WO2022063948A1 - Système de purification d'air - Google Patents

Système de purification d'air Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022063948A1
WO2022063948A1 PCT/EP2021/076297 EP2021076297W WO2022063948A1 WO 2022063948 A1 WO2022063948 A1 WO 2022063948A1 EP 2021076297 W EP2021076297 W EP 2021076297W WO 2022063948 A1 WO2022063948 A1 WO 2022063948A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
seat
air outlet
air inlet
purification system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2021/076297
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Frédéric HAMMEL
Clément SCHAMBEL
Original Assignee
Ethera
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ethera filed Critical Ethera
Publication of WO2022063948A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022063948A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/108—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering using dry filter elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0626—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with individual temperature or ventilation control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
    • B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/80—Self-contained air purifiers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/95—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying specially adapted for specific purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
    • B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
    • B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
    • B64D2013/0651—Environmental Control Systems comprising filters, e.g. dust filters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
    • B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
    • B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
    • B64D2013/0655—Environmental Control Systems with zone or personal climate controls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
    • F24F2221/10—Details or features not otherwise provided for combined with, or integrated in, furniture
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
    • F24F2221/12—Details or features not otherwise provided for transportable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
    • F24F2221/38—Personalised air distribution

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to the field of air purification.
  • the invention relates to an air purification system and a seat comprising said system integrated to or removably coupled to said seat.
  • the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has proven the vulnerability of populations to the exposure of airborne infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses.
  • the present invention relates to an air purification system configured to protect airways of a subject from polluted air comprising: an air distribution device comprising:
  • an air purification device comprising:
  • At least one airflow mechanism configured to draw air from the air inlet through the filter to said air outlet; a power supply; wherein air distribution device defines a closed airflow pattern from air outlet to air inlet.
  • the air outlet is configured to deliver all the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet, and the air inlet is configured to collect most of the air delivered by the air outlet.
  • the air delivery axis defined by the air outlet is sensibly parallel to the air collection axis defined by the air inlet.
  • the present invention also relates to a seat comprising an air purification system according to the invention, wherein air purification system is integrated or removably coupled to said seat.
  • the air outlet is configured to deliver purified air towards the front of the seat.
  • the seat comprises a headrest and the air outlet is configured to deliver purified air towards said headrest.
  • the air distribution device comprises an articulated arm having a proximal end connected to the seat and an orientable distal end connected to the air outlet.
  • the seat comprises a backrest and the air inlet is located on at least one side, both sides and/or on the front of said backrest.
  • the backrest comprises a headrest and the air inlet is located on at least one side, both sides and/or on the front of said headrest.
  • the air inlet is configured to collect all the air expired by a subject sitting on the seat.
  • the air inlet is a vent grille, a vent aureole, a filter, or any surface adapted to let air pass through.
  • the air filter removes at least 30% of polluting species from the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet.
  • the air filter has a bacterial and/or virus filtration efficiency of at least 90%.
  • the polluting species is selected in the group of particles, aerosols volatile organic compounds, odorous volatile molecules, toxic volatile molecules, bacteria, viruses, fungi or a mixture thereof.
  • the seat further comprises an air duct connecting the air purification device to the air outlet.
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 100 L/min to 1500 L/min.
  • the seat is in a public transport vehicle, such as for example an air vehicle, a sea vehicle or a land vehicle.
  • Airflow patterns refers to the trajectories that ambient air is following from its source, to its end: the direction and speed of air flushed from the source, the obstacle the air will encounter, such as surfaces (organized to control the airflow, or not), or other air flows, that will deviate it, up to the exhaust end (pulling the air outside the observed environment).
  • “Closed airflow pattern” refers to air flows that are properly organized, thus being mainly maintained between the air outlet of a system and its exhaust (air inlet of said system): air is recirculating in a virtual tube from the air outlet to the air inlet, without exchanges with air coming from outside the system, and being potentially contaminated. In other words, all the air entering the system at the air inlet is delivered at the air outlet, and most of the air delivered at the air outlet is recovered at the air inlet. Closed airflow helps to protect one zone from contamination, as it will expose specific zones only to air without incorporating potential contamination. This protection is relative to both the considered system zone, and the “other zones”.
