Air Circulation Device with Filter Control Mechanism

The present specification generally relates to air circulation devices, and more specifically, to stand-alone air circulation devices having integrated damper systems for selective air filtration.

Traditional air circulation devices, such as fans, tower fans, air purifiers, and the like are configured to operate continuously under one mode of operation. For example, these traditional devices are either constantly filtering air or not filtering air at all. As a result, these devices lack the flexibility to adapt their operation based on varying air quality conditions and/or user presence. Furthermore, the constant filtering operation of traditional air circulation devices results in unnecessary energy consumption and accelerated wear on any filters disposed within the device, which may necessitate frequent filter replacements that incur additional cost and environmental waste. Accordingly, a need exists for an air circulation device configured to selectively control air filtering during operation.

In an embodiment, an air circulation device is disclosed. The air circulation device includes a housing including an exhaust, a base including a filter intake and a bypass intake formed in the base, the filter intake and bypass intake being configured to draw air into the air circulation device from an environment, and a damper system coupling the exhaust of the housing to the filter intake and bypass intake of the base, the damper system being adjustable between a filter state and a bypass state. The damper system comprises a bypass damper translatable via a bypass actuator, a filter damper translatable via a filter actuator, a filter mechanism disposed in air communication with the filter damper and the filter intake, a motor communicatively coupled to the bypass actuator and the filter actuator, such that the bypass damper and the filter damper are both translatable between an open position and a closed position, and a control mechanism having a sensor, the control mechanism being configured to adjust the damper system between the filter state and the bypass state. The sensor determines an air quality rating of the air and compares the air quality rating of the air to a predetermined air quality threshold.

In another embodiment, an air circulation device is disclosed. The air circulation device includes a housing including an exhaust, a base including a filter intake and a bypass intake formed in the base, the filter intake and bypass intake being configured to draw air into the air circulation device from an environment, and a damper system coupling the exhaust of the housing to the filter intake and bypass intake of the base, the damper system being adjustable between a filter state and a bypass state. The damper system comprises a bypass damper translatable via a bypass actuator, a filter damper translatable via a filter actuator, a filter mechanism disposed in air communication with the filter damper and the filter intake, a motor communicatively coupled to the bypass actuator and the filter actuator, such that the bypass damper and the filter damper are both translatable between an open position and a closed position, and a control mechanism configured to adjust the damper system between the filter state and the bypass state. The air circulation device further includes a network communicatively coupled to the control mechanism, the network including at least a user device or a smart home environment. The control mechanism utilizes real-time data received from the network to adjust the damper system between the filter state and the bypass state.

In another embodiment, an air circulation device is disclosed that includes a housing including an exhaust; a base; one or more filter intakes and bypass intakes configured to draw air into the air circulation device from an environment; and a damper system coupling the exhaust of the housing to the one or more filter intakes and bypass intakes. The damper system is adjustable to actuate one or more dampers associated with one or more filters, and further includes at least one damper associated with at least one filter, the at least one damper actuatable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the damper allows air to flow through the at least one filter, and wherein in the closed position, the at least one damper prevents air to flow through the at least one filter. The device also includes a motor communicatively coupled to an actuator coupled to the at least one damper such that the at least one damper is movable between the open position and the closed position.

In another embodiment, an air circulation device is disclosed, having a housing including an exhaust; a base; a filter intake and a bypass intake. The filter intake and the bypass intake are configured to draw air into the air circulation device from an environment. The device also includes a damper system coupling the exhaust of the housing to the filter intake and bypass intake, wherein the damper system is adjustable between a filter state and a bypass state and includes a bypass damper movable via a bypass actuator; a filter damper movable via a filter actuator; and a filter mechanism disposed in air communication with the filter damper and the filter intake.

In yet another embodiment, a method of selectively filtering air using a stand-alone air circulation device is disclosed. The method includes determining, using a sensor formed in air communication with a damper system of the air circulation device, an air quality rating of the air; comparing the air quality rating of the air to a predetermined air quality threshold; and controlling, via a control mechanism of the air circulation device, an operating state of the air circulation device, wherein the control mechanism is configured to: adjust the operating state of the air circulation device to a filter state when the air quality rating is below the predetermined air quality threshold, such that a filter intake formed in a base of the air circulation device circulates the air through a filter mechanism before recirculating the air to an environment; and adjust the operating state of the air circulation device to a bypass state when the air quality rating meets or exceeds the air quality threshold, such that a bypass intake formed in the air circulation device allows the air to bypass the filter mechanism before recirculating the air to the environment.

