Patent Description:
Recently, as interest in air quality has increased, the demand has been rising for an air purifier that can perform various functions according to the season and indoor area with a single device.

In the related art, an air purifier has been introduced which is capable of performing both a humidifying function and an air purification function in a single device. However, since a plurality of discharge ports were not formed, various modes to meet the demand could not be implemented, and even if there were a plurality of discharge ports, there was a risk of malfunction due to a complicated switching mechanism therebetween.

For example, <CIT> discloses an air purifier capable of selecting each flow path by applying each flow path for air purification, humidified air purification, and humidification-only mode and a valve structure that can switch each flow path. Specifically, one valve moves to change the flow path to perform a humidifying function and an air purification function. One discharge port is located on the upper side of the air purifier, and the number of flow paths is two. However, in this type of air purifier, it is difficult to perform the air purification function according to various seasons due to the simple control of the valve, and it is difficult to select a flow path according to a plurality of discharge ports depending on the area and air quality of the room with one discharge port, and thus there is a limitation in that the air purifier cannot satisfy various demands.

As another example, <CIT> discloses an air purifier in which an air purification flow path and a humidifying purification flow path are formed as separate flow paths, and the air purification flow path and the humidifying purification flow path are selectively opened and closed by a flow path variable unit so that the amounts of clean air and humidified air can be controlled according to the season or according to the surrounding environment. Specifically, the flow path variable unit has a rotating configuration and controls the separate flow paths. However, this type of air purifier has a single discharge port, and it is necessary to select a flow path according to a plurality of discharge ports according to the area and air quality of the room, but there is a limitation in that the air purifier cannot satisfy various demands.

As a further example, <CIT> discloses an air cleaner with a humidification function wherein the humidification can be stopped when the humidification function is not in use. The air cleaner comprises a humidification casing provided with a humidification flow path and a non-humidification flow path through which the air flows; a water tank portion provided in the humidification casing for storing water; a humidification filter provided to be liftable in the humidification flow path so as to be separate from the water stored in the water tank portion, or partially submerged into the water stored in the water tank portion at a lower end thereof; and a flow path converting portion provided in the humidification casing to guide the air introduced into the humidification casing to the humidification flow path or to the non-humidification flow path.

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems.

The present invention provides an air purifier in which both a humidifying function and an air purification function can be performed, a plurality of discharge flow paths can be flexibly controlled using a flow path control member, and the demand for various air quality changes in indoor air can be satisfied.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air purifier including: an intake flow path (<NUM>) through which air introduced from an inlet (<NUM>) flows; a flow path control member (<NUM>) on the intake flow path (<NUM>); and a housing (<NUM>), wherein the flow path control member (<NUM>) is installed on a flow path between the intake flow path (<NUM>) and a plurality of discharge ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

The plurality of discharge ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) include: a first discharge port (<NUM>) formed on one side of the housing (<NUM>); a second discharge portion (<NUM>) formed on an upper side of the housing (<NUM>); a third discharge portion (<NUM>) formed on the other side opposite to the one side of the housing (<NUM>); a first discharge flow path (<NUM>) communicating with the first discharge port (<NUM>) and the intake flow path (<NUM>); a second discharge flow path (<NUM>) communicating with the second discharge port (<NUM>) and the intake flow path (<NUM>); and a third discharge flow path (<NUM>) communicating with the third discharge port (<NUM>) and the intake flow path (<NUM>), wherein the intake flow path (<NUM>) communicates with any one or more of the first discharge flow path (<NUM>), the second discharge flow path (<NUM>), and the third discharge flow path (<NUM>) by way of the flow path control member (<NUM>).

Even when the flow path control member (<NUM>) closes the third discharge flow path (<NUM>), a guide (<NUM>) for guiding air into the third discharge flow path (<NUM>) is positioned at an inlet portion of the third discharge flow path (<NUM>).

The air purifier further includes a humidifying filter (<NUM>) positioned on the third discharge flow path (<NUM>).

The air purifier may further include a water receiving portion (<NUM>) in which the humidifying filter (<NUM>) is seated; and a water tank (<NUM>) including a check valve communicating in the water receiving portion (<NUM>).

