Creating a Breathable Home - Interview with Shang Zhizhong, General Manager of Changchun Weicheng Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd.

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Shang Zhizhong, General Manager of Changchun Weicheng Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd., graduated from the Physics College of Jilin University. In recent years, Shang Zhizhong's company has been doing very well, with remarkable achievements: Weicheng Machinery currently holds 5 national invention patents and 16 national utility model patents. In 2017, it was named a Changchun Municipal Technological Small Giant Enterprise, in 2018, a Jilin Provincial Technological Small Giant Enterprise, and in 2019, a national high-tech enterprise. From a junior college graduate who just left university in the 1990s to today's wealthy Chinese entrepreneur, Shang Zhizhong's experience has been extraordinary.

Creating a Breathable Residence

——Interview with Shang Zhizhong, General Manager of Changchun Weicheng Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd.

In March 2003, a SARS outbreak with a large number of people and sudden onset occurred in Amoy Gardens, Hong Kong. Among the 296 patients who died of "SARS" in Hong Kong, residents of Amoy Gardens accounted for one-seventh.！What caused the large-scale SARS outbreak in Amoy Gardens?LaterHong Kong authorities conducted tests in a unit in Amoy Gardens and found that when the bathroom exhaust fan was turned on, it created negative pressure, directly causing air to flow back into the bathroom from the building's sewage pipes through the floor drain. These airflows may have dispersed aerosols from the sewage pipes into the bathroom, and the bathroom exhaust fan may have also discharged these aerosols into the courtyard, eventually causing the virus-carrying aerosols to enter other houses through windows, leading to infection in adjacent units.——This was the root cause of the SARS outbreak in Amoy Gardens, Hong Kong.

After the incident, the term "negative pressure in housing" was taken seriously for the first time. How is negative pressure in houses formed? What harm does negative pressure bring to human health? What measures can we take to eliminate negative pressure and maintain a healthy living environment?

With these questions in mind, we interviewed the developer of Qianjia Ventilation Constant Pressure Machine—Shang Zhizhong, General Manager of Changchun Weicheng Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd.

The initial intention of the research and development was to allow people to live healthier lives.

What is system negative pressure? It is the phenomenon where the indoor air pressure is lower than the standard outdoor atmospheric pressure. Due to the principle of constant atmospheric pressure, low indoor air pressure will cause other airflows to supplement the indoor air, mainly through sewer pipes, while other pathways are closed or have high wind resistance. The long-term accumulation of odors will have a permeation effect, causing some clothing, bedding, and textiles to have odors, posing health risks and seriously affecting the quality of life. "Nowadays, the airtightness of buildings is getting better and better, and the exhaust power of range hoods and bathroom exhaust fans is getting bigger and bigger, which can cause systematic and intermittent negative pressure in the room. Negative pressure not only makes it difficult to open doors and windows, but also spreads viruses, causing irreversible damage to brain memory cells, and is an invisible killer to health in the new era."

Like many Chinese families, Shang Zhizhong was once deeply troubled by the ventilation and air purification problems in his home. However, after years of working in the machinery industry and investigating most household new air systems on the market, Shang Zhizhong found that: "Firstly, the functions of air purifiers mainly focus on dealing with PM2.5, while the functions targeting volatile organic compounds are much less prominent. Secondly, most air purifiers use activated carbon adsorption. Due to the limited adsorption capacity, the filter needs to be replaced frequently; otherwise, the activated carbon saturated with formaldehyde will continuously overflow and release, becoming a source of poison. Moreover, a large number of pipes need to be laid throughout the room, requiring high indoor ceiling height and huge workload. For houses that have already been renovated, especially older houses that have been occupied for many years, it is almost equivalent to completely renovating the entire house, which is almost impossible to achieve."

"Even for me, an insider, it's so difficult to give my family a healthy breathing environment. In such a large country like China, with so many families, so many elderly people, and so many children, what can we do? How many years will it take to improve air quality?" This thought lingered in his mind and became a major concern for Shang Zhizhong.

