Cap Unit Reflector Wall Ultraviolet Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet light irradiators for water storage and circulation systems lack a mechanism for distributing ultraviolet light effectively, resulting in reduced sterilizing ability against bacteria and potential degradation of resin components due to uncontrolled irradiation.
Innovation Solution
A cap unit with a light source unit, housing, ultraviolet light transmitting window, and a gasket with a reflector wall portion that controls the irradiation range of ultraviolet light, enhancing sterilization efficiency while preventing resin degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light irradiators are installed in water storage tanks and pipes, then sterilizing ability against bacteria is improved, but the amount of ultraviolet light per unit area is reduced and sterilizing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage tank interior is divided into multiple irradiation zones by installing multiple ultraviolet light emitting elements at different positions. This segmentation allows each element to concentrate its light output on a specific target area, maintaining high illuminance per unit area while covering the entire tank volume for comprehensive sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point or single-line irradiation to three-dimensional spatial irradiation by strategically positioning multiple light emitting elements throughout the tank. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures that ultraviolet light reaches all surfaces including corners and recesses, improving overall sterilizing ability while maintaining adequate light intensity at each location.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet light irradiators are installed in water storage tanks and pipes, then sterilizing ability against bacteria is improved, but resin parts may be irradiated with excessive ultraviolet light causing accelerated degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different regions by directing ultraviolet light selectively toward water-contact surfaces and away from resin structural components. The light emitting elements are positioned and oriented to create localized high-intensity zones on water surfaces while maintaining low-intensity zones near resin parts, achieving effective sterilization without excessive exposure damage to plastic components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If water supply pipes and storage tanks are fixed in devices, then structural stability is improved, but the inside of these portions cannot be cleaned frequently leading to bacteria propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning systems with an ultraviolet light-based sterilization system. Since the pipes and tanks remain fixed for structural stability, ultraviolet light emitting elements are installed within them to provide continuous or periodic sterilization without requiring disassembly or physical cleaning, thus maintaining both structural integrity and hygiene.
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 cap unit effectively enhances sterilizing ability by controlling the ultraviolet light distribution to a desired range, maintaining water stopping properties, and preventing resin degradation in water storage and circulation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit (10) including a light emitting element (11)
Implementation Method 2
the gasket (40) includes a reflector wall portion (41) that has a light reflection property
Implementation Method 3
an ultraviolet light transmitting window portion (30) configured to close the opening
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a cap unit capable of enhancing the sterilizing ability with respect to an object to be sterilized while maintaining water stopping properties in a housing, and capable of irradiating a desired range with ultraviolet light, as well as a storage tank and a flowing water sterilization device.The cap unit includes: a light source unit including a light emitting element and a substrate on which the light emitting element is mounted; a housing that has an accommodation space for the light source unit and an opening at a predetermined position on a side that faces an object to be sterilized, the housing being configured to accommodate the light source unit so that the opening and the light emitting element face each other; an ultraviolet light transmitting window portion configured to close the opening; and a gasket positioned between the light source unit and the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion so as to prevent the object to be sterilized from entering a side with the light source unit in the accommodation space, wherein the gasket includes a reflector wall portion that has a light reflection property and that is recessed toward the light source unit so as to surround a side region of the light emitting element.