Air Conditioner UVC Light Assembly with Moisture-Sealed Lens Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner units face challenges in effectively sterilizing air without bulky or energy-intensive light assemblies, and existing UV light solutions are prone to damage from moisture and heat within the units.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner unit with a sterilization light assembly that includes a UVC light source emitting between 200 to 280 nanometers, mounted on a support board and sealed by a UV-permissive polymer lens casing to prevent moisture contact, positioned upstream within the unit to effectively sterilize air flowing through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV light assembly is added to sterilize air in the air conditioner unit, then microbial reduction capability is improved, but the device complexity and potential damage from moisture and heat increase
Solution Approach 1:
A UV-transparent protective cover or encapsulation is provided over the UV light source, forming a barrier that prevents moisture and physical damage while allowing UV radiation to pass through for sterilization. This thin film approach protects the light assembly without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-transparent protective cover acts as an intermediary between the UV light source and the harsh environment (moisture, heat, physical contact). It mediates by blocking harmful environmental factors while transmitting the useful UV radiation, thus protecting the light assembly while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a bulky light assembly is used to sterilize a significant portion of air, then sterilization coverage is improved, but the system size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner unit is oriented with its long dimension vertical, and air is drawn in through a front opening and exhausted through a rear opening. The UV light sources are positioned to irradiate air along this vertical flow path, maximizing sterilization coverage within the compact vertical footprint of the unit without requiring horizontal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple UV light sources are positioned at different locations within the air flow path to dynamically cover various stages of air circulation. This dynamic positioning allows comprehensive sterilization coverage using compact, strategically placed light sources rather than a single large assembly.
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 solution provides reliable air sterilization without significant increases in system size or cost, effectively mitigating heat and moisture damage to the light assembly, ensuring effective microbial reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The UVC light source may be mounted to the support board and configured to emit radiation between 200 to 280 nanometers
Implementation Method 2
The lens casing may be disposed over the support board and seal the UVC light source to prevent moisture from contacting the UVC light source
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the housing to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto. The sterilization light assembly may include a support board, an ultraviolet C (UVC) light source, and a lens casing. The UVC light source may be mounted to the support board and configured to emit radiation between 200 to 280 nanometers. The lens casing may be disposed over the support board and seal the UVC light source to prevent moisture from contacting the UVC light source.