AIR CLEANER

A air cleaner includes a blowing device and a circulator movably disposed above the blowing device. The circulator includes a housing extending in a front-rear direction, a first inlet being formed in a rear portion of the housing and a first outlet being formed in a front portion of the housing, a circulation fan disposed in the housing to suction air through the first inlet and then discharge the air through the first outlet to a front of the housing, and a motor rotating the circulation fan. The first inlet is disposed above a second outlet of the blowing device inside an imaginary extension surface vertically extending an edge of the second outlet, and has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the second outlet, thus suctioning air discharged from the second outlet and increasing an intake ratio of clean air that undergoes a cleaning operation of the blowing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0085476, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner and, more particularly, to an air cleaner including a circulator that guides clean air discharged from a blowing device in a predetermined direction.

Related Art

An air cleaner is a device that suctions contaminated air in a room (hereinafter referred to as “outside air”), performs a series of cleaning operations, and then supplies clean air to the room.

The air discharged from the air cleaner provides comfort to a user. Thus, a demand for an air cleaner that can freely control the direction of the air discharged from the air cleaner is increasing.

In order to satisfy this demand, Korean Patent No. 10-2026194 discloses an air cleaner including a circulator that suctions clean air discharged from a blowing device and then changes the direction of the clean air to a predetermined direction to discharge the clean air. Here, a rotary guide device may be coupled to the circulator, and may control the motion of the circulator to discharge the air in a predetermined direction. However, the related art is problematic in that, when clean air discharged from an outlet of the blowing device passes through the circulator installed obliquely and is discharged in a predetermined direction, outside air that does not undergo the cleaning operation of the air cleaner may be suctioned into an inlet of the circulator and be discharged together in a predetermined direction.

Moreover, the related art is problematic in that, if the circulator suctions air through the inlet, some air may not pass through the inlet due to an increase in pressure of the air in an intake path, and this air may leak to the outside of the circulator, thus causing a loss of flow energy.

In this case, if a suction ratio of the outside air, which does not undergo the cleaning operation of the blowing device, into the circulator increases, a ratio of the clean air that passes through the inlet and is discharged in a predetermined airflow direction is significantly reduced.

DOCUMENTS OF RELATED ART

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is to solve the above-described problems.

When a circulator is driven, outside air that does not undergo a cleaning operation of a blowing device may be suctioned into a circulator to be discharged in a predetermined direction. The present disclosure is also to provide an air cleaner that reduces a ratio at which the circular suctions the outside air that does not undergo the cleaning operation, and increases a ratio at which clean air discharged from the blowing device is suctioned and then is discharged in a predetermined direction.

The present disclosure is to provide an air cleaner that minimizes the loss of an air volume at which a circulator suctions clean air, even if an intake path area of the circulator is reduced.

When a circulator is driven, some clean air has directivity to be suctioned to the circulator, and may leak to the outside without being suctioned into the circulator while the air flowing. The present disclosure is to provide an air cleaner that guides clean air, which is discharged from a blowing device and flows out of the circulator without passing through the circulator, in a predetermined direction.

Technical objects to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned technical objects, and other technical objects not described above may be evidently understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

In an aspect, an air cleaner may include a blowing device including a second outlet formed in an upper surface thereof in a circumferential direction, and a blowing fan discharging air through the second outlet to an outside, and a circulator movably disposed above the blowing device, and the circulator may include a housing extending in a front-rear direction, a first inlet being formed in a rear portion of the housing and a first outlet being formed in a front portion of the housing, a circulation fan disposed in the housing to suction air through the first inlet and then discharge the air through the first outlet to a front of the housing, and a motor rotating the circulation fan.

The first inlet may be disposed above the second outlet inside an imaginary extension surface vertically extending an edge of the second outlet, and may be formed to have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the second outlet, thus increasing the intake ratio of clean air discharged from the second outlet, and minimizing an amount of outside air introduced into the circulator.

When the circulator is obliquely erected, a region where the first inlet suctions the air discharged from the second outlet may be defined as an intake region, a region upwardly extending a longitudinal section of the second outlet positioned in the intake region may be defined as an air curtain region, and an oblique position where the circulator is obliquely erected may include a position where the first inlet is spaced apart from the air curtain region. Therefore, upward airflow formed in the air curtain region may serve as a resistance element for preventing the inflow of the outside air, so it is possible to reduce the ratio of the outside air suctioned by the first inlet and to increase the intake ratio of the clean air.

The circulator may be obliquely erected such that a plane formed by the first inlet and an upper surface of the blowing device form an angle of 60° to 70°. Thus, the first inlet may be spaced apart from the air curtain region and the intake ratio of the clean air may become a maximum.

The air cleaner may further include a gear disposed above the blowing device, and a gear motor rotating the gear, and a rack disposed in a rear portion of the circulator and interlocked with the gear to guide a vertical rotation of the circulator, so that the circulator may be moved vertically in a direction where airflow is directed.

When the circulator is obliquely erected, a region where the first inlet suctions the air discharged from the second outlet may be defined as an intake region, a region upwardly extending a longitudinal section of the second outlet positioned in the intake region may be defined as an air curtain region, and an imaginary circle extending the rack along a curvature of the rack may be spaced apart from the air curtain region. Here, the rack may rotate along the imaginary circle to rotate the circulator vertically. Thus, the circulator may have a motion inside the air curtain region, so that it is possible to reduce the ratio of the outside air suctioned into the circulator, when the circulator is obliquely erected.

A filter member may be disposed in the first inlet, so that clean air discharged after undergoing the cleaning operation in the blowing device may be filtered once again, and outside air which does not undergo the cleaning operation may be filtered.

The housing may include a first outer wall extending in the front-rear direction, the first outlet being formed in a front portion of the first outer wall, and a second outer wall having the first inlet formed in a rear portion thereof, and extending from an edge of the first inlet towards the first outer wall to be gradually enlarged in a radially outward direction, thus guiding air, which is discharged from the second outlet and flows along an outside of the first inlet, so that the air flows to the front of the circulator along an outer surface of the first outer wall.

The outer surface of the first outer wall and an outer surface of the second outer wall may form a continuous surface, so flow resistance to air guided along the outer surface of the second outer wall to the outer surface of the first outer wall may be minimized.