Although helpful in many embodiments, the damper system need not be controlled by a motor, actuator, or sensor, but instead could comprise one or more manual dampers for lower cost or simplicity. Similarly, the actuator could comprise a solenoid, if desired, instead of motors. Similarly, instead of a damper system, different fans could be associated with the various filters and could be activated to move air through each fan's respective filter. For consistency in the description that follows, however, the embodiments discussed herein depict a damper system and control system including, in varying embodiments, motors, actuators, and sensors.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to air circulation devices and methods of selectively filtering air using air circulation devices. In these embodiments, the air circulation device includes a housing including an exhaust, a filter intake and a bypass intake, and a damper system adjustable between a filter state and a bypass state. The damper system includes a bypass damper translatable via a bypass actuator, a filter damper translatable via a filter actuator, a filter mechanism disposed in air communication with the filter damper and the filter intake, a motor coupled to the bypass actuator and the filter actuator that allows the bypass damper and the filter damper to translate between an open position and a closed position, and a control mechanism having a sensor. The control mechanism is configured to adjust the damper system between the filter state and the bypass state, and the sensor, if included, determines an air quality rating of the air and compares the air quality rating of the air to a predetermined air quality threshold.

In the embodiments described herein, the control mechanism may place the damper system in the bypass state when the air quality rating meets and/or exceeds the predetermined air quality threshold, and adjust the damper system to the filter state when the air quality rating is below the predetermined air quality threshold. Accordingly, by only forcing air through the filter mechanism when the air quality threshold falls below the predetermined air quality threshold, the disclosed air circulation device may significantly decrease energy consumption and environmental impact compared to conventional air circulation devices.

As should be appreciated, traditional air circulation devices, such as fans and air purifiers, are designed to operate continuously under a single mode of operation; either constantly filtering air or not filtering air at all. Moreover, these devices lack the flexibility to adapt operation based on varying air quality conditions. As a result, traditional fans are equipped with static filters that clean the air as it passes through, regardless of the actual need for filtration. This constant operation leads to unnecessary energy consumption and accelerated wear on filters, which increases the frequency with which the filters must be replaced.

Furthermore, most existing air circulation devices are incapable of interacting with other networks or smart home devices, and lack features that leverage real-time data to optimize their function. The lack of real-time data use to dynamically adjust operation of traditional air circulation devices decreases the efficiency and adaptability of current devices.

The disclosed air circulation device aims to resolve these issues by providing a standalone (e.g., freestanding) fan, such as a tower fan, that includes a dynamic damper system configured to control airflow through a filter based on detected air quality levels, environmental conditions, and/or user location. By optimizing the times when filtration is active and reducing overall operational intensity, the disclosed air filtration device may decrease energy consumption and environmental impact compared to conventional fans and/or air purifiers.

Embodiments of air circulation devices and methods of operating air circulation devices will now be described in additional detail herein. The following will now describe these refrigeration systems, container assemblies, and methods in more detail with reference to the drawings and where like numbers refer to like structures.

As illustrated in, an air circulation device is depicted. In these embodiments, the air circulation device is depicted as a tower fan, but can be any other freestanding and/or standalone air circulation device (e.g., fan, purifier, etc.) configured for residential and/or commercial use. As further depicted in, the air circulation device may include a housingand a base, with the housingbeing releasably and/or fixedly coupled to the baseand the basebeing configured to support the tower fanas a free standing structure when the tower fanis placed on a floor or other similarly level surface. Furthermore, although not depicted, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the housingmay be rotatably coupled to the base, such that the housingtranslates radially relative the basewhen the tower fanis activated to aid in circulating air within a room or other similar environment. In the embodiments described herein, the housingand basemay be formed of plastics, metals, composite materials, or any other similar material, as may be determined based on the environment in which the tower fanoperates.

