Vehicle HVAC UV Module for Recirculated Air Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purification systems in vehicles are inadequate in effectively eliminating airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold, particularly in recirculating air environments, where microorganisms can persist and pose health risks to occupants.
Innovation Solution
A UV air purification system comprising a module with a UV light fixture installed in the vehicle's HVAC return air path, which exposes circulating air to ultraviolet radiation, often in conjunction with a filter, to mitigate airborne pathogens, and can be integrated into the cabin filter compartment or glove compartment, ensuring all air is treated before recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV air purification system is installed in the vehicle's HVAC return air path, then airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold are effectively eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV air purification system is nested within the existing vehicle HVAC system by installing the UV lamp module in the return air path, utilizing the HVAC system's existing air circulation infrastructure. This allows the UV purification function to be integrated without requiring a completely separate air handling system, thereby improving air quality while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A modular UV lamp housing acts as an intermediary component that interfaces with the existing HVAC return air path. This intermediary module contains the UV lamp and positioning mechanisms, allowing the purification function to be added without directly modifying the core HVAC system, thus maintaining reliability improvement while controlling complexity increase.
2Reliability
If the UV lamp is positioned to expose all recirculated air, then pathogen elimination is maximized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UV lamp is pre-positioned in a fixed housing that is designed to align with the return air path before the HVAC system operates. This preliminary positioning ensures that when air circulation begins, the UV lamp is already in the optimal location to expose recirculated air to ultraviolet radiation, maximizing pathogen elimination without requiring high-precision real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring precise lateral positioning of the UV lamp to intercept air flow, the system uses the vertical dimension by placing the UV lamp in the return air path where air naturally rises or flows vertically. This dimensional approach allows the lamp to expose recirculated air effectively while reducing the manufacturing precision requirements for horizontal alignment.
3Ease of operation
If the module is designed to fit in the glove compartment auxiliary recess, then ease of installation is improved, but the available space for UV lamp and components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UV air purification system is segmented into a compact modular design that fits within the glove compartment auxiliary recess. The module is divided into essential components (UV lamp, housing, mounting features) that can be tightly integrated, allowing easy installation in the limited space while maintaining the necessary volume for effective pathogen elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The module housing utilizes thin-walled construction and flexible mounting features that allow the compact unit to fit into the constrained auxiliary recess space. This thin-film approach reduces the overall volume of the module while maintaining structural integrity and ease of installation in the glove compartment location.
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 UV air purification system effectively kills a wide range of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and mold, improving air quality in vehicles by ensuring that all recirculated air is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, thereby reducing the presence of harmful pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
a UV light fixture or lamp housed in a module that can be installed in a vehicle's HVAC return air path... such that circulating air is exposed to the UV lamp to mitigate airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold
Data Source
AI summary
A UV air purification system. In some implementations, the system includes a UV lamp housed in a module that can be installed in a vehicle anywhere that the vehicle's return air is accessible. In some implementations, the module includes a filter, and provides a UV light/cabin filter module that replaces the OEM filter in the return air duct in the vehicle. In other implementations, the module is installed in the vehicle's glove compartment or auxiliary recess.