Return air grille air purifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrostatic air filtration systems installed in difficult-to-reach locations, such as attics, pose challenges for filter removal and replacement due to their integration with furnaces, making maintenance cumbersome and potentially hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A return air grille air purifier design featuring a hinge mechanism and filter enhancement module that allows the air filtration system to pivot outward for easy access to the media filter, while automatically disconnecting from the power source in the open position to ensure safety during filter changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air filtration system is installed directly in or adjacent to furnaces in difficult-to-reach locations, then the air filtration effectiveness is improved, but the ease of filter removal and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air filtration system is divided into separable components: the media filter can be independently removed from the housing. The housing remains installed in the difficult-to-reach location while only the filter media needs to be accessed and replaced, combining effective placement with maintainable design
Solution Approach 2:
A removable media filter acts as an intermediary between the permanently installed housing and the replacement process. The filter can be extracted through an access opening without requiring removal of the entire filtration system from its effective location
2Reliability
If the air filtration system is installed in difficult-to-reach locations, then the air filtration effectiveness is improved, but the safety hazards during maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The media filter is extracted as a separate removable component from the housing. This allows the filter to be replaced without requiring personnel to access or work in the difficult-to-reach location where the housing is installed, eliminating safety hazards associated with such locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to allow filter replacement through simple external access without requiring technical expertise or special safety precautions. The filter can be easily removed and replaced by end users without exposing them to hazards
3Ease of operation
If the second housing is made movable to allow filter access, then the ease of filter replacement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a stationary first housing and a movable second housing that contains the filter. The second housing can be independently opened or removed, providing filter access without requiring complex mechanisms. The segmentation allows simple movement rather than complex actuation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire housing movable or requiring disassembly of multiple components, the design inverts the approach by making only the filter-containing section movable or removable. This simplifies the mechanism while achieving the same accessibility goal
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
Facilitates easy and safe replacement of filters without additional components, reducing safety hazards and maintenance complexity by allowing the air filtration system to be fully accessible and disconnecting power when in the open position.
Implementation Method 1
a filter enhancement module including an ionization array configured to charge particles in an airstream passing through the filter enhancement module and towards the media filter
Data Source
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AI summary
A return air grille air purifier 100 including an air filtration system 10 including a media filter and a filter enhancement module. The filter enhancement module includes an ionization array configured to charge particles in an airstream passing through the filter enhancement module and towards the media filter. The return air grille air purifier 100 also includes a first housing 110, and a second housing 120 configured to contain the air filtration system 10. The second housing 120 is contained within the first housing 110 in a closed position and the second housing 120 is configured to move outward with the air filtration system 10 at least partially out of the first housing 110 in an open position. The media filter is removably accessible from the second housing in the open position.