Air purifying system and method for controlling the air purifying system

An air purifying system may include a main air purifier placed in an indoor space, a handheld air purifier mounted on the main air purifier, and an air quality sensor IOT device that communicates with the main air purifier. The air quality sensor IOT device may be fixed in an outdoor space adjacent to the indoor space, or may be carried by a user to measure air quality data while the user travels. The main air purifier may automatically operate based on air quality data received from the air quality sensor IOT device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an air purifying system and a method of controlling the air purifying system.

An air cleaner or purifier may be a device or apparatus which suctions contaminated air, purifies the suctioned contaminated air, and then discharges purified air. The air cleaner may include a fan to suction outside or ambient air into an interior of the air cleaner and a filter to filter pollutants or contaminants including dust, germs, etc. in the suctioned air. Generally, an air purifier is configured to purify an indoor space such as a home or office.

Many outside pollutants may be brought indoors by attaching to clothes. Clothing and/or hair treatment devices such as stylers may incidentally remove pollutants from clothes. KR 10-2006-0089191 discloses a multifunctional dryer with ultra-high speed hair, hand, and body drying and dust removal (alternatively called an “air wash.”) The above-described multifunctional dryer is installed at a wall and blows air through an opening toward a body and clothes. Foreign matter and dust may be blown away from the clothes by the air flow and scattered into the room, further polluting the indoor air.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, an air cleaning, filtering, or purifying system may include a main air purifier or cleaner1capable of purifying a large volume of air and a handheld air purifier2capable purifying a small volume of air. The handheld air purifier2may be docked or mounted on the main air purifier1, and may be removed or separated from the main air purifier1. An air cleaning capacity of the main air purifier1may be larger than an air cleaning capacity of the handheld air purifier2. The main air purifier1and the handheld air purifier2may alternatively be referred to as a first air purifier and a second air purifier, respectively. The handheld air purifier2may alternatively be referred to as a cleaner or a handheld vacuum.

While the main air purifier1may remain in a fixed position, the handheld air purifier2may be easily held by a user and moved to target specific objects to be cleaned. The handheld air purifier2may also be referred to as a moveable, mobile, or portable air purifier or a dust vacuum. The main air purifier1may weigh more and may be more difficult to handle than the handheld air purifier2, but the main air purifier1may still be carried and moved or adjusted. Alternatively, the main air purifier1may be fixed to a wall or a floor.

The main air purifier1may have a relatively large cleaning capacity and the handheld air purifier2may have a relatively small cleaning capacity, where cleaning capacity here means a maximum cleaning capacity per unit time. Air cleaning or purifying capacities may be measured by cubic feet of air per minute or CFM.

The main air purifier1and the handheld air purifier2may each include fans or blowers (35inFIGS.3and160inFIG.4) to suction air. The main and handheld air purifiers1and2may be configured such that, if the fan inside the handheld air purifier2is rotated at a maximum speed and the fan inside the main air purifier1is rotated at a minimum speed, a current cleaning capacity or CFM of the handheld air purifier2may be equal to or larger than a current cleaning capacity or CFM of the main air purifier1. Alternatively, in such a case, the current cleaning capacity of the handheld air purifier1may still be less than the current cleaning capacity of the main air purifier1.

The main air purifier1may be strategically placed to keep an entire indoor living space more clean. For example, the main air purifier1may be placed in a frequently traveled indoor space (e.g., hallway, foyer, family room), a central indoor space (e.g., a family room, living room, foyer, or hallway), a particularly dirty place (e.g., kitchen or near a door leading outside), or a space exposed to clothing or shoes (e.g., a closet or foyer). Placement of the main air purifier1is not limited to the above-described rooms.

The handheld air purifier2may be hand-held and portable by a user so that the user may target a specific object, surface, or area. The handheld air purifier2may be configured to remove dust from clothes or other objects. The handheld air purifier2may suction air at a surface of clothes to filter out foreign substances and then discharge purified air. The handheld air purifier2may optionally include a motor, a HEPA filter, and a dust bin to collect dust suctioned into the handheld air purifier2. The handheld air purifier2may optionally include a removable nozzle or hose.

The main air purifier1may operate independently from the handheld air purifier2when the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1. The handheld air purifier2may be mounted on an outer wall or surface rather than inside of the main air purifier1. By mounting the handheld air purifier2on the outer surface of the main air purifier1, the user may conveniently pick up and use the handheld air purifier2.

The handheld air purifier2may not operate while mounted on the main air purifier1to save power consumption, although a user may control the handheld air purifier2to operate regardless of a position or mounting status of the handheld air purifier2. The handheld air purifier2may communicate with the main air purifier1via, e.g., a wired communication while mounted or a wireless communication like BlueTooth or WiFi regardless of mounting status. The handheld air purifier2may be charged when mounted on the main air purifier1via a wired connection or via a wireless power transfer (WPT) method (e.g., electromagnetic induction method). As an example, each of the main and handheld air purifiers1and2may have a battery and at least one of a wireless power transceiver, receiver, or transmitter. The main air purifier1may be configured to connect to a commercial or external power supply (e.g., wall socket).

Referring toFIGS.2and3, a portion of the outer surface of the main air purifier1may be a mounting portion15. The mounting portion15may be recessed inward from the outer surface of the main air purifier1to support a front face of the handheld air purifier2. The handheld air purifier2may be inserted into the mounting portion15to be supported, or alternatively the handheld air purifier2may hang from an edge of the mounting portion15.

The mounting portion15may be not completely circular and may have shapes similar to an oval, elliptical, or stadium (i.e., rectangular with semicircular ends). As viewed from an interior of the main air purifier1, the mounting portion15may be an inclined or curved surface that serves as an air guide structure. Alternatively, the mounting portion15may not protrude too far into an interior of the main air purifier1so as not to interfere with the air flow.

The mounting portion15may include a light38provided at a position where the handheld air purifier2is placed during mounting. The light38may include a light or position sensor to sense when handheld air purifier2is mounted or detached. In addition, the light38may include a sensor to sense an amount of light present in the room where the main air purifier1is placed, and may turn on automatically to emit light when the handheld air purifier2is detached and the room is relatively dark (i.e., a light level is measured to be less than or equal to a predetermined light level). The light38may optionally include an ultraviolet light device (e.g., ultraviolet light emitting diode or LED) configured to sterilize the handheld air purifier2once the handheld air purifier2is mounted.

The handheld air purifier2may include a suction body31formed to be long in a first direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction) and a handle32extended in the first direction from the suction body31. The handle32may be sized and shaped to be easily gripped by a user's hand.

The suction body31may have a long bar shape in the first direction. A front surface of the suction body31may have a suction surface33provided in a flat two-dimensional planar structure. A filter34may be fixed to an inner or rear side of the suction surface33so that foreign matter can be filtered out from air suctioned through the suction surface33. The filter34may be a HEPA filter, carbon filter, cardboard filter, strainer, etc. The suction surface33may include at least one hole or opening through which air may enter an inside of the handheld air purifier2. A size and shape of the filter34may correspond to a size and shape of the suction surface33.

A bending or connection portion37bend or curve between the suction body31and the handle32. A side of the bending portion37coupled to the suction body31may be provided further in a second direction than a side of the bending portion37coupled to the handle32, where the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. For convenience of description, the second direction will be referred to as a vertical direction with respect to an orientation illustrated inFIG.3, but one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a user is not limited to using the handheld air purifier2in the orientation shown inFIG.3.

With reference toFIG.3, the handle32may be positioned above the suction body31. When the suction surface33is applied to a surface to be clean (e.g., clothes), the handle32may not contact the surface. The user may not need to press the handle32downward excessively toward the surface, reducing the possibility of contaminants touching a hand gripping the handle32. A central axis of the handle32in the first direction may be provided above a central axis of the suction member31in the first direction by a distance D.

