Patent Description:
Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in indoor spaces has become more important due to factors such as degradation of the atmospheric environment due to high concentration of fine dust and/or yellow dust, infectious diseases including bacteria and viruses.

Accordingly, as the demand for air purification devices (e.g., air purifiers) for purifying indoor air increases, various types of air purification devices have been launched.

Meanwhile, in the indoor space, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated from furniture, decoration and building materials may be a problem. Volatile organic compounds may degrade indoor environment quality and cause health issues, such as headaches, allergies, and nausea.

To remove these volatile organic compounds, an air purification devices including an adsorption deodorizing filter containing activated carbon has been disclosed.

However, the adsorbent deodorizing filter suffers from poor durability and odor generation due to desorption of adsorbed odor gas and proliferation of adsorbed harmful microorganisms.

To overcome these limitations, air purification devices including a filter using photocatalytic degradation (hereinafter referred to as 'photocatalyst filter') have been disclosed.

The photocatalyst filter may completely decompose volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into carbon dioxide and water, which are harmless to the human body, and may also be effective in removing bacteria or microorganisms when UV light is used. For example, as the photocatalyst filter, a photocatalyst filter including a photocatalyst material, e.g., titanium dioxide (TiO2), may be used. Titanium dioxide generates radicals (e.g., OH) when exposed to ultraviolet rays. The strong oxidizing power of these radicals may sterilize microorganisms and decompose odor-causing substances.

The photocatalyst material may decompose pollutants adsorbed in the filter, using a light source, so that it may be used semi-permanently. Therefore, it also benefits the user in terms of reduction in maintenance cost due to filter replacement and ease of management.

Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose conventional ventilation devices with photocatalyst filter.

To use a photocatalyst filter containing a photocatalyst material, a light source, such as an LED, should be provided in the air purification device. As more light sources are provided, the air purifying effect may increase, but manufacturing costs and energy consumption rise accordingly.

Further, blind spots which are not reached by the light emitted from the light source may be formed near the edge or back surface of the photocatalyst filter. In the blind spots, air contaminants remain, causing deterioration of the air purifying effect.

The disclosure provides a photocatalyst filter capable of enhancing the air purifying effect while saving energy consumption and an electronic device including the same.

The disclosure provides a photocatalyst filter to increase the recycling efficiency of the photocatalyst filter and air purifying effect by preventing contaminants from remaining in blind spots and an electronic device including the same.

According to the invention, there is provided an electronic device for purifying air, comprising:a housing;.

By the electronic device for purifying air comprising a photocatalyst filter according to the invention, it is possible to enhance the air purifying effect and filter recycling effect even without increasing the number of light sources and the amount of light, saving manufacturing costs and energy consumption.

By the electronic device according to the invention, it is possible to prevent contaminants from remaining in the blind spots of the photocatalyst filter, enhancing the air purifying effect and filter recycling effect.

According to the invention, electronic device is configured to provide an opening/closing part having a form of a metal foil and effectively remove contaminants inside the photocatalyst filter, thereby significantly increasing the filter recycling effect even without greatly increasing manufacturing costs.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, there are disclosed hybrid beads including a photocatalyst material to decompose contaminants on the fluid by causing photocatalytic oxidation and an adsorbent to adsorb the contaminants on the fluid. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, there may be provided a hybrid-type air purification device that addresses the drawbacks of the decomposition type, which suffers from slow purification, as an initial type of air purification, and the adsorption type which does not properly remove microorganisms and requires filter replacement.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, various methods for determining the recycling cycle of the photocatalyst filter are suggested, thereby providing the advantage of automatically recycling the photocatalyst filter.

Effects of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing, and other unmentioned effects would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

Embodiments of the disclosure are provided to thoroughly explain the disclosure to those skilled in the art, and various modifications may be made thereto, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto but to the scope of the appending claims.

As used herein, the thickness and size of each layer may be exaggerated or shrunken for ease or clarity of description. The same reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or substantially the same elements throughout the specification and the drawings. As used herein, the term "A and/or B" encompasses any, or one or more combinations, of A and B.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may correspond to an air purification device (or an air conditioner). The air purification device may refer to any device installed in a home or office to purify the air. The air purification device may be a device incorporating a blower used to collect dust floating in the air or remove gas. The air purification device may be a device for adjusting the temperature and humidity of indoor air. For example, the air purification device may be implemented as an air purifier, an air conditioner, or a humidifier. Alternatively, the air purification device may be implemented as an air purification component provided in a refrigerator, a kimchi refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, a clothing care device, a shoe closet, a closet, a septic tank, an air conditioning system, and the like. The air purification device may encompass examples of various devices for the purpose of purifying and deodorizing indoor air.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that forms a space inside and forms the outer appearance, an inlet <NUM> that is formed on one side of the housing <NUM> to intake air, outlets 13a and 13b that discharge the air introduced into the inside of the housing <NUM> and purified, an input unit <NUM> for inputting user commands, and display units <NUM> and <NUM> for displaying the operation state of the air purification device <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may include a main body 11a, a front cover 11b couplable to the main body 11a, and an upper cover 11c. Some of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be further added to the housing <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a configuration in which the main body 11a is separated from the front cover 11b and the upper cover 11c, but may be integrally formed otherwise. Other various embodiments may also be applicable.

The number and position of the inlet <NUM> and the outlet 13a and 13b are not limited to any particular embodiment. <FIG> illustrates that the inlet <NUM> is formed in the front cover 11b of the housing <NUM>, and the first and second outlets 13a and 13b are formed in the front cover 11b and the upper cover 11c, respectively. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The input unit <NUM> may include a power button for turning on or off the electronic device <NUM>, a timer button for setting a driving time of the air purification device <NUM>, and a lock button for limiting the manipulation of the input unit to prevent wrong manipulation of the input unit. There may further be included a button for inputting various control information for the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the input unit <NUM> may adopt a push switch type in which an input signal is generated by the user's pressing or a touch switch type in which an input signal is generated through the user's touch on her body portion. If the input unit <NUM> adopts the touch switch type, the input unit <NUM> may be integrally implemented with the display unit <NUM>.

