Patent Application
20230088479
Air quality within vehicles is an area of continued development, especially in view of disease-spreading pathogens and/or cancer-causing carcinogens that can be deposited in a vehicle during mass transit use or during specialty vehicle use. For example, buses can carry hundreds of passengers per day who can deposit pathogens in the bus. Also, ambulances carry patients (and caregivers) who can deposit pathogens potentially very harmful to future passengers. In another example, firetrucks can be contaminated with unwanted pathogens, chemicals, or carcinogens from fire events.
A modular air treatment unit for vehicles that can be retrofitted as an aftermarket improvement is disclosed in this paper. The air treatment unit is independent of an associated climate control system for ease of aftermarket installation. The air treatment unit is configured to filter and sanitize air within the passenger compartment of the vehicle as air moves along a flow path separate from a flow path through the climate control system to support health and safety of vehicle occupants.
In illustrative embodiments, the modular air treatment unit includes a housing, an air filter mounted to the housing, a fan configured to move air through the filter and housing, and an ultraviolet light source arranged in the housing. The ultraviolet light source is configured to discharge germicidal, UV-C ultraviolet light inside the housing to eliminate pathogens in the housing.
In illustrative embodiments, the housing defines a circuitous passageway between an inlet and an outlet to extend the distance air travels through the housing where the air interacts with germicidal ultraviolet light. In addition, the exemplary housing is made from an aluminum or other suitable material with reflectivity that reflects the germicidal ultraviolet light to increase interaction with air in the housing.
In illustrative embodiments, light barriers are arranged at the inlet and outlet of the housing to discourage the germicidal ultraviolet light from leaving the housing. In some examples, air filters provide one or more of the light barriers. In this way the ultraviolet light is contained in the housing and occupants of the passenger compartment avoid interaction with the ultraviolet light.
In illustrative embodiments, the fan and ultraviolet lights of the modular air treatment unit are configured to be powered by batteries included in the vehicle. More specifically, all components of the modular air treatment unit may be configured to be powered by 12 volt direct current rather than by other power sources such as an internal combustion engine drive or high-voltage battery adapted for electric propulsion of the vehicle.
Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
An over the road vehicle, illustrated as a bus, includes a vehicle body 100 defining a passenger compartment 110, a climate control system 140, and a modular air treatment unit 150 independent of the climate control system 140 as shown in
The climate control system 140 is configured to heat and cool the passenger compartment 110 through the first flow path 200, as shown in
The modular air treatment unit 150 is separate from the climate control system 140 to allow for aftermarket installation without complex or costly integration with the climate control system 140 as suggested in
Unlike standard climate control systems 140 which minimize the amount of turns in the system to avoid pressure drops in the travelling air, the modular air treatment unit 150 of the present disclosure aims to increase the number of turns. As shown in
The fan 153 moves air through the housing 159 and is configured to operate on 12 volts DC as is typically available from automotive batteries 130 without operation of an associated engine 120. The filters 156 catch dust and debris of small scale in order to cleanse air of large pathogens, particulate cancer-causing carcinogens, and unwanted dirt. The ultraviolet lights discharge UV-C type light that is germicidal and known to eliminate airborne pathogens.
In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 159 is mounted in the passenger compartment 110 with its inlet and outlet in direct fluid communication with air in the passenger compartment 110. The circuitous passageway defined by the housing 159 between the inlet 151 and the outlet 152 extends the distance air and potential pathogens must travel while being exposed to ultraviolet light increasing the chance for pathogen destruction. The housing 159 is manufactured from dual action sanded (DA) aluminum with the reflective surface finish facing the internal walls 157 of the housing 159 as suggested in
The filters 156 in the example shown are placed at the inlet 151 and the outlet 152 of the housing 159 to interact with air passing into and out of the modular air treatment unit 150 through the second flow path 300. The filters 156 also serve as light barriers at the inlet 151 and the outlet 152 to discourage egress of the ultraviolet light emitted by the LED strips 154. The opaque housing 159, the lid 155, the internal walls 157 and the filters 156 at the inlet 151 and the outlet 152 all function as light barriers to block between 85% to 99% of all ultraviolet light from escaping the modular air treatment unit 150 into the passenger compartment 110. This helps to protect the vehicle 100 interior and occupants in the passenger compartment 110 from possibly harmful exposure to ultraviolet light.
