High-Aspect Ratio Multicurvature Separation Device and Hybrid Type Air Cleaner Using the Same

An inertial separator comprises, a main duct having a first half (H1) with high aspect ratio and positive curvature and a latter half (H2) with larger average curvature and an opened outside wall; a boundary layer suction part (H3) formed on a side of the opened outside wall of the latter half (H2); a curved duct (H4c) of a final collection part succeeding the boundary layer suction part(H3), having a larger mean curvature and a smaller radial channel width than the latter half (H2) of the main duct, with an opened outside wall; and a collection chamber part formed on a side of the opened outside wall of the curved duct (H4c) of the final collection part. A hybrid air cleaner combines the said inertial separator with an air filter, removably having an allergen suction means sucking an allergen from hair, bedding and so on, and a separated blowing mouth whereby a suspended allergen is transported during a patient's sleep.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus that collects airborne particles and particles adhering to objects, and in particular, relates to an inertial separator and a hybrid air cleaner that comprises the inertial separator and an air filter, removably having an allergen suction means.

BACKGROUND ART

The increase of atopy and allergic disease is a global tendency, and 30 to 50[%] of the whole population are estimated to be atopic (non-patent ref. 1 which is listed hereinafter). The atopy indicates the condition wherein IgE is inclined to be generated against foreign antigens and Type I allergy is inclined to be caused. The typical diseases of Type I allergy are allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchial asthma and allergic conjunctivitis, which are caused by airborne particles containing antigen. As such airborne particles, house dust whose important constituent is dust mites is mentioned in a perennial case, and pollen mentioned in a seasonal case.

(Perennial Allergic Rhinitis)

Allergic disease shows a tendency of increasing and house dust mite allergy is recognized as a global health problem by WHO (non-patent ref. 1).

According to the allergy skin prick test among adults in south west London, the proportion of subjects with at least one positive reaction (that is the diameter of weal caused by grass pollen, house dust, or house dust mite antigens is larger than 1 [μm]), showed a significant increase from 23[%](312/1359) in 1974 to 46[%](34/74) in 1988 (non-patent ref. 2). According to the follow-up

survey of the allergy skin test that was carried out on 1333 subjects aged 3 years and more, in Tucson, Ariz., during 8 years on average, the proportion of subjects with at least one positive reaction to plural antigens increased from 39.1[%] to 50.7[%] (non-patent ref. 3).

Furthermore, the proportion of the complicated cases of perennial allergic rhinitis and pollinosis is large. According to the postal questionnaire to adults aged 16 to 65 years in London, 55[%] of 1309 subjects with rhinitis had perennial symptoms only, 11 [%] seasonal symptoms only, and 34[%] had the complicated symptoms of them (non-patent ref. 4).

In Japan, the estimated national prevalence of perennial allergic rhinitis in 1998 is 19.8[%], and the estimated prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis is 17.3[%](non-patent ref. 5). In addition, about 37[%] of perennial allergic rhinitis are in the complication of Japanese cedar pollinosis, which is based on the complication rate of these two allergic rhinitis by age groups, and others (non-patent ref. 6).

In perennial allergic rhinitis and allergic bronchial asthma, the dust mite allergen scattering from bedding is the matter of great concern. The dust mite allergen is contained in the fragments of the dead bodies and feces of mites. They break into particles with a aerodynamic diameter of over 1 or 2 [μm] and scatter (non-patent ref. 7). According to the example of measuring the aero-concentration of Der□ and Der□ as major allergens, the aero-concentration at the place near a sleeper's head and 30 [μm] high above a quilt is about 10 times as large as that at the place a little high above a usual floor (non-patent ref. 8). From the viewpoints of the length of sleeping hours and the situation in which the respiratory organs are close to bedding, it is understood how serious it is for the dust mite allergen to scatter from bedding.

Allergen exists in nightclothes also. The Der□ concentration of the fine dust got from nightclothes is over 2 μg/g fine dust] on average, which can induce allergic symptoms (non-patent ref. 9).

(A Hybrid Air Cleaner)

It is known that the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis are reduced if bedding is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. However, it is hard to get into the habit of cleaning bedding with the vacuum cleaner of a floor movable type or a stick type. The vacuum cleaner of a handy type, which integrally has a motor and a paper dust pack, is too heavy to be easily handled.

Furthermore, although the dust mite allergen exists mainly inside bedding, cushions and others, rather than on the surface of these, yet it hasn't been achieved to remove the inner allergen effectively with the existing vacuum cleaner.

The patient of perennial allergic rhinitis uses an air cleaner while sleeping, so it is useful that the air cleaner is equipped with a light allergen suction means and bedding is easily cleaned. In this case, dust sucked from bedding is too heavy as the load of an air filter, so it is necessary to install a pre-collector which can collect comparatively large particles in front of the air filter.

There are a cyclone, a multiclone, an inertial separator with a duct (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,561, U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,604 and Japanese Patent Examined Publication S52-29277) and a renewable filter, for example a stainless steel wire screen and so on, as separators which collect comparatively large airborne particles.

The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,561, shown in FIG. 46(a), is a dust collector having a rectangular duct with continuous curvature and spanwise channel width larger than radial, having an aperture on an outside adjacent to an outlet.

The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,604, shown in FIG. 46(b), is the one to remove mineral fibers pneumatically transported, wherein a duct with a square or rectangular section is curved by 90 degree and an air current passes through an exhaust portal, separated particles getting to an output portal.

A representative dust collector is a cyclone or a multiclone comprising a plurality of cyclones in parallel. Although the collection efficiency of them is high, yet pressure loss is large. A tangential inlet cyclone is usually used at an inlet flow velocity of 7 to 15 [m/s], and according to linoya's formula, the pressure loss of the above cyclone with the standard size ratio is about 240 to 1100[Pa] with an outlet pipe open to the atmosphere (non-patent ref. 10).

Furthermore, a high-velocity swirling flow at the exit of the apparatus is extremely turbulent, which is not preferable for the input of a backward air filter.

Therefore, when the cyclone or the multiclone is used as a pre-collector in front of the air filter, the suction power of the allergen suction means becomes weak. Furthermore, a household air cleaner is generally equipped with a fan whose wind flow rate is large and static pressure is low, so in a case where a flow to deal with by the allergen suction means ranges, the cyclone becomes unable to deal with a large flow.

Next, the method of separating particles from air with a curved duct is described. Although the curved duct has the advantage that pressure loss is small, yet its collection efficiency is not good owing to the flow turbulence caused by centrifugal force.

When particles and so on are separated from air using the duct with a circle or square section (for example, Japanese Patent Examined Publication S52-29277), a secondary flow, a velocity component, that is perpendicular to a main stream direction, develops, so the particle collection efficiency falls. The secondary flow is a phenomenon that is caused by the difference of a radial fluid thickness and the presence or absence of a sidewall friction.

The duct shown in FIG. 46(b) is also much affected by the sidewall friction. Furthermore, even if the duct is provided with a collection chamber at the output portal, particles separated from a flow tend to re-scatter, because a collection mouth is wide.

On the other hand, in a curved rectangular duct with high aspect ratio, the effect of friction is restricted to the neighborhood of a sidewall and different flow properties emerge over an outside concave wall and an inside convex wall. Concerning the stability and unstability of concentric flow, such things as the following are considered by persons, from Prandtl down (non-patent ref. 11).

When fluid mass moves circularly at radius y and velocity U, centrifugal force is balanced against the pressure gradient. Therefore, let p and ρa be pressure and air density, respectively, and


ρa(U2/y)=dp/dy

holds. Let U1 and U2 be the velocity at radius y1 and y2, respectively. Now, when a fluid mass at radius y1 moves to be at radius y2 and the velocity U becomes U′, angular momentum is conserved like the next,


ρay1U1=ρay2U′.

At this time, centrifugal force which acts on the fluid mass having moved is


ρa(U′2/y2)=ρa(y1U1/y2)2/y2.

If this value is smaller than the pressure gradient at radius y2, ρaU22/y2, that is y1U1□y2U2, the turbulence goes toward restoration, with the result that the flow becomes stable. Conversely, the former is larger than the latter, that is y1U1□y2U2, the turbulence goes toward increase, with the result that the flow becomes unstable. To be brief, in the concentric flow, angular momentum radially increasing, the flow becomes stable, and angular momentum radially decreasing, the flow becomes unstable.

In the curved rectangular duct with high aspect ratio, taking the radial distribution of the main stream velocity into consideration, the side to fulfill the stability condition that angular momentum increases is the convex wall side, and the one to become unstable is the concave wall side.

This is proved by the many experimental results of the past. In the boundary layer over a concave wall, there often occur Görtler vorticies, the counter-rotating longitudinal vortex pairs whose axes are parallel to the direction of the main stream. Görtler vorticies are stationary longitudinal vorticies that occur in the transition process from laminar flow to turbulent in a boundary layer, and it is also observed in a turbulent boundary layer. It is difficult to predict the occurrence of Görtler vorticies. The occurrence is much influenced by an overall apparatus configuration and turbulence at an entrance, and the vorticies occur in some cases and do not occur in other cases. Even if the stationary vortices do not occur, the turbulence over the concave wall, which is caused by centrifugal force, is large.

To the contrary, turbulent flow is further suppressed over the convex wall, which has been made clear by a flow visualization using a smoke wire method and the measurement of turbulent energy (non-patent ref. 12, non-patent ref. 13).

When particles are separated from the air flow by the curved rectangular duct with high aspect ratio, a flow turbulence over the concave wall of a duct like FIG. 46(a) is large, so a particle separation efficiency is not good. In addition, prominent blades themselves disturb the current. Further, in this apparatus, even if it is equipped with not plural collection mouths but a single narrow collection mouth, collection efficiency is low. Further, even if it is equipped with a single wide collection mouth, collection efficiency is not good because of the re-scattering of collected dust.

The above is the major problem wherein particles are inertially collected from the air with the duct.

Furthermore, the conventional inertial dust collector with the duct has a problem wherein a particle with large inertia and unfixed form tends to escape. When the diameter or velocity of a particle increases, which means a particle inertia increases, the particle property of following a current decreases, the property of moving straight increasing. In addition, a particle with a non-spherical or unfixed form irregularly bounces on a wall surface. For that reason, in the duct shown in FIG. 46(a), such particles tend to pass over the collection part. In the duct shown in FIG. 46(b), particles, which somewhat obliquely entered from an inlet, bounce on an outside wall, occasionally escaping. The phenomenon that hard coarse particles bounce on the wall surface and does not be collected is observed in the cyclone also. It is considered that the reason why the collection efficiency of the cyclone with a cylinder diameter less than 100 [mm] does not necessarily progress is the bounce of particles on the wall surface (non-patent ref. 14). Because an air filter is used backward in a hybrid air cleaner, such particles as have escaped become the load of the air filter in full.

