Far-UV Irradiation Optics for Safe Microorganism Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultraviolet light irradiation devices are unable to effectively inactivate microorganisms on human surfaces and frequently touched objects while ensuring human safety due to the harmful nature of certain wavelength bands of UV light.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet light irradiation device utilizing a light source with a wavelength range of 190 nm to 235 nm, combined with a diffusing member and an optical filter that blocks harmful wavelengths, allowing safe and wide-area irradiation of microorganisms without directing harmful light at humans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ultraviolet light (254 nm) is used for inactivation of microorganisms, then inactivation effectiveness is improved, but harm to humans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of ultraviolet light from conventional 254 nm to the 193-235 nm range. This parameter change maintains microorganism inactivation effectiveness while significantly reducing harm to human cells, as the shorter wavelengths are less penetrating to human tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation into a beneficial treatment by selecting specific wavelength bands (193-235 nm) that are effective against microorganisms but safe for human exposure. The harmful aspect is transformed into a benefit through careful wavelength selection.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet light is directed toward human surfaces and frequently touched objects, then inactivation of microorganisms is improved, but exposure to harmful ultraviolet light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using ultraviolet wavelengths of 193-235 nm instead of conventional 254 nm light. This enables safe irradiation of human surfaces and frequently touched objects because the shorter wavelengths do not penetrate human cells effectively, eliminating the need to avoid human exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making ultraviolet light safe for human exposure through wavelength selection. Instead of avoiding human exposure to ultraviolet light, the system enables direct exposure by using wavelengths that are inherently safer for human cells.
3Area of stationary object
If ultraviolet light is diffused to cover wide areas including human surfaces, then inactivation coverage is improved, but intensity of ultraviolet light decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by selecting ultraviolet wavelengths of 193-235 nm that have better diffusion characteristics and can safely cover wide areas including human surfaces. The shorter wavelengths allow for wider area coverage without the same intensity loss concerns as conventional wavelengths when diffused.
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 device achieves effective inactivation of microorganisms on human surfaces and objects while minimizing harm to humans by using safer UV wavelengths and diffusing the light to ensure uniform coverage and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that radiates ultraviolet light with a wavelength in a range of 190 nm to 235 nm
Implementation Method 2
a diffusing member that diffuses the ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultraviolet light irradiation device that is capable of causing effective inactivation of microorganisms as well as a method of using the ultraviolet light irradiation device.An ultraviolet light irradiation device includes a light source that radiates ultraviolet light with a wavelength in a range of 190 nm to 235 nm; a housing that houses the light source; an extracting portion that extracts the ultraviolet light that is radiated from the light source and causes it to be directed toward an exterior of the housing; and a diffusing member that diffuses the ultraviolet light.