Air disinfection device

Abstract

The air sterilizer includes a housing (1), a spiral plate heat exchanger (2), and an air outlet unit (6). An air supply unit (5) is located at one end of the housing. A fan (3) is fixedly mounted in the air supply unit. The spiral plate heat exchanger is located within the housing (1), and an electric heating unit (7) is located at the center of the spiral plate heat exchanger. The air outlet unit is located at the other end of the housing (1). The spiral plate heat exchanger (2) has an inlet pipe (31) extending from the air supply unit (5) to the electric heating unit (7) and a counter-current outlet pipe (32) extending from the electric heating unit (7) to the air outlet unit (6). The pipes (31, 32) extend spirally adjacent to each other. An air outlet (18) is formed on each side of the housing (1), adjacent to the air supply unit (5). Each side of the spiral plate heat exchanger (2) is sealed by an end cap. An air inlet (19) is formed on the end cap, leading to an air inlet duct (31) that extends to the electric heating unit (7). A guide hole for a temperature sensor is formed in the end cap, and the temperature sensor is housed in the guide hole. In the spiral plate heat exchanger (2), there is a constant distance between the plates forming the air inlet duct (31) and the air outlet duct (32). The end cap has heat-insulating side caps on each side of the air sterilizer, which are sealed to the housing (1) and define their respective chambers, establishing flow communication between the air outlet and the air inlet on the same side of the air sterilizer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air sterilizer, and more particularly to an air sterilizer comprising a spiral plate heat exchanger having an air inlet duct from an air inlet unit to a central electric heating unit and a counter-current air outlet duct from an electric heater unit to an air outlet unit, the ducts extending spirally adjacent to each other. Background Technology

[0002] From both a health and economic perspective, combating the novel coronavirus (Covid 19) is a major challenge facing humanity today. People are dying, and the fate of humanity is being jeopardized by its devastating negative impacts on health and the economy. Therefore, any solutions, ideas, or inventions in any field that can prevent the spread of the virus and infection and promote effective control at the individual and societal levels are of paramount importance.

[0003] Various solutions for air purifiers are known in the art. For example, such a device is described in patent application HU P0400912. This document specifically discloses an air purification device that sprays water onto a metal plate through nozzles. A voltage applied to the nozzles and water attracts airborne pollutants, causing them to combine with the water and flow with it as the water enters a collection tank, which then delivers the contaminated water to the building's sewer system.

[0004] Another option is to use germicidal lamps that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These lamps emit UV radiation in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm, which is effective in killing airborne bacteria and viruses.

[0005] Other options include fan-operated air purifiers, which purify the air through various filters, thereby filtering out pathogens and viruses.

[0006] Other options include heated sterilizers (chambers) used in healthcare to disinfect medical devices.

[0007] Other solutions include photocatalytic air purifiers, which generate hydroxyl groups and free radicals to eliminate viruses and other pathogens in the air.

[0008] Document WO 2020 / 197143 A1 discloses an alternative scheme that uses heating to thermally decompose odors and odor components generated during the composting and fermentation of food waste, livestock, and agricultural waste. Airflow is provided by a fan, and the heated air is cooled to a temperature compliant with environmental regulations via a heat exchanger. This equipment is designed for industrial use.

[0009] The disadvantages of the above solution are that the water spray treated by voltage does not attract viruses from the air, the equipment is difficult to start, and its installation requires a water supply system and a sewage system.

[0010] The disadvantages of UV-emitting germicidal lamps are that the radiation is dangerous to humans, animals, and plants, so they should only be used when there are no living organisms nearby. The radiation has a slow reaction time, requiring several minutes of irradiation to kill viruses.

[0011] A serious drawback of fan-type air purifiers with filters is that they don't eliminate airborne pathogens and viruses; instead, they collect them in the filters. This keeps the pathogens and viruses active and infectious, meaning that during the operation of these air purifiers, foci of infection can form within the filters in the same airspace as us. It's only a matter of time before the filtration system of these air purifiers becomes clogged with viruses and the purified air is re-contaminated. Therefore, the filters need to be replaced frequently, which is a significant cost. Another drawback is that improper filter replacement and storage can easily lead to serious infections.

