Self-alarming air cleaner

• US 8,231,716 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chiwai Patrick Poon
• Original Assignee: Chiwai Patrick Poon
• Inventors: Poon, Chiwai Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L
• Application Number:
  US12/664,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20100192772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 96/19, 96/26, 96/55, 96/57, 96/58, 963/97, 96417-419, 96/63, 95/3, 95/8, 95/25, 95/63, 95/78, 55D/IG.34
• US Class Current: 96/19
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators

Abstract

A self-alarming air cleaner is disclosed. The air cleaner includes an air filter element (1), a light emitting element (2) and a light sensor (3). The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) are both faced to the air filter element (1). The light emitted from the light emitting element (2) is reflected by the air filter element (1) or permeated to the air filter element (1), then forms an area of light attenuation where the light sensor (3) is located. The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) connect with a circuit which has an alarming device. When much dust is accumulated on the air filter element (1), the intensity of the light reaching the light sensor (3) is weakened and the alarming device (4) can give an alarm automatically.

Claims

1. An air cleaner comprising:

an air filter element;

a light emitting element emitting light at the air filter element, the light emitted from the light emitting element being reflected or transmitted by the air filter element to form an area of light attenuation;

a light sensor sensing a level within the area of light attenuation; and

an electric circuit having an alarming device and connected with the light sensor, the circuit enabling the alarming device upon sensing of a predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation by the light sensor.

2. The air cleaner of claim 1, wherein the light emitting element and the light sensor are arranged on opposing of an intake side and an exhaust side of the air filter element, the light sensor being located within the transmission area formed by the light of emitted from the light emitting element after being transmitted through the air filter element.

3. The air cleaner of claim 1, wherein the light emitting element and the light sensor are located on the same of an intake side and an exhaust side of the air filter element, the light sensor being located within the reflection area formed by the light emitted from the light emitting element after being reflected by the air filter element.

4. The air cleaner of claim 2, wherein the circuit comprises a power supply connected to the light emitting element and the light sensor, and a regulating resistor connected to the light sensor.

5. The air cleaner of claim 2, wherein the alarming device is a LED.

6. The air cleaner of claim 2, further comprising an anion generator.

7. The air cleaner of claim 3, wherein the circuit comprises a power supply connected to the light emitting element and the light sensor, and a regulating resistor connected to the light sensor.

8. The air cleaner of claim 3, wherein the alarming device is a LED.

9. The air cleaner of claim 3, further comprising an anion generator.

10. An air filter having a non-dusty condition and a dusty condition, wherein when disposed within the air cleaner of claim 1, the light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected or transmitted by the air filter element is above the predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation when the air filter is in the non-dusty condition, and the light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected or transmitted by the air filter element is at or below the predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation when the air filter is in the dusty condition.

11. The air filter of claim 10, wherein when disposed within the air cleaner of claim 2, the light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted by the air filter element is above the predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation when the air filter is in the non-dusty condition, and the light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted by the air filter element is at or below the predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation when the air filter is in the dusty condition.

12. The air filter of claim 10, wherein when disposed within the air cleaner of claim 3, the light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by the air filter element is above the predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation when the air filter is in the non-dusty condition, and the light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by the air filter element is at or below the predetermined light level within the area of light attenuation when the air filter is in the dusty condition.

13. In combination, a first light emitter, an air filter, a light sensing circuit, and a second light emitter;

wherein

said light sensing circuit is arranged to sense light emitted from said first light emitter and reflected off or transmitted through said air filter;

said light sensing circuit is arranged to distinguish between a non-dusty light level and a dusty light level;

said light sensing circuit is arranged to enable said second light emitter only when said dusty light level is sensed; and

said filter is arranged to reflect or transmit light emitted from said first light emitter at said non-dusty light level when said filter is non-dusty, and to reflect or transmit light emitted from said first light emitter at said dusty light level when said filter is dusty.

14. The combination of claim 13;

wherein

said light sensing circuit is arranged to sense light emitted from said first light emitter and transmitted through said air filter;

said light sensing circuit is arranged to distinguish between a non-dusty light level and a dusty light level;

said light sensing circuit is arranged to enable said second light emitter only when said dusty light level is sensed; and

said filter is arranged to transmit light emitted from said first light emitter at said non-dusty light level when said filter is non-dusty, and to transmit light emitted from said first light emitter at said dusty light level when said filter is dusty.

15. The combination of claim 13;

wherein

said light sensing circuit is arranged to sense light emitted from said first light emitter and reflected off said air filter;

said light sensing circuit is arranged to distinguish between a non-dusty light level and a dusty light level;

said light sensing circuit is arranged to enable said second light emitter only when said dusty light level is sensed; and

said filter is arranged to reflect light emitted from said first light emitter at said non-dusty light level when said filter is non-dusty, and to reflect light emitted from said first light emitter at said dusty light level when said filter is dusty.

16. The combination of claim 13 further comprising an air cleaning apparatus, said apparatus containing the combination and configured to draw dusty air into said filter to convert said filter from non-dusty to dusty.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said second light emitter is externally disposed on said air cleaning apparatus.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said apparatus further comprises a blower for drawing said dusty air into said filter.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said apparatus further comprises an anion generator arranged to ionize air exhausted by said blower.

20. And air cleaning apparatus comprising:

a housing;

an air filter disposed within said housing;

a motorized blower disposed within said housing and arranged to draw dusty air into said air filter where the dusty air is converted to non-dusty air, and to exhaust said non-dusty air from said housing;

a first light emitter disposed adjacent said air filter and arranged to emit light there-at;

a light sensor disposed adjacent said air filter and arranged to sense said emitted light after reflection thereof off or transmission thereof through said filter;

an electric circuit connected to said light sensor and adapted to distinguish between a non-dusty light level sensed by said light sensor and a dusty light level sensed by said light sensor,

a second light emitter connected to said electric circuit and enabled thereby only when said circuit distinguishes a dusty light level;

wherein

said air filter is adapted to reflect or transmit light from said first light emitter at said non-dusty light level when said filter is non-dusty and to reflect or transmit light from said first light emitter at or below said dusty light level when said filter is dusty.