Next, a case where a renewable filter is used is described. When the renewable filter is applied, collected dust is accumulated according to the use with the result that the suction power of the allergen suction means falls. Further, it has the problem of quickening the degradation of a deodorizing filter because the flow passes through the collected dust. In addition, it has a non-sanitary aspect where unwanted bacteria breed according to the temperature and humidity after water washing.

Furthermore, when particles with a diameter smaller than 20 [μm] are collected by a wire mesh of stainless steel, pressure loss gets large. The typical weave styles of wire meshes are plain weave, twill weave and twill dutch weave. The plain or twill weave is the weave style where every warp or weft is apart woven. Although its pressure loss is small, a minimum aperture is 20 [μm]. The twill dutch weave is the weave style where wefts touches each other and a small wedge-shaped aperture, which is made up of the warp and weft, plays a part as a filtering hole. Although its minimum filtering diameter can be under 20 [μm], its pressure loss is large. The pressure lose of the twill dutch wire mesh with a filtering diameter of 20 [μm] is 6 to 7 times larger than the twill wire mesh with a aperture of 20 [μm]. In bedding and so on, particles with a diameter smaller than 20 [μm], which settled from atmospheric aerosol, are much contained. Pressure loss gets large when the twill dutch wire mesh is used.

By the way, in the season when pollen scatters, pollen which adhered to hair or clothes during outdoor stay is carried indoors, and it re-scatters from them also. Pollen which re-scatters apart from hair passes near the eyes and the respiratory organs, easily inducing allergic symptoms. The number of female patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis, aged 10 to 49 years, is greater than that of male patients (non-patent ref. 2, non-patent ref. 15). Woman's hair is so long and rich that pollen tends to adhere to it and deep enter it. Further, pollen that has invaded indoors and deposited on a sofa, bedding and so on, re-scatters from them during their use, inducing allergic symptoms. It is desirable to remove such pollen effectively, but the method or the apparatus is not presented.

Lastly, air blowing and circulation is mentioned. Although a conventional air cleaner circulates and purifies the air of a whole room, yet to remove the allergen suspending near the respiratory organs, which is most important for the patient of perennial allergic rhinitis, is not sufficiently done.

LIST OF NON-PATENT REFERENCES

  • 1) Makino S(superv.): Global strategy of asthma control and prevention, NHLBI/WHO Workshop Reports, p31, International Medical Publisher, LTD., Tokyo, 1995.
  • 2) Sibbald B, RInk E: Is the prevalence of atopy increasing?, Bri.J.Gen.Practice, 40, 338, 1990.
  • 3) Barbee R A, Kaltenborn W, et al.: Longitudinal changes in allergen skin test reactivity in a community population sample, J.Allergy Clin.lmmunol., 79, 16, 1987.
  • 4 □ Sibbald B, Rink E: Epidemiology of seasonal and perennial rhinitis; clinical presentation and medical history, Thorax, 46, 895, 1991.
  • 5) Nakamura A, Asai Tet al.:Epidemiological national survey of allergic rhinitis-on otorhinolaryngologists and their families of the whole country-, Trans.Oto-Rhino-Laryn.Soc.Japan, 105, 215, 2002.
  • 6) Baba K, Nakamura A: Epidemiology of Japanese pollinosis and perennial allergic rhinitis, Allergology, 15, 84, 2003.
  • 7) Yoshizawa S, Sugawara F, et al.: Kinetics of the falling of airborne mite allergens (Der□ and Der□), Allergy, 40(4), 435, 1991.
  • 8) Sakaguchi M, Inouye S, et al.: Concentration of airborne mite allergens (Der□and Der□) during sleep, Allergy, 47, 55, 1992.
  • 9) Enomoto T: Allergic rhinitis and environmental control, Progress in Medicine, 22(2), 343, 2002.
  • 10) The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers edit.: The handbook of mechanical engineering, the part of engineering, C8,C8-22, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tokyo, 1989.
  • 11) Prandtl L: Effect of stabilizing forces on tubulence, NACA TM-625(Translation of “Vortrage aus dem Gebiete der Aerodynamik und verwandter Gebiete”, Aachen, 1929).
  • 12) Shizawa T, Shirai H, et al.: The study of longitudinal vortices in the turbulent boundary layer over a concave wall, JSME Inter.J.(pt B), 50, 51, 1984.
  • 13) Kim W J, Patel V C: Origin and decay of longitudinal vortices in developing flow in a curved rectangular duct, J.Fluids Eng., 116, 45, 1994.
  • 14) Iinoya K: Engineering of Dust Collection, p. 98, The Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun, LTD., Tokyo, 1980.
  • 15) Tanaka A, Iwase A, et al.: Epidemiology of Japanese cedar pollinosis—from the questionnaire survey on Mibuchou-, Trans.Oto-Rhino-Laryn.Soc.Japan,102, 35, 1999.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an inertial separator which has low pressure loss and high collection efficiency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hybrid air cleaner, comprising the inertial separator and an air filter, which can strongly and efficiently suck the dust mite allergen from bedding, nightclothes and so on, and can suck pollen adhering to hair, clothes, bedding, sofas and so on.

Another object of the invention is to provide the hybrid air cleaner, wherein the load of the air filter is small.

A further object of the invention is to provide the hybrid air cleaner which can efficiently transport airborne particles during sleep.

The inertial separator and the hybrid air cleaner of the present invention are composed like the following. The terms in brackets < > of headings indicate the characteristic components of each item.

(A1) The Inertial Separator According to Claim 1

The inventive inertial separator according to claim 1 is the one which comprises (a) a main duct having a first half and a latter half, the first half, with positive curvature, having a spanwise channel width larger than radial, the latter half, with similar aspect ratio, having a mean curvature larger than the first half and having an opened outside wall, (b) a boundary layer suction part formed on a side of the opened outside wall of the latter half of the main duct,

(c) a final collection part succeeding the boundary layer suction part, the final collection part, having an inlet duct, an outlet duct and a curved duct formed between the inlet duct and the outlet duct, the curved duct, having a larger mean curvature and a smaller radial channel width than the latter half of the main duct, with an opened outside wall, and (d) a collection chamber part formed on a side of the opened outside wall of the curved duct of the final collection part; and wherein two ducts succeeding the latter half of the main duct and the outlet duct of the final collection part join behind.

Based on a curved duct with a rectangular cross section, the inventive inertial separator separates particles. A rectangle is got from (a) a plane perpendicular to a central flow path of the duct and (b) an inside surface of the duct. The length of one side of the rectangle, the one side being parallel to a plane containing the central flow path of the duct, defines radial channel width, and the length of another side of the rectangle, the another side being perpendicular to the said plane defines spanwise channel width. Here, the central flow path of the duct is defined as a smooth line that is got from overlapped pixels of two advancing edges or their neighborhood, when the inside and outside lines of a flow path in a plane being equidistant from both sides of the duct are morphologically dilated to the normal direction in the flow path, respectively. Further, the aspect ratio of the duct is defined as the ratio of spanwise channel width to radial channel width. Further, the curvature of the duct means the curvature of the central flow path of the duct. When the length of the central flow path is set to an independent variable and the curvature of the central flow path to a dependent variable, the mean curvature of the duct is defined as the integral value of the curvature with the length, divided by a whole length. Further, the outside walls of the latter half of the main duct and/or the curved duct of the final collection part are partially or wholly opened.

Because flow is stable over the convex wall as described above, a particle with a diameter of marginal collection is biased to the center of the flow at the exit of the first half of the main duct. In the duct with high aspect ratio, the static pressure becomes high and the main stream velocity becomes low over the concave wall because of centrifugal force. To the contrary, the former becomes low, the latter high over the convex wall, so it is further convenient to separate particles from the air in the stable flow over the convex wall.

Next, the said particle escapes from the main flow in the latter half of the main duct with larger curvature than the first half. Even if the outside wall of the latter half of the main duct is widely opened and equipped with a collection chamber part thereon, collection efficiency is not good. The reasons are (a) disturbance of the current over the concave wall of the main duct is large, (b) the particle that escaped from the main flow has a small entrance angle to the air of the collection chamber part, so the depth of penetration is shallow, and (c) the open area of the collection chamber part is large, so collected dust

tends to re-scatter. Further, even if a wall with larger radius of curvature than the hypothetical outside wall is formed and the separator is equipped with a collection chamber part succeeding the said wall, collection efficiency is not good because of (a) vorticies generated at the dead water zone between an open part of the latter half of the main duct and the said wall, and (b) particles bouncing on the wall. Therefore, the dead water zone or the largely disturbed air flow over the concave wall of the main duct is sucked and introduced to the final collection part, at the curved duct of which particles are separated. The curved duct of the final collection part has a narrow channel width and a large curvature, and in addition the disturbance of air flow is small. The particle that escaped from the current of the curved duct of the final collection part has a large entrance angle to the air of the collection chamber part, so the particle can penetrate deep to the air of the collection chamber part. Further, because the open area of the collection chamber part is small, the already collected dust does not tend to reach the final collection part. Even if the said dust reaches the said part, the said dust tends to come back again by the current of the curved duct of the said part with large curvature and small disturbance. Furthermore, the boundary layer suction part has the high static pressure because of centrifugal force, so it is convenient to suck the air flow over the concave wall of the main duct.

It is preferable that (a) the main duct aspect ratio of spanwise channel width to radial is over 3, (b) in the first half of the main duct, the ratio of the inside radius of curvature to the outside is 3/4 to 5/6, (c) in the latter half of the main duct, the ratio of the inside radius of curvature to the hypothetical outside radius of curvature is 1/4 to 1/2, (d) both the inlet and outlet ducts of the final collection part are straight ducts, and (e) in the curved duct of the final collection part, the radial channel width is 1/10 to 1/5 of that of the latter half of the main duct and the ratio of the inside radius of curvature to the hypothetical outside radius of curvature is under 1/2.

The suction flow rate of the boundary layer of the main flow or the air flow over the concave wall of the main duct is about 10 to 20[%] of the whole flow rate. The ducts succeeding the latter half of the main duct and the outlet duct of the final collection part join. A plurality of diffusers are usually used for joining and the suction flow rate is controlled by the largeness of the spreading angle, the cross-sectional area and so on of the diffusers.

It can be considered that the main duct and the boundary layer suction part has a function of concentrating air containing particles. Although the final collection part is formally similar to a virtual impactor used in an aerosol sampling, the inventive inertial separator can extremely reduce the spanwise length of the duct, compared with the case where the whole air flow is handled by the duct similar to the virtual impactor.

