Mold-Preventing Air Filter Medium for Dry-Condition Antimicrobial Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mold-preventing and antibacterial agents in air filters are ineffective under dry conditions and can lead to the development of resistant wild-type microorganisms, reducing their long-term effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A mold-preventing air filter filtration medium loaded with a water-retaining macromolecule polymer, a mold-preventing agent, and a binder resin, which includes a phosphorylcholine-like group containing polymer, is used to enhance moisture retention and stability of the mold-preventing agent, ensuring effective performance even under dry conditions and against resistant microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mold-preventing agents are used, then mold and bacteria are captured, but the agents become ineffective under dry conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A water-retaining agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the mold-preventing agent and the dry environment. This mediator maintains moisture around the mold-preventing agent, ensuring its continued effectiveness even when the overall environment is dry. The water-retaining agent absorbs and holds water, creating a localized humid microenvironment that activates the mold-preventing properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure combining water-retaining agent, mold-preventing agent, and binder resin. This composite material integrates multiple functions: water retention, mold prevention, and structural stability. The synergistic combination allows the system to maintain mold-preventing effectiveness under dry conditions by ensuring the mold-preventing agent remains in a moisture-rich state.
2Reliability
If conventional antibacterial agents are used long-term, then bacteria are controlled initially, but resistant wild-type microorganisms develop
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the environmental parameters (moisture content) around the antibacterial agent to optimize its effectiveness. By maintaining appropriate humidity through the water-retaining agent, the antibacterial agent operates under conditions that enhance its efficacy and reduce the likelihood of resistance development. This parameter control ensures sustained antibacterial activity over long periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-retaining agent serves as a mediator that creates optimal conditions for the antibacterial agent to function continuously. This intermediary ensures the antibacterial agent remains active and effective over long periods, preventing the development of resistant strains by maintaining consistent antibacterial pressure.
3Productivity
If filter material is pleated to increase filtration area, then filtration property improves, but rigid reinforcement is needed which complicates structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the reinforcement function with the functional layers by incorporating the mold-preventing composition directly into the nonwoven fabric structure. This eliminates the need for separate reinforcement layers, as the treated nonwoven fabric itself provides the necessary structural support while maintaining flexibility and pleatability. The binding resin creates a cohesive structure that integrates multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nonwoven fabric serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the base material for filtration, provides structural reinforcement, and serves as the carrier for the mold-preventing and antibacterial agents. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air filter achieves superior mold-preventing and antibacterial effects by maintaining the mold-preventing agent's effectiveness under dry conditions and against resistant microorganisms, providing long-term protection and improved moisture retention.
Implementation Method 1
a water-retaining macromolecule polymer
Implementation Method 2
a phosphorylcholine-like group containing polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A mold-preventing air filter filtration medium loaded with a water-retaining macromolecule polymer, a mold-preventing agent, and a binder resin, is formed by immersing a filter material or a reinforcing nonwoven fabric (a backing material) in a mold-preventing composition in which the water-retaining macromolecule polymer, the mold-preventing agent and the binder resin are dissolved, and drying the filter material or the reinforcing nonwoven fabric. The reinforcing nonwoven fabric (a backing material) may be bonded to a filter material to form a mold-preventing air filter filtration medium. A mold-preventing air filter includes the mold-preventing air filter filtration medium that is pleated and accommodated in a frame.