The display units <NUM> and <NUM> may display information about the state of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the display units may display information about the degree of contamination of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, information about the replacement time of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, information about the filling rate of beads <NUM> in the photocatalyst filter <NUM> (e.g., information about the filled number, filling ratio at each time, or whether filling is required), information about the state of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> (e.g., information about days used after filled with photocatalyst beads or accrued time), information about the activity currently in progress (e.g., information about whether it is the air quality sensing step or filtering step and information about the air flow direction). The information may be provided per multiple spaces in the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. Meanwhile, such information may be provided through the display units <NUM> and <NUM> and, according to another embodiment, be provided from an external device (e.g., a smartphone communicating with the electronic device <NUM>). The display units <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed in any positions on the housing <NUM> where it may easily be viewed by the user. In <FIG>, as the display units <NUM> and <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> is disposed on the upper cover 11c, and the display unit <NUM> is disposed on the main body 11a, but such embodiment is not limited. According to an embodiment, a user interface(UI) including the above-described information may be displayed on the display unit <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> or on an external device.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device <NUM> and external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a pre-filter <NUM>, a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter <NUM>, and includes a light source <NUM>, a photocatalyst filter <NUM>, and a blower fan <NUM>. Further, the electronic device <NUM> may include a controller <NUM>(or processor) for performing the operation for driving the blower fan <NUM>, radiation from the light source <NUM>, and recycling of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and may include a first sensor <NUM> for detecting the air quality inside the electronic device <NUM>.

The pre-filter <NUM> may be a component for filtering out relatively large dust particles and may be disposed closest to the inlet <NUM>. The HEPA filter <NUM> may be a component disposed behind the pre-filter <NUM> to filter, e.g., fine dust which is not filtered by the pre-filter <NUM>. The pre-filter <NUM> may primarily filter dust, and the HEPA filter <NUM> having relatively higher performance than the pre-filter <NUM> may secondarily filter dust. Here, the HEPA filter <NUM> may be formed of, e.g., glass fiber. Although not shown in the drawings, a deodorizing filter including activated carbon may be further included between the pre-filter <NUM> and the HEPA filter <NUM> or behind the HEPA filter <NUM>. The filters may be arranged in the order shown in <FIG> or may be arranged in a different order. Alternatively, it is also possible to omit any one (e.g., the pre-filter <NUM>) of the filters <NUM> and <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> may be a component for radiating light toward the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. The photocatalyst material of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may react with light emitted from the light source <NUM> to remove harmful gases, odor substances, microorganisms, etc. The light source <NUM> may emit light suitable for causing a photocatalyst reaction in the photocatalyst material included in the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. For example, the light source <NUM> may be implemented as a device, such as a fluorescent lamp or an incandescent lamp or an light-emitting diode(LED), and it may emit at least one type of light among white light, red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light. For example, the light source <NUM> may be provided as an assembly with a lens assembly, such as a Fresnel lens, a convex lens, or a concave lens. Alternatively, the light source <NUM> may be implemented as an assembly with a light guide member (not shown) to guide the light emitted from the light source <NUM> in one direction (e.g., toward the photocatalyst filter <NUM>) while preventing the light from leaking in the other directions. At least one parameter among the brightness, temperature, color, light focusing, light emission timing, and light emission direction of the light source <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the light source <NUM> may be positioned in front of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> to emit light to the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. Here, 'front' may be a term used to indicate the position of components on the flow of air flowing in the housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the pre-filter <NUM>, HEPA filter <NUM>, and light source <NUM> may be disposed in front of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM> may be disposed behind the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be disposed in a position spaced apart from the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

According to various embodiments, the light source <NUM> may be configured as a light emitting element assembly of a plurality of light emitting elements (e.g., LEDs) disposed in a line, e.g., in the form of a lamp. In <FIG>, the light source <NUM> is shown as three lamps, but may be configured of one, two, or four or more lamps. The number and arrangement of the lamps may vary. For example, in <FIG>, the light source <NUM> is shown as installed upright in the height direction, but is not necessarily limited thereto, but may be disposed in other various manners, e.g., a lying position. Air purification, deodorization, antibacterial, antifouling, and water purification functions may be performed using the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. For example, the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may remove harmful substances, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), formaldehyde, and the like in the air (air purification). Further, the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may adsorb and/or decompose odors (deodorization), such as acetaldehyde, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide, and may sterilize various viruses, pathogens and bacteria, prevent decay (antibacterial action), and decompose organic substances, such as cigarette smoke and oil residue (antifouling action) and decompose harmful organic compounds contained in wastewater (water purification).

The photocatalyst filter <NUM> may include a photocatalyst material for purifying air by reacting with the light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The photocatalyst material includes, but is not limited to, titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>), zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmium sulfide (CdS), tungsten oxide (WO<NUM>), or vanadium oxide (V<NUM>O<NUM>). Beads (hereinafter, the beads <NUM> of <FIG> described below) may be formed of the photocatalyst material itself or by including the photocatalyst material and other additional materials (e.g., zeolite).

The photocatalyst filter <NUM> may further include a cover (not shown) in front and/or behind to prevent leakage of the beads. The cover (not shown) is a ventilative cover, and may be formed, e.g., in the form of a mesh with dense through holes through which air inside the electronic device <NUM> flows. According to an embodiment, the cover (not shown) may be integrally formed with the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

The blower fan <NUM> may be a component to introduce the air outside the electronic device <NUM> into the housing <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>. The air taken in by the blower fan <NUM> may be purified while passing through various filters (pre-filter <NUM>, HEPA filter <NUM>, and photocatalyst filter <NUM>) and be discharged to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> through the outlets 13a and 13b. The blower fan <NUM> may be operated under the control of the controller <NUM> and may control the flow of air under the control of the controller <NUM>.

