US-12623176-B1 - Filter changing notification system

US12623176B1US 12623176 B1US12623176 B1US 12623176B1US-12623176-B1

Abstract

A filter change notification system is disclosed for use in filtration equipment, including HVAC systems. The system includes a substantially flat, rigid filter mounted on a movable filter tray configured to transition between closed and open positions. The tray includes an airflow opening permitting continued air passage while the filter is installed. The tray is electrically coupled to a filter ejection system comprising a determining component operative to identify a filter-change interval and actuate an associated relay. Activation of the relay drives a mechanical actuator that displaces the filter tray from the closed position to the open position. A notification device, electrically linked to the actuator, provides a visual or electronic alert to a user indicating that the filter has reached its replacement interval and is ready for manual removal and installation of a new filter.

Inventors

Melvin Earl Fields

Assignees

Melvin Earl Fields

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20231127

Claims (20)

1 . A filter changing notification system comprising: a filter tray for supporting a filter in an open or closed filter tray position, and which filter tray has a substantial opening therein; a filter ejection system connected to the filter tray, which filter ejection system comprises: a determining component that determines a filter change time, a relay electrically connected to the determining component, which relay is triggered by the filter change time, and a mechanical actuator electrically connected to the relay, which mechanical actuator ejects the filter tray from the closed position to the open position when the relay is triggered.
2 . The filter changing notification system of claim 1 , wherein the filter tray is angled down when in the open position.
3 . The filter changing notification system of claim 2 , further comprising a filter extension track which is configured to permit the filter tray to be slid down on when in the open position, and wherein the length of the extension track is at least two times the length of the filter tray.
4 . The filter changing notification system of claim 1 , wherein filter tray is a horizontally ejecting filter tray.
5 . The filter changing notification system of claim 4 , wherein the mechanical actuator is actuated by a belt and pulley system that is powered by an electric motor connected to the relay and/or the mechanical actuator.
6 . The filter changing notification system of claim 1 , wherein the determining component is a pressure transducer.
7 . The filter changing notification system of claim 1 , wherein the determining component is a timer.
8 . The filter changing notification system of claim 1 , further comprising a computer which computer, in response to detecting that the mechanical actuator has been actuated, is capable of issuing a notification that is generated and pushed to a user's device which informs that a filter should be replaced.
9 . A device comprising the filter changing notification system of claim 1 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of an HVAC system, a portable/window air conditioner, an air purifier, a heater, a dehumidifier and a clothes drier.
10 . A filter changing notification system comprising: a single substantially flat and substantially rigid filter; a filter tray for supporting the filter in an open or closed filter tray position, and which filter tray has a substantial opening therein; a filter ejection system connected to the filter tray, which filter ejection system comprises: a determining component that determines a filter change time, a relay electrically connected to the determining component, which relay is triggered by the filter change time, and a mechanical actuator electrically connected to the relay, which mechanical actuator ejects the filter tray from the closed position to the open position when the relay is triggered; and, a notification device that is electrically connected to the mechanical actuator and which informs a user with a notification that the filter is ready for manual replacement.
11 . The filter changing notification system of claim 10 , wherein the filter tray is angled down when in the open position.
12 . The filter changing notification system of claim 11 , further comprising a filter extension track which is configured to permit the filter tray to be slid down on when in the open position, and wherein the length of the extension track is at least two times the length of the filter tray.
13 . The filter changing notification system of claim 10 , wherein filter tray is a horizontally ejecting filter tray.
14 . The filter changing notification system of claim 13 , wherein the mechanical actuator is actuated by a belt and pulley system that is powered by an electric motor connected to the relay and/or the mechanical actuator.
15 . The filter changing notification system of claim 10 , wherein the determining component is a pressure transducer.
16 . The filter changing notification system of claim 10 , wherein the determining component is a timer.
17 . The filter changing notification system of claim 10 , further comprising a computer which computer, in response to detecting that the mechanical actuator has been actuated, is capable of issuing a notification that is generated and pushed to a user's device which informs that a filter should be replaced.