[0012] The disadvantage of heat sterilizers (chambers) is that contaminated tools must be treated in dry, hot air at temperatures between 160°C and 200°C for 10 to 45 minutes. These devices are not suitable for immediately controlling airborne viruses. Due to their design, they are also not suitable for exchanging and sterilizing air.

[0013] The drawback of photocatalytic air purifiers is that they use hydroxyl (HO) radicals to purify the air. Hydroxyl radicals are highly reactive and aggressive molecules, and these free radicals in the air can be directly inhaled during operation. Free radicals are well-known to be a major cause of aging. Therefore, minimizing exposure to free radicals is advisable. Another disadvantage is the high price of these devices.

[0014] The disadvantage of the deodorization device disclosed in WO 2020 / 197143 A1 is that the structural design of the device, the design, layout and operating concept of the heating system of the heat exchanger of the device were developed for industrial purposes, with the aim of neutralizing odors released during the fermentation and composting of food waste, waste from livestock and agricultural waste, as well as odors from sewage treatment, but it does not provide sufficient protection against airborne pathogens, especially viruses. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an antiviral air exchange device based on a new and innovative solution to address recent challenges. This device eliminates the aforementioned problems and disadvantages and provides a composite solution for protection against coronaviruses and other viruses. Furthermore, this device can be used continuously in practice near humans and other organisms in daily use without harming or endangering their health.

[0016] This invention is based on the idea that air infected with coronaviruses or other viruses, drawn into the device, is sterilized in a reaction chamber centrally located inside the device's spiral plate heat exchanger, thereby immediately killing the virus in the air within the reaction chamber at temperatures ranging from 310°C to 600°C. The sterilized hot air, now cooled (approximately to the inlet temperature), is then blown back into the environment. This is achieved by providing side covers on each side of the spiral plate heat exchanger, which offer flow communication between the outlet and inlet located on the same side of the device. Thus, the sides of the spiral plate heat exchanger are also continuously cooled, and the heated air generated there is returned to the spiral plate heat exchanger system. This approach enables advantageous energy-efficient operation, and despite the high internal operating temperatures (310°C to 600°C), the external components and covers of the device do not heat up, which is crucial for practical applications. With continued use of the device, virus-free, healthy air is delivered to treatment rooms, microenvironments, and the overall environment.

[0017] These objectives are achieved by providing an air sterilizer, which includes:

[0018] - A housing having an air supply unit at one end, with a fan fixedly mounted within the air supply unit.

[0019] - A spiral plate heat exchanger, which is disposed in the shell and has an electric heating unit at its center.

[0020] - An exhaust unit, located at the other end of the housing.

[0021] -The spiral plate heat exchanger has an inlet pipe from the air supply unit to the electric heating unit and a counter-current outlet pipe from the electric heating unit to the outlet unit, which extend spirally adjacent to each other.

[0022] At one end of the housing of the device, near the air supply unit, there is an air outlet on each side of the housing. Each side of the spiral plate heat exchanger is sealed by an end cap, which has an air inlet leading to an air inlet pipe that guides to the electric heating unit. A guide hole for a temperature sensor is formed in the end cap, and the temperature sensor is located in the end cap. In the spiral plate heat exchanger, there is a constant distance between the plates forming the air inlet and outlet pipes. The end cap has a heat-insulating side cover on each side of the device, which is tightly connected to the housing of the device, and each of these side covers defines a chamber that establishes flow communication between the air outlet and the air inlet on the same side of the device.

[0023] The air sterilizer according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 A right-side perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 2 A left perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 3 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in a schematic side view, showing the airflow direction during operation.

[0027] Figure 4 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in a schematic side view, having the airflow direction during operation at the operating temperature.

[0028] Figure 5 An embodiment of the device according to the invention, having a spacer pin, is shown in a schematic side view.

[0029] Figure 6 A schematic unfolded perspective view of a spiral plate heat exchanger with spacer pins according to the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 7 An embodiment of the device according to the invention, without end caps and side caps, is shown in the perspective view on the right.

