FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to techniques for enhancing air quality. More specifically, the present invention relates to air cleaning or purification via ionizing technologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a general need to increase the efficiency of air disinfection in many indoor spaces such as e.g. hospitals, emergency rooms, waiting rooms, homes, offices, restaurants, industries, etc. According to some recent estimations, 1 in 8 deaths are linked with air pollution. Notably, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of clean indoor air, and since people today tend to spend a large amount of their time indoors, controlling the indoor environment is therefore of great importance.

It is known that the use of negative ions (anions) has great potential to enhance indoor air quality by reducing airborne microorganisms, and negative ions are effective in removing dust and/or odor. More specifically, many particles in the air have a positive charge, and the negative ions and particles magnetically attract to one another. When there is a high enough concentration of negative ions in the air, they will be attracted to floating particles in large numbers. This causes the particle to become too heavy to remain airborne, resulting in a cleaning of the air. Hence, due to this air-cleaning effect, ionizer module arrangements or modules are used in different types of domestic appliances, such as air conditioners, air cleaners, ventilation systems, etc.

In the prior art, it is of particular interest to apply ionizer module arrangements or modules to ventilation systems, fans, etc., as the efficiency of the ionizer module is influenced by the air flow in the space (room) and the ion generation rate. Hence, via the fans, the generated ions may spread in the space, which is beneficial due to the limited lifetime of the ions.

However, there are problems related to ionizer module arrangements or modules using ventilation systems and/or fans. Notably, fans may be relatively noisy, and may therefore be particularly disturbing in offices, restaurants, homes, etc. Moreover, the moving fan blades may be hazardous, in particular to children.

In order to remedy such a shortcoming, ionizer modules can be integrated into LED luminaires.

Currently, ionizer modules are not easily accessible in HVAC, bulbs, and air purifiers, when broken. The user may not even know that the ionizer module is malfunctioning. By the term “malfunctioning” is understood a condition when the ionizer generates no ions, or when the amount of ions generated by the ionizer is below a predefined threshold. Such a threshold may be below 30%, preferably below 20%, more preferably below 10% of the maximum amount of ions generated by the ionizer.

Further, even if the user would be notified of such a malfunctioning, it is virtually impossible to replace the ionizer module, which leads to the need for replacement of the entire device in which the ionizer module is arranged.

Considering the above, there is a need for providing an easily replaceable ionizer module that can be integrated into a disinfecting device in a reliable way without impacting the performance of the ionizer module.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus provides a releasable bipolar ionizer module arranged to be releasably connected to a slot of a disinfecting device, wherein the slot has a maximum slot width D2. By the term “releasably connected” is in the context of the present invention understood as being at least mechanically or electrically connected. Mechanical connection implies a direct contact between the ionizer module and the slot of a disinfecting device. Mechanical connection may be provided by means of at least one fastening element, such a clip or the like. Electrical connection may be provided by means of an electrical connection element, such as plug-and-socket or a pin contact. Alternatively, electrical connection may be achieved wirelessly, e.g. through induction. If the ionizer module is only mechanically connected to the disinfecting device, the electrical power supply to the ionizer module may be provided by an external power supply source, such as a disposable or rechargeable battery. Preferably, the ionizer module is both mechanically and electrically connected to the disinfecting device.

By the term “ionizer module”, it is here meant substantially any module, device, unit, or the like, which is configured to ionize air by generating ions and/or ion molecules. The releasable bipolar ionizer module comprises a negative ionizer module configured to generate negative ionized air and a positive ionizer module configured to generate positive ionized air, wherein the positive ionizer module is arranged at an ionizer module distance Di from the negative ionizer module. The ionizer module distance Di may be in a range from 10 cm to 60 cm, preferably from 12 cm to 50 cm, more preferably from 14 cm to 40 cm, most preferably from 15 cm to 30 cm. According to the present invention, Di is greater than D2. In particular, Di>1.5 D2, preferably Di>2 D2, more preferably Di>2.5 D2, most preferably Di>3 D2. The slot width D2 may be in a range from 1 cm to 8 cm.

Such a configuration of the ionizer module enables simple replaceability of the ionizer module, which is important given the fact that the lifetime of the ionizer module is generally much shorter than the disinfecting device, e.g. a luminaire. Therefore, once the ionizer module is malfunctioning, the user may replace the ionizer module with a new one in a straightforward manner, without the need for replacement of the entire disinfecting device.

Further, when Di is greater than D2, the slot being arranged in the disinfecting device is protected from unintentional access, and also from outer factors such as dust and moisture. Further, the larger the Di, the better the protection of the slot, and the better the disinfection performance, since less recombination of ions can occur. Additionally, it is possible to upgrade towards higher performing or lower power consuming ionizer modules in the future, without the need to replace the disinfecting device.

The releasable bipolar ionizer module according to the present invention may have any suitable shape and size. In particular, the releasable bipolar ionizer module may be elongated. By the term elongated is understood as the ionizer module having longitudinal extension X and a width W being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension X, wherein the longitudinal extension X is significantly greater than the width W. By the term “significantly greater” is understood as the longitudinal extension X being at least twice the width W.

