UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guide function

Abstract

This invention discloses a flexible UVC sterilization tube with light-guiding function, belonging to the field of UVC disinfection technology. It includes a flexible connecting tube and a flexible light guide tube. The flexible connecting tube includes a UVC module that cooperates with it. At least one flexible light guide tube is provided along the length of the flexible connecting tube. A deformation deflection part triggered under certain conditions is provided on the periphery of the flexible light guide tube. A probe part is provided at the end of the UVC sterilization flexible tube. The UVC modules are connected in series through the flexible connecting tube. The flexible connecting tube as a whole has degrees of freedom in any direction, allowing it to change its direction of travel in narrow pipes or confined spaces. The flexible light guide tube has a deformation deflection part triggered under certain conditions, which can be controlled to deflect the flexible light guide tube. This allows the flexible connecting tube to be smoothly advanced through its guiding function, preventing it from accumulating at corners in space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of UVC disinfection technology, specifically a UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guiding function. Background Technology

[0002] UVC is now widely used in the field of sterilization and disinfection. UVC sterilization devices emit short-wave ultraviolet light through integrated UVC LED chips. After irradiating microorganisms, the UVC light will destroy and change the DNA structure of the microorganisms, causing the bacteria to die immediately or stop reproducing, thereby achieving the sterilization effect.

[0003] However, current UVC sterilization devices struggle to reach certain locations. They are difficult to insert into narrow, winding tubular channels or confined spaces, as UVC light cannot penetrate into dead corners for sterilization. Some flexible tubular UVC sterilization devices lack guiding capabilities and tend to accumulate at bends, preventing them from advancing further. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guiding function to solve the problem that UVC sterilization devices are difficult to use for disinfection and sterilization in narrow and curved tubular channels and confined spaces.

[0005] A flexible UVC sterilization tube with light guiding function is provided, comprising:

[0006] A flexible connecting tube, comprising a UVC module that mates with the flexible connecting tube; and

[0007] A flexible light guide tube, wherein at least one flexible light guide tube is provided along the length of the flexible connecting tube, and a deformation deflection part triggered under certain conditions is provided on the periphery of the flexible light guide tube, and a probe part is provided at the end of the UVC sterilization flexible tube.

[0008] As a further aspect of the present invention: the deformation deflection part includes a light source module, an elastic light-transmitting layer and a photo-induced deformation layer arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. The light source module is arranged on the surface of the flexible light guide tube. Both ends of the elastic light-transmitting layer and the photo-induced deformation layer are fixedly connected to the flexible connecting tube respectively. The photo-induced deformation layer can be triggered and driven to perform local elastic deformation of the elastic light-transmitting layer under the illumination of the light source module.

[0009] As a further aspect of the present invention: the photodeformation layer is a photodeformation liquid crystal polymer material, and the photodeformation layer includes a plurality of deformation units uniformly arranged along the circumferential direction.

[0010] As a further aspect of the present invention: the light source module includes multiple sets of trigger light sources and multiple sets of recovery light sources, and each deformation unit of the photodeformation layer is correspondingly arranged with a set of trigger light sources and a recovery light source.

[0011] As a further aspect of the present invention: the triggering light source is a focused light source, and the light emission angle of the focused light source can cover the entire planar range of a single deformation unit of the photo-induced deformation layer; the recovery light source is a floodlight source.

[0012] As a further aspect of the present invention: the elastic light-transmitting layer is a TPU flexible optical film.

[0013] As a further aspect of the present invention, an acoustic wave detector or a camera is provided inside the probe section.

[0014] As a further aspect of the present invention, the UVC sterilization flexible tube also includes several support frames arranged along the length of the UVC sterilization flexible tube.

[0015] As a further aspect of the present invention: the plurality of support frames include at least one guide frame, the guide frame is mounted between the flexible light guide tubes, and the guide frame is provided with a plurality of deflection rods along the circumferential direction consistent with the deflection direction of the deformation deflection part.