The inventive inertial separator is composed like the above and in sum functions like the following, (a) the particle with a diameter of marginal collection is biased to the center of the flow by the stable current over the convex wall of the first half of the main duct, escaping from the main flow in the latter half of the main duct with larger curvature than the first half, (b) the largely disturbed air flow over the concave wall of the main duct is sucked at the boundary layer suction part, and (c) the particles are separated at the curved duct of the final collection part with small disturbance and the largest curvature, whose open area to the collection chamber part is small. Therefore, the inventive inertial separator has low pressure loss, compared with the tangential inlet cyclone or the multiclone and has high collection efficiency, compared with the conventional inertial dust collectors.

In addition, in the latter half of the main duct and the curved duct of the final collection part, the radius of curvature of an inside wall can afford to be zero, that is, the inside walls of the ducts succeeding before or after can afford to be directly connected. Further, the walls of the latter half of the main duct or the curved duct of the final collection part can afford to be partly plane.

In addition, the ducts succeeding the latter half of the main duct and the outlet duct of the final collection part can be independent.

In addition, it is known that when a riblet is formed on the concave wall of a high aspect ratio duct, the occurrence of Görtler vortices are suppressed or develop according to the variation of the stream velocity. Further, when a plurality of grooves are formed, dust tends to adhere to the grooves.

(A2) The Inertial Separator According to Claim 2

The inventive inertial separator according to claim 2 is the inertial separator of Claim 1, wherein (a) a part of a wall of an upper part of the collection chamber part is formed by a re-scatter preventing board externally connecting with a driving board made of ferromagnetic material, (b) the re-scatter preventing board closes the upper part of the collection chamber part, while inertial collection is not performed, and (c) the re-scatter preventing board opens the upper part of the collection chamber part with a re-scatter preventing electromagnet attracting the driving board, while inertial collection is performed.

The upper part of the collection chamber part is opened only while inertial collection is performed, which prevents the already collected dust from re-scattering owing to the apparatus vibration caused by a motor and so on while inertial collection is not performed.

(A3) The Inertial Separator According to Claim 3

The inventive inertial separator according to claim 3 is the inertial separator of Claim 1, wherein an initial collection mouth is opened at an initial part of a curve of an outside wall of the first half of the main duct and an initial collection chamber part is formed connecting to the initial collection mouth.

As a particle diameter or stream velocity gets large, which means particle inertia increases, the straightness of particle motion in air flow strengthens. Further, the particle with an unfixed form tends to bounce irregularly on the wall surface. In the inertial separator according to claim 1, even if the particle with small inertia bounces on the wall surface, collection efficiency is good because of the tendency of a particle to follow air flow. However, the particle with large inertia and an unfixed form tends to bounce irregularly on the wall surface ranging from an outlet of the first half of the main duct to an inlet of the latter half of the main duct and to escape. Therefore, the outside wall of an initial part of a curve of the first half of the main duct is opened, so that the particle with large inertia and an unfixed form coming straight from an inlet is led to the initial collection chamber part and removed from the main duct.

Such particles are contained in soil particles or road dust scattering in the atmosphere and indoors do many more invade according to the locating condition of a house, the location of a room, the time length of opening windows and so on.

Further, it is preferable that the separator is provided with a straight inlet duct with the similar aspect ratio before the first half of the main duct.

In the inertial separator according to claim 3, the particle which has large inertia and an unfixed form, coming straight from the inlet, is removed at the initial collection mouth, so the collection efficiency of the said particle does not fall.

(A4) The Inertial Separator According to Claim 4

The inventive inertial separator according to claim 4 is the inertial separator of Claim 3, wherein (a) an upper part of the initial collection chamber part is equipped with a re-scatter preventing board of initial collection which externally connects with a driving board of initial collection made of ferromagnetic material, (b) a part of a wall of an upper part of the collection chamber part is formed by a re-scatter preventing board externally connecting with a driving board made of ferromagnetic material, (c) the re-scatter preventing board of initial collection and the re-scatter preventing board close the upper part of the initial collection chamber part and the upper part of the collection chamber part, respectively, while inertial collection is not performed, and (d) the re-scatter preventing board of initial collection and the re-scatter preventing board open the upper part of the initial collection chamber part and the upper part of the collection chamber part, respectively, with a re-scatter preventing electromagnet of initial collection and a re-scatter preventing electromagnet attracting the driving board of initial collection and the driving board, respectively, while inertial collection is performed.

The upper parts of the collection chamber part of initial collection and the collection chamber part are opened only while inertial collection is performed, which prevents the already collected dust from re-scattering owing to the apparatus vibration caused by the motor and so on while inertial collection is not performed.

Further, the inventive inertial separator is named the high aspect ratio and multi-curvature(HARMUC) separator or HARMUC.

(B) The first hybrid air cleaner (claim 5, claim 6, claim 9, claim 10, claim 13, claim 14, claim 17 and claim 18); <the inertial separator according to any of claims 1-4, a filter collection part, a suction control part, a connection part for the inertial separator and any of allergen suction means<R1>-<R4>>

The inventive first hybrid air cleaner, the one according to the claims relating to claim 5, except the claims relating to claim 7 and the claims of 21 after comprises, (a) a filter collection part having a pre-filter, a filter medium and a deodorizing filter, (b) a centrifugal fan behind the filter collection part, (c) a suction control part before the filter collection part, with a suction plate and a plate for adjusting a plurality of suction holes, the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes, both of which, having the suction holes, let an air flow pass or stop by relatively shifting. (d) any inertial separator of claims 1-4 with a plate for opening and closing an inlet, (e) a connection part for the inertial separator, connecting an outlet of the inertial separator and the space formed between the filter collection part and the suction control part, and (f′) any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4>, whose detail is described below, removably attached to the inertial separator via a single hose and an inertial separator adapter having a single hose connection part.

The inventive hybrid air cleaner according to the claims relating to claim 6 is the said hybrid air cleaner, which further comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic materials for tight closure at an edge of the plate for adjusting the suction holes and a plurality of electromagnets for tight closure held by a body of the hybrid air cleaner or the connection part for the inertial separator; and wherein the electromagnets are energized and attract the ferromagnetic materials, increasing the airtightness between the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes, while any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4> is operating.

The allergen suction means<R1> according to claim 5 comprises a wide suction mouth on a body of means and a single hose connection part at an end.

The allergen suction means<R2> according to claim 9 comprises (a) the wide suction mouth and a vibrating brush with a plurality of suction holes of a brush plate, (b) a flow path bulkhead separating the wide suction mouth and the vibrating brush, (c) a driving motor supported on a upper plate of the body of means, vibrating the vibrating brush lengthwise, (d) a plurality of vibrating brush suction holes of the body of means, on a vibrating brush side of the body of means, (e) a plate for flow path change, at a lower part of the flow path bulkhead, and (f) the single hose connection part at the end.

The allergen suction means<R3> according to claim 13 comprises (a) the wide suction mouth, the vibrating brush with the suction holes, and a rotating brush, (b) the flow path bulkhead separating the wide suction mouth and the vibrating brush, (c) a claw of a rotating brush mode, a claw of a vibrating brush mode and a claw stopper, the two claws, formed on an edge of an upper body of means being able to slide, either of which is fixed by the claw stopper, selecting either of the two suction modes, (d) a driving motor contained in the upper body of means, the driving motor, either rotating the rotating brush about an axis or vibrating the vibrating brush lengthwise, according to either of the two suction modes, (e) a switch for detecting the position of the claw stopper, the switch detecting the claw stopper moving downwards in a change mode, which causes that the driving motor is driven in low torque and the suction mode is smoothly changed, (f) the vibrating brush suction holes of the body of means, on the vibrating brush side of the body of means, (g) the plate for flow path change, at the lower part of the flow path bulkhead, and (h) the single hose connection part at the end.

The allergen suction means<R4> according to claim 17 comprises (a) the wide suction mouth, (b) an outer body of means having a plurality of suction mouths of the outer body of means, the outer body of means, equipped with a cover of the outer body of means which can slide to open and close the suction mouths of the outer body of means, (c) an inner body of means supported by the outer body of means, the inner body of means, between which and the outer body of means is formed a flow path for suction air sucked from the suction mouths of the outer body of means, (d) a driving motor contained in the inner body of means and one or two beat members projecting from a base of the inner body of means, the beat members, reciprocated by the driving motor, (e) an adapter for a quilt, the adapter having a plurality of meshlike suction mouths and removably attached, and (f) the single hose connection part at the end.

In the inventive first hybrid air cleaner, when room air is cleaned, the suction holes of the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes are arranged in order, with the plate for opening and closing the inlet closed, and room air is sucked from the suction holes. When the allergen is directly sucked and removed, the way of operation is as follows, (a) the said two plates are mutually shifted, closing the suction holes, (b) the plate for opening and closing the inlet is opened, (c) any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4> is attached to the inertial separator via the single hose and the inertial separator adapter, and (d) the centrifugal fan and any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4> are operated.

In the inventive hybrid air cleaner according to claim 6, when the allergen suction means is operated, the electromagnets for tight closure attract the ferromagnetic materials for tight closure at the edge of the plate for adjusting the suction holes, automatically increasing the airtightness between the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes.

The allergen suction means<R1> simply has the wide suction mouth, mainly sucking the dust mite allergen from bedding.

The allergen suction means<R2> has the wide suction mouth and the vibrating brush with the suction holes, mainly sucking pollen from hair and the dust mite allergen from bedding. In the allergen suction means<R2>, because the vibrating brush vibrates lengthwise, pollen is effectively sucked from hair. Further, because the vibrating brush suction holes of the body of means are open, pollen which moves apart from a bundle of hair to the outer space owing to the vibration of the vibrating brush, is sucked.

The allergen suction means<R3> has the wide suction mouth, the vibrating brush with the suction holes, and the rotating brush. The allergen suction means<R3> sucks pollen from hair, clothes, sofas, bedding and so on, and the dust mite allergen mainly from bedding.

The allergen suction means<R3> has the two suction modes and the change mode. The former are a vibrating brush mode and a rotating brush mode, and the latter is the one for changing the two suction modes. The allergen suction means<R3> sucks pollen from hair in the vibrating brush mode, and sucks pollen and the dust mite allergen from clothes, sofas, bedding and so on in the rotating brush mode. Because the allergen suction means<R3> has the rotating brush, pollen is effectively sucked from clothes, sofas, bedding and so on.