The first outer wall may extend in the shape of a band in a circumferential direction about a central axis to have a cylindrical shape, so it is possible to guide air flowing along the outer surface of the first outer wall in a direction where the circulator is intended to discharge air.

The outer surface of the second outer wall may include a first surface extending towards the first outer wall to be rounded outwards, so air flowing along the outside of the first inlet may flow along the curvature of a curved surface formed by the first surface, and flow resistance may be minimized, thus allowing air to be guided to the first outer wall while smoothly changing flow in a direction where airflow is directed.

The outer surface of the second outer wall may include a second surface that extends from the edge of the first inlet towards the first surface so that a slope of a longitudinal section is constant, thus allowing air to be guided to the first surface while minimizing a change in the flow path of air flowing along the outside of the first inlet. When the circulator is obliquely erected, the first outer wall may be disposed in the direction where airflow is directed, and the second outer wall positioned in the intake region may be disposed towards the first outer wall to be gradually enlarged along a direction where the second outlet discharges air. Therefore, clean air discharged from the second outlet and flowing along the outside of the first inlet may advantageously flow along the outer surface of the second outer wall to be guided to the first outer wall. Further, the flow of clean air flowing along the outer surface of the second outer wall and the formation of the inclined surface of the second outer wall with respect to the inflow direction of the outside air serve as a resistance element to the inflow of the outside air into the first inlet, thus reducing the intake ratio of the outside air.

The circulation fan is formed of an oblique-flow fan that suctions the air through the first inlet and then discharges the air through the first outlet in a forwardly inclined direction of the housing, thus minimizing a reduction in air volume and allowing airflow to be circulated even if an intake path area of the first inlet is reduced.

The oblique-flow fan may include a hub disposed in front of the motor, and connected at a center to an output shaft of the motor, a shroud disposed in back of the hub to be spaced apart therefrom and having an inlet formed in a central portion thereof to suction air, and a plurality of blades disposed between the hub and the shroud.

The hub and the shroud may extend towards the front to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction, and face the second outer wall. Therefore, air flowing along the outer surface of the second outer wall may be guided to the outer surface of the first outer wall, and simultaneously an area between the hub and the shroud may be maximized, thus maximizing a flow rate of the air that passes between the hub and the shroud.

Each of the blades may extend from the shroud to the hub to be inclined forwards, so air discharged through the blade may flow in a forwardly inclined direction and an area contacting with the blade may be increased to the maximum.

The circulator may include a guide vane device that is disposed in the housing to guide the air discharged by the oblique-flow fan to the front of the housing, so it is possible to guide the air, discharged in the forwardly inclined direction of the housing by the oblique-flow fan, to the front of the housing.

Other specific details of the present disclosure are included in the detailed description and drawings.

Advantageous Effects

A circulator and an air cleaner including a circulator according to the present disclosure have the following effects.

First, it is advantageous in that the arrangement and width of a first inlet are adjusted, and an air curtain region is secured, so a ratio at which a circulator suctions clean air increases, and a ratio at which the circulator suctions outside air is reduced.

Second, it is advantageous in that the loss of an air volume can be minimized even if an intake path area is narrow by using an oblique-flow fan.

Third, it is advantageous in that air discharged from a blowing device and flowing to an outside of a circulator is guided in a predetermined direction through the shape and arrangement of an outer wall of the circulator.

Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects not described above may be evidently understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The above and other objectives, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure may be embodied in different forms without being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments disclosed herein are provided to make the disclosure thorough and complete and to sufficiently convey the spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is to be defined by the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout various figures and embodiments of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, or “upper”, may be used to easily describe a correlation between one component and another component shown in the drawing. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms cover different directions of components when in use or in operation, in addition to the direction shown in the drawings. For example, when a component shown in the drawing is turned over, a component described as being “below” or “beneath” another component may be placed “above” the latter component. Thus, the exemplary term “below” may include both the terms “below” and “above”. The component may also be oriented in a different direction, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to an orientation.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used as the common meaning understood by those skilled in the art. Further, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The thickness or size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated or omitted for the clarity and convenience of description. Further, the size and area of each component do not completely reflect the actual size or area.

Hereinafter, a circulator100and an air cleaner1including the circulator100according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the direction of the circulator100is defined.

Based on an orthogonal coordinate system shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, a z axis direction may be defined as a front-rear direction of the circulator100. Here, a direction in which a +z axis is directed may be defined as a front direction, and a direction in which a −z axis is directed may be defined as a rear direction. Since air flows from the −z axis direction through the circulator100to the +z axis direction, a side where air is suctioned into the circulator100may be referred to as a rear side, and a side where air is discharged from the circulator100may be referred to as a front side, based on the z axis.

Further, since the rotating axis of each of a circulation fan30and a motor40of the circulator100is formed parallel to the z axis, a direction in which the z axis is directed may be defined as an axial direction of the circulator100. Furthermore, a rotating direction about the axial direction may be defined as a circumferential direction. The rotating axis of each of the circulation fan30and the motor40may be referred to as the central axis of the circulator100.

Further, a direction in which an xy plane perpendicular to the z axis is formed may be defined as a radial direction of the circulator100. In other words, it is to be understood that the radial direction is perpendicular to the axial direction. Furthermore, in the radial direction, a direction extending vertically from the center of the z axis towards an outside may be defined as a radially outward direction, and a direction extending vertically from the outside towards the center of the z axis may be defined as a radially inward direction.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a housing10may include outer walls11and12that form an outer circumference in the circumferential direction of the circulator100. The housing10may be opened at a rear thereof to form a first inlet S1, and may be opened at a front thereof to form a first outlet S3. The housing10may accommodate internal components of the circulator100, such as the circulation fan30and the motor40, and may be a basis for distinguishing the inside and outside of the circulator100(seeFIG. 4).

A front panel80may be disposed on the center of the front of the housing10to display operation information, and the first outlet S3may be formed between the housing10and the front panel80. The first outlet S3may be circumferentially formed between the front panel80and the front of the housing10. Further, a guide vane device70may be installed in back of the first outlet S3, and an outer grill20may be disposed in the first inlet S1. They will be described below in detail.

Referring toFIGS. 4 to 6, the housing10may be opened in the front-rear direction to define a path where air flows from the first inlet S1to the first outlet S3. The outer walls11and12of the housing10may be divided into a first outer wall11and a second outer wall12disposed in back of the first outer wall11. The first outer wall11and the second outer wall12may be integrally formed or be coupled to each other.

