Biocidal Purification Cap with UV-LEDs for Sterile Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for maintaining sterility in purified water containers, such as those used in laboratory and medical settings, face challenges with contamination and heat generation from mercury-based lamps, and previous UV-LED solutions have handling and contamination risks due to immersion in water.
Innovation Solution
A biocidal fluid purification cap with integrated UV-LEDs in a cap body, separated from the environment by a UV-transparent window, which hermetically attaches to a container spout, featuring electronic circuitry and a power supply for controlled UV-C light emission, allowing for safe and effective sterilization without direct contact with water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury-based lamps are used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but heat generation increases causing microorganism growth and condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the UV source by switching from mercury lamps (which generate high heat) to LED-based UV sources (which generate minimal heat). This parameter change in the light source technology resolves the contradiction by maintaining sterilization effectiveness while eliminating excessive heat generation that causes microorganism growth and condensation.
2Reliability
If UV-LEDs are immersed in water for purification, then sterilization is achieved, but contamination risk and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure - a UV-transparent window or barrier - that allows UV light to pass through while preventing direct contact between the LED and water. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling sterilization effectiveness through UV transmission while eliminating contamination risks and simplifying handling by keeping the LED isolated from water.
3Reliability
If mercury lamps are used, then sterilization is effective, but safety risks and environmental harm increase due to mercury toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mercury lamp system with an LED-based UV generation system. This replacement eliminates the harmful mercury substance while maintaining the UV sterilization function, thus resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and environmental safety by using a different physical mechanism (LED electroluminescence) instead of mercury vapor discharge.
4Reliability
If once-opened bottles are disposed of, then contamination risk is eliminated, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing the UV-LED purification device in the cap before the bottle is opened and used. This preliminary sterilization capability allows the water to remain sterile even after opening, enabling multiple uses without disposal. The UV light continuously or periodically sterilizes the water, preventing contamination that would normally require disposal of the entire bottle.
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 effectively prevents microorganism growth and maintains sterility in small water volumes over extended periods, reducing heat transfer and minimizing contamination risks, while being easy to handle and requiring no modifications to existing containers, with lower power consumption and extended device lifespan compared to mercury-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one LED adapted to emit light in the UV-C range
Implementation Method 2
UV-transparent window provided in the cap body such that light emitted from said LED(s) enters the opening of the spout
Implementation Method 3
biocidal or bactericidal laboratory water purification devices based on a UV-LED light source
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A biocidal fluid purification cap (2) for a fluid container (1), preferably one storing purified water for use in laboratory environments and especially purified water for cell culture and water for molecular biology. The purification cap (2) includes a cap body (3) including an engagement feature (20) for removably attaching the cap body (3) to a mating engagement feature on a spout of the fluid container (1) to hermetically close a spout opening, at least one LED (7a) adapted to emit light in the UV-C range, electronic circuitry (15) for driving the LED(s) (7a), and a power supply for the electronic circuitry (15). The LED(s) (7a) is/are arranged in said cap body (3) so as to be separated from the environment by an UV-transparent window (6) provided in the cap body (3) such that light emitted from said LED(s) (7a) enters the opening of the spout when the cap (2) is attached to the spout of the container (1). The cap body (3) includes a first fluid opening (16) to the outside of the cap body (3) and a second fluid opening (17) to the spout opening of the container (1) when the cap (2) is attached to the spout, and a fluid channel (8) extending between the first fluid opening (16) and the second fluid opening (17) and passing between the UV-transparent window (6) and a further UV-transparent window (19) facing the opening of the spout to allow, in operation, the light emitted from the LED(s) (7a) to pass through the fluid flowing in the channel (18) before entering the spout opening of the container (1).