US20210379528A1 - Photocatalytic filtration in vehicle hvac system - Google Patents
Photocatalytic filtration in vehicle hvac system Download PDFInfo
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- US20210379528A1 US20210379528A1 US17/405,903 US202117405903A US2021379528A1 US 20210379528 A1 US20210379528 A1 US 20210379528A1 US 202117405903 A US202117405903 A US 202117405903A US 2021379528 A1 US2021379528 A1 US 2021379528A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- lightbulbs
- photocatalyst
- light
- housing
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- 230000001699 photocatalysis Effects 0.000 title description 6
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- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 93
- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 26
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 43
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Images
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Definitions
- HVAC vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
- One embodiment relates to a filtration system for a vehicle, including a housing having an airflow path, and a filter disposed in the housing and configured to filter air flowing in the airflow path, the filter having a first photocatalyst and a second photocatalyst.
- the system further includes a first ultraviolet (UV) light source comprising a plurality of UV-A lightbulbs disposed proximate the filter and configured to energize the first photocatalyst, and a second UV light source comprising a plurality of UV-C lightbulbs disposed proximate the filter and configured to produce light having a shorter wavelength than light produced by the first UV light source, and configured to energize the second photocatalyst.
- UV ultraviolet
- an HVAC system for a vehicle including a housing, an evaporator disposed in the housing, and a filter having a filter upstream surface and an opposing filter downstream surface, the filter disposed in the housing upstream from the evaporator.
- the system further includes a plurality of UV lightbulbs disposed in the housing upstream and offset from the filter and configured to provide UV-A light and UV-C light to substantially the entire filter upstream surface.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the HVAC system showing the arrangement of ultraviolet lights and a filter.
- the HVAC system 100 further includes a filter 120 disposed in the housing 108 .
- the filter 120 is disposed in the evaporator housing 112 upstream from both the evaporator 104 and the heater 106 .
- the filter 120 is shown downstream from the blower 102 , although it should be understood that the filter 120 may be placed in other locations within or outside of the housing 108 , such that the filter 120 is upstream from both the evaporator 104 and the heater 106 .
- substantially all of the air received in the blower 102 and passed through the HVAC system 100 is required to flow through the filter 120 , ensuring complete and efficient filtration of the air recirculating in a vehicle.
- air may pass downstream from the filter 120 directly to the heater 106 , bypassing the evaporator 104 . In this configuration, substantially all of the air still passes through the filter 120 first, before passing through the heater 106 .
- a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lightbulbs 126 are disposed in the housing 108 , proximate and upstream from the filter 120 .
- the filter 120 defines a filter upstream surface 122 (i.e., an upstream end, a filter first end, etc.) and an opposing filter downstream surface 124 (i.e., a downstream end, a filter second end, etc.) and the plurality of UV lightbulbs 126 are disposed proximate the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 are disposed in the evaporator housing 112 , although according to other exemplary embodiments, the UV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed in other locations within or outside of the housing 108 , such that the UV lightbulbs 126 are upstream from the filter 120 . According to another exemplary embodiment, the UV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed downstream from the filter 120 , proximate the filter downstream surface 124 and upstream from the evaporator 104 . According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of UV lightbulbs 126 may include at least one UV lightbulb 126 upstream from the filter 120 and at least one UV lightbulb 126 downstream from the filter 120 .
- the filter 120 and the UV lightbulbs 126 are positioned in the housing 108 upstream from the evaporator 104 .
- the evaporator 104 operates in the HVAC system 100 in order to cool down the air passing through the evaporator 104 , water condensation forms on the surface of the evaporator 104 and increases the humidity in the air output from and passing downstream from the evaporator 104 and into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- UV lightbulbs 126 were disposed close to or downstream from the evaporator 104 , condensation could form on the UV lightbulbs 126 , which would redirect portions of the UV light passing through the condensation and could result in portions of the filter 120 that is not directly contacted by UV light output from the UV lightbulbs 126 , thereby reducing the effectiveness of the photocatalytic filtration through the filter 120 .
- the filter 120 may be a two-part filter, including both a titanium oxide (e.g., titanium dioxide or TiO 2 ) and carbon, and is configured to kill and remove viruses, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as odors, mold, or mildew from the air circulating in the vehicle.
- a titanium oxide e.g., titanium dioxide or TiO 2
- VOCs volatile organic compounds
- the filter 120 having a first layer 128 (i.e., titanium oxide layer, upstream layer, VOC layer, etc.) at or proximate the filter upstream surface 122 , and a second layer 130 (i.e., substrate, downstream layer, carbon layer, high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA layer, etc.) at or proximate the filter downstream surface 124 .
- the second layer 130 may serve as a substrate for the first layer 128 , such that the first layer 128 is disposed directly on the second layer 130 .
- the air passing through the filter 120 is received at the first layer 128 and then passes through the second layer 130 and is output from the filter downstream surface 124 to one or both of the evaporator 104 and the heater 106 .
- the filter 120 may be integrally formed with both the carbon and TiO 2 being included as a single layer for filtering multiple types of particulates out of an air stream.
- the first layer 128 includes a first photocatalyst, such as TiO 2 .
- the first layer 128 may include between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 g/m 2 of TiO 2 across substantially an entire surface area of the first layer 128 (e.g., at the filter upstream surface 122 ). It should be appreciated that an increase in the mass of TiO 2 per unit area (i.e., surface area density) increases resistance through the first layer 128 and, therefore, if the power of the blower 102 increases, then the surface area density of TiO 2 in the first layer 128 may be increased.
- the UV lightbulbs 126 output UV light, which interacts with the TiO 2 surface of the first layer 128 through a process known as photocatalysis to generate electrons on the surface of the first layer 128 .
- the electrons on the surface of the first layer 128 interact with water (H 2 O) molecules in the air, breaking the molecules up into hydroxyl (OH) radicals, which are highly reactive and short-lived forms of hydroxide ions (OH ⁇ ).
- the hydroxyl radicals then interact with viruses, bacteria, and VOCs, which are each carbon-based complex molecules, during which the radicals break the complex molecules down into water and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) constituents.
- the plurality of UV lightbulbs 126 includes at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 (e.g., a first UV light source) and at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 (e.g., a second UV light source).
- Each UV-A lightbulb 132 is configured to produce light having a wavelength of between approximately 315 nm and 420 nm.
- the UV-A lightbulbs 132 may be U-shaped or fluorescent lightbulbs or have other shapes or types of lightbulbs and are configured to output UV-A light.
- the UV-A lightbulbs 132 may have a power supply terminal at one of an upper end or a lower end for providing power thereto.
- Each UV-C lightbulb 134 is configured to produce light having a wavelength of between approximately 100 nm and 280 nm.
- the UV lightbulbs 126 operate at approximately 12V and 100 W, with a heat flux of between approximately 30 W/m 2 and 40 W/m 2 .
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show two (e.g., a plurality, a pair, etc.) UV-A lightbulbs 132 and two UV-C lightbulbs 134 , although it should be appreciated that more or fewer UV-A lightbulbs 132 and/or UV-C lightbulbs 134 may be included in the HVAC system 100 upstream from the filter 120 or in other portions of the HVAC system 100 .
- the UV-A lightbulbs 132 are configured to transmit UV-A light to the first photocatalyst, which forms a portion of the first layer 128 to reduce or eliminate VOCs from the air. Specifically, UV-A light energizes the first photocatalyst as described above, to generate the hydroxyl radicals. The UV-A lightbulbs 132 are configured to break down the VOCs upstream from the second layer 130 (e.g., in the first layer 128 or upstream from the first layer 128 ), such that at least a portion of the constituent parts of the VOCs do not interact with carbon in the second layer 130 .
- the air output from the HVAC system 100 into the vehicle contains fewer or no VOCs, reducing or eliminating any odor within the vehicle.