  • Coarse particles (PM10-2.5) refers to particles with diameters larger than 2.5 pm and smaller than or equal to 10 pm.
  • “Fine particles (PM2.5)” refers to particles having a diameter inferior or equal to 2.5 pm and superior to 1 pm.
  • “Laminar flow” refers to a fluid flow wherein fluid particles follow smooth paths in layers, with each layer moving smoothly past the adjacent layers with little or no mixing, i.e. there are no swirls or turbulences within the fluid flow contrary to a turbulent flow.
  • Particulate matter refers to microscopic particles suspended in the air. Particulate matter may be solid or liquid.
  • “Polluting species” refers to a substance with harmful, detrimental consequences that endanger human or animal health, harms biological resources or ecosystems, affects climate change, damages property and/or causes odor nuisance.
  • Public seat refers to a seat in a public area, preferably an enclosed public place such as public transport or an office.
  • Ultra-fine particles refers to particles having a diameter inferior or equal to 1 pm This also encompasses nanoparticles which have diameters less than 0.3 pm.
  • This invention relates to an air purification system configured to protect airways of a subject from polluted air.
  • Said air purification system comprises: an air distribution device comprising:
  • an air purification device comprising:
  • the air distribution device defines a closed airflow pattern from air outlet to air inlet.
  • a subject is located (sitting, laying or standing) in the space defined between the air inlet and the air outlet, the air expired, which is potentially polluted, by said subject is mainly recovered by the air inlet.
  • the air passes then through the air filter to remove polluting species, thus be purified.
  • the air passing through the air filter is pulsed by a differential pressure upstream and downstream of the filter: said differential pressure is created by the airflow mechanism that draw the air downstream of the filter, the air moving from the higher pressure to the lower one.
  • the purified air is then delivered at the air outlet towards the airways of the subject.
  • This closed airflow pattern is defined from air outlet to air inlet by the air distribution device, wherein all the expired/polluted air entering the air purification system at the air inlet is delivered, once purified, at the air outlet, and most of the purified air delivered at the air outlet is recovered at the air inlet, once breathed by the subject.
  • the air collected at the air inlet comprises a percentage of the air delivered at the air outlet and a percentage of the air expired by a subject located between the air outlet and the air inlet. Purified air is thus delivered and possible pollutants emitted by the subject are captured and filtered so as to not contaminate the direct environment of said subject.
  • the air purification system has the following advantages: i) the air purification system limits the risks of transmission of polluting species, especially infectious agents like bacteria or viruses carried by an infected person to healthy people in his direct environment, by micro-projections (postilions) or by airborne (infectious agents stuck to expired particles, and remaining in levitation in the air); ii) the air purification system limits the risks of transmission of polluting species, especially infectious agents like bacteria or viruses carried by infected people in his direct environment to a healthy person.
  • the air purification system of the invention makes it possible to organize an airflow pattern of potentially self-contaminated exhaled air of the subject located in the space defined between the air inlet and the air outlet, to filter it locally, with a minimum of ducts, then to deliver it once purified to the same subject, thus isolating completely said subject from his environment.
  • This can be illustrated as the air purification system creating a “protective bubble” of purified air between the air inlet and the air outlet, wherein a subject can be standing, sitting or lying down. Said subject then inhales and exhales air in said “protective bubble”.
  • the air purification system protects the airways of a subject from polluted air, said subject may be located in a space defined between the air inlet and the air outlet of said system or outside of said space, i.e. outside of the closed airflow pattern.
  • the air purification system offers protection of the airways of a subject located within the “protective bubble” and, at the same time, protection of the airways of a subject located outside of said “protective bubble”.
  • This “protective bubble” is especially important in public transport vehicle where promiscuity with others, especially between strangers, is particularly significant and of long duration.