[0016] As a further aspect of the present invention: the deflection rod is divided into two sections and the two sections of the deflection rod are movably connected by elastic fibers.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] 1. The UVC modules are connected in series via flexible connecting tubes. These flexible connecting tubes have freedom of movement in any direction, allowing them to change direction within narrow pipes or confined spaces. The flexible light guide tubes have a deformation deflection section that can be triggered under certain conditions. By controlling the triggering conditions, the flexible light guide tubes can be deflected, thus guiding the flexible connecting tubes smoothly and preventing them from accumulating at corners in the space.

[0019] 2. The deformation deflection section achieves deflection through the cooperation of the photo-deformation layer and the light source module. Specifically, the light emitted by the light source module triggers the deformation of the photo-deformation layer. By controlling the release of light from the light source module within a unit area, the photo-deformation layer undergoes local elastic deformation, thereby causing the deformation deflection section to deflect. This triggering condition is easy to control. Both the light source module and the UVC module are optical components and can be controlled within a single system. The deformation deflection section has high control precision and a large deflection angle. The triggering system operates only inside the UVC sterilization flexible tube and is unaffected by the external environment, allowing for sterilization and disinfection in various complex environments. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guiding function;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guiding function.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the deformation deflection part provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the deflection rod provided by the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: 1. Flexible connecting tube; 2. Flexible light guide tube; 3. Deformation deflection part; 31. Light source module; 311. Trigger light source; 312. Recovery light source; 32. Elastic light-transmitting layer; 33. Photodeformation layer; 4. Probe part; 5. Support frame; 51. Guide frame; 511. Deflection rod. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the invention; that is, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0027] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0028] Please see Figure 1-4 As shown, in this embodiment of the invention, a flexible connecting tube 1 and a flexible light guide tube 2 are included. The flexible connecting tube 1 includes a UVC module that cooperates with the flexible connecting tube 1. At least one flexible light guide tube 2 is provided in the length direction of the flexible connecting tube 1. A deformation deflection part 3 that is triggered under certain conditions is provided on the periphery of the flexible light guide tube 2. A probe part 4 is provided at the end of the UVC sterilization flexible tube.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a UVC module is installed inside the flexible connecting tube 1. The UVC module releases UVC ultraviolet rays to sterilize and disinfect the irradiated area within the space. The flexible connecting tube 1 is a transparent flexible tube made of a material that does not attenuate or block UVC ultraviolet rays. The flexible connecting tube 1 has freedom of movement in any direction and can change its direction of travel in narrow pipes or confined spaces. The flexible light guide tube 2 is made of flexible material and has a deformation deflection part 3 that is triggered under certain conditions. By controlling the triggering conditions, the flexible light guide tube 2 can be deflected to a direction that allows it to travel within the space. This allows the flexible connecting tube 1 to be smoothly advanced through the guiding function of the flexible light guide tube 2, preventing it from accumulating at corners within the space.

[0030] Multiple flexible light guide tubes 2 can be provided along the length of the flexible connecting tube 1. By deflecting the multiple flexible light guide tubes 2 simultaneously with the deformation deflection parts 3, the overall deflection speed of the UVC sterilization flexible tube can be accelerated, thus compensating for the problem that the deformation deflection parts 3 react too slowly due to condition triggering.

[0031] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the deformation deflection section 3 includes a light source module 31, an elastic light-transmitting layer 32, and a photosensitive deformation layer 33 arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. The light source module 31 is disposed on the surface of the flexible light guide tube 2. The elastic light-transmitting layer 32 and the photosensitive deformation layer 33 are both kept at a certain distance from the light source module 31, so that the light source of the light source module 31 can generate a certain radiation angle and radiation range. Both ends of the elastic light-transmitting layer 32 and the photosensitive deformation layer 33 are fixedly connected to the flexible connecting tube 1, so that when the deformation deflection section 3 undergoes local deformation, it can apply an off-axis force to the flexible connecting tubes 1 at both ends, thereby causing the flexible light guide tube 2 to undergo directional deflection. The elastic light-transmitting layer 32 and the photosensitive deformation layer 33 are bonded and fixed together. The photosensitive deformation layer 33 can be triggered and drive the elastic light-transmitting layer 32 to undergo local elastic deformation under the illumination of the light source module 31.