Referring still to, the basemay include a plurality of intakesthat may be configured to draw air from an external environment in which the tower fanis positioned and into the tower fan. In these embodiments, the plurality of intakesmay include at least a filter intakeand a bypass intake, with the filter intakebeing configured to draw in air through a filter mechanism and the bypass intakebeing configured to draw air into the tower fanwhile bypassing the filter mechanism. It should be understood that the plurality of intakesmay be situated in various locations on the tower fan, including on any side of the baseand/or on any side of the housing. For convenience and ease of description, the schematic embodiments shown insimply depict the plurality of intakesin a particular location, but that location is not intended to be in any way limiting. In the embodiments described herein, the tower fanmay be operable in a filter state or a bypass state by individually activating the filter intakeand/or the bypass intake. Operation of the plurality of intakeswill be described in additional detail herein with reference to the figures.

As further illustrated in, the housingmay include an exhaust. In these embodiments, air that is drawn into the tower fan(e.g., through the plurality of intakes) may be dispersed back into the environment via the exhaustin order to regulate a temperature, humidity, air quality, or other similar parameter of the environment in which the tower fanis positioned. For example, in the filter state, the filter intakemay be activated, such that air is drawn from the environment, through the filter intake and filter mechanism, and out of the exhaust. In these embodiments, the filter mechanism may act to remove particulates from the air drawn by the filter intakeprior to dispersing the filtered air into the environment. In contrast, in the bypass state, the bypass intakemay draw air into the tower fanand recirculate the air (e.g., unfiltered air) into the environment without forcing the air through the filter mechanism.

Referring still to, the housingmay further include a plurality of inputs, such as buttons, knobs, or other similar manual control inputs, which may allow a user to manually control the operating state of the tower fan(e.g., filter state vs. bypass state). For example, the plurality of inputsmay allow a user to manually adjust the operating state of the tower fan, adjust a speed of the exhaustof the tower fan, power the tower fanon and/or off, or program the tower fanto operate in a particular operating state for a predetermined period of time and/or on a predetermined schedule. In these embodiments, the housingmay further include a user interface, such as a digital display or other similar electronic display, which provides a visual indication of a power status, a time, an operating state, or other similar parameter of the tower fanto the user. Although the plurality of inputsmay be used to manually control the tower fan, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the tower fanmay also be remotely and/or electronically operated, as will be described in additional detail herein with reference to.

Turning now to, the tower fanis illustrated in the filter state and the bypass state, respectively. In these embodiments, tower fanmay further include a damper system, which may be configured to adjust the operating state of the tower fanbetween the filter state and the bypass state, as will be described in additional detail herein.

As further depicted in, the damper systemmay include a plurality of dampersthat may be actuatable between an open position and a closed position. These figures are just schematic representations intended to show functional relationships, not necessarily specific required structures. For example, the damper systemmay include one or more dampers, and each damper alternatively could have its own motor or drive system. In the embodiments shown, the damper systemmay further include a plurality of actuators, with at least one of the plurality of actuatorsbeing associated with at least one of the plurality of dampersto translate, rotate, or otherwise actuate the at least one of the plurality of dampersbetween the open position and the closed position. As mentioned, the actuatorscould be solenoids, if desired. As further depicted in the figures, the damper systemmay further include a drive mechanism, such as a motor, that may be electronically and/or mechanically coupled to each of the plurality of actuators(or, as discussed, in some embodiments individually to a single actuator), such that operation of the drive mechanismacts to move each of the plurality of dampersbetween the open position and the closed position, and a plurality of positions therebetween.

Referring still to, the plurality of dampersmay include at least a filter damperand a bypass damper, each of which may be translatable between an open position and a closed position. In these embodiments, the plurality of actuatorsmay include at least a filter actuatorand a bypass actuator, with the filter actuatorbeing configured to translate the filter damperbetween the open position and the closed position and the bypass actuatorbeing configured to translate the bypass damperbetween the open position and the closed position. As further depicted, the damper systemmay include a filter mechanism, which may be associated with the filter damper. In these embodiments, when the filter damperis opened, air may be drawn into the tower fanthrough the filter mechanism, as will be described in additional detail herein.

As further depicted in the figures, the damper systemmay include a control mechanism, which may be configured to electronically and/or remotely control the various components of the damper system. In these embodiments, a user may operate the control mechanismto change the operating state of the tower fanbetween the filter state and the bypass state, as will be described in additional detail herein with reference to.