  • the air outlet is configured to deliver all the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet, and the air inlet is configured to collect most of the air delivered by the air outlet.
  • the air collected at the air inlet comprises at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably 90%, of the air delivered at the air outlet and at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably 90%, of the air expired by a subject located between the air outlet and the air inlet.
  • purified air it is understood that the concentration of polluting species in the purified air delivered by the air outlet is smaller than in the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet. For example, said concentration of polluting species in the air is reduced by at least 30% and up to 99,999% by the air purification system.
  • the air outlet delivers purified air towards the air inlet.
  • the air purification system is configured to create a laminar flow of air between the air outlet and the air inlet. This is particularly advantageous as it ensures that the air travels from the air outlet to the air inlet without any flow deviation. This allows for the creation of an efficient “protective bubble” of purified air between the air inlet and the air outlet, thus ensuring the protection of airways of a subject within or outside said “protective bubble”.
  • the air outlet delivers purified air in said “protective bubble” and said purified air is contained in this “protective bubble” due to the laminar flow between the air outlet and the air inlet.
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) defined by the air outlet is sensibly parallel to the air collection axis (BB’) defined by the air inlet, in other words, the air inlet and the air outlet are sensibly parallel.
  • This is particularly advantageous as it ensures a laminar flow between the air inlet and the air outlet as the air travels from the air outlet to the air inlet without any flow deviation, i.e. it ensures a continuous straight air flow between the air outlet and the air inlet.
  • This allows for the creation of an efficient “protective bubble” of purified air between the air inlet and the air outlet, thus ensuring the protection of airways of a subject within or outside said “protective bubble”.
  • air delivery axis refers to the axis normal to the plane (i.e. surface) of the air inlet or outlet.
  • AA air delivery axis
  • BB deviation angle from the air collection axis
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) defined by the air outlet is parallel to the air collection axis (BB’) defined by the air inlet.
  • the air delivery axis has a deviation angle from the air collection axis of about 90° would not be efficient as it would be near impossible to deviate fluid particles to ensure that all the air delivered at the outlet is recovered at the inlet, i.e. the fluid flow between outlet and inlet would not be laminar.
  • important air leaks would happen, resulting in pollution of the air inside and outside the airflow pattern, i.e. such a system would not protect efficiently the airways of a subject located between the air inlet and air outlet, nor the airways of a subject located in the near environment of said system.
  • the planes of the air inlet and the air outlet are sensibly parallel.
  • the planes of the air inlet and the air outlet are parallel.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 20 cm to 150 cm. In a preferred configuration of this embodiment, the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 20 cm to 60 cm, more preferably from 30 cm to 50 cm. In another preferred configuration of this embodiment, the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 60 cm to 150 cm, more preferably from 70 cm to 110 cm, even more preferably from 70 cm to 90 cm, most preferably from 75 cm to 85 cm.
  • the air purification system being configured to protect airways of a subject from polluted air requires that said system is configured to accommodate a subject between the air inlet and the air outlet, in particular his head.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 20 cm to 60 cm and the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10°.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 30 cm to 50 cm and the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 45°, preferably less than 25°, even more preferably less than 10°.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 60 cm to 150 cm and the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10°.
  • BB deviation angle from the air collection axis
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 70 cm to 110 cm and the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10°.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 70 cm to 90 cm and the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10°.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 75 cm to 85 cm and the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10°.
  • the air inlet is a vent grille, a vent aureole, a filter, or any surface adapted to let air pass through.
  • the air filter removes at least 30 % of polluting species from the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet.
  • the air filter removes polluting species from the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet in a range from 30% to 90%, preferably from 70% to 90%, most preferably the air filter removes more than 90% of polluting species from the air entering the air purification system at the air inlet. Removing more than 90% of polluting species corresponds to the filtration efficiency of masks for non-sanitary use classified in category one.
  • the air filter has a bacterial and/or virus filtration efficiency of at least 90%, preferably of at least 95%.