[0031] Figure 8 A right-side perspective view of the electric heating unit and the reinforced internal unit (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger according to the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 9 An embodiment of the device according to the invention, without end caps and side caps, is shown in the left perspective view.

[0033] Figure 10A left perspective view of an embodiment of the electric heating unit and the reinforced internal unit (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger according to the present invention is shown.

[0034] Figure 11 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the perspective view on the right, having an end cap but no side cap.

[0035] Figure 12 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the left perspective view, having an end cap but no side cap.

[0036] Figure 13 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the perspective view on the right, having a splitting component, an end cap, and an airflow direction during device operation.

[0037] Figure 14 The device according to the invention is shown in the left perspective view, having a disassembly component, an end cap, and an airflow direction during device operation.

[0038] Figure 15 A schematic side view of an apparatus according to the invention is shown, which has a spiral plate heat exchanger with insulated pipes in the airflow direction during operation.

[0039] Figure 16 A left perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention is shown, which has a spiral plate heat exchanger but without a left end cover and side cover, the spiral plate heat exchanger having insulated pipes.

[0040] Figure 17 This is a left perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the longer electric heating unit and the reinforced internal unit (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 18 A left perspective view of a device according to the invention is shown, which has a spiral plate heat exchanger but no end caps or side caps, the spiral plate heat exchanger having heat insulation channels and heat dissipation fins located on an electric heating unit.

[0042] Figure 19 A left perspective view of the long electric heating unit and the reinforced internal unit (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger with heat sinks according to the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 20 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the perspective view on the right, having an end cap but without heat sinks and side caps.

[0044] Figure 21 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the left perspective view, having an end cover and a heat sink, but without a side cover.

[0045] Figure 22 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the perspective view on the right, having an end cap, a heat sink, a disassembly component, and an airflow direction during device operation.

[0046] Figure 23 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the left perspective view, having an end cap, a heat sink, a disassembly component, and an airflow direction during device operation.

[0047] In the accompanying drawings, the same elements are represented by the same reference numerals in each case. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown on the right. The air sterilizer includes a housing 1. An air supply unit 5 is located at one end of the housing 1, and a fan 3 is fixedly disposed within the air supply unit, providing airflow within the device. The fan 3 is protected from mechanical damage by a protective grille 11 located within the air supply unit 5 and ensures airflow via the fan 3. The direction of the incoming air is determined by… Figure 1 The arrows indicate this. Control electronics 10 are mounted on the air supply unit 5, and wires 4 are connected to this control electronics. The housing 1 of the device is sealed from the side by end caps 20. Thermally insulated side caps 15 are attached to the end caps 20 by a fixed method (e.g., by welding). The end caps are secured to the side caps 15 by caps 16 and their fixing screws 17. An air outlet unit 6, including an air filter 24, is located at the other end of the housing 1. The air filter 24 is protected by a protective grille 11 that protects it from mechanical damage. Figure 1 The arrows indicate the direction of outgoing air. The housing 1 of the device preferably has a support protrusion 12 and feet 13 to ensure the stability of the device during operation. A wire 4 supplies power to the device. Another wire 34 supplies power to the electric heating unit 7.

[0049] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The image shown is a left perspective view of an embodiment of the air sterilizer according to the present invention. A wire 44 supplies power to the electric heating unit 7 and connects the temperature sensor 23 to the control electronics 10. The fan 3 is protected from mechanical damage by a protective grille 11 located in the air supply unit 5, ensuring the inflow of air drawn in by the fan 3.

[0050] Figure 3A schematic side view of an embodiment of the air sterilizer according to the invention is shown, showing the airflow direction during operation, wherein a spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is shown from the left inside the housing 1. The spiral plate heat exchanger 2 has an inlet duct 31 extending from the air supply unit 5 to the electric heating unit 7 and a counter-current outlet duct 32 extending from the electric heating unit 7 to the outlet unit 6, these ducts 31, 32 extending spirally adjacent to each other. The electric heating unit 7 is located within a reinforced internal unit 8 (so-called reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2. The direction of airflow is indicated by arrows. The airflow is moved by a fan 3 in the air supply unit 5 located at one end of the housing 1 of the device.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, air enters the air supply unit 5, reaches the electric heating unit 7 located in the center of the device through the air intake pipe 31, and then flows outward through the air outlet pipe 32 in the direction indicated by the arrow, and finally the air flows out of the air outlet unit 6.