- This configuration can also be used with a vehicle's air intake, such as with the HVAC inlet 116 configured to receive air from outside the vehicle. In this configuration, the HVAC system 100 prevents the introduction of VOCs into the vehicle in the first place.
- the UV-C lightbulbs 134 are configured to transmit UV-C light to the first layer 128 to reduce or eliminate bacteria and/or viruses from the air.
- the first layer 128 further includes a second photocatalyst, which may be the same as or different from the first photocatalyst and is configured to be energized by UV-C light.
- the interaction of the UV-C and the second photocatalyst in the first layer 128 generates hydroxyl radicals, which breaks down the bacteria and/or viruses into mostly water and carbon dioxide, killing and removing the bacteria and/or viruses from circulation and protecting occupants in the vehicle.
- the HVAC system 100 when the HVAC system 100 is used in a vehicle with multiple occupants, by constantly recirculating the air through the HVAC system 100 , the likelihood of transmitting a virus or bacteria between passengers can be reduced. In this situation, the HVAC system 100 may operate an entire time that the vehicle is occupied to most effectively remove contaminants from the air. Notably, the blower 102 continues cycling air through the HVAC system 100 and through the filter 120 activated by the UV lightbulbs 126 , even if the evaporator 104 and/or the heater 106 are not operating to affect the temperature inside the vehicle.
- the HVAC system 100 may be operated in the vehicle for a period of time between uses by two different passengers.
- the vehicle may be a ride sharing vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, or another high occupancy transportation system (e.g., a taxi, a bus, a train, an airplane, etc.).
- the passengers may be positioned within the vehicle to face one another, which can increase the risk of spreading germs and viruses (e.g., the flu).
- a first passenger i.e., occupant
- the HVAC system 100 operates to purify the air currently in the vehicle before a second passenger enters the vehicle, thereby protecting future occupants from viruses or bacteria of earlier passengers.
- the HVAC system 100 may operate for a pre-determined amount of time required to completely circulate the volume of the passenger compartment. For example, the HVAC system 100 may operate for approximately 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or any other amount of time before a passenger enters the vehicle. In some implementations, an operating time for the HVAC system 100 after an earlier passenger departs the vehicle may be optimized based on UV settings or other parameters for the HVAC system 100 such as UV heat flux, TiO2 loading, and air flow rate.
- the UV light emitted from the HVAC system 100 e.g., UV light at a wavelength within a range between 100 and 480 nm or any other suitable range
- the UV light will also breakdown VOCs such as cigarette smoke.
- the second layer 130 of the filter 120 is formed from carbon.
- the second layer 130 may be configured to interact with portions of VOCs that are not broken down by the UV-A lightbulbs 132 to reduce odor output from the HVAC system 100 and being recirculated in the vehicle.
- the second layer 130 may be configured to filter out particles that are approximately 0.3 microns or greater with approximately 99.97% efficiency.
- a first side wall 136 i.e., a side wall of the housing 108 (e.g., in the evaporator housing 112 ) defines a filter opening 138 therein and the HVAC system 100 includes a filter cover 140 disposed in the filter opening 138 and holding the filter 120 in place while sealing the housing 108 .
- the filter cover 140 may further seal against the filter 120 to prevent air from passing around the filter 120 , in a space between the filter 120 and the filter cover 140 , rather than through the filter 120 .
- the filter 120 may include the first layer 128 and not include the second layer 130 in order to prevent the buildup of particulate within the filter 120 and only purify the air through photocatalysis.
- the HVAC system 100 may further include a first sensor 142 (i.e., an upstream sensor) disposed in the housing 108 upstream from the filter 120 and a second sensor 144 (i.e., a downstream sensor) disposed in the housing 108 downstream from the filter 120 .
- the first sensor 142 may be disposed in the evaporator housing 112 proximate the filter upstream surface 122 and configured to measure a first pressure P 1 (i.e., an upstream pressure) or a volume flow rate of air at the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the second sensor 144 may be disposed in the evaporator housing 112 proximate the filter downstream surface 124 and upstream from the evaporator 104 .
- the second sensor 144 is configured to measure a second pressure P 2 (i.e., a downstream pressure) or a volume flow rate of air at the filter downstream surface 124 .
- the first and second sensors 142 , 144 are connected to a processor 146 and are configured to send a signal to the processor 146 indicating the first pressure P 1 and the second pressure P 2 , respectively.
- a pressure differential is defined as a difference between the second pressure P 2 and the first pressure P 1 and is configured to represent or measure an amount of particle buildup on one or both of the first or second layers 128 , 130 of the filter 120 .
- the processor 146 receives the first pressure P 1 and the second pressure P 2 from the first and second sensors 142 , 144 , respectively and calculates the pressure differential based on these measurements.
- the pressure differential may be approximately zero or very small. As particulate matter builds up in the filter 120 the pressure differential increases.
- a pre-determined threshold pressure is provided to the processor 146 and when the pressure differential exceeds the threshold pressure, the processor 146 outputs a signal (e.g., a light indicator, a message, etc.) either wired or wirelessly to a user or maintenance professional that the filter 120 needs to be changed.
- a signal e.g., a light indicator, a message, etc.
- a user may then remove the filter cover 140 from the housing 108 and withdraw the used filter 120 from the housing 108 through the filter opening 138 , followed by inserting a new filter 120 through the filter opening 138 and resealing the housing 108 by covering and sealing the filter opening 138 with the filter cover 140 .
- signal may be configured to illuminate after a pre-determined time period, indicating a need to change the filter 120 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 shown as UV-A lightbulbs 132 and UV-C lightbulbs 134 , are arranged according to an exemplary embodiment.
- the evaporator housing 112 includes the first side wall 136 and an opposing second side wall 137 .
- the filter 120 and the evaporator 104 each extend laterally across the evaporator housing 112 from the first side wall 136 to the second side wall 137 .
- the housing 108 further includes a forward wall 148 (i.e., a main wall) upstream from and opposing filter upstream surface 122 , and extending from the second side wall 137 toward the blower housing 110 .
- An air inlet 149 is formed in the first side wall 136 , proximate an upstream end of the evaporator housing 112 , between the forward wall 148 and the filter 120 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 extend substantially vertically and parallel to each other within the housing 108 as well as substantially parallel to the filter 120 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 include a first lightbulb 150 and a second lightbulb 152 offset from the filter upstream surface 122 in a longitudinal direction, substantially perpendicular to the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the first lightbulb 150 is disposed a first offset distance OD 1 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the second lightbulb 152 is disposed a second offset distance OD 2 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the first offset distance OD 1 and the second offset distance OD 2 may be substantially the same, such that the first UV lightbulb 150 is aligned with the second UV lightbulb 152 in a lateral direction, widthwise across the evaporator housing 112 between the first and second side walls 136 , 137 .
- the first offset distance OD 1 may be different from (e.g., greater or lesser than) the second offset distance OD 2 .
- the first lightbulb 150 is disposed proximate and spaced apart from the first side wall 136 in the lateral direction (e.g., parallel to the filter upstream surface 122 ) by a first lateral distance LD 1 .
- the second lightbulb 152 is spaced apart from the first side wall 136 in the lateral direction by a second lateral distance LD 2 , which is greater than the first lateral distance LD 1 , such that the second lightbulb 152 is disposed closer to the second side wall 137 than the first lightbulb 150 . It should be appreciated that the second lightbulb 152 is disposed proximate but spaced apart from the second side wall 137 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 further include a third lightbulb 154 and a fourth lightbulb 156 offset from the filter upstream surface 122 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the third and fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 are disposed against the forward wall 148 , although according to other exemplary embodiments, the forward wall 148 may have other arrangements, such that one or both of the third and fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 are spaced apart from the forward wall 148 .