At least one of the bending portion37and the suction body31may be provided with a discharge port36through which clean air filtered by the filter34may be discharged. The discharge port36may be provided at rear (i.e., upper) and/or side surfaces of the suction body31and/or the bending portion37, and may include at least one hole or opening through which air from inside the handheld air purifier2is discharged. As an example, the discharge port36may have openings on left and right sides of the bending portion37. Alternatively, the discharge port36may be provided on the handle32.

A position of the discharge port36may be configured so that air discharged from the discharge port36may be prevented from reaching clothes, which the suction surface33may face, to prevent scattering of dust still on the clothes. An overall pollution of an indoor environment may be reduced by limiting an amount of air that is blown directly toward the clothes and instead suctioning air near clothes through the filter34.

A fan35may be provided inside the suction body31at a position in the first direction between the discharge port36and a majority of the filter34. As shown inFIG.3, the fan35may be provided at an end of the filter34closest to the discharge port36, and an axis of the fan35around which blades rotate may extend in the first direction. However, the orientation and position of the fan35, discharge port36, and filter34is not limited to those shown inFIG.3. For example, the discharge port36may be provided at a rear of the suction body31, the filter34may be provided behind the front of the suction body31such that the discharge port36faces the filter34, and the fan35may be provided between the filter34and the discharge port36and oriented to face the filter34such that the axis of the fan35extends in the vertical direction.

The fan35may create a negative pressure to suction air through the suction surface33and through the filter34to remove foreign matter like dust from a surface to which the suction surface33is applied. The suction body31may have a shape configured to easily suck foreign matter attached to clothes. A height H of the suction body31in the second direction may be less than a width of the suction body in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions. The width may be less than a length of the suction body31in the first (i.e., longitudinal) direction. The width may be a distance between side surfaces of the suction body31.

The length of the suction body31may be longer than a length of the handle32. Dust may be removed from a large surface area by holding the handle31and waving the handle31across the surface to left and right sides. Since the width of the suction body31may be larger than the height H, dust may be suctioned from a particular area for a longer time. The height H of the suction body31may help to form or define a passage of air flow, and the height H of the suction body31may be minimized when the fan35has the orientation and position shown inFIG.3(i.e., between an end of the filter34provided behind the suction surface33and the discharge port36provided at sides of the bending portion37).

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG.1showing an internal structure of the main air purifier, andFIG.5may be understood as a state in which the case101and the discharge guide device190fromFIG.4are removed. Referring toFIGS.4and5, a blower or suction assembly100may have a circular cross-sectional structure corresponding to a circular cross-sectional structure of an interior of the main air purifier1. The suction assembly100may generate an air flow. Ambient air present in the room where the main air purifier1is placed may be suctioned through a lower side of the main air purifier1, filtered, and discharged through an upper side of the main air purifier1.

The main air purifier1may include a case101forming an outer structure or surface. The case101may have a cylinder shape or as a truncated cone shape having a diminishing diameter from a bottom end to a top end.

The case101may include a separating device or lock in which two separate shells constituting the case101are joined or separated to open and close the case101. The case101may further include a hinge portion provided at a side of the case101opposite to a side of the case101having the lock so that the two shells may rotate about the hinge during opening and closing. When the case101is opened, the case101may further be separated or removed from the main air purifier1for replacement. The case101may also be opened to replace or repair internal devices (e.g., the blowing assembly100) of the main air purifier1.

A vertical direction as shown inFIG.4may be referred to as an axial direction, and a horizontal direction may be referred to as a radial direction. The axial direction may correspond to a central axis direction (i.e., a motor axial direction) of the fan160. The radial direction may be perpendicular to the axial direction. A circumferential direction may be a circular direction rotating about the axial direction with a turning radius in the radial direction.

The main air purifier1may include a base20provided below the case101. The base20may be configured to be placed on a floor or ground surface and to support the case101and the rest of the main air purifier1. A bottom surface of the base20may be spaced downward from a lower end of the case101to form a base side suction portion103between the lower end of the case101and the bottom surface of the base20.

A suction grill110may be provided below a bottom end of the case101and at an upper portion or side of the base20. A suction port112may be formed at an edge of the suction grill110. The base suction portion103may be a space between the base20and the suction grill110, and may include or communicate with a suction port112formed in the suction grill110. Air suctioned through the base side suction portion103may flow upward through a suction port112.

A discharge port or portion105may be formed in an upper portion of the main air purifier1. The discharge portion105may be formed in a discharge grill of a discharge guide device or discharge guide190. The discharge grill of the discharge guide190may form an upper end or surface of the main air purifier1.

Air discharged through the discharge portion105may flow upward in the axial direction toward the discharge guide190to be spread radially by the discharge grill192. The discharge grill192may be formed of openings arranged in a spiral shape so that air discharged through the discharge grill192may have a speed or velocity component in the circumferential direction.

The base20may include a base body21placed on the floor and a base protrusion or flange22protruding upward from the base body21. The suction grill110may be placed on the base protrusion22. The base protrusion22may surround engagement devices provided on an upper surface of the base body21and configured to couple to holes formed in and/or engagement devices on a bottom of the grill body111. The base protrusion22may space apart the base body21and the suction grill110. The base side suction portion103may form an air suction space provided adjacent to the base body21and flange22, the suction grill110, and/or a bottom end of the case101.

The suction grill110may include a grill body111having an approximate ring shape. The suction port112may be formed through an outer edge or rim of the grill body111. A plurality of suction ports112may be spaced apart from each other along the outer rim of the grill body111. The plurality of suction ports112may communicate with the base side suction port103.

The main air purifier1may include a filter120provided above the suction grill110to filter air entering through the suction ports112and base side suction port103.

Air may flow through a filter surface (i.e., an outer peripheral surface) of the filter120to an interior thereof. The filter120may be cylindrical, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

The suction grill110may include a lever support portion or inner edge113to form an upper surface of the grill body111and to support a lever or locking device142. The lever support portion113may be an inner radial edge recessed downward from an outer portion or edge of the grill body111. An outer peripheral surface of the grill body111may have a groove or opening114. The groove114may provide a space in which a handle or protrusion144of the lever device142may move.

The lever device142may be provided on the suction grill110and may be operated by a user. The lever device142may include a lever body143having a ring shape, and the lever device142may be rotated with respect to the suction grill110via the handle144. The filter120may be provided on a filter support or support device140, which may be seated on the lever body143of the lever device142. When the lever device142is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the filter support140may be raised or lowered to fix and loosen the filter120for securing and removal.

The lever body143may include a lever protrusion or lock145protruding upward from an outer edge or rim of an upper surface of the lever body143. There may be a plurality of lever protrusions145provided on the lever body143that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Each lever protrusion145may have an inclined surface that is inclined upward or downward in the circumferential direction. The lever protrusions145may engage with a bottom of the filter support140.

The handle144may protrude in the radial direction from the outer edge or an outer peripheral surface of the lever body143. The user may hold the handle144and rotate the lever body143clockwise or counterclockwise by rotating the handle144in the groove114.

The filter support140may be configured to hold or support the filter120, and the lever device142may support the bottom of the filter support140. The bottom of the filter support140may include a support protrusion that protrudes downward from an outer edge to contact or engage with the lever protrusion145. There may be a plurality of support protrusions corresponding to the plurality of lever protrusions145. Each support protrusion may have an inclined surface upward or downward in the circumferential direction.

When the lever body143is rotated via the handle144, the lever protrusion145may be rotated with respect to the support protrusions of the filter support140. When an upper or higher portion of the lever protrusion145abuts or contacts a lower portion of the support protrusion, the filter support140may be pushed upward to fix a position of the filter120. In such a configuration, the inclined surfaces of the lever protrusion145and the support protrusion may not exactly align. When a lower portion of the lever projection145contacts or abuts an upper or higher portion of the support protrusion, the filter support140may descend downward. In such a configuration, the inclined surfaces of the lever protrusion145and the support protrusion may be aligned. When the filter support140is descended downward, a space may be formed so that the filter120may be removed from the main air purifier1.