Referring now to, the tower fanis depicted in the filter state. As described hereinabove, in the filter state, the filter intakemay be activated, such that air is drawn into the tower fanvia the filter intake. In these embodiments, when the filter intakeis activated, the drive mechanismof the damper systemmay utilize the filter actuatorto actuate the filter damperfrom the closed position to the open position, and activate the bypass actuatorto actuate the bypass damperfrom the open position to the closed position. With the bypass damperin the closed position, air from the environment in which the tower fanis positioned may be unable to enter the bypass intake. Accordingly, the air drawn into the tower fanmay enter via the filter intake. As air is drawn through the filter intake, the air may pass through the filter mechanismand the filter damperbefore being recirculated into the environment via the exhaust.

Referring now to, the tower fanmay be adjusted from the filter state to the bypass state by adjusting the various components of the damper system. For example, as depicted in, the drive mechanismmay utilize the filter actuatorto move the filter damperfrom the open position to the closed position, and utilize the bypass damperto move the bypass damperfrom the closed position to the open position. With the filter damperin the closed position, air may be unable to enter the tower fanvia the filter intake. Accordingly, air drawn into the tower fanfrom the environment may be drawn via the bypass intake. In these embodiments, air drawn into the tower fanvia the bypass intakemay pass through the bypass damperand be recirculated to the environment via the exhaustwithout passing through the filter mechanism.

depicts an embodiment in which the tower fanoccupies a state in which the recirculated air flowing out of the exhaustis partially filtered. In this state, some amount of air flows past the bypass damperwhile some amount of air flows past the filter mechanismand through the filter damper. Indeed, the bypass damperand the filter dampercan also be coupled such that as one damper moves in a first direction, the other damper moves in a second direction. In this manner, the bypass damperand the filter dampereach can traverse a spectrum of movements, such that each may be partially open a varying amount in relation to the other. As such, for example, as the bypass damperis moved closer and closer toward the closed position, the filter damperis moved closer and closer toward the open position. In this manner, an infinite combination of states of openness of the filter damperand the bypass damperare possible.

depict an alternative embodiment in which the tower fanincludes multiple filter mechanisms. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are three filter mechanisms: a first filter, a second filter, and a third filter. These filters can be of many varieties, and all types of filters are possible. In the figures, the three filter mechanismsare depicted as a HEPA filter (first filter), a carbon filter (second filter), and a particle filter (third filter). In this embodiment, only the portion of the air intakethat flows through the filter intakeis depicted. The air that flows through the filter intake is drawn into the tower fanvia the fan and has the ability to flow past one, two, or all filters. The filter intakemay be singular or may be plural. In the embodiment shown, the filter intakeis a single air intake. The inlet air is drawn into the tower fanand has the ability to flow out the exhaustvia several different paths, depending on the state of the damper system. In this embodiment, the damper systemcan include one or more bypass dampers, similar to that described above. Additionally, the damper systemcan include a first filter damper, a second filter damper, and a third filter damper. As depicted, the first filter damperis associated with a flow path through the first filter; the second filter damperis associated with a flow path through second filter; and the third filter damperis associated with a flow path through third filter. The level and type of filtration utilized by the tower fandepends on which of the dampers,, and/orare opened or closed (in conjunction with any bypass dampers used). Indeed, the filter systemcan be arranged in such a way that the damper systemallows only one filter to be utilized per each open damper. Or, as depicted in the figures, the filter mechanismcan be arranged in a stacked configuration, where each damper allows the air flow to pass through a cumulative set of dampers, in consecutive order. For example,depicts a situation wherein third filter damperis open, and inlet air is passed through the third filter(particle).depicts a situation wherein second filter damperis open, and inlet air is passed through both the third filterand the second filter(carbon).depicts a situation wherein first filter damperis open, and inlet air is passed through all filters: the third filter, the second filter, and the first filter(HEPA).

is a two-dimensional schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the tower fanin which first filter, second filter, and third filterare arranged within the housingin a circular orientation. In the embodiment shown, the intakeis located at the outer surface of the housing. Air flows within the tower fanin a variety of flow paths, again depending on the respective statuses of the damper systemcomponents associated with the various filter mechanisms. In similar fashion as the other embodiments shown herein, the various dampers can be driven in the same manner as described above. As shown, these flow paths represent concentric rings of possible flow paths, including entrance flow path, third filter flow path, third filter bypass flow path, second filter flow path, second filter bypass flow path, first filter flow path, first filter bypass flow path, and exit flow path. In, in general air is drawn into the tower fanthrough the intakesand, after flowing through the designated flow paths within the tower fan(described below), exits the tower fanvertically—that is, out of the page ofas depicted—via exhaust.