The first outer wall11may extend in the front-rear direction. The first outer wall11may be opened at a front thereof to define the first outlet S3. The first outer wall11may circumferentially extend in the shape of a band around the central axis to have the shape of a cylinder. The first outer wall11may extend forwards from the second outer wall12. The first outer wall11may be coupled to an outermost circumference of the second outer wall12.

The second outer wall12may be opened at a rear thereof to define the first inlet S1. The second outer wall12may extend from an edge of the first inlet S1towards the first outer wall11to be gradually enlarged radially outwards. The second outer wall12may extend to be inclined forwards, thus forming a circumference. In other words, the second outer wall12may have a shape of a bowl that is reduced in diameter in a direction from the front to the rear, and is opened at a rear thereof.

Here, since the second outer wall12extends from the edge of the first inlet S1towards the first outer wall11to be gradually enlarged radially outwards, air flowing along the outside of the first inlet S1may be guided to flow forwards along the outer surface of the first outer wall11through the Coanda effect (see F2ofFIG. 8). This will be described below in detail with reference toFIGS. 6 to 8.

The outer grill20through which an air intake passage is formed may be disposed in the first inlet S1formed in the second outer wall12. A coupling groove16a(seeFIG. 7) may be formed in back of the second outer wall12to guide the placement of the outer grill20.

The outer grill20may include a plurality of partition walls21and22(seeFIG. 7). The outer grill20may form a plurality of vent holes between the partition walls21and22. By way of example, the outer grill20is configured such that linear vent holes are continuously formed in a circular plate.

Meanwhile, a filter member23may be disposed in the first inlet S1to remove dust from the air that is suctioned through the first inlet S1. In this case, the filter member23may be disposed between the plurality of partition walls21and22or in front of the plurality of partition walls. Here, the plurality of partition walls21and22of the outer grill20may serve as a frame for supporting the filter member23.

Meanwhile, the circulation fan30may be disposed in the housing10. The circulation fan30may be disposed in front of the outer grill20. The circulation fan30may be coupled to the motor40that rotates the circulation fan. The circulation fan30may rotate to generate air flow. The circulation fan30may suction air through the outer grill20into the housing10, and then discharge the air through the first outlet S3to the front of the housing10. The circulation fan30may use an axial-flow fan or an oblique-flow fan.

The circulation fan30may be the oblique-flow fan that discharges air suctioned through the first inlet S1in a forwardly inclined direction of the housing10. The oblique-flow fan30may include a shaft coupling part31, a hub32, a shroud33, and a blade34. The oblique-flow fan is advantageous in that it is possible to generate a relatively higher air volume in a limited path area, as compared to the axial-flow fan.

The shaft coupling part31may be positioned between a motor cover52and a panel base63, which will be described below. The shaft coupling part31is a hollow part that is opened in the front-rear direction, and may be connected to an output shaft41of the motor40to rotate along with the output shaft.

The hub32may be disposed in front of the motor40, and the shaft coupling part31may be formed on the center of the hub to be connected to the output shaft41of the motor40. The hub32may be disposed in front of the motor, and may include at least any one of an inner hub32ahaving on a center thereof the shaft coupling part31, and an outer hub32bextending obliquely from the inner hub32aradially outwards.

The inner hub32amay be formed to be convex towards the front, and may have in a rear thereof a space in which the motor40and the motor cover52are disposed. The inner hub32amay be formed to surround a portion of the motor40and the motor cover52. The inner hub32amay have a shape of a bowl that is convex towards the front.

The outer hub32bmay extend to be inclined forwards in the radially outward direction. A front end of the blade34may be coupled to a rear surface of the outer hub32b.

Further, the shroud33may be disposed in back of the hub32to be spaced apart therefrom, and the circular inlet S2into which air is suctioned may be formed in the central portion of the shroud33. The shroud33may be formed in a ring shape to surround at least a portion of the motor40. Here, a diameter w2′ of the inlet S2formed in an inner circumferential end of the shroud33may be formed to be equal to or smaller than a diameter w1of the first inlet S1.

The shroud33may be disposed in back of the hub32to be radially outwards spaced apart therefrom. Here, the front surface of the shroud33may be obliquely formed forwards to face the rear surface of the outer hub32b. Therefore, the outer hub32band the shroud33may guide the air suctioned through the inlet S2to cause the air to flow in a forward inclined direction. The outer hub32band the shroud33may extend forwards to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction, and may face the second outer wall12. In other words, when the second outer wall12is obliquely formed, the outer hub32band the shroud33may be inclined to face the second outer wall12. Therefore, air flowing along the outer surface of the second outer wall12may be guided to the outer surface of the first outer wall11, and simultaneously an area between the outer hub32band the shroud33may be maximized, thus maximizing a flow rate of the air that passes between the outer hub and the shroud.

A plurality of blades34may be disposed between the hub32and the shroud33to connect the hub and the shroud. Each blade34may extend from the front surface of the shroud33towards the rear surface of the outer hub32bto be inclined forwards. In other words, the blade34may extend to be inclined forwards in the axial direction corresponding to the flow direction of the air. Thus, the air flowing out through the blade34may flow in a forwardly inclined direction, and an area coming into contact with the blade34may be increased to the maximum.

Meanwhile, as the diameter w1of the first inlet S1is decreased, the intake path area may be reduced and the area of the second outer wall12may be increased. In the case of the oblique-flow fan30, the air is suctioned from the first inlet S1and then is discharged in a forwardly inclined direction. Thus, even if the intake path area is reduced as compared to the axial-flow fan, airflow may be circulated while a reduction in air volume is minimized.

In the case of using the oblique-flow fan30, even if the diameter w1of the first inlet S1is formed to be smaller than the diameter w2of the oblique-flow fan30, a loss of air volume that is suctioned through the first inlet S1into the circulator100and then is discharged may be minimized, and simultaneously the area of the second outer wall12for inducing the Coanda effect may be secured. Therefore, the diameter w1formed by the edge of the first inlet S1may be equal to or larger than the diameter w2′ formed by the inner circumferential end of the shroud33, and may be smaller than the diameter w2formed by the outer circumferential end of the shroud33. Meanwhile, the circulator100may further include a motor base15. The motor base15may be disposed in front of the outer grill20. The motor base15may be disposed in the center of the rear of the second outer wall12. The motor base15may be disposed to be spaced apart from the innermost circumference of the second outer wall12.

