Ventilation systems and methods for internal cabins of vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to reduce the spread of pathogens between passengers in a vehicle's internal cabin during flights without compromising passenger comfort, as existing methods like HEPA filters and frequent cleaning may not be sufficient and can be uncomfortable for passengers wearing masks during long flights.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with a seat assembly having a seat duct fluidly coupled to an air delivery manifold, which includes an air supply, fans, an air conditioning sub-system, and an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection sub-system, delivering treated air to personal ventilation nozzles and drawing exhaled air away from passengers, reducing pathogen spread through bottom-up airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HEPA filters and frequent cleaning are used to ensure passenger health, then pathogen spread is reduced, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to mask discomfort during long flights
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into individual seat-level units, each with its own air outlet positioned near the passenger. This allows personalized air delivery to each passenger's breathing zone without requiring universal mask wear, thus maintaining health protection while improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides localized air treatment and delivery at each seat position rather than uniform cabin-wide treatment. The air outlet delivers conditioned air directly to the passenger's immediate breathing zone, creating a protected microenvironment that reduces pathogen spread while eliminating the need for uncomfortable masks.
2Reliability
If air conditioning components and UV light emitters are integrated into each seat assembly, then pathogen spread is reduced, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning and UV disinfection components are extracted from the seat assembly structure and integrated into the overhead ventilation system instead. Only the air outlet and basic ducting remain with the seat assembly, significantly reducing its complexity and weight while maintaining pathogen reduction capabilities through the centralized treatment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The overhead ventilation system serves multiple functions: it conditions air for all passengers, delivers air to individual seats, and incorporates UV disinfection for the entire cabin. This centralized multi-functional approach eliminates the need for duplicate components at each seat, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If air conditioning components and UV light emitters are integrated into each seat assembly, then pathogen spread is reduced, but fuel efficiency decreases due to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
Heavy air conditioning components and UV light emitters are extracted from individual seat assemblies and relocated to the overhead ventilation system. This extraction eliminates redundant components across multiple seats, significantly reducing the total weight of the aircraft and improving fuel efficiency while maintaining comprehensive pathogen protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning system, UV disinfection system, and seat-level air delivery are merged into a single integrated overhead ventilation system. This consolidation eliminates duplicate components that would otherwise be distributed throughout the cabin, reducing total system weight and improving fuel efficiency while maintaining pathogen reduction 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 system effectively reduces pathogen spread within the cabin while providing efficient airflow, reducing the complexity and weight of seat assemblies, leading to increased fuel efficiency and passenger comfort by minimizing the need for separate air conditioning components and UV light emitters.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection sub-system disposed on or within the supply duct upstream from the air delivery manifold. The UV disinfection sub-system includes one or more UV light emitters configured to emit UV light into the air.
Implementation Method 2
one or more fans disposed within the supply duct
Implementation Method 3
an air conditioning sub-system disposed on or within the supply duct upstream from the air delivery manifold. For example, the air conditioning sub-system includes one or more heaters
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system (100) and method include a seat assembly (130) including a seat duct (140) fluidly coupled to one or more air outlets (138). An air delivery manifold (114) is underneath the seat assembly (130). The air delivery manifold (114) includes a first outlet port (134). The seat duct (140) is fluidly coupled to the first outlet port (134). Air (108) is delivered to the one or more air outlets (138) via the air delivery manifold (114).