Far UV-C Sanitization Planning for Occupied Indoor Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultraviolet light sanitization technologies pose safety risks to humans and animals due to harmful wavelengths, limiting their widespread adoption in occupied spaces.
Innovation Solution
Development of sanitizing devices that emit safe ultraviolet light within the far UV-C range (200-240 nm) with controlled intensity and direction, integrated with sensors and control systems, and networked capabilities for optimized pathogen reduction plans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ultraviolet light is used for sanitization, then pathogen destruction effectiveness is improved, but safety for human and animal exposure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of ultraviolet light from traditional ranges (254 nm, 200-280 nm) to the specific far UV-C range of 207-222 nm. This parameter change enables the light to maintain germicidal effectiveness while being safe for human and animal exposure, directly resolving the contradiction between pathogen destruction and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful far UV-C wavelengths (200-280 nm) into a beneficial form by specifically selecting the 207-222 nm range. What was once known to cause harm to human tissue is now harnessed in a controlled wavelength range that provides sanitization benefits without the harmful effects, turning a harmful factor into a beneficial one
2Object-affected harmful factors
If far UV-C light (200-240 nm) is used for sanitization in occupied spaces, then safety for human exposure is improved, but sanitization coverage and effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the UV-C light sources through controllers that adjust intensity, duration, and activation timing. The system dynamically adapts to occupancy conditions using sensors to detect presence, automatically adjusting sanitization parameters to maintain both safety and effectiveness in occupied spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic sanitization cycles that alternate between sanitization mode and normal operation mode. During occupied periods, sanitization occurs in controlled intervals rather than continuously, with the UV-C sources activated periodically to maintain pathogen reduction while ensuring human safety through controlled exposure timing
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and control systems are integrated into sanitizing devices, then optimization of pathogen reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components into a single sanitizing device platform. The device combines UV-C light sources, various sensors (occupancy, air quality, humidity, temperature), controllers, and communication modules that can perform multiple functions: sanitization, monitoring, control, and data transmission. This multi-functionality approach manages complexity by consolidating diverse functions into one integrated system rather than separate devices
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
Enables safe and effective pathogen neutralization in occupied environments by ensuring minimal harm to humans and animals while maintaining efficient sanitization coverage and compliance with safety protocols.
Implementation Method 1
The sanitizing light source may be configured to emit sanitizing light into an environment through an aperture in a housing that houses the sanitizing light source, the control system, and the power source responsively to an instruction from the control system. The sanitizing light may have a wavelength within the range of, for example, 200-240 nm, 210-280 nm and/or 390-420 nm.
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the sanitizing device may include a filter configured to filter sanitizing light emitted by the sanitizing light prior to the sanitizing light exiting via the aperture so that the sanitizing light exiting the housing has a particular set of wavelengths and removing other wavelengths, in the range of 200-240 nm, 210-280 nm and/or 390-420 nm.
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, the sanitizing light source may be configured to emit the sanitizing light toward one or more reflectors or sensors arranged within the environment so that, for example, operation of the sanitizing device may be optimized and/or light emitted by sanitizing light source may be directed to one or more desired locations within the environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for the generation and execution of an environmental protection plan may be deployed to aid with a reduction of, for example, air-borne and/or surface pathogens within an environment. The environmental protection plan may use one or more sanitizing devices to emit sanitizing radiation (e.g., far UVC light) into the environment to kill or otherwise neutralize pathogens such