The first inlet S1may be formed between the motor base15and the second outer wall12. Further, a support bar16may extend long from a side of the second outer wall12towards the motor base15in the radially inward direction. The motor base15may be disposed in back of the motor40to support the motor.

A connection plate18may extend from a side of the second outer wall12in the radially inward direction to be connected to the motor base15. A second rack295of a second rotary guide mechanism may be coupled to the rear of the connection plate18to guide a rotation in a second direction (seeFIG. 11). A wire hole17(seeFIG. 3) may be formed in the connection plate18to cause an electric wire connected to the motor340or a display390to pass therethrough.

Meanwhile, the circulator100may further include a motor receiving part50. The motor receiving part50may include at least any one of a rear inner wall51, a motor cover52, and an inner grill53.

The rear inner wall51may be disposed in front of the outer grill20. The rear inner wall51may be opened at a front and a rear thereof, and may form a portion of an inner circumference of the circulator100in a circumferential direction.

The rear inner wall51may extend from the rear towards the front to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction. The rear inner wall51may be obliquely formed to face the shroud33. In other words, the rear inner wall51may have the shape of a bowl that is reduced in diameter in a direction from the front to the rear and is opened at a rear thereof.

Further, the rear inner wall51may be disposed in the second outer wall12. The rear inner wall51may be configured such that an outer end of a front thereof formed in the circumferential direction is bent rearwards to be hooked to a groove (unlabelled) formed in an inner circumference of the second outer wall12.

Further, the motor receiving part50may include on a rear portion thereof the inner grill53to define a passage through which air is suctioned. The inner grill53may be formed in back of the open rear inner wall51. The motor cover52may be disposed on the center inside the rear inner wall51. The inner grill53may be formed between the rear inner wall51and the motor cover52.

The motor cover52may have on the front thereof a concave groove corresponding to the shape of the motor40to accommodate the motor40. The motor cover52may be formed to surround the motor. The motor40may be disposed between the motor base15and the motor cover52, and the motor cover52may be disposed between the motor40and the circulation fan30. Further, a space may be defined between the rear inner wall51and the motor cover52to accommodate a portion of the circulation fan30.

A hole may be formed in the center of the front of the motor cover52to allow the output shaft41of the motor40to pass therethrough. The output shaft41may pass through the hole formed in the front of the motor cover52to be coupled to the shaft coupling part31formed on the circulation fan30.

Meanwhile, the circulator100may further include a fan cover part60that is disposed in front of the circulation fan30. The fan cover part60may include a corner support part61, a bridge62, and a panel base63.

The corner support part61may be disposed in front of the rear inner wall51. The corner support part61may have the shape of a ring extending in the circumferential direction. The rear inner wall51may have a step or a hook corresponding to the shape of the corner support part61, so that the corner support part may be seated thereon.

Further, a panel base63may be disposed in front of the corner support part61. The diameter of the panel base63may be smaller than that of the corner support part61. The panel base63may be positioned in the center of the first outer wall11. A front panel80may be mounted in front of the panel base63. The front panel80and the panel base63may have corresponding disc shapes. A controller (not shown) may be disposed between the panel base63and the front panel80to display operation information on the front panel80and to control the operation of the circulator100and the air cleaner1that will be described later. A PCB substrate may be used as the controller (not shown).

The bridge62may be disposed between the corner support part61and the panel base63to connect the corner support part and the panel base. The bridge62may have the shape of a bar that extends from an inner peripheral surface of the corner support part61towards the panel base63to be long in the radially inward direction. The bridge62may be obliquely formed to face the blade34of the circulation fan30. A plurality of bridges62may be arranged in the circumferential direction of the corner support part61.

The circulation fan30may be disposed inside the fan cover part60. The panel base63of the fan cover part60may cover the fronts of the hub32and the shaft coupling part31of the circulation fan30. A passage may be formed between a plurality of bridges62that are disposed between the corner support part61and the panel base63to allow air to pass therethrough.

Meanwhile, the circulator100may further include a guide vane device70that is disposed between the first outer wall11and the oblique-flow fan30and guides air, discharged obliquely from the oblique-flow fan to the front, in the axial direction of the oblique-flow fan to discharge the air to the front of the housing. The guide vane device70may include a front inner wall71, a guide vane72, and a vane coupler73.

The front inner wall71may be disposed inside the first outer wall11, and may form a portion of the inner circumference of the circulator100in the circumferential direction. The front inner wall71may be coupled to the corner support part61in front of the corner support part61.

Further, the front inner wall71may extend from the corner support part61to the front end of the first outer wall11in the front-rear direction. The first outlet S3may be formed between the front inner wall71and the panel base63. The front inner wall71may extend from the corner support part61towards the front to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction. The front inner wall71may be formed to be rounded towards the front, thus minimizing the loss of flow energy and guiding the air to the first outlet S3that is at the front position.

The vane coupler73may be formed in the shape of a ring extending in the circumferential direction. The vane coupler73may be disposed at the center on the front side of the front inner wall71. The vane coupler73may be coupled to the outer circumference of the panel base63. Further, the first outlet S3may be formed between the vane coupler73and the front inner wall71.

The guide vane72may be disposed between the front inner wall71and the vane coupler73. A plurality of guide vanes72may be obliquely arranged along the outer circumference of the vane coupler73. Plates of the guide vanes72curved along a curved shape may be radially installed about the vane coupler73.

One side of the guide vane72may be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the vane coupler73, while the other side of the guide vane may be connected to the inner peripheral surface of the front inner wall71. The guide vane72may be installed towards the front to be inclined in the radially inward direction. The guide vane72may be installed to face the blade54.

Since the guide vane72is obliquely installed, an air discharge area may be increased to allow a larger amount of air to be discharged to the front of the guide vane72. Further, since the cylindrical front inner wall71is installed on the outside of the guide vane72, air discharged from the guide vane72may linearly move forwards while coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the front inner wall71. Thus, the linearity of the discharged air may be improved, and the air volume may reach a more distant position.

Referring toFIGS. 6 to 8, as described above, the outer walls11and12of the housing10may include a first outer wall11having on a front thereof the first outlet S3and a second outer wall12having on a rear thereof the first inlet51. Further, the first outer wall11may be disposed in front of the second outer wall12to extend in the front-rear direction, and the second outer wall12may extend from the edge of the first inlet51towards the first outer wall11to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction.