[0052] Figure 4 An embodiment of the air sterilizer according to the invention is shown in a schematic side view, exhibiting an airflow direction during operation in a temperature range below 360°C. The housing 1 of the device includes a spiral plate heat exchanger 2, with an electric heating unit 7 located at the center of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2. At one end of the housing 1, a fan 3 is fixedly positioned within an air supply unit 5, ensuring airflow within the device. Air flowing into the device through the air supply unit 5 and then through the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 exits through an air outlet unit 6. Figure 4 In the figure, the airflow direction is indicated by arrows. The embodiment shown in the figure is based on an external ambient temperature of 21°C. The electric heating unit 7 heats the air that is moved in and out of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 within the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 to an operating temperature of 360°C. Figure 4 The approximate temperature distribution of the air flowing within the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is shown. The temperature of the exhaust gas blown out of the appliance is always higher than the temperature of the air drawn in by the fan 3. This is an important feature because it prevents condensation of vapors from the air flowing in the exhaust duct 32 of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, which extends from the electric heating unit 7, and from the air flowing in the exhaust unit 6.

[0053] Figure 5 A schematic side view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown. A spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is disposed in the housing 1 of the device, wherein spacer pins 9 provide a uniform distance between adjacent plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2. In this embodiment, the plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 are bent from flat plates, and spacer pins 9 of uniform height are permanently fixed (e.g., by welding) to one or both sides of the plates.

[0054] The electric heating unit 7 is located at the center of the housing 1 and is surrounded by the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, the temperature of which is between 310°C and 600°C during operation. At one end of the housing 1, a fan 3 is fixedly mounted in the air supply unit 5, ensuring airflow. Air enters the air supply unit 5 and is drawn in by the fan 3, exiting the outlet unit 6. Each outlet 18 is in flow communication with the air supply units 5 on both sides of the fan 3, so that during operation, the fan 3 not only blows air into the inlet duct 31 of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 but also blows air across the outlets 18 on both sides of the device. The air blown out of the outlets 18 returns to the inlet 31, as will be described in detail below.

[0055] Figure 6 The diagram shows a schematic unfolded perspective view of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 (with spacer pins 9) of the air sterilizer according to the present invention. The spacer pins 9 provide uniform gaps between the plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 in the air duct, and these spacer pins, being typically made of metal, are thermally conductive and therefore also function as heat exchangers.

[0056] Figure 7 A perspective view of an embodiment of the air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, without end caps and side caps on the right side. A spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is provided within the housing 1 of the device, with an electric heating unit 7 at its center, surrounded by a reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, wherein the temperature during operation is between 310°C and 600°C. An air supply unit 5 is located at one end of the housing 1, having a fan 3 fixedly mounted to ensure airflow within the device. The fan 3 is protected by a protective grille 11 to prevent mechanical damage. An air outlet unit 6 and another protective grille 11 are located at the other end of the housing 1. One of the two air outlets 18 is located on one side of the housing 1.

[0057] Figure 8A right-side perspective view of the electric heating unit 7 of the air sterilizer according to the invention, and the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, is shown, wherein the wire 4 supplying power to the electric heating unit 7 is connected to the electrical connection terminal 22 of the electric heating unit 7 by screws. The reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 surrounds the electric heating unit 7 and guides the incoming and outgoing air. The reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 ensures the uniform distribution of the heat energy (310°C to 600°C) generated by the electric heating unit 7, and the heat resistance durability of the internal unit of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2. For higher performance, multiple electric heating units 7 can be used, which are preferably arranged adjacent to each other, parallel to each other, or in a triangular or circular arrangement within the reinforced internal unit.

[0058] Figure 9 The invention is shown Figure 7 The left perspective view of the embodiment of the air sterilizer shown does not have the end cap 20 and the heat-insulating side cap 15.