The main air purifier1may further include a filter frame130, which may form a space in which the filter120may be mounted. The filter frame130may include a first or lower frame131forming a lower portion of the filter frame130and a second or upper frame132forming an upper portion of the filter frame130.

The first frame131may have an approximate ring shape. An inner space of the first frame131may form at least a part of an air flow passage or channel passing through the filter frame130.

The lever device142and the filter support140may be provided within an inner circumferential surface of the first frame131. An upper surface of the filter support140may include a seating surface on which the filter member120is placed. The first frame131may include a cutout portion or a handle space131athat allows movement of the handle144of the lever device142. The handle144may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in the handle space131ato rotate the filter support140.

The second frame132may be provided above and spaced apart from the first frame131. The second frame132may have an approximate ring shape. An inner space of the second frame132may form at least a part of the air flow passage passing through the filter frame130. An upper portion or surface of the second frame132may support a fan housing150, which will be described later.

The filter frame130may further include a side support or wall135extending between rims of the first frame131and the second frame132. The first and second frames131and132may be spaced apart from each other by the side support135. A plurality of side supports135may be arranged in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from each other. A shape of the side supports135may resemble a partial arc and have a curvature matching a curvature of the first and second frames131and132. A support cover136may be coupled to an outer surface of the side support135.

A mounting space of the filter120may be defined by the first and second frames131and132and the plurality of side supports135. Shapes of the first and second frames131and132and the side supports135may not be limited to circles to create a cylindrical mounting space for a cylindrical filter120, and may be configured to correspond to alternative filter120shapes. For example, the filter120may have a cuboid shape, a curved cube or rectangle shape, or an ellipsoid shape, and the first and second frames131and132may have a square shape or rectangle shape, a curved square shape, cushion shape, or stadium shape, or an elliptical shape, respectively.

The filter120may be detachably mounted or seated in the mounting space. Air may be introduced through an outer peripheral (e.g., circumferential) surface of the filter120. In the process of passing through the filter120, impurities such as fine dust, dirt, or other debris in the air may be filtered. Air may be introduced into the filter120from any direction or at any angle with respect to the filter member120. Accordingly, the filtering area of the air may be increased.

A mounting space may have a shape (e.g., cylindrical) corresponding to the shape of the filter120. The filter120may be slidably received in the mounting space during a mounting or attachment process, and may be slidably drawn out from the mounting space in a separating or removal process.

During removal, the handle144may be operated to lower the filter support140and filter120into a release position. A vertical space or distance between the filter support140and the second frame132may be increased, and the filter120may be pulled or slid radially outward and separated from the mounting space.

During replacement, the filter120may be pushed or slid radially inward into the mounting space and may be placed on the upper surface of the filter support140. The handle144may be operated to raise the filter support140and the filter120to an engagement position. The vertical distance between the filter support140and the second frame132may be decreased to secure the filter120between the filter support140and the second frame132.

A suction pressure may be provided by a fan160to suction air through the base side suction portion103and through the filter120. The fan160may be provided above the filter120to suction air upward.

A fan housing150may be provided at an outlet side (i.e., above) the filter120. The fan160may be provided in the fan housing150. The fan housing150may be supported by the second frame132of the filter frame130.

An inner surface of a lower portion of the fan housing150may include a fan guide or fan recess152, which may have an inner contour or shape configured to guide an inflow of air into the fan housing150. A lower or bottom portion of the fan recess152may include a grill to prevent fingers or other objects from going into the fan housing150during removal and insertion of the filter120.

The fan160may be or include a centrifugal fan to suction air in the axial direction and to discharge air upward in the radial direction. The fan160may include a hub161coupled to a rotation shaft of a fan motor165, which may be a centrifugal fan motor. A plurality of shrouds162may be provided at an outer side of the hub161, and a plurality of blades163may be provided or formed between the shrouds162. The fan motor165may be coupled to the fan160.

The hub161may have a bowl shape having a diameter or cross-sectional area that decreases in a downward direction. The hub161may include a shaft coupling portion to which the rotation shaft of the fan motor165is coupled and a first blade coupling portion that extends upward from the shaft coupling portion in an inclined manner.

The shroud162may include a shroud suction port provided at a bottom or lower end to suck air that has passed through the fan recess152. A second blade coupling portion may extend upward from the lower end of the shroud162.

One side of the blade163may be coupled to the first blade coupling portion of the hub161and the other side of the blade163may be coupled to the second blade coupling portion of the shroud162. The plurality of blades163may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the hub161.

Air passing through the filter120may flow upward into the fan housing150through the fan recess152. The air may flow in the axial direction of the fan160and flow out via the blade163. An edge of the blade may be inclined outward and upward with respect to the axial direction so that outflowing air may flow upward in the radial direction.

An air guide170may be coupled to the fan160to guide a flow of the air passing through or discharged from the fan160. The air guide170may be provided above the fan housing150. As an example, the air guide170may have an outer diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the fan housing150and may be stacked onto the fan housing150to guide the flow of the air from the fan160.

The air guide170may include an outer wall171having a cylindrical shape and an inner wall172having a cylindrical shape located inside the outer wall171. The outer wall171may surround the inner wall172and be spaced apart from the inner wall172such that a diameter of the outer wall171is greater than a diameter of the inner wall172. The diameter of the outer wall171may define an outer diameter of the air guide170, and the diameter of the inner wall172may define an inner diameter of the air guide170. A first air passage172athrough which air flows may be formed between an inner circumferential surface of the outer wall171and an outer circumferential surface of the inner wall172.

The air guide170may further include a motor receiving portion or container173extending downward from the inner wall172to receive the fan motor165. The motor receiving portion173may have a bowl shape having a diameter that decreases in the downward direction. A motor coupler or fastener may be provided on a side of the fan motor165, and the motor coupler may guide and fix the fan motor165to the air guide170. The shape of the motor receiving portion173may correspond to a shape or inner contour of the hub161so that the motor receiving portion173may be inserted into the hub161.

The fan motor165may be supported by an upper side of the motor receiving portion173. The rotation shaft of the fan motor165may extend downward from the fan motor165and may be coupled to the shaft coupling portion of the hub161through an opening or hole formed in a bottom of the motor receiving portion173.

The air guide170may further include a guide vane or rib175provided in the first air passage172a. The guide vane175may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall172to the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall171, and may extend upward in an oblique or inclined way from a lower portion of the outer wall171and the inner wall172. The guide vanes175may be spaced apart from one another. The guide vanes175may add structural rigidity to the air guide170.

The plurality of guide vanes175may function to guide the air introduced into the first air passage172afrom the fan160upward, and a shape or inclination of the guide vanes175may be configured to discharge air at a predetermined angle. For example, each guide vane175may be rounded or curved to guide the air to flow upward in the axial direction. An optional display may be provided at the top of the main air purifier1.

Referring toFIG.6, the mounting portion15may be formed on a front side of the outer surface of the main air purifier1. The mounting portion15may extend in a longitudinal direction (i.e., vertical direction) down the case101. The handheld air purifier2may be inserted into and seated on the mounting portion15.

Referring toFIGS.3and6, the suction body31of the handheld air purifier2may be placed in the mounting portion15so that the handle32extends upward. A bottom end of the mounting portion15may extend or curve upward to hold the suction body31in place. The mounting portion15may resemble a pocket. According to such a seating structure, a user may easily grasp the handle32. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the seating structure shown inFIG.6; for example, the mounting portion15may instead be a hook, and the handle32may be inserted into the hook and/or the suction body31may hang from the hook. As another example, the mounting portion15may be a recess or pocket configured to hold the handle32instead of the suction body31.

