SG181202A1 - Combined lightbox and air purification apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

AbstractCombined lightbox and air purification apparatusA combined lightbox and air purification apparatus, comprising a semi-rigid, translucent filter material, is connecting to a base plate, forming an enclosure and defining an internal space and external space. At least one conduit located within said base plate. A fan mounted at the center of each said conduit and at least one lamp mounted within said enclosure.Fig. 1

Description

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Background of the invention: ’ This invention relates generally to the field of air purifier device and more specifically to an air purifier device with built in light sources.

Description of the prior art:

Air purifier are use for reducing indoor air pollution.

US patent number 6017375 teaches a “portable air purifier unit” that consists of a rectangular enclosure having a blower motor mounted in an orifice to push the air through a removable filter mounted on the opposite side of the enclosure.

This prior art cannot be used as a lamp.

US Patent 4439816 disclosed an “Integrated multi-function lamp for providing light and purification of indoor air”. The device consist of a vertical support and a lamp shade, air drawn from top of the support, through a small size filter wherein and exit from an outlet.

This device is not suitable for wall hanging or ceiling mount. Air flow through small size filter is restricted and requires a lot of energy.

US patent 4849862 disclosed a “suspended air purifier light fixture” disclosed symmetrical enclosure extending radially, air intake from an opening at the bottom of the enclosure is forced to the surround sides by a large diameter centrifugal fan. Air is filtered before coming out of the side wall with integrated air filters.

Although this prior art includes both function as air purifier and light fixture, the large size centrifugal fan is blocking most of the useful light shining down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combined air purifier and lighting apparatus. The invention is capable of functioning both as an indoor air purifier as well as a general lighting apparatus.

The light source is suitable for illuminating the bedroom, the living room or an area around a meeting table.

The apparatus by its internal design, is of a substantially less noisy and lighter weight than existing devices, and can be easily mounted to a ceiling or wall surface without special provision of ducting of air or extensive modification of ceiling or wall. The apparatus is ’ designed as a fully function light source with air purifier and does not have to be concealed behind a dropped ceiling or inside double wall.

To accomplish the above purposes, the present invention makes use of a large translucent filter material. A low power fan drive air into the enclosure. The large air emitting surface area of the filter is of a much larger magnitude than that of the intake surface area, air pass through the filter easily with minimum pressure drop. This relationship of surface areas results in a dramatic and desirable slowing of the exhaust air velocity without need for baffles or additional impedances.

A lamp mounted inside the enclosure can be switch on or off independently from the fan.

Light emits through the translucent filter material and produces a even and large diffused lightbox effect.

Most existing purifiers use an axial fan forces air linearly through a series of filters to an exhaust of substantially similar dimensions to that of the intake.

The primary object of the invention, then is to provide an improved ceiling-suspended, or wall-mounted, stand-alone lightbox with an integral useful air purifier.

Another object of the invention is to provide large area of uninterrupted diffused light. This is accomplished through the use of translucent, light diffusing, self-supporting semi-rigid filter, or soft filter supported by transparent open structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device having a physical dimension smaller in depth than existing units so that a flush ceiling mount is possible without excessive intrusion into the space in which the device is used. This is particularly important when the height of the ceiling in the space is the usual standard eight feet.

Another object of the invention is to provide substantially larger area of exhaust in relation to the intake surface area, this arrangement results in a beneficially reduced exhaust air velocity.

An additional object of the invention is a device which is quiet enough for constant operation when in close proximity to people working quietly. This accomplished through the use of low power fan in relation to the large area of filter where exhaust is at low velocity and thereby less prone to noise.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device substantially lighter weight than : existing devices. This is accomplished through the use of semi-rigid filter material and eliminated the enclosure structure of typical design. Further the use of low-power fan also further reduce the weight substantially compared to high power fans.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide anti-microbial function. This is accomplished by the use of ultra-violet (UV) light as one of the light source.

An additional object of the invention is to provide independent switches for the lamp and the fan. This allows the functions of lightbox and air purifier to be switched on independently from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a first embodiment of the present invention of a combined lightbox and air purifier apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially cut away to reveal the internal components, of the first embodiment of the present invention of a combined lightbox and air purifier apparatus;

FIG.3 is a plan view, partially cut open to reveal the internal components, of a second embodiment of the present invention of a combined lightbox and air purifier apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of a third embodiment of the present invention of a combined lightbox and air purifier apparatus with internal open framework to support the use of soft filter material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a cross section view of a first embodiment of the present invention of a combined lightbox and air purifier apparatus. FIG. | shows an orientation when the device is suspended from the ceiling. The same device is also capable to be wall hanging or free standing. Typically the device is hung to be approximately 2 meters height above the floor, or close to where a user sleep or study for optimal operation.