Since it's not available on the market, let's make it ourselves! Since this flash of inspiration appeared in Shang Zhizhong's mind, his heart has never been calm. Shang Zhizhong did not rush into action but first explored the technology, starting by building his own research and development team. To this end, he invested his savings from years of work and met dozens of "big names" in the ventilation technology industry. After several setbacks, Wang Cheng finally formed his own research and development team. From 2016 to 2021, he and his colleagues in the research and development team worked day and night in the laboratory. After 5 years of research and development, countless experiments, tests, polishing, and iterations, the Qianjia Ventilation Constant Pressure Machine was finally successfully developed. The principle of Qianjia Ventilation Constant Pressure Machine is to use a carefully designed multiple filtration system and the scientific principle of slight positive air pressure. The host is equipped with a 'breathing treasure' to promote the flow of clean air, achieving the "metabolism" of indoor air, allowing oxygen-rich fresh air to enter every corner of the room.

A Jilin University professor who has a close relationship with Shang Zhizhong used a well-known Japanese Brand air purifier for two years, and frequently encountered readings that exceeded the normal range. After inspection and research by Shang Zhizhong's technical team, an emergency solution was provided to the professor: installing a household constant pressure machine. After 24 hours of using the constant pressure machine, the air quality readings in the professor's home finally returned to the normal range, and the problem that had troubled the professor and his family for a long time was successfully resolved, and Shang Zhizhong and the Qianjia Ventilation Constant Pressure Machine also gained their trust.

In the new air industry with numerous Brands, why could Shang Zhizhong easily solve problems that have plagued other companies for years, even decades? This is inseparable from Shang Zhizhong's persistence in the new air industry, and more importantly, his cultivation of talent and innovation in technology.

After being disheartened, he became even more determined to innovate.

Different from traditional central new air systems for residential buildings, the Qianjia Ventilation Constant Pressure Machine designed by Shang Zhizhong uses intelligent circuit control, which can precisely balance indoor and outdoor negative pressure. When the indoor and outdoor pressure difference exceeds 20Pa (a standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 7000Pa), the equipment automatically starts to compensate for the pressure. The intelligent temperature control system automatically heats the outdoor cold air, keeping the indoor and outdoor temperature difference within 10℃, so the incoming air feels comfortable. Moreover, it has a double filtration system, allowing people to breathe fresh air without the entry of mosquitoes and dust. The filter cotton inside can be cleaned once a year, and it is also easy to disassemble. At the same time, the heating function can be used as an electric heater.

Beyond this, the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine is also equipped with a built-in high-sensitivity sensor, with dual detection functions for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. When a gas leak is detected, it immediately activates the alarm mode, simultaneously opening the inlet and outlet valves and ventilation function to dilute the indoor gas concentration. It also simultaneously notifies five mobile phones via the 4G IoT platform through calls, WeChat, and text messages to report the danger, preventing accidents. Simultaneously, the new patent has reduced the device's size, further simplifying the device structure. The use of numerous new components and structures allows for effective space saving through the combination of its functional parts.

Compared to air purifiers on the market, the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine has reduced its size by 60%, saving more than half of the installation space. Both the inside and outside of the device are made of 304 medical-grade stainless steel, using advanced manufacturing processes such as argon arc welding and laser welding. It only requires cleaning and does not need replacement, greatly reducing user costs. At the same time, the motor of the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine is placed after the high-efficiency filter, allowing the motor to operate in an almost dust-free environment, greatly extending the motor's lifespan. The unit resistance is lower, resulting in lower power consumption, making it more energy-efficient. The circuit uses industrial and intelligent modules with a 50-year warranty. Finally, and importantly, the controller has been upgraded to a touch screen AI controller, making the entire device more intelligent and user-friendly, greatly enhancing the user experience.

The combination of various new technologies allows the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine to lead most similar products on the market, effectively reducing equipment installation and maintenance costs. To ensure product performance and quality,，Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine has signed industry-academia-research cooperation agreements with Northeast Normal University, Changchun University of Technology, and the Basic Medical College of Jilin University, carefully selecting high-quality main components,，and has engaged in in-depth cooperation with many well-known leading enterprises in China,，from the source to the finished product,，controlling every aspect of product quality. Currently, Qianjia has 80 employees, including 10 technicians and 4 engineers. It has established industry-academia-research and development bases with Changchun University of Technology and the Physics College of Northeast Normal University, tackling more than 20 patents, with nearly half currently implemented.

However, Shang Zhizhong still vividly remembers the cold reception he received when he first brought the successfully developed equipment to an industry exhibition: “A customer was very pessimistic, indirectly telling us that foreign equipment is still better, and that domestic products are simply no good.” This statement became a thorn in Shang Zhizhong's side. Every time he thought of what that customer said, it felt like a needle piercing his heart.

