Dual Pipe UV Sterilizer With Reflective Outer Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UV-based water purifiers require a significant reaction time and may not uniformly sterilize water due to the use of an underwater UV light source, leading to non-irradiated areas within the container.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizer design featuring a dual pipe structure with a light-reflecting outer pipe and a light-transmitting inner pipe, equipped with UV LEDs arranged to ensure uniform UV light coverage, allowing fluid to flow through the inner pipe for effective sterilization, and optionally incorporating light reflecting structures to expand UV light coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an underwater UV light source is used in a conventional water purifier, then the installation is simplified and equipment size is reduced, but the sterilization time is extended and sterilization uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizer divides the UV irradiation function into two separate components: an outer pipe with UV LEDs for sterilization and an inner pipe for fluid flow. This segmentation allows the UV light sources to be positioned outside the fluid path, enabling simpler installation while achieving rapid and uniform sterilization through the transparent inner pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent inner pipe acts as an intermediary that transmits UV light from the outer pipe to the fluid while allowing fluid flow. This mediator enables the UV LEDs in the outer pipe to sterilize the fluid without direct contact, solving both the installation simplicity and sterilization effectiveness requirements.
2Volume of moving object
If an underwater UV light source is used in a conventional water purifier, then the equipment size is reduced, but the sterilization uniformity deteriorates due to non-irradiated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-dimension underwater UV source to a two-dimensional arrangement where UV LEDs are positioned on the outer surface of the outer pipe, irradiating the fluid through the transparent inner pipe from multiple angles, thereby eliminating non-irradiated areas and achieving uniform sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the UV irradiation function (outer pipe) from the fluid flow path (inner pipe), the design achieves comprehensive UV coverage without requiring the UV source to be submerged, thus maintaining compact size while ensuring uniform sterilization.
3Manufacturing precision
If UV LEDs are arranged on the inner wall of the first pipe with light reflecting structures, then UV light coverage is expanded and sterilization uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Light reflecting structures are selectively added only at specific locations on the inner wall of the outer pipe where UV light coverage needs enhancement. This localized approach improves sterilization uniformity without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light reflecting structures act as intermediaries that redirect UV light from the LEDs to areas that would otherwise be under-irradiated, thereby expanding UV coverage and improving sterilization uniformity with minimal additional complexity.
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
This design reduces sterilization time and ensures uniform UV light exposure throughout the fluid, eliminating non-irradiated areas and improving the overall efficiency of the sterilization process.
Implementation Method 1
a first pipe having an inner wall that reflects ultraviolet (UV) light
Implementation Method 2
a multiple number of UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on the inner wall of the first pipe and configured to irradiate sterilization UV light onto the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a second pipe disposed in the first pipe to pass a fluid therethrough and formed of a light transmitting material to allow the UV light to enter the second pipe to illuminate and to sterilize the fluid
Implementation Method 4
configured to provide UV light to a fluid flowing through the inside of the second pipe or the space between the first and second pipes to cause sterilization of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilizer is provided to include: a first pipe having an inner wall with a light reflecting property; a second pipe disposed in the first pipe so as to pass fluid therethrough and formed of a light transmitting material; and a plurality of UV LEDs arranged on the inner wall of the first pipe and configured to irradiate sterilization UV light onto the fluid.