Segmented Air Purification Device for Aircraft Cabin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purification systems in aircraft are energy-intensive, require significant space, and may not effectively convince passengers of clean air quality, especially in recirculation systems that mix conditioned outside air with cabin air.
Innovation Solution
An air purification system integrated into aircraft, featuring a portable or mounted air purification device with a filter assembly including HEPA filters, adsorption materials, and UV light sources, which can be powered by the aircraft or an internal source, and can be controlled via various panels to provide filtered air directly to passengers, creating a quarantine zone if needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recirculation systems are used to mix conditioned outside air with cabin air, then air purification is achieved, but space requirements and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air purification function into individual portable devices that can be placed at specific locations (such as near individual seats or in galley areas) rather than using a single large centralized recirculation system. Each device independently filters air in its local zone, eliminating the need for extensive ductwork and large equipment spaces while maintaining effective air purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the air purification function from the centralized environmental control system and implements it through standalone portable devices. This extraction allows the purification function to be performed locally without requiring integration into the aircraft's existing large-scale air handling infrastructure, thereby reducing space requirements.
2Reliability
If recirculation systems are used to filter contaminants from cabin air, then air quality improves, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the air purification into small localized devices, each unit only needs to process air in its immediate vicinity rather than handling large volumes of cabin air through centralized ducts. This dramatically reduces the energy required per device, and the total energy consumption is lower due to the elimination of extensive air movement through large ductwork.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies air purification locally at specific points where it is most needed (such as near passenger seating areas or galley stations) rather than attempting to uniformly treat all cabin air. This localized approach reduces the total volume of air that needs to be processed and transported, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective air quality in critical zones.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If passengers are spread out to isolate them, then disease transmission is reduced, but passenger comfort and social interaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the protection function from the physical separation approach and implements it through portable air purification devices that can be placed near passengers regardless of seating arrangement. This allows passengers to remain in comfortable, socially interactive configurations while still receiving localized air purification that protects against disease transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable air purification device acts as an intermediary between passengers, creating a protective air quality zone around each passenger or seating area without requiring physical separation. This mediator approach allows maintain close proximity for comfort and social interaction while still providing effective protection against airborne pathogens through localized filtration.
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 filters and disinfects air, providing passengers with clean air while reducing energy consumption and space requirements, enhancing passenger safety and comfort by ensuring clean air quality.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to draw an airflow through the filter assembly
Implementation Method 2
Such systems use filters to capture contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses, before recirculating the air into the passenger cabin
Implementation Method 3
filter assembly including HEPA filters, adsorption materials, and UV light sources
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A filter assembly including a plurality of filter modules, wherein each filter module in the plurality of filter modules includes a frame, a filtration element coupled within the frame, and at least one mating feature. The at least one mating feature of each filter module is configured for selective engagement with the at least one mating feature of another filter module such that the plurality of filter modules are coupled together in a serial arrangement.