Further, when a user moves the claw stopper downward and slides the upper body of means to change the suction mode, a plurality of gears do not mesh occasionally. Therefore, in the allergen suction means<R3>, the downward movement of the claw stopper is detected by the switch for detecting the position of the claw stopper with a sliding form, and the driving motor is driven in low torque, smoothly changing the suction mode.

The allergen suction means<R4> has the wide suction mouth and the beat members, mainly sucking the dust mite allergen from bedding. The beat members continually beat the comparatively hard bedding, that is, a mattress, a pillow and so on, and the allergen having scattered is sucked. When the beat members are reciprocated, a bed sheet around the means is stretched with the allergen scattering in a surrounding area. Therefore, the surrounding air is sucked at a large flow rate, passing through the suction mouths of the outer body of means. When the allergen is sucked from a comparatively soft and high permeable quilt, the user slides the cover of the outer body of means to close the suction mouths of the outer body of means and attaches the adapter for the quilt with the meshlike suction mouths. Next the allergen is sucked with the adapter suppressing the quilt sticking to the wide suction mouth.

In the allergen suction means<R4>, because the beat members continually beat a mattress or a pillow and the allergen having scattered is sucked, the dust mite allergen existing in the inner part of bedding is effectively removed, compared with the case of simply sucking from such bedding.

In addition, a plurality of electric wires of the driving motor and so on are connected at a terminal of the single hose connection part of the allergen suction means<R2>-<R4>.

Because the inventive first hybrid air cleaner has any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4> removably attached, the patient of perennial allergic rhinitis can easily suck and clean the allergen of bedding or nightclothes, besides cleaning room air, compared with the conventional case where bedding is cleaned by a vacuum cleaner.

Because the hybrid air cleaner is provided with the inventive inertial separator, the suction power of the allergen suction means is strong compared with the case of the conventional cyclone or multiclone, and the load of the air filter is small compared with the case of the inertial separator of the conventional duct.

Because the hybrid air cleaner is provided with the inventive inertial separator, the initial suction power of the allergen suction means is strong compared with the case of the stainless steel wire screen. Furthermore, because air flow does not pass through the collected dust, the rise of the pressure loss and the fall of the suction power before the air filter according to usage does not occur. Furthermore, the degradation of a collecting member and the breeding of unwanted bacteria according to a water wash does not occur and the degradation of the deodorizing filter does not quicken.

Further, the hybrid air cleaner with the inertial separator according to claim 2 or claim 4 prevents the collected dust re-scattering because of the vibration of the motor while cleaning room air, and reduces the load of the air filter.

Further, the hybrid air cleaner with the inertial separator according to claim 3 or claim 4 restrains that the particle which is sucked from the allergen suction means and has large inertia and an unfixed form, like the soil particle with a large diameter, escapes and becomes the load of the air filter.

In the hybrid air cleaner according to the claims relating to claim 6, the electromagnets for tight closure attract the ferromagnetic materials for tight closure while the allergen suction means is operating, so the airtightness between the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes increases automatically. Because the inventive first hybrid air cleaner with the allergen suction means <R2> removably attached has the vibrating brush, pollen is effectively sucked and removed from hair.

Because the inventive first hybrid air cleaner with the allergen suction means <R3> removably attached has the vibrating brush, pollen is effectively sucked and removed from hair. Further, because the hybrid air cleaner has the rotating brush, pollen is effectively sucked from clothes, sofas, bedding and so on.

In the inventive first hybrid air cleaner with the allergen suction means <R4> removably attached, the beat members continually beat a mattress and a pillow and so on, and the allergen having scattered is sucked. Therefore, the dust mite allergen existing in the inner part of bedding is effectively removed, compared with the case where such bedding is simply sucked. Furthermore, the hybrid air cleaner is equipped with the inventive inertial separator, so the allergen having scattered in the surrounding area is sucked at a large flow rate, passing through the suction mouths of the outer body of means, compared with the case where the cyclone or multiclone can not afford a sufficient flow rate.

(C) The second hybrid air cleaner (claim 7, claim 8, claim 11, claim 12, claim 15, claim 16, claim 19 and claim 20); <the inertial separator according to any of claims 1-4, a column surface filter collection part, a column surface suction control part, a convex connection part for the inertial separator and any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4>>

The inventive second hybrid air cleaner, the one according to the claims relating to claim 7, except the claims of 21 after, is the first hybrid air cleaner, wherein, (a) the filter collection part is replaced by a column surface filter collection part, (b) the suction control part is replaced by a column surface suction control part, wherein the air flow passes or stop by a column surface suction plate and a column surface plate for adjusting the suction holes, and (c) the connection part for the inertial separator is replaced by a convex connection part for the inertial separator, the convex connection part for the inertial separator, formed convexly and continuously from the column surface suction plate, and connecting the outlet of the inertial separator and the space which is formed between the column surface filter collection part and the column surface suction control part.

The inventive hybrid air cleaner according to the claims relating to claim 8 is the said hybrid air cleaner, which further comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic materials for tight closure at an edge of the column surface plate for adjusting the suction holes and a plurality of electromagnets for tight closure held by a body of the hybrid air cleaner; and wherein the electromagnets are energized and attract the ferromagnetic materials, increasing the airtightness between the column surface suction plate and the column surface plate for adjusting the suction holes, while any of the allergen suction means<R1>-<R4> is operating.

(D) The third and forth hybrid air cleaners (claim 21 to claim 36); <a double hose replacing the single hose in the first and second hybrid air cleaners, and a separated blowing mouth added>

The inventive third hybrid air cleaner is the inventive first hybrid air cleaner, wherein (a) the single hose is replaced by a double hose, the double hose, having double flow paths, a suction air path and a blowing air path, and (b) the single hose connection part is replaced by a double hose connection part for suction air, the double hose connection part for suction air, fitted to the double hose and making only the suction air path used; which further comprises (a) a blowing mouth adapter having a double hose connection part for blowing air and a blade for blowing direction control, the double hose connection part for blowing air, fitted to the double hose, stopping the suction air path and making only the blowing air path used, the blade for blowing direction control, capable of making air blow perpendicularly to the length and reversely, and (b) a separated blowing mouth having the double hose connection part for blowing air, the separated blowing mouth, removably attached to a main body of the hybrid air cleaner via the double hose and the blowing mouth adapter; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

The inventive forth hybrid air cleaner is to the second hybrid air cleaner as the third is to the first.

In the inventive third or forth hybrid air cleaner, the single hose which is used for sucking the allergen in the first or second hybrid air cleaner is replaced by the double hose, and the separated blowing mouth is attached to the main body of the hybrid air cleaner via the double hose and the blowing mouth adapter, being used in a form where the patient's head is put between the main body of the hybrid air cleaner and the separated blowing mouth. An air flow for cleaning the whole room air is sent forth from the blowing mouth adapter, and an air flow for transferring the allergen suspended at the neighborhood of the patient's respiratory organs is sent from the separated blowing mouth. Further, the two air flows are sent intermittently by the repeated on and off switching of the centrifugal fan. Because the suction air path and the blowing air path are mutually independent in the double hose, a blowing air is not contaminated.

The third or forth hybrid air cleaner does the following: (a) the cleaner sucks the allergen of bedding by the allergen suction means, removing the allergen; (b) the cleaner makes an air flow with a straight-line motion at a little flow rate from the separated blowing mouth to the main body of the cleaner, which is near the patient's head, and effectively transfers the suspended allergen at the neighborhood of the respiratory organs, removing the allergen: which reduces the quantity of the allergen exposure of the patient.

The third hybrid air cleaner whose filter collection part is plane transfers the allergen suspended at the neighborhood of the patient's respiratory organs more effectively, compared with the forth hybrid air cleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the first hybrid air cleaner, whose side is partially broken away, having an inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 and removably provided with an allergen suction means<R3> SA3.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a main body of the first hybrid air cleaner having the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 and a motor of a centrifugal fan mounted outward.

FIG. 3(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a front part of the main body of the first hybrid air cleaner; FIG. 3(b) is an isometric view, showing a suction plate F4, a plate F5 for adjusting a plurality of suction holes and a front cover F6 of the first hybrid air cleaner broken away.

FIG. 4(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a solo inertial separator IC1 in accordance with claim 1; FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged view of a final collection part H4 of FIG. 4(a).

FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) are fragmentary vertical cross-sectional views of a 8 times model from the final collection part H4 to a diffuser H5b of a collection chamber part of FIG. 4(a).

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3, incorporated in the first hybrid air cleaner.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3, in an exploded state for cleaning.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a clamp H28 of the inertial separator IC3 of FIG. 8. FIG. 10(a) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a main body of an inertial separator IC4 in accordance with claim 4, showing a re-scatter preventing board PRBI of initial collection closed; FIG. 10(b) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the main body of the inertial separator IC4, showing the re-scatter preventing board PRBI of initial collection open.

FIG. 11(a) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the main body of the inertial separator IC4 in accordance with claim 4, showing a re-scatter preventing board PRB closed, and FIG. 11(b) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the main body of the inertial separator IC4, showing the re-scatter preventing board PRB open; FIG. 11(p), showing another practical form of the re-scatter preventing board PRB, is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the main body of the inertial separator IC4, showing a re-scatter preventing board PRB2 closed, and FIG. 11(q) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the main body of the inertial separator IC4, showing the re-scatter preventing board PRB2 open.

FIG. 12 is an assembly view of the main body of the inertial separator IC4 in accordance with claim 4.

FIG. 13(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a re-scatter preventing electromagnet PREMI of initial collection and a driving board DBI of initial collection, in combination;

FIG. 13(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a re-scatter preventing electromagnet PREM and a driving board DB, in combination.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an inertial separator in accordance with claim 1, an inlet duct and an outlet duct of which are circular pipes.

FIG. 15(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the neighborhood of a straight duct D5a of a collection chamber part of the inertial separator of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of another practical form of the straight duct D5a.

FIG. 16(a) an isometric view of an allergen suction means<R3> SA3;

FIG. 16(b) is a side elevation view of the allergen suction means<R3> SA3.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a vibrating brush S11.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an upper part of the allergen suction means<R3> SA3 of FIG. 16(a).

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of two intermediate gears S13b,S13c, two intermediate gear supports S16b,S16c, and a driving motor support S17 partially broken away.

FIG. 20(a) is a top view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 16(b), with an upper body S1 of the means SA3 removed;

FIG. 20(b) is a view showing the relation of gear pitch circles of the allergen suction means<R3> SA3.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view, vertically down taken along the line X-X of FIG. 16(b).

FIG. 22(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y-Y of FIG. 21;

FIG. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Z-Z of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a plate S21 for flow path change.

FIG. 24(a) is a top view of a switch S5a for flow path change and a stopper S6a of the switch S5a for flow path change;

FIG. 24(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line W-W of FIG. 24(a).