  • a bacterial and/or virus filtration efficiency of at least 90% corresponds to the filtration efficiency of masks for non-sanitary use classified in category one
  • a bacterial and/or virus filtration efficiency of at least 95% corresponds to the filtration efficiency of FFP2 masks (filtering facepiece category 2).
  • the air filter has a bacterial and/or virus filtration efficiency of at least 99% or more, thus allowing a real contamination risk decrease, especially adapted to a sanitary crisis.
  • the polluting species is selected in the group of particles, aerosols volatile organic compounds, odorous volatile molecules, toxic volatile molecules, microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses, fungi, (or other biological entities) or a mixture thereof.
  • examples of particles include but are not limited to: dust, pollen, coarse particles (PM10-2.5), fine particles (PM2.5), ultra-fine particles (PMi), asbestos, bacteria, bacterial spores, viruses, black carbon, particles with a size above 10 pm, or a mixture thereof.
  • examples of aerosols include but are not limited to: particles, droplets, viruses, bacteria, spores, or a mixture thereof.
  • examples of volatile organic compounds include but are not limited to: phytosanitary products, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, pheromones, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, acetaldehyde, acrolein, tri cresol phosphate or a mixture thereof.
  • examples of semi-volatile compounds include but are not limited to: pesticides, phthalates, benzopyrenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or a mixture thereof.
  • examples of odorous molecules include but are not limited to: sulfur derivatives, esters derivatives, moisture related volatiles, or a mixture thereof.
  • examples of bacteria include but are not limited to: pseudomonas aeruginosa, cyanobacteria, mycoplasma, staphylococcus, streptococcus, legionella, mycobacteria, or a mixture thereof.
  • viruses include but are not limited to: corona viruses such as for example coronavirus, COVID- 19, adenovirus, rhinovirus, echovirus, influenza, or a mixture thereof.
  • the air purification system further comprises an air duct connecting the air purification device to the air outlet.
  • the air purification system further comprises a plurality of air ducts configured to guide the air from the air outlet to the air inlet and from the air inlet to the air outlet.
  • the air purification system does not comprise an air duct connecting the air purification device to the air outlet.
  • the air filter is located near the air outlet.
  • the air inlet and the air outlet have equal surfaces.
  • “Surface” refers here to the surface configured to deliver/collect air of the air outlet/inlet.
  • the air purification system is configured to create a volume of air between the air outlet and the air inlet ranging from 0.2 to 1 m 3 , preferably from 0.2 to 0.8 m 3 , more preferably from 0.2 to 0.6 m 3 , even more preferably from 0.2 to 0.8 m 3 .
  • the aim is then to isolate a small volume of air around a subject located between the air outlet and the air inlet, such as for example a subject sitting in a public transport seat or at a restaurant table, in order to create a “protective bubble” around him.
  • the flow rate of the air purification system is ranging from 5 volumes per hour to 35 volumes per hour, preferably from 5 volumes per hour to 20 volumes per hour, more preferably from 5 volumes per hour to 15 volumes per hour, even more preferably of 10 volumes per hour.
  • a flow rate of 5 volumes per hour means that the volume of air created between the air outlet and the air inlet is renewed 5 times in 1 hour.
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 100 L/min to 1500 L/min, from 300 L/min to 1500 L/min, preferably from 100 L/min to 500 L/min, preferably from 200 L/min to 500 L/min, more preferably from 100 L/min to 300 L/min, most preferably from 150 L/min to 250 L/min.
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is about 200 L/min.
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is tuned according to the air delivering surface of said air outlet. For example, a small surface will require a higher flow rate than a bigger surface to ensure that the same air renewal is applied in both cases.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 20 cm to 60 cm
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 20 L/min to 80 L/min, preferably ranging from 30 L/min to 70 L/min, more preferably ranging from 40 L/min to 60 L/min.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 30 cm to 50 cm
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 20 L/min to 80 L/min, preferably ranging from 30 L/min to 70 L/min, more preferably ranging from 40 L/min to 60 L/min.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 60 cm to 150 cm
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 50 L/min to 200 L/min, preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 150 L/min, more preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 100 L/min.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 70 cm to 110 cm
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 50 L/min to 200 L/min, preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 150 L/min, more preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 100 L/min.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 70 cm to 90 cm
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 50 L/min to 180 L/min, preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 150 L/min, more preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 100 L/min.
