Ceiling Tile Air Circulation with UV-C Decontamination and LED Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems in indoor spaces fail to adequately address air quality and air movement, leading to issues such as excessive heat buildup in LED lights, reduced lifespan of lighting units, and accumulation of harmful contaminants like bacteria, fungus, and viruses, which affect productivity and health.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling tile or mobile air circulation device with built-in fans and UV lights that circulate air through UV-reflective chambers to decontaminate it, while also incorporating LED lighting to maintain proper air quality and movement, and can be remotely controlled via ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED lights are used for illumination, then energy efficiency and lifespan are improved, but excessive heat buildup occurs reducing performance and lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful heat generated by LED lights and removes it from the system through dedicated heat dissipation structures. Heat sinks and ventilation channels are designed to capture and evacuate thermal energy away from the LED components, preventing heat accumulation while maintaining the energy-efficient operation of the LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary thermal management components such as heat sinks, thermal pads, and cooling fins that act as mediators between the LED light sources and the surrounding environment. These intermediaries facilitate controlled heat transfer from the high-density LED components to areas where heat can be safely dissipated, protecting the LEDs from thermal damage.
2Speed
If standard HVAC system is used for air circulation, then basic air movement is provided, but air quality and contaminant removal are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: air circulation, air purification, and UV decontamination. The HVAC system is merged with HEPA filters and UV-C light sources to create a multi-functional apparatus that simultaneously moves air through the space and removes contaminants, addressing both air movement and air quality requirements in one system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal air treatment system that performs multiple functions: it circulates air like a traditional HVAC system, filters particulate contaminants through HEPA filters, and eliminates microbial contaminants through UV-C irradiation. This multi-functional system replaces or supplements standard HVAC systems to provide comprehensive air quality management.
3Area of stationary object
If ceiling tile dimensions are used for device housing, then space utilization is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air circulation device into modular components that can be independently manufactured and then assembled within the ceiling tile footprint. The system is divided into separate modules for air intake, filtration, UV decontamination, and air discharge, allowing each component to be optimized and manufactured separately before integration into the final ceiling-mounted unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal ceiling tile integration system where a single housing structure accommodates multiple functions: structural support, air intake pathways, filter housing, UV chamber, and air discharge mechanisms. This multi-functional housing reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies manufacturing by consolidating functions into one standardized ceiling tile-sized unit.
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 effectively reduces heat in LED lights, prolongs their lifespan, enhances air quality by removing contaminants, and improves productivity by creating a cleaner, healthier indoor environment.
Implementation Method 1
UV light source which decontaminates air as it flows through the apparatus and thus helps prevent the spread of bacteria, fungus, viruses and/or mold
Implementation Method 2
a fan, which moves air through the apparatus from an air intake to an air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to a combination axial fan and LED lighting system configured to fit into the footprint of a standard ceiling tile. Disclosed embodiments further include ceiling tiles with a built-in fan and/or LED lighting. The disclosed systems may include one or more UV-C light sources which irradiate contaminants as air flows through the UV-C unit. The UV-C unit is mounted on either a universal mounting mechanism or a mobile support unit to provide mobility to the UV-C unit.