Meanwhile, if the circulation fan30is rotated by the motor40, air (hereinafter referred to as “outside air”) present outside the circulator100may be suctioned through the outer grill20disposed in the first inlet51. Thereafter, the suctioned air may pass through the interior of the circulator100and then may be discharged through the first outlet S3formed in the front of the first outer wall11to the front of the housing10(see F1ofFIG. 8). Here, as the circulation fan30rotates, some of the outside air flowing towards the outer grill20may leak to the outside of the circulator100while having directivity without being suctioned through the outer grill20into the circulator100, thus causing a loss of flow energy.

Here, the second outer wall12may extend from the edge of the first inlet51towards the first outer wall11to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction, thus guiding air flowing along the outside of the first inlet S1through the Coanda effect to cause the air to flow forwards along the outer surface of the first outer wall11(see F2ofFIG. 8).

The above-described Coanda effect refers to an effect in which, when fluid flowing in one direction comes into contact with solid, the fluid adheres to a surface of the solid instead of flowing linearly, and thus flows along the surface of the solid.

In other words, air leaking to the outside of the first inlet S1may be guided along the outer surface of the second outer wall12to the outer surface of the first outer wall11. Subsequently, the air may flow along the outer surface of the first outer wall11extending in the front-rear direction to a direction where the airflow of the circulator100is directed (see F2ofFIG. 8).

The first outer wall11and the second outer wall12may be integrally coupled to each other, and may form a continuous circumferential surface in the circumferential direction without having an outwardly protruding portion in the coupled portion. The outer surface of the first outer wall11and the outer surface of the second outer wall12may form a continuous surface, thus minimizing flow resistance to air that is guided along the outer surface of the second outer wall12to the outer surface of the first outer wall11.

Further, the first outer wall11may circumferentially extend in the shape of a band around the central axis to have the shape of a cylinder. Therefore, the first outer wall11may guide the air flowing along the outer surface of the first outer wall11to a predetermined direction in which the circulator100discharges the air.

Further, the outer surface of the first outer wall11may be formed to be parallel to the rotating axis of the circulation fan30in the front-rear direction. Here, the diameter w3formed by the outer circumferential end of the first outer wall11may be equal to the diameter w3formed by the outer circumferential end of the second outer wall12. Therefore, it is advantageous in that it is possible to secure a large discharge path area of the circulator100and simultaneously to increase linearity where the air flowing along the outer surface of the first outer wall11is directed to a predetermined direction.

Here, it is to be understood that the term “parallel” does not mean that two components should strictly form the angle of 180 degrees, and includes that two components are slightly inclined in a radial direction to be almost parallel to each other. In other words, the diameter of the front portion of the first outer wall11may be formed to be finely reduced from the rear to the front.

Meanwhile, the second outer wall12may be formed to surround at least a portion of the shroud33of the circulation fan30. Further, the first outer wall11disposed in front of the second outer wall12may be formed to surround at least a portion of the hub32of the circulation fan30. In other words, the circulation fan30may be accommodated in the housing10, and may be disposed between the first outer wall11and the second outer wall12of the housing10.

Meanwhile, the outer surface of the second outer wall12may include a first surface12aextending to be rounded in the radially outward direction towards the first outer wall11disposed in front of the second outer wall. The first surface12amay extend from the edge of the first inlet S1to the first outer wall11, or may extend from the front of a second surface12b, which will be described below, to the first outer wall11.

The first surface12amay be formed to be convex to the outside of the housing10, thus forming the center of a curvature radius in an inward direction of the housing10. The first surface12amay form the centers of a plurality of curvature radii in the front-rear direction. For example, the curvature radius formed by the curved surface of the first surface12amay be gradually increased towards the front, so the curvature radius may become a maximum at a connection portion connected to the first outer wall11.

The first surface12amay be connected to the rear of the first outer wall11. The first surface12amay be formed to be rounded at the connection portion between the outer surface of the first outer wall11and the outer surface of the second outer wall12.

In this case, air flowing along the outside of the first inlet S1may flow along the curvature of the curved surface formed by the first surface12aof the second outer wall12to minimize flow resistance, thus allowing the air to be guided to the first outer wall11while smoothly changing the flow in a direction where airflow is directed.

Meanwhile, the outer surface of the second outer wall12may include a second surface12bthat extends from the edge of the first inlet S1towards the first surface12aso that the slope of the longitudinal section is constant. Here, the first surface12amay be disposed between the second surface12band the outer surface of the first outer wall11. The longitudinal section of the second surface12bmay extend almost linearly towards the first surface12a, so the second surface12bmay minimize a change in flow path and may guide air flowing along the outside of the first inlet S1to the first surface12a.

Meanwhile, the outer grill20may be disposed in the first inlet S1that is formed in the rear of the second outer wall12. The outer grill20may include a plurality of partition walls21and22that are spaced apart from each other to form a plurality of vent holes therebetween. In this case, the second outer wall12may extend from the edge of the outer grill20towards the first outer wall11to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction. Therefore, the diameter w3formed by the outer circumferential end of the second outer wall12and/or the diameter w3formed by the outer circumferential end of the first outer wall11may be greater than the diameter w1formed by the circumference of the outer grill20.

The plurality of partition walls21and22may include a plurality of outer partition walls21disposed adjacent to the edge of the outer grill20. The plurality of outer partition walls21may be formed such that ends thereof are inclined towards the outer surface of the second outer wall. Therefore, in the air flowing along the outside of the outer grill20, air that is not suctioned through the outer grill20may flow along an end surface of the outer grill20to be guided to the second outer wall12.

Further, the ends of the plurality of outer partition walls21may be rounded to form an inclined surface that is continuous with the outer surface of the second outer wall12. Here, when an imaginary line passing through the outer surface of the second outer wall12and the end surface of the outer partition wall21extends, the imaginary line may form a continuous gentle curve. Therefore, it is possible to minimize flow resistance when the air flows along the end surface of the outer grill20to be guided to the second outer wall12.

The outer partition wall21may include a first outer partition wall21aforming the edge of the outer grill20, and a second outer partition wall21bdisposed inside the first outer partition wall21a. The second outer wall12may extend from the first outer partition wall21aforming the edge of the outer grill20towards the first outer wall11. Further, the outer surface formed by the end of the first outer partition wall21amay be formed to be rounded, so the outer surface of the first outer partition wall21aand the outer surface of the second outer wall12may form a continuous inclined surface.