  • the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is ranging from 75 cm to 85 cm
  • the air delivery axis (AA’) has a deviation angle from the air collection axis (BB’) of less than 30°, preferably less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°, even more preferably less than 10
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 50 L/min to 170 L/min, preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 150 L/min, more preferably ranging from 50 L/min to 100 L/min.
  • the flow rate of air delivered at the air outlet is significantly higher than the flow rate of air inhaled by a subject located between the air inlet and the air outlet, and this higher flow rate will ensure a state of overpressure which protects said subject from the penetration of turbulent ambient air, potentially contaminated, in the air to be inhaled.
  • the flow rate of the air sucked in the air purification system at the air inlet is equal to the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet in order to suck in a volume of air greater than the volume of air exhaled by the subject, thus creating a depression that will draw all the potentially polluted air to the air filter.
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is ranging from 100 L/min to 500 L/min per subject, preferably from 200 L/min to 500 L/min per subject, more preferably from 100 L/min to 300 L/min per subject, most preferably from 150 L/min to 250 L/min per subject.
  • the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet is about 200 L/min per subject.
  • “per subject” refers to a subject whose airways are located between the air inlet and the air outlet.
  • the at least one airflow mechanism is a fan, a turbine or any air blower.
  • a seat may be placed in the space defined between the air inlet and the air outlet with a subject sitting on said seat and facing the air outlet, wherein the closed airflow pattern is configured to flow towards air inlet the air expired by said subject.
  • the air purification system is configured to be removably coupled or integrated to a seat, preferably a public transport seat.
  • a piece of furniture such as for example a seat, a chair (e.g. a restaurant chair), a bed, a reclining seat (up to 180°), a desk, a table (e.g. a restaurant table), a partition wall (in a working open space), may be placed in the space defined between the air inlet and the air outlet with a subject sitting, laying or standing on said piece of furniture and facing the air outlet, wherein the closed airflow pattern is configured to flow towards air inlet the air expired by said subject.
  • the air purification system further comprises a control unit configured to control the efficiency of the air purification system, the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet and/or the flow rate of the air sucked in at the air inlet.
  • the air purification system further comprises a flowmeter to measure the flow rate of the air delivered at the air outlet and/or the flow rate of the air sucked in at the air inlet.
  • the air purification system is a built-in air purification system for a seat or an air purification system removably coupled to a seat, preferably a public seat, more preferably a public transport seat.
  • the air purification system is a built-in air purification system for a piece of furniture or an air purification system removably coupled to a piece of furniture, preferably a seat, a desk, a bed, a reclining seat (up to 180°), a partition wall (in a working open space) or any other piece of furniture on which a user can sit, lay or stand.
  • a desk (such as an office desk) comprises the air purification system of the invention, wherein said desk typically comprises a flat table- style work surface and a panel at its distal end, wherein the air inlet is located at the front of the desk, i.e. on the surface being normal to the table-style work surface configured to be proximal to a subject sitting in front of the desk, and the air outlet is located on a panel facing said subject at the back of the desk.
  • a table (such as, for example, a restaurant table) comprises the air purification system of the invention, wherein said table typically comprises a flat dining surface, wherein the air inlet is integrated in said surface, e.g. in a slot or a fence at the center of the table, and the air outlet is located above said surface, e.g. above and aligned with the table surface, or said slot or fence.
  • the invention also relates to a seat comprising an air purification system of the invention, wherein the air purification system is integrated or removably coupled to said seat. All embodiments of the air purification system of the invention may be implemented in said seat.