18 . A device comprising the filter changing notification system of claim 10 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of an HVAC system, a portable/window air conditioner, an air purifier, a heater, a dehumidifier and a clothes drier.
19 . A method of notifying a user of a filter change time comprising: providing the filter changing notification system of claim 10 to a filtration system; waiting to receive the notification from the notification device; and, replacing a filter manually in the filter tray; placing the filter tray in the closed position; and, resetting the determining component.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the filtration system is present in a device selected from the group consisting of an HVAC system, a portable/window air conditioner, an air purifier, a heater, a dehumidifier, and a clothes drier.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/433,926, filed on Dec. 20, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of filters. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to filters employed in HVAC systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the development of science and technology, the design and application of various systems have been brought to bear to make people's lives more convenient, and gradually improve the quality and purity of their living environment. One factor in improving people's daily living environment, health, and comfort, is the advent of the ability to control the room temperature, humidity, and/or the quantity of particulate matter in a business or residence. Since air conditioning equipment has been developed it has evolved to be nearly omnipresent, especially in areas of the country that have prolonged spells of high heat or humidity. For some, such those who are prone to excessive heat or humidity it has become an indispensable factor in daily life. One of the most crucial components for human health and quality of life in air conditioning system is the air filter that is employed. Air filters essentially act as a dust collector, and a means for removing for fine particles flow which could otherwise enter into the equipment from the air intake of the air conditioning equipment and/or the air outlet of the air conditioning equipment. Further, by removing various contaminants from the air such as various particles, the air eluted from the air conditioning system is greatly improved in overall quality. However, one factor in employing an air filter in an air conditioning system is that the air filter eventually becomes clogged with particulate material and thus loses a great deal of its efficacy. In addition, a clogged air filter imposes a great burden on the electronic components of the HVAC system, which if left untreated can cause damage thereto and eventually result in system failure. Nonetheless, it is not always an easy task to remove, clean or replace an air filter in an HVAC system. Quite often the filters are located in ceiling locations since such provides for the best air circulation and the least dust to enter the system. Thus, such usually requires a ladder to be employed to reach the air filter location. Besides the clear fall risks associated with the use of ladders, the filter must usually have a cover thereover removed which can entail the removal of various fasteners or clips. Thus, this often is an arduous and tedious task which leads many home owners to postpone the need for replacing the air filter in their HVAC system. Further, even when filters are not necessarily located in high locations, they are usually secreted behind closet doors, or the like, which is done for aesthetic purposes. While this removes the visual eyesore of the HVAC system, it likewise tends to cause homeowners to forget about their HVAC system, and the need to periodically replace the air filters therein. One reason is that most HVAC system filters are usually replaced between 1-4 months apart, and after such a prolonged period of time between changes, the homeowner will forget the necessary replacement period. Even if a homeowner does remember the need for filter replacement, rarely does a homeowner put such an item on a calendar as an action item. Thus, when it is remembered, the homeowner must remove the air filter to ascertain if the filter has reached a level of dust accumulation which would require its replacement. The movement of an air filter in and out of an HVAC system can cause some of the accumulated dust and particulate matter on the filter to inadvertently enter the HVAC system, which as noted above, can be damaging to the system. On the other hand, merely removing the air filter and replacing it with another air filter whenever the homeowner remembers to do so may be costly if the filter is replaced prior to the proper time or need for doing so. Accordingly, there remains a need for a solution to at least one of the aforementioned problems. For instance, there is an established need for a means to ascertain when the air filter of an HVAC system needs to be replaced which does not require the use of ladders or the actual removal and checking of the filter surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention can be directed to a filter changing notification system for an HVAC system, which can cause the filter to be partially ejected from the system when it reaches a set point of accumulation or a period of time. In addition, along with the partial ejection, the system sends a notification to the user, e.g., on their cell phone, to inform the user it is time to replace the filter. Such system provides for a readily noticeable state that the filter needs to be replaced, which can faci