Meanwhile, a coupling protrusion (unlabelled) may formed on a front surface of the first outer partition wall21ato protrude forwards, and the outer wall12may be depressed in a rear thereof to have a shape corresponding to that of the coupling protrusion, thus forming a coupling groove16a. Therefore, the outer grill20may insert the coupling protrusion formed on the first outer partition wall21ainto the coupling groove16ato be coupled to the rear of the second outer wall12.

Meanwhile, the plurality of partition walls21and22may include a plurality of inner partition walls22that are disposed inside the outer partition wall21such that ends thereof are positioned on a flat surface. Here, the inclined surface formed by the respective ends may become gradually gentle from the first outer partition wall21ato the second outer partition wall21b, so a surface formed by the ends of the plurality of inner partition walls22may be positioned on the flat surface. When an imaginary line passing through the outer surface of the second outer wall12and the end surfaces of the plurality of partition walls21and22extends, the imaginary line may form a continuous gentle curve on the outer partition wall21, and may form a straight line on the inner partition walls22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the volume of the outer grill20from being unnecessarily increased to the rear of the circulator100.

Referring toFIG. 9, the air cleaner1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include blowing devices200and300, and a circulator100that changes the direction of air discharged from the blowing devices200and300to a direction in which airflow is directed. The blowing devices200and300may include an upper blowing device200that is disposed on an upper portion of the air cleaner1to discharge clean air, and a lower blowing device300that is disposed under the upper blowing device200to discharge clean air.

The upper blowing device200may include a first case201that defines an appearance, and the lower blowing device300may include a second case301that defines an appearance. Each of the first case201and the second case301may be formed to have a cylindrical shape. Each of the first case201and the second case301may be formed such that the diameter of an upper portion thereof is smaller than the diameter of a lower portion thereof.

Second and third inlets202and302formed of a plurality of through holes through which outside air is suctioned may be formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second cases201and301, so the outside air may be introduced into the blowing devices100and200in a 360-degree direction.

A base310may be disposed under the lower blowing device300to be spaced apart from the lower blowing device300. A fourth inlet303may be formed in a space between the base310and the lower blowing device300to allow outside air to be introduced into the lower blowing device300.

A second outlet205may be formed in the upper portion of the upper blowing device200to discharge filtered clean air, and a third outlet305may be formed in the upper portion of the lower blowing device300to discharge filtered clean air. The second outlet205may refer to a region opened to the upper portion of an upper discharge guide280that will be described later, and may refer to a region opened to the upper portion of an upper discharge grill285when the upper discharge grill285is disposed inside the upper discharge guide280. The second outlet205may be formed between the circulator100disposed on the top of the upper blowing device200and the upper discharge grill285.

The circulator100may be movably disposed on a side of the upper blowing device200to change the direction of air discharged through the second outlet205and then discharge the air to an outside. By way of example, the circulator100may be disposed above the second outlet205formed in the upper portion of the upper blowing device200to be spaced apart therefrom, and may change the direction of air discharged from the second outlet205to a direction in which airflow is directed.

Meanwhile, an air direction regulator400may be disposed between the upper blowing device200and the lower blowing device300to be spaced apart from the third outlet305of the lower blowing device300, thus discharging the air in the radially outward direction while limiting the upward flow of the air discharged through the third outlet305. The expression “limiting the upward flow” may mean that air discharged through the third outlet305of the lower blowing device300to the outside is prevented from being directly introduced into the upper blowing device200without flowing towards an external space.

The term “longitudinal section” means a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the rotating axis of the rotary guide device290, as shown inFIGS. 10 to 13.

Referring toFIG. 10, a first filter220may be disposed in the upper blowing device200to correspond to the second inlet202shown inFIG. 1, and the first filter220may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

The first filter220may be fixed/supported by a first filter support225and a first filter cover (unlabelled) coupled to the outside of the first filter support. A sensor device (unlabelled) including a dust sensor that measures the amount of dust contained in the introduced air and a gas sensor may be disposed on the upper portion of the first filter220.

An exit may be formed in the center on the top of the first filter220to discharge the introduced air, and a first fan housing250accommodating a first blowing fan230may be disposed on an exit side of the first filter220.

An upper air guide270may be disposed above the first fan housing250to guide the flow of air blown by the first blowing fan230. Further, an upper discharge guide280may be disposed above the upper air guide270to guide the air passing through the upper air guide270to the upper discharge grill285.

The second outlet205may be formed along the circumference of the upper discharge grill285. As the second outlet205is circumferentially formed on the upper surface of the upper discharge grill285to be spaced apart therefrom, a plurality of second outlets205may be annularly disposed on the upper surface of the upper discharge grill285.

The lower blowing device300may be similar in structure and function to the upper blowing device200.

The above expression “the lower blowing device is similar in structure and function to the upper blowing device200” may mean that components forming the lower blowing device300may correspond to components forming the upper blowing device200, respectively, and these components may perform the same or similar function.

In other words, the second filter320of the lower blowing device300may correspond to the first filter220, the second fan housing350may correspond to the first fan housing250, the lower air guide370may correspond to the upper air guide270, the lower discharge guide380may correspond to the upper discharge guide280, and the lower discharge grill385may correspond to the upper discharge grill285, respectively.

The air direction regulator400, which is a partitioning device for separating the lower blowing device300from the upper blowing device200, may be disposed above the lower discharge grill385.

Meanwhile, air introduced through the second inlet202(seeFIG. 9) formed in the first case201into the upper blowing device200may pass through the first filter220, and the air passing through the first filter220may flow upwards to be introduced through a first fan inlet part251into the first blowing fan230. The introduced air may be blown upwards by the first blowing fan230that is rotatably connected to the first fan motor240, and may flow upwards by sequentially passing through the first fan housing250, the upper air guide270, the upper discharge guide280, and the second outlet205.

The circulator100may be installed above the second outlet205, and air discharged from the upper discharge guide280may be discharged through the circulator100to the outside. As described above, the circulation fan30and the motor40may be provided in the circulator100so that air passing through the upper air guide270may sequentially pass through the upper discharge guide280and the second outlet305and then may be smoothly discharged to the outside.