  • the air purification system has the advantage of guiding the flow of air exhaled by each subject sitting on a seat to the air inlet, so that it is filtered again and again, and delivering it, once purified, to the same subject, without exposing other persons to potential polluting species, especially infectious agents generated by said subject.
  • the seat of the invention makes it possible to organize an airflow pattern of potentially self-contaminated exhaled air of the subject sitting on said seat, to filter it locally, with a minimum of ducts, then to deliver it once purified to the same subject. This can be illustrated as the air purification system creating a “protective bubble” of purified air between the air inlet and the air outlet, i.e. around a subject sitting on the seat.
  • the air purification system protects at the same time the airways of a subject sitting in said seat from polluted environmental air and the airways of a subject outside of the “protective bubble”, e.g. in the near environment of said seat from air expired by the subject sitting in same seat.
  • the air outlet is configured to deliver purified air towards the front of the seat.
  • the seat comprises a headrest and the air outlet is configured to deliver purified air towards said headrest.
  • the air outlet delivers purified air horizontally towards said headrest, i.e. the air outlet delivers purified air parallel to the normal direction of the headrest and towards said headrest.
  • the air distribution device comprises an articulated arm having a proximal end connected to the seat and an orientable (i.e. directional) distal end connected to the air outlet. Furthermore, the air distribution device is adjustable in inclination and will be able to guide purified air and better direct it towards the headrest of the seat, in particular towards the airways of a subject sitting on said seat.
  • the proximal end of the articulated arm is connected to the armrest of the seat.
  • the articulated arm folds down automatically in an emergency, such as for example in the occurrence of a crash.
  • the arm folds down in the armrest of the seat or under the seat.
  • the articulated arm is combined with the articulated arm supporting the individual screen of each passenger.
  • the seat comprises a backrest and the air inlet is located on at least one side, both sides and/or on the front of said backrest.
  • the backrest comprises a headrest and the air inlet is located on at least one side, both sides and/or on the front of said headrest, preferably on either side of the space reserved for the support of the head of a subject sitting on the seat.
  • This embodiment allows to recover the entire volume of exhaled air around the face of said subject.
  • the seat comprises a headrest, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are located each on one side of said headrest.
  • the air inlet and the air outlet are located each on one side of his head.
  • the air inlet is configured to collect all the air expired by a subject sitting on the seat.
  • the seat is in a public transport vehicle, such as for example an air vehicle, a sea vehicle or a land vehicle.
  • the seat is a public seat.
  • an air vehicle refers to an airplane
  • a sea vehicle refers to a boat
  • a land vehicle refers to a bus, a taxi, a subway car or a train.
  • the seat further comprises at least one partition, preferably two partitions, located on a side, preferably each side of the seat.
  • These partitions separate the space in “private” spaces for the subjects sitting on each seat, thus confining the exhaled, potentially polluted air, limiting turbulence, air exchanges and enhancing a good separation of air flows coming from several subjects, i.e. the possible mixing of purified air and potentially polluted ambient air, or the possible mixing of air flows of two neighboring subjects.
  • said air purification system may also be coupled to the backrest of a seat located in front of said seat.
  • the invention also relates to the use of the air purification system and/or the seat of the invention.
  • the air purification system and/or the seat of the invention is used in a public area, preferably an enclosed public place such as public transport or an office.
  • the seat of the invention is used in a public transport vehicle, such as for example an air vehicle (airplane), a sea vehicle (boat) or a land vehicle (bus, a subway car or a train).
  • a public transport vehicle such as for example an air vehicle (airplane), a sea vehicle (boat) or a land vehicle (bus, a subway car or a train).
  • the air purification system of the invention is used in public transport vehicle, in particular the air purification system is integrated or removably coupled to a public seat of said public transport vehicle.
  • each seat or almost each seat of the public transport vehicle is equipped with an individual air purification system which blows a stream of purified air in front of each subject sitting on each seat, and takes up the exhaled air by said subject.