[0059] Figure 10 A left perspective view of the electric heating unit 7 of the air sterilizer according to the present invention and the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is shown.

[0060] Figure 11 A right-side perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, having end caps 20 but no side caps. The sides of the device and the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 disposed therein are sealed on both sides by corresponding end caps 20. An air inlet 19 is formed on each of these end caps 20 and is positioned to lead to an air inlet conduit 31 leading to an electric heating unit 7. A guide hole 14 for the electric heating unit 7 is also formed in the end cap 20, wherein one end of the electric heating unit 7 is located in the guide hole. There is an air outlet 18 on each side of the housing 1 of the device. It should be noted that, although not shown in the figure, the air inlet conduit 31 and the air outlet conduit 32 of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 are also airtightly sealed to each other by the end caps 20.

[0061] Figure 12 The diagram shows a left perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention, which has an end cap 20 but no side caps. A guide hole 14 is also formed in the left end cap 20 for the electric heating unit 7, and the other end of the electric heating unit 7 is accommodated in this guide hole. Furthermore, a guide hole 25 for a temperature sensor 23 is formed in the left end cap 20, and the temperature sensor 23 is positioned in this guide hole.

[0062] Figure 13A right-side perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, featuring an end cap 20 and a disassembly component that also indicates the airflow direction during device operation. The sides of the housing 1 and the open side of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 are airtightly sealed by the end cap 20, on which an air inlet 19 is formed. When the fan 3 is running, as... Figure 3 As shown, air flows into the air supply unit 5, and a portion of the air continues to flow into the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 into its inlet duct 31, then flows out from the electric heating unit 7 through the outlet duct 32, and is discharged into the environment through the outlet duct. When the fan 3 is running, the air drawn in by the device also flows out from the outlets 18 formed on both sides of the housing 1, flows through the chamber 33 formed between the end cover 20 and the heat-insulating side cover 15, and returns to the inlet 31 through the two side inlets 19. The purpose of this external ventilation is to provide air cooling to the end cover 20, which heats up during operation, using ambient air. The air flowing through the chamber 33 also keeps the temperature of the outer cover 15 relatively low, thus preventing burns. Another purpose of this external ventilation is to return the heat generated on the side of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, as well as the heat generated on the side cover 20, to the system of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2.

[0063] Figure 14 A left perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, including an end cap 20, a disassembled component, and the airflow direction during device operation. A temperature sensor 23 is positioned in a guide hole 25 formed in the end cap 20, extending into the space of the chamber 33 and connected to... Figure 2 The wire 44 shown.

[0064] Figure 15 An embodiment of the air sterilizer according to the invention is shown in a schematic side view, wherein a spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is provided with an insulated channel 26, and the airflow direction during operation is also shown. In the housing 1 of the device, the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, shown in the side view, has two counter-flow channels, namely an inlet duct 31 and an outlet duct 32, which extend spirally adjacent to each other, and a spiral insulated channel 26 is provided between these two channels. Arrows indicate the direction of airflow, which is moved by a fan 3 in an air supply unit 5 located at one end of the housing 1 of the device. As can be seen in the figure, air enters the air supply unit 5, travels along the path indicated by the arrow in the counter-flow duct of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, and flows out from the outlet unit 6. The purpose of the insulated channel 26 is to reduce or prevent heat transfer perpendicularly from the inside to the outside of the duct. The insulated channel 26 is preferably a duct with a hollow interior, which is preferably filled with rock wool and sealed airtight to its external environment, the outlet duct 32, and the inlet duct 31.

[0065] Figure 16A left perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, without the end cap 20 and the heat-insulating side cap 15.

[0066] Figure 16 And magnified Figure 17 A left perspective view of the longer electric heating unit 7 of the air sterilizer according to the invention and an embodiment of the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 according to the invention are shown, wherein four wires providing power are connected to connecting terminals by screws. The reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 surrounds the electric heating unit 7 and guides the air flowing inside the device in a desired direction around the electric heating unit 7. The reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 ensures a uniform distribution of the heat (310°C to 600°C) generated by the electric heating unit 7 and also provides heat resistance durability for the reinforced internal unit 8 of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2. This embodiment is essentially the same as... Figure 10 The embodiment shown is the same, except that a longer electric heating unit 7 is used, the function of which is described in the accompanying drawings below.