As with the embodiment shown in, there are multiple possible flow paths in the embodiment shown inas well. Each damper (that is, first filter damperand/or first bypass damper; second filter damperand/or second bypass damper; and third filter damperand/or third bypass damper) can occupy a closed position, an open position, or multiple partially open positions between the open position and the closed position. As used herein, the “closed” position is defined as that position that prevents air from flowing through the filter associated with the particular damper. Also similarly to the embodiment shown in, air can be made to flow through one, two, or all three filters, depending on the state of the various dampers. For example, for air to flow only through the first filter, the second filter damperand third filter damperare closed, while the second bypass damperand the third bypass damperare open. In this arrangement, when third filter damperis closed, air comes into the tower fanat entrance flow pathbut does not flow in the third filter flow path(through the third filter); instead, air must flow through the third bypass damperand into the third filter bypass flow path. As air flows through the third filter bypass flow path, it eventually reaches the location of the second filter. Because the second filter damperis closed, air does not flow in the second filter flow path(through the second filter); instead, air must flow through the second bypass damperand into the second filter bypass flow path. The air then reaches the first filter damperand, because it is open (and because first bypass damperis closed), air flows through the first filterand into the first filter flow pathand eventually out of the tower fanat exit.

Alternatively, obviously, if it is desired for air to flow through all three filters, then all three bypass dampers (first bypass damper, second bypass damper, and third damper) can be closed (or partially closed). In this arrangement, air is filtered in the tower fanusing all three filters,, and. And, equally obviously, if desired, air can be alternatively filtered by only one filter or by any combination of two filters, simply by closing or opening the desired filter dampers,, andand/or bypass dampers,, and. Whenever the first bypass damperis closed and the first filter damperis open (or partially open), air flows through the first filterinto the first filter flow pathand eventually out of the tower fanat exit. If the first filteris not desired to be used, the first filter dampercan be closed and the first bypass dampercan be open. In this situation, air flows through the first bypass damperand into the first filter bypass flow pathand eventually out of the tower fanat exit. These latter two situations can be achieved whether air is made to flow through the second filteror the third filter, or any combination, or neither, of the two.

In the embodiment depicted in, the third filteris located at the outer surface of the housing. As such, it is easy to access and replace the third filterwhen needed. The first filterand the second filterare located more internally to the housing. As such, a first filter trayis used to access and replace the first filter. Likewise, a second filter trayis used to access and replace the second filter.

Referring again to;A-C; and, although the damper systemmay be manually controlled by the user via the plurality of inputs(), in these embodiments, the control mechanismmay further include a sensor, such as an air quality sensor, that may be utilized to automate operation of the tower fanbetween the filter state and the bypass state. For example, in these embodiments, the sensormay be configured to collect real-time data related to an air parameter of the air drawn into the tower fanand/or an environmental parameter of the environment in which the tower fanis positioned and adjust the operating state of the tower fan by comparing the air parameter and/or environmental parameter to a predetermined threshold.

For example, as depicted, the sensormay be an air quality sensor configured to determine an air quality rating of the air that is drawn into the tower fanbased on operation of the damper system. In these embodiments, the damper systemmay initially be in the bypass state, such that air is drawn into the damper systemvia the bypass intake. Once air from the environment is drawn into the bypass intake, the air may traverse the sensorprior to being recirculated into the environment via the exhaust, such that the sensoris able to generate an air quality rating of the air drawn into the tower fan. Although sensoris depicted schematically in the embodiments in the figures in a particular location, it can be located anywhere in or on the tower fan, so long as it is in air communication with the environment in which the tower fanis situated.

In these embodiments, when the air quality rating meets and/or exceeds a predetermined air quality threshold, the tower fanmay remain in the bypass state. For example, when the sensordetermines that the air quality rating meets and/or exceeds the predetermined air quality threshold, the air quality rating may indicate that the air circulating within the external environment includes an acceptable level of particulates (e.g., pollutants, allergens, etc.), such that the air may be circulated through the tower fanwithout passing through the filter mechanism.