- the third lightbulb 154 is disposed a third offset distance OD 3 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the fourth lightbulb is disposed a fourth offset distance OD 4 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the third offset distance OD 3 may be greater than one or both of the first offset distance OD 1 and the second offset distance OD 2 , such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed further away from the filter upstream surface 122 than one or both of the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 .
- the fourth offset distance OD 4 may be less than one or both of the first offset distance OD 1 and the second offset distance OD 2 , such that the fourth lightbulb 156 is disposed closer to the filter upstream surface 122 than one or both of the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 .
- the fourth offset distance OD 4 is less than the third offset distance OD 3 , such that the fourth lightbulb 156 is closer to the filter upstream surface 122 than the third lightbulb 154 .
- the third and fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 may be disposed in other positions relative to the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 .
- the third offset distance OD 3 may be less than one or both of the first offset distance OD 1 and the second offset distance OD 2 , such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed closer to from the filter upstream surface 122 than one or both of the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 .
- the fourth offset distance OD 4 may be greater than one or both of the first offset distance OD 1 and the second offset distance OD 2 , such that the fourth lightbulb 156 is disposed further away from the filter upstream surface 122 than one or both of the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 .
- the third lightbulb 154 is spaced apart from the first side wall 136 in the lateral direction (e.g., parallel to the filter upstream surface 122 ) by a third lateral distance LD 3 .
- the third lateral distance LD 3 is greater than the first lateral distance LD 1 and less than the second lateral distance LD 2 , such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed laterally between the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 and is configured to provide light between the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 directly to the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the fourth lightbulb 156 is spaced apart from the first side wall 136 in the lateral direction by a fourth lateral distance LD 4 , which is greater than the second lateral distance LD 2 , such that the fourth lightbulb 156 is disposed laterally between the second lightbulb 152 and the second side wall 137 .
- the second lightbulb 152 is disposed proximate but spaced apart from the second side wall 137 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 are shown alternating (i.e., arranged in an alternating fashion) between UV-A lightbulbs 132 and UV-C lightbulbs 134 in the lateral direction.
- the third lateral distance LD 3 may be less than the first lateral distance LD 1 , such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed laterally between the first side wall 136 and the first lightbulb 150 .
- the fourth lateral distance LD 4 may be greater than the first lateral distance LD 1 and less than the second lateral distance LD 2 , such that the fourth lightbulb 156 is disposed laterally between the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 and is configured to provide light between the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 directly to the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the first lightbulb 150 emits UV-A light along a first light field 160 downstream toward the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the second lightbulb 152 emits UV-A light along a second light field 162 downstream toward the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the first light field 160 extends directly to the filter upstream surface 122 at the first side wall 136 and at least partway toward the second side wall 137 .
- the second light field 162 extends directly to the filter upstream surface 122 at the second side wall 137 and at least partway toward the first side wall 136 , such that the first light field 160 and the second light field 162 overlap on at least a portion of the filter upstream surface 122 .
- UV-A light is applied directly to substantially the entire filter upstream surface 122 without requiring reflection of the light within the housing 108 .
- the fourth lightbulb 156 is positioned in the evaporator housing 112 , such that the fourth lightbulb 156 is not between the second lightbulb 152 and the filter upstream surface 122 at the second side wall 137 and therefore does not interfere with providing UV-A light directly to the entire filter upstream surface 122 .
- the third lightbulb 154 emits UV-C light along a third light field 164 downstream toward the filter upstream surface 122 and the fourth lightbulb 156 emits UV-C light along a fourth light field 166 downstream toward the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the third light field 164 extends directly to the filter upstream surface 122 at the first side wall 136 and at least partway toward the second side wall 137 .
- the fourth light field 166 extends directly to the filter upstream surface 122 at the second side wall 137 and at least partway toward the first side wall 136 , such that the third light field 164 and the fourth light field 166 overlap on at least a portion of the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the third light field 164 and the fourth light field 166 may overlap on a portion of the filter upstream surface 122 directly downstream from the second lightbulb 152 .
- UV-C light is applied directly to substantially the entire filter upstream surface 122 without requiring reflection within the housing 108 .
- the second offset distance OD 2 is provided, such that second lightbulb 152 is positioned in the evaporator housing 112 far enough away from the filter upstream surface 122 to allow both the third light field 164 and the fourth light field 166 to overlap on the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the second lightbulb 152 is not disposed between any portion of the filter upstream surface 122 and at least one of the third or fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 .
- the first offset distance OD 1 is provided, such that the first lightbulb 150 is positioned in the evaporator housing 112 far enough away from the filter upstream surface 122 to allow the third light field 164 to directly contact the filter upstream surface 122 at the first side wall 136 .
- the first lightbulb 150 is not disposed between the third lightbulb 154 and the filter upstream surface 122 at the first side wall 136 .
- UV-A light is provided from at least one of the first or second lightbulbs 150 , 152 directly to substantially the entire filter upstream surface 122 and UV-C light is provided from at least one of the third or fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 directly to substantially the entire filter upstream surface 122 .
- first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 are shown as UV-A lightbulbs 132 , it should be understood that according to other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the first and second lightbulbs 150 , 152 may be UV-C lightbulbs 134 , configured to output UV-C light.
- third and fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 are shown as UV-C lightbulbs 134 , it should be understood that according to other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the third and fourth lightbulbs 154 , 156 may be UV-A lightbulbs 132 , configured to output UV-A light. According to yet other exemplary embodiments, one or more of the UV lightbulbs 126 may be configured to output a different wavelength of light.
- the housing 108 is shown having a lower surface 168 (i.e., a lower wall) at a lower periphery of the forward wall 148 and an opposing upper surface 170 (i.e., an upper wall) at an upper periphery of the forward wall 148 .
- a portion of the evaporator housing 112 is shown broken away to show the UV lightbulbs 126 , the filter 120 and the evaporator 104
- the upper surface 170 of the housing 108 includes a portion of the evaporator housing 112 between the blower housing 110 and the heater housing 114 .
- At least one of the UV lightbulbs 126 may be inserted substantially vertically through one of the lower surface 168 or the upper surface 170 of the housing 108 into the heater housing 114 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 may then be coupled (i.e., fixed) to one or both of the lower surface 168 and/or the upper surface 170 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 may be accessible for replacement from outside the housing 108 without disassembling the housing 108 .
- at least a portion of the evaporator housing 114 or other portion of the housing 108 may be removable to provide access to the UV lightbulbs 126 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 may be electrically coupled externally to the housing 108 to a power source.
- the UV lightbulbs 126 are shown in a substantially vertical orientation. However, it should be understood that according to other exemplary embodiments the UV lightbulbs 126 may be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. In other words, the lateral direction may be defined height wise across the evaporator housing 112 between the lower surface 168 and the upper surface 170 . In this configuration, the lateral distances (e.g., the first lateral distance LD 1 , etc.) for each of the UV lightbulbs 126 may be measured relative to one of the lower surface 168 or the upper surface 170 . In the horizontal orientation, the UV lightbulbs 126 are disposed substantially parallel to the lower surface 168 and/or the upper surface 170 and are substantially perpendicular to the first side wall 136 and the second side wall 137 .
- the lateral distances e.g., the first lateral distance LD 1 , etc.
- the UV lightbulbs 126 may be arranged in other orientations, such that the UV lightbulbs 126 are substantially parallel to each other and/or the filter upstream surface 122 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 may include more or fewer than two UV-A lightbulbs 132 and/or two UV-C lightbulbs 134 , such that substantially the entire filter upstream surface 122 is exposed directly to both UV-A light and UV-C light.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show the UV lightbulbs 126 disposed in the evaporator housing 112 upstream from the filter 120
- one or more of the UV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed downstream from the filter 120 .
