Bio-functional Air Filter Medium with Segmented Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Residential and commercial HVAC systems face challenges in effectively removing particulates, allergens, and microorganisms from indoor air due to existing air filters' high pressure drop and limited air permeability, which can lead to compromised air quality and health risks.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer bio-functional air filter medium with a particle filter layer and a bio-functional carrier layer containing antimicrobial and anti-allergenic materials, such as polyphenols, is designed for high air permeability and efficient filtration, preventing microbial growth and allergen penetration while maintaining air flow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing air filters are used to remove particulates and microorganisms, then air quality improves, but pressure drop increases and air permeability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial and allergen penetrationVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into distinct functional layers: a particle filter layer for capturing particulates and a separate bio-functional carrier layer for antimicrobial action. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function without compromising overall airflow, reducing pressure drop while maintaining filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bio-functional carrier layer combines antimicrobial materials with a porous support structure to create a composite material that provides both microbial inhibition and high airflow capability. This composite approach enables the filter to maintain low pressure drop while delivering effective antimicrobial protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing air filters are used to remove particulates and microorganisms, then air quality improves, but air permeability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallergen penetrationVSAvoidair permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bio-functional carrier layer is designed with locally optimized properties, including specific porosity and material composition, to provide high allergen capture efficiency while maintaining excellent airflow characteristics. This local quality enhancement allows the filter to reduce allergen penetration by over 95% without significantly impacting air permeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial materials are added to the filter, then microbial removal improves, but filter complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial matter removalVSAvoidfilter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bio-functional carrier layer serves as an intermediary between the particle filter layer and the environment, concentrating antimicrobial and anti-allergenic materials in a single dedicated layer. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall filter structure by consolidating multiple functions into one integrated layer, reducing complexity while enhancing microbial removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 bio-functional air filter medium effectively reduces allergen and microbial penetration by over 95% and 99.98%, respectively, while maintaining high air permeability, making it suitable for residential and commercial HVAC systems without increasing pressure drop.

Implementation Method 1

a first filter layer configured for capturing or removing particle impurities from air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The at least one bio-functional carrier layer includes anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and/or anti-allergenic materials... the antimicrobial material can prevent metabolization or decomposition of the anti-allergenic material, in particular by fungi

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 3

The anti-allergenic material contains polyphenols... can at least partially render innocuous for the human body, or its immune system, for example super-fine pollen particles and other allergenic substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical interaction with polyphenols:

Data Source

PatentEP3954453A1Anti-microbial, Anti-allergenic bio-functional air filter medium for residential air filtration and air filter element

Publication Date: 2022.02.16 MANNHUMMEL LIFE SCI & ENVIRONMENT HLDG SINGAPORE PTE LTD

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AI summary

A bio-functional air filter medium is provided with a first filter layer that retains particles and at least one bio-functional carrier coated with or having embedded therein antimicrobial material and an anti-allergenic material. An air filter element having the bio-functional air filter medium is also disclosed. The bio-functional air filter medium is adapted to bind and capture allergens and block metabolism of bacteria while filtering air in high flow, low pressure drop residential or HVAC applications.