Magnetic coupling may be used to further secure the handheld air purifier2to the main air purifier1during mounting. One of the handheld air purifier2and the main air purifier1may have a magnet, and the other of the handheld air purifier2and the main air purifier1may have a metal or a magnet having an opposite polarity. When the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the mounting portion15, the magnets and/or the magnet and the metal may be aligned.

For example, a magnet62may be provided behind a front surface of the suction body31of the handheld air purifier2. A magnet61having an opposite polarity of the magnet62may be provided at a position in the mounting portion15to align with the magnet61when the handheld air purifier2is seated in the mounting portion15. The magnet62may be attached to the outer surface of the case101, or alternatively behind the case101in an interior of the main air purifier1. The magnets61and62may prevent the handheld air purifier2from tipping or falling over when seated on the mounting portion15.

The mounting portion16may further include a mounting or seating sensor63to sense whether the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1. The seating sensor63may be any sensor capable of detecting an approach of the handheld air purifier2, for example, a weight sensor, a light sensor, a hall sensor, or a sensor to sense a change in an electrical or physical signal that may be altered by the seating of the handheld air purifier2such as reflected radio wave sensing, electrical shorting, mechanical switching, optical signal disconnection, etc. The seating sensor63may be placed at a position adjacent to where the handheld air purifier2is placed when mounted on the mounting portion15.

An operation of the air purifying system may be based on a sensing by the seating sensor63on whether the handheld air purifier2is mounted or separated from the main air purifier1. As an example, the handheld air purifier2may automatically stop operating once the seating sensor63senses that the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the mounting portion15, and the handheld air purifier2may automatically start operating once the seating sensor63senses that the handheld air purifier2has been lifted and separated from the mounting portion15.

The mounting portion15may be further provided with a charging module or portion to charge the handheld air purifier2. For example, the handheld air purifier2may have a battery to operate the fan35, which may be charged via a wireless power transfer (WPT) method. A position of the battery may not be limited and may be provided in the handle32, the suction body31, the bending portion37, etc. The main air purifier1may optionally have a battery so that the main air purifier1may operate even if it is disconnected from an external power supply. As another example, the handheld air purifier2may alternatively be connected to the main air purifier1via a cable or wire.

The main air purifier1may have a wireless power transmitter or a wireless power transceiver that aligns with a wireless power receiver or a wireless power transceiver in the handheld air purifier2when the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1. As an example, a wireless power transceiver may be located in the mounting portion15of the main air purifier1, and a wireless power transceiver may be located in the suction body31of the handheld air purifier2.

In addition, an ultraviolet sterilizing portion capable of disinfecting the suction surface33may be provided in the mounting portion15. The ultraviolet sterilizing portion may be an ultraviolet light emitting device in the light38of the mounting portion15, or alternatively may be a separate light device.

Referring toFIG.7, a configuration of the air purifying system may be similar to that already described with reference toFIGS.1-6, but different reference numbers may be given for the sake of precise description. For example, the fan35of the handheld air purifier2inFIG.3may be included in a fan drive device46inFIG.7, which may also include a power supply device to operate the fan35.

The air purifying system may include a main air purifier1and a handheld air purifier2, which may be freely attachable to and detachable from the main air purifier1. The main air purifier1may be provided with a controller51to control the main air purifier1, a driving or operation assembly55, a memory52to store various information necessary for operation, a communication module54to communicate with the handheld air purifier2and/or to obtain external data, and a user interface or operation device53into which operation information may be input. The main air purifier1may connect to a power supply to supply power for operation. The controller51may control the memory52, communication module54, and the operation assembly55based on information received by the communication module54, information stored in the memory52, measurements taken by a sensing assembly59, or commands input into the user interface53.

The operation assembly55may include a display57to display operation information and indoor environment information of the main air purifier1, a fan driving device or motor56to suction outside air to perform air purifying, a charging device or charger58(e.g., wireless power transmitter or transceiver), a sensing assembly59to sense external or environmental conditions and a mounting of the handheld air purifier2, and a lighting device or light62to emit light. The sensing assembly59may include a seating sensor60to detect a mounting and dismounting of the handheld air purifier2and a dust or air quality sensor61(“AQ sensor inFIG.7) to sense a degree of pollution or contamination of an indoor environment in which the main air purifier1is placed. The charging device58may charge a charging device or charger48(e.g., wireless power receiver or transceiver) of the handheld air purifier2.

The communication module54(“Com. Mod” inFIG.7) connected to the controller51may be connected to an external device (e.g., a server) to perform communication. The communication module54may implement wireless communication and may be, e.g., a BlueTooth or WiFi module, or alternatively may use a wired communication. The communication module54may communicate with a communication module44of the handheld air purifier2to exchange data (e.g., air quality data, operation status, or location data). The communication module54may also communicate with a fixed or portable internet of things (IOT) device202or203(FIGS.12and13) that sense air quality or another external air quality sensor. The communication module54may optionally receive data from an external application or data source, for example, air quality or weather forecast information stored online, and may be able to transmit data to a mobile or web application.

The handheld air purifier2may include a controller41to control the handheld air purifier2, a driving or operation assembly45, a memory42to store various information necessary for operation, a communication module44(“com. Mod.” InFIG.7) to communicate with the main air purifier1and/or to obtain external data, and a user interface or operation device43into which operation information may be input. The controller41may control the memory42, communication module44, and the operation assembly45based on information (e.g., mounting information or air quality information measured by the sensor assembly59) received by the communication module44, information stored in the memory42, commands input into the user interface43, charging information, or measurements taken by an optional sensing assembly.

The operation assembly45may include a fan driving device or motor46to suction outside air to perform air purifying, a display47that displays operation information, charging information, and indoor environment information of the handheld air purifier2, and the charging device48to charge a battery. The communication module44may be similar to the communication module54of the main air purifier1and may connect to the communication module54and/or an external device (e.g., a server) to perform communication. The communication module44may implement wireless communication and may be, e.g., a BlueTooth or WiFi module, or alternatively may use a wired communication. The communication module44may exchange data (e.g., air quality data, operation status, or location data) with the communication module54of the main air purifier1. The communication module44may also communicate with a fixed or portable IOT device202or203(FIGS.12and13) that sense air quality or another external air quality sensor. The communication module54may optionally receive data from an external application or data source, for example, air quality or weather forecast information stored online, and may be able to transmit data to a mobile or web application.

Operations of the main air purifier1and handheld air purifier2may be controlled by the controllers51and41, respectively, based on operation status data exchanged via the communication modules54and44. The handheld air purifier2may be charged by a connection between the charging devices48and58when the seating sensor60indicates that the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1.

When the seating sensor60indicates that the handheld air purifier2is separated from the main air purifier1, the seating sensor60may transmit a predetermined or separation signal to the controller51of the main air purifier1. Upon receiving the predetermined signal, the controller51of the main air purifier1may change a control state of the air purifying system. For example, the air purifying system may operate in a “mounted state” when the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1and a “separated state” when the handheld air purifier2is separated from the main air purifier2(i.e., when the controller receives the predetermined signal). For example, in the separated state, the light device62may be turned on, and/or an ultraviolet light optionally included in the light device62may be turned off.

In the “mounted state,” the fan driving device46of the handheld air purifier2may not be operated while the fan driving device56of the main air purifier1may be operated. In the “separated state,” the fan driving device46of the handheld air purifier2may be operated, along with the fan driving device56of the main air purifier1so that any scattered dust may be suctioned. The handheld air purifier2may not provide as high or strong of a filtration performance as the main air purifier1due to a narrow internal space of the suction body31, and some fine dust may not be suctioned through the suction portion33and instead escape to a periphery of the handheld air purifier2during a sweeping motion on a targeted surface. The main air purifier1may suction fine dust not suctioned by the handheld air purifier2.