The first sensor <NUM> may be a sensor that measures the quality of air inside the electronic device <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> may measure the type and concentration of a substance included in the air. The first sensor <NUM> may be disposed in an inner space of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., in a position adjacent to the outlets 13a and 13b of the electronic device <NUM>). Alternatively, the first sensor <NUM> may be disposed in a position adjacent to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> in the inner space of the electronic device <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> may be of various types. For example, the first sensor <NUM> may be a gas sensor driven in various manners including a semiconductor type, a diffusion type, an automatic suction type, an electrochemical type, a catalytic combustion type, or an optical type. The first sensor <NUM> may be used to detect various gases including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), carbon monoxide (CO), chlorine (Cl2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), chlorine dioxide (ClO2), ozone (O3), or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The controller <NUM> is a component capable of controlling the overall operation of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> controls driving of the light source <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller <NUM> determines the quality of air based on the result of detection of the air by the second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> of the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> described below and the first sensor <NUM> and control the light source <NUM> and/or blower fan <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to the quality of air. The controller <NUM> may also be referred to as a processor. For example, the controller <NUM> may execute, for example, a program (software) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the controller <NUM>, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the controller <NUM> (or processor) may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor or communication module) onto a volatile memory, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory, and store resulting data in a non-volatile memory. The controller <NUM> may include one central processing unit (CPU) (or digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessing unit (MPU), etc.), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and a system bus. The controller <NUM> may be implemented as a micro computer (MICOM) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The controller <NUM> may implement an air clean mode and a filter recycling mode of the electronic device <NUM> automatically according to a preset algorithm or according to the user's input, using at least some components described above in connection with <FIG>. For example, that the electronic device <NUM> is implemented in the air clean mode may be, for example, to activate both the light source <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM> to emit light from the light source <NUM> to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and introduce the external air of the electronic device <NUM> to the inside of the electronic device <NUM> through the blower fan <NUM> to purify the external air. Here, that the electronic device <NUM> is implemented in the filter recycling mode may, for example, activate the light source <NUM> while the blower fan <NUM> remains in the nonactive state to emit light from the light source <NUM> to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> to remove the contaminants of the filter. According to an embodiment, the time to activate the light source <NUM> and emit light to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> in the filter recycling mode may be set to be longer than the time to activate the light source <NUM> to emit light to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> in the air clean mode. Accordingly, in the filter recycling mode, more light may be provided to the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

It should be noted that according to various embodiments of the disclosure the air clean mode and the filter recycling mode may include activating other components and performing operations using the same, other than the above-described component activation and operations. For example, as described below with reference to the embodiment of <FIG>, in the filter recycling mode, the blower fan <NUM> may be activated while the air in the electronic device <NUM> is allowed to flow in the reverse direction RF and pass through the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, thereby further enhancing the filter recycling efficiency. Meanwhile, the filter recycling mode may additionally include a sealing mode to block at least one air passage of the inlet <NUM> and the outlets 13a and 13b of the electronic device <NUM>, preventing the contaminants in the air from further flowing into the electronic device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may perform communication with at least one external electronic device <NUM> and <NUM> and transfer information about the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., information related to the filter replacement time) to at least one external electronic device <NUM> and <NUM>. Various schemes including wireless communication schemes (e.g., Z-wave, 4LoWPAN, radio frequency identification (RFID), long-term evolution device to device (LTE D2D), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), general package radio service (GPRS), Weightless, ZigBee, Edge Zigbee, ANT+, near-field communication (NFC), infrared data association (IrDA), digital enhanced cordless telecommunication (DECT), wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, global system for mobile communication (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), LTE, WiBRO, Cellular <NUM>rd generation (<NUM>), <NUM>th generation (<NUM>), <NUM>th generation (SG)ultrasound, or such wireless communication), as well as access to the external device through the Internet and short-range communication network (local area network (LAN)) may be applied to communication between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an air conditioner <NUM> and a refrigerator <NUM> as the external electronic devices, but embodiments are not limited thereto. As an external electronic device to perform communication and information transfer with the electronic device <NUM>,any one electronic product of the air conditioner <NUM> or the refrigerator <NUM> may be selected. Further, alternatively or additionally, other electronic products may be applied to the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> of the disclosure. Examples of the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may vary. For example, the examples may include various electronic products including an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a television(TV) or other various home appliances, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer(PC), a desktop PC, or a laptop computer. The external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include an Internet-of-things (IoT) device. Accordingly, the electronic device <NUM> may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on <NUM> communication technology and/or IoT-related technology.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include display units <NUM> and <NUM> and may thereby display the information (e.g., information related to the filter replacement time) received from the electronic device <NUM>.

The external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include second sensors <NUM> and <NUM>. The second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> may be sensors that measure the quality of air outside the electronic device <NUM>. The second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> may measure the type and concentration of the substance included in the air outside the electronic device <NUM>. The second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> may also be of various types. For example, the second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> may be gas sensors driven in various manners including a catalytic combustion type or an optical type.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, since the second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed outside the electronic device <NUM> unlike the first sensor <NUM>, the second sensors <NUM> and <NUM> may determine the quality of air in positions farther from the filter of the electronic device <NUM> than the first sensor <NUM>. As the quality of external air of the electronic device <NUM> is able to be measured using the second sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, the quality of the air outside the electronic device <NUM> and the quality of the air flowing in the electronic device <NUM> may be compared, rendering it possible to determine whether the filter of the electronic device <NUM> needs to be replaced. A filter recycling and replacing procedure is described below in greater detail with reference to the embodiment of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

The photocatalyst filter <NUM> may include a body <NUM> formed with at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o through which the air may pass and a plurality of barriers <NUM> and <NUM> to define the at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o of the body <NUM>. The internal space of the at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o may be filled with a plurality of beads <NUM>. The at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. The at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o may be defined in various numbers, shapes, and sizes according to embodiments. The shape and size of the beads <NUM> received inside the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may also vary.

The bead <NUM> is a photocatalyst bead, and may be formed of a photocatalyst material itself or a combination of the photocatalyst material and other additional materials. For example, the bead <NUM> may include an adsorbent (e.g., zeolite, sepiolite, mesoporous silica (SiO<NUM>), silica (SiO2), activated carbon, clay, etc.) as the other additional materials than the photocatalyst material to better adsorb impurities. For example, the bead <NUM> may be formed by adding a small amount (e.g., 2wt% to 20wt%) of water and titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>), which is a photocatalyst material, and zeolite. Here, the zeolite may include a natural zeolite or a synthetic zeolite (zeolite A, zeolite X, zeolite Y, ZSM-<NUM> zeolite, or beta zeolite). As another example, the beads <NUM> may be formed as water and titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>), which is a photocatalyst material, and zeolite are mixed and granulated, sieved and dried. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may be an electronic device of a hybrid type which is a combination of the decomposition type to decompose the contaminants in the air by photocatalyst phenomenon and the adsorption type to adsorb contaminants, as a method (air purification method) to generate clean air by removing the contaminants in the air.