[0067] Figure 18 The diagram shows a left perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention, excluding the end cap 20 and the heat-insulating side cap 15. The housing 1 of the device contains a spiral plate heat exchanger 2, which is provided with a spiral heat-insulating channel 26, with a central point at the center of the spiral heat-insulating channel... Figures 1 to 14 The illustrated embodiment features a longer electric heating unit 7. At the ends of the heating unit 7, multiple heat dissipation elements, such as the heat sinks shown in the figure, are provided. The purpose of the heat sinks 27 is to return the heat generated at both ends of the heating unit 7 and at the end cover 20, and the resulting heat flow, through the air inlet 19 to the air inlet duct 31 extending toward the heating unit 7. Therefore, the lateral outward heat flow can be significantly reduced, and heat loss through the side cover 15 can be minimized.

[0068] Figure 19 A left perspective view of the heat exchange fins 27 of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 located at both ends of the longer electric heating unit 7 of the air sterilizer according to the invention and the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) is shown.

[0069] Figure 20The diagram shows a right-side perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention, featuring an end cap 20 but without a heat-insulating side cap 15. The sides of the housing 1, the heat-insulating channel 26, and the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 housed therein are airtightly sealed by the end cap 20, on which air inlets 19 are formed on both sides of the device. These air inlets 19 always lead to an air inlet duct 31, which extends toward the electric heating unit 7. A guide hole 14 for the electric heating unit 7 is also formed on the end cap 20. One end of the longer electric heating unit 7 is located in the guide hole 14, and a heat sink 27 is provided at one end of the electric heating unit. Two air outlets 18 are located on both sides of the housing 1 of the device. An air supply unit 5 is located at one end of the housing 1 of the device, which has a fan 3 fixedly mounted to ensure airflow within the device and is protected from mechanical damage by a protective grille 11. At the other end of the housing 1 of the device are an air outlet unit 6 and another protective grille 11. It should be noted that, although not shown in the figure, the side of the heat insulation channel 26 and the channel of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 are also laterally sealed by the end cover 20.

[0070] Figure 21 A left perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, having an end cap 20 but no heat-insulating side cap 15. As shown, the guide hole 25 of the temperature sensor 23 is also guided through the heat sink 27.

[0071] Figure 22 A right-side perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, including an end cap 20 and a disassembly component, and the airflow direction during device operation is illustrated. A guide hole 14 for an electric heating unit 7 is also formed on the end cap 20, with one end of the longer electric heating unit 7 located within the guide hole, and a heat sink 27 disposed at that end of the electric heating unit. In this embodiment, the heat-insulating side cap 15 has a greater depth to accommodate the heat sink 27 in the chamber 33. The dimensions of the chamber 33 are determined by the internal dimensions of the side cap 15.

[0072] Figure 23 A left perspective view of an embodiment of an air sterilizer according to the present invention is shown, having an end cap 20 and a disassembly component, and the airflow direction during device operation is also shown.

[0073] As described above, the device according to the invention uses a spiral plate heat exchanger 2, which is air-cooled on both sides, and wherein an electric heating unit 7 for generating heat can be housed in the inner center of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2.

[0074] The purpose of the electric heating unit 7 is to heat the air flowing within the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 and its reinforced inner unit 8 (reaction chamber) to a temperature of 310°C to 600°C, thereby immediately killing viruses in the air at high temperatures. During device operation, the air flowing in the reinforced inner unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 and along a section of at least 60 cm to 100 cm in the center of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 maintains a nearly constant operating temperature, thus allowing the viruses in the air to be heated for a longer period to achieve perfect virus removal. For example, if a 120-watt fan 3 is used, the air velocity in the innermost section of the pipes 31 and 32 of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 is approximately 5 m / s. As a result, viruses and other pathogens transported by the air flowing within the device remain in the innermost section of the pipes 31 and 32 (at least 100 cm) for approximately 0.2 seconds, at a temperature sufficient to kill almost 100% of the viruses and other pathogens. (The recommended operating parameters for indoor heating and sterilization in healthcare rooms are: 160°C for 45 minutes, 180°C for 25 minutes, and 200°C for 10 minutes to ensure complete sterility of medical equipment. Based on these data, achieving complete sterility requires maintaining a temperature of 320°C for 0.1 seconds.) Reference: https: / / semmelweis.hu / nepegeszsegtan / files / 2019 / 03 / 1819_II_AOKgy02_Sterilizálás.pdf