As will be disclosed in detail in the following text, not only is the invention designed for removal of general pollutants from indoor air, it is also configured to provide diffused ambient light. It is therefore most beneficial to position the invention nearby the user(s) to i provide purified air and ambient light simultaneously or independently. ’ FIG.1, then illustrates the resultant combined device of the present invention. The device consists of five essential components: a semi-rigid and translucent air purifying filter (1) mounted on top of a base plate (4) and forms an enclosure, a fan (3) mounted inside a conduit (2) on the base plate to drive ambient air into the enclosure and at least one lamp (5) mounted inside of the enclosure.

FIG.2 is a plan view, having the semi-rigid filter partially cut away, to reveal the components inside the enclosure. From this view it is shown that the fan (3) is mounted along the same axis as the conduit (2) . Such construction is commonly found in exhaust fan or computer ventilation fan designs. The conduit (2), preferably locates substantially near the center of the base plate (4). Such arrangements allow even distribution of air within the enclosure and minimize the air flow speed as it passes through the filter (1).

Note that in the specific embodiment of the invention as disclosed the overall shape of the device, as defined by the shape of the base plate and the semi-rigid filter is hemispherical, although it is apparent that other shapes such as square, hexagonal or octagonal are all possible.

It has been determined that effective removal of offending pollutants from the air is greatly enhanced by the large functional surface area of the filter material in relation to the small air intake. Air passes through the filter at a substantially reduced speed compared to the speed of the air intake. This allows airborne impurity to be fully captured within the filter material before purified air releases into the surrounding.

Another advantage of the large filter surface are is that the pressure drop between the air inside the enclosure and the external air is substantially lower than existing air-purifier design using filters of much smaller size. Thus light weight, low power fan are sufficient to push the air through the conduit and t high speed with minimum noisy level.

Translucent, light weight, semi-rigid filter material are commercially available in large quantity such as those used in cup-shaped disposable respirators. Typically these filters consist of three layer structure; an outer layer for protection, an middle softer layer of high efficient filter, and an inner layer of semi-rigid sheet to provide support for the overall shape.

Typically the the middle layer material employ electro-static charged fiber to enhance the capturing power of sub-micron size airborne particles and yet provides low air resistance through the filter layers. In addition to the air purifier quality, some of this filter material also come with a diffuse optical quality. Light emitted from behind such filter material will be diffused evenly through the material and completely eliminate any hot spots. : In FIG. 2, it is shown four lamps (5) mounted on the base plate (4). Due to the strong diffuse optical property the entire filter can be illuminated evenly and creates a lightbox effect. From the outside it is not possible to see there are four separate light sources.

In summary, according to the present invention, a combined lightbox and air purifier apparatus is constructed as disclosed in above paragraphs.

Still referring to FIG. 2, at least one of the lamps (5) is ultra violet lamp, to provide anti- microbial property. Airborne viruses or bacteria enter into the enclosure and trapped in the filter are killed by ultra violet radiation before it has an opportunity to grow and multiply.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lamps (5) are of the energy efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) operated by low voltage DC power source such as 12V

DC source. In this preferred embodiment, the fan (3) is operated also under 12V DC. The entire apparatus can be powered by safe, low voltage DC power source.

FIG. 3, disclosed another preferred embodiment of the present invention. An elongated base plate (4) containing two conduits (2) each mounted with a fan (3) to drive air into the enclosure formed between the base plate (4) and the semi-rigid, translucent filter material (1).

A number of lamps (5) are distributed and mounted on the base plate within the enclosure. It can be seen that the present invention can be easily extended into different shapes and sizes all sharing the same advantageous properties of large filter area, large even lightbox, low noise, and low energy consumption.

FIG.4, disclosed yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention which make use of soft filter material. A transparent air permeable open framework (6) mounted on a base plate (4) supporting a soft filter material (7) which is connecting to the base plate (4) and forms an enclosure between them. A fan (3) mounted inside a conduit (2) on the base plate (4) to drive ambient air into the enclosure and at least one lamp (5) mounted inside of the enclosure.

Although this invention has been explained with reference to the structure disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this invention is intended to cover any modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims:

Claims (5)

® Claims

1. A combined lightbox and air purification apparatus, comprising A semi-rigid, translucent filter material, is connecting to a base plate, forming an enclosure and defining an internal space and external space, at least one conduit located within said base plate, A fan mounted at the center of each said conduit, At least one lamp mounted within said enclosure.

2. A combined lightbox and air purification apparatus as claimed in claim 1. Said filter consists of multi-layers construction containing at least a high efficient filter layer and a semi- rigid supporting layer.

3. A combined lightbox and air purification apparatus as claimed in claim 1. Said filter is made of soft material and is supported by a transparent, air permeable framework.

4. A combined lightbox and air purification apparatus as claimed in claim | to 3, said lamp is of energy efficient low voltage LED (Light Emitting Diode)

5. A combined lightbox and air purification apparatus as claimed in claim 1 to 3, at least one of the lamps are ultra violet lamp.