- the UV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed between the filter downstream surface 124 and the evaporator 104 and are configured to transmit UV-A and/or UV-C light directly to the filter downstream surface 124 .
- the filter 120 may be arranged with the first layer 128 still disposed upstream from the second layer 130 or the filter 120 may be flipped, such that the first layer 128 is disposed downstream from the second layer 130 , such that the UV lightbulbs 126 transmit UV light from downstream of the filter 120 to directly on the first layer 128 at the filter downstream surface 124 .
- the offset distances e.g., the first offset distance OD 1 , etc.
- the offset distances for each of the UV lightbulbs 126 may be measured from the filter downstream surface 124 in the downstream longitudinal direction (e.g., perpendicular to the filter downstream surface 124 ).
- UV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed both upstream from and downstream from the filter 120 .
- at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 e.g., both UV-A lightbulbs 132
- at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 e.g., both UV-C lightbulbs 134
- UV-C lightbulb 134 may be disposed downstream from the filter 120 .
- At least one UV-C lightbulb 134 may be disposed upstream from the filter 120 and at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 (e.g., both UV-A lightbulbs 132 ) may be disposed downstream from the filter 120 .
- at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 and at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 may be disposed both upstream from and downstream from the filter 120 , such that both UV-A and UV-C light is transmitted directly to both the filter upstream surface 122 and the filter downstream surface 124 .
- the HVAC system 100 may be installed in vehicles with various types of powertrains.
- the HVAC system 100 may be installed in an electric vehicle (“EV”), a hybrid-electric vehicle (“HEV”), a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (“ICE”) with or without a start-stop feature, or other powertrains.
- EV electric vehicle
- HEV hybrid-electric vehicle
- ICE internal combustion engine
- an existing HVAC system in a vehicle may be retrofit by installing the filter 120 and the UV lightbulbs 126 in the existing HVAC system in any of the configurations described in this application.
- Coupled means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
Abstract
A photocatalyst filtration system for a vehicle includes a housing having an airflow path, and a filter configured to filter air flowing in the airflow path, the filter having a first photocatalyst and a second photocatalyst. The system further includes a first ultraviolet (UV) light source disposed proximate the filter and configured to energize the first photocatalyst, and a second UV light source disposed proximate the filter and configured to produce light having a shorter wavelength than light produced by the first UV light source, and configured to energize the second photocatalyst. One of the first photocatalyst or the second photocatalyst is configured to remove odor from the air. The other of the first photocatalyst or the second photocatalyst is configured to remove bacteria from the air.
Description
- The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/414,967, filed May 17, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- The present application relates generally to the field of air filtration in vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems and more specifically to using different types of ultraviolet light and filters to remove contaminants from air.
- Currently, vehicles such as automobiles are regularly driven by a driver without any passengers and the vehicle sits unoccupied when the driver reaches his or her desired destination. However, as ridesharing increases and self-driving capabilities improve, it is expected that each vehicle is more likely to begin carrying multiple passengers at a time as well as throughout the day. The increase in the number and frequency of riders will also result in the increase in the number of contaminants (e.g., viruses, odors, particulate matter, etc.) entering the vehicle, which presents a danger of transmitting the contaminants between the occupants. Moreover, due to the confined space of an automobile, when compared to mass transit alternatives (e.g., buses, trains, etc.), air containing contaminants provided by one occupant is more likely to be recirculated by a vehicle HVAC system throughout the cabin and to the other occupants.
- It is therefore advantageous to provide a vehicle HVAC system, which removes more contaminants from air recirculated in the vehicle.
- One embodiment relates to a filtration system for a vehicle, including a housing having an airflow path, and a filter disposed in the housing and configured to filter air flowing in the airflow path, the filter having a first photocatalyst and a second photocatalyst. The system further includes a first ultraviolet (UV) light source comprising a plurality of UV-A lightbulbs disposed proximate the filter and configured to energize the first photocatalyst, and a second UV light source comprising a plurality of UV-C lightbulbs disposed proximate the filter and configured to produce light having a shorter wavelength than light produced by the first UV light source, and configured to energize the second photocatalyst. The UV-A lightbulbs and the UV-C lightbulbs are arranged in alternating fashion in a lateral direction across the housing. One of the first photocatalyst or the second photocatalyst is configured to remove odor from the air. The other of the first photocatalyst or the second photocatalyst is configured to remove bacteria from the air.
- Another embodiment relates to an HVAC system for a vehicle, including a housing, an evaporator disposed in the housing, and a filter having a filter upstream surface and an opposing filter downstream surface, the filter disposed in the housing upstream from the evaporator. The system further includes a plurality of UV lightbulbs disposed in the housing upstream and offset from the filter and configured to provide UV-A light and UV-C light to substantially the entire filter upstream surface.
-
FIG. 1 is an HVAC system with photocatalytic filtration according to an exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the HVAC system showing the arrangement of ultraviolet lights and a filter. -
FIG. 3 is a portion of the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 2 , showing the placement of UV lightbulbs in the HVAC system. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , anHVAC system 100 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. TheHVAC system 100 includes ablower 102, anevaporator 104 downstream from theblower 102, and a heater 106 (shown inFIG. 2 ) downstream from theevaporator 104. Theblower 102,evaporator 104, andheater 106 are disposed in ahousing 108 and define an airflow path flowing therethrough. For example, thehousing 108 may include ablower housing 110 containing theblower 102 therein, anevaporator housing 112 containing theevaporator 104 therein, and aheater housing 114 containing theheater 106 therein. An HVACinlet 116 is formed at an upstream end of the housing 108 (e.g., at an upstream end of the blower housing 110) and is configured to supply air to theblower 102. An HVACoutlet 118 is formed at a downstream end of the housing 108 (e.g., at a downstream end of the heater housing 114) and is configured to output heated or cooled air from theHVAC system 100 to one or more portions of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. - The
HVAC system 100 further includes afilter 120 disposed in thehousing 108. For example, as shown inFIG. 1 , thefilter 120 is disposed in theevaporator housing 112 upstream from both theevaporator 104 and theheater 106. Thefilter 120 is shown downstream from theblower 102, although it should be understood that thefilter 120 may be placed in other locations within or outside of thehousing 108, such that thefilter 120 is upstream from both theevaporator 104 and theheater 106. In this configuration, substantially all of the air received in theblower 102 and passed through theHVAC system 100 is required to flow through thefilter 120, ensuring complete and efficient filtration of the air recirculating in a vehicle. According to other exemplary embodiments, in some configurations, air may pass downstream from thefilter 120 directly to theheater 106, bypassing theevaporator 104. In this configuration, substantially all of the air still passes through thefilter 120 first, before passing through theheater 106. - A plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lightbulbs 126 (i.e., lamps) are disposed in the
housing 108, proximate and upstream from thefilter 120. For example, thefilter 120 defines a filter upstream surface 122 (i.e., an upstream end, a filter first end, etc.) and an opposing filter downstream surface 124 (i.e., a downstream end, a filter second end, etc.) and the plurality ofUV lightbulbs 126 are disposed proximate the filterupstream surface 122. In this configuration, theUV lightbulbs 126 are disposed in theevaporator housing 112, although according to other exemplary embodiments, theUV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed in other locations within or outside of thehousing 108, such that theUV lightbulbs 126 are upstream from thefilter 120. According to another exemplary embodiment, theUV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed downstream from thefilter 120, proximate the filterdownstream surface 124 and upstream from theevaporator 104. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the plurality ofUV lightbulbs 126 may include at least oneUV lightbulb 126 upstream from thefilter 120 and at least oneUV lightbulb 126 downstream from thefilter 120. - It should be appreciated that the
