Air purifying system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air purifying devices with fibrous filters face issues such as high air resistance, limited inhibition against microorganisms, non-biodegradability, and secondary pollution, while existing air purification methods like pulse sterilization and UV-C disinfection have limitations in effectiveness and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
An air purification module incorporating biodegradable reticulated aliphatic polyurethane memory foam and metal foam with high-voltage direct current static electricity, combined with germicidal ultraviolet and photocatalytic coatings, to enhance air filtration and disinfection efficiency, and a smart system for monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fibrous filters (HEPA) are used, then particulate matter capture efficiency is improved, but air resistance increases and microbial inhibition ability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reticulated polyurethane foam with controlled porosity (80-90% open cell structure) as the filter medium. This porous structure allows air to pass through easily while providing a large internal surface area for particle capture, thereby reducing air resistance compared to traditional dense fibrous filters while maintaining filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines reticulated polyurethane foam with metallic ions (silver, copper, zinc) to create a composite filter material. The foam provides the structural framework and porosity, while the metallic ions embedded within provide antimicrobial properties and enhanced particle capture, creating a multi-functional composite that addresses both filtration and microbial inhibition.
2Reliability
If traditional fibrous filters are used, then particulate matter capture is improved, but biodegradability is lost and secondary pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable reticulated polyurethane foam as the filter medium, which can naturally decompose after use. This disposable approach eliminates the need for long-term disposal of plastic and metal filters, reducing secondary pollution and environmental burden while maintaining effective particulate matter capture during the filter's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the filter material by using biodegradable polyol and polyisocyanate components in the foam synthesis, ensuring the filter medium can undergo biological degradation after use, thereby eliminating persistent pollution from traditional plastic-based filters.
3Reliability
If high voltage pulsed electric field is used for sterilization, then microbial killing effectiveness is improved, but safety concerns arise from high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical high voltage pulsed electric field system with a chemical field-based approach using metallic ions (silver, copper, zinc) embedded in the foam structure. These ions create a continuous chemical antimicrobial field that kills microorganisms through ion interaction with cell membranes, achieving sterilization without the safety risks of high voltage electrical fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metallic ions as intermediary substances that mediate the sterilization process. Instead of directly applying high voltage electric fields to kill microorganisms, the metallic ions serve as intermediaries that interact with and destroy microbial cells through chemical mechanisms, thereby achieving the same sterilization effect without the harmful high voltage.
4Reliability
If filter thickness is increased to improve capture efficiency, then particulate matter filtration is improved, but air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat filter structure to a three-dimensional reticulated foam structure with high porosity (80-90%). This dimensional change creates extensive internal surface area within a thin profile, allowing effective particle capture across a larger area without increasing the filter's thickness, thereby maintaining low air resistance while improving filtration efficiency.
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 module achieves high-efficiency air purification with low air resistance, effective microbial killing, and reduced environmental impact, while ensuring safety through intelligent monitoring and control systems.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the physical barrier and adhesion effect, these filters show good capture efficiency for particulate matter (PM)
Implementation Method 2
Due to the physical barrier and adhesion effect, these filters show good capture efficiency for particulate matter (PM)
Implementation Method 3
Pulse sterilization, which is a method of inactivation of cells by high voltage pulsed electric field, can cause the destruction of cell membrane and cell death
Implementation Method 4
when pulsed high voltage DC static current is discharged, the captured biological contaminants can instantly be killed
Implementation Method 5
Germicidal ultraviolet—shortwave UV or UV-C, which includes germicidal ultraviolet at 253.7 nm wavelength—is used for air, surface and water disinfection
Implementation Method 6
the UV-C energy is absorbed by the DNA and RNA contained in the cells, and this creates dimers or a 'double bond' between adjacent nucleotides
Implementation Method 7
Heterogeneous photocatalysis emerges to be an efficient and cost-effective approach to eliminate biological pollution
Data Source
AI summary
An air purifying module for use in air channel of an air handling unit of a central air conditioning system, comprising a first housing having air inlet surface and air exhaust surface to enable airflow, a panel member that is detachably installed in the first housing, the panel member comprises filter panel, two metal foam panels and a number of photocatalyst coated metal foam panels arranged in parallel in the direction from the air inlet surface to the air exhaust surface, a shortwave UV light member installed in the first housing, a control unit and a high voltage direct current generator installed in the external of the first housing. The air purifying module can effectively inactivate bacteria and pathogens, filter out volatile organic compounds, thereby providing highly efficient air purification and sterilization functions.