Protective Gown with Integrated Air Filtration and UV Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical PPE gowns are airtight, leading to increased internal temperature, microorganism growth, discomfort, and transmission of airborne diseases due to trapped heat and air circulation issues.
Innovation Solution
A combination air filter and protective gown system featuring centrifugal fans, UV lamps, activated carbon filters, and check valves to circulate clean air, expel moisture and heat, and prevent foul air entry, with adjustable components for enhanced comfort and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective gown is made airtight, then protection against airborne diseases is improved, but internal temperature increases and wearer comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective gown is divided into multiple sealed compartments (head, torso, arms, legs) with controlled air circulation pathways. Each compartment has check valves that allow unidirectional airflow, enabling localized ventilation while maintaining overall airtight protection against airborne pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable air filtering system serves as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal gown environment. The system includes a power supply, centrifugal fan, and filter element that actively circulate and filter air through the gown, allowing controlled air exchange while maintaining protective barriers.
2Reliability
If the protective gown is made airtight, then protection against airborne diseases is improved, but microorganism growth increases due to trapped air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
A portable air filtering system serves as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal gown environment. The system includes a power supply, centrifugal fan, and filter element that actively circulate and filter air through the gown, allowing controlled air exchange while maintaining protective barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The air filtering system operates continuously during wear, with the centrifugal fan constantly circulating air through the filter element and check valves. This continuous air circulation prevents stagnation and creates an environment unfavorable for microorganism growth while maintaining airtight protection.
3Reliability
If the protective gown is made airtight, then protection against airborne diseases is improved, but wearer comfort deteriorates due to excessive heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective gown is divided into multiple sealed compartments (head, torso, arms, legs) with controlled air circulation pathways. Each compartment has check valves that allow unidirectional airflow, enabling localized ventilation while maintaining overall airtight protection against airborne pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable air filtering system serves as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal gown environment. The system includes a power supply, centrifugal fan, and filter element that actively circulate and filter air through the gown, allowing controlled air exchange while maintaining protective barriers.
4Ease of operation
If air circulation is added to the protective gown, then wearer comfort is improved, but protection against airborne diseases may deteriorate due to potential air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The protective gown is divided into multiple sealed compartments (head, torso, arms, legs) with controlled air circulation pathways. Each compartment has check valves that allow unidirectional airflow, enabling localized ventilation while maintaining overall airtight protection against airborne pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing bidirectional air exchange, the system uses check valves to enforce unidirectional airflow from clean to dirty areas. This inversion of normal air flow logic maintains protection while enabling comfort through controlled circulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A combined air filter and protective gown includes a protective gown; at least one tube; at least one air filter; a waist belt; check valves disposed at a face, two hands, and two ankles of the protective gown respectively; and ties for fastening the face, the hands, and the ankles of the protective gown respectively. One end of each tube is terminated inside the protective gown and the other end thereof is attached to the air filter. Each air filter is attached to the waist belt. Each air filter includes a centrifugal fan, a circuit board, a UV lamp, a filter element formed of activated carbon, a power supply, a housing for enclosing the centrifugal fan, the circuit board, the UV lamp, the filter element, and the power supply, and a cover threadedly secured to the housing.