An operation of the fan driving device56of the main air purifier1may be synchronized with an operation of the fan driving device46of the handheld air purifier2. For example, speeds of the fans in the fan driving devices56and46may change based on a mounting status of the handheld air purifier2, based on air quality information acquired from the air quality sensor61or based on data from the IOT devices202and203(FIGS.12-13), or other conditions. Various control methods of the air purifying system will be described below.

Referring toFIGS.7-8, the handheld air purifier2may be seated on the main air purifier1, and an interlocking operation between the handheld air purifier2and the main air purifier1may be in a stand-by state (S1). In the standby state, the main air purifier1may be operating or not operating. The seat sensor60may periodically sense whether the handheld air purifier2is separated from the main air purifier1(S2).

If the handheld air purifier2is detached thereafter (“Yes”), the seat sensor60may indicate, via a separation signal, that the handheld air purifier2is not mounted to the main air purifier1(S2). The controller51of the main air purifier1may operate the operation assembly55based on the separation signal (S3).

As an example of a type of operation that may occur during S3, the main air purifier1and the handheld air purifier2may be turned on to operate together. The handheld air purifier2may suction rather than blow air containing dust. Scattering dust may be eliminated, and dust diffused into an indoor space may be reduced. However, despite the suction method implemented by the handheld air purifier2, some dust may diffuse to its periphery due to a weaker suction strength and/or lower air cleaning capacity of the handheld air purifier2. If a user sweeps the handheld air purifier2back and forth across a targeted surface (e.g., clothing), some finer dust may simply fall off the clothing to contaminate a floor, the indoor air, and surroundings. Such errant dust may be suctioned and filtered instead by the main air purifier1, and scattering dust in may be further reduced. A synchronized or interlocking operation between the handheld air purifier2and the main air purifier1may be automatic without prompting by a user's command. Such automatic interlocking operation may improve cleanliness and comfort of an indoor environment and convenience of the air purifying system.

The seating sensor60may periodically sense whether the handheld air purifier2has mounted back onto the main air purifier1(S4). If the handheld air purifier2has not been mounted (“No”), then interlocked operation of the handheld air purifier2may resume. If the seating sensor60indicates that the handheld air purifier2has been mounted on the main air purifier1(“Yes”), then an operation of the handheld air purifier2may be stopped (S5). Alternatively or in addition thereto, an operation of the main air purifier1may be stopped.

A control method shown inFIG.9may be the same as that ofFIG.8, and may differ only in an operation of the main air purifier1. Referring toFIG.9, the main air purifier1may not start simultaneously with the handheld air purifier2and may instead start at a time after.

S1may be the same standby step as inFIG.8. S2may be the same sensing step as inFIG.8. If the seating sensor60indicates that the handheld air purifier2is separated from the main air purifier1(“Yes”), the handheld air purifier2may be operated, but the main air purifier1may remain off or turn off if it was previously operating (S21).

During S21, an operation status of the handheld air purifier2may be periodically transmitted to the main air purifier1via the communication modules44and54. If the handheld air purifier2has not been started (either automatically or, alternatively, manually by a user), the operation status of the handheld air purifier2may continue to be exchanged. Once the handheld air purifier2has started (“Yes”), the main air purifier1may be operated in step S3. Such a delayed operation of the main air purifier1may reduce unnecessary power consumption. S4and S5may be the same sensing and stopping steps as inFIG.8, respectively.

A control method shown inFIG.10may be the same as that ofFIGS.8and9, and may differ only in an operation of the main air purifier1. Referring toFIG.10, the main air purifier1may be not operated immediately even if the handheld air purifier2is detached or started. Instead, the main air purifier1may wait to operate until dust is detected by the air quality sensor61.

S1may be the same standby step as inFIGS.8and9. S2may be the same sensing step as inFIGS.8and9. If the seating sensor60indicates that the handheld air purifier2is separated from the main air purifier1(“Yes”), the handheld air purifier2may be operated, but the main air purifier1may remain off or turn off it was previously operating (S22).

During S22, a pollution or contamination level of an indoor space may be periodically measured by the dust sensor61and transmitted to the main air purifier1. If the dust sensor61does not sense dust and/or measures the contamination level to be below a predetermined contamination level, the contamination level may continue to be measured and exchanged. Once the dust sensor61indicates that the contamination level is at or above the predetermined contamination level (“Yes”), the main air purifier1may be operated in step S3. S22may optionally measure and transmit an operation status of the handheld air purifier2, and proceeding to step S3may optionally require that the handheld air purifier2is operating, in addition to dust being detected at or above the predetermined contamination level. Such a delayed operation of the main air purifier1may reduce unnecessary power consumption. S4and S5may be the same sensing and stopping steps as inFIGS.8and9, respectively.

Referring toFIGS.7and11, a control method shown inFIG.11focuses on an operation of the light device62of the main air purifier1. The control method shown inFIG.11may be combined with any of the control methods of the air purifying system shown inFIGS.8-10.

The first two steps S31and S32may be similar to the standby steps and mounting sensing steps ofFIGS.8-10. The handheld air purifier2may be mounted on the main air purifier1, and an interlocking operation between the handheld air purifier2and the main air purifier1may be in a standby state (S31). In the standby state, the main air purifier1may be operating or turned off. The seating sensor60may periodically sense whether the handheld air purifier2has been separated from the main air purifier1(S32). If the handheld air purifier2has not been separated (“No”), the standby state S31and sensing S32may resume.

If the handheld air purifier2has been separated (“Yes”), the seating sensor60may send a separation signal to the controller51. The controller51may control the light device62to turn on based on the separation signal (S33). The light device62may illuminate an area near the main air purifier1in which a garment to be treated by the handheld air purifier2may be placed. The user may conveniently remove dust from the garment using illumination from the light device62. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the handheld air purifier2may have a light device that is turned on upon separation from the main air purifier1. Such an alternative light device may be on a same side of the handle32and/or suction body32that the suction surface33is provided so that the light device may emit light toward the garment during treatment.

The light device62may correspond to the light38as shown inFIG.2. Since the light device62may turn on once the handheld air purifier2is separated and since such light emitted from the light device62may be more visible when the handheld air purifier2is separated, the light device62may serve to inform a user of a separation of the handheld air purifier2.

The light device62may be provided close to the mounting portion15of the main air purifier1. The user may apply the suction surface33of the handheld air purifier2along an outer surface of the garment on which light from the light device62may be shined, and the main air purifier1may quickly suction scattered dust that is not suctioned by the handheld air purifier2, improving convenience and accuracy.

The light device62may be close to a suction portion of the main air purifier1. The user may be encouraged, by the light emitted by the light device62, to remove dust from clothes in the vicinity of the main air purifier1. Accordingly, a position of the main air purifier1and a dusty garment may be close so that the main air purifier1may suction dust that may not be filtered and instead scattered by the handheld air purifier2. As a result, a floor and indoor space around the air purifying system may be cleaner. Since a suction portion (e.g., suction portion103) of the main air purifier1may be provided toward a bottom portion of the main air purifier1, falling dust may be suctioned through and filtered in the main air purifier1.

The seating sensor60may periodically sense whether the handheld air purifier2is mounted back on the main air purifier1(S34). If the seating sensor60does not sense that the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1(“No”), the light device62may continue to emit light in step S33. If the seating sensor60senses that the handheld air purifier2is mounted on the main air purifier1(“Yes”), the light device62may be turned off (S35). In addition, the main air purifier1may be turned off, along with the handheld air purifier2.

Alternatively, an operation of the handheld air purifier2and the illumination device62may be linked. When the handheld air purifier2is turned on (either manually or in accordance with any of the control methods shown inFIGS.8-10), its “on” status may be communicated to the controller51of the main air purifier1via the communication modules44and54, and the light device62may be turned on. When the handheld air purifier2is turned off, the light device62may be turned off.

