Fluid treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid treatment systems in air conditioners face inefficiencies in air purification and deodorization, particularly at varying air flow rates, as they fail to optimize the contact time between air and photocatalyst filters effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid treatment apparatus featuring a photocatalyst filter, a light source unit, and a guide member with adjustable slats that alter the air flow direction based on air flow rates to maximize contact time with the photocatalyst filter, utilizing ultraviolet and visible light for sterilization and deodorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then the air treatment throughput increases, but the contact time between air and photocatalyst filter decreases reducing treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed with adjustable slats that can dynamically change the air flow direction based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize contact time at low flow rates while maintaining high throughput at elevated flow rates, resolving the contradiction between productivity and treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path geometry parameter by adjusting the slat angles of the guide member. By varying the inclination angle of the slats, the air flow path length and direction are modified, thereby controlling the contact time between air and photocatalyst filter to match different operational requirements.
2Device complexity
If the air flow direction is kept simple to reduce device complexity, then the structure remains straightforward, but the contact time optimization capability is lost reducing air treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is segmented into multiple adjustable slats rather than being a single fixed component. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each slat to optimize air flow distribution and contact time, achieving high treatment efficiency while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member serves multiple functions: it guides air flow direction, adjusts contact time with the photocatalyst filter, and adapts to different air flow rates. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both structural simplicity and treatment efficiency requirements.
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
Enhances air treatment efficiency by optimizing air flow direction to ensure sufficient contact time with the photocatalyst filter, improving sterilization, purification, and deodorization performance across different air flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit spaced apart from the photocatalyst filter to provide light to the photocatalyst filter
Implementation Method 2
a photocatalyst filter... utilizing ultraviolet and visible light for sterilization and deodorization
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid treatment apparatus including a photocatalyst filter having a first surface and a second surface, a light source unit spaced apart from the photocatalyst filter to provide light to the first surface, a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path formed between the photocatalyst filter and the light source, and a guide member disposed at one side of the housing and including at least one slat to guide a movement direction of a fluid, in which the slat is inclined at least in a direction closer to the first surface of the photocatalyst filter along an advancing direction of the flow path when an air flow rate of the fluid has a first value, and in a direction away from the first surface of the photocatalyst filter along the advancing direction when the air flow rate of the fluid is greater than the first value.