filter 120 and theUV lightbulbs 126 are positioned in thehousing 108 upstream from theevaporator 104. Specifically, when theevaporator 104 operates in theHVAC system 100 in order to cool down the air passing through theevaporator 104, water condensation forms on the surface of theevaporator 104 and increases the humidity in the air output from and passing downstream from theevaporator 104 and into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. If theUV lightbulbs 126 were disposed close to or downstream from theevaporator 104, condensation could form on theUV lightbulbs 126, which would redirect portions of the UV light passing through the condensation and could result in portions of thefilter 120 that is not directly contacted by UV light output from theUV lightbulbs 126, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the photocatalytic filtration through thefilter 120. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , a cross-section view of a portion of theHVAC system 100 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, theevaporator housing 112 and theheater housing 114 are shown with thefilter 120 and the plurality ofUV lightbulbs 126 disposed upstream from theevaporator 104 and theheater 106. Thefilter 120 may be a two-part filter, including both a titanium oxide (e.g., titanium dioxide or TiO2) and carbon, and is configured to kill and remove viruses, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as odors, mold, or mildew from the air circulating in the vehicle. For example,FIG. 2 shows thefilter 120 having a first layer 128 (i.e., titanium oxide layer, upstream layer, VOC layer, etc.) at or proximate the filterupstream surface 122, and a second layer 130 (i.e., substrate, downstream layer, carbon layer, high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA layer, etc.) at or proximate the filterdownstream surface 124. Thesecond layer 130 may serve as a substrate for thefirst layer 128, such that thefirst layer 128 is disposed directly on thesecond layer 130. In this configuration, the air passing through thefilter 120 is received at thefirst layer 128 and then passes through thesecond layer 130 and is output from the filterdownstream surface 124 to one or both of theevaporator 104 and theheater 106. According to other exemplary embodiments, thefilter 120 may be integrally formed with both the carbon and TiO2 being included as a single layer for filtering multiple types of particulates out of an air stream. - According to an exemplary embodiment, the
first layer 128 includes a first photocatalyst, such as TiO2. For example, thefirst layer 128 may include between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2 of TiO2 across substantially an entire surface area of the first layer 128 (e.g., at the filter upstream surface 122). It should be appreciated that an increase in the mass of TiO2 per unit area (i.e., surface area density) increases resistance through thefirst layer 128 and, therefore, if the power of theblower 102 increases, then the surface area density of TiO2 in thefirst layer 128 may be increased. During operation of theHVAC system 100, theUV lightbulbs 126 output UV light, which interacts with the TiO2 surface of thefirst layer 128 through a process known as photocatalysis to generate electrons on the surface of thefirst layer 128. The electrons on the surface of thefirst layer 128 interact with water (H2O) molecules in the air, breaking the molecules up into hydroxyl (OH) radicals, which are highly reactive and short-lived forms of hydroxide ions (OH−). The hydroxyl radicals then interact with viruses, bacteria, and VOCs, which are each carbon-based complex molecules, during which the radicals break the complex molecules down into water and carbon dioxide (CO2) constituents. - According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of
UV lightbulbs 126 includes at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 (e.g., a first UV light source) and at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 (e.g., a second UV light source). Each UV-A lightbulb 132 is configured to produce light having a wavelength of between approximately 315 nm and 420 nm. The UV-A lightbulbs 132 may be U-shaped or fluorescent lightbulbs or have other shapes or types of lightbulbs and are configured to output UV-A light. The UV-A lightbulbs 132 may have a power supply terminal at one of an upper end or a lower end for providing power thereto. Each UV-C lightbulb 134 is configured to produce light having a wavelength of between approximately 100 nm and 280 nm. According to an exemplary embodiment, theUV lightbulbs 126 operate at approximately 12V and 100 W, with a heat flux of between approximately 30 W/m2 and 40 W/m2.FIGS. 1 and 2 show two (e.g., a plurality, a pair, etc.) UV-A lightbulbs 132 and two UV-C lightbulbs 134, although it should be appreciated that more or fewer UV-A lightbulbs 132 and/or UV-C lightbulbs 134 may be included in theHVAC system 100 upstream from thefilter 120 or in other portions of theHVAC system 100. - According to an exemplary embodiment, the UV-
A lightbulbs 132 are configured to transmit UV-A light to the first photocatalyst, which forms a portion of thefirst layer 128 to reduce or eliminate VOCs from the air. Specifically, UV-A light energizes the first photocatalyst as described above, to generate the hydroxyl radicals. The UV-A lightbulbs 132 are configured to break down the VOCs upstream from the second layer 130 (e.g., in thefirst layer 128 or upstream from the first layer 128), such that at least a portion of the constituent parts of the VOCs do not interact with carbon in thesecond layer 130. After passing the air through thefirst layer 128 of thefilter 120, the air output from theHVAC system 100 into the vehicle contains fewer or no VOCs, reducing or eliminating any odor within the vehicle. This configuration can also be used with a vehicle's air intake, such as with theHVAC inlet 116 configured to receive air from outside the vehicle. In this configuration, theHVAC system 100 prevents the introduction of VOCs into the vehicle in the first place. - Similar to the UV-
A lightbulbs 132, the UV-C lightbulbs 134 are configured to transmit UV-C light to thefirst layer 128 to reduce or eliminate bacteria and/or viruses from the air. Thefirst layer 128 further includes a second photocatalyst, which may be the same as or different from the first photocatalyst and is configured to be energized by UV-C light. Specifically, the interaction of the UV-C and the second photocatalyst in thefirst layer 128 generates hydroxyl radicals, which breaks down the bacteria and/or viruses into mostly water and carbon dioxide, killing and removing the bacteria and/or viruses from circulation and protecting occupants in the vehicle. Advantageously, when theHVAC system 100 is used in a vehicle with multiple occupants, by constantly recirculating the air through theHVAC system 100, the likelihood of transmitting a virus or bacteria between passengers can be reduced. In this situation, theHVAC system 100 may operate an entire time that the vehicle is occupied to most effectively remove contaminants from the air. Notably, theblower 102 continues cycling air through theHVAC system 100 and through thefilter 120 activated by theUV lightbulbs 126, even if theevaporator 104 and/or theheater 106 are not operating to affect the temperature inside the vehicle. According to another exemplary embodiment, the filtration aspects of theHVAC system 100 may be selectively engaged based on a condition of an occupant (e.g., known disease symptoms) to operate theUV lightbulbs 126 to filter the air with thefilter 120 using photocatalysis. - Further, the
HVAC system 100 may be operated in the vehicle for a period of time between uses by two different passengers. The vehicle may be a ride sharing vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, or another high occupancy transportation system (e.g., a taxi, a bus, a train, an airplane, etc.). The passengers may be positioned within the vehicle to face one another, which can increase the risk of spreading germs and viruses (e.g., the flu). In one example, a first passenger (i.e., occupant) may depart the vehicle. Then, theHVAC system 100 operates to purify the air currently in the vehicle before a second passenger enters the vehicle, thereby protecting future occupants from viruses or bacteria of earlier passengers. TheHVAC system 100 may operate for a pre-determined amount of time required to completely circulate the volume of the passenger compartment. For example, theHVAC system 100 may operate for approximately 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or any other amount of time before a passenger enters the vehicle. In some implementations, an operating time for theHVAC system 100 after an earlier passenger departs the vehicle may be optimized based on UV settings or other parameters for theHVAC system 100 such as UV heat flux, TiO2 loading, and air flow rate. Among other benefits, the UV light emitted from the HVAC system 100 (e.g., UV light at a wavelength within a range between 100 and 480 nm or any other suitable range) will kill bacteria, viruses, mold and other pathogens contained within the vehicle cabin. The UV light will also breakdown VOCs such as cigarette smoke. - Referring still to
FIG. 2 , at least a portion of thesecond layer 130 of thefilter 120 is formed from carbon. Thesecond layer 130 may be configured to interact with portions of VOCs that are not broken down by the UV-A lightbulbs 132 to reduce odor output from theHVAC system 100 and being recirculated in the vehicle. According to an exemplary embodiment, thesecond layer 130 may be configured to filter out particles that are approximately 0.3 microns or greater with approximately 99.97% efficiency. - It should be appreciated that over time, particulate may build up on one or both of the
