Pollution Control Devices Methods and Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disinfecting air and surfaces in occupied spaces are inadequate in effectively reducing or eliminating pathogens like viruses and bacteria, especially in areas with human presence, as they often expose humans to harmful UV radiation or fail to continuously sanitize air.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode light fixture and disinfecting air return grille system that uses UV radiation to sanitize air and surfaces, with a controller that switches between occupied and unoccupied modes to prevent human exposure to UV radiation, ensuring continuous air purification and surface disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV radiation is used to disinfect air and surfaces in occupied spaces, then pathogen elimination is improved, but human exposure to harmful UV radiation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between occupied and unoccupied modes based on space usage. During unoccupied periods, UV radiation is activated for surface disinfection. When occupancy is detected, the system transitions to air circulation mode with HEPA filtration, dynamically adapting the disinfection approach to eliminate pathogens while protecting human occupants from harmful UV exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection system is segmented into two distinct operational modes: surface disinfection mode using UV radiation when spaces are unoccupied, and air circulation mode using HEPA filtration when spaces are occupied. This segmentation allows pathogen elimination to occur through appropriate mechanisms without exposing humans to harmful UV radiation.
2Reliability
If UV radiation is continuously used to sanitize air, then air purification is improved, but human safety is compromised due to UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on occupancy status. When spaces are occupied, it switches to air circulation mode with HEPA filtration, providing continuous air purification without UV exposure. When unoccupied, it activates UV radiation for enhanced surface disinfection, maintaining high air purification effectiveness while ensuring human safety.
Solution Approach 2:
HEPA filtration acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides air purification during occupied periods when UV radiation cannot be used. This intermediary approach maintains air quality and pathogen elimination effectiveness while protecting human occupants from harmful UV exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV radiation is used only when spaces are unoccupied, then human safety is improved, but continuous air purification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both surface disinfection using UV radiation and air circulation using HEPA filtration. This universality ensures that air purification continues effectively during occupied periods through HEPA filtration, while UV radiation provides additional pathogen elimination during unoccupied periods, maintaining high productivity without compromising human safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action for air purification through HEPA filtration during occupied periods, ensuring uninterrupted air cleaning. When unoccupied, UV radiation activates to continue pathogen elimination on surfaces. This continuity of useful action across different operational modes ensures sustained air purification effectiveness while protecting human safety.
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 sanitizes air and surfaces by using UV radiation only when the space is unoccupied, ensuring human safety and maintaining air quality by continuously circulating sanitized air, thereby reducing pathogens effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a UV light source positioned to emit UV light onto surfaces when in the second position
Implementation Method 2
a fan positioned to draw air through the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation system return register is mountable in a room from with air will flow through the return register. It includes a housing that defines an internal volume through which air can flow, a transition collar configured to attach to the ventilation system duct, an electrical junction box configured to receive an electrical connection and a disinfecting light source electrically connected to the electrical junction box and configured to emit a radiation in a range that destroys microbial contaminants A reflective surface faces the disinfecting light and defines a disinfecting pathway through which air passes when the ventilation system is operating while it prevents the disinfecting light from shining into the room.