UV-C light as is discharged by the LED strips 154 to provide germicidal effect can prematurely fade the interior of the vehicle 100, cause cracking, and even lead to skin/eye injuries to exposed individuals. Accordingly, containing the UV-C light in the housing 159 can be a desirable feature allowing use of the modular air treatment unit 150 while occupants are in the vehicle 100.
The fan 153 of the shown design is mounted in a plate at the inlet 151 and provides further light barrier discouraging ultraviolet light egress. In the illustrative embodiment, the filters 156 are configured to block substantially all ultraviolet light from escaping the housing 159.
The ultraviolet lights in the disclosed embodiment are produced by light emitting diodes (LED strips 154) configured to discharge ultraviolet light with a generally, or precisely, 270-280 nanometer wavelength. The LED strips 154 are provided in strings powered by a 12 volt DC power source, such as a standard vehicle battery 130. The LED strips 154 are arranged and fixed to the internal walls 157 of the housing 159 along the passageway 158 between the inlet 151 and the outlet 152. In other embodiments, other sources of germicidal ultraviolet light may be used inside the housing 159.
In some embodiments, the modular air treatment unit 150 may include an external light (LED) that illuminates to confirm the modular air treatment unit 150 is in operation. In other embodiments, other indicators may be used to confirm operation of the modular air treatment unit 154 since operation of the fan 153 and the LED strips 154 may be visually/audibly undetectable outside the housing 159.
The modular air treatment unit 150 of the present disclosure is adapted for simple integration into the accessory 12 volt DC circuit powered by a vehicle battery 130. In this embodiment, the modular air treatment unit 150 is powered and operates anytime the vehicle 100 is operating or in accessory power mode. In exemplary designs, the modular air treatment unit 150 may be mounted under a seat or to a ceiling of the vehicle 100. However, other locations in which the modular air treatment unit 150 may have direct fluid communication with the passenger compartment 110 are also contemplated. The presently disclosed design facilitates aftermarket integration at low cost while providing high value air treatment for occupants of the vehicle 100.
In some embodiments, the modular air treatment unit 150 may be directly coupled to a vehicle battery 130, a separate, dedicated battery, or another power source. The modular air treatment unit 150 may incorporate a controller (processor and memory with instructions) or integrate with a controller for the vehicle 100 configured to direct operation of the modular air treatment unit 150. In embodiments with a controller, operation of the modular air treatment unit 150 may be optimized for a particular application.
In one example of a controller-enabled modular air treatment unit 150 used in a vehicle 100, such as a bus, the controller may be configured to operate before and/or after planned use of the vehicle 100. Specifically, the controller may operate the modular air treatment unit 150 before and/or after the end of a day's routes to filter and sanitize air on the bus, defined by the second flow path 300, when all occupants out of the passenger compartment 110. Such operation may be in addition to continuous or intermittent use during operation of the vehicle 100 based on various factors. In certain embodiments, the controller may operate the modular air treatment unit 150 during operation/non-operation of the vehicle 100 based at least in part on the volumetric size of the passenger compartment 110, a detected charge of the battery 130 (i.e. if the battery 130 is adequately charged for use while the vehicle 100 is not in operation), schedule/location/route data, air quality data (i.e. particulate levels), time of the year (i.e. flu season), general/localized health data (i.e. infection rates), environmental data (i.e. air quality), weather data (i.e. conditions suitable for pathogen spread), and/or other factors.