When foreign materials are attached to a user's clothes and garments, the main air purifier1, the handheld air purifier2, and optionally the light device62may work together to efficiently and conveniently remove the foreign materials. However, the air quality sensor61may, in certain cases, not provide an accurate estimate on how much dust is actually attached to the clothes or what kind of outdoor air the clothes were exposed to. This may occur when, for example, a person has worn clothes in a dustier environment than an immediate environment surrounding the main air purifier1.

It may be necessary to operate the air purifying system according to the air quality sensor61, and may instead be necessary to consider weather forecasts, news, or air qualities measurements at other locations. Some of this data may be optionally obtained by the communication modules54and44in interacting with weather forecast apps, the internet, or IOT devices such as the air quality IOT devices202and203(FIGS.12-13) that measure air quality. However, if such data is not available or attainable, the user may control the air purifying system based on his own perceptions of air quality or his own outside information.

The following examples describing use of the air purifying system based on more accurate information may be based on the above-described embodiments. As an example, supplemental information to create an accurate estimate of dust on clothes may be obtained by portable IOT devices (FIGS.13-14) and fixed IOT devices (FIG.12).

Referring toFIG.12, a fixed IOT device202may be provided at or installed on a railing210provided outside of a building. An air purifying system may be installed inside of the building. The fixed IOT device202may acquire air quality information of an outdoor space immediately outside of the building in which the air purifying system is installed, and can transfer the acquired air quality information to the air purifying system. The fixed IOT device202may also store time information.

The fixed IOT device202may adhere to the railing or building or have a press-fit or snap-fit coupling mechanism, a clip, etc. to couple to an external structure. The fixed IOT device202may optionally include a plug or terminal to be plugged into an external power supply. As the fixed IOT device202may be permanently fixed outside (e.g., nailed, welded, or glued to an external structure), the fixed IOT device202may have an optional solar panel to charge, via solar power, a battery provided inside the fixed IOT device202.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the fixed IOT device202may be attached to any structure so that a user may monitor or estimate cleanliness. For example, the fixed IOT device202may be installed in a garage, storage shed, or attic so that a user may monitor accumulating dust.

Referring toFIG.13, a portable IOT device203may be small enough to travel with a user. The portable IOT device203may be provided with a strap204to attach to a user, his clothes (e.g., shirts, belt loops, jackets, pockets, zippers, hats, buckles, buttons, etc., his accessories (e.g., backpacks, handbags, bracelets, umbrellas, etc.), or anywhere near his body. The strap204may be, for example, an elastic strap, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. The portable IOT device203may measure and store the air quality at the user's location while traveling with the user. The portable IOT device203may also measure and store location data and time data.

Referring toFIGS.13and14, the portable IOT device203may attach to a bag end or strap211, which may be an easy mounting position of the portable IOT device203. The portable IOT device203may be fastened to the bag strap via the strap204or clip205, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. For example, the portable IOT device203may be implemented as jewelry and worn as a necklace or bracelet, or alternatively may be implemented in a smartwatch, smartphone, etc. As another alternative, a user may wish to attach a portable IOT device203to an outdoor pet (e.g., on a collar or ID tag for a cat or dog) so that the user can estimate how dirty his pet is. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that the portable IOT device203may attach to any item that travels or is stored outside so that a user may be more aware of how dirty the item is, including cars or trucks, outdoor or shared toys, kids, etc. In addition, the portable IOT device203may be used in place of the fixed IOT device202by attaching the portable IOT device203to an external structure such as a railing outside of a building.

The portable IOT device203may have a terminal for wired charging when the user returns home. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the portable IOT device203may include a wireless power transceiver to charge via a wireless power charging method (e.g., on a charging pad) or may have a solar panel capable of solar power.

FIG.15is similar to the block diagram ofFIG.7except thatFIG.15also includes the fixed and portable IOT devices. A description of the components described with reference toFIG.7may be omitted to avoid repetition.

Referring toFIG.15, the main air purifier1may be provided with a controller51, an operation assembly55, a memory52, a communication module54, and a user interface53. The operation assembly55may include a display57, a fan driving device56, a charging device58, a sensing assembly59, and a light device62. The sensing assembly59may include a seating sensor60and an air quality or dust sensor61.

The handheld air purifier2may be provided with a controller41, an operation assembly45, a memory42, a communication module44, and a user interface43. The operation assembly45may include a fan driving device46, a display47, and a charging device48. The operation assembly45may optionally include an air quality sensor and a light device.

The IOT devices202and203may each be provided with a controller301to control the IOT device202or203, an air quality or dust sensor302(“AQ Sensor inFIG.15”) to measure air quality or a pollution degree, a display303to display information necessary for the user, a timer or clock304that can be turned on, and a battery305that supplies power to the IOT device202or203. The IOT devices202and203may optionally include a user interface (e.g., a button or touch screen implemented on the display303). As another option, the IOT devices202and203may include location or position trackers or sensors, such as a global positioning system (GPS), or alternatively may acquire location data from other devices (e.g., a user's smartphone).

Each IOT device202and203may further include a memory307to store information necessary for operation and a communication module306(“Com. Mod.” inFIG.15). The communication module306may be similar to the communication modules44and54of the handheld and main air purifiers2and1, respectively. The communication module306may wirelessly communicate with the communication modules44and54of the handheld and main air purifiers2and1, and may optionally be able to communicate with a network or server to transmit information to, e.g., a mobile or web application. The communication modules44and/or54may be able to estimate how close the portable IOT device203is from the air purifying system and/or determine whether the portable IOT device203is within a predetermined distance range.

The IOT devices202and203are shown as being used in an air purifying system, but are not limited thereto. The IOT devices202and203could optionally be used as standalone air quality sensors so that users may estimate how dirty their clothes are. The IOT devices202and203may also be used in conjunction with a single air purifier instead of the described air purifying system having the main air purifier1and handheld air purifier2. Two or more users residing in the same indoor space where the main air purifier1is installed may use their own IOT device. Each user may possess his own IOT device identified by unique code.

The communication device306may be connected to an outside (i.e., external information) through various methods such as Wi-Fi, short-range communication, BlueTooth, and wired connection. Once connected, information stored in the memory307or information sensed by the air quality sensor302may be transmitted.

As an example, the communication device306may transmit information to an air purifying system via communication modules44and54. Here, the air purifier system refers to both the main air purifier1and the handheld air purifier2. The controllers51and41may change control of the operation assemblies55and45based on information transmitted from the communication device306.

The IOT devices202and203may measure air quality corresponding to a specific time using the timer204, and may sort the air quality information using time stamps. Measurements may be continuously performed at regular time intervals, or alternatively, air quality may be continuously measured by continuously measuring changes in the air quality for a predetermined period of time. In either case, air quality information correspond to a specific time and may be matched with the specific time. This information may be referred to as time-air quality information.

The acquired time-air quality information may be transmitted to an outside (e.g., the air purifying system, a mobile or web application, a smart home system, or another home system) through the communication device306. When time-air quality information is transmitted to the air purifying system, the air purifying system may better estimate an amount of foreign matter adhered to clothing worn by a user carrying a portable IOT device203and/or may better estimate an amount of fine dust from outside scattering indoors based on information from a fixed IOT device202outside.

For example, if a user was travelling through a heavily air polluted area for even a short amount of time (or alternatively was travelling through a lightly polluted or moderately polluted area for a long or medium amount of time), the air purifying system, via any one of the displays47,57303, may display a recommendation or prompt to use the handheld air purifier2to treat clothes. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the air purifying system may automatically turn on the main air purifier1upon receiving the information, which may be when a user returns home and the communication module306connects to a same WiFi or BlueTooth network that the communication modules44and54are connected to, or may be before the user returns home via different WiFi networks. In the latter case, the main air purifier1may use time data or location data to predict or determine when the user returns home, and may operate the main air purifier1at a time to best prepare for purifying the indoor space.

