Method and apparatus for producing a clean air curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods do not effectively prevent the airborne transmission of COVID-19 virus between individuals conversing without masks, as they inhale each other's respiratory droplets containing SARS-CoV-2, making indoor conversations unsafe.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus combining a HEPA compliant air filter and a fan to create a laminar flow air curtain between conversationalists, which draws in air, filters out contaminants, and forces it out to form a laminar flow that blocks and traps airborne droplets, preventing their transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individuals converse without masks indoors, then social interaction and idea exchange are enhanced, but airborne transmission of COVID-19 virus occurs through inhalation of respiratory droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a physical barrier (partition wall with integrated fan system) as an intermediary between conversationalists. This mediator creates a controlled airflow environment that blocks virus-laden droplets while permitting safe communication, thus resolving the contradiction between mask-free interaction and virus protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a fan to generate directed airflow that forms a protective air barrier. The controlled air movement physically separates the respiratory zones of conversationalists, preventing droplet transmission while maintaining the ability to converse without masks
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition wall is placed between conversationalists, then droplet transmission is blocked, but air circulation and comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static partition wall into a dynamic system by integrating a fan that actively generates airflow. This dynamic element compensates for the potential stagnation caused by the partition, maintaining air circulation and comfort while preserving the protective barrier function
Solution Approach 2:
The fan-driven airflow system uses pneumatic principles to create a moving air barrier that continuously refreshes the air between partition and user. This active air circulation prevents stuffiness and discomfort while maintaining effective droplet blocking
3Reliability
If air is drawn through a HEPA filter, then contaminants are removed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies HEPA filtration locally at the partition interface where it is most needed for droplet blocking, rather than filtering entire room air. This localized approach achieves effective contaminant removal at the critical protection point while minimizing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial filtration action by filtering only the air stream that forms the protective barrier,而非 entire room air. This partial action provides sufficient protection for conversationalists while avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from filtering all ambient air
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 reduces the airborne transmission of COVID-19 virus and other contaminants, allowing safe mask-free conversations by creating a clean air curtain that captures and filters out respiratory droplets.
Implementation Method 1
The output channel configured to cause the air forced out the output port to create a laminar flow air curtain
Implementation Method 2
a HEPA compliant air filter positioned adjacent to the input port and across the input channel to clean the air drawn through the input port
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing a clean air curtain to protect a first individual and a second individual from germ transfer between themselves has a housing having an input port and an output port. The apparatus comprises a fan disposed in the housing in communication with the input port to draw air into an input channel through the input port, and in communication with the output port through an output channel to force air from the input channel through the output channel and out the output port. The output channel configured to cause the air forced out the output port to create a laminar flow air curtain. The apparatus has an air filter positioned across the input channel to clean the air drawn through the input port. A method for protecting a first individual and a second individual from germ transfer between themselves with an air curtain.