FIG. 25(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line U-U of FIG. 16(b);

FIG. 25(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 16(b).

FIG. 26 is an illustration of a joint line S80a of a body of means.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary side elevation view of an allergen suction means<R2> SA2.

FIG. 28(a) is a top view taken along the line X2-X2 of FIG. 27 with an upper cover S30 removed; FIG. 28(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of an upper part of the allergen suction means<R2> SA2.

FIG. 29 is a view for illustrating the action of a disc cam S33 and a vibrating brush S31.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of an allergen suction means<R4> SA4.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the allergen suction means<R4> SA4 operating with an adapter S50 for a quilt unattached.

FIG. 32 is an assembly view of a section of an inner body S43 of the allergen suction means<R4> SA4.

FIG. 33 is a view for illustrating the action of a crank member S47a and a beat member S48a.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the second hybrid air cleaner, whose front and side are partially broken away, having the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 and removably provided with the allergen suction means<R3> SA3.

FIG. 35 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a main body of the second hybrid air cleaner having the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 and the motor of the centrifugal fan mounted outward.

FIG. 36 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the main body of the second hybrid air cleaner having the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 and the motor of the centrifugal fan mounted inward.

FIG. 37 is a elevation view of the main body of the second hybrid air cleaner having the motor of the centrifugal fan mounted inward, wherein a column surface suction plate C4, a column surface plate C5 for adjusting the suction holes, and a column surface front cover C6 are removed.

FIG. 38(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a front part of the main body of the second hybrid air cleaner; FIG. 38(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the front part of the main body of the second hybrid air cleaner containing a pull C5a.

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the first hybrid air cleaner, wherein an outlet of a diffuser of the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 is reduced horizontally.

FIG. 40 is an isometric view of an inertial separator adapter IAHD, a double hose HRD, and an allergen suction means<R3> SA3D with a double hose connection part CHDI for suction air.

FIG. 41(a) is an isometric view of a blowing mouth adapter EA0;

FIG. 41(b) is a side elevation view of the blowing mouth adapter EA0.

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a separated blowing mouth ES.

FIG. 43(a) is an illustration for the case where the separated blowing mouth ES of the third hybrid air cleaner is used while a patient is sleeping;

FIG. 43(b) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 43(a).

FIG. 44(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state where a double hose connection part CHDI for suction air is being fitted to a terminal part HRDT of the double hose HRD;

FIG. 44(b) is an elevation view of the terminal part HRDT.

FIG. 45(a) is an elevation view of a double hose connection part CHDE for blowing air;

FIG. 45(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state where the double hose connection part CHDE for blowing air is being fitted to the terminal part HRDT.

FIG. 46(a) or FIG. 46(b) is a view showing the inertial separator of a conventional duct;

FIG. 46(a) is the view showed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,561; FIG. 46(b) is the view showed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,604.

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the modes for carrying out the inventive hybrid air cleaner and the inventive inertial separator are explained. The composition of this section is as follows.

<The Composition of this Section>

  • 1 The first hybrid air cleaner and the inertial separator
  • 1.1 The whole structure of the first hybrid air cleaner
  • 1.2 The inertial separator
  • 1.2.1 The inertial separator in accordance with claim 1
  • 1.2.2 The inertial separator in accordance with claim 3
  • 1.2.3 The inertial separator in accordance with claim 4
  • 1.2.4 The inertial separator in accordance with claim 1, whose an inlet duct and an outlet duct are circular pipes.
  • 1.3 The allergen suction means
  • 1.3.1 The allergen suction means<R3>
  • 1.3.2 The allergen suction means<R2>
  • 1.3.3 The allergen suction means<R4>
  • 2 The second hybrid air cleaner
  • 3 The third and forth hybrid air cleaners

1 The First Hybrid Air Cleaner and the Inertial Separator

First, the whole structure of the first hybrid air cleaner is explained. Next the inventive inertial separator and the allergen suction means removable attached to the first hybrid air cleaner are explained.

1.1 The Whole Structure of the First Hybrid Air Cleaner P FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the first hybrid air cleaner, whose side is partially broken away, having an inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 and removably provided with an allergen suction means<R3> SA3.

The filter collection part has a pre-filter F1, a filter medium F2 and a deodorizing filter F3, which are flat(FIG. 2, FIG. 3(a)). HEPA, ULPA and so on are used as the filter medium F2. A connection part F11 for the inertial separator IC3 connects an outlet of the inertial separator IC3 and the space formed between a suction plate F4 and the pre-filter F1 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2).

In the suction plate F4 and a plate F5 for adjusting the suction holes, a plurality of projections F4a,F5a are formed perpendicularly for reinforcement (FIG. 2, FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(b)). It is preferable that the suction plate F4 is provided with a sealing member Fs1 to increase airtightness and a sealing member Fs2 is attached to a place where the suction plate F4 is fitted to the body of the hybrid air cleaner. Further, it is preferable that the plate F5 for adjusting the suction holes is provided with a front cover F6 for the sake of appearance (FIG. 2, FIG. 3(a)FIG. 3(b)). Further, it is preferable that a plurality of guide blades FG1,FG2 are attached from the inertial separator IC3 to the connection part F11 (FIG. 2).

When room air is cleaned, the plate F5 for adjusting the suction holes is moved downwards and a plurality of suction holes F7 of the plate F5 and the suction plate F4 are set in order. Further, an inlet H20 of the inertial separator is closed by a plate H23 for opening and closing the inlet and a member H24 (FIG. 1, FIG. 3(a), FIG. 6). When the allergen is sucked and removed directly from bedding,hair,clothes,etc., the plate F5 for adjusting the suction holes is pulled up with a hollow F5b hooked by fingers and the suction holes F7 are closed. Further, a single hose HR and an inertial separator adapter IAH is attached to the allergen suction means<R3> SA3 and the inertial separator adapter IAH is fitted to the inlet H20 (FIG. 1, FIG. 3(a)).

It is preferable that the plate F5 for adjusting the suction holes is engaged by a plurality of uneven parts, which are formed between an edge of the plate F5 for adjusting the suction holes and a plurality of supports F9a,F9b for the plate F5, although the uneven parts are not shown in figures. It is further preferable that the plate F5 is hanged by a hook F14 formed at an upper part of the hybrid air cleaner with a torsion coil spring, which is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3(a).

Furthermore, when a plurality of ferromagnetic materials F8 for tight closure are attached at the edge of the plate F5 and a plurality of electromagnets F10 for tight closure held by the body of the hybrid air cleaner or the connection part F11 are energized with the allergen suction means<R3> SA3 operating, the airtightness between the suction plate F4 and the plate F5 increases automatically (FIG. 2).

In addition, FIG. 2 shows the case where a motor F15 of the centrifugal fan is mounted outside an impeller F16. In this case, an inside diameter FD of the impeller F16 can be small and larger static pressure is got with the direction of a plurality of impeller blades backward, while the wind flow rate is reduced. In that case, such a centrifugal fun as has a plurality of guide blades formed in the impeller with a plurality of inlet parts of the impeller blades extending inward, has larger shutoff pressure. Further, when the wind flow rate has more significance than the static pressure, the inside diameter FD of the impeller is set larger and the impeller blades are directed forward. In this case, a motor can be mounted inside the impeller.

1.2 The Inertial Separator

FIG. 4(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a solo inertial separator IC1 in accordance with claim 1. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3, incorporated in the first hybrid air cleaner. First, the main functions of the inventive inertial separator are explained with the inertial separator IC1 in accordance with claim 1.

1.2.1 The Inertial Separator in Accordance with Claim 1

A first half H1 of the main duct is the curved duct having a constant curvature with a rectangular section, and a latter half H2 of the main duct is the curved duct having a constant curvature with a rectangular section, an outside wall opening. The aspect ratio of the spanwise channel width to the radial, of both the first half H1 and the latter half H2, is 5.63; the ratio of the inside radius to the outside, of the first half H1, is 0.77; the ratio of the inside radius to the hypothetical outside radius, of the latter half H2, is 0.27 (FIG. 4(a)). A final collection part H4 is composed of a straight inlet duct H4di, an outlet straight duct H4do, and a curved duct H4c, which is formed between the two straight ducts H4di and H4do, with an outside wall open. The ratio of the radial channel width of the curved duct H4c to the radial channel width of the latter half H2 is 0.15. The ratio of the inside radius to the hypothetical outside radius, of the curved duct H4c, is 1/3 (FIG. 4(a), FIG. 4(b)).

Flow is stable in the inside of the flow path of the first half H1 of the main duct, which corresponds to the convex wall of the duct with high aspect ratio, so the particle with the diameter of marginal collection is biased to the center of the flow at the exit of the first half H1. Next, the particle escapes from the main flow in the latter half H2 with larger curvature than the first half H1. Even if the outside wall of the latter half H2 is opened and a collection chamber part is simply formed succeedingly, collection efficiency is not good. Therefore, a boundary layer suction part H3 is formed, so that largely disturbed air flow over the concave wall of the main duct is sucked and introduced to the final collection part H4. The particles are separated at the curved duct H4c with the largest curvature, wherein the disturbance of air flow is small (FIG. 4(a), FIG. 4(b)).

An exit of the latter half H2 of the main duct and an exit of the outlet straight duct H4do of the final collection part H4 join, passing through a diffuser H8 and a diffuser H9, respectively. It is preferable that a straight duct H7 is formed between the latter half H2 and the diffuser H8 so the static pressure of an inside flow path of the latter half H2, which is reduced because of centrifugal force, is recovered to some extent (FIG. 4(a)).

The angle formed by the straight inlet duct H4di and the outlet straight duct H4do of the final collection part H4 is 80[deg], and the collection chamber part has a straight duct H5a, a diffuser H5b and a collection chamber H5c (FIG. 4(a), FIG. 4(b)).

Concerning the flow of the curved duct H4c of the final collection part H4 and the straight duct H5a of the collection chamber part, a model is employed for explanation. Reynolds number based on the radial channel width of the straight inlet duct H4di of the final collection part H4 is about 1000 to 2000. The 8 times model ranging from the final collection part H4 to the diffuser H5b of the collection chamber part, shown in FIG. 4(a), was used. When smoke was generated and the flow was observed at the almost same Reynolds number, a vortex with a diameter of the width of the straight duct HM5a was observed in the straight duct HM5a of the collection chamber part (FIG. 5(a)). A downwash HM5vd of the vortex is stronger than an upwash HM5vu. An outside flow HM4ca of a main flow in a curved duct HM4c is stable and the influence of the upwash HM5vu was not observed. According to the ready measurement of the flow velocity, the one of the upwash HM5vu is about 10 to 20[%] of that of a straight inlet duct HM4di, and disturbance was hardly observed in a diffuser HM5b.

