Indoor Air Purifier Baffle Assembly UV-C Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purification technologies are inefficient, difficult to use, and costly, with limited sanitization capabilities, often losing effectiveness over time due to trapped particulate matter and airflow conditions, necessitating improved methods for eradicating viral, fungal, and bacterial bioburden from indoor air.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing baffling and an emitter with UV-C light exposure to sanitize air by reducing air speed and increasing turbulence, ensuring prolonged exposure of pathogens to UV-C light, thereby preventing replication and killing microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filters are used to remove particulate matter and air pollutants from indoor air, then air purification is achieved, but filters lose effectiveness between replacement intervals as particulate matter and air pollutants become trapped within the filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful trapped particulates from the filtration system by using UV-C radiation to neutralize them in place, eliminating the need to physically remove and replace filters. The UV-C light penetrates the filter media and kills microorganisms and breaks down organic compounds directly within the filter, maintaining effectiveness without replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of trapped contaminants by exposing them to UV-C radiation, which alters their biological and chemical properties. This transformation neutralizes pathogens and decomposes organic matter, allowing the filter to maintain purification effectiveness without physical replacement.
2Reliability
If radiation sources such as ultraviolet lamps are used for air purification, then pathogen sterilization is achieved, but effectiveness is limited based on radiation exposure and airflow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UV-C radiation source with the existing HVAC airflow system, integrating sterilization functionality into the normal air circulation pathway. This combination ensures that all air passing through the system is exposed to appropriate UV-C doses without requiring separate complex radiation control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the HVAC airflow system as an intermediary to distribute UV-C treated air throughout the building. The existing airflow infrastructure mediates between the UV-C radiation source and the target spaces, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining effective sterilization coverage.
3Reliability
If standalone air purification units are implemented, then pathogen reduction is achieved, but cost and ease of use are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the HVAC system multi-functional by adding UV-C sterilization capability to its existing air handling function. This universal approach allows a single system to perform both air circulation and pathogen sterilization, eliminating the need for separate standalone purification units and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines pathogen reduction functionality with the existing HVAC infrastructure, merging two separate functions (air handling and sterilization) into one integrated system. This reduces the number of devices users must operate and maintain, significantly improving ease of use while maintaining reliable pathogen reduction.
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 system effectively sanitizes air by maximizing UV-C light exposure to pathogens, resulting in significantly reduced viral, bacterial, and fungal contaminants, enhancing indoor air quality and customer satisfaction with longer-lasting sterilization capabilities and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
a system for sanitizing air is disclosed. The system may include a main body and a control housing assembly. The main body may include a baffle assembly. The baffle assembly may include a front fan assembly, a rear fan assembly, at least one inner baffle plate, at least one end baffle plate, and at least one emitter, for example a UV-C light source
Implementation Method 2
the UV-C light may be absorbed by DNA or RNA of the organisms, which may cause the formation of dimers that disrupt the replication of the organisms' cells
Implementation Method 3
As air passes through the end baffle plate and inner baffle plate, air speed may be reduced and turbulence may be increased, thereby increasing the efficacy for the UV-C light to sanitize the air
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for sanitizing air is disclosed. Atmospheric air is drawn into the system by a fan. The air is passed through a series of baffles to mix the air and reduce speed. The air is exposed to an emitter, such as UV-C light, to sanitize contaminants and then exhausted. The sanitized air drawn into the system and exhausted to the atmosphere without exposing UV-C light to the atmosphere.