Referring toFIG.16, the IOT devices202and203may sense or measure air quality of ambient air and transmit air quality information (or alternatively time-air quality information) to the air purifying system (S41). The air purifying system may automatically operate the main air purifier1when the outdoor air quality equals or exceeds a predetermined pollution level (S42).

Outdoor air may flow inside after a certain period of time even if all external doors are kept closed. Accordingly, in the case where the outdoor air quality is very bad (i.e., a pollution or contamination level is very high), indoor air may be kept clean by automatically operating the main air purifier1without a command or prompt from the user. Even when the user does not recognize how bad outside air is, the air purifying system may automatically operate and indoor air may be kept clean.

The fixed IOT device202may be installed outside and adjacent to an indoor space where the air purifying system is installed. The outdoor air of the environment where the IOT is placed may directly affect the indoor space where the air purifying system is located. However, information from a portable IOT device203may be used as well, as the portable IOT device203also measures outdoor air quality.

Referring toFIG.17, the IOT devices202and203may sense and store air quality information and/or time-air quality information (“time-AQ information”) about locations where the fixed and portable IOT devices202and203are placed (S51). The IOT devices202and203may also record time information to produce time-air quality information. If a current air quality indicates a pollution level at or above a predetermined pollution level, any one of the displays303,57, or47may display a warning for the user to wear a mask (S52). As an alternative, the air purifying system and/or the IOT devices202and203may include a speaker, and an alarm may sound warning the user to wear a mask.

The main air purifier1may periodically sense or determine whether the IOT devices202and203are within a predetermined distance range (S53). Such a determination may be based on location data or signals transmitted among the communication modules306and54. If the IOT devices202and203are not within the predetermined distance range (“Not”), the main air purifier1may continue to operate (e.g., in a standby state) and periodically determine whether the IOT devices202and203are within the predetermined distance range. If the IOT devices202and203are within the predetermined distance range (“Yes”), time-air quality information may be transmitted to and received by the air purifying system via the communication modules306,44, and54(S54).

When the time-air quality information is transmitted, the main air purifier1and/or the handheld air purifier2may judge or estimate, by controllers51or41, whether an amount of dust or foreign matter adhered to clothes worn by a user wearing the portable IOT device203is at or above a predetermined dust amount. If the dust amount is at or above the predetermined dust amount, any one of the displays303,47, and57may display a message recommending that the user treat his clothes with the handheld air purifier (S55). Alternatively or in addition thereto, the main air purifier1may be operated if the dust amount is at or above a second predetermined dust amount. Otherwise, the main air purifier1may operate according to the control methods as described inFIGS.8-10.

The estimated dust amount may be a factor of both time and the air quality level sensed through (if continuous) or at each (if periodic) time. As an example, when graphing air quality level over time, a dust amount may be proportionate to an integral of the charted line or curve (i.e., the area under the curve).

Even if the user does not know air quality information of his residential space, the air purifier system may operate automatically in response to ambient air quality and make recommendations for a user to treat his clothes, and a user may conveniently maintain a clean life. The above-mentioned control method can be said to be the same even when two or more users use their own respective air quality sensor IOT devices, improving satisfaction.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/821,124 filed on Mar. 17, 2020 and Ser. No. 16/821,197 filed on Mar. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as an air cleaning or purifying system provided with a main air cleaner or purifier maintained at a fixed position and a movable or handheld air cleaner or purifier which is freely attachable to the main air cleaner to be applied to clothes without restraint. Not only can the two air purifiers be used individually, but dust cleaning of clothes may be performed with greater efficiency by mutual cooperation of the two purifiers, which may be advantageous for industrial application. A clean living area or work area may be carried out by air purifier(s) responding to a current outdoor air quality and/or to an estimated amount of dust accumulated on the user.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide an air cleaning or purifying system and an air cleaning, filtering, or purifying system control method which may prevent scattering of dust removed from clothing and reduce indoor pollution. Embodiments disclosed herein may reduce a likelihood that dust will enter a user's mouth when the user removes foreign matter from clothes.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide an air cleaning or purifying system and an air cleaning or purifying system control method capable of reducing energy consumption. Embodiments disclosed herein may operate according to air quality of outside air to keep an indoor space clean.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as an air purifying system including a main air cleaner or purifier placed in an indoor space to perform air cleaning or purifying and a portable air quality sensor internet of things (IOT) device that communicates with the main air cleaner. The IOT device may be placed in an outdoor space adjacent to an indoor space to measure air quality of outdoor air. The main air cleaner may be controlled according to outdoor air quality information to maintain air quality of the indoor space, which may be influenced by outdoor air quality even if doors and windows are closed.

When the IOT device indicates that the air quality of the outdoor space is bad, the main air cleaner may be automatically operated (e.g., a fan speed may be increased) so that the user does not have to constantly control the main air cleaner.

The IOT device may include a timer or clock. The IOT device may record, store, and provide air quality data accumulated periodically. The IOT device may use accumulated air quality data to estimate or predict future air quality information and/or an amount of dust or foreign matter accumulated on a person travelling outside. The main air cleaner may be operated accordingly to address the predicted air quality and/or to remove the dust accumulated on the person after returning home. The IOT device may optionally acquire and store location data of a person to estimate their return home.

A portable or handheld air cleaner or purifier may be provided and may be easily mounted on and separated from the main air cleaner. The portable air cleaner may have a smaller cleaning capacity than the main air cleaner. The portable air cleaner may also be referred to as a moving body air cleaner or purifier, a dust vacuum, or a moveable air purifier. The portable air cleaner may suction dust from clothes.

At least one of the main air cleaner and the portable air cleaner may have a fan and a filter therein to ensure cleanliness of a living environment. A seat or mounting sensor may be provided to sense when the portable air cleaner is seated or mounted on the main air cleaner. The user may conveniently use the air cleaning system through interlocking of the portable air cleaner and the main air cleaner.

The portable air cleaner may be seated on a mounting portion or recess formed on an outer surface of the main air cleaner at a position that may be easily recognized, viewed, and or grabbed by a user. The portable air cleaner may be oriented such that a longitudinal direction extends vertically or up and down on the outer surface of the main air cleaner. The portable air cleaner may be placed in a narrow angle range of the main air cleaner, which may have a cylinder shape. The portable air cleaner may have a handle that extends upward and/or outward so that the user may easily grasp the handle to use the portable air cleaner.

The outer surface of the main air cleaner may be recessed to form the mounting portion, and a front end or face of the portable air cleaner may hang and/or contact a bottom of the mounting portion so that the main air purifier may support the portable air purifier. A magnetic coupling set (i.e., a pair of magnets or a magnet and a metal) or other coupling mechanism may be optionally provided on the main and portable air purifiers to firmly maintain a mounting of the portable air cleaner on the main air cleaner.

The IOT device may be portable, and the user may carry the IOT device. The IOT device may communicate with the main air cleaner and/or the portable air cleaner. The IOT device may measure air quality at a location where the user is carrying the IOT device. The IOT device may optionally measure position information relative to the main air cleaner. Based on accumulated air quality and/or position data by the IOT device, a controller may determine an amount of dust acquired on clothes worn by the user. The IOT device may display a recommendation to the user to use the portable air cleaner based on the determined amount of dust acquired on the clothes.

The IOT device may also be installed in an outdoor space adjacent to the indoor space to measure the air quality of the outdoor space. Based on accumulated air quality data, the main air cleaner may automatically operate to correspond to a degree of air quality and/or estimated amounts of fine dusts flowing into the indoor space from the outdoor space. An indoor space can be more efficiently cleaned. Even if the user goes outside without operating or controlling the main air cleaner, the main air cleaner may automatically operate so that the user returns home to a clean atmosphere.