[0075] Figure 4 The temperature distribution inside the device is shown at an operating temperature of 360°C. Due to the design of the device, the high temperatures generated inside are concentrated in the reinforced internal unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2. This is important because the heat generated therein can be better managed, with sufficient space and time to effectively cool it, allowing the generated thermal energy to be returned to the system through the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 and reused.

[0076] Besides air sterilization, another practical aspect is the usability of the device. One of the fundamental conditions for this is that the outer cover of the device does not become too hot during operation. For this, the heat must be retained inside the device so that it can be reused in the device's thermal energy system. With proper size and design, perfect air sterilization and excellent energy-saving operation can be achieved without the outer cover of the device becoming hot. The inlet duct 31 extending from the air supply unit 5 to the electric heating unit 7 and the counter-current outlet duct 32 extending from the electric heating unit 7 to the outlet unit 6 extend spirally adjacent to each other, so that the incoming air can receive the heat energy of the exhaust air without contacting each other, thus allowing the exhaust air to be adequately cooled. However, the sides of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, especially around the reinforced inner unit 8 (reaction chamber) of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 and the ends of the electric heating unit 7, are very hot during operation, so from a practical point of view, dual-sided air cooling is essential.

[0077] Fan 3 is preferably a radial fan, such as the SIROCO CLEYENS NP Group radial fan TS400 SIROCO. Spacer pins 9 provide a uniform gap between the plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2 during and after the manufacture of the spiral plate heat exchanger, so as to maintain a corresponding uniform gap, and spacer pins 9 also have a heat exchange function due to their thermal conductivity.

[0078] For more complex operation of the device, spiral plate heat exchanger 2 ( Figure 15 A heat insulation channel 26 is provided to reduce or prevent outward heat flow perpendicular to the pipe. Furthermore, a longer electric heating unit 7 is provided at the end of the electric heating unit 7. Figure 18 and Figure 19 In this configuration, within chamber 33, heat sink 27 dissipates heat generated from the ends of the electric heating unit 7 and provides laminar airflow and heat dissipation for bilateral air cooling, resulting in excellent thermal insulation on the sides of the device. Furthermore, heat sink 27 also guides the generated heat energy into the air intake duct 31 through air inlets 19 located on both sides of the device. This technology allows for efficient energy consumption within the device without heating the outer cover.

[0079] The control electronics 10 allow for adjustment of the internal operating temperature via the temperature sensor 23. The housing 1 of the device is preferably provided with 12 support protrusions for moving the device and feet 13 for stable placement.

[0080] The device is preferably designed to operate under both 6V to 48V DC power and 110V to 230V AC power.

[0081] If needed, the device can be equipped with a pollen filter, which can be placed in the air outlet unit 6 fixed by the protective grille 11 and filter out virus-free air so that patients with allergies can use it without risk.

[0082] In addition, the device can also be used for room heating by reducing the power of the spiral plate heat exchanger 2, while the sterilization of the intake air remains unchanged.

[0083] Instead of control electronics 10, a simple bimetallic thermal switch can be used to regulate the internal temperature, and instead of temperature sensor 23, a built-in bimetallic thermometer can be used to measure the internal temperature.

[0084] The specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art how to modify the illustrated embodiments or combine these embodiments with one another to provide additional embodiments within the scope of the invention.

