Portable Collapsible Air Purifier for Neck-Worn Breathing Mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purification and mask technologies are cumbersome, power-intensive, and often rely on toxic ozone, limiting their portability and effectiveness in providing continuous, purified breathable air, especially in contaminated environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable air purifier system comprising a collapsible tube with a perforated outer tube, a fan, a multi-part filter, and UVC LEDs for sterilization, which provides filtered air to a breathing mask with one-way valves to prevent reverse airflow and ozone production, allowing for continuous, ozone-free, and efficient air purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air purifiers and masks are used, then air purification is achieved, but mobility is limited and equipment becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The air purifier is divided into separate functional modules: a filter assembly with multiple filter stages, a power unit with rechargeable battery, and a wearable mask component. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and enables flexible configuration that improves portability while maintaining purification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical HVAC systems and bulky traditional air purifiers with a compact, battery-powered portable device. The use of electric motors instead of mechanical fans, and rechargeable batteries instead of AC power, enables portability without sacrificing air purification capability.
2Reliability
If high filtration masks like N95 are used, then virus filtration is improved, but breathing resistance increases and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple stages with different filter types (pre-filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter) arranged in sequence. This allows each filter stage to handle specific contaminants, achieving high overall filtration efficiency while optimizing airflow characteristics for comfortable breathing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filtration system use different filter materials and densities optimized for specific functions: the pre-filter handles larger particles, the HEPA filter captures viruses, and the carbon filter removes odors. This local optimization maintains high filtration effectiveness while minimizing breathing resistance.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet light systems are used for air disinfection, then pathogen destruction is achieved, but ozone production occurs and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable UV-C LED modules that can be replaced when depleted. These short-living UV components provide effective pathogen destruction without the need for complex ozone removal systems, as the UV LEDs are replaced rather than maintained indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses UV-C LEDs operating at specific wavelengths (254nm) that are effective for germicidal purposes. By controlling the UV wavelength parameter and using LED technology instead of traditional mercury lamps, the system achieves pathogen destruction with minimal ozone production.
4Reliability
If traditional air purifiers are used, then air purification is provided, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is nested within a compact housing that contains the power unit and control electronics. The wearable mask component nests onto the user's face, and the entire system is designed with space-efficient component arrangement that minimizes overall device size while maintaining full air purification functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible, thin-film materials for the mask component and filter membranes. The mask is made from flexible materials that conform to the user's face, while the filters use thin-film HEPA and carbon layers that provide high filtration efficiency with minimal thickness, reducing overall device weight.
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 reduces airborne pathogens by 99.9% and provides a continuous supply of purified air for extended periods without the need for maintenance or heavy equipment, enhancing user mobility and safety in contaminated environments.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that brings air into a first end of the first tube and pushes the air through the first tube
Implementation Method 2
a multi-part filter arranged in a concentric configuration inside the first tube, wherein the multi-part filter is to filter the air as the air proceeds through the first tube
Implementation Method 3
The first tube may comprise a UVC light that sterilizes the air brought into the first tube. The first tube may comprise a UVC light that sterilizes the filter.
Implementation Method 4
The most effective bactericidal wavelengths are between 250 to 280 nanometers. The mechanism of injury to the microorganism is through the effect of UV-C on DNA/RNA rather than proteins.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable air purifier and method includes a collapsible first tube; a perforated firm second tube that houses the first tube; a fan that brings air into a first end of the first tube and pushes the air through the first tube; a multi-part filter arranged in a concentric configuration inside the first tube; an outlet at a second end of the first tube; and a breathing mask coupled to the outlet. The filter filters the air as the air proceeds through the first tube and the outlet discharges filtered air from the first tube to the breathing mask. The first tube and the second tube may be semi-circular to fit around the neck of a user. The filter may be a corrugated filter. The portable air purifier may include a power source electrically connected to the fan.