It was this experience that further strengthened Shang Zhizhong's determination in technological innovation. He wanted people to know that China's own equipment can also solve problems well, and that the quality of Qianjia's products is second to none.

Technological innovation begins with talent innovation. “We have formed a research and development team of more than 20 people, investing nearly 10 million yuan in research and development funds and conducting hundreds of experiments. Through continuous exploration and research, using a ‘dual-drive model of talent and innovation,’ we have finally developed a mature mechanical equipment system,” said Shang Zhizhong. The emergence of the technical team symbolizes that the improvement and upgrading of technology is on the right track. The Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine has solved the problem of indoor negative pressure for many residences, shopping malls, and enterprises. Seeing the problem that had plagued them for so long finally solved, customers praised Shang Zhizhong's technical team.

Currently, the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine has formed three series: small, medium, and large, covering clean air solutions for various scenarios including homes, public buildings, commercial centers, hospitals, schools, and residential areas, becoming a leading Brand in the fresh air industry.

With market recognition, Qianjia's goal is to build a century-old Brand.

At subsequent exhibitions, Shang Zhizhong showcased the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine to numerous domestic and foreign enterprises. When they saw the Qianjia products on display, they were amazed by their high performance, low operating costs, and the ability to choose standard features according to customer needs. Especially after Shang Zhizhong introduced Qianjia ventilation machine's 24-hour after-sales hotline service, more foreign companies saw Qianjia's professionalism and dedicated attitude.

Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation between China and many countries along the Belt and Road has deepened, leading to higher requirements for equipment quality. Gaining worldwide recognition is the true mark of a company's success. Therefore, Qianjia no longer simply focuses on providing quality services to domestic enterprises but has set its sights on the broader global market.

Five years later, Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine has become a pioneer in domestic intelligent convection constant pressure systems and a new star enterprise in the air purification industry, receiving national-level “High-tech Enterprise” certification.

Qianjia not only cooperates with Changchun University of Technology and the Physics College of Northeast Normal University to establish an industry-academia-research center, but also holds 5 national invention patents and 16 national utility model patents. In 2017, it was named a Changchun Municipal Science and Technology Small Giant Enterprise, in 2018 a Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Small Giant Enterprise, and in 2019 a national-level high-tech enterprise. In just five years, Qianjia has established a channel network in 15 provinces and more than 50 cities across China, with nearly 300 service providers. While offline channels are flourishing, online platforms such as JD.com, Suning, and Tmall are also booming, with the Qianjia flagship store on JD.com holding the top spot in home decoration sales for four consecutive months. However, Shang Zhizhong and his Qianjia colleagues are not satisfied. They have set their sights on newer and more distant goals, treating ‘change’ as the norm, constantly developing new products and exploring new operating models. The only constant is their adherence to their original intention—‘As a company, Qianjia always takes it as its responsibility to create products that are effective for users and beneficial to society, bringing fresh air and healthy breathing to more Chinese families.’ Speaking of the future, Shang Zhizhong is full of confidence. He said that within the next five to ten years, he wants to work with his colleagues to build Haoting into a Brand in the intelligent convection constant pressure ventilation industry, using meticulous quality and attentive service to allow at least 300 million Chinese people to enjoy the air of a large forest in their homes, possessing a truly healthy breathing environment and quality of life!  

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Weicheng Machinery's founding and the fifth anniversary of the development of the Qianjia ventilation constant pressure machine. Standing at this new starting point, Weicheng Machinery continues to uphold the concept of energy conservation and environmental protection, adhering to its original intention of contributing to healthy home air and providing users with better products. On the road of forging ahead, through the iteration of generations of excellent products, it benefits the earth and human health, fulfilling the corporate mission of ‘creating breathable homes.’

Postscript

Since the establishment of Qianjia's parent company, Weicheng Machinery, in 2011, a full decade has passed. In the long river of history, ten years may not be a long time, but for a person, ten years may be the most beautiful stage of life; for an entrepreneur, it may be the golden period of development. This time is enough for a person to achieve success and for a company to grow from obscurity to strength. Shang Zhizhong led Weicheng Machinery to become stronger and Qianjia Ventilation to gain a firm foothold in the market, revealing his passion and expertise in the industry, his persistence and courage in pursuing his dreams. Most preciously, with an initial heart, he led the team to put their dreams into practice step by step, making their dreams a reality. We have reason to believe that under the leadership of Shang Zhizhong, Qianjia will usher in an even brighter future!