Seat-Zone Cabin Ventilation With Vertical Airflow Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system and method to prevent, minimize, or reduce the spread of pathogens between passengers in a vehicle cabin without causing discomfort, as existing methods like wearing masks during long flights can be uncomfortable.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with distribution nozzles above seats and return air grills below seats that direct airflow vertically, providing clean air to passengers while drawing exhaled air away to minimize pathogen transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If passengers wear masks to reduce pathogen spread, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but passenger comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system divides the cabin into individual passenger zones, each with dedicated supply and return air outlets. This segmentation allows independent control of airflow for each passenger, enabling pathogen containment without requiring masks. The system creates separate airflow channels that prevent cross-contamination between passengers while maintaining natural breathing comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces clean air as an intermediary substance that displaces and carries away exhaled air containing pathogens. By continuously supplying fresh air to each passenger zone and extracting exhaled air through return outlets, the system creates a protective air barrier that reduces pathogen transmission without requiring passengers to wear masks, thus maintaining comfort.
2Productivity
If traditional ventilation systems are used, then air circulation is maintained, but pathogen spread between passengers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system provides localized airflow control for each passenger zone, with supply outlets positioned to deliver clean air directly to each passenger and return outlets positioned to extract exhaled air. This local quality approach ensures that airflow patterns are optimized for individual passenger protection rather than general cabin circulation, preventing pathogen spread while maintaining efficient air exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on natural convection or general cabin airflow to remove exhaled air, the system actively extracts air from each passenger zone through dedicated return outlets positioned near the passenger's breathing zone. This inverted approach directly targets and removes pathogen-laden air at the source rather than relying on passive circulation that could redistribute pathogens.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If HEPA filters and frequent cleaning are implemented, then cabin hygiene is improved, but system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system performs preliminary action by pre-filtering air through HEPA filters before it enters the cabin and by continuously exchanging air to prevent pathogen accumulation. The system proactively removes pathogens from the air stream and maintains hygiene conditions throughout the flight without requiring frequent manual cleaning operations, thus reducing operational burden while maintaining high cabin hygiene standards.
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 reduces the spread of pathogens by ensuring clean air is inhaled and exhaled air is directed away, maintaining a unidirectional airflow that minimizes contamination within the cabin.
Implementation Method 1
a fan system capable of drawing the air from a breathing zone through the inlet, moving the air drawn from the inlet to the contaminant conditioning system to form the conditioned air, and moving the conditioned air out of the outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) includes one or more distribution nozzles (106) associated with a seat (108) within an internal space, and a return air grill (110) associated with the seat (108). Airflow (112) is directed from the one or more distribution nozzles (106) toward and into the return air grill (110). A method includes associating one or more distribution nozzles (106) with a seat (108) within an internal space, associating a return air grill (110) with the seat (108), and directing airflow (112) from the one or more distribution nozzles (106) toward and into the return air grill (110).