  • the air purification system and/or the seat of the invention is used in a piece of furniture, preferably a seat, a bed, a reclining seat (up to 180°), a desk, a partition wall (in a working open space) or any other piece of furniture on which a user can sit, lay or stand.
  • the air purification system is used as a portative system, wherein said system further comprises supporting means configured to hold the system on a subject’s shoulders, the air inlet facing the airways of said subject and the air outlet being located behind the subject’s head.
  • the air purification device is located on the upper back of said subject.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the air purification device according to one embodiment.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the seat according to one embodiment.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the seat according to one embodiment.
  • Figure 4A is a schematic representation of the air purification device showing that the air delivery axis (AA’) defined by the air outlet (11) is sensibly parallel to the air collection axis (BB’) defined by the air inlet (12).
  • Figure 4B is a schematic representation of the air purification device showing that the purified air flow delivered at the air outlet (black arrows), the air flowing outside of the system (dotted arrows) and the air flow collected at the air inlet (dashed arrows and dot- dashed arrows), when the air outlet (11) and the air inlet (12) are sensibly parallel: the protective bubble is supplied mainly by the purified air exhausted from the air outlet (11), and most of the air from the protective bubble is collected into the air inlet (12), avoiding external contamination.
  • the air purification system 1 comprises: an air distribution device comprising:
  • an air purification device 13 comprising:
  • the polluted air in the space defined between the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 11 is completely recovered by the air inlet 12.
  • the air passes then through the air purification device 13: through the air filter to remove polluting species guided by the airflow mechanism.
  • the purified air is then delivered at the air outlet 11 towards the air inlet 12, defining a closed airflow pattern from air outlet 11 to air inlet 12.
  • This embodiment is particularly advantageous as it creates an isolated space wherein a subject can be completely isolated from a polluted environment, or wherein an infected subject can be completely isolated from a healthy environment so as to not contaminate others in said environment.
  • This isolated space delimits the airflow pattern from air outlet 11 to air inlet 12, and said airflow pattern being closed through air filter and air duct 14.
  • the seat 2 of the invention comprises an air purification system 1 of the invention.
  • a subject is sitting in the seat 2.
  • the air expired, which is potentially polluted, by said subject is completely recovered by the air inlet 12.
  • the air passes then through the air filter to remove polluting species guided by the airflow mechanism.
  • the purified air is then delivered at the air outlet 11 towards the airways of the subject.
  • This closed airflow pattern defined from air outlet 11 to air inlet 12 by the air distribution device 13, wherein all the expired/polluted air entering the air purification system 1 at the air inlet 12 is delivered, once purified, at the air outlet 11, and all the purified air delivered at the air outlet 11 is recovered at the air inlet 12, once breathed by the subject.
  • This embodiment is particularly advantageous as it allows to: i) limit the risks of transmission of polluting species, especially infectious agents like bacteria or viruses carried by an infected person to healthy people in his direct environment, by micro-projections (postilions) or by airborne (infectious agents stuck to expired particles, and remaining in levitation in the air); ii) limit the risks of transmission of polluting species, especially infectious agents like bacteria or viruses carried by infected people in his direct environment to a healthy person.
  • the air inlet 12 is a vent aureole located on both sides of the headrest of the seat 2.
  • This embodiment is particularly advantageous as it allows to recover the entire volume of exhaled air around the face of said subject.
  • a seat has been set up with the following elements:
  • An air purification system comprising: an air distribution device comprising:
  • an air purification device comprising: • an air filter
  • an airflow mechanism being a fan; a power supply.
  • Example 1 A subject is sitting on the seat, and breathing. The expired air is recovered by the inlet and filtered through the air filter and delivered back to the subject in direction of his airways by the air outlet.
  • E 100%, air delivered at the air outlet does not contain any pollutant.
  • Example 1 is reproduced with a subject laying on a reclining seat (angle at 180°, simulating a bed), or sitting at an office desk.
  • a first subject is sitting on a seat as in example 1.
  • a second subject is laying on the reclining seat, and breathing.