The shape and size of the beads <NUM> may be appropriately selected depending on the type of gas to be removed, removal rate, or removal rate. The shape of the beads <NUM> may be, for example, a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a hexahedral shape, or a porous shape, and the size of the beads <NUM> may be, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. However, without limited to a specific shape and size, the beads may be formed in any shape and any size. According to various embodiments, the beads <NUM> may have a smooth surface and may have protrusions on the surface to increase the reaction surface area.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which an opening/closing part <NUM> (e.g., flap assembly) is opened or closed according to the flow of the air in the opening/closing part <NUM> in a photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may have an opening/closing part <NUM> formed on the rear surface of the body <NUM>. According to an embodiment, a plurality of opening/closing parts <NUM> may be provided in one photocatalytic filter <NUM>. For example, the plurality of opening/closing parts <NUM> may be disposed in the at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o, respectively, of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> to open or close the flow of air flowing in the at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o. According to an embodiment, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be pivotally coupled to one side of the body <NUM> to be opened as shown in (a) of <FIG> or closed as shown in (b) of <FIG>.

According to another embodiment, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be disposed in a position spaced apart from the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by a predetermined distance (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>). Although <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that the opening/closing part <NUM> is integrally formed with the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, embodiments are not limited thereto. It should be noted that the opening/closing part <NUM> may be provided as a component separated from the photocatalyst filter <NUM> in the housing.

According to an embodiment, the opening and closing of the opening/closing part of <FIG> may be performed based on the flow rate of the air passing through the opening/closing part <NUM>. For example, when the blower fan <NUM> intakes a large amount of external air into the inside of the electronic device <NUM> like when the electronic device <NUM> operates in the clean mode, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be opened. In contrast, when the intake of air by the blower fan <NUM> is not needed like when the electronic device <NUM> is powered off (turned off) or operates in the filter recycling mode, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be closed.

According to an embodiment, the opening and closing of the opening/closing part <NUM> may be manually implemented according to the amount of air flowing through the opening/closing part <NUM> inside the electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the blower fan <NUM> is operated to intake the air into the inside of the electronic device <NUM>, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be forced to be opened by being pushed by the large amount of air flowing from the front to rear of the opening/closing part <NUM>. As an example, when the blower fan <NUM> does not operate or the amount of the air pressurizing the opening/closing part <NUM> is small, the opening/closing part <NUM> is not opened but remains closed. As another example, if the blower fan <NUM> is operated initially in the closed state of the opening/closing part <NUM> or the amount of air pressurizing the opening/closing part <NUM> increases, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be opened and, when the operation of the blower fan <NUM> is stopped or the amount of air pressurizing the opening/closing part <NUM> is reduced later, it may be restored from the opened state to the closed state. According to an embodiment, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be formed to be closed by gravity acting on the opening/closing part <NUM> when it is closed.

However, without limitations thereto, according to another embodiment, the opening and closing of the opening/closing part <NUM> may also be implemented by the operation of an active element controlled by the controller <NUM>, such as a motor.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an opened state of an opening/closing part <NUM> in a photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating a closed state of an opening/closing part <NUM> in a photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> may be schematic cross-sectional views of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> shown in <FIG>, taken along A-A'.

According to various embodiments, the body <NUM> may include a first opening 241a formed in the front surface of the body and a second opening 241b formed in the rear surface of the body. The air introduced into the electronic device may enter the photocatalyst filter <NUM> through the first opening 241a and be discharged from the photocatalyst filter <NUM> through the second opening 241b in the forward flow.

According to an embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the opening/closing part <NUM> may include a hinge structure <NUM> connected with the body <NUM> of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and, according to another embodiment, the opening/closing part <NUM> may also have a hard plate structure to remain in shape between the opening and the closing. According to an embodiment, the hinge structure <NUM> may be formed of an elastic material to play a role to open and close the opening/closing part <NUM>. However, without limitations thereto, the connection, arrangement, and/or shape of the opening/closing part <NUM> or its surrounding components may vary according to embodiments. The opening/closing part <NUM> may have any component, arrangement, and/or shape as long as it may be opened or closed based on the flow rate of the air passing through the opening/closing part <NUM> and/or the operation of the blower fan <NUM>. For example, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be formed of a thin metal film and be opened or closed according to the flow rate of the air passing through the opening/closing part <NUM> and/or the operation of the blower fan <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when the opening/closing part <NUM> is formed of a thin metal film, the hinge structure <NUM> may be omitted. For example, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be formed to be opened by the flow rate of the air passing through the first opening 241a and the second opening 241b and closed by gravity without including a separate hinge structure <NUM>.

The pivot angle of the opening/closing part <NUM> may be formed to be up to <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the closed state of the opening/closing part <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the opening/closing part <NUM> may additionally or alternatively include a reflecting plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the reflecting plate <NUM> may be formed on the front surface of the opening/closing part <NUM> (the surface in the direction in which the air is introduced toward the opening/closing part <NUM>). When the opening/closing part <NUM> is formed for each of at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o, the reflecting plate <NUM> may also be formed on the front surface of the opening/closing part <NUM> of each of the at least one cell 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e, 240f, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240i, 240j, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 240n, and 240o.

The reflecting plate <NUM> may be a component for collecting the light emitted backward from the light source <NUM> to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> to the front of each cell of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. For example, the reflecting plate <NUM> may collect or not collect the light emitted from the light source <NUM> toward the beads <NUM> formed inside the photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to the opening or closing of the opening/closing part <NUM> (i.e., according to the operation of the blower fan and/or the flow rate of the air passing through the opening/closing part <NUM>). For example, as shown in <FIG>, the reflecting plate <NUM> may not collect the light radiated from the light source <NUM> to the beads in the opened state of the opening/closing part <NUM>. In contrast, as shown in <FIG>, the reflecting plate <NUM> may collect the light emitted from the light source <NUM> to the beads in the closed state of the opening/closing part <NUM>.