The releasable bipolar ionizer module according to the present invention may comprise a flow inducing device configured to induce a forced air flow such that the negative ionized air is directed in a first direction and the positive ionized air is directed in a second direction different from the first direction. The ionizer module according to such an embodiment provides an improved distribution of ions in a room. The first direction may be opposite to the second direction such that negative ionized air is prevented from an encounter with the positive ionized air. In this way, recombination of positive and negative ions is prevented or at least reduced. The releasable bipolar ionizer module according to the present invention may have a first portion being insertable in the slot, the first portion having a first width Wi, and a second portion arranged to protrude from the slot, the second portion having a second width W2. The second width W2 is greater than the first width Wi. The first width W 1 should be substantially equal to or smaller than the maximum slot width D2, such that the first portion of the ionizer module may be inserted into the slot. Further, the second width W2 is substantially equal to or greater than the ionizer module distance Di. In particular, the releasable ionizer module may be T-shaped, having a bottom portion and a top portion being substantially perpendicular to said bottom portion. The bottom portion may at least partially be inserted into the slot.

The present invention further relates to a disinfecting device comprising a slot having a maximum slot width D2, and at least one releasable bipolar ionizer module being releasably connected to the slot of the disinfecting device. The disinfecting device of the present invention is arranged to clean air. For example, the disinfecting device may be arranged to clean indoor air in substantially any residential, professional and/or industrial room or space such as hospitals, emergency rooms, waiting rooms, homes, offices, restaurants, industries, etc. As mentioned above, the ionizer module comprises a negative ionizer module providing negative ionized air and a positive ionizer module providing positive ionized air, wherein the positive ionizer module is arranged at an ionizer module distance Di from the negative ionizer module, and wherein Di is greater than D2. The features of the ionizer module have been described in greater detail above.

When the disinfecting device of the present invention comprises a plurality of ionizer modules, one slot is assigned to each ionizer module. In other words, the disinfecting device may comprise a plurality of slots, each having an ionizer module releasably connected to it. The term plurality in the context of the present invention is intended to mean “at least two”.

The disinfecting device according to the present invention may be a luminaire comprising a housing and at least one light source arranged in the housing. By the term “luminaire” is in the context of the present invention meant substantially any light fixture, light arrangement, or the like, wherein the luminaire may be suspended from a ceiling, fastened to a wall, arranged on a floor, etc. The luminaire of the present invention is particularly advantageous in that it combines the disinfecting device with lighting from one or more LEDs. The at least one light source may be a light emitting diode (LED) light source arranged to emit visible light having a dominant peak in a wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm. According to such an embodiment, the disinfecting properties are combined with illumination. Alternatively, or additionally, the at least one light source may be arranged to emit UV light having a dominant peak in a wavelength range from 100 to 400 nm. Such an embodiment is advantageous in that the violet light and/or UV light may provide a disinfection of the air by the ability of the light to inactivate microorganisms. Hence, the combination of the disinfecting device and the emission of violet light and/or UV light is particularly advantageous for air cleaning purposes.

In particular, the at least one light source may be arranged to emit light of at least one of Ultra Deep UV light in a wavelength range from 100 to 190 nm, Deep UV light in a wavelength range from 190 to 220 nm, UV-C light in a wavelength range from 220 to 280 nm, UV-B light in a wavelength range from 280 to 315 nm, UV-A light in a wavelength range from 315 to 400 nm, and UV light at 254 nm. Such an embodiment is advantageous in that one or more of the wavelength ranges may be particularly suitable for disinfection purposes, thereby even further enhancing the cleaning effect of the disinfecting device of the present invention.

By the term “dominant peak wavelength” is meant the maximum value of the wavelength of emitted light in the specified wavelength range, which is the maximum value of the wavelength range generated by the device. The term “LED” as used in the context of the present invention implies any type of LED known in the art, such as inorganic LED(s), organic LED(s), polymer/polymeric LEDs, violet LEDs, blue LEDs, optically pumped phosphor coated LEDs, optically pumped nano-crystal LEDs. As used herein, the term “LED” can encompass a bare LED die arranged in a housing, which may be referred to as a LED package.

In particular, the disinfecting device of the present invention may comprise a first light source emitting visible light and a second light source emitting UV light, such that the light emitted by the disinfecting device may be used both for illumination and disinfection purposes.

The slot may thus be provided in the housing. Further, the housing may comprise a light exit window and a rim circumscribing the light exit window. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the slot may be provided in the rim. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of accessibility of the ionizer module combined with unobstructed light exit window. In order to avoid disturbance of the light flow through the light exit window, the ionizer module having a longitudinal extension may be arranged such that the longitudinal extension of the ionizer module is substantially parallel to the rim. By such an arrangement, the ionizer module is arranged in the slot such that the light exit window is not obstructed, i.e. there is no or limited shielding of the luminaire light.

The disinfecting device may further comprise a controller for (individually) controlling the generation of the negative ionized air and the positive ionized air. The controller may be remotely and/or automatically controllable.