The particle with a diameter which is about 1.5 times larger than a diameter of marginal collection passes straight in the curved duct HM4c, entering the straight duct HM5a, and passes through the upwash HM5vu, reaching the diffuser HM5b. A particle prt with a diameter which is near the diameter of marginal collection, slightly following the flow in the curved duct HM4c, enters the straight duct HM5a. Some of such particles, passing through the downwash HM5vd, reach the diffuser HM5b. The particle prt passing through the upwash HM5vu goes approximately for the distance of the duct width of the straight duct HM5a and the particle velocity becomes zero, when it is assumed that the particle prt enters the straight duct HM5a with a particle velocity which is 90[%] of the main flow of the curved duct HM4c, and the particle prt goes against the upward parallel air flow whose velocity is 10 to 20[%] of the one; wherein the power approximation is applied for the resistance coefficient of a particle, in the interval of the particle Reynolds number from 0.5 to 20 and the equation of motion is solved. The particle prt which lost momentum re-enters the outside flow HM4ca of the main flow through a region HM5g which is similar to the dead water zone, by the right side flow of the vortex including the upwash HM5vu (FIG. 5(b)). The velocity of the particle prt□which re-entered the outside flow HM4ca, is small compared with the one of the outside flow HM4ca, so the particle prt returns again to the straight duct HM5a by the outside flow HM4ca, reaching the diffuser HM5b by the downwash HM5vd. It is preferable that a small convex part H5d is formed at an upper part of the straight duct H5a of the collection chamber part(FIG. 4(b)). In that case, it is considered that a part of an outside wall of the curved duct H4c is formed by a plane and is not open. The pressure loss of the inertial separator is about 60 to 250[Pa] at a flow rate of 0.6 to 1.2 [m3/min].

1.2.2 The Inertial Separator in Accordance with Claim 3

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3, which is incorporated in the first hybrid air cleaner.

The aspect ratio of the spanwise channel width to the radial, of the first half H11 or the latter half H12, is 5.63; the ratio of the inside radius of the first half H11 to the outside is 0.8; the ratio of the inside radius of the latter half H12 to the hypothetical outside radius is 0.27. The ratio of the radial channel width of the curved duct H14c to that of the latter half H12 is 0.15. The ratio of the inside radius of the curved duct H14c to the hypothetical outside radius is 1/3. Particles sucked from bedding include the ones with large diameters like soil particles according to the manner of opening windows, etc. The particles with large inertia and unfixed forms irregularly bounce on the outside wall H2a from the first half H1 to the latter half H2 in the inertial separator in accordance with claim 1, occasionally escaping to the straight duct H7 (FIG. 4(a)). Therefore, in the inertial separator in accordance with claim 3, an outside wall of an initial part of a curve of the first half H1 is opened and an initial collection mouth H21 formed, so that the particles with large inertia and unfixed forms going straight from an inlet H20 are removed beforehand(FIG. 6).

An initial collection chamber part succeeding the initial collection mouth H21 consists of an initial collection chamber H22b and an introduction part H22a for the initial collection chamber H22b. A back door H25 of the hybrid air cleaner is provided with a sealing member H25s in the inside periphery.

The radial channel width of an outlet of the latter half of the main duct can afford to be slightly narrower than that of an inlet of the latter half of the main duct.

The inertial separator IC3 in accordance with claim 3 can be disassembled to a plurality of members PT1,PT2,PT3 and a joint collection chamber PT4, and be cleaned (FIG. 8). The members PT2 and PT3 are nested, which is shown in FIG. 7. It is preferable that a plurality of sealing members PT1s and PT3s are attached to the places where the members PT1,PT2 and PT3 combine (FIG. 6, FIG. 7).

The members PT1,PT2,PT3 and the joint collection chamber PT4, which are combined after cleaning and secured temporarily by a clamp H28 made of flexible polyethylene, shown in FIG. 9, is put into the body of the hybrid air cleaner and the back door H25 is closed with a member H27 turned (FIG. 2, FIG. 6).

The back door H25 is provided with a leaf spring H26 and the leaf spring H26 presses the back of the member PT3, increasing the airtightness of the inertial separator IC3 (FIG. 2, FIG. 6).

The joint collection chamber PT4 consists of the initial collection chamber H22b and a collection chamber H15c. Two projections PT1a and PT1b are formed on the right and left sides of the member PT1 respectively. The projections PT1a and PT1b engage a plurality of right and left projections of the body of the hybrid air cleaner respectively and the joint collection chamber PT4 is taken out separately for cleaning (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6, FIG. 8).

It is preferable that the members PT1,PT2,PT3 and the joint collection chamber PT4 are made of the material for preventing static charge like a conductive plastic etc.

1.2.3 The Inertial Separator in Accordance with Claim 4

The inertial separator in accordance with claim 4 prevents the already collected dust from re-scattering owing to the vibration of the hybrid air cleaner caused by the motor and so on, while inertial collection is not performed.

Referring to the figures from FIG. 10(a) to FIG. 13(b), the mode for carrying out the inertial separator is explained.

In the inertial separator in accordance with claim 4, an upper part of the initial collection chamber part is equipped with a re-scatter preventing board of initial collection PRBI connecting with a driving board of initial collection DBI, and an upper part of the collection chamber part is equipped with a re-scatter preventing board PRB connecting with a driving board DB (FIG. 10(a), FIG. 11(a), FIG. 12).

When a main body of the inertial separator IC4 shown in FIG. 12 is assembled and put into the first hybrid air cleaner, the driving board of initial collection DBI and the driving board DB are coupled with a re-scatter preventing electromagnet of initial collection PREMI and a re-scatter preventing electromagnet PREM, respectively (FIG. 13(a), FIG. 13(b)). The electromagnets PREMI and PREM are engaged or screwed to a plurality of projections H29a,H29b and H29c,H29d, respectively, which can be formed on a wall H29 in the body of FIG. 2. The projections H29a,H29b,H29c and H29d are not shown in FIG. 2. The boards PRBI and PRB are closed when the inertial separator IC4 is not used. While the inertial separator IC4 is being used, the electromagnets PREMI and PREM are energized, attracting the driving board of initial collection DBI and the driving board DB, and open the re-scatter preventing board of initial collection PRBI and the re-scatter preventing board PRB, respectively (FIG. 10(a), FIG. 10(b), FIG. 11(a), FIG. 11(b)). In such a way, the already collected dust is prevented from re-scattering from the initial collection chamber part and the collection chamber part owing to the vibration of the motor and so on, when the inertial separator IC4 is not used.

A part DBIc which is projectingly formed on a member PTpr3 protects the driving board of initial collection DBI and a member DBc protects the driving board DB, which prevents the boards DBI and DB from being damaged while the inertial separator IC4 is cleaned (FIG. 12, FIG. 13(a), FIG. 13(b)).

Further, although the re-scatter preventing board PRB is formed at an inlet of the collection chamber part shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), the re-scatter preventing board can afford to be formed lower than the board PRB, shown in FIG. 11(p) and FIG. 11(q). Further, when a plastic mixed with fluorochemical resin having the low coefficient of friction is used for the bearing of the re-scatter preventing board, opening and closing are more smoothly performed.

1.2.4 The Inertial Separator in Accordance with Claim 1, Whose an Inlet Duct and an Outlet Duct are Circular Pipes.

FIG. 14 shows another mode for carrying out the inventive inertial separator, an isometric view of an inertial separator in accordance with claim 1, whose inlet duct and outlet duct are circular pipes. FIG. 15(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the neighborhood of a straight duct D5a of a collection chamber part of the inertial separator of FIG. 14, and FIG. 15(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of another practical form of the straight duct D5a.

The aspect ratio of a first half D1 and a latter half D2 is 9. From another view point, it can be considered that the inertial separator has a function where; while the air flow containing dust passes through the first half D1 and the latter half D2, reaching a junction D6, the concentrated air flow of the outside of the duct is bypassed to a boundary layer suction part D3 and a final collection part D4, so dust is collected (FIG. 14).

Two windows for cleaning are opened on the boundary layer suction part D3 and the straight duct D5a of the collection chamber part, and two covers D7a and D7b for airtightness open and close the windows (FIG. 14, FIG. 15(a)).

The particle which came from a straight inlet duct D4di of the final collection part passes through a curved duct D4c of the final collection part and enters the straight duct D5a of the collection chamber part (FIG. 15(a)). Because the straight inlet duct D4di is slightly inclined against the straight duct D5a, many of the particles which enter the straight duct D5a pass in the down wash side of the vortex generated in the straight duct D5a (FIG. 15(a)). When an upper wall D5e of the outside of the straight duct D5a is slightly widened, which is shown in FIG. 15(b), the center of the vortex moves slightly right and the particles come to tend to pass more in the downwash side.

1.3 The Allergen Suction Means

First, referring to the figures from FIG. 16(a) to FIG. 26, the mode of the allergen suction means<R3> is explained in detail and next, there is described the allergen suction means<R1>,<R2> and <R4>.

1.3.1 The Allergen Suction Means<R3>

In the allergen suction means<R3> SA3, the user fixes either a claw Sla of the rotating brush mode or a claw S1b of the vibrating brush mode, which are formed on an edge of an upper body S1 of means, by a claw stopper S4 to select the suction mode (FIG. 16(a), FIG. 16(b)). A driving motor S12 and two intermediate gears S13b,S13c are supported by the upper body S1 through a driving motor support S17 and two intermediate gear supports S16b,S16c (FIG. 18, FIG. 19). The intermediate gear S13c is engaged with either a gear S13d of the rotating brush or a gear of a gear-columnar-cam S13e of the vibrating brush (FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20(a)). In the gear-columnar-cam S13e, a gear and a columnar cam are formed integrally and the rotaional motion is converted into the reciprocating straight line motion by a sinusoidal groove S14 of the side. The gear-columnar-cam S13e can afford to be replaced by a gear and a columnar cam which are independant. The gear S13d and the gear-columnar-cam S13e are supported by two arms S15d,S15e of a support S15 and the support S15 is screwed to an upper plate S2c of the body of means (FIG. 18, FIG. 20(a)). Furthermore, two projections S16by and S16cv are formed at two bearing supports of the intermediate gear supports S16b and S16c outward, respectively (FIG. 19). The projection S16by is fitted in a bore of the driving motor support S17, increasing the stability of driving system (FIG. 19).

A metal member S18 is secured to an upper part of a vibrating brush S11 by two screws S19a,S19b and a projection S18a is projected in the sinusoidal groove S14 (FIG. 18, FIG. 20(a)). The metal member S18 can afford to be provided by insert molding instead of screwing.