The light emitted from the light source <NUM> may be radially emitted to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and be incident on at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c. If the light incident on the at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c reaches the beads <NUM> disposed on the space of the at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c, the light may react with the photocatalyst material included in the beads <NUM>, creating radicals (e.g., OH) and thereby decomposing the contaminants in the air. Here, since the at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c forms a space with a predetermined depth in the propagation direction of the light, light may not reach the beads <NUM> positioned at the rear, as compared with the beads <NUM> positioned at the front in the space in the cell.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c may be divided into a front section FS and a rear section RS with respect to a virtual line B-B' crossing the middle of the at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c. In this case, the light emitted from the light source <NUM> may reach the beads <NUM> disposed in the front section FS and rear section RS. According to an embodiment, the light emitted from the light source <NUM> may partially pass through the front section FS and the rear section RS and reach the back of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, but not reach the beads <NUM> disposed at the edge of the rear section RS. Meanwhile, in the closed state of the opening/closing part <NUM> with the reflecting plate <NUM> formed in the opening/closing part <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, light may be reflected by the reflecting plate <NUM> to reach the beads <NUM> disposed at the edge of the rear section RS of the at least one cell 240a, 240b, and 240c.

In other words, when the light source <NUM> emits light to the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, if the reflecting plate <NUM> is not formed in the opening/closing part <NUM>, or the reflecting plate <NUM> is formed in the opening/closing part <NUM> but the opening/closing part <NUM> is in the opened state, the range in which the light emitted from the light source <NUM> reaches the beads <NUM> inside the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may be limited to the hatched area as in the embodiment of <FIG>. In contrast, when the light source <NUM> emits light to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> (to the rear), the light is reflected by the reflecting plate <NUM>, so that the range in which the light reaches the beads <NUM> inside the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may be extended as in the embodiment of <FIG>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the light emitted from the light source <NUM> may not only directly reach the beads <NUM> but also be reflected by the reflecting plate <NUM> to reach the blind spots inside the photocatalyst filter <NUM> or the beads <NUM> positioned in the rear section RS. Resultantly, the number of the beads <NUM> reacting with the light source <NUM> increases, enhancing the efficiency of the photocatalyst filter.

As described above, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be disposed in a position spaced apart from the rear surface (or the second opening 241b) of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by a predetermined distance (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>). Accordingly, the reflecting plate <NUM> may also be formed in a position spaced apart from the rear surface (or the second opening 241b) of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by a predetermined distance (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>). As the reflecting plate <NUM> is spaced apart from the rear surface (or the second opening 241b) of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by a predetermined distance, the light reaching the reflecting plate <NUM> may cover most of the rear area of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the reflecting plate <NUM> may include a reflecting mirror, SUS, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or such a metal. According to an embodiment, the reflecting plate <NUM> may be formed of a lightweight polymer sheet or plastic plate. According to another embodiment, the reflecting plate <NUM> may be formed of a metal foil such as an aluminum foil. The reflecting plate <NUM> may be integrally formed with the opening/closing part <NUM> and may be a component that substantially replaces the opening/closing part <NUM> playing a role to open/close the air flow. Further, various embodiments of the disclosure may also include an embodiment in which the opening/closing part <NUM> is formed of a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil, and the reflecting plate <NUM> corresponds to a metal thin film formed on at least one surface of the foil.

According to various embodiments described above, the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may be contaminated as the electronic device <NUM> is used, deteriorating filtering efficiency. For example, the contaminants in the air may be adsorbed to the beads <NUM> included in the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, and if sufficient light is not received from the light source <NUM> (e.g., when beads adsorbed with contaminants are present in the blind spots which are not reached by light in the photocatalyst filter), the filtering performance of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may not be sufficiently exerted.

When its filtering performance is deteriorated, the filter may be replaced with a new filter directly by the user. In contrast, the disclosure provides various embodiments for a method for automatically recycling the photocatalyst filter with deteriorated filtering performance.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a filter recycling procedure according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter recycling procedure may include at least one of operations <NUM> to <NUM>.

In connection with operation <NUM>, in the state in which the air clean mode of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., air purifier) is terminated (or in a state in which it is not executed), the controller <NUM> may measure the quality of the internal or ambient air of the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time. According to an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may measure the quality of the internal air of the electronic device <NUM> and the quality of the external air of the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time (e.g., time t1) using the first sensor <NUM> inside the electronic device <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> of the external electronic device <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the first sensor <NUM> may be used to detect the concentration of a specific contaminant (e.g., gas) in the air inside the electronic device <NUM>, and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be used to detect the concentration of a specific contaminant (e.g., gas) in the air outside the electronic device <NUM> using the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may obtain data related to the contaminant detected by the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> and, based thereupon, determine whether the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is contaminated. The data may include a parameter (e.g., increment in odor or degree of odor) related to the contamination of air inside/outside the electronic device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may identify an increment (hereinafter, "sensor value increment") or a decrement (hereinafter, "sensor value decrement") in the parameter over time, using the obtained data.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> may compare the sensor value increments. As a result of detection thereof, the degree of contamination of the air inside the electronic device <NUM> may be measured as larger than the degree of contamination of the air outside the electronic device <NUM>. In other words, the sensor value increment of the first sensor <NUM> may be measured as larger than the sensor value increment of the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>. In this case, it may be estimated that contaminants remain on the filter (e.g., photocatalyst filter) disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the air clean mode of the electronic device <NUM> is terminated or the air clean mode is not executed. It may be thus estimated that the performance of the filter is deteriorated.

In connection with operation <NUM>, if the performance of the filter is estimated to be deteriorated, the filter recycling mode may be activated. In this case, the filter recycling mode may be automatically executed. Further, notifications for filter recycling may be displayed through the display unit <NUM> or <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> or the display unit <NUM> and/or <NUM> of the external electronic device <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the filter recycling mode is started, filter recycling may be performed by adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light source <NUM> based on the value of contamination measured through the sensor. As the value of contamination of the filter increases, the light source <NUM> may emit more light (or stronger light). In the filter recycling mode, the operation of the blower fan <NUM> may be stopped. As described above in connection with various embodiments described above, in the filter recycling mode, the opening/closing part <NUM> may be closed, and the light emitted from the light source <NUM> may be reflected by the reflecting plate <NUM> to evenly reach the beads <NUM>, leading to increased filtering efficiency of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

In connection with operation <NUM>, a predetermined time (e.g., time t2) after entering the filter recycling mode, or after filter recycling is terminated by the user's input, the electronic device <NUM> may activate the air purification function using the recycled filter.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a filter recycling procedure according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the filter recycling procedure may include at least one of operations <NUM> to <NUM>.

