Composite air sterilization purifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers face challenges in effectively sterilizing nanoscopic microorganisms due to accumulation of large-particle pollutants on antibacterial filters, high fluid pressure loss in HEPA filters, limited spread of plasma radicals, and unpleasant ozone production when increasing operating voltage.
Innovation Solution
A composite air sterilization system incorporating an electrostatic dust collection unit with a honeycomb structure, ultraviolet sterilization, a photocatalyst filter for dehumidification, and a venturi-structured plasma zone to intensively sterilize nanoparticles, bacteria, and viruses, while maintaining efficient air flow and minimizing ozone production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antibacterial filter is used to eradicate harmful microorganisms, then sterilization function is improved, but large-particle polluted matter accumulates on the filter, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into two distinct functional layers: a HEPA filter layer for capturing large-particle polluted matter and an antibacterial filter layer for eradicating nanoscopic microorganisms. This segmentation prevents accumulation of large particles on the antibacterial filter while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If a HEPA filter is used to remove fine dust, then fine dust removal is improved, but high fluid pressure loss occurs, reducing clean air delivery rate
Solution Approach 1:
The air purification system is segmented into two stages: HEPA filtration for fine dust removal and electrostatic dust collection for nanoparticle capture. This segmentation allows the HEPA filter to operate at optimal pressure without the additional resistance that would result from trying to capture nanoparticles in the same stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical filtration process (HEPA) with an electrostatic field-based collection method for nanoparticles. This substitution reduces the overall pressure loss while maintaining or improving particle removal efficiency.
3Reliability
If plasma is used to eradicate bacteria and viruses, then sterilization is improved, but the active contact plasma zone is narrow and radicals cannot spread far, limiting effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive member is introduced as an intermediary to generate ions that serve as mediators between the plasma source and the air. These ions spread over a wider area than the plasma zone itself, expanding the effective sterilization range without requiring high voltage.
4Reliability
If operating voltage is increased to generate more plasma radicals, then sterilization intensity is improved, but unpleasant smell of ozone occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-voltage plasma generation method with a low-voltage ion generation method using a conductive member. This substitution achieves effective sterilization through ion-mediated reactions without producing harmful ozone.
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 achieves efficient capture and sterilization of nanoparticles and microorganisms through a multi-stage process, enhancing the sterilization efficiency and reducing ozone generation, thereby improving air purification effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic dust collection unit configured to capture the dust, the bacteria, and the viruses included in the air that has passed through the particle separation unit
Implementation Method 2
an ultraviolet sterilization unit configured to radiate UVC to the electrostatic dust collection unit in order to sterilize the bacteria and the viruses captured in the electrostatic dust collection unit
Implementation Method 3
capturing droplet moisture from microorganisms that pass through the electrostatic dust collection unit in a state of being stuck on large particles, such as saliva droplets, through a porous dehumidification layer of a photocatalyst filter, secondarily sterilizing the microorganisms as the result of a photocatalyst reaction effect
Implementation Method 4
tertially directly sterilizing nanoparticle microorganisms that have passed through the dehumidification layer through a venturi structure in which the nanoparticle microorganisms are dispersed into a plurality of plasma generators and the flow of air converges into a high-density plasma zone
Implementation Method 5
a venturi-structured plasma zone to intensively sterilize nanoparticles, bacteria, and viruses
Data Source
AI summary
A composite air sterilization purifier includes: a particle separation part for separating, from bacteria and viruses in the air, dust in the air suctioned through the intake port; an electrostatic precipitation part for collecting dust, bacteria and viruses in the air having passed through the particle separation part; an ultraviolet sterilization part, which emits UVC at the electrostatic precipitation part to remove the bacteria and viruses collected in the electrostatic precipitation part; a photocatalyst filter for sterilizing the air having passed through the ultraviolet sterilization part; a plasma sterilization part, which increases the density of the bacteria and the viruses in the air having passed through the photocatalyst filter, so as to intensively remove the bacteria and the viruses; and an active species filter for absorbing harmful gas, ozone, and residual active species in the air having passed through the plasma sterilization part.