A plurality of suction holes S11a of a brush plate are opened in the vibrating brush S11, shown in FIG. 17. The vibrating brush S11 vibrates lengthwise, removing and sucking pollen which adheres to the surface or the inside of a bundle of hair. Two projections S11c,S11d which guide vibration are formed in an upper part and an under part of the vibrating brush S11, respectively (FIG. 17, FIG. 20(a)). The vibrating brush S11 is removably attached to the body of means by an upper clamp S7 and an under clamp S8 made of plastic, and is easily cleaned (FIG. 16(a), FIG. 16(b), FIG. 20(a), FIG. 21). A plurality of vibrating brush suction holes S2a,S2b of the body of means are open, right and left respectively, on a vibrating brush side of the body of means (FIG. 16(a), FIG. 16(b), FIG. 21). The vibrating brush suction holes S2a,S2b of the body of means restrain excessive suction of hair from the suction holes S11a of the brush plate and suck the pollen moving apart from the bundle of hair to the outer space owing to the vibration of the vibrating brush S11.

A rotating brush S10 effectively removes the pollen which adheres to the surface of clothes,sofas,bedding, etc. A side S9a of a wide suction mouth S9 is formed to a wavy shape. It is preferable that the side S9a is outward provided with a wavy member S90 which can slide (FIG. 16(a), FIG. 16(b)). In such a way, when the mite allergen is sucked from the inner part of bedding, flow can be throttled, static pressure increasing. On the other hand, when the pollen adhering to the surface of clothes and so on is sucked, flow can be increased.

A switch S4a of sliding type for detecting the position of the claw stopper S4 exists between the claw stopper S4 and a side wall S2d of an upper part of the body of means (FIG. 20(a)). When the user gets down the claw stopper S4 to change the suction mode, the switch S4a detects the position of the claw stopper S4 and the driving motor S12 is driven in low torque. At that time, it is not necessary that the rotating brush S10 or the vibrating brush S11 is acting. Next, the user detaches the claw stopper S4 from the claw S1a or the claw S1b and slides the upper body S1, engaging the gear of the desired suction mode. At that time, even if the gear isn't engaged at first attempt, the gear is engaged immediately because the intermediate gear S13c is rotating slowly. The detection of the position of the claw stopper S4 and the transition to low torque driving of the driving motor S12 is performed□whether the driving motor S12 is at a stop or in action, in two suction modes. Therefore, the user can change the vibrating brush mode, wherein pollen is removed from hair, to the rotating brush mode, wherein pollen is removed from clothes, without switching off the allergen suction means<R3> SA3.

The rotating brush S10 and the vibrating brush S11 are set apart by a flow path bulkhead S28 with a T-like-shaped section (FIG. 21). A path S20 for a plurality of electric wires is formed between the flow path bulkhead S28 and the body S2 of the means (FIG. 21). The electric wires for the driving motor S12 and the switch S4a are guided from a hole S2e of the upper plate S2c to the path S20 (FIG. 20(a), FIG. 18). In addition, the electric wires are omitted in these figures.

When the suction mode is changed, the user pulls up two stoppers S6a,S6b of two switches S5a,S5b for flow path change and turns the switches S5a,S5b by 180 degrees (FIG. 16(a), FIG. 21, FIG. 22(b), FIG. 24(a)). The whole shape of a plate S21 for flow path change is a semicircle-like one, which is partially broken away and shown in FIG. 23. Two prism-like ends of two members 23a,S23b in the switches S5a,S5b are forced into an axis of the plate S21 (FIG. 22(a), FIG. 22(b)). For example, the members S23a,S23b are formed of steel and the plate S21 is of aluminum alloy. Concerning the plate S21, it is also well that most of the plate S21 is formed of plastic and a part containing the axis of the plate S21 is formed of metal; and they are screwed. The place where a body S2 of the means and the flow path bulkhead S28 are contacted by the plate S21 is provided with a sealing member S22 (FIG. 22(a), FIG. 22(b)).

A grip S3 is fitted to the body S2 of the means at a joint line S80 and they are fastened by two screws S27a,S27b, in addition to an adhesive agent (FIG. 16(b), FIG. 22(a), FIG. 22(b), FIG. 25(b)). Further, when the joint line S80 is bent at the place of the switches S5a,S5b, like a joint line S80a shown in FIG. 26, the members S23a,S23b in the switches S5a,S5b can be formed integrally with the plate S21 after varying in form.

The allergen suction means<R3> SA3 can be accommodated in a container F13 of the allergen suction means (FIG. 1).

Furthermore, it is preferable that the vibrating brush S11 is made of the material for preventing static charge like a conductive plastic etc.

The allergen suction means<R1> has the wide suction mouth only, not shown in figures.

1.3.2 The Allergen Suction Means<R2>

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary side elevation view of an allergen suction means<R2> SA2. FIG. 28(a) is a top view taken along the line X2-X2 of FIG. 27 with an upper cover S30 removed. FIG. 28(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of an upper part of the allergen suction means<R2> SA2. FIG. 29 is a view for illustrating the action of a disc cam S33 and a vibrating brush S31.

The allergen suction means<R2> SA2 has the wide suction mouth and the vibrating brush S31 and the rotational motion is converted into the reciprocating straight line motion by the disc cam S33 which is between two flat plates S31a,S31b formed in an upper part of the vibrating brush S31 (FIG. 28(a), FIG. 28(b), FIG. 29).

1.3.3 The Allergen Suction Means<R4>

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of an allergen suction means<R4> SA4. FIG. 31 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the allergen suction means<R4> SA4 operating with an adapter S50 for a quilt unattached. FIG. 32 is an assembly view of a section of an inner body S43 of the allergen suction means<R4> SA4. FIG. 33 is a view for illustrating the action of a crank member S47a and a beat member S48a. When the allergen suction means<R4> SA4 is used for sucking the allergen from the comparatively hard bedding, for example a mattress, a pillow and so on, the adapter S50 is detached and two beat members S48a,S48b are put into action with a plurality of suction mouths S42 of an outer body S40 of means open (FIG. 30, FIG. 31). The beat members S48a,S48b reciprocate according to the rotational motion of the crank members S47a,48b (FIG. 31, FIG. 32. FIG. 33). This is the reciprocating block double-slider crank mechanism and is called Scotch yoke. The number of the beating member can afford to be one.

When bedding is beaten, the allergen which exists in the inner part of bedding and is hard to remove by simply sucking scatters. The surface allergen also scatters because the bed sheet around the means is stretched. The allergen scattering under the means is sucked from a wide suction mouth S49 which has a circular shape and exists in an underside of the outer body S40 of means (FIG. 30, FIG. 31). The allergen scattering in the surrounding area of the means is sucked from the suction mouths S42 of the outer body S40 of means (FIG. 30, FIG. 31). The suction air from the suction mouths S42 passes through a flow path S44 between the two bodies of means (FIG. 30). When the allergen is sucked from the comparatively soft bedding, the suction mouths S42 is closed with a cover S41 of the outer body of means slid, the adapter S50 being attached (FIG. 30).

2 The Second Hybrid Air Cleaner

The second hybrid air cleaner is the first hybrid air cleaner, wherein the filter collection part is replaced by the column surface filter collection part, the suction control part being replaced by a column surface suction control part, and the connection part for the inertial separator, being replaced by the convex connection part for the inertial separator.

A column surface filter medium C2 is the pleated HEPA,ULPA,etc., which is arranged in column surface. A convex connection part C4a for the inertial separator is formed from a column surface suction plate C4 and connects with the inertial separator IC3 (FIG. 34. FIG. 35, FIG. 36).

It is preferable that the column surface suction plate C4 is provided with a sealing member Cs1 and the place where the column surface suction plate C4 and the convex connection part C4a are fitted in the body of the hybrid air cleaner is also provided with a sealing member Cs2 (FIG. 35. FIG. 36, FIG. 37, FIG. 38(a)). In addition, it is preferable that the column surface plate C5 is outward provided with a column surface front cover C6 (FIG. 35. FIG. 36, FIG. 38(a)). Further, it is preferable that a plurality of guide blades CG1,CG2 are attached from the inertial separator IC3 to the convex connection part C4a (FIG. 35, FIG. 36).

An upper part of the column surface plate C5 is provided with a pull C5a (FIG. 34, FIG. 38(b)). The way of cleaning room air or direct suction is the same as the case of the first hybrid air cleaner.

Furthermore, when an outlet of two diffusers H18,H19 of the inertial separator IC3 of the first hybrid air cleaner is reduced laterally at the outside, the flow of the connection part F11 is improved; in this case, the process of injection molding of the inertial separator IC3 increases (FIG. 2, FIG. 6, FIG. 39).

3 The Third and Forth Hybrid Air Cleaners

FIG. 40 is an isometric view of an inertial separator adapter IAHD, a double hose HRD, and an allergen suction means<R3> SA3D with a double hose connection part CHDI for suction air. FIG. 41(a) is an isometric view of a blowing mouth adapter EA0. FIG. 41(b) is a side elevation view of the blowing mouth adapter EA0. FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a separated blowing mouth ES. FIG. 43(a) is an illustration for the case where the separated blowing mouth ES of the third hybrid air cleaner is used while a patient is sleeping. FIG. 43(b) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 43(a). FIG. 44(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state where a double hose connection part CHDI for suction air is being fitted to a terminal part HRDT of the double hose HRD. FIG. 44(b) is an elevation view of the terminal part HRDT. FIG. 45(a) is an elevation view of a double hose connection part CHDE for blowing air. FIG. 45(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state where the double hose connection part CHDE for blowing air is being fitted to the terminal part HRDT.

The third hybrid air cleaner has the same main body as the first hybrid air cleaner has, which is shown in FIG. 1. Further, for example shown in FIG. 40, the third hybrid air cleaner is removably provided with the allergen suction means<R3> SA3D, the inertial separator adapter IAHD, each having the double hose connection part CHDI for suction air, and the double hose HRD. Further, the third hybrid air cleaner is removably provided with the separated blowing mouth ES via the blowing mouth adapter EA0 and the double hose HRD.

The forth hybrid air cleaner is the same one.

The double hose HRD has a suction air path HDI inside and a blowing air path HDE outside (FIG. 44(a), FIG. 44(b)). When the allergen suction means<R3> SA3D is used, the double hose connection part CHDI for suction air at the end of the allergen suction means<R3> SA3D is fitted to the terminal part HRDT of the double hose HRD and only the suction air path HDI is used (FIG. 44(a), FIG. 44(b)). The inertial separator adapter IAHD is also connected with the double hose HRD in the same way.