In connection with operation <NUM>, in the state in which the air clean mode of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., air purifier) is running, the controller <NUM> may measure the quality of the internal or ambient air of the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time. According to an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may measure the quality of the internal air of the electronic device <NUM> and the quality of the external air of the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time (e.g., time t1) using the first sensor <NUM> inside the electronic device <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> of the external electronic device <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the first sensor <NUM> may be used to detect the concentration of a specific contaminant (e.g., gas) in the air inside the electronic device <NUM>, and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be used to detect the concentration of a specific contaminant (e.g., gas) in the air outside the electronic device <NUM> using the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may obtain data related to the contaminant detected by the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> and, based thereupon, determine whether the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is contaminated. The data may include a parameter (e.g., increment in odor or degree of odor) related to the contamination of air inside/outside the electronic device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may identify an increment (hereinafter, 'sensor value increment') or a decrement (hereinafter, 'sensor value decrement') in the parameter over time, using the obtained data. Operation <NUM> may be the same as operation <NUM> of the above-described embodiment.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> may compare the sensor value decrements. A decrease in the sensor value may mean a decrease in contaminants detected by the sensor. In other words, a large decrease in the sensor value may mean that the contaminant removal function is smoothly performed. For example, when the sensor value decrement of the first sensor <NUM> is larger than the sensor value decrement of the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>, it may mean that the contaminant removal performance of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> around the first sensor <NUM> is good.

In contrast, in connection with operation <NUM>, the sensor value decrement of the first sensor <NUM> may not be larger than the sensor value decrement of the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

In connection with operations <NUM> and <NUM>, when the sensor value decrement of the first sensor <NUM> is similar to the sensor value decrement of the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>, it may be estimated that the performance of the photocatalyst filter is deteriorated so that the filtering function is not normally operated. Here, that the sensor value decrements of the two sensors are similar may mean that the sensor value decrements have a difference by a preset error range. In this case, in connection with operation <NUM>, if the performance of the filter is estimated to be deteriorated, the filter recycling mode may be activated. Further, a notification for filter recycling may be displayed to allow the user to recognize the necessity of filter recycling or to recognize that the air clean function may not be normally operated. In operation <NUM>, it may be determined whether to activate the filter recycling mode according to the user's selection.

In connection with operation <NUM>, even when the sensor value decrement of the first sensor <NUM> is smaller than the sensor value decrement of the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>, it may be estimated that the filtering function of the photocatalyst filter is not normally operated. In this case, it may be estimated that the performance of the filter is further deteriorated than when the sensor value decrement of the first sensor <NUM> is measured as similar to the sensor value decrement of the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>, automatically activating the filter recycling mode.

In connection with operation <NUM>, in the state in which the air clean mode of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., air purifier) is running, the controller <NUM> may measure the quality of the internal or ambient air of the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time. In the instant embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may not necessarily require the state in which the air clean mode is operated. For example, operation <NUM> may be implemented even in a state where the air clean mode of the electronic device is terminated or a state in which the air clean mode is not executed. The controller <NUM> may measure the quality of the internal air of the electronic device <NUM> and the quality of the external air of the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time (e.g., time t1) using the first sensor <NUM> inside the electronic device <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> of the external electronic device <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may determine the amount of gas to be reduced (hereinafter, referred to as 'gas reduction amount') when the air clean mode of the electronic device <NUM> is operated, based on a preset algorithm of the sensor and using the data obtained from the first sensor <NUM>. The preset algorithm of the sensor may be an algorithm related to the amount to be reduced per type of gas within a predetermined time. The algorithm may be stored in the controller <NUM> or a memory of a sensor IC provided separately in the sensor. According to the algorithm, it may be determined what gas has been reduced how much while the air clean function is running.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may compare the gas reduction amount of a specific gas (e.g., 60ppm for toluene) with the adsorption limit of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. For example, the adsorption limit for a specific gas may be preset when the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is manufactured. For example, when the gas reduction amount is smaller than the adsorption limit, it may be determined that the filtering performance of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is effective.

In connection with operations <NUM> and <NUM>, when the gas reduction amount is similar to the adsorption limit, it may be predicted to approach the filtering limit of the photocatalyst filter. Here, that the gas reduction amount is similar to the adsorption limit may mean that there is a difference by a preset error range. In this case, in connection with operation <NUM>, if the performance of the filter is estimated to be deteriorated, the filter recycling mode may be activated. Further, a notification for filter recycling may be displayed to allow the user to recognize the necessity of filter recycling or to recognize that the air clean function may not be normally operated. In operation <NUM>, it may be determined whether to activate the filter recycling mode according to the user's selection.

In connection with operation <NUM>, when the gas reduction amount is larger than the adsorption limit, it may be predicted that the photocatalyst filter exceeds the filtering limit so that the performance of the filter is to be deteriorated. In this case, the filter recycling mode may be automatically activated.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may measure the quality of air inside and around the electronic device <NUM> during a predetermined time. Data for the quality of the internal air of the electronic device <NUM> using the first sensor <NUM> and the quality of the external air of the electronic device <NUM> using the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be obtained.

In connection with operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the ambient air of the electronic device <NUM> meets a reference for clean air based on the data obtained in relation to the air quality in the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> and/or <NUM>. Determining whether the reference for clean air is met may be intended for forming an optimal environment to recycle the filter.

When the ambient air of the electronic device <NUM> is determined to be clean, it may be additionally determined whether the recycling (or replacement) of the photocatalyst filter exceeds a predetermined time in connection with operation <NUM>. For example, when the photocatalyst filter does not exceed a predesignated recycling cycle or replacement cycle, the filtering performance of the photocatalyst filter may be estimated to be effective and, when exceeding the predesignated recycling cycle or replacement cycle of the filter, the filtering performance of the photocatalyst filter may be estimated to be deteriorated.

In connection with operation <NUM>, when the photocatalyst filter exceeds the predesignated recycling cycle or replacement cycle, the filter recycling mode may be activated. Further, a notification for filter recycling may be displayed to allow the user to recognize the necessity of filter recycling or to recognize that the air clean function may not be normally operated.

Hereinafter, various examples for increasing the filtering efficiency of the photocatalytic filter may be described. For example, the embodiments of <FIG> may disclose various examples of increasing photocatalytic filter efficiency by means of the light source <NUM>. As another example, the embodiments of <FIG> may disclose various examples of increasing photocatalyst filter efficiency by changing the blowing direction of the blower fan <NUM>. As another example, the embodiment of <FIG> may disclose various examples of increasing photocatalyst filter efficiency by applying a photocatalyst filter according to an embodiment different from the previous embodiments.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a method for increasing the photocatalyst filter recycling efficiency using a light source <NUM> according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a view illustrating a method for increasing the photocatalyst filter recycling efficiency using a light source <NUM> according to an embodiment different from that of <FIG>. <FIG> is a view illustrating a method for increasing the photocatalyst filter recycling efficiency using a light source <NUM> according to another embodiment different from that of <FIG>. <FIG> is a view illustrating a method for increasing the photocatalyst filter recycling efficiency using a light source <NUM> according to another embodiment different from that of <FIG>.