Here, some of the air discharged from the second outlet205may be introduced through the first inlet S1(seeFIG. 4) into the circulator100to be discharged to the front of the first outlet S3.

However, some of the air discharged from the second outlet205may flow along the outside of the first inlet S1without being introduced into the first inlet S1. Here, the second outer wall12may guide air that is discharged from the second outlet205and flows along the outside of the first inlet S1so that the air flows along the outer surface of the first outer wall11to the front of the circulator100(seeFIGS. 12 and 13). Therefore, the first outer wall11and the second outer wall12of the circulator100may prevent a problem where air discharged from the upper blowing device200leaks to the outside of the first inlet S1and thus air volume is reduced, and may maximize the amount of clean air flowing in a predetermined direction.

Meanwhile, the diameter w1of the first inlet S1formed in the rear portion of the circulator100may be smaller than the diameter w4of the second outlet205. Here, the second outer wall12extending from the first inlet S1towards the first outer wall11to be gradually enlarged in the radially outward direction may face at least a portion of the second outlet205. Therefore, some of clean air discharged from the second outlet205may be suctioned through the first inlet S1into the circulator to be discharged, and clean air flowing along the outside of the first inlet without being suctioned into the first inlet may be guided along the outer surface of the second outer wall12to the outer surface of the first outer wall11to be discharged in a predetermined direction.

The second outlet205may be circumferentially formed on the upper surface of the upper blowing device200, and the circulator100may be disposed above the second outlet205that is circumferentially formed. Here, since the second outer wall12extending in the radially outward direction and the second outlet205may face in the circumferential direction, air discharged upwards from the second outlet205may be guided in a direction where airflow is directed while coming into contact with all sides of the second outer wall12in the circumferential direction.

Meanwhile, in order to adjust the flow direction of air discharged to the front of the circulator100, the circulator100may be movably installed above the upper blowing device200. Here, the rotary guide device290may be installed on the upper portion of the upper blowing device200to guide the motion of the circulator100, and may be coupled to the rear portion of the circulator100. The circulator100may be rotated in a certain direction by the rotary guide device290to change the flow direction of air discharged upwards through the second outlet205.

Meanwhile, air introduced through the third inlet302formed in the second case301into the lower blowing device300may pass through the second filter320, and air passing through the second filter320may flow upwards to be introduced through the second fan inlet part351into the second blowing fan330. Here, the introduced air may be blown upwards by the second blowing fan330that is rotatably connected to the second fan motor340, and may flow upwards by sequentially passing through the second fan housing350, the lower air guide370, the lower discharge guide380, the lower discharge grill385, and the third outlet305.

The air blown upwards by the second blowing fan330may be discharged through the lower discharge grill385to the outside of the lower blowing device300, and may flows in the radially outward direction of the air cleaner1while an upward flow being limited by the air direction regulator400.

In the above-described embodiment, the lower blowing device300may be omitted. In this case, the upper blowing device200may be referred to as a blowing device.

Referring toFIG. 11, the circulator100may further include the rotary guide device290that guides the horizontal rotation and vertical rotation of the circulator100. The horizontal rotation may be referred to as a “first-direction rotation”, and the vertical rotation may be referred to as a “second-direction rotation”.

The rotary guide device290may include a first rotary guide mechanism to guide the first-direction rotation of the circulator100, and a second rotary guide mechanism to guide the second-direction rotation of the circulator100.

The first rotary guide mechanism may include a first rack293that guides the first-direction rotation of the circulator100. Further, the first rotary guide mechanism may include a first gear motor292that generates a driving force, and a first gear291that is rotatably coupled to the first gear motor292. By way of example, a step motor may be included in the first gear motor292to easily control a rotating angle.

If the first gear motor292is driven, the first gear291may be interlocked with the first rack293to cause the rotary guide device290to be rotated horizontally. Therefore, the circulator100may perform the first-direction rotation as the first rotary guide mechanism moves.

A second rack295may be included in the second rotary guide mechanism to guide the second-direction rotation of the circulator100. Furthermore, a second gear motor297for generating the driving force and a second gear296coupled to the second gear motor297may be included in the second rotary guide mechanism. By way of example, a step motor may be included in the second gear motor297.

If the second gear motor297is driven, the second gear296may be interlocked with the second rack295to cause the rotary guide device290to be rotated vertically. Therefore, the circulator100may perform the second-direction rotation as the second rotary guide mechanism moves.

If the circulator100rotates in the second direction, it may be at a position protruding from the upper surface of the air cleaner1. In this case, as shown inFIG. 13, a position where the circulator100is obliquely erected so that the front of the circulator100faces a direction in which airflow is directed may be referred to as a “second position (oblique position)”. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 12, a position where the circulator100lies down such that the front of the circulator100faces upwards may be referred to as a “first position”.

Referring toFIGS. 12 to 14, as described above, air introduced through the second inlet202into the upper blowing device200may pass through the first filter220and flow upwards, and may be introduced through the first fan inlet part251into the first blowing fan230. Here, the introduced air may be blown upwards by the first blowing fan230, and may pass sequentially through the first fan housing250, the upper air guide270, and the upper discharge guide280to be discharged to the upper side of the second outlet205. The first inlet51may be disposed above the second outlet205. Here, when the diameter of the first inlet51is equal to or more than the diameter of the second outlet205, it is more likely that outside air other than the air discharged from the second outlet205flows into the first inlet S1. Therefore, it is formed to have the diameter w1smaller than the diameter w4of the second outlet205, thus suctioning the air discharged from the second outlet205.

When the circulator100is positioned at the first or second position, the first inlet S1may be disposed in an imaginary extension surface Lo-Lo formed by vertically extending an edge Lo of the second outlet205. In this case, the first inlet S1may be positioned on the region where air is discharged from the second outlet205to increase the intake ratio of the clean air discharged from the second outlet205.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 12, if the circulator100is positioned at the first position where it lies down above the upper blowing device200, the first outer wall11of the circulator100is disposed to extend long along a direction where the air of the second outlet205is discharged, and the second outer wall12may be disposed above the second outlet205to be spaced apart therefrom and be disposed to obliquely face the second outlet205. Here, the second outer wall12may be disposed in the air discharge direction of the second outlet205to be inclined in the radially outward direction.

