Filter change indicator

• US 6,013,121 A
• Filed: 09/04/1998
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kaz Incorporated (Helen of Troy Limited)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Consumer Products, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Chiu, Bernard, Gatchell, Stephen, Wang, Jui-Shang
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US09/148,191
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 96/417, 96/421, 96/423, 96/416, 55/DIG. 34, 55/467, 55/471, 116/DIG. 25, 116/272, 116/268
• US Class Current: 96/416
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/30 Means for generating a circulation of a fluid in a filtration system, e.g. using a pump or a fan
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4254 Allowing or improving visual supervision, e.g. lamps, transparent parts, windows
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/446 by pressure measuring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/34 Indicator and controllers

Abstract

This invention relates to a filter change indicator that is operable in various orientations of the device incorporating it. For example, the filter change indicator is operable when the device is positioned in either the upright or sideways position. The device incorporating the filter change indicator can be any air moving device which incorporates a cleanable or replaceable filter. The filter change indicator includes a transparent viewing window and a tubulation. The viewing window displays a visible signal when the filter needs changing. The visible signal can be a float retained in the tubulation. The tubulation is a hollow transparent tube which forms an incline plane within the housing. The tubulation includes a first end, a second end and a step. The first end is in fluid communication with an air flow path through the tubulation, and this air flow path is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The second end opens into an air flow path formed between the inlet and outlet at a location downstream of an air filter. When a predetermined pressure differential develops across the tubulation, a predetermined force develops inside the tube which lifts the float from the first end of the tubulation to a position at the second end. The lifting force causes the float to come to rest in the tubulation at a position adjacent the viewing window.

Claims

1. An air conditioning device comprising:

a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path between said inlet and said outlet, a substantially planar first mounting surface for supporting said housing on a support surface in a given orientation, and a substantially planar second mounting surface for supporting said housing on the support surface in a predetermined orientation different than said given orientation;

a blower disposed in the housing and arranged to move air in said air flow path from said inlet to said outlet;

an air filter disposed in said air flow path;

a tubulation defining a first end, a second end, and an inclined surface therebetween;

said tubulation being arranged such that said second end is disposed above said first end with said housing in either of said given orientation or said predetermined orientation; and

wherein said first end is in communication with a reference pressure source and said second end is in communication with said air flow path downstream of said filter; and

an indicator member movable on said inclined surface between said first and second ends of said tubulation and being visible in at least said second end thereof;

said indicator being movable between said first end and said second end in response to changes in the differential air pressure therebetween.

2. An air conditioning device according to claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second side walls joining said top and bottom walls and first and second end walls joining said top and bottom walls;

said first mounting surface is said bottom wall; and

said second mounting surface is said first side wall.

3. An air conditioning device according to claim 2 wherein said second end is disposed at an intersection of said top wall and said second side wall.

4. An air conditioning device according to claim 3 including a multiple speed motor coupled to said blower, a blower control for varying the speed of said motor to provide selective different operational modes of said blower, and an air flow metering system for regulating the air flow rate through said tubulation in response to the selected operational mode of said blower.

5. An air conditioning device defined in claim 4 wherein the tubulation is transparent.

6. An air conditioning device defined in claim 5 wherein the tubulation defines a hollow center and receives the visible indicator therein.

7. An air conditioning device defined in claim 6 wherein the visible indicator is a float.

8. An air conditioning device according to claim 1 wherein said housing defines an atmosphere opening communicating with said first end of said tubulation.

9. An air conditioning device according to claim 8 wherein said housing comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second side walls joining said top and bottom walls and first and second end walls joining said top and bottom walls;

said first mounting surface is said bottom wall; and

said second mounting surface is said first side wall.

10. An air conditioning device according to claim 9 wherein said second end is disposed at an intersection of said top wall and said second side wall.

11. An air conditioning device according to claim 10 including a multiple speed motor coupled to said blower, a blower control for varying the speed of said motor to provide selective different operational modes of said blower, and an air flow metering system for regulating the air flow rate through said tubulation in response to the selected operational mode of said blower.

12. An air conditioning device defined in claim 11 wherein the tubulation is transparent.

13. An air conditioning device defined in claim 12 wherein the tubulation defines a hollow center and receives the visible indicator therein.

14. An air conditioning device defined in claim 13 wherein the visible indicator is a float.

15. The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is a fan.

16. The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is a humidifier.

17. The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is a heater.

18. The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is an air conditioning apparatus.

19. The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is an air purifier.

20. An air conditioning device according to claim 1 wherein said tubulation is inclined relative to at least one of said first substantially planar mounting surface and said second substantially planar mounting surface.