layers filter 120, reducing the surface area available for passing air therethrough. This particle buildup reduces the operational efficiency of theHVAC system 100, requiringhigher blower 102 output for the same volume air flow. As shown inFIG. 2 , a first side wall 136 (i.e., a side wall) of the housing 108 (e.g., in the evaporator housing 112) defines afilter opening 138 therein and theHVAC system 100 includes afilter cover 140 disposed in thefilter opening 138 and holding thefilter 120 in place while sealing thehousing 108. Thefilter cover 140 may further seal against thefilter 120 to prevent air from passing around thefilter 120, in a space between thefilter 120 and thefilter cover 140, rather than through thefilter 120. According to another exemplary embodiment, thefilter 120 may include thefirst layer 128 and not include thesecond layer 130 in order to prevent the buildup of particulate within thefilter 120 and only purify the air through photocatalysis. - The
HVAC system 100 may further include a first sensor 142 (i.e., an upstream sensor) disposed in thehousing 108 upstream from thefilter 120 and a second sensor 144 (i.e., a downstream sensor) disposed in thehousing 108 downstream from thefilter 120. For example, thefirst sensor 142 may be disposed in theevaporator housing 112 proximate the filterupstream surface 122 and configured to measure a first pressure P1 (i.e., an upstream pressure) or a volume flow rate of air at the filterupstream surface 122. Thesecond sensor 144 may be disposed in theevaporator housing 112 proximate the filterdownstream surface 124 and upstream from theevaporator 104. Thesecond sensor 144 is configured to measure a second pressure P2 (i.e., a downstream pressure) or a volume flow rate of air at the filterdownstream surface 124. The first andsecond sensors processor 146 and are configured to send a signal to theprocessor 146 indicating the first pressure P1 and the second pressure P2, respectively. - A pressure differential is defined as a difference between the second pressure P2 and the first pressure P1 and is configured to represent or measure an amount of particle buildup on one or both of the first or
second layers filter 120. Notably, theprocessor 146 receives the first pressure P1 and the second pressure P2 from the first andsecond sensors filter 120 is first installed in theHVAC system 100, the pressure differential may be approximately zero or very small. As particulate matter builds up in thefilter 120 the pressure differential increases. A pre-determined threshold pressure is provided to theprocessor 146 and when the pressure differential exceeds the threshold pressure, theprocessor 146 outputs a signal (e.g., a light indicator, a message, etc.) either wired or wirelessly to a user or maintenance professional that thefilter 120 needs to be changed. A user may then remove thefilter cover 140 from thehousing 108 and withdraw the usedfilter 120 from thehousing 108 through thefilter opening 138, followed by inserting anew filter 120 through thefilter opening 138 and resealing thehousing 108 by covering and sealing the filter opening 138 with thefilter cover 140. According to another exemplary embodiment, signal may be configured to illuminate after a pre-determined time period, indicating a need to change thefilter 120. - Referring still to
FIG. 2 , theUV lightbulbs 126, shown as UV-A lightbulbs 132 and UV-C lightbulbs 134, are arranged according to an exemplary embodiment. Theevaporator housing 112 includes thefirst side wall 136 and an opposingsecond side wall 137. Thefilter 120 and theevaporator 104 each extend laterally across theevaporator housing 112 from thefirst side wall 136 to thesecond side wall 137. Thehousing 108 further includes a forward wall 148 (i.e., a main wall) upstream from and opposing filterupstream surface 122, and extending from thesecond side wall 137 toward theblower housing 110. Anair inlet 149 is formed in thefirst side wall 136, proximate an upstream end of theevaporator housing 112, between theforward wall 148 and thefilter 120. - The UV lightbulbs 126 extend substantially vertically and parallel to each other within the
housing 108 as well as substantially parallel to thefilter 120. Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3 , theUV lightbulbs 126 include afirst lightbulb 150 and asecond lightbulb 152 offset from the filterupstream surface 122 in a longitudinal direction, substantially perpendicular to the filterupstream surface 122. For example, thefirst lightbulb 150 is disposed a first offset distance OD1 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filterupstream surface 122. Similarly, thesecond lightbulb 152 is disposed a second offset distance OD2 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filterupstream surface 122. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first offset distance OD1 and the second offset distance OD2 may be substantially the same, such that thefirst UV lightbulb 150 is aligned with thesecond UV lightbulb 152 in a lateral direction, widthwise across theevaporator housing 112 between the first andsecond side walls - Referring still to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thefirst lightbulb 150 is disposed proximate and spaced apart from thefirst side wall 136 in the lateral direction (e.g., parallel to the filter upstream surface 122) by a first lateral distance LD1. Similarly, thesecond lightbulb 152 is spaced apart from thefirst side wall 136 in the lateral direction by a second lateral distance LD2, which is greater than the first lateral distance LD1, such that thesecond lightbulb 152 is disposed closer to thesecond side wall 137 than thefirst lightbulb 150. It should be appreciated that thesecond lightbulb 152 is disposed proximate but spaced apart from thesecond side wall 137. - The UV lightbulbs 126 further include a third lightbulb 154 and a
fourth lightbulb 156 offset from the filterupstream surface 122 in the longitudinal direction. As shown inFIG. 2 , the third andfourth lightbulbs 154, 156 are disposed against theforward wall 148, although according to other exemplary embodiments, theforward wall 148 may have other arrangements, such that one or both of the third andfourth lightbulbs 154, 156 are spaced apart from theforward wall 148. - The third lightbulb 154 is disposed a third offset distance OD3 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filter
upstream surface 122. Similarly, the fourth lightbulb is disposed a fourth offset distance OD4 in the longitudinal direction, away from the filterupstream surface 122. As shown inFIG. 2 , the third offset distance OD3 may be greater than one or both of the first offset distance OD1 and the second offset distance OD2, such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed further away from the filterupstream surface 122 than one or both of the first andsecond lightbulbs fourth lightbulb 156 is disposed closer to the filterupstream surface 122 than one or both of the first andsecond lightbulbs fourth lightbulb 156 is closer to the filterupstream surface 122 than the third lightbulb 154. - According to other exemplary embodiments, the third and
fourth lightbulbs 154, 156 may be disposed in other positions relative to the first andsecond lightbulbs upstream surface 122 than one or both of the first andsecond lightbulbs fourth lightbulb 156 is disposed further away from the filterupstream surface 122 than one or both of the first andsecond lightbulbs - The third lightbulb 154 is spaced apart from the
first side wall 136 in the lateral direction (e.g., parallel to the filter upstream surface 122) by a third lateral distance LD3. The third lateral distance LD3 is greater than the first lateral distance LD1 and less than the second lateral distance LD2, such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed laterally between the first andsecond lightbulbs second lightbulbs upstream surface 122. Similarly, thefourth lightbulb 156 is spaced apart from thefirst side wall 136 in the lateral direction by a fourth lateral distance LD4, which is greater than the second lateral distance LD2, such that thefourth lightbulb 156 is disposed laterally between thesecond lightbulb 152 and thesecond side wall 137. It should be appreciated that thesecond lightbulb 152 is disposed proximate but spaced apart from thesecond side wall 137. It should further be noted that in the configuration shown inFIG. 2 , theUV lightbulbs 126 are shown alternating (i.e., arranged in an alternating fashion) between UV-A lightbulbs 132 and UV-C lightbulbs 134 in the lateral direction. - According to other exemplary embodiments, the third lateral distance LD3 may be less than the first lateral distance LD1, such that the third lightbulb 154 is disposed laterally between the
first side wall 136 and thefirst lightbulb 150. Similarly, the fourth lateral distance LD4 may be greater than the first lateral distance LD1 and less than the second lateral distance LD2, such that thefourth lightbulb 156 is disposed laterally between the first andsecond lightbulbs second lightbulbs upstream surface 122. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thefirst lightbulb 150 emits UV-A light along afirst light field 160 downstream toward the filterupstream surface 122. Similarly, thesecond lightbulb 152 emits UV-A light along a secondlight field 162 downstream toward the filterupstream surface 122. Thefirst light field 160 extends directly to the filterupstream surface 122 at thefirst side wall 136 and at least partway toward thesecond side wall 137. The secondlight field 162 extends directly to the filterupstream surface 122 at thesecond side wall 137 and at least partway toward thefirst side wall 136, such that thefirst light field 160 and the secondlight field 162 overlap on at least a portion of the filterupstream surface 122. In this configuration, UV-A light is applied directly to substantially the entire filterupstream surface 122 without requiring reflection of the light within thehousing 108. It should be appreciated that thefourth lightbulb 156 is positioned in theevaporator housing 112, such that thefourth lightbulb 156 is not between thesecond lightbulb 152 and the filterupstream surface 122 at thesecond side wall 137 and therefore does not interfere with providing UV-A light directly to the entire filterupstream surface 122. - Similar to the first and