Conversely, in the event the air quality rating fails below the predetermined air quality threshold, the control mechanismmay engage the damper systemof the tower fanto alternate the tower fanto the filter state. For example, when the sensordetermines that the air quality rating falls below the predetermined air quality threshold, the air quality rating may indicate that an unacceptable level of particulates are present in the air drawn into the tower fan. Accordingly, the damper systemmay begin to draw air into the tower fanvia the filter intake, such that air from the environment is filtered via the filter mechanismas the air is circulated through the tower fanprior to be dispersed via the exhaust. And, of course, the damper systemmay draw air into the tower fanvia a combination of the filter intakeand the bypass intake, if desired, to achieve the desired level of filtration.

Referring still to the figures, in these embodiments, the tower fanmay remain in the filter state until the sensordetermines that the air quality rating of the air drawn into the tower fanmeets and/or exceeds the predetermined air quality threshold, at which point the control mechanismmay automatically adjust operation of the tower fanto the bypass state.

In the embodiments depicted in, it should be further appreciated that the control mechanismmay be configured to ensure that the bypass damperand the filter damperoperate inversely to one another during operation of the tower fan. For example, the bypass damperand the filter dampermay be oppositely configured, such that, when the bypass damperis in the open position (e.g., in the bypass state) the filter damper is in the closed position, and vice versa. By ensuring that bypass damperand the filter damperdo not remain in the same position (e.g., open or closed) simultaneously during operation, the control mechanismmay ensure that the sensorprovides accurate air quality ratings during operation of the tower fan. In some embodiments, the bypass damperand the filter dampercan also be coupled such that as one damper moves in a first direction, the other damper moves in a second direction. In this manner, the bypass damperand the filter dampereach can traverse a spectrum of movement, such that each may be partially open a varying in relation to the other. As such, for example, as the bypass damperis moved closer and closer toward the closed position, the filter damperis moved closer and closer toward the open position. This functionality applies equally to the embodiments of, using the concomitant actuators, drive mechanisms, and damper systemas described.

Turning now to, an example control mechanismfor the embodiments shown is depicted in additional detail. In these embodiments, the control mechanismmay be further adapted to be connected to one or more networks, including a user deviceand/or a smart home environment, to obtain additional real-time data that may be used to control the operating state of the tower fan, as will be described in additional detail herein.

In these embodiments, the control mechanismmay include one or more control servers, processing modules, communication interfaces, and input/output (“I/O”) interfaces. As depicted in, the communication interfacemay allow the control mechanismto connect to the network, such that the control mechanismmay receive real-time data from a variety of devices connected to the networkthat may be used to control the operating state of the tower fan. In addition, the control mechanismmay also be configured to send real-time or stored data to a variety of devices connected to the networkif, for example, air quality data is at the tower fandesired to be shared with the networkto assist other users or other air quality devices, or to provide an air quality score for comparative or analytical purposes. In these embodiments, the communication interfacemay include a wireless transceiver (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.), an application programming interface (e.g., to allow for interactivity with third-party services and/or applications) and/or a network interface card (e.g., for wired connections providing a stable network when wireless connectivity is insufficient). It should be further appreciated that, in addition to receiving real-time data from devices connected to the network, the I/O interfacemay be communicatively coupled to the plurality of inputs(), such that a user may provide manual inputs to the control mechanismto manually control the operating state of the tower fan.

As further depicted in, in these embodiments, inputs into the I/O interfaceand/or data received by the communication interfacemay be analyzed by the processing module, which may in turn communicate to the control mechanismthe appropriate operating state of the tower fan. For example, the processing modulemay be configured to provide instructions to the control mechanismin order to allow the control mechanismto adjust the operating state of the tower fanbetween the bypass state and the filter state, as has been described in detail herein. In these embodiments, the processing modulemay include a microcontroller and/or microprocessor capable of processing data received by the I/O interfaceand/or communication interface. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the processing modulemay include memory configured to store operational data, user preferences, historical sensor data (e.g., air quality rating data, etc.), and/or any other software and/or firmware utilized in operating the control mechanism.