The first discharge portion (<NUM>) may be positioned at a side surface of the air purifier, and air introduced into the intake flow path (<NUM>) may be discharged to the first discharge port (<NUM>) by the flow path control member (<NUM>) so that a purification intensive mode is performed.

Air introduced into the intake flow path (<NUM>) may be discharged to the second discharge port (<NUM>) by the flow path control member (<NUM>) so that a purification circulation mode is performed.

Air introduced into the intake flow path (<NUM>) may be discharged to the third discharge port (<NUM>) by the flow path control member (<NUM>) so that a humidifying mode is performed.

The flow path control member (<NUM>) may include a plurality of units (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the plurality of discharge ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) communicating with the intake flow path (<NUM>) are changeable by way of relative rotation between the plurality of units (<NUM>, <NUM>).

The flow path control member (<NUM>) may have an L-shape due to relative rotation of the plurality of units (<NUM>, <NUM>) so that the intake flow path (<NUM>) communicates with any two of the first discharge flow path (<NUM>), the second discharge flow path (<NUM>), and the third discharge flow path (<NUM>) by way of the flow path control member (<NUM>).

Air introduced into the intake flow path (<NUM>) may be discharged to the first discharge port (<NUM>) and the second discharge port (<NUM>) by the flow path control member (<NUM>) so that a purification circulation intensive mode is performed.

Air introduced into the intake flow path (<NUM>) may be discharged to the second discharge port (<NUM>) and the third discharge port (<NUM>) by the flow path control member (<NUM>) so that a humidifying circulation mode is performed.

Air introduced into the intake flow path (<NUM>) may be discharged to the first discharge port (<NUM>) and the third discharge port (<NUM>) by the flow path control member (<NUM>) so that a humidifying intensive mode is performed.

The air purifier may further include a fan (<NUM>) positioned on the intake flow path (<NUM>), wherein a rotating portion of the fan (<NUM>) is sealed with respect to a fan power member (<NUM>) of the fan (<NUM>) by a fan waterproof housing (<NUM>).

According to the present invention, a humidifying function or an air purification function can be selectively performed by only simple operation of a flow path control member in a plurality of discharge flow paths inside an air purifier, and indoor air can be discharged through a plurality of appropriate flow paths and discharge ports so that a user can select a desired function in consideration of this.

For example, a plurality of discharge ports of air are formed on one side, the other side, and the upper side, respectively, so that a narrow space can be intensively ventilated by discharging air to the front, and a large space can be ventilated by discharging air to the upper side.

In addition, because a flow path inside the air purifier is simply formed, there is little risk of malfunction of the air purifier, and the lifespan of the air purifier can be extended. In addition, because a humidifying filter is located at the top, the user can easily detach the humidifying filter from the air purifier to clean or replace it.

The purpose of use of front and rear discharge portions is different for humidification and circulation, and the user can easily distinguish the front and rear discharge portions by design only.

In other words, it is possible to perform various modes to adjust the air quality according to the season and space.

In addition, there is a guide to guide some air to the humidifying filter even when the humidifying function is not in use. The guide allows air to continuously flow through the humidifying filter, thereby preventing contamination and odors due to long-term non-use of the humidifying filter.

Referring to <FIG>, an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing <NUM>, a plurality of discharge ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a flow path control member <NUM>, a guide <NUM>, an inlet <NUM>, a fan <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the housing <NUM> is not limited thereto and may be formed in other shapes. The control unit <NUM> is located on the upper side of the housing <NUM> and performs a function of controlling a mode of the air purifier.

A plurality of discharge ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be formed inside the housing <NUM>. Although the number of the plurality of discharge ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is illustrated and described as three, the number thereof is not limited according to circumstances.

A first discharge port <NUM> is located on the front surface of the housing <NUM>. The first discharge port <NUM> is connected to a first discharge flow path <NUM> through which the air introduced from the inlet <NUM> moves, and thus functions to discharge the air to the outside. When air is discharged through the first discharge port <NUM>, the surrounding air of the air purifier can be intensively purified. Accordingly, a user can select the first discharge port <NUM> when intensive and rapid air purification in a narrow space is required.

