Apparatus for the sterilization of ambient air by means of a laser rays filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air sterilization technologies are ineffective due to high costs, pollution, limited transportability, and inefficiency in removing viruses and bacteria from air, often requiring special waste disposal and emitting harmful radiation, and most systems cannot be used in populated spaces or require extensive maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A transportable laser beam filter system that uses a sterilization chamber with a controlled laser beam network, where the air flows at a low speed to ensure adequate exposure to the laser, allowing for efficient sterilization of viruses and bacteria without the need for beam absorbers or movable surfaces, and can be powered dynamically based on the presence of people.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UVC lamps are used for air sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but harmful radiation is emitted and materials are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidharmful radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter from traditional UVC (200-280nm) to visible blue light (405-480nm), maintaining sterilization effectiveness through photochemical action on microbial DNA/RNA while eliminating the harmful radiation and material deterioration issues associated with UVC lamps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, long-lived UVC lamps requiring special disposal with affordable, replaceable LED modules that can be easily disposed of or replaced, reducing both cost and environmental burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If collimated or scanning laser beam systems are used, then air sterilization is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair sterilizationVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sterilization task into multiple parallel LED light sources arranged in an array, each emitting independently, replacing the single complex scanning laser beam system with simpler segmented emitters that collectively cover the required volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pulsed LED emission synchronized with air flow patterns to achieve effective sterilization exposure, replacing continuous complex scanning laser operations with simpler periodic illumination cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If air is conveyed through cones or channels with fixed laser beam, then sterilization is achieved, but the interior remains polluted and requires maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesterilizationVSAvoidmaintenance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of conveying air through enclosed channels where pollution accumulates, the patent inverts the approach by creating a sterilization field that treats air in place, allowing the treatment chamber to remain clean and maintenance-free

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If UVA and UVB lamps are used for sterilization, then air purification is achieved, but long exposure times are required and materials are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purificationVSAvoidexposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter from UVA/UVB (315-400nm) to blue visible light (405-480nm) with higher photon energy, enabling effective sterilization with much shorter exposure times while eliminating material deterioration issues

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 effectively sterilizes air by ensuring prolonged exposure to the laser beam, reducing maintenance and pollution, and can be safely used in populated areas with minimal energy consumption, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for air purification.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam filter system uses a sterilization chamber (110) in which a laser beam (115) fills a considerable volume thereof, said beam being capable of destroying, by irradiation, the viruses and bacteria present in the aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentEP4175685B1Apparatus for the sterilization of ambient air by means of a laser rays filter
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 KAIRLASER SRL
  • EP4175685B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP4175685B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)
  • EP4175685B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (100, 200) for sterilizing air from any bacterium, virus, dust or any other organic or non- organic body present in the air, of a public or private space, using a sterilization chamber (110, 110", 210) provided with a laser beam (115, 115", 215) filter. A dense network of laser beams (115, 115", 215) which saturate the sterilization chamber (110, 110", 210) is created. The air forced to go through the entire sterilization chamber (110, 110", 210) causes every small particle, bacterium, virus of any size, even nanometric, to impact on the laser beams (115, 115", 215), thus pulverizing, destroying and/or neutralizing itself completely, by means of the large beam energy irradiated for a time ranging from 0.5 to 2 seconds.