Battery-Powered 222 Nm UV Lamp Control for Portable Sanitizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UV sanitizing systems are inefficient in killing microbes due to the time required for UVC light to be effective, and some microbes develop resistance, while also posing risks to humans and being bulky and stationary.

Innovation Solution

A portable sanitizing system with a powering device that includes batteries and a power controller to provide power to a UV lamp emitting UV light at 222 nm, which is safe for humans and effective in killing microbes, and is configured with potentiometers to adjust power parameters for optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional UVC light (254 nm) is used for sanitization, then microbes can be killed, but it poses health risks to humans and requires operation in the absence of individuals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobe killing effectivenessVSAvoidhuman health risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of UV light from traditional 254 nm to 222 nm. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with biological tissues - 222 nm light is absorbed by the outer layer of human skin cells and does not penetrate to damage DNA, while still effectively damaging microbial DNA. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining sanitization effectiveness while eliminating human health risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If fixed stationary UV sanitizing infrastructure is used, then comprehensive surface coverage is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and lacks portability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface coverage areaVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the UV sanitizing system into portable handheld wands that can be manually moved to cover surfaces. Instead of a single large stationary unit, multiple smaller units are segmented and distributed, allowing flexible coverage of various areas while maintaining portability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If conventional battery power systems are used, then portability is achieved, but power delivery to UV lamps is insufficient and lacks control

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidpower delivery to UV lamp
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a power controller as an intermediary device between the battery and UV lamp. This controller manages power delivery, converts voltage as needed, and provides control functionality, enabling portable battery systems to effectively power UV lamps that require higher power levels than direct battery connection could provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If high power is provided to UV lamps continuously, then sanitization effectiveness is maximized, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesanitization effectivenessVSAvoidbattery energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or pulsed operation of UV lamps rather than continuous operation. The power controller can cycle the lamp on and off or provide intermittent power bursts, delivering sufficient total energy for effective sanitization while reducing average power consumption and extending battery operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides efficient and safe sanitization of surfaces by emitting UV light at 222 nm, which is effective in killing pathogens without human risk and is portable and easy to use.

Implementation Method 1

a UV lamp emitting UV light at 222 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV light emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

emits a broad spectrum UVC light onto the structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 3

one or more batteries configured to provide power to the UV lamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery electrochemical conversion: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3923682B1Systems and methods for providing power to ultraviolet lamps of sanitizing systems
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3923682B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3923682B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3923682B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A powering device is configured to provide power to an ultraviolet (UV) lamp of a sanitizing system. The powering device includes one or more batteries configured to provide power to the UV lamp, and a power controller coupled to the one or more batteries. The power controller is configured to control one or more aspects of the power provided from the one or more batteries to the UV lamp.