A second discharge port <NUM> is located on the upper side of the housing <NUM>. The second discharge port <NUM> is connected to a second discharge flow path <NUM> through which the air introduced from the inlet <NUM> moves, and thus functions to discharge air to the outside. When air is discharged through the second discharge port <NUM>, the air is discharged upward, and convection occurs. The overall air around the air purifier can be circulated. Accordingly, the user may select the second discharge port <NUM> when overall air circulation in a large space is required.

A third discharge port <NUM> is located on the rear surface of the housing <NUM> opposite to the first discharge port <NUM>. The third discharge port <NUM> is connected to a third discharge flow path <NUM> through which the air introduced from the inlet <NUM> moves, and thus functions to discharge air to the outside. Before the air is discharged through the third discharge port <NUM>, the air passes through a humidifying filter <NUM>. The air passing through the humidifying filter <NUM> is humidified to increase the humidity of the indoor air. Accordingly, the user may select the third discharge port <NUM> in a dry season when the humidity decreases.

The humidifying filter <NUM> is seated in a water receiving portion <NUM> with three open sides. Looking at the water receiving portion <NUM>, the humidifying filter <NUM> is located on one side of the open three sides, and a water tank <NUM> is located on the other side (see <FIG>). A check valve (not shown) is located on the lower surface of the water tank <NUM>, so that when the water tank <NUM> is mounted in the air purifier (that is, when the water tank <NUM> is seated in the water receiving portion <NUM>), water flows into the water receiving portion <NUM> and permeates into the humidifying filter <NUM>. The air flowing along the third discharge flow path <NUM> passes through the humidifying filter <NUM> to become moist air and is discharged to the outside.

The flow path control member <NUM> is positioned at a portion where the plurality of discharge flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and an intake flow path <NUM> are in contact with each other, and the possibility of fluid connection is controlled so that air flows along any one or more of the plurality of discharge flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In <FIG>, the flow path control member <NUM> has a plate shape and rotates to perform a purification intensive mode, a purification circulation mode, a humidifying mode, and the like.

In addition, the flow path control member <NUM> may include a plurality of units <NUM> and <NUM>, and a plurality of discharge ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which communicate with the intake flow path <NUM>, may be changed by relative rotation between the plurality of units <NUM> and <NUM>. In <FIG>, the flow path control member <NUM> includes two units, a first unit <NUM> and a second unit <NUM>, and the first unit <NUM> and the second unit <NUM> are relatively rotated to form an L-shape. The plurality of units <NUM> and <NUM> of the flow path control member <NUM> may rotate to perform a purification circulation intensive mode, a humidifying intensive mode, a humidifying circulation mode, and the like.

The shape and configuration of the flow path control member <NUM> are for closing the plurality of discharge flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Even if it is a configuration not shown in the embodiment, if the plurality of discharge flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are closed, a different shape may be formed.

As described above, according to the environment of the indoor air, the flow path control member <NUM> can flexibly control the plurality of discharge flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, thereby enabling various modes according to the quality of the indoor air.

The guide <NUM> is positioned at an inlet portion of the third discharge flow path adjacent to the flow path control member <NUM>.

When the humidifying function is not in use, if the air does not flow in the humidifying filter <NUM>, water may accumulate, and odor may be gradually generated, and air may be introduced from the outside, and thus a filter may be dusty and contaminated. In the present invention, the guide <NUM> may continuously guide a portion of the air to the third discharge flow path <NUM> even when the third discharge flow path <NUM> is not used, to let the air pass through, thereby preventing odor and contamination.

The inlet <NUM> is a place where indoor air to be purified is introduced into the interior, and the introduced indoor air is purified by a first functional filter 177a, a second functional filter 177b, and the like, and then discharged again. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet <NUM>, the first functional filter 177a, and the second functional filter 177b are shown to be located on the lower side of the housing <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the inlet <NUM>, the first functional filter 177a, and the second functional filter 177b may be located anywhere inside the housing <NUM>.

The first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b may include a fine dust filter, a deodorizing filter, a HEPA filter, and the like, but may be any various filtering devices as needed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b is a rectangular plate shape, but the shape may be formed in other shapes.

The fan <NUM> performs a function of introducing and discharging indoor air into the interior of the housing <NUM>. That is, indoor air is introduced into the housing <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> by the rotation of the fan <NUM>.

