Edgelit Substrate UV-C Projection for Airborne Pathogen Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air purification methods fail to effectively protect users from airborne pathogens without exposing them to harmful UV radiation, and they lack efficient, cost-effective, and scalable solutions for creating germ-free environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of high-intensity UV-C LED lighting positioned in an edgelight fashion on a thin, optically conductive substrate such as acrylic, which guides the light to project outward from the edges, creating a UV-C light curtain that sanitizes air without direct exposure to users, and can be adapted for face shields, area partitioning, and surface disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UV-C light is used to kill airborne pathogens, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but users are exposed to harmful UV radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification effectivenessVSAvoidUV radiation exposure to users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the UV-C light path by directing it only to the edges of the substrate where it projects outward to sanitize air. The center and front surfaces of the substrate remain free of UV projection, creating safe zones for user exposure while maintaining germicidal effectiveness at the edges where air flow occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The edge-lit substrate acts as an intermediary between the UV-C light source and the airborne pathogens. The substrate guides and redirects the UV-C light to specific edge regions, mediating the interaction between light and pathogens while preventing direct exposure to users through the substrate's optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If conventional LED panels are used with front surface light projection, then light visibility is improved, but UV loss from front and back surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight visibilityVSAvoidUV light loss from substrate surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of projecting light from the conventional front surface, this invention inverts the light projection approach by directing UV-C light exclusively to the edges of the substrate. The edges become the primary light output surfaces, reversing traditional LED panel geometry and eliminating front surface UV loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional front surface light projection to one-dimensional edge light projection. By confining UV-C light to the peripheral edges of the substrate, the system eliminates energy loss through the large front and back surfaces while maintaining effective light output through the edge geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution provides effective air purification and surface disinfection by creating a UV-C light curtain that kills airborne pathogens while minimizing UV exposure risks to users, offering simplicity, low cost, scalability, and ease of installation and use.

Implementation Method 1

UV-C lightwaves, generated by at least one light emitting diode (LED) of special design which produces 200 nm-300 nm UV light... to kill germs and sanitize domestic and municipal water... short-wavelength ultraviolet in this range is referred to as UV-C, and the process of disinfection is generally called UVGI for Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI): Radiation

Implementation Method 2

light remains guided to remote edges of the sheet, and projects outwardly from the edges... L.E.D. light is guided to the remote edges only

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal Internal Reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11744914B2Projection of germicidal ultra-violet light by edgelit substrate

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 WYSS JOHN R

AI summary

A novel purification device is provided which projects Ultra-Violet wavelength light to create curtain-like beams that impair germs and pathogens exposed thereto or passing through the beams. A preferred embodiment described herein is comprised of a powered Light Emitting Diode to produce light, mounted edgelight-fashion onto an optically clear substrate light guide that has clear remote outer edges for light projection. Substrate utilized herein is an optically clear sheet such as acrylic that guides the edge-mounted L.E.D. produced Ultra-Violet wavelength light to its remote edges, projecting it outwardly through surrounding air and onto surfaces in light beams emitting from edges of the substrate, projected in suitable strength and wavelength UV-C to create a curtain-like partition, a barrier deadly to airborne or surface germs, and renders germs exposed to the light dead, damaged or inert.