  • the expired air is recovered by the inlet and filtered through the air filter and delivered back to the subject in direction of his airways by the air outlet.
  • a third subject is sitting at an office desk.
  • the air inlet is located at the front of the desk, the air outlet is located on a panel in front of the subject.
  • the expired air is recovered by the inlet and filtered through the air filter and delivered back to the subject in direction of his airways by the air outlet.
  • Results reported in Table 2 were measured using polluted environmental air.
  • the concentration of polluting species in the air delivered at the air outlet and C12 is the concentration of polluting species in the air recovered at the air inlet (i.e. in part, the air exhaled by the subject).
  • E 100%, air delivered at the air outlet does not contain any pollutant.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de purification d'air conçu pour protéger des voies respiratoires d'un sujet contre de l'air pollué et un siège comprenant ledit système de purification d'air.
PCT/EP2021/076297 2020-09-25 2021-09-24 Système de purification d'air WO2022063948A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20306097 2020-09-25
EP20306097.5 2020-09-25

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WO2022063948A1 true WO2022063948A1 (fr) 2022-03-31

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Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3612362A1 (de) * 1986-04-12 1987-10-15 Hoelter Heinz Luftreinigungsvorrichtung fuer pflegebetten
US5129928A (en) * 1991-06-26 1992-07-14 Air Innovative Systems, Inc. Environment treatment
US5160517A (en) * 1990-11-21 1992-11-03 Hicks Richard E System for purifying air in a room
EP0787952A2 (fr) * 1995-09-14 1997-08-06 Tornex Incorporated Système de purification de l'air
WO1998019646A1 (fr) * 1996-11-04 1998-05-14 Respiraid Ltd. Alimentation en air traite
WO2001066258A1 (fr) * 2000-03-09 2001-09-13 Marie Deharpport Lindsay Epurateur d'air portable de cabine de vehicule a moteur
EP2168546A1 (fr) * 2008-09-29 2010-03-31 Epitech Group S.r.l. Hotte à flux laminaire pour une utilisation en podologie
US20110100221A1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2011-05-05 Fu-Chi Wu Air purifier
US20140179212A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2014-06-26 The Boeing Company Personal ventilation in an aircraft environment
WO2015063867A1 (fr) * 2013-10-29 2015-05-07 三菱電機株式会社 Purificateur d'air
CN107676918A (zh) * 2017-09-18 2018-02-09 东南大学 一种防交互感染的医护人员风帘防护装置
KR20180053051A (ko) * 2016-11-11 2018-05-21 박상혁 영아를 위한 공기정화기

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3612362A1 (de) * 1986-04-12 1987-10-15 Hoelter Heinz Luftreinigungsvorrichtung fuer pflegebetten
US5160517A (en) * 1990-11-21 1992-11-03 Hicks Richard E System for purifying air in a room
US5129928A (en) * 1991-06-26 1992-07-14 Air Innovative Systems, Inc. Environment treatment
EP0787952A2 (fr) * 1995-09-14 1997-08-06 Tornex Incorporated Système de purification de l'air
WO1998019646A1 (fr) * 1996-11-04 1998-05-14 Respiraid Ltd. Alimentation en air traite
WO2001066258A1 (fr) * 2000-03-09 2001-09-13 Marie Deharpport Lindsay Epurateur d'air portable de cabine de vehicule a moteur
EP2168546A1 (fr) * 2008-09-29 2010-03-31 Epitech Group S.r.l. Hotte à flux laminaire pour une utilisation en podologie
US20140179212A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2014-06-26 The Boeing Company Personal ventilation in an aircraft environment
US20110100221A1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2011-05-05 Fu-Chi Wu Air purifier
WO2015063867A1 (fr) * 2013-10-29 2015-05-07 三菱電機株式会社 Purificateur d'air
KR20180053051A (ko) * 2016-11-11 2018-05-21 박상혁 영아를 위한 공기정화기
CN107676918A (zh) * 2017-09-18 2018-02-09 东南大学 一种防交互感染的医护人员风帘防护装置

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