[0032] The photodeformation layer 33 is a photodeformable liquid crystal polymer material. Photodeformable liquid crystal polymer materials are light-controlled deformation materials. When the material is irradiated with light within a certain wavelength range, a photoisomerization reaction occurs inside, causing dimensional changes in the corresponding parts. Macroscopically, the material exhibits photodeformation. When the light irradiation stops or the material is irradiated with light within another wavelength range, a reversible photoisomerization reaction occurs, and the material returns to its original state. Irradiation can accelerate the recovery process.

[0033] This setup enables the conversion of light energy into mechanical energy, and the flexible light guide tube 2 is deflected by triggering material deformation under illumination conditions. To ensure that the photodeformation layer 33 undergoes local deformation under range illumination, the photodeformation layer 33 is divided into multiple deformation units evenly arranged circumferentially. Each deformation unit undergoes condition-triggered deformation independently through illumination from the light source module 31, thereby improving the deflection accuracy, deflection speed, and recovery speed of the deformation deflection part 3.

[0034] Since the wavelength of light used to trigger the deformation of photosensitive liquid crystal polymer materials is typically below 400nm, while the wavelength used to restore them is typically above 540nm, the light source module 31 is divided into trigger light sources 311 and recovery light sources 312, and multiple sets of both trigger light sources 311 and recovery light sources 312 are provided. Each deformation unit of the photosensitive layer 33 is associated with a set of trigger light sources 311 and recovery light sources 312. The trigger light source 311 causes the photosensitive layer 33 to deform by emitting ultraviolet light below 400nm, while the recovery light source 312 restores the deformed photosensitive layer 33 by emitting visible light above 540nm. Multiple trigger light sources 311 and recovery light sources 312 are arranged along the length of each deformation unit of the photosensitive layer 33, which can satisfy the overall irradiation range of a single deformation unit.

[0035] Furthermore, the trigger light source 311 is a focused light source, and the light emission angle of the focused light source allows the light to cover the entire planar area of ​​a single deformation unit of the photo-deformation layer 33. Since the trigger light source 311 can trigger not only the corresponding deformation unit of the photo-deformation layer 33 but also adjacent deformation units, to prevent the light emitted by the trigger light source 311 from being scattered and causing other deformation units to be accidentally triggered, the trigger light source 311 is set as a focused light source. The light emission angle of the focused light source allows the light to cover the entire planar area of ​​a single deformation unit of the photo-deformation layer 33, ensuring the deformation speed of the photo-deformation layer 33. The recovery light source 312 is set as a floodlight source. Since the recovery light source 312 does not cause the photo-deformation layer 33 to undergo reverse deformation, the illumination of the recovery light source 312 will not affect the other deformation units, but will instead accelerate the recovery speed of the photo-deformation layer 33.

[0036] The elastic light-transmitting layer 32 is a TPU flexible optical film. TPU flexible optical films are transparent films that can transmit ultraviolet and visible light without causing significant light attenuation. Simultaneously, the TPU flexible optical film also possesses significant elastic deformation capability and physical strength. As a carrier of the photodeformation layer 33, the elastic light-transmitting layer 32 can maintain the specific shape of the photodeformation layer 33 and withstand the deformation intensity introduced by the photodeformation layer 33. Furthermore, to ensure that the ultraviolet rays emitted by the UVC module trigger the photodeformation layer 33 from the outside, a flexible light-shielding layer can be provided around the photodeformation layer 33, simultaneously protecting it.

[0037] The probe unit 4 is equipped with an acoustic wave detector or a camera. The UVC module, the light source module 31, and the acoustic wave detector or camera can all be electrically connected and controlled by a single control unit. The probe unit 4 has the function of detecting the state of the space in front. The probe unit 4 can detect obstacles by sound wave detection and automatically respond by deflecting the flexible light guide tube 2. The probe unit 4 can also observe the interior of the space by camera and deflect the flexible light guide tube 2 by external control.

