METHOD OF ISOLATING THE OCCUPANT'S BREATHING

Abstract

A method for isolating the breathing of vehicle occupants involves activating an ultraviolet radiation source to sterilize the air. A first sensor detects the carbon dioxide content of the air. A second sensor detects the air quality. A third sensor detects particles in the air. The reading from the first sensor is compared to a reference carbon dioxide reading recorded by a controller connected to the sensors. The fan speed increases the duration of the air's exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The reading from the second sensor is compared to the reference air quality recorded by the controller. A signal is sent to a display that includes the filtration system to identify airborne contaminants. The reading from the third sensor is compared to the reference particles recorded by the controller. An alert is sent to a relevant party indicating the presence of airborne particles.

Description

OCCUPANT BREATH ISOLATION METHOD frQnrnn / cznz / E / YiAi REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of the United States provisional patent application with Application Number 63 / 079,770 filed on September 17, 2020. That patent application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. ANTECEDENT

[0002] Currently, there is concern that a vehicle occupant is exposed to less than favorable air, such as containing a contaminant, low concentration of oxygen, and the like, air within the vehicle. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a system and method for effectively filtering and isolating the breath of a vehicle occupant. SUMMARY

[0003] This disclosure relates to embodiments of a system and method for isolating the breathing of a vehicle occupant. In accordance with one embodiment, an occupant breathing isolation system comprises a plenum having an interior. Inside there is a source of ultraviolet radiation. A first duct is provided between the interior of a vehicle and the interior of the plenum to transport air from the interior of the vehicle to the interior of the plenum. A vent is provided between the interior of the vehicle and the first duct that allows air from inside the vehicle to enter the first duct. A fan is operatively connected to the plenum which varies the air flow through the plenum. A third duct transports air from inside the plenum to the interior of the vehicle. A first sensor that generates a first signal is arranged inside the plenum chamber. A controller is arranged in the vehicle operatively connected to the first sensor to receive the first signal.

[0004] According to one embodiment, a method of isolating the breathing of vehicle occupants includes activating a source of ultraviolet radiation to sterilize in the air. A first sensor detects the carbon dioxide content of that air. A second sensor detects the quality of that air. A third sensor detects particles in that air. The result from the first sensor is compared to the reference carbon dioxide reading recorded on a controller connected to the sensors. Fan speed increases the temporal duration of air exposure to UV radiation. The result from the second sensor is compared with the reference air quality recorded in the controller. frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi A signal is sent to a display comprising the filtration system to identify contaminants in the air. The result from the third sensor is compared with the reference particles recorded in the controller. An alert is sent to an interested party indicating the presence of particles in the air. frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a diagram of a portion of a vehicle having an occupant breathing isolation system described herein;

[0006] Figure 2 is a diagram similar to Figure 1 showing elements of the occupant breathing isolation system described herein; and

[0007] Figure 3 is a diagram similar to Figure 2 showing elements of the occupant breathing isolation system described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] This description specifically relates to a system 5 and a method for isolating and filtering the breath of an occupant of a vehicle 16, such as a school bus, a commercial vehicle, and the like. As shown in Fig. 1, an embodiment described herein generally comprises a filtration system 10 comprising a plenum 12 attached to a seat 14 to support an occupant disposed in an interior 15 of the vehicle 16. The system 5 to isolate and sterilize breathing in the vehicle 16 includes at least one source 18 of ultraviolet radiation located in the plenum 12 of the filtration system 10. Other elements of the filtration system 10 include, but are not limited to, a vent 20 arranged between the interior 15 of the vehicle 16 and a first duct 22 that allows air from the interior 15 of the vehicle 16 to enter the first duct 22, the first duct 22 is arranged between the vent 20 and an interior 38 of the plenum 12 to transporting air between the vent 20 and the interior 38 of the plenum 12, a second duct 24 connected to the plenum 12 placed between a first occupant and a second occupant both located in the seat 14 to separate the air of the first occupant from the air of the second occupant, a fan 26 operatively connected to the plenum that varies the air flow through the plenum 12, and a third duct 28, shown in Fig. 2, operatively connected to an interior 38 of the plenum 12 that transports air from an interior 38 of the plenum 12 to an interior 15 of the vehicle 16.

[0009] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, at least one first sensor 30 is disposed inside 38 of the plenum 12. In one embodiment, the at least one first sensor 30 samples the air adjacent to at least one sensor 30 to detect the dioxide content. of carbon from that air. frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi The at least one first sensor 30 is connected, wired, wirelessly or otherwise, to the controller 32, which may engage at least one data processor in the vehicle 16. In some embodiments, the at least one data processor Data in the vehicle 16 is complemented by another at least one data processor located outside the vehicle 16, such as another at least one data processor operatively connected to the at least one data processor in the vehicle 16 wirelessly. The controller 32 is suitably connected to the fan 26, either by cable or wirelessly.

[00010] At least one second sensor 34 is disposed within 38 of the plenum 12. The at least one second sensor 34 samples the air adjacent to the at least one second sensor 34 to detect the quality of that air, including, among others, the presence of an airborne contaminant, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, diesel particles, pollen, viruses, bacteria, a vapor, an aerosol and the like. The at least one second sensor 34 is connected, wired, wirelessly or otherwise, to the controller 32, which may engage at least one data processor, in the vehicle 16.

[00011] Based on a first signal, indicative of at least one of carbon dioxide, air quality, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, diesel particles, pollen, viruses, frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi bacteria, vapor, aerosol and the like, provided by at least one of at least a first sensor 30 and at least a second sensor 34, the controller 32 providing a second signal to a display, controller or any other element comprising the system 5 in the vehicle 16 as appropriate . That second signal may alert an interested party, such as a user of the vehicle, a manager of the vehicle 16, and the like, that contamination associated with the air around the vehicle 16 has been detected. The presence of contamination may indicate many things, such as maintenance of system 5 or vehicle 16 and the like. In some embodiments, the controller 32 is complemented by at least one data processor located outside the vehicle 16 and connected to the vehicle 16 by appropriate means, such as a wireless Internet connection and the like.

[00012] At least one third sensor 36 is disposed inside 38 of the plenum 12. The at least one third sensor 36 samples the air adjacent to the at least one third sensor 36 to detect an airborne particle. The at least one third sensor 36 is connected, wired, wirelessly or otherwise, to the controller 32, which may engage at least one data processor, in the vehicle 16. In some embodiments, the controller 32 complements with at least one data processor located outside the vehicle 16 and connected to the vehicle 16 by appropriate means, such as wireless Internet connection and the like. Depending on a third signal from the at least a third sensor 36, the controller 32 may provide an alert to a display, controller, any other element of the system 5 in the vehicle 16, and an interested party, as appropriate, indicating presence of the particles. detected by the at least one third sensor 36.

[00013] In some embodiments, the at least one source 18 comprises at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp. Ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength within the range of about 100 nanometers to about 280 nanometers, with 265 nanometers being the maximum wavelength for sanitizing germicidal activity. The at least one source 18 is connected to the controller 32, either by cable or wirelessly. The controller 32 is disposed in the vehicle 16. In some embodiments, the controller 32 comprises a vehicle body controller 16. The at least one source 18 is located within the filtration system 10 at empirically determined locations to sterilize the air that flows through the filtration system 10 illuminated by ultraviolet radiation from at least one source 18.

[00014] In some embodiments, at least one deflector 40 is located within the interior 38 of the plenum 12. frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi As shown in Fig. 2, the at least one deflector 40 is placed within the plenum 12 at empirically determined locations to increase the surface area within the plenum 12 exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the source 18. Some Embodiments may include at least one multiple deflector 40, with four (4) of at least one deflector 40 included in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The at least one deflector 40 is positioned to collect an item, such as a drop. breathing and the like, of the air around the at least one deflector 40 and allowing ultraviolet radiation from the source 18 to disinfect a surface of the at least one deflector 40. The location of the at least one source 18 is chosen to reduce the probability of unintentional exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the at least one source 18, that is, reducing the probability of exposure of an occupant of a vehicle 16 to ultraviolet radiation.

[00015] The controller 32 determines the operation of at least one source 18, specifically when at least one source 18 emits ultraviolet radiation. The controller 32 can determine the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation. Controller 32 can be programmed. The controller 32 may allow at least one source 18 to emit ultraviolet radiation, for example, at specific times of day, for a specific temporal duration, etc. The frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi controller may allow at least one source 18 to emit ultraviolet radiation at specific times to manage vehicle energy use. In some embodiments, the controller 32 may allow at least one source 18 to emit ultraviolet radiation on a substantially continuous basis, allowing for substantially continuous sterilization of the filtration system 10.

[00016] With the embodiment structure of system 5 for isolating and filtering the breath of a vehicle occupant being described, attention is now drawn to a method for isolating and sterilizing the breath of a vehicle occupant.

[00017] Once the vehicle 16 includes a filtration system 10 with at least one source 18 of ultraviolet radiation and a fan 26 located in a plenum 12 of the filtration system 10, then the temporal duration of the emission of ultraviolet radiation from the at least one source 18 of ultraviolet radiation and the intensity of that ultraviolet radiation is determined, together with the intensity of the air flow of the at least one fan 26.

[00018] The at least one first sensor 30 samples the air within the plenum 12 periodically to detect carbon dioxide and reports the results to the controller 32. The controller 32 compares the result of the at least one first sensor 30 with the reading of reference carbon dioxide frQnenn / eznz / E / YiAi recorded in the controller 32, thus determining the required speed of the fan 26 to increase the exposure of the air to the at least one source of ultraviolet radiation 18.

[00019] The at least one second sensor 34 samples the air within the plenum 12 periodically to determine the air quality and reports the results to the controller 32. The controller 32 compares the result of the at least one second sensor 34 with the reference air quality recorded in the controller 32, thereby determining whether the air meets the appropriate quality standard. The controller 32 sends the second signal to a screen, controller or any other element that integrates the system 5 in the vehicle 16 as appropriate.

[00020] The at least one third sensor 36 samples the air within the plenum 12 periodically for particles and reports the results to the controller 32. The controller 32 compares the result of the at least one third sensor 36 with the particles of reference recorded in the controller 32, thus determining the quantity of particles and providing the third signal to an interested party. In one embodiment, the interested party may be an operator of the vehicle 16 and the third signal may indicate the location of a seat 14 associated with the particles and potential next steps frQnrnn / cznz / E / YiAi.

[00021] For example, when a first occupant and a second occupant of a vehicle 16 sit in a seat 14, the duct 24 may articulate between the first occupant and the second occupant to separate the air of the first occupant from the air of the second occupant. . While the duct 24 is between a first occupant and a second occupant, the at least one fan 2 6 in the plenum 12 draws air from a first occupant and a second occupant into the plenum 12 through the duct 24. The al at least one ultraviolet radiation source 18 exposes that air to ultraviolet radiation when that air comes into contact with at least one deflector 40, thereby extending the time that the air is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The at least one first sensor 30, the at least one second sensor 34, and the at least one third sensor 36 sample air as air flows through the plenum 12. The controller 32 varies the speed of the fan 26. to modify the amount of time the air is exposed to. ultraviolet radiation based on readings from the at least one first sensor 30. If the at least one second sensor 34 detects unacceptable air quality, the controller 32 provides the second signal to a display, controller or any other element comprising the system 5 in vehicle 16 as appropriate. That second signal may alert an interested party, such as a user of the vehicle, an administrator of the vehicle 16, and the like, that contamination associated with the air around the vehicle 16 has been detected. If the at least a third sensor 36 detects an unwanted particle or an unwanted quantity of particles, the third sensor 36 sends the third signal to the controller 32. In response to the third signal, the controller 32 provides an alert to an interested party, such as a vehicle operator 16 and similar, indicating the presence of particles in the air.

Claims

1. A method for isolating and filtering the breath of a vehicle occupant 16, the vehicle 16 having an interior 15 and a seat 14 disposed in the interior 15 of the vehicle 16, a filtration system 10 disposed in the seat 14 for isolating and filtering the occupant's breath, the filtration system 10 having a pump chamber 12 including an interior 38, a vent 20 through which air enters at least a first duct 22, at least one first duct 22 attached to the pump chamber 12, an ultraviolet radiation source 18 disposed in the pump chamber 12 for reducing air pollution, and at least one first sensor 30 disposed in the interior 38 of the pump chamber 12 for monitoring the carbon dioxide content of the air adjacent to the at least one first sensor 30, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT at least one second sensor 34 disposed in the interior 38 of the pump chamber 12 to monitor the air quality adjacent to theat least a second sensor 34, at least a third sensor 36 disposed inside 38 of the impeller chamber 12 for monitoring the air adjacent to the at least a third sensor 36 for particles, a controller 32 connected to the at least a first sensor 30 sending a first signal to the controller 32, the at least a second sensor 34 sending a second signal to the controller 32, and the at least a third sensor 36 sending a third signal to the controller 32, and a fan 26 disposed inside 38 of the impeller chamber 12 for increasing the duration of the air's exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the method comprising the steps of: energizing the ultraviolet radiation source 18 for sterilizing the air; sampling the air adjacent to the at least a first sensor 30 to detect the carbon dioxide content of that air; sampling the air adjacent to the at least a second sensor 34 to detect the quality of that air; sampling the airadjacent to at least a third sensor 36 to detect particles in that air; compare the result of at least a first sensor 30 with the reference carbon dioxide reading recorded on the controller 32; adjust the fan speed 26 to increase the duration of the air's exposure to ultraviolet radiation; compare the result of at least a second sensor 34 with the reference air quality recorded on the controller 32; send a signal to a display comprising the filtration system 10 to identify contaminants in the air; compare the result of at least a third sensor 28 with reference particles recorded on the controller 32; and send an alert to an interested party indicating the presence of particles in the air.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength within a range of 100 nanometers to 280 nanometers.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the impeller chamber 12 comprises at least one baffle 40, the method further comprising the steps of: placing the at least one baffle 40 in an empirically determined location to increase the surface area within the impeller chamber 12 exposed to ultraviolet radiation; positioning the at least one baffle 40 to collect an element, such as a droplet of breath and the like, from the air around the at least one baffle 40; and sanitizing a surface of the at least one baffle 40 with ultraviolet radiation.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one second duct 24 is connected to the impeller chamber 12, the at least one second duct separating the air of a first occupant from the air of a second occupant.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a third duct 28 is connected to the interior 38 of the impeller chamber 12 that carries air from the interior 38 of the impeller chamber 12 to the interior 15 of the vehicle 16.

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