A light based disinfection device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet light-based disinfection devices for air require high power consumption and pose safety risks due to the need for high light intensity and large apertures, which can lead to UV leakage, especially when disinfecting large volumes of air efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A disinfection device with a plenum and controlled airflow cycles, where air is retained for a retainment period within the plenum and exposed to disinfecting light, allowing lower light intensity and reduced exposure time, thereby improving efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high intensities of ultraviolet light are used for effective disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by cycling the UV light source on and off, with the air handling system continuing to operate during both UV-on and UV-off periods. This allows the same air volume to be circulated multiple times through the device, receiving cumulative UV exposure over several cycles rather than requiring a single high-intensity pass-through, thereby reducing peak power consumption while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
2Productivity
If large apertures are used for higher volume flow rates, then productivity is improved, but ultraviolet light leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing cyclical UV illumination periods followed by UV-off periods. During UV-off periods, the system can operate at higher volume flow rates through larger apertures without UV leakage risk. This temporal separation allows the system to achieve high productivity during safe periods while maintaining safety during UV-active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring the air handling system operates continuously throughout both UV-on and UV-off cycles. The air circulation and filtration functions continue uninterrupted, maintaining productivity while the UV function is periodically activated. This allows the system to deliver cumulative disinfection effect over multiple cycles without compromising overall system continuity.
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 device achieves effective disinfection with lower power consumption and reduced safety hazards by intermittently retaining air in the plenum, enabling safer operation and improved disinfection performance.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet light-based disinfection devices are particularly employed due to their strong germicidal effect
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a disinfection device (100) for disinfecting an air volume (2) of a space (1), wherein the disinfection device (100) comprises: a plenum (10) for retaining the air volume (2); a light source (11) for illuminating the plenum (10); a flow arrangement (101); a controller (14); wherein the controller (14) is configured to control, for each cycle of a plurality of repetitive cycles, the flow arrangement (101) to: (i) force the air volume (2) into the plenum (10), (ii) retain the air volume (2) in the plenum (10) for a retainment period, (iii) release the air volume (2) from the plenum (10) at the end of said retainment period; wherein the controller (14) is configured to control the light source (11) to emit a disinfecting light (19) during the retainment period of each respective cycle, so as to disinfect the air volume (2) retained in the plenum (10).