As mentioned above, the disinfecting device offers the advantage of improved access to the ionizer module, such that the ionizer module may be replaced without the need for replacing the entire disinfecting device. In order to enable timely replacement of the ionizer module, the disinfecting device may comprise an indicator generating a replacement signal when the releasable bipolar ionizer module is malfunctioning. Such a replacement signal may be a visually and/or audibly perceivable signal, such as a flashing light, a siren, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of the disinfecting device according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows disinfecting devices according to the present invention being arranged in a room; and

Fig. 3 illustrates cross-section of a portion of the disinfecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 depicts an embodiment of a disinfecting device wherein the releasable bipolar ionizer module comprises a flow inducing device.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate embodiments of the present invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments of the present invention set forth herein; rather, these embodiments of the present invention are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components having a same or similar function, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 depicts a disinfecting device 1 comprising a slot 2 having a maximum slot width D2, and at least one releasable bipolar ionizer module 3 being releasably connected to the slot 2 of the disinfecting device 1. The ionizer module 3 comprises a negative ionizer module 4 providing negative ionized air and a positive ionizer module 5 providing positive ionized air, wherein the positive ionizer module 5 is arranged at an ionizer module distance Di from the negative ionizer module 4, and wherein Di is greater than D2.

The disinfecting device 1 depicted in Fig. l is a luminaire comprising a housing 6 and a plurality of light sources 7 arranged in the housing 6.

The housing 6 comprises a light exit window 8 and a rim 9 circumscribing the light exit window 8. The slot 2 is provided in the rim 9. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of accessibility of the ionizer module 3 combined with unobstructed light exit window 8. In order to avoid disturbance of the light flow through the light exit window 8, the ionizer module 3 having a longitudinal extension X is arranged such that the longitudinal extension X of the ionizer module 3 is substantially parallel to the rim 9. By such an arrangement, the ionizer module 3 is arranged in the slot 2 such that the light exit window 8 is not obstructed, i.e. there is no or limited shielding of the luminaire light.

Fig. 2 shows a room 100 in which two disinfecting devices 101 and 101 ' according to the present invention are arranged. Each of the disinfecting devices 101, 101 ' comprises an ionizer module 103, 103'. The disinfecting devices 101, 101 ' are attached to the ceiling 111 of the room 100, thus providing disinfection of the air around subjects 110, 110' being present in the room 100.

Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the ionizer module 3 according to the present invention. The releasable bipolar ionizer module 3 is arranged to be releasably connected to a slot 2 of a disinfecting device 1, wherein the slot 2 has a maximum slot width D ₂ .

The releasable bipolar ionizer module 3 comprises a negative ionizer module 4 configured to generate negative ionized air and a positive ionizer module 5 configured to generate positive ionized air, wherein the positive ionizer module 5 is arranged at an ionizer module distance Di from the negative ionizer module 4. According to the present invention, Di is greater than D2.

As mentioned above, such a configuration of the ionizer module 3 enables simple replaceability of the ionizer module 3, which is important given the fact that the lifetime of the ionizer module 3 is generally much shorter than the disinfecting device 1, e.g. a luminaire. Therefore, once the ionizer module 3 is malfunctioning, the user may replace the ionizer module 3 with a new one in a straightforward manner, without the need for replacement of the entire disinfecting device 1.

Further, when Di is greater than D2, the slot 2 being arranged in the disinfecting device 1 is protected from unintentional access, and also from outer factors such as dust and moisture. Further, the larger the Di, the better the protection of the slot 2, and the better the disinfection performance, since less recombination of ions can occur.

The releasable bipolar ionizer module 3 depicted in Fig. 3 is elongated, i.e. the ionizer module 3 has a longitudinal extension X and a width W being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension X, wherein the longitudinal extension X is significantly greater than the width W.

The releasable bipolar ionizer module 3 according to the present invention has a first portion 11 being insertable in the slot 2, the first portion having a first width Wi, and a second portion 12 arranged to protrude from the slot 2, the second portion having a second width W2. The second width W2 is greater than the first width Wi. The first width Wi is substantially equal to or smaller than the maximum slot width D2, such that the first portion 11 of the ionizer module 3 may be inserted into the slot 2. Further, the second width W2 is greater than the ionizer module distance Di. As may be in Fig. 3, the releasable ionizer module 3 is T-shaped.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a disinfecting device 101 wherein the releasable bipolar ionizer module 103 comprises a flow inducing device 113. The flow inducing device 113 is configured to induce a forced air flow such that the negative ionized air is directed in a first direction A and the positive ionized air is directed in a second direction B different from the first direction. As mentioned above, the ionizer module 103 according to such an embodiment provides an improved distribution of ions in a room. The first direction A is opposite to the second direction B such that negative ionized air is prevented from an encounter with the positive ionized air. In this way, recombination of positive and negative ions is prevented or at least reduced. Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the detailed description be regarded as illustrative and that the appended claims including all the equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. While the present invention has been illustrated in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration is to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article ”a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.