Referring still to, with the control mechanismconnected to the networkvia the communication interface, the control mechanismmay be configured to send or receive additional real-time data to or from a variety of network-connected devices that may be used to determine the operating state of the tower fan. For example, as illustrated in, the networkmay be communicatively coupled to a user deviceand/or a smart home environmentin order to either send or obtain real-time data regarding environmental conditions and/or user location that may be used to control the operating state of the tower fan, as will be described in additional detail herein.

For example, in some embodiments, the control mechanismmay be configured to track a user location of a user via the user device. In these embodiments, the user devicemay utilize GPS, or other similar location services, to determine the user location of the user, and may relay the user location to the control mechanismvia the networkin real-time. In these embodiments, the control mechanismmay adjust the operating state of the tower fan based on the real-time user location of the user.

In these embodiments, the control mechanismmay compare the user location of the user to a predetermined zone, such as a predetermined geographic and/or geolocation zone, and adjust the operating state of the tower fanbased on the position of the user location relative the predetermined zone. For example, when the user location is within the geographic bounds of the predetermined zone, the control mechanismmay adjust the tower fanto operate in the filter state, such that the tower fanmay help achieve desirable air quality conditions in the environment in which the tower fanis positioned. In contrast, when the control mechanismdetermines that the user has left the predetermined zone (e.g., when the user location falls outside the geographic bounds of the predetermined zone), the control mechanismmay adjust the tower fanto operate in the bypass state, thereby conserving the filter mechanismwhile the user is away from the tower fanand purified air is not needed. In the embodiments described herein, the user devicemay include a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a remote control, or any other similar device capable of relaying location information of the user to the control mechanismvia the network.

Referring still to, and as described herein, the networkmay also be communicatively coupled to a smart home environmentconfigured to provide real-time environmental data to the control mechanism. For example, in these embodiments, the smart home environmentmay include a thermostat, or any other similar smart device, that may be configured to provide real-time data regarding environmental conditions to the control mechanism.

In the embodiments described herein, environmental condition data may be further utilized by the control mechanismto determine an appropriate operating state of the tower fan. For example, in these embodiments, the control mechanismmay be configured to adjust an operating state of the damper systemof the tower fanby comparing the environmental condition data to a predetermined environmental condition threshold.

In these embodiments, the smart home environmentmay provide real-time environmental condition data regarding external events such as weather changes, pollen counts, or the presence of environmental pollutants, such as smoke from nearby fires, to the control mechanism. By analyzing the environmental condition data, the control mechanismmay proactively adjust the damper systembetween the filter state and the bypass state to ensure that the air quality within the environment in which the tower fanis positioned is not impacted by external environmental conditions. For example, if a user is sensitive to pollen and the real-time environmental condition data indicates a high pollen count in the area (e.g., a pollen count in excess of a predetermined pollen count threshold), the control mechanismmay adjust the tower fanto the filter state. It should be appreciated that utilizing the environmental condition data, as described herein, may aid in maintaining optimal air quality without unnecessary use of the filter mechanism, which may allow for enhanced user comfort while also conserving energy and extending the life of the filter mechanism.

Turning now to, an illustrative flow diagram of a methodof selectively filtering air using an air circulation device, such as a tower fan, is depicted. In these embodiments, the methodmay initially involve determining, using a sensor (such as sensor) formed in a damper system (or elsewhere) of the air circulation device, an air quality rating of the air, as is illustrated at block.

Once the air quality rating of the air has been determined by the sensor, the methodmay advance to block, which may involve comparing the air quality rating of the air to a predetermined air quality threshold. In these embodiments, the method may further involve controlling, via a control mechanism of the air circulation device, an operating state of the air circulation device based on the comparison of the air quality rating to the predetermined air quality threshold, as is illustrated at block.

For example, in the embodiments described herein, when the air quality rating is below the predetermined air quality threshold, the control mechanism may be configured to adjust the operating state of the air circulation device to the filter state, in which a filter intake formed in a base of the air circulation device circulates the air through a filter mechanism before recirculating the air to an environment in which the air circulation device is positioned. In contrast, when the air quality rating meets or exceeds the predetermined air quality threshold, the control mechanism may be configured to adjust the operating state of the air circulation device to the bypass state, in which a bypass intake of the air circulation device allows the air to bypass the filter mechanism before recirculating the air to the environment.

Further aspects of the embodiments described herein are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses: