Vehicle Air Recirculation UV Filter With Ozone Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purification systems in vehicles, such as aircraft and other transportation systems, face challenges in effectively removing a wide range of airborne contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and particulates, which can pose health risks to passengers, and there is a need for a cost-effective and improved method to ensure air quality.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for irradiating air in an air circulation system using a filter unit with a HEPA filter and an ultraviolet light emitting between 222 nm and 265 nm, positioned within the filter to kill microorganisms and contaminants, while a ventilation tube extracts any ozone or gaseous effluence, ensuring a sealed environment and minimal ozone generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used to kill microorganisms in recirculated air, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but ozone generation creates harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using the harmful UV-C radiation (254 nm) to generate ozone, then immediately converting that harmful ozone into beneficial oxygen through a catalytic converter containing manganese dioxide. The ozone that would normally be harmful to passengers is transformed into a benefit by breaking down into oxygen, thus converting the harmful effect into a useful outcome while maintaining effective air purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs strong oxidants by using manganese dioxide as a catalyst to accelerate the decomposition of ozone into oxygen. The catalytic converter uses this strong oxidizing agent to rapidly break down the ozone molecules generated by the UV lamp, ensuring that harmful ozone is quickly converted before it can accumulate to harmful levels in the cabin air.
2Reliability
If HEPA filter is used to remove particulates, then air quality is improved, but filter clogging reduces airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the air purification function into multiple separate components: a HEPA filter for particulate removal, a UV-C lamp for microorganism killing, and a catalytic converter for ozone decomposition. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and optimally, with the HEPA filter focusing on particulates while the UV and catalytic components handle gaseous contaminants, maintaining overall airflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalytic converter acts as an intermediary between the UV lamp and the cabin air. It receives ozone generated by the UV lamp and converts it into oxygen before the air is supplied to passengers. This intermediary component resolves the conflict between effective microorganism killing (which generates ozone) and harmful ozone exposure, allowing the system to maintain high air quality without compromising airflow.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet light is positioned inside filter housing, then irradiation effectiveness is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air treatment functions into separate replaceable modules: the HEPA filter, the UV-C lamp assembly, and the catalytic converter. This segmentation allows the UV lamp to be positioned inside the filter housing for maximum irradiation effectiveness while enabling easy removal and replacement of the entire assembly. The modular design means that maintenance personnel can replace the UV lamp without disassembling the entire air handling system, thus maintaining ease of repair despite the internal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by using replaceable UV-C lamps and filters that have limited lifespans. Instead of designing for permanent installation that would be difficult to service, the system uses inexpensive, easily replaceable components. The UV lamp and filter can be replaced as consumable items, similar to replacing light bulbs or air filters in household appliances, which maintains ease of maintenance while allowing optimal positioning for effectiveness.
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 solution provides effective degradation of microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants in the air circulation system, ensuring improved air quality and passenger safety with minimal ozone production, and allows for easy replacement of the ultraviolet light.
Implementation Method 1
The ultraviolet light is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation substantially at between 222 nm and 265 nm for irradiating air flow through the filter into the air circulation system
Implementation Method 2
a ventilation tube extending through the end plate into the sealed volume enclosed by the lens for enabling venting and extraction of ozone or gaseous effluence released in the event of breakage or failure of the ultraviolet light
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (100) for irradiating air flow in a vehicle includes a filter unit configured to couple to a recirculating-air conduit connected to a manifold of an air circulation system, the filter unit having an inlet end (112), and a filter (120) disposed in the inlet end of the filter unit, including an outer wall of filter media having a shape that defines an interior volume of the filter (120). The apparatus further includes an ultraviolet light (140) disposed on an end plate (130), configured to be mounted with the ultraviolet light positioned in the interior volume of the filter and the end plate against an open end of the filter (120). The ultraviolet light is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation substantially at between 222 nm and 265 nm for irradiating air flow through the filter into the air circulation system.