UVLED Air Purifier With Photocatalyst and Vortex Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaning methods face limitations such as filter replacement needs, ozone generation, efficiency decreases due to high voltage, and size constraints for UV lamps, making them inefficient and impractical for indoor spaces like cars.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaning apparatus using a UVLED module with a photocatalyst unit and vortex forming features, which enhances air retention and cleaning efficacy by irradiating UV light through a duct with a porous structure and adjustable UV wavelengths, and includes a second UVLED for direct sterilization and a potentiostat for maintaining photocatalyst activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV lamp is used for air cleaning, then sterilization and deodorization functions are improved, but the apparatus size increases and durability decreases due to vibration and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional UV lamp (mechanical/optical system requiring high voltage and large size) with a UVLED (solid-state light emitting diode). This substitution eliminates the need for high voltage power supply and ballast, significantly reducing apparatus size while improving durability against vibration and impact. The UVLED directly converts electrical energy to UV light without mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from conventional UV lamp requirements (high voltage, large power consumption) to UVLED parameters (low voltage, reduced power consumption). This parameter change enables miniaturization of the air cleaning apparatus while maintaining sterilization effectiveness and improving reliability in mobile environments like vehicles.
2Productivity
If a UV lamp is used to activate photocatalyst, then air cleaning function is improved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the specific spectral characteristics of UVLED to emit light primarily at wavelengths effective for photocatalyst activation (around 380-400nm). This eliminates the waste of energy on unnecessary wavelengths present in conventional UV lamps, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining or improving air cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the concept of local quality by using UVLED to provide concentrated UV energy at the specific wavelength needed for photocatalyst activation. This localized spectral quality ensures that energy is delivered precisely where and how it is needed, avoiding energy waste on other wavelengths that do not contribute to photocatalyst activation.
3Productivity
If high voltage is applied to activate bulk-type titanium dioxide catalyst, then deodorization function is improved, but catalyst efficiency decreases and fire risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high voltage electrical activation method with optical activation using UVLED. This substitution eliminates the fire hazard associated with high voltage and the efficiency losses caused by electric discharge, while effectively activating the photocatalyst through light energy at the appropriate wavelength.
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 apparatus effectively increases air cleaning efficiency and extends the lifespan of the system by maintaining photocatalyst activity, allowing for enhanced air purification in high-harmful-substance environments and miniaturization for use in car armrests and other confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UVLED) module disposed in the duct and including a plurality of first ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UVLEDs)
Implementation Method 2
an effective combination of the UVLED and a photocatalyst
Implementation Method 3
a vortex forming portion provided in the duct and configured to form vortices in the flow of air
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air cleaning apparatus comprising a UVLED, which can efficiently clean air flowing in tubes by an effective combination of the UVLED and a photocatalyst and can effectively clean air flowing in a duct by enhancing the cleaning function or increasing the number of cleaning steps when the concentration of harmful substances increases. The air cleaning apparatus includes: a case comprising an inlet configured to introduce air, an outlet configured to discharge air, and a duct disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet; a photocatalyst unit disposed in the duct; and a UVLED module disposed in the duct and including a plurality of first UVLEDs arranged to irradiate UV light from the side of the inlet to the side of the outlet.