contained in the air can be sterilized inside the air purifier.

[0118] Meanwhile, FIG. 16 is a drawing prefiguratively showing a UI (User Interface) screen for managing consumables such as a filter, a heat exchanger, and others, of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Information regarding each consumable may be shown as figures of total usage time, remaining time, replacement period, and others. In addition, those figures may be shown as graphs so that a user can intuitively know total usage time, remaining time, and others.

[0120] FIG. 17 is a drawing prefiguratively showing a UI (User Interface) screen for adding reservation of a window-mounted smart air purifier according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] In reservation addition screen, a start time, an end time, and repetition for each day of the week can be set, and a fan intensity level of each fan can be adjusted.


Claims

1. A window-mounted smart air purifier comprising:

a housing unit that is divided into an indoor air exhaust space (311), an outdoor air introduction space (314), an outdoor air discharge space (316), a central space (318), and an indoor air introduction space (319) in such a way that air moves around between the spaces, wherein the indoor air exhaust space (311) includes an indoor air exhaust opening (313), the indoor air introduction space (319) includes an indoor air suction opening (312), the outdoor air introduction space (314) includes an outdoor air suction opening (315), and the outdoor air discharge space (316) includes a fresh air discharge opening (317);

a first air circulation unit (320) that is installed in the indoor air exhaust space (311) and comprises a first air circulation fan (321) that forcibly circulates air so that polluted indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening (312) moves toward the indoor air exhaust opening (313);

a second air circulation unit (330) that is installed in the outdoor air discharge space (316) and comprises a second air circulation fan 331 that forcibly circulates air so that outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening (315) moves toward the outdoor air discharge space (316);

an air purification unit (340) that purifies air by filtering impurities contained in the indoor air introduced through the indoor air suction opening (312) and in the outdoor air introduced through the outdoor air suction opening (315), and that comprises a first free filter P1 installed between the indoor air introduction space (319) and the central space (318), a second free filter P2 installed between the outdoor air introduction space (314) and the central space (318), and a hepa filter and deodorization filter P3;

a heat exchanger (350) that is installed at the central space (317) where each of the indoor air and the outdoor air passes through an individual pipe, intersecting with each other, and that is disposed in such a way that the pipes of the indoor air and the outdoor air exchanges heats each other;

a controller (360) that controls operations of the first air circulation unit (320) and the second air circulation unit (330), and

a fixing unit (370) that fixes the housing unit (310) to a window frame (30),

wherein the controller (360) further comprises a timer T to check a replacement period of the hepa filter and deodorization filter P3, and a reset function to reset the timer T when replacing the filter;

wherein the controller (360) further comprises a sensor module that measures qualities of outdoor air and indoor air, wherein the sensor module comprises a VOC sensor N1, a CO2 sensor N2, and a coarse particle sensor N3;

wherein the controller (360) further comprises a loT function that exchanges data through a smart device and internet, and that enables a user to check information including an outdoor temperature, an outdoor humidity, an overall outdoor air quality, an outdoor air quality, an overall indoor air quality, an indoor air quality, remote control, and filter replacement time, through the smart device.


 
2. The window-mounted smart air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the fixing unit (370) comprises:

a frame body (371) that has a square shape with an opening upward, and that includes:

a first connection groove (373) formed on an outer side of the frame body (371) to connect the frame body (371) to a rail of the window frame (30);

a roller (374) formed on a bottom side of the first connection groove (373);

a slide groove (375) formed on an inner side of the frame body (371) to conjointly engage with edges of the housing unit (310);

an inserting hole (377) formed on a top end of the frame body (371), and

a mohair (373)a formed in the first connection groove (373);

a slide wall (470) that is fixed to a top end of the housing unit (310), and covers from the top end of the housing unit (310) to a top portion of the window frame (30).


 
3. The window-mounted smart air purifier according to claim 2, wherein the sliding wall (470) comprises:

a lower plate (471) that is engaged with the top end of the housing unit (310), and that includes:

a guide groove (472) formed in an inner side of the lower plate (471);

an insertion bump (473) protruded from and formed in a bottom end of the lower plate (471) to be inserted and connected to the inserting hole (377) of the frame body (371);

a second connection groove (474) formed in both lateral sides of the lower plate (471), to connect lower plate (471) to the rail of the window frame (30), and

a fixing hole H formed in a top portion of lower plate (471);

an upper plate (475) that is sliding-movably connected to the lower plate (471), and that includes:

a guide bump (476) formed in an outer side of the upper plate (475) and sliding-movably connected to the guide groove (472);

a contact member (477) formed in both lateral sides of the upper plate (475) along the lower plate (471) and meeting with edges of the lower plate (471) for stable sliding motion; and

a third connection groove (478) formed in both lateral sides of a top end of the upper plate (475) and connected to the rail of the window frame;

a stopper (570) that is disposed between the lower plate (471) and the upper (475) plate and that limits a sliding motion of the upper plate (475) when an adjustable length of the lower plate (471) and the upper plate (475) by the sliding motion of the upper plate (475), reaches to a desired length, and

a binder (670) that is engaged with the fixing hole H, wherein an end of the binder (670) pressurizes the guide bump 476, whereby enabling the lower plate (471) and the upper plate (475) to be fixed.


 
4. The window-mounted smart air purifier according to claim 1, the window-mounted smart air purifier further comprises a spring damper (380) that is installed in the outdoor air suction opening (315),

wherein the spring damper (380) opens the outdoor air suction opening (315) when air circulates, and closes down the outdoor air suction opening (315) when air stop circulating,

wherein when the controller (360) determines that there are problems in the outdoor air that are detected by the VOC sensor N1, and stops an operation of the second air circulation unit (330), the spring damper (380) closes down the outdoor air suction opening (315) by its own elastic force, and

when the controller (360) determines that there is no issue in the outdoor air that is detected by the VOC sensor P1, and allows an operation of the second air circulation unit (330), a force generated by the air circulation forcibly opens the outdoor air suction opening (315).


 
5. The window-mounted smart air purifier according to claim 3, wherein the stopper (570) comprises:

a wedge type stopper (571) that is formed at a back side of the lower plate (471) and that is protruded toward the upper plate (475) by an elastic force of an elastic spring (572), and

a stopper rail (574) that is formed at a front side of the upper plate (475) to be stuck in and connected to the wedge type stopper (571), and that has a shape where wedge type grooves and bumps are alternatively formed.


 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description