When the separated blowing mouth ES is used, it is connected to the double hose HRD and the blowing mouth adapter EA0. The blowing mouth adapter EA0 is attached to a blowing mouth of the main body of the hybrid air cleaner (F12 of FIG. 1 or C11 of FIG. 34), and they are used in the form where a patient's head is between them (FIG. 43(a)). A cup-shaped projection CHDEa is formed in a double hose connection part CHDE for blowing air of the separated blowing mouth ES and the blowing mouth adapter EA0 (FIG. 41(a), FIG. 41(b), FIG. 42, FIG. 45(a), FIG. 45(b)). The projection CHDEa fills the suction air path HDI of the terminal part HRDT of the double hose HRD and only the blowing air path HDE is used. Further, the connection part of the single hose and the double hose can afford to be provided with a hook used in the fitting connection of a vacuum cleaner and so on to increase stability.

The blowing mouth adapter EA0 can blow to both directions by a blade EA1 for blowing direction control, and the hybrid air cleaner can be placed on the left side or the right of the patient (FIG. 41(a), FIG. 41(b), FIG. 43(a)). Further, the ratio of the flow rate of the air flow blowing from the blowing mouth adapter EA0 to the air flow blowing from the separated blowing mouth ES is controlled by the angle of the blade EA1.

Furthermore, the separated blowing mouth ES can be provided with a heater and send out warm air in winter to reduce the load of skin, though dry air induces nasal congestion in some cases.

In addition, when the separated blowing mouth ES is used in a bed, it is held by a side table or a support SPT0. A plate SPT1 is at an under part of the support SPT0 and is inserted between a bed support and a mattress (FIG. 43(a), FIG. 43(b)).

When the patient of perennial allergic rhinitis uses the third or forth hybrid air cleaner, the allergen existing in bedding can be sucked and removed by the allergen suction means and the suspended allergen is effectively transferred and removed by the separated blowing mouth, which enormously reduce the amount of allergen exposure during sleep.

Claims

1. An inertial separator which comprises

(a) a main duct having a first half and a latter half, the first half, with positive curvature, having a spanwise channel width larger than radial, the latter half, with similar aspect ratio, having a mean curvature larger than the first half and having an opened outside wall,
(b) a boundary layer suction part formed on a side of the opened outside wall of the latter half of the main duct,
(c) a final collection part succeeding the boundary layer suction part, the final collection part, having an inlet duct, an outlet duct and a curved duct formed between the inlet duct and the outlet duct, the curved duct, having a larger mean curvature and a smaller radial channel width than the latter half of the main duct, with an opened outside wall, and
(d) a collection chamber part formed on a side of the opened outside wall of the curved duct of the final collection part; and
wherein two ducts succeeding the latter half of the main duct and the outlet duct of the final collection part join behind.

2. The inertial separator of claim 1, wherein

(a) a part of a wall of an upper part of the collection chamber part is formed by a re-scatter preventing board externally connecting with a driving board made of ferromagnetic material,
(b) the re-scatter preventing board closes the upper part of the collection chamber part, while inertial collection is not performed, and
(c) the re-scatter preventing board opens the upper part of the collection chamber part with a re-scatter preventing electromagnet attracting the driving board, while inertial collection is performed.

3. The inertial separator of claim 1, wherein an initial collection mouth is opened at an initial part of a curve of an outside wall of the first half of the main duct and an initial collection chamber part is formed connecting to the initial collection mouth.

4. The inertial separator of claim 3, wherein

(a) an upper part of the initial collection chamber part is equipped with a re-scatter preventing board of initial collection which externally connects with a driving board of initial collection made of ferromagnetic material,
(b) a part of a wall of an upper part of the collection chamber part is formed by a re-scatter preventing board externally connecting with a driving board made of ferromagnetic material,
(c) the re-scatter preventing board of initial collection and the re-scatter preventing board close the upper part of the initial collection chamber part and the upper part of the collection chamber part, respectively, while inertial collection is not performed, and
(d) the re-scatter preventing board of initial collection and the re-scatter preventing board open the upper part of the initial collection chamber part and the upper part of the collection chamber part, respectively, with a re-scatter preventing electromagnet of initial collection and a re-scatter preventing electromagnet attracting the driving board of initial collection and the driving board, respectively, while inertial collection is performed.

5. A hybrid air cleaner, comprising

(a) a filter collection part having a pre-filter, a filter medium and a deodorizing filter,
(b) a centrifugal fan behind the filter collection part,
(c) a suction control part before the filter collection part, with a suction plate and a plate for adjusting a plurality of suction holes, the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes, both of which, having the suction holes, let an air flow pass or stop by relatively shifting.
(d) any inertial separator of claims 1-4 with a plate for opening and closing an inlet,
(e) a connection part for the inertial separator, connecting an outlet of the inertial separator and the space formed between the filter collection part and the suction control part, and
(f) an allergen suction means<R1> having a wide suction mouth on a body of means and a single hose connection part at an end, the allergen suction means<R1>, being removably attached to the inertial separator via a single hose and an inertial separator adapter having the single hose connection part.

6. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 5 which further comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic materials for tight closure at an edge of the plate for adjusting the suction holes and a plurality of electromagnets for tight closure held by a body of the hybrid air cleaner or the connection part for the inertial separator; and wherein the electromagnets are energized and attract the ferromagnetic materials, increasing the airtightness between the suction plate and the plate for adjusting the suction holes, while the allergen suction means<R1> is operating.

7. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 5, wherein

(a) the filter collection part is replaced by a column surface filter collection part,
(b) the suction control part is replaced by a column surface suction control part, wherein the air flow passes or stop by a column surface suction plate and a column surface plate for adjusting the suction holes, and
(c) the connection part for the inertial separator is replaced by a convex connection part for the inertial separator, the convex connection part for the inertial separator, formed convexly and continuously from the column surface suction plate, and connecting the outlet of the inertial separator and the space which is formed between the column surface filter collection part and the column surface suction control part.

8. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 7 which further comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic materials for tight closure at an edge of the column surface plate for adjusting the suction holes and a plurality of electromagnets for tight closure held by a body of the hybrid air cleaner; and wherein the electromagnets are energized and attract the ferromagnetic materials, increasing the airtightness between the column surface suction plate and the column surface plate for adjusting the suction holes, while the allergen suction means<R1> is operating.

9. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 5, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by an allergen suction means<R2> comprising (a) the wide suction mouth and a vibrating brush with a plurality of suction holes of a brush plate, (b) a flow path bulkhead separating the wide suction mouth and the vibrating brush, (c) a driving motor supported on a upper plate of the body of means, vibrating the vibrating brush lengthwise, (d) a plurality of vibrating brush suction holes of the body of means, on a vibrating brush side of the body of means, (e) a plate for flow path change, at a lower part of the flow path bulkhead, and (f) the single hose connection part at the end.

10. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 6, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R2>.

11. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 7, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R2>.

12. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 8, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R2>.

13. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 5, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by an allergen suction means<R3> comprising (a) the wide suction mouth, the vibrating brush with the suction holes, and a rotating brush, (b) the flow path bulkhead separating the wide suction mouth and the vibrating brush, (c) a claw of a rotating brush mode, a claw of a vibrating brush mode and a claw stopper, the two claws, formed on an edge of an upper body of means being able to slide, either of which is fixed by the claw stopper, selecting either of the two suction modes, (d) a driving motor contained in the upper body of means, the driving motor, either rotating the rotating brush about an axis or vibrating the vibrating brush lengthwise, according to either of the two suction modes, (e) a switch for detecting the position of the claw stopper, the switch detecting the claw stopper moving downwards in a change mode, which causes that the driving motor is driven in low torque and the suction mode is smoothly changed, (f) the vibrating brush suction holes of the body of means, on the vibrating brush side of the body of means, (g) the plate for flow path change, at the lower part of the flow path bulkhead, and (h) the single hose connection part at the end.

14. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 6, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R3>.

15. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 7, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R3>.

16. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 8, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R3>.

17. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 5, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by an allergen suction means<R4> comprising (a) the wide suction mouth, (b) an outer body of means having a plurality of suction mouths of the outer body of means, the outer body of means, equipped with a cover of the outer body of means which can slide to open and close the suction mouths of the outer body of means, (c) an inner body of means supported by the outer body of means, the inner body of means, between which and the outer body of means is formed a flow path for suction air sucked from the suction mouths of the outer body of means, (d) a driving motor contained in the inner body of means and one or two beat members projecting from a base of the inner body of means, the beat members, reciprocated by the driving motor, (e) an adapter for a quilt, the adapter having a plurality of meshlike suction mouths and removably attached, and (f) the single hose connection part at the end.

18. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 6, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R4>.

19. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 7, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R4>.

20. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 8, wherein the allergen suction means<R1> is replaced by the allergen suction means<R4>.

21. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 5, wherein

(a) the single hose is replaced by a double hose, the double hose, having double flow paths, a suction air path and a blowing air path, and
(b) the single hose connection part is replaced by a double hose connection part for suction air, the double hose connection part for suction air, fitted to the double hose and making only the suction air path used;
which further comprises
(a) a blowing mouth adapter having a double hose connection part for blowing air and a blade for blowing direction control, the double hose connection part for blowing air, fitted to the double hose, stopping the suction air path and making only the blowing air path used, the blade for blowing direction control, capable of making air blow perpendicularly to the length and reversely, and
(b) a separated blowing mouth having the double hose connection part for blowing air, the separated blowing mouth, removably attached to a main body of the hybrid air cleaner via the double hose and the blowing mouth adapter;
and wherein
the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

22. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 6, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

23. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 7, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

24. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 8, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

25. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 9, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

26. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 10, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

27. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 11, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

28. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 12, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

29. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 13, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

30. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 14, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

31. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 15, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

32. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 16, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

33. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 17, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

34. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 18, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

35. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 19, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

36. The hybrid air cleaner of claim 20, wherein the single hose is replaced by the double hose and the single hose connection part is replaced by the double hose connection part for suction air; which further comprises the blowing mouth adapter and the separated blowing mouth; and wherein the centrifugal fan intermittently operates while the separated blowing mouth is being used.

Patent History
Publication number: 20090044502
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 19, 2009
Applicant: NAKAMURA MEDICINE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Tokyo)
Inventor: Masanobu Nakamura (Tokyo)
Application Number: 12/160,191
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: In Vented Container (55/385.4); Restricted Annular Mixture Inlet To Collector Zone Around Gas Outlet Conduit Attached Baffle (55/391)
International Classification: B01D 45/04 (20060101); B01D 50/00 (20060101);