Directional UVC Sanitization via Frequency Doubling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UVC light systems are non-directional, have short lifespans, produce excessive heat, and are not portable, limiting their effectiveness and safety for surface disinfection.

Innovation Solution

A portable sanitization system utilizing a light source emitting a wavelength between 414 and 474 nm, which is guided through a fiber optic cable to a nonlinear crystal for frequency doubling, converting the light to a directional UVC wavelength of 222 nm for effective and safe surface disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If excimer bulbs are used for UVC generation, then UVC light is produced for surface disinfection, but the bulbs have short lifespan, produce excessive heat, and are non-directional

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifespanVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters of the light source from gas-discharge excimer bulbs to solid-state laser diodes operating at 447 nm, which are then frequency-doubled to 222 nm UVC. This parameter change eliminates the short lifespan and excessive heat generation inherent to excimer bulbs while maintaining effective UVC output for surface disinfection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical gas-discharge system of excimer bulbs with a solid-state optical system using laser diodes and nonlinear crystal frequency doubling. This substitution eliminates the moving parts and thermal management issues of gas-discharge systems, providing a more reliable and cooler-operating device with directional beam output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If excimer bulbs are used for UVC generation, then UVC light is produced, but the bulbs are non-directional limiting effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidbeam directionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attempting to make the traditional omnidirectional excimer bulb directional, the invention inverts the approach by using inherently directional laser diodes and maintaining that directional property through the frequency-doubling process. The 447 nm laser diode produces a directional beam that is frequency-doubled to 222 nm UVC, preserving the directional characteristics throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If 254 nm UVC LEDs are used, then UVC light is generated, but it poses health hazards to human skin and eyes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection capabilityVSAvoidhuman safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the wavelength parameter from conventional 254 nm or 265 nm UVC to 222 nm UVC through frequency doubling of 447 nm laser diode output. This parameter change maintains the disinfection capability while significantly reducing the harmful effects on human skin and eyes, as 222 nm UVC is absorbed by the outer dead layer of skin and does not penetrate to living tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Weight of moving object

If portable sanitization system is created with fiber optic light guide, then portability is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the system into distinct functional modules: a portable control unit containing the 447 nm laser diode and power supply, and a separate handpiece containing the fiber optic light guide and 222 nm UVC output. This segmentation allows the heavy power-consuming components to remain in a stationary or backpack-style unit while the actual treatment head remains lightweight and portable, reducing overall system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 a compact, modular, and safe means for directional UVC exposure, enabling efficient and rapid surface disinfection while minimizing heat generation and extending device lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

a light converter comprising a nonlinear crystal configured for frequency doubling; and a light guide extending from the light source to the light converter, the light converter disposed proximal a tip of the light guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency doubling: Second Harmonic Generation

Data Source

PatentEP4122502A1Directional UVC systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.01.25 GOODRICH CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C

AI summary

A portable sanitization system (200) may comprise: a portable device (210); a light source disposed in the portable device (210), the light source configured to emit a light having a wavelength between 414 and 474 nm; a light converter (230) comprising a nonlinear crystal configured for frequency doubling; and a light guide (220) extending from the light source to the light converter (230), the light converter (230) disposed proximal a tip of the light guide.