A plurality of IOT devices may be provided. For example, each member of a household may carry an IOT device, and in addition, an IOT device may be optionally installed in an outdoor space adjacent to an indoor space of the household. The main air cleaner may operate in accordance with a number of people living in the same indoor space. Each user carrying an IOT device may receive a personalized recommendation on whether to use the portable air cleaner based on air quality data measured by the particular IOT device corresponding to the user. The IOT device(s) may wirelessly communicate with the main air cleaner, which may operate according to measured outdoor air quality by the IOT device(s) and optionally based on position or location data. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the IOT device may implement Near Field Communication (NFC) technology with the main air cleaner, and the main air cleaner may operate according to air quality information measured when the IOT device is near the main air cleaner. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the IOT device may be able to estimate whether the main air purifier is operating based on a changed in sensed air quality and based on location data. If the IOT device is located near the main air purifier and the air quality has improved in a short amount of time, the IOT device may determine that the main air purifier is operating. As another alternative, the IOT device may be able to determine how effective the main air purifier is at purifying indoor air, and may recommend to a user when to replace the filter in the main air purifier based on decreased performance. For example, if, after a month, the IOT device detects that air quality of the indoor space is improving at a slower rate, the IOT device may display a warning to the user to replace the filter of the main air purifier.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a control method of an air cleaning system. An air quality sensor IOT device may include an air quality sensor to measure air quality of an outdoor space and a communication module to transmit the measured air quality to a main air cleaner or purifier provided in an adjacent indoor space. The main air cleaner may be automatically activated when the outdoor air quality is bad or measured to be above a predetermined pollution level by the IOT device. The user may enjoy clean indoor air even if he or she does not realize that an operation of the main air cleaner needs to be modified to address bad outdoor air quality.

The air quality sensor may be an independent device and may be incorporated in the IOT device. The IOT device may be an inexpensive small-sized device, and another device or sensor may not be required to effectively implement the air cleaning system. The IOT device may be fixedly installed in an outdoor space adjacent to the indoor space so that the air cleaner may address residual or predicts effects of the outdoor air quality on the indoor air quality.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method of controlling an air cleaning system comprising measuring an air quality and time via an IOT device and storing the measured time and air quality as time-air quality information. The method may further comprising transmitting the time-air quality information from the IOT device to a main air cleaner and controlling the main air purifier based on the time-air quality information. The method may further comprising displaying a recommendation to use a portable air cleaner based on the time-air quality information.

The IOT device may be provided as a separate independent device that the user carries and moves. An amount of foreign matter such as fine dust deposited on the clothes may be accurately estimated and/or determined.

The air cleaning system may include at least one of a main air cleaner or purifier and a portable air cleaner or purifier attached to the main air cleaner. When the IOT device is close to at least one of the main air cleaner or the portable air cleaner, the IOT device may transmit time-air quality information, and the main air cleaner may be controlled accordingly and/or at least one of the main air cleaner or the IOT device may make a recommendation to the user to use the portable air cleaner so that the user may conveniently use the air cleaning system.

The air cleaning system may provide a recommendation to use of the air cleaning system to correspond to foreign matter such as fine dust deposited on clothes and/or may provide a recommendation to remove foreign matter from clothes.

Embodiments disclosed herein may reduce dust scattering into a room during dust removal of the clothes by suctioning the dust. Since dust on clothes may be removed by a suction method implemented by a portable or movable air cleaner, an amount of foreign matter unintentionally breathed in by the user may be reduced. The moveable air cleaner may be operated close to the main air cleaner, and any dust scattered in the air due to the moveable air cleaner may be suctioned by the main air cleaner, further reducing the likelihood of a user breathing in dust.

An operation of the moveable air cleaner and an operation of the main air cleaner may be synchronized so to improve convenience and reduce unnecessary energy use. Since the air cleaning system may be operated according to air quality of outside air, indoor air may be more clean to increase comfort of an indoor space.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as an air filtering system comprising a first air purifier having a fan to suction air and a filter to filter air, the first air purifier being provided at a first position, and a first sensor device to sense air quality at a second position remote from the first position, to store the sensed air quality, and to transmit data corresponding to the sensed air quality to the first air purifier. The first air purifier may be controlled using the data of the sensed air quality received from the first sensor device.

When the received data indicates a pollution level that is greater than a predetermined pollution level, the first air purifier may be automatically operated to perform at least one of turning on the fan or increasing a speed of the fan.

The first sensor device may include at least one of a timer or a clock to measure and specify time. The first sensor device may be configured to store time-air quality data.

A second air purifier may be configured to be seated on and removed from the first air purifier. The second air purifier may have a cubic feet per minute (CFM) value that is smaller than a CFM value of the first air purifier. The second air purifier may include a fan and a filter. A seat sensor may sense whether the second air purifier is seated on the first air purifier.

An outer surface of the first air purifier may include a recess configured to receive the second air purifier. The second air purifier may include a handle. A bottom of the recess may include a wall that is curved upward and outward away from an inner surface of the recess so as to form a pocket with the recess. The pocket may be configured to receive the handle.

The first sensor device may be configured to be carried by a user. The second position may be a position to which the user has carried the first sensor device.

The first position may be located in an indoor space. The second position may be located in an outdoor space outside of the indoor space. The first sensor device may be fixed at the second position.

A second sensor device may sense air quality at a third position remote from the first position, to store the sensed air quality, and to transmit data corresponding to the sensed air quality to the first air purifier. The first air purifier may be controlled using the data of the sensed air quality received from at least one of the first or second sensor devices.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as an air purifying system comprising an air purifier having a fan to suction air, the air purifier being provided in an indoor space and configured to purify indoor air, and a sensor to sense air quality of an outdoor space outside of the indoor space. The sensor may be configured to transmit data corresponding to the sensed air quality to the air purifier. The fan of the air purifier may be controlled based on the data of the sensed air quality received from the sensor.

The sensor may be included in an internet of things (IOT) device. The IOT device may be configured to be controlled separately from the air purifier. The IOT device may be configured to be installed and fixed at a position in the outdoor space. The IOT device may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the air purifier.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as an air purifying system comprising at least one air purifier provided in an indoor space, and an internet of things (IOT device) having an air quality sensor configured to sense air quality and time during a predetermined time period. The IOT device may be configured to store the sensed air quality and time as time-air quality data, transmit the stored time-air quality data to the air purifier, and estimate at least one of a total amount of dust present on a user carrying the IOT device or whether the air purifier has operated during the predetermined time period.

The at least one air purifier may include a main air purifier and a handheld air purifier configured to suction dust and attached to the main air purifier. At least one of the main air purifier, handheld air purifier, or IOT device may include a position sensor to measure a position of the IOT device relative to the main air purifier. When a position of the IOT device is within a predetermined distance range, the time-air quality data may be transmitted from the IOT device to the main air purifier.

When the estimated amount of dust exceeds a predetermined dust amount, at least one of the IOT device, the main air purifier, or the handheld air purifier may display a recommendation for the user to use the handheld air purifier.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as an air purifying system comprising a main air purifier, a cleaner having a motor to suction air and a filter to filter dust from the suctioned air, the cleaner being one of a secondary air purifier and a vacuum cleaner, and a portable air quality sensor device. The portable air quality sensor device may include a case, an air quality sensor to sense a pollution level of ambient air, an output device configured to output at least one of text, image, or a sound based on a sensed pollution level, a timer or clock to store time data corresponding to the sensed pollution level, a controller to estimate total amount of dust exposed to the IOT device based on the pollution level and time data, and a communication module to transmit at least one of the sensed pollution level, the time data, or the estimated total amount of dust to the main air purifier.