Ventilation partitions and systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ventilation systems in healthcare facilities can exacerbate the spread of pathogens, such as during respiratory disease outbreaks, as they fail to effectively capture and reduce airborne pathogens.
Innovation Solution
Portable ventilation partitions and systems equipped with HEPA filters and UV light sources that create a 'push-pull' airflow to capture and reduce airborne pathogens, featuring elongate housings with air inlets and outlets, and fans to facilitate airflow through filters and UV irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ventilation systems are used, then air circulation is provided, but pathogen transmission is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is divided into multiple functional modules: air intake section, filtration section with HEPA filters, UV-C irradiation section, and air discharge section. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function optimally - filtering particles and inactivating pathogens - thereby reducing pathogen transmission while maintaining reliable ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate treatment stages between air intake and discharge: HEPA filters as an intermediary to capture particulate matter and UV-C lights as an intermediary to inactivate airborne pathogens. These intermediaries transform the air quality progressively, ensuring pathogen reduction without compromising ventilation effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If portable ventilation partitions are added to capture pathogens, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated portable ventilation partitions: air intake, HEPA filtration, UV-C irradiation, and air discharge are merged into single modular units. These partitions can be independently deployed and combined to create comprehensive pathogen capture systems, reducing transmission without requiring overly complex centralized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system employs adjustable and movable components including variable speed fans, adjustable air outlet directions, and reconfigurable partition arrangements. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different spatial configurations and pathogen capture requirements while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
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
Effectively reduces the transmission of pathogens within enclosed spaces by capturing and filtering airborne contaminants, providing a safer environment in healthcare facilities and other indoor settings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter, such as a HEPA filter
Implementation Method 2
at least one UV light source configured to irradiate air flowing between the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet with UV radiation to substantially reduce airborne contaminants/pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation system for a space includes an air supply partition configured to cause filtered air to flow into an area of the space, and an air exhaust partition in spaced-apart relationship with the air supply partition and configured to cause air to be drawn in and filtered from the area. The air supply partition and the air exhaust partition create a “push-pull” air flow across the area. A ventilation partition includes air inlets in a first portion of the housing, air outlets in a second portion of the housing, a filter, and a fan configured to draw air in through the air inlets, through the filter, and out through the air outlets. The partition is a portable, free-standing structure configured to be supported by a surface, such as a floor of a room in which the partition is located.