Air sterilizer and air conditioning apparatus using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air sterilization systems using ultraviolet LEDs face challenges in efficiently inactivating bacteria and viruses in circulating air while maintaining low blowing resistance, as they require multiple LEDs and reflection mirrors, which increase the size and resistance of air conditioning apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An air sterilizer design featuring a frame with a smaller thickness than its inner diameter, incorporating ultraviolet LEDs that emit light with a predetermined divergence angle, and a mirror surface to reflect and concentrate ultraviolet light within the frame, increasing light density without increasing blowing resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ultraviolet LEDs and reflection mirrors are mounted to create a high ultraviolet ray light density space, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ultraviolet LEDs into a single integrated module with integrated reflectors, merging the functions of multiple light sources and reflection surfaces into one compact sterilization unit. This reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the required ultraviolet light density for effective sterilization of bacteria and viruses in circulating air.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultraviolet LED module is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sterilization irradiation, creates a compact integrated structure that can be mounted in various air conditioning apparatus configurations, and maintains low blowing resistance while ensuring sufficient ultraviolet exposure time for air treatment.
2Reliability
If the length of the internal duct is extended to provide sufficient ultraviolet ray irradiation time, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the blowing resistance is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the duct length in the airflow direction to increase irradiation time, the patent uses reflection mirrors to redirect ultraviolet rays along the airflow path, effectively utilizing the existing duct space in a different dimensional arrangement. This provides sufficient ultraviolet exposure without extending the duct length and increasing blowing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Reflection mirrors are introduced as intermediary elements to redirect and concentrate ultraviolet rays along the airflow path within the existing duct space. These mirrors enable sufficient irradiation time by bouncing ultraviolet light multiple times through the air stream without requiring a longer duct, thus avoiding increased blowing resistance.
3Force
If a large cross-sectional area is secured in the internal duct to reduce blowing resistance, then the airflow performance is improved, but the space available for mounting ultraviolet LEDs and mirrors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating ultraviolet LEDs and reflection mirrors in specific localized zones within the duct where space is available, rather than requiring uniform space distribution. This allows the majority of the duct cross-section to remain open for airflow, maintaining low blowing resistance while providing sufficient mounting space for the sterilization components in targeted areas.
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 solution efficiently irradiates dust, bacteria, and viruses with ultraviolet rays while preventing an increase in blowing resistance, making it suitable for integration into air conditioning apparatuses without compromising airflow.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet ray light source configured to emit ultraviolet light having a predetermined divergence angle
Implementation Method 2
a mirror surface configured to reflect the ultraviolet light and emit the ultraviolet light toward the air passing through the inside of the frame
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an air sterilizer capable of efficiently irradiating dust, bacteria, viruses, and the like in circulating air with ultraviolet rays while preventing an increase in a blowing resistance, and an air conditioning apparatus using the air sterilizer.An air sterilizer includes a frame of which air passes through an inside; an ultraviolet ray light source configured to emit ultraviolet light having a predetermined divergence angle; and a mirror surface configured to reflect the ultraviolet light and emit the ultraviolet light toward the air passing through the inside of the frame. A thickness of the frame in a direction in which the air passes is smaller than a diameter of a circle tangent to an inner circumference of the frame. When the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet ray light source is reflected by the mirror surface, the reflected light has a divergence angle or a convergence angle smaller than the divergence angle at least in a thickness direction of the frame.