In another example, a controller-enabled modular air treatment unit 150 may be used in an ambulance where the controller may be configured to operate the modular air treatment unit 150 before and/or after use of the ambulance. Specifically, the controller may operate the modular air treatment unit 150 before and/or after a planned or emergent patient run to filter and sanitize air on the ambulance. Such operation may be in addition to continuous or intermittent use during operation of the vehicle 100 based on various factors. In certain embodiments, the controller may operate the modular air treatment unit 150 during operation/non-operation of the vehicle 100 based at least in part on the volumetric size of the passenger compartment 110, a detected charge of the battery 130 (i.e. if the battery 130 is adequately charged for use while the vehicle 100 is not in operation), schedule/location/route data, air quality data (i.e. particulate levels), time of the year (i.e. flu season), general/localized health data (i.e. infection rates), environmental data (i.e. air quality), weather data (i.e. conditions suitable for pathogen spread), patient-specific data (i.e. was a recent patient carrying a known pathogen, is an expected patient carrying a known pathogen, is an expected patient particularly vulnerable to pathogens that may be eliminated by modular air treatment unit 150, etc.) and/or other factors.
In yet another example of a controller-enabled modular air treatment unit 150 used in a firetruck, the controller may be configured to operate before and/or after use of the firetruck. Specifically, the controller may operate the modular air treatment unit 150 before and/or after a planned or emergent fire run to filter and sanitize air in the firetruck. Such operation may be in addition to continuous or intermittent use during operation of the vehicle 100 based on various factors. For instance, firetrucks are often idle for long periods between runs. In certain embodiments, the controller may operate the modular air treatment unit 150 multiple times between runs to filter and sanitize air in the passenger compartment 110. In addition, the controller may be configured to operate for a period after the passenger compartment 110 is exposed (or likely exposed) to carcinogenic materials as determined by user inputs, run type, location served, functions of the firetruck used, or the like. Moreover, the modular air treatment unit 150 may be operated during operation/non-operation of the vehicle 100 based at least in part on the volumetric size of the passenger compartment 110, a detected charge of the battery 130 (i.e. if the battery 130 is adequately charged for use while the vehicle 100 is not in operation), schedule/location/route data, air quality data (i.e. particulate levels), time of the year (i.e. flu season), general/localized health data (i.e. infection rates), environmental data (i.e. air quality), weather data (i.e. conditions suitable for pathogen spread), and/or other factors.
While shown and described in the context of an over the road vehicle 100, it is contemplated that the disclosed modular air treatment unit 150 may be used in other vehicles such as boats, trains, and/or planes. In each of these applications, addition of an independent modular air treatment unit 150 for air filtering and sanitation provides a straightforward solution for aftermarket upgrade. Such an upgrade avoids complex integration with existing climate control systems 140 and keeps potentially harmful ultraviolet light, emitted from the LED strips 154, from affecting occupants. This objective is further achieved with a low, managed power draw having negligible effects on efficiency of the vehicle 100.
It is contemplated that the modular air treatment unit 150 of the present disclosure may be configured for use with alternating current. For example if fitted in food trucks, blood donation busses, bookmobiles, motor coaches or the like, it may be desirable to power the unit via AC power available from onboard generators that provide power while the vehicle 100 is not in motion.
Moreover, it is contemplated that the modular air treatment unit 150 may be implemented in applications outside vehicles 100 and powered by power grids. For example, modular air treatment units 150 in line with the present disclosure can be used in individual offices, patient rooms, classrooms, homes, bathrooms and other locations. In these applications, the modular air treatment unit 150 is independent of building climate control systems 140. In this way, the modular air treatment unit 150 can be easily retrofitted in desired locations without disturbing the operation of existing climate control systems 140.
It is also contemplated that an air treatment system made up of a number of modular air treatment units 150 may be used to scale the benefit of the described modular air treatment unit 150. The number and location of individual modular air treatment units 150 may be determined based on the size and layout of a vehicle 100 or space to be filtered/sanitized. Operation of the modular air treatment units 150 in such a system may be coordinated based on various parameters, including those listed above for specific control of the vehicle.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/246,818, filed Sep. 22, 2021, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63246818 | Sep 2021 | US |
