Exhaled Air Purification Unit for Multi-Person Venues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems and air handling systems are inadequate in capturing, isolating, and destroying airborne pathogens and contaminants quickly, particularly in confined indoor environments, where pathogens like COVID-19 can spread through exhaled aerosols, posing a risk in multi-seated venues such as vehicles, theaters, and houses of worship.
Innovation Solution
An air purification system comprising an exhaled air collector integrated with or attached to seating, connected to an air purification chamber via a conduit, which uses mechanisms like UVC light, HEPA filters, or combinations thereof to capture, clean, and filter exhaled air, and can be part of a networked system to recirculate clean air or exhaust contaminated air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional HVAC systems are used for air purification, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the pathogen destruction efficiency is insufficient and response speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air purification function into separate modular units: exhaled air collectors at individual seats, conduit networks for air transport, and centralized purification chambers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency, resolving the contradiction between high pathogen destruction efficiency and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conduits as intermediary elements to transport exhaled air from collection points to purification chambers. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient pathogen removal without requiring complex distributed purification systems at each seat, thus maintaining relatively simple device architecture while achieving high productivity.
2Speed
If exhaled air is captured and purified rapidly, then the response speed to pathogen exposure is improved, but the system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing exhaled air at the source through collectors integrated with or positioned behind seats, before pathogens can spread throughout the venue. This preemptive capture approach enables rapid response to pathogen exposure while using relatively simple collection mechanisms that integrate easily with existing seating arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning exhaled air collectors behind seats and using gravity-assisted air flow downward, then transporting purified air back to occupants. This dimensional approach simplifies the air handling mechanism compared to horizontal distribution systems, reducing installation complexity while maintaining fast response speed.
3Reliability
If UVC light and HEPA filters are used for pathogen destruction, then the purification effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two effective purification methods (UVC light and HEPA filtration) into a single integrated purification chamber. This combination approach achieves high purification effectiveness by using UVC for viral inactivation and HEPA for particulate removal, while consolidating both mechanisms in one location reduces overall system complexity and allows for optimized energy management compared to distributed systems.
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
Effectively captures and destroys airborne pathogens, reducing the risk of infection in indoor environments by rapidly purifying exhaled air and recirculating clean air, enhancing safety in crowded spaces.
Implementation Method 1
uses mechanisms like UVC light, HEPA filters, or combinations thereof to capture, clean, and filter exhaled air
Implementation Method 2
uses mechanisms like UVC light, HEPA filters, or combinations thereof to capture, clean, and filter exhaled air
Data Source
AI summary
An air management system for a common indoor room or space that comprises a plurality of air outflow apertures or vents, a plurality of air curtains having at least a portion of the air curtains separated from one another, a plurality of separated air suction intakes, and an air sterilization and/or air cleaning mechanism.