second lightbulbs light field 164 downstream toward the filterupstream surface 122 and thefourth lightbulb 156 emits UV-C light along a fourth light field 166 downstream toward the filterupstream surface 122. The thirdlight field 164 extends directly to the filterupstream surface 122 at thefirst side wall 136 and at least partway toward thesecond side wall 137. The fourth light field 166 extends directly to the filterupstream surface 122 at thesecond side wall 137 and at least partway toward thefirst side wall 136, such that the thirdlight field 164 and the fourth light field 166 overlap on at least a portion of the filterupstream surface 122. For example, the thirdlight field 164 and the fourth light field 166 may overlap on a portion of the filterupstream surface 122 directly downstream from thesecond lightbulb 152. - In this configuration, UV-C light is applied directly to substantially the entire filter
upstream surface 122 without requiring reflection within thehousing 108. It should be appreciated that the second offset distance OD2 is provided, such thatsecond lightbulb 152 is positioned in theevaporator housing 112 far enough away from the filterupstream surface 122 to allow both the thirdlight field 164 and the fourth light field 166 to overlap on the filterupstream surface 122. In other words, thesecond lightbulb 152 is not disposed between any portion of the filterupstream surface 122 and at least one of the third orfourth lightbulbs 154, 156. Similarly, the first offset distance OD1 is provided, such that thefirst lightbulb 150 is positioned in theevaporator housing 112 far enough away from the filterupstream surface 122 to allow the thirdlight field 164 to directly contact the filterupstream surface 122 at thefirst side wall 136. In other words, thefirst lightbulb 150 is not disposed between the third lightbulb 154 and the filterupstream surface 122 at thefirst side wall 136. - As provided in
FIG. 2 , it should be appreciated that due to the staggered arrangement of theUV lightbulbs 126, UV-A light is provided from at least one of the first orsecond lightbulbs upstream surface 122 and UV-C light is provided from at least one of the third orfourth lightbulbs 154, 156 directly to substantially the entire filterupstream surface 122. While the first andsecond lightbulbs A lightbulbs 132, it should be understood that according to other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the first andsecond lightbulbs C lightbulbs 134, configured to output UV-C light. Further, while third andfourth lightbulbs 154, 156 are shown as UV-C lightbulbs 134, it should be understood that according to other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the third andfourth lightbulbs 154, 156 may be UV-A lightbulbs 132, configured to output UV-A light. According to yet other exemplary embodiments, one or more of theUV lightbulbs 126 may be configured to output a different wavelength of light. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , thehousing 108 is shown having a lower surface 168 (i.e., a lower wall) at a lower periphery of theforward wall 148 and an opposing upper surface 170 (i.e., an upper wall) at an upper periphery of theforward wall 148. It should be appreciated that a portion of theevaporator housing 112 is shown broken away to show theUV lightbulbs 126, thefilter 120 and theevaporator 104, and that theupper surface 170 of thehousing 108 includes a portion of theevaporator housing 112 between theblower housing 110 and theheater housing 114. According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of theUV lightbulbs 126 may be inserted substantially vertically through one of thelower surface 168 or theupper surface 170 of thehousing 108 into theheater housing 114. The UV lightbulbs 126 may then be coupled (i.e., fixed) to one or both of thelower surface 168 and/or theupper surface 170. In this configuration, theUV lightbulbs 126 may be accessible for replacement from outside thehousing 108 without disassembling thehousing 108. According to other exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of theevaporator housing 114 or other portion of thehousing 108 may be removable to provide access to theUV lightbulbs 126. According to another exemplary embodiment, theUV lightbulbs 126 may be electrically coupled externally to thehousing 108 to a power source. - Further, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theUV lightbulbs 126 are shown in a substantially vertical orientation. However, it should be understood that according to other exemplary embodiments theUV lightbulbs 126 may be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. In other words, the lateral direction may be defined height wise across theevaporator housing 112 between thelower surface 168 and theupper surface 170. In this configuration, the lateral distances (e.g., the first lateral distance LD1, etc.) for each of theUV lightbulbs 126 may be measured relative to one of thelower surface 168 or theupper surface 170. In the horizontal orientation, theUV lightbulbs 126 are disposed substantially parallel to thelower surface 168 and/or theupper surface 170 and are substantially perpendicular to thefirst side wall 136 and thesecond side wall 137. - According to another exemplary embodiment, the
UV lightbulbs 126 may be arranged in other orientations, such that theUV lightbulbs 126 are substantially parallel to each other and/or the filterupstream surface 122. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, theUV lightbulbs 126 may include more or fewer than two UV-A lightbulbs 132 and/or two UV-C lightbulbs 134, such that substantially the entire filterupstream surface 122 is exposed directly to both UV-A light and UV-C light. - While
FIGS. 1 and 2 show theUV lightbulbs 126 disposed in theevaporator housing 112 upstream from thefilter 120, according to another exemplary embodiment, one or more of theUV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed downstream from thefilter 120. For example, theUV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed between the filterdownstream surface 124 and theevaporator 104 and are configured to transmit UV-A and/or UV-C light directly to the filterdownstream surface 124. In this configuration, thefilter 120 may be arranged with thefirst layer 128 still disposed upstream from thesecond layer 130 or thefilter 120 may be flipped, such that thefirst layer 128 is disposed downstream from thesecond layer 130, such that theUV lightbulbs 126 transmit UV light from downstream of thefilter 120 to directly on thefirst layer 128 at the filterdownstream surface 124. In this configuration, the offset distances (e.g., the first offset distance OD1, etc.) for each of theUV lightbulbs 126 may be measured from the filterdownstream surface 124 in the downstream longitudinal direction (e.g., perpendicular to the filter downstream surface 124). - According to yet another exemplary embodiment,
UV lightbulbs 126 may be disposed both upstream from and downstream from thefilter 120. For example, at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 (e.g., both UV-A lightbulbs 132) may be disposed upstream from thefilter 120 and at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 (e.g., both UV-C lightbulbs 134) may be disposed downstream from thefilter 120. Similarly, according to another exemplary embodiment, at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 (e.g., both UV-C lightbulbs 134) may be disposed upstream from thefilter 120 and at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 (e.g., both UV-A lightbulbs 132) may be disposed downstream from thefilter 120. According to yet another exemplary embodiment at least one UV-A lightbulb 132 and at least one UV-C lightbulb 134 may be disposed both upstream from and downstream from thefilter 120, such that both UV-A and UV-C light is transmitted directly to both the filterupstream surface 122 and the filterdownstream surface 124. - It should further be appreciated that the
HVAC system 100 may be installed in vehicles with various types of powertrains. For example, theHVAC system 100 may be installed in an electric vehicle (“EV”), a hybrid-electric vehicle (“HEV”), a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (“ICE”) with or without a start-stop feature, or other powertrains. Further, it should be appreciated that an existing HVAC system in a vehicle may be retrofit by installing thefilter 120 and theUV lightbulbs 126 in the existing HVAC system in any of the configurations described in this application. - As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
- It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
- The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
- References herein to the position of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
- It is to be understood that although the present invention has been described with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, various other embodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such other embodiments and variants are intended to be covered by corresponding claims. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, manufacturing processes, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims (20)
1. A filtration system for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing having an airflow path;
a filter disposed in the housing and configured to filter air flowing in the airflow path, the filter comprising a first photocatalyst and a second photocatalyst proximate an upstream surface of the filter;
a UV-A light source disposed proximate the upstream surface and configured to energize the first photocatalyst; and
a UV-C light source disposed proximate the upstream surface and configured to produce light having a shorter wavelength than light produced by the UV-A light source, and configured to energize the second photocatalyst, wherein:
the UV-A light source emits UV-A light along a UV-A light field on the upstream surface of the filter,
the UV-C light source emits UV-C light along a UV-C light field on the upstream surface of the filter, and
the UV-A light field and the UV-C light field overlap and encompass an entirety of the upstream surface.
2. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the first photocatalyst and the second photocatalyst are the same and include between 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2 of TiO2.
3. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein:
the UV-A light source comprises a plurality of UV-A lightbulbs;
the UV-C light source comprises a plurality of UV-C lightbulbs; and
the UV-A lightbulbs and the UV-C lightbulbs are disposed in a staggered arrangement along the airflow path.
4. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first photocatalyst or the second photocatalyst is configured to remove odor from the air, and the other of the first photocatalyst or the second photocatalyst is configured to remove bacteria from the air.
5. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the filter further comprises a carbon layer configured to remove particulate from the air.
6. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the UV-A light source and the UV-C light source are disposed upstream from the filter.
7. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the UV-A light source is disposed a first offset distance away from the filter and the UV-C light source is disposed a second offset distance away from the filter different from the first offset distance.
8. The filtration system of claim 7 , wherein:
the housing comprises:
a forward wall opposing the filter;
an upper surface formed at an upper periphery of the forward wall;
a lower surface formed at a lower periphery of the forward wall; and
an air inlet formed at a side wall of the housing between the forward wall and the filter; and
one of the UV-A light source or the UV-C light source is coupled to the forward wall and the other of the UV-A light source or the UV-C light source is coupled to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface.
9. The filtration system of claim 8 , wherein the UV-A light source comprises a first lightbulb coupled to the upper surface and a second lightbulb coupled to the lower surface.
10. The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a ride sharing vehicle or an autonomous vehicle.
11. A filtration system for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing;
a filter having a filter upstream surface and a photocatalyst disposed proximate the filter upstream surface; and
a plurality of UV lightbulbs disposed in the housing upstream and offset from the filter and configured to provide both UV-A and UV-C light to an entirety of the filter upstream surface, wherein the photocatalyst is configured to be energized by both the UV-A light and the UV-C light.
12. The filtration system of claim 11 , wherein the photocatalyst includes between 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2 of TiO2.
13. The filtration system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of UV lightbulbs comprises a plurality of UV-A lightbulbs and a plurality of UV-C lightbulbs, and wherein the UV-A lightbulbs and the UV-C lightbulbs are disposed in a staggered arrangement along an airflow path through the housing.
14. The filtration system of claim 11 , wherein the filter further comprises a carbon layer configured to remove particulate from air flowing through the filter.
15. The filtration system of claim 11 , wherein:
the housing comprises:
a forward wall opposing the filter;
an upper surface formed at an upper periphery of the forward wall;
a lower surface formed at a lower periphery of the forward wall; and
an air inlet formed at a side wall of the housing between the forward wall and the filter; and
a first lightbulb of the plurality of UV lightbulbs is coupled to the forward wall and a second lightbulb of the plurality of UV lightbulbs is coupled to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface.
16. A filtration system for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing having an airflow path;
a filter disposed in the housing and configured to filter air flowing through the housing, the filter comprising a first photocatalyst and a second photocatalyst proximate an upstream surface of the filter;
a plurality of UV lightbulbs disposed in the housing upstream and offset from the filter and configured to provide both UV-A light and UV-C light to an entire surface of the filter, wherein:
the UV-A light is configured to energize the first photocatalyst and the UV-C light is configured to energize the second photocatalyst, and
the plurality of UV lightbulbs are disposed in a staggered arrangement along the airflow path.
17. The filtration system of claim 16 , wherein the first photocatalyst and the second photocatalyst are the same and include between 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2 of TiO2.
18. The filtration system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of UV lightbulbs comprises:
a plurality of UV-A lightbulbs configured to emit the UV-A light along a UV-A light field; and
a plurality of UV-C lightbulbs configured to emit UV-C light along a UV-C light field, wherein the UV-A light field and the UV-C light field overlap.
19. The filtration system of claim 16 , wherein the filter further comprises a carbon layer configured to remove particulate from the air.
20. The filtration system of claim 16 , wherein:
the housing comprises:
a forward wall opposing the filter;
an upper surface formed at an upper periphery of the forward wall;
a lower surface formed at a lower periphery of the forward wall; and
an air inlet formed at a side wall of the housing between the forward wall and the filter; and
a first lightbulb of the plurality of UV lightbulbs is coupled to the forward wall and a second lightbulb of the plurality of UV lightbulbs is coupled to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface.
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US11407284B2 (en) * | 2020-08-18 | 2022-08-09 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Enhanced vehicle operation |
US11596900B2 (en) | 2020-08-31 | 2023-03-07 | Molekule, Inc. | Air filter and filter media thereof |
DE102020214979A1 (en) | 2020-11-27 | 2022-06-02 | Mahle International Gmbh | air conditioning |
KR102577273B1 (en) | 2021-05-14 | 2023-09-11 | 에스트라오토모티브시스템 주식회사 | HVAC system for vehicles including photocatalytic module |
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2019
- 2019-05-17 US US16/414,967 patent/US11406937B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-05-14 CN CN202111497881.9A patent/CN114307629A/en active Pending
- 2020-05-14 EP EP21215196.3A patent/EP4000977A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2020-05-14 CN CN202080036634.6A patent/CN113840646A/en active Pending
- 2020-05-14 EP EP20733082.0A patent/EP3969301A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2020-05-14 WO PCT/US2020/032959 patent/WO2020236527A1/en unknown
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2021
- 2021-08-18 US US17/405,903 patent/US20210379528A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060057020A1 (en) * | 2002-10-21 | 2006-03-16 | Joseph Tufo | Cleaning of air |
US20110033346A1 (en) * | 2009-08-04 | 2011-02-10 | Bohlen Johns R | Air cleaner with photo-catalytic oxidizer |
US20160325606A1 (en) * | 2014-01-22 | 2016-11-10 | Hanon Systems | Photocatalyst device and air conditioner for vehicle having the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN114307629A (en) | 2022-04-12 |
US11406937B2 (en) | 2022-08-09 |
EP3969301A1 (en) | 2022-03-23 |
CN113840646A (en) | 2021-12-24 |
EP4000977A1 (en) | 2022-05-25 |
WO2020236527A1 (en) | 2020-11-26 |
US20200360858A1 (en) | 2020-11-19 |
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