Head Wearable Air Purifier Far UVC Light Guide Filter Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head wearable air purifiers face challenges in decontaminating the filter assembly, as traditional cleaning methods can reintroduce microbial contamination and are difficult to perform due to space constraints, especially when dealing with smaller contaminants like bacteria.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light guide that directs far UVC light from a light source, positioned in a space-constrained area, to illuminate the upstream surface of the filter assembly for decontamination, using LEDs emitting at 222 nm to effectively kill microbes without damaging the filter materials or requiring direct line-of-sight irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional wet cloth cleaning is used on the filter assembly, then the filter surfaces can be physically cleaned, but microbial contamination levels increase and certain parts cannot be accessed without damaging the filtration surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning system (wet cloth) with a light-based decontamination system. Far UVC light sources are positioned to illuminate the filter assembly, using photonic energy instead of mechanical contact to achieve decontamination. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of mechanical cleaning while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces far UVC light as an intermediary medium between the cleaning objective and the filter assembly. The light acts as a non-contact mediator that can penetrate and decontaminate surfaces without physical contact, avoiding both the contamination spread and mechanical damage issues of direct cloth contact.
2Reliability
If the light source is positioned close to the filter assembly for effective illumination, then decontamination effectiveness improves, but the already limited space in the ear assembly is further constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the light source is positioned within the existing structural components of the ear assembly. The light guide is integrated into the housing structure, with the light source nested within available cavities and channels, maximizing space utilization without requiring additional external volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light guides to redirect illumination along three-dimensional paths within the constrained space. By utilizing angular redirection and multi-dimensional light routing through the housing structure, the system achieves effective illumination of the filter assembly from positions that would otherwise be too far away in a direct line-of-sight configuration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional UV light is used for decontamination, then microbial killing effectiveness is achieved, but the filter materials and other components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source from conventional UV (200-280nm) to far UVC (207-222nm). This specific wavelength range was selected because it maintains germicidal effectiveness against microorganisms while being significantly less damaging to organic materials such as the filter media and other polymer components in the air purifier.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the air purifier covers the user's mouth and nose for filtration, then pollutant filtering is improved, but breathing becomes more laborious and speaking is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air purification function from the respiratory pathway. Instead of filtering air through a mask covering the mouth and nose, the system creates a separate, dedicated air intake path through the ear assemblies that delivers filtered air directly to the user, separating the filtration process from the breathing zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary delivery system (the ear assembly air pathway) that mediates between the filter assembly and the user's respiratory system. This intermediary channel allows filtered air to reach the user without requiring direct contact between the filter and the mouth/nose area, maintaining comfort while ensuring filtration effectiveness.
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 ensures continuous decontamination of the filter assembly, maintaining its effectiveness over time by using non-damaging far UVC light, which is safe for users and reduces the need for direct access, thus overcoming space constraints and improving safety and cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source for emitting light in a far UVC portion of the electromagnetic spectrum... using LEDs emitting at 222 nm to effectively kill microbes without damaging the filter materials
Implementation Method 2
a light guide arranged to guide light emitted from the at least one light source to illuminate at least part of an upstream surface of the filter assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes a head wearable air purifier that includes a filter assembly, a motor-driven impeller for creating an airflow through the filter assembly to obtain a filtered airflow downstream of the filter assembly, and at least one light source for emitting light in a far UVC portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The head wearable air purifier further includes a light guide arranged to guide light emitted from the at least one light source to illuminate at least part of an upstream surface of the filter assembly for the decontamination thereof.