Helical UV Air Treatment Chamber With Light Traps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air purification systems face issues with ultraviolet light escaping through air ducts, causing plastic degradation and non-uniform UV density, which increases manufacturing costs and time due to the need for reflective coatings.

Innovation Solution

The air treatment system incorporates a helical ultraviolet lamp and light traps at the air inlet and outlet to prevent UV light from escaping, maintaining uniform UV density and reducing material degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ultraviolet lamps are positioned within the chamber to purify air, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but ultraviolet light escapes through air ducts causing plastic degradation and undesirable glow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification effectivenessVSAvoidplastic duct material degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light trap is introduced as an intermediary component between the ultraviolet lamp and the air ducts. The light trap selectively blocks ultraviolet light while allowing air to pass through, preventing UV light from escaping into the ducts and causing material degradation, while maintaining the air purification function within the chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the treatment chamber where UV purification occurs, and the duct system for air distribution. The light trap creates a boundary between these zones, allowing air to flow freely while blocking UV light transmission to protective duct materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple ultraviolet lamps and electrical components are arranged within the chamber, then air purification capacity is improved, but uniform ultraviolet density within the chamber is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification capacityVSAvoidultraviolet density uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a helical (curved) lamp configuration instead of straight linear arrangements. This curved geometry distributes ultraviolet light more uniformly throughout the chamber volume, eliminating hot spots and dead zones that occur with straight lamp placements, while maintaining high purification capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp arrangement transitions from a one-dimensional linear configuration to a three-dimensional helical structure that winds through the chamber. This spatial transformation allows UV light to be emitted from multiple positions and angles, achieving uniform illumination density throughout the treatment volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If an ultraviolet light reflective layer is coated on the inner surface of the chamber to improve ultraviolet density uniformity, then uniformity is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet density uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex manufacturing process of coating reflective layers with a simpler geometric solution. Instead of applying specialized coatings to chamber surfaces, the helical lamp configuration inherently produces uniform UV distribution through its spatial arrangement, eliminating the need for additional manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution changes the geometric parameters of the lamp arrangement (helical pitch, radius, length) to optimize UV distribution. This parametric design approach achieves uniformity through configuration rather than material properties, avoiding the time-consuming coating process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 higher UV dosage with uniform density and simplified manufacturing by reducing the need for extensive reflective coatings and minimizing UV light escape, thus enhancing air purification efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The ultraviolet lamps are energized to generate ultraviolet light, which purifies the air as the air moves through the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light generation: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

The light trap is configured to prevent light generated by the at least one ultraviolet lamp from exiting said housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7652265B2Air treatment system

Publication Date: 2010.01.26 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An air treatment system includes a housing defining a chamber, and an ultraviolet lamp positioned within the chamber. The housing further defines an air inlet at a first end portion of the housing and an air outlet at a second end portion of the housing opposing the first end portion. The chamber provides flow communication between the air inlet and the air outlet. At least one ultraviolet lamp is positioned within the chamber. The at least one ultraviolet lamp is positioned about a first axis and includes a first end and a second end spaced with respect to the first end along the first axis. The at least one ultraviolet lamp is configured for facilitating inactivating contaminants within air channeled through the chamber.