Room Air Purifier Multi-Source Inlet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing room air purifiers fail to effectively manage contaminated air from forced air systems and do not account for ambient air sources, leading to untreated air entering treated rooms, especially in homes without central HVAC systems, and they do not efficiently control room temperature using a single supply duct.
Innovation Solution
A room air purifier system that adjusts air mass flow rates through various inlet controls, including dampers, louvers, and fan speed, and integrates temperature management using resistive heaters, while drawing air from multiple sources to maintain positive pressure and prevent untreated air from entering the room, even during power failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air purifier draws air from multiple sources to maintain positive pressure, then untreated air from hallways and doorways is prevented from entering the room, but the device complexity increases due to multiple inlet controls and management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The air purifier system segments the air intake function into multiple independent inlet sources (room return air, supply duct air, outside ambient air), each with its own control damper. This allows selective activation of individual air sources based on operating conditions, maintaining positive pressure while managing complexity through modular control of separate air streams
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the position of dampers (first damper, second damper, third damper) controlling different air inlets based on real-time operating conditions such as HVAC system status, fan speed, and pressure requirements. This dynamic control enables the system to adaptively maintain positive pressure without requiring all inlet controls to be simultaneously active, balancing reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If the air purifier uses multiple dampers and control mechanisms to manage air flow, then positive pressure is maintained and untreated air is blocked, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple control components
Solution Approach 1:
The air purifier incorporates automated control logic that monitors operating conditions (HVAC system status, fan speed, air pressure) and automatically adjusts damper positions without user intervention. The controller manages the coordination of multiple dampers based on sensor feedback, making the complex multi-damper system operate autonomously and maintaining positive pressure through self-regulating control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure sensors and environmental sensors to continuously monitor room pressure conditions and adjust damper positions accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the multiple dampers work in coordination to maintain the desired positive pressure, simplifying operation by allowing the system to self-correct based on real-time feedback rather than requiring manual adjustment of each control component
3Loss of energy
If the air purifier integrates temperature control with air purification, then energy efficiency is improved by utilizing outside ambient air, but the device complexity increases due to integrated temperature management
Solution Approach 1:
The air purifier system integrates multiple functions into a single device: air purification through filtration, positive pressure maintenance through multi-source air intake, and temperature control through selective mixing of air sources from different temperatures. By combining these functions in one system with unified control logic that manages dampers, fan speed, and air source selection based on both pressure and temperature requirements, the system achieves energy efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the temperature control function with the air intake and purification functions by using the same damper-controlled air sources for both pressure maintenance and thermal management. Outside ambient air, supply duct air, and room return air are selectively mixed to achieve desired temperature while maintaining positive pressure, eliminating the need for separate temperature control equipment and reducing overall system complexity
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 provides effective air purification and temperature control within a room by managing air from multiple sources, preventing untreated air from entering and reducing energy consumption by utilizing outside ambient air, thus improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The system provides effective air purification and temperature control within a room by managing air from multiple sources, preventing untreated air from entering and reducing energy consumption by utilizing outside ambient air, thus improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency
Implementation Method 2
a filter in communication with the fan and the chamber, for capturing contaminants from the air
Implementation Method 3
integrates temperature management using resistive heaters
Data Source
AI summary
A room air purifier is provided is provided that has a housing that defines a floor supply duct inlet, a room air inlet, and an outlet. An air mixing chamber within the housing is in direct communication with said room air inlet and said floor supply duct inlet. A filter is disposed in the housing. A fan is disposed in said housing between the outlet of the filter and the outlet side of the filter. An air channel panel is disposed in a filter inlet area between the air mixing chamber and the filter. Various sensors may be deployed to control temperature, and to prevent unpurified air from exiting the room air purifier. Optionally, an additional wall supply inlet may be placed in fluid communication with the air mixing chamber to provide a second extra-room source of air.