Here, some of clean air discharged from the second outlet205may be introduced through the first inlet S1(seeFIG. 4) into the circulator100to be blown upwards by the circulation fan30, and may pass sequentially through the motor receiving part50and the guide vane device70to be discharged upwards from the first outlet S3.

Further, some of clean air discharged from the second outlet205may flow towards the second outer wall12, and may be discharged along the inclined surface formed by the second outer wall12in the radially outward direction of the circulator100. Therefore, when the circulator100is positioned at the first position, the circulator100can uniformly discharge clean air discharged in one direction by the upper blowing device200in a 360-degree direction.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 13, if the circulator100is obliquely erected, a region where the first inlet S2suctions air discharged from the second outlet may be defined as an intake region A_in. Further, a region where the first outlet S3discharges air may be defined as a discharge region A_out.

Here, the intake region A_in may be understood as a region formed above the second outlet205facing the first inlet s2, if the circulator100is obliquely erected. The intake region A_in may be formed between the rear portion of the first inlet S1of the circulator100and the upper portion of the second outlet205. Further, the discharge region A_out may be formed in front of the circulator100.

Further, a region formed by upwardly extending the longitudinal section of the second outlet205positioned in the intake region A_in may be defined as an air curtain region A_c. In other words, as shown in the drawing, the air curtain region A_c may be understood as a region formed by the imaginary lines Lo and Lo′ upwardly extending both ends of the second outlet205positioned in the intake region A_in. Here, air discharged upwards from the second outlet205may form airflow in the air curtain region A_c.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 13, if the circulator100is positioned in the second position where it is erected, the first outer wall11may be disposed to extend long along a direction where airflow is directed, and the second outer wall12positioned in the intake region A_in may be disposed towards the first outer wall to be gradually enlarged along a direction where the second outlet discharges air. Preferably, the circulator100may be obliquely erected so that the imaginary line Lw extending the longitudinal section of the second outer wall12passes through the upper surface of the blowing device in which the second outlet205is formed.

Some of clean air discharged from the second outlet205may be introduced through the first inlet51(seeFIG. 4) into the circulator100to be blown by the circulation fan30in a direction where airflow is directed, and may pass sequentially through the motor receiving part50and the guide vane device70to be discharged to the front of the first outlet S3.

Furthermore, some of clean air discharged from the second outlet205may flow towards the second outer wall12, and may be guided along the inclined surface formed by the second outer wall12to the outer surface of the first outer wall11and then be discharged towards the front of the circulator100. Therefore, when the circulator100is positioned at the second position, the circulator100can minimize a loss of flow energy due to the leakage of the clean air, discharged from the upper blowing device200, to the outside of the circulator100and a reduction in air volume discharged in a direction where the airflow is directed.

Here, the flow of clean air guided to the first outer wall11while flowing along the outer surface of the second outer wall12and the formation of the inclined surface of the second outer wall12with respect to the inflow direction of the outside air serve as a resistance element to the inflow of the outside air into the first inlet51. Therefore, the inflow of the outside air into the circulator100can be reduced, and the intake ratio of the clean air to the outside air can be increased.

Meanwhile, the circulator100may be obliquely erected such that the first inlet51is spaced apart from the air curtain region A_c. Here, the first inlet51suctions clean air discharged from the second outlet205in the intake region A_in, and upward airflow formed in the air curtain region A_c is suctioned to the first inlet51while serving as a resistance element to the flow of the outside air to the first inlet51, so it is possible to reduce the ratio of the outside air suctioned by the first inlet51.

When the circulator is obliquely erected such that the plane formed by the first inlet S1and the upper surface of the blowing device formed by the second outlet205form an angle of 60° to 70°, it can be seen that the first inlet S1is spaced apart from the air curtain region A_c, and the clean-air intake ratio becomes a maximum (seeFIGS. 15A and 15B and 16).

Meanwhile, the second rack925may rotate vertically about a curvature center C formed by the rack to adjust the second-direction rotation of the circulator100.

Here, if the curvature radius formed by the second rack295is too large, the rack295may be rotated so that the air curtain region A_c may be formed narrow or be omitted when the circulator100is obliquely erected.

Therefore, when the circulator100is at the second position, the second rack295may be spaced apart from the air curtain region A_c. In other words, an imaginary circle C_r extending the second rack along the curvature of the second rack295may be spaced apart from the air curtain region A_c. Here, the second rack295may rotate along the imaginary circle C_r to vertically rotate the circulator100. Therefore, the circulator100has a motion in an inner region of the air curtain region A_c, so it is possible to reduce the ratio of the outside air suctioned into the circulator when the circulator100is at an oblique position. In this case, the second rack295may form the curvature radius such that the curvature center C is formed inside the circulator100.

Meanwhile, the filter member23may be disposed in the first inlet S1to remove dust from the air suctioned through the first inlet S1. In this case, it is advantageous in that clean air suctioned from the second outlet205can be filtered once again, and outside air which does not undergo the cleaning operation can be filtered.

Here, if the filter member23continuously filters the outside air, the dust collection efficiency of the filter member23may be rapidly reduced and a replacement cycle may be shortened. Thus, it is preferable to reduce the intake ratio of the outside air as much as possible through the above-described embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 15A and 15B and 16,FIG. 15Bshows the air cleaner1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 15Ashows an air cleaner according to another embodiment. InFIG. 15A, the circulator is inclined relative to the blowing device at about 55°, the second outer wall12is not included, an intake grill (unlabelled) in which a plurality of vent holes is formed is located at a position of the second outer wall12, and the air curtain region A_c is rarely formed in the intake region A_in. According to the flow analysis result, in the case ofFIG. 15A, a large amount of outside air is suctioned into the circulator along the circumference of the intake grill. On the other hand, in the case ofFIG. 15B, such a problem is solved, so the ratio of the outside air suctioned into the circulator100is reduced and the intake ratio of the clean air is increased.

In the case ofFIG. 15A, when the circulator is inclined at about 55°, the maximum value (76%) of the clean-air intake ratio is observed. In the case ofFIG. 15B, the clean-air intake ratio is higher than that ofFIG. 15Aat all observed angles. In particular, when the circulator100ofFIG. 15Bis inclined at about 65°, the maximum value (84%) of the clean-air intake ratio is observed. This shows that the maximum value of the clean-air intake ratio increases by about 8% as compared to the maximum value ofFIG. 15A.

Although the present invention was described with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is described in the following claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MAIN ELEMENTS