Personalized Air Purifier Multi-Chamber Filtration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face masks are inefficient in filtering out bacteria and viruses, require high intake pressure, are cumbersome, expensive, and not convenient for the elderly, and do not effectively prevent airborne pathogens like COVID-19.
Innovation Solution
A portable, lightweight air purifier system integrated with a mask featuring a multi-chamber design including a wet filter, ionization chamber, dehumidifier, and UV LED disinfection system, which uses a battery-driven blower to deliver purified air through a flexible hose, with replaceable components and a control system for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filtered masks are used to remove particles and gases, then filtration capability is improved, but intake pressure requirement increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into multiple functional chambers (filter chamber, ionization chamber, dehumidifier chamber, UV LED chamber) that work sequentially. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing the overall pressure requirement compared to a single high-resistance filter.
Solution Approach 2:
An ionization chamber with copper mesh plates and water absorbent material is introduced as an intermediary between the filter and the user. This ionization stage pre-treats the air, reducing the burden on subsequent chambers and lowering the overall intake pressure requirement while maintaining high filtration effectiveness.
2Reliability
If comprehensive filtration systems are implemented to capture bacteria and viruses, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each chamber serves multiple functions: the filter chamber removes particles and gases, the ionization chamber disinfects and prepares air, the dehumidifier chamber controls moisture, and the UV LED chamber provides additional disinfection. This multi-functionality approach achieves comprehensive protection while keeping each individual chamber relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The chambers are arranged in a nested or sequential configuration where the output of one chamber becomes the input of the next. This nested structure allows compact integration of multiple complex functions within a manageable overall device size, reducing apparent complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
3Reliability
If multi-chamber air purifier system is implemented with wet filter, ionization, dehumidifier and UV LED, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but device weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask structure utilizes flexible, thin-walled chambers that minimize material usage while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible design allows the multi-chamber system to be lightweight and conformable, reducing overall weight despite the complex multi-functional configuration.
4Ease of repair
If replaceable filter and chamber components are designed, then ease of maintenance and repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is designed with clearly segmented, modular chambers that can be independently removed and replaced. Each chamber (filter, ionization, dehumidifier, UV LED) is a separate replaceable unit, allowing users to maintain only the contaminated components without replacing the entire device, thus simplifying maintenance despite the multi-chamber complexity.
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 provides effective filtration and disinfection of airborne pathogens, improving air quality and user convenience, making it suitable for pandemic protection, dusty areas, and individuals with allergies or asthma, while being lightweight, affordable, and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
The chamber is filled with multi-layer microfiber filter with strong absorbability and is wetted by water or ionized water
Implementation Method 2
The contaminated air passes through the filter chamber and the pollution, dust and contaminants of the air is scrubbed by the filter
Implementation Method 3
The ionization will take place by applying voltage between the two copper mesh layers
Implementation Method 4
The air is diverted into the ionization chamber and is disinfected inside the chamber
Implementation Method 5
The third chamber is a dehumidifier chamber which contains silica gel that absorbs the humidity of the air passing through the ionization chamber
Implementation Method 6
The fourth chamber is a UV LED chamber which contains UV LED strips around the chamber. The range of UV LED strips are between 280 to 330 nanometers and with wide angle beam to kill possible bacteria and viruses in passing air
Implementation Method 7
UV LED light provides rapid and effective inactivation of microorganisms through a physical process
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a portable personalized air purifier intended to be attached to the belt or to the neck of a user. Purified air is generated by filtering, electrochemically, and UV LED treating of a polluted air. Polluted air is forced through a filter into ionized water, which absorbs particles and kills possible air born bacteria. The UV LED disinfects the polluted air. The device further balances the humidity of the air and delivers healthy air towards the face of the user through a mask.