[0085] The air sterilizer according to the invention can be used continuously in the direct environment of humans and organisms without endangering their health. The device draws in air infected with the coronavirus from its surroundings and then immediately eliminates the Covid-19 coronavirus contained in the intake air within the reaction chamber at a temperature of 310°C to 600°C. The device then blows the cleaned hot air back into the environment by cooling it (approximately to the temperature of the intake air). Developed for everyday household use, the device is designed so that despite the high internal operating temperature, its external components and cover do not heat up, and the temperature of the blown-out clean air is almost the same as the temperature of the intake air. Continuous use of the device can provide virus-free, healthy air in a room or environment.

[0086] The antiviral air disinfection device according to the invention is preferably used, particularly, in enclosed spaces where multiple people are present and therefore the concentration of viruses in the air is increased. Such areas in healthcare include hospitals, corridors, and waiting areas, as well as aircraft cabins, airports, ambulances, taxis, public transportation, and other enclosed passenger transport vehicles (e.g., elevators, cable cars, etc.). It can also be used in law enforcement agencies, shops, theaters, homes, and any area at risk of viral infection.

[0087] The device according to the invention can also be effectively used in agriculture and animal husbandry, as cross-infection of various viruses and bacteria (e.g., avian influenza, swine fever, sterilization) is a serious problem for indoor animals, which can cause significant harm to livestock. The device can be used to significantly reduce or eliminate cross-infection and effectively locate infections.

[0088] Another advantage of the air sterilizer according to the invention is that, due to its simple structural design, it can be manufactured in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner in various shapes and performances. It can also be used efficiently in a smaller form (equipped with a 12V to 48V DC battery power supply) for everyday use, and even as personal protective equipment. Due to its favorable commercial price, it can be widely applied.

Claims

1. An air sterilizer, the air sterilizer comprising: - Housing (1), the housing having an air supply unit (5) at one end, the fan (3) being fixedly mounted in the air supply unit, - A spiral plate heat exchanger (2), which is disposed in the housing (1) and includes an electric heating unit (7) located in the center of the spiral plate heat exchanger. - An exhaust unit (6), which is located at the other end of the housing (1). -in, The spiral plate heat exchanger (2) has an inlet pipe (31) extending from the air supply unit (5) to the electric heating unit (7) and a counter-current outlet pipe (32) extending from the electric heating unit (7) to the outlet unit (6), the pipes (31, 32) extending spirally adjacent to each other; It is characterized in that - An air outlet (18) is formed at one end of the housing (1), adjacent to the air supply unit (5), on each side of the housing (1). - Each side of the spiral plate heat exchanger (2) is sealed by an end cap (20). - An air inlet (19) is formed on the end cap (20), the air inlet leading to an air inlet pipe (31) extending to the electric heating unit (7). - A guide hole (25) for a temperature sensor is formed in the end cap (20), and the temperature sensor (23) is housed in the guide hole. - In the spiral plate heat exchanger (2), there is a constant distance between adjacent plates of the inlet pipe (31) and the outlet pipe (32). - On the end cap (20), there are heat-insulating side caps (15) on both sides of the air sterilizer, the side caps (15) are sealed to the housing (1) and define a chamber (33) that establishes flow communication between the air outlet (18) and the air inlet (19) on the same side of the air sterilizer.

2. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spiral plate heat exchanger (2) has a reinforced internal unit (8) for holding the electric heating unit (7), the reinforced internal unit (8) being made of steel, stainless steel or aluminum.

3. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger (2) are made of any one of aluminum, copper, steel or stainless steel.

4. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air filter (24) is provided in the air outlet unit (6).

5. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger (2) are formed by bending flat plates, and spacer pins (9) are disposed between the plates.

6. The air sterilizer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The spacer pin (9) is made of any one of aluminum, copper, steel or stainless steel.

7. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plates of the spiral plate heat exchanger (2) are formed by bending plates with pressed protrusions of constant height, which serve as spacers between adjacent plates.

8. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat insulation channel (26) is set between the adjacent air inlet pipe (31) and air outlet pipe (32).

9. The air sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat dissipation element is disposed at the end of the electric heating unit (7) within the transverse chamber (33).

10. The air sterilizer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heat insulation channel (26) is a hollow pipe filled with rock wool and sealed airtight from the external environment, the air outlet pipe (32) and the air inlet pipe (31).

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