<FIG> may disclose various embodiments to increase the amount of light that is incident on the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and reaches the beads <NUM> using, e.g., the number of light emitting elements of the light source <NUM> positioned in front of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, intensity of light emissions, or variations in incidence angle.

Referring to <FIG>, when a plurality of light sources <NUM> are present in the electronic device <NUM>, and the plurality of light sources <NUM> each include a plurality of light emitting elements (e.g., LEDs), the amount of light may be increased by increasing the number of light emitting elements that emit light.

Referring to <FIG>, when the intensity of the light emitted from the light source <NUM> is adjustable, it is possible to increase the photocatalyst filter efficiency by emitting stronger light from the light source <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> illustrate operations in the filter recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. According to the embodiment of <FIG>, it is possible to more quickly recycle the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by increasing more light radiations to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> than the light radiations from the light source <NUM> in the air clean mode.

According to various embodiments, the above-described embodiment of <FIG> may be described with reference to the embodiment of <FIG>. It may be possible to emit weak light from the light source <NUM> as shown in (a) of <FIG> when the recycling of the filter <NUM> is performed in a state in which the amount of gas adsorbed to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is small and emit strong light from the light source <NUM> as shown in (b) of <FIG> when the recycling of the filter <NUM> is performed in a state in which the amount of gas adsorbed to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is large.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the photocatalyst filter by increasing the amount of light reaching the internal space of the photocatalyst filter by changing the light radiation direction of the light source <NUM>. A method for changing the radiation direction of the light source <NUM> may be varied according to embodiments as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which the air flows in a forward direction F or reverse direction RF through at least one cell of a photocatalyst filter <NUM>. <FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which particles in the air are adsorbed to beads <NUM> when the air flows in a forward direction F. <FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which particles in the air are adsorbed to beads <NUM> when the air flows in a reverse direction RF.

The air flowing in the electronic device <NUM> may pass through at least one cell of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and flow in the forward direction F by the operation of the blower fan <NUM> or flow in the reverse direction RF which is opposite to the forward direction F by the operation of the blower fan <NUM>.

For example, the blower fan <NUM> may introduce the air from outside of the electronic device, and the air introduced into the internal space of the electronic device <NUM> may flow in the forward direction F from the inlet to the outlet. The electronic device <NUM> may purify the external air of the electronic device <NUM> through the air flow in the forward direction F, e.g., when the air clean mode is activated. Referring back to <FIG>, in the forward direction F flow, the air may sequentially pass through the first opening 241a and the second opening 241b of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

As another example, the blower fan <NUM> may flow the air in the reverse direction RF as opposed to the flow in the forward direction. According to an embodiment, it is possible to flow the air present in the electronic device <NUM> in the reverse direction RF during a predetermined time, by means of the blower fan <NUM>. According to another embodiment, it is also possible to introduce the air from outside of the electronic device through the reverse direction RF flow using the blower fan <NUM>. In this case, the air introduced into the internal space of the electronic device <NUM> may flow in the reverse direction from the outlet to the inlet. The electronic device <NUM> may remove the contaminants adsorbed in the filter through the air flow in the reverse direction RF, (e.g., in the filter recycling mode). Referring back to <FIG>, in the reverse direction RF flow, the air may sequentially pass through the second opening 241b and the first opening 241a of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

In the filter recycling mode, as in the embodiment shown in (b) of <FIG>, and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may allow the air to flow in the reverse direction RF, leading to desorption of the contaminants adsorbed in the rear section of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. It is possible to implement a process for delivering the contaminants, which are adsorbed to the beads in the rear section of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> and are thus not decomposed due to the reverse flow RF of the air, to the beads in the front section and decomposing them.

Referring to (a) of <FIG>, the air introduced into the inside of the electronic device <NUM> in the forward F air flow may contain a plurality of contaminant particles <NUM>. The plurality of contaminant particles <NUM> may be evenly adsorbed over the entire area of the plurality of beads <NUM> disposed in the photocatalyst filter <NUM> as shown in (b) of <FIG>. For example, as described above in connection with the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, in the recycling process of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, some of the plurality of contaminant particles <NUM> may be contaminant-free particles <NUM>, but others, e.g., the particles <NUM> positioned in the rear section of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, far from the section where the light source <NUM> is disposed, may remain contaminated despite the filter recycling process.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to remove the contaminants adsorbed to the photocatalyst filter <NUM> by reversing the blowing direction of the blower fan <NUM> in the recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. The embodiment of <FIG> of <FIG> may be performed continuously and subsequently to the recycling process of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to the embodiment of <FIG> described above.

Referring to (a) of <FIG>, the contaminants <NUM> adsorbed to the beads <NUM> in the rear section in the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may be moved to the front section in the photocatalyst filter <NUM> in the process of the reverse F air flow. Referring to <FIG>, the particles <NUM> positioned in the rear section of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may be moved to the front section of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, and the contaminants may be removed by the photocatalyst reaction. Thus, it is possible to effectively remove the contaminants adsorbed to the beads <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the filter recycling mode using the reverse flow according to the embodiment of <FIG> may be operated only when the degree of contamination in the indoor air is lower than a predetermined value through at least one sensor <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which a plurality of subfilters included in a photocatalyst filter are switched according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may include a plurality of separated subfilters. In the enlarged view in (b) of <FIG>, the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may include a plurality of subfilters <NUM>' separated in the width direction. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, the front section and the rear section of the plurality of subfilters may be switched.