The rotation speed of the fan <NUM> may be adjusted as needed. That is, the housing <NUM> may be rotated at a high speed to increase the flow rate of the indoor air flowing into the housing <NUM>, or the housing <NUM> may be rotated at a low speed to decrease the flow rate.

On the other hand, when the humidifying function is used, water that has leaked or condensed due to the humidifying filter <NUM> or the like flows into the electrical parts of the fan <NUM> (the right side of <FIG>), which may cause a malfunction. In the air purifier according to the present invention, in order to prevent water from entering a fan power member <NUM>, such as when water leaks from the humidifying filter <NUM>, a fan waterproof housing <NUM> having watertightness is placed between a core and blades of the fan <NUM> and the electrical parts of the fan <NUM>.

The air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform various modes according to the state or season of indoor air.

Six modes will be mainly described as examples. Specifically, embodiments in which the flow path control member <NUM> is not classified into units but closes a plurality of discharge ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (modes <NUM> to <NUM> below) and in which the flow path control member <NUM> is classified into a plurality of units <NUM> and <NUM> and closes the discharge ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in an L-shape (modes <NUM> to <NUM> below) will be described.

The flow path control member <NUM> rotates to close the second discharge port <NUM> and the third discharge port <NUM> to perform a purification intensive mode, and to close the first discharge port <NUM> and the third discharge port <NUM> to perform a purification circulation mode, and to close the first discharge port <NUM> and the second discharge port <NUM>, thereby performing a humidifying mode. In a second embodiment, the plurality of units <NUM> and <NUM> of the flow path control member <NUM> rotate to close the third discharge port <NUM>, thereby performing a purification circulation intensive mode, to close the second discharge port <NUM>, thereby performing a humidifying intensive mode, and to close the first discharge portion <NUM>, thereby performing a humidifying circulation mode.

Hereinafter, each mode of the air purifier and its effects will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The purification intensive mode will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Here, the air introduced into the inlet <NUM> passes through the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b, and the air flowing along an intake flow path <NUM> is branched by the flow path control member <NUM> to be directed toward the first discharge flow path <NUM>. At this time, air is guided by the guide <NUM> in the third discharge flow path <NUM> so that air is always passed through the humidifying filter <NUM> little by little, thereby preventing odor of the humidifying filter <NUM> and preventing contamination.

Air is discharged through the first discharge port <NUM>. As the first discharge port <NUM> is installed on the front side, the purification intensive mode enables intensive purification at a desired location around the air purifier, thereby enabling intensive indoor circulation of air. In the purification circulation mode to be described later, since the second discharge port <NUM> located on the upper side is used instead of the first discharge port <NUM>, it takes time to purify around the air purifier because overall circulation of the air is performed.

Therefore, it is possible to use the purification intensive mode when intensive purification is required in a relatively narrow indoor space.

The purification circulation mode will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Here, the air introduced into the inlet <NUM> passes through the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b, and the air flowing along the intake flow path <NUM> is branched by the flow path control member <NUM> to be directed toward the second discharge flow path <NUM>. Air is then guided by the guide <NUM> in the third discharge flow path <NUM> so that air is always passed through the humidifying filter <NUM> little by little, thereby preventing odor of the humidifying filter <NUM> and preventing contamination.

Air is discharged through the second discharge port <NUM>. As the second discharge port <NUM> is installed on the upper side, in the purification circulation mode, large indoor circulation occurs that largely circulates the entire indoor space due to a convection phenomenon. The purification concentration mode described above differs in that it is difficult to circulate the entire large indoor space because the second discharge port <NUM> is not used.

Therefore, the purification circulation mode can be used when the air purifying function of a large indoor space is required.

A humidifying mode will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Here, the air introduced into the inlet <NUM> passes through the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b, and the air flowing along the intake flow path <NUM> is branched by the flow path control member <NUM> to be directed toward the third discharge flow path <NUM>.

Air is discharged through the third discharge port <NUM>. As the third discharge port <NUM> includes a humidifying filter <NUM>, it can be used when a humidifying function is required.

Therefore, it is possible to use the humidifying mode when the humidifying function is intensively needed as the humidity is low rather than air purification.

