Safety mechanism for an air purification system

Abstract

In various examples, the subject matter of this disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for air purification systems. According to one embodiment, a multi-filtration air purification system can include a photocatalytic oxidizer (PCO) filter including an ultraviolet (UV) emitter, the PCO filter disposed within an air filter receiving region of the air purification system. In one implementation, the air purification system can include a removable air filter disposed over the PCO filter and located within the air filter receiving region, where the removable air filter can include a switch trigger. In some instances, the air filter receiving region can include a switch configured to receive the switch trigger, where the switch and switch trigger together are configured to disable operation of the air purification system when the removable air filter is removed from the air filter receiving region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air purification system, the system comprising:
 a photocatalytic oxidizer (PCO) filter comprising an ultraviolet (UV) emitter, the PCO filter disposed within an air filter receiving region of the air purification system;   a removable air filter disposed over the PCO filter and located within the air filter receiving region, wherein the removable air filter comprises a switch trigger; and   the air filter receiving region comprising a switch configured to receive the switch trigger, wherein the switch and switch trigger together are configured to disable operation of the air purification system when the removable air filter is removed from the air filter receiving region.   
     
     
         2 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch and switch trigger together are configured to enable operation of the air purification system when the removable air filter is placed within the air filter receiving region of the air purification system. 
     
     
         3 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch comprises at least one of a magnetic switch, or a Reed type switch. 
     
     
         4 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch trigger comprises at least one of a magnet, or a magnetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable air filter is configured to fit over, and cover, the PCO filter within the air filter receiving region. 
     
     
         6 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable air filter comprises at least one of a cold catalytic oxidation (CCO) filter, a thermal catalytic oxidation (TCO) filter, or a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. 
     
     
         7 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the an UV emitter comprises an ultraviolet (UV) band C emitter. 
     
     
         8 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV emitter is configured to emit light having a wavelength in a range of approximately 200-400 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , further comprising a HEPA filter disposed over the removable air filter. 
     
     
         10 . The air purification system of  claim 9 , wherein the HEPA filter is configured to fit over, and cover, the removable air filter. 
     
     
         11 . The air purification system of  claim 9 , wherein the HEPA filter is removable. 
     
     
         12 . The air purification system of  claim 9 , further comprising pre-filter disposed over the HEPA filter. 
     
     
         13 . The air purification system of  claim 12 , wherein the pre-filter is configured to fit over, and cover, the removable air filter. 
     
     
         14 . The air purification system of  claim 12 , wherein the pre-filter is removable. 
     
     
         15 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the PCO filter comprises one or more PCO filters. 
     
     
         16 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , wherein the PCO filter comprises a top PCO filter and a bottom PCO filter. 
     
     
         17 . The air purification system of  claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust region. 
     
     
         18 . The air purification system of  claim 17 , further comprising a CCO filter or a TCO filter disposed within the air exhaust region of the air purification system. 
     
     
         19 . A method for safely replacing a removable air filter of an air purification system, the method comprising:
 providing a photocatalytic oxidizer (PCO) filter comprising an ultraviolet (UV) emitter, the PCO filter disposed within an air filter receiving region of the air purification system, wherein the air filter region comprises a switch;   placing, or removing, a removable air filter from within the air filter region, wherein the removable air filter comprises a switch trigger;   determining whether the removable air filter is placed within the air filter region, wherein the determination is based on whether the switch trigger is in proximity to the switch; and   based on the determination of whether the removable air filter is placed within the air filter region, enabling or disabling operation of the air purification system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the switch trigger comprises at least one of a magnet or a magnetic material. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the switch comprises at least one of a magnetic switch or a Reed switch.