[0038] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the UVC sterilization flexible tube also includes several support frames 5 arranged along its length. The cross-sectional dimensions of the support frames 5 can be adjusted according to the surrounding environment. Especially in narrow pipes, if the flexible connecting tube 1 has no support structure, the uniformity of irradiation will be insufficient, and the flexible connecting tube 1 will drag and rub against the ground during movement, reducing its service life. Therefore, by supporting the flexible connecting tube 1 and the flexible light guide tube 2 with the support frames 5, the uniformity of irradiation can be improved, the overall protection can be provided, and the detection accuracy of the probe part 4 can be improved.

[0039] Each support frame 5 includes at least one guide frame 51, which is mounted between the flexible light guide tubes 2. The guide frame 51 is required to deflect in the same direction as the flexible light guide tube 2. Therefore, the guide frame 51 is provided with multiple deflection rods 511 along its circumference, which are aligned with the deflection direction of the deformation deflection section 3. The number of deflection rods 511 can be the same as the number of deformation units of the photodeformation layer 33, and their positions correspond. The deflection rods 511 are divided into two segments, which are movably connected by elastic fibers. The elastic fibers can be stretched to a certain length and have a tendency to recover after stretching. Therefore, after deflection, the deflection rods 511 can recover to their original position through the contraction of the elastic fibers. The contact sections of the two deflection rods 511 can be interconnected by multiple elastic fibers to improve the accuracy of recovery.

[0040] The above description is merely an example and illustration of the structure of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described, or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the invention or exceed the scope defined in the claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guiding function, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a kind of UVC sterilization flexible tube, including: Flexible connecting pipe (1) including UVC module matched with flexible connecting pipe (1); And Flexible light pipe (2) is at least provided with one in the length direction of flexible connecting pipe (1), the periphery of the flexible light pipe (2) is provided with deformation deflection part (3) triggered under condition, and the end of the UVC sterilization flexible tube is provided with probe part (4); The deformation deflection part (3) includes light source module (31), elastic light-transmitting layer (32) and photo-induced deformation layer (33) sequentially arranged from inside to outside, the light source module (31) is arranged on the surface of flexible light pipe (2), both ends of the elastic light-transmitting layer (32) and photo-induced deformation layer (33) are fixedly connected with flexible connecting pipe (1) respectively, the photo-induced deformation layer (33) is triggered and drives elastic light-transmitting layer (32) to carry out local elastic deformation under the light irradiation of light source module (31), the photo-induced deformation layer (33) is photo-induced deformation liquid crystal high molecular material, and the photo-induced deformation layer (33) includes a plurality of deformation units arranged uniformly in circumferential direction; The light source module (31) includes a plurality of trigger light sources (311) and a plurality of recovery light sources (312), a single deformation unit of the photo-induced deformation layer (33) is correspondingly arranged with a group of trigger light sources (311) and recovery light sources (312), the trigger light source (311) is spotlight, and the light emission angle of spotlight can cover the whole plane range of single deformation unit of photo-induced deformation layer (33), and the recovery light source (312) is floodlight source; The elastic light-transmitting layer (32) is TPU flexible optical film. Probe part (4) is provided with sound wave detector or camera.

2. The UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guiding function according to claim 1, characterized in that, Still include several support frames (5) arranged along the length direction of UVC sterilization flexible tube.

3. The UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guide function according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several support frames (5) include at least one guide frame (51), the guide frame (51) is erected between flexible light pipe (2), and the guide frame (51) is provided with a plurality of deflection rods (511) in the same direction as deformation deflection part (3) in circumferential direction.

4. The UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guide function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The deflection rod (511) is divided into two sections, and the two sections of deflection rod (511) are movably connected by elastic fiber.

5. The UVC sterilization flexible tube with light guide function according to claim 4, characterized in that, ​

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