Antibacterial Filter with Surface-Bound Copper Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air filters fail to effectively filter microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, and viruses due to their proliferation on the filter surface and reduced antimicrobial performance, leading to potential re-introduction of contaminants and unpleasant odors.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial filter comprising fibers formed from a polymer resin with copper particles, where active copper particles are bound to the surface and inactive particles are partially or entirely embedded, maintaining a specific content ratio to prevent microorganism proliferation and enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micropore filter is used to filter microorganisms, then filtration capability is improved, but microorganisms proliferate on the filter surface causing re-introduction and odors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of microorganism proliferation into a beneficial antimicrobial function by incorporating copper particles into the filter. The copper particles actively kill microorganisms that land on the filter surface, transforming the filter from a mere physical barrier into an active antimicrobial agent that prevents proliferation and eliminates odors while maintaining filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite filter material by combining conventional filter fibers with copper particles. This composite structure integrates the physical filtration function of the micropore filter with the antimicrobial properties of copper, allowing simultaneous achievement of high filtration efficiency and prevention of microorganism proliferation on the filter surface.
2Reliability
If nano-sized antimicrobial particles are used, then antimicrobial performance is improved, but particles are buried inside fibers reducing active copper content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating two distinct zones for copper particles: active copper particles located on the fiber surface that provide antimicrobial function, and inactive copper particles embedded inside fibers that serve as reserves. This spatial differentiation ensures that sufficient active copper is available on the surface for antimicrobial action while maintaining overall copper content in the filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates copper particles into the filter structure during the manufacturing process, performing the antimicrobial function preparation in advance. The copper particles are pre-positioned on and within the fibers before the filter encounters microorganisms, ensuring immediate antimicrobial activity upon microorganism contact without requiring subsequent activation steps.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If copper particles are added to prevent microorganism proliferation, then antimicrobial properties are improved, but filter durability and persistence may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs beforehand cushioning by embedding inactive copper particles inside the fibers as a reserve supply. These embedded particles act as a buffer that can replenish or support the active copper particles on the surface over time, ensuring long-term durability and persistence of antimicrobial properties throughout the filter's service life.
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 filter effectively prevents microorganism proliferation on the surface, maintaining antimicrobial performance and durability while ensuring dust collection efficiency and pressure loss, providing purified air with enhanced antimicrobial persistence.
Implementation Method 1
the copper particles comprise active copper particles bound to the surface of the fiber and inactive copper particles partially or entirely embedded in the fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An antibacterial filter, a method for manufacturing the filter, and an air purifier comprising the filter. The antibacterial filter contains a specific range of active copper particles bound to the surface of fibers, and thus can effectively prevent microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, harmful to the human body, from proliferating on or contaminating the filter surface, and further improve antibacterial performance and sustained antibacterial performance. Additionally, when the antimicrobial filter is applied to an air purifier, it is possible to supply purified air and, at the same time, further improve the durability and lifetime characteristics of the filter.