Air purifier and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers with flat photocatalytic filters face challenges in achieving efficient air purification due to the need for larger filter sizes and decreased decomposition efficiency when organic substances excessively adhere to the filter, leading to reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An air purifier design featuring a photocatalytic filter with a wave shape and a controller that adjusts light source intensity and air fan speed to refresh the filter by emitting light at maximum quantity and driving the fan at minimum speed, utilizing sensors to detect organic substance levels and determine the need for refreshment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the photocatalytic filter size is increased to achieve sufficient decomposition performance, then air purification performance is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photocatalytic filter is designed with a wave-shaped structure instead of a flat configuration. This curvature increases the surface area of the filter within the same footprint, providing more photocatalytic reaction sites without increasing the overall device volume, thereby resolving the contradiction between purification performance and device size
Solution Approach 2:
The filter transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional wave structure. This dimensional change allows the filter to utilize vertical space more effectively, increasing the active surface area available for decomposition reactions while maintaining a compact device footprint
2Productivity
If the photocatalytic filter processes a large amount of organic substances, then air purification capacity is improved, but decomposition efficiency degrades due to excessive adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic refresh cycles where the light source operates at maximum intensity for predetermined periods. This periodic action prevents excessive organic substance accumulation on the filter surface, maintaining decomposition efficiency while allowing the system to handle large purification capacities over time
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors organic substance levels and uses this feedback to determine when refresh operations are needed. This feedback mechanism ensures the filter maintains optimal decomposition efficiency by triggering refresh cycles based on actual contamination levels rather than operating continuously at reduced efficiency
3Reliability
If the light source operates continuously at maximum intensity, then decomposition efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous maximum intensity operation, the light source operates in periodic cycles with predetermined durations. During normal operation, it runs at standard intensity, and during refresh periods, it operates at maximum intensity. This periodic operation maintains decomposition efficiency while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous maximum operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optimal light exposure environment by controlling both intensity and duration. By providing sufficient light quantity only when needed for refresh operations rather than continuously, the system maintains photocatalytic effectiveness while minimizing energy waste during periods when maximum intensity is not required
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
This approach effectively decomposes adhered organic substances, restoring purification efficiency and allowing for timely filter refreshment, while maintaining a compact device size.
Implementation Method 1
a photocatalytic filter that carries a photocatalyst, a light source that irradiates the photocatalytic filter
Implementation Method 2
an air blowing fan for blowing air over a surface of the photocatalytic filter
Data Source
AI summary
The air purifier is provided with a housing having an air intake port and an exhaust port, a filter unit including a photocatalytic filter and housed in a unit housing section within the housing, a light source that irradiates the photocatalytic filter with light, an air blowing fan that generates an air flow passing through the unit housing section, and a contamination sensor provided between the photocatalytic filter and the air blowing fan. In a case where a controller determines that organic substances excessively adheres to the photocatalytic filter on the basis of detection values of the contamination sensor, it drives the light source at the maximum light quantity and drives the air blowing fan at the minimum air speed to refresh the photocatalytic filter.