The purification circulation intensive mode will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Here, the air introduced into the inlet <NUM> passes through the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b, and the air flowing along the intake flow path <NUM> is branched by the flow path control member <NUM> to be directed toward the first discharge flow path <NUM> and the second discharge flow path <NUM>. Air is then guided by the guide <NUM> in the third discharge flow path <NUM> so that air is always passed through the humidifying filter <NUM> little by little, thereby preventing odor of the humidifying filter <NUM> and preventing contamination.

Air is discharged through the first discharge port <NUM> and the second discharge port <NUM>. The first discharge port <NUM> is installed on the front side to enable intensive indoor circulation, and the second discharge port <NUM> is formed on the upper side, so that large indoor circulation occurs that greatly circulates the entire indoor space due to convection. The purification circulation intensive mode uses the functions of the purification intensive mode and purification circulation mode.

Therefore, when an intensive purification function of a narrow indoor space and a purification function of a large indoor space are required at the same time, the purification circulation intensive mode can be used. In particular, it is useful when there is not a great need for humidified air, such as in spring and summer.

The humidifying circulation mode will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Here, the air introduced into the inlet <NUM> passes through the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b, and the air flowing along the intake flow path <NUM> is branched by the flow path control member <NUM> to be directed to the second discharge flow path <NUM> and the third discharge flow path <NUM>.

Air is discharged through the second discharge port <NUM> and the third discharge port <NUM>. The second discharge port <NUM> is formed on the upper side, and as major indoor circulation occurs in the entire indoor space due to a convection phenomenon, it can be used when a humidifying function and an air purifying function are required at the same time. As the third discharge port <NUM> includes a humidifying filter <NUM>, it can be used when a humidifying function is required. The humidifying circulation mode uses the functions of the purification circulation mode and humidifying mode.

Therefore, it is possible to circulate air in a large indoor space and use the humidifying circulation mode when a humidifying function is also required. In particular, it is useful when humidified air is needed, such as in autumn and winter.

The humidifying concentration mode will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Here, the air introduced into the inlet <NUM> passes through the first functional filter 177a and the second functional filter 177b, and the air flowing along the intake flow path <NUM> is branched by the flow path control member <NUM> to be directed to the first discharge flow path <NUM> and the third discharge flow path <NUM>.

Air is discharged through the first discharge port <NUM> and the third discharge port <NUM>. The first discharge port <NUM> is formed in the front to intensively purify a narrow indoor space, and the third discharge port <NUM> may perform a humidifying function by including the humidifying filter <NUM>. The humidifying intensive mode uses the functions of the purification intensive mode and the humidifying mode.

Therefore, it is possible to use the humidifying intensive mode when a narrow indoor space is intensively purified and a humidifying function is also required. In particular, it is useful when limited humidified air is needed in a narrow space.

Claim 1:
An air purifier comprising:
an intake flow path (<NUM>) through which air introduced from an inlet (<NUM>) flows;
a flow path control member (<NUM>) on the intake flow path (<NUM>); and
a housing (<NUM>),
wherein the flow path control member (<NUM>) is installed on a flow path between the intake flow path (<NUM>) and a plurality of discharge ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein
the plurality of discharge ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises:
a first discharge port (<NUM>) formed on one side of the housing (<NUM>);
a second discharge port (<NUM>) formed on an upper side of the housing (<NUM>);
a third discharge port (<NUM>) which is formed on the other side opposite to the one side of the housing (<NUM>) and in which a humidifying filter (<NUM>) is located;
a first discharge flow path (<NUM>) communicating the first discharge port (<NUM>) with the intake flow path (<NUM>);
a second discharge flow path (<NUM>) communicating the second discharge port (<NUM>) with the intake flow path (<NUM>); and
a third discharge flow path (<NUM>) communicating the third discharge port (<NUM>) with the intake flow path (<NUM>),
wherein the intake flow path (<NUM>) is in communication with any one or more of the first discharge flow path (<NUM>), the second discharge flow path (<NUM>), and the third discharge flow path (<NUM>) by way of the flow path control member (<NUM>),
wherein, even when the flow path control member (<NUM>) closes the third discharge flow path (<NUM>), a guide (<NUM>) for guiding air into the third discharge flow path (<NUM>) is positioned at an inlet portion of the third discharge flow path (<NUM>).