The plurality of subfilters <NUM>' may include a first portion <NUM>-<NUM> positioned toward the first light source <NUM> from the virtual line passing through the middle area of the filter and a second portion <NUM>-<NUM> facing away from the first portion <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, when the air clean mode of the electronic device <NUM> is terminated or activated, contaminants may remain adsorbed to the beads positioned in the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of subfilters <NUM>'. To remove the contaminants to increase recycling efficiency, the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> and second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of subfilters <NUM>' may be switched. According to an embodiment, the plurality of subfilters <NUM>' may be rotated <NUM> degrees about the axis <NUM>-<NUM> formed in the center of the filter. For example, after first recycling of the photocatalyst filter <NUM>, the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of subfilters <NUM>' may be switched so that the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> faces the light source <NUM> while the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> faces away from the light source <NUM>, and then, second recycling of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> may be performed.

According to the embodiment shown in <FIG>, it is possible to increase the recycling effect by the effect of mixing the beads <NUM> in the photocatalyst filter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the degassing efficiency per cycle of a photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

For example, referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the degassing rate may be gradually lowered according to the operation cycles of the air purifier when operating the air clean function using the photocatalyst filter <NUM>. If contaminants adsorbed to the beads <NUM> of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> are not removed but accumulated, the degassing efficiency may be drastically lowered whenever the air clean function is repeatedly used. Accordingly, it is preferable to recycle the photocatalyst filter <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure, after using the air clean function a predetermined number of times. <FIG> illustrates an example in which the degassing efficiency of the photocatalyst filter <NUM> is lowered every cycle of, e.g., a period of <NUM> minutes. It may be identified that the degassing efficiency is recovered to a degree similar to that in the initial state by recycling the photocatalyst filter <NUM> during a predetermined time (e.g., <NUM> hours) after some cycles, according to various embodiments of the disclosure described above through the embodiments of <FIG>.

Some of the plurality of entities may be separately disposed in different components.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, there may be provided an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) comprising a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>), a photocatalyst filter (e.g., the photocatalyst filter <NUM> of <FIG>), at least one sensor (e.g., the first sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in the housing, a blower fan (e.g., the blower fan <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to introduce air into the housing, a light source (e.g., the light source <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to emit light to the photocatalyst filter, and a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to control driving of the blower fan and the light source, wherein the controller is configured to determine a degree of contamination of the photocatalyst filter based on a difference in sensor values or a rate of change in sensor values between the at least one sensor disposed in the housing and at least one other sensor (e.g., the second sensor <NUM> or <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed outside the housing, and recycle the photocatalyst filter based on the determined degree of contamination of the photocatalyst filter.

According to various embodiments, the photocatalyst filter may include a body (e.g., the body <NUM> of <FIG>) including an internal space through which a fluid passes, a plurality of photocatalyst beads (e.g., the beads <NUM> of <FIG>) provided in the internal space, and an opening/closing part (e.g., the opening/closing part <NUM> of <FIG>) connected with the body and configured to opene or close based on a flow of the fluid. A reflecting plate (e.g., the reflecting plate <NUM> of <FIG>) may be formed on one surface of the opening/closing part to reflect light to increase an amount of light reaching the beads when the opening/closing part is closed.

According to various embodiments, the body may include a first opening (e.g., the first opening 241a of <FIG>) formed on a front surface of the body and a second opening (e.g., the second opening 241b of <FIG>) formed in a rear surface of the body.

According to various embodiments, the opening/closing part may be formed to open or close over the second opening.

According to various embodiments, the reflecting plate may face the first opening when the opening/closing part closes over the second opening.

According to various embodiments, the opening/closing part may be a passive opening/closing part opened or closed according to a flow of air according to driving of the blower fan.

According to various embodiments, the beads may be hybrid beads including a photocatalyst material to decompose contaminants in the fluid by causing photocatalytic oxidation and an adsorbent to adsorb the contaminants in the fluid.

According to various embodiments, the reflecting plate may include a light scattering material or have a shape formed on a surface thereof and configured to scatter light.

According to various embodiments, the housing may include an a opening/closing part flap assembly opened or closed based on a flow of the fluid. A reflecting plate may be formed on one surface of the opening/closing part flap assembly to reflect light to increase an amount of light reaching the beads when the opening/closing part flap assembly is closed.

According to various embodiments, the controller may be configured to recycle the photocatalyst filter when the amount of increase of a first sensor value obtained by the at least one sensor disposed in the housing is larger than the amount of increase of a second sensor value obtained from at least one sensor disposed outside the housing after an air clean mode of the electronic device is terminated.

According to various embodiments, the controller may be configured to recycle the photocatalyst filter when the amount of decrease of a first sensor value obtained by the at least one sensor disposed in the housing is smaller than the amount of decrease of a second sensor value obtained from at least one sensor disposed outside the housing while an air clean mode of the electronic device is running.

According to various embodiments, the photocatalyst filter may be automatically recycled by the controller.

According to various embodiments, the controller may be configured to increase a number of light emitting elements to allow the light source to emit more light in a recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter.

According to various embodiments, the controller may be configured to increase an intensity of light emitting elements to allow the light source to emit more light in a recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter.

According to various embodiments, the controller may be configured to change a light radiation direction of the light source in a recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter.

According to various embodiments, the controller may be configured to reverse an air flow direction of the blower fan in a recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter.

According to various embodiments, the photocatalyst filter may include a plurality of subfilters which are separated, and a front section and a rear section of the plurality of subfilters may be switched in a recycling mode of the photocatalyst filter.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) for purifying air, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a photocatalyst filter (<NUM>);
at least one sensor (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>);
a blower fan (<NUM>) configured to introduce air into the housing (<NUM>);
a light source (<NUM>) configured to emit light to the photocatalyst filter (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control driving of the blower fan (<NUM>) and the light source (<NUM>),
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to
perform communication and information transfer with at least one external electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) including at least one other sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>),
determine a degree of contamination of air based on a difference in sensor values or a rate of change in sensor values between the at least one sensor (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>) and the at least one other sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the external electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
perform an operation of recycling the photocatalyst filter (<NUM>) based on the determined degree of contamination of air,
wherein the photocatalyst filter (<NUM>) includes:
a body (<NUM>) including an internal space through which the air passes;
a plurality of photocatalytic beads (<NUM>) provided in the internal space;
characterised that the photocatalyst filter (<NUM>) furthermore includes:
an opening/closing part (<NUM>) connected with the body (<NUM>) and configured to open or close based on a flow of the air, and
wherein a reflecting plate (<NUM>) is formed on one surface of the opening/closing part (<NUM>) to reflect light to increase an amount of light reaching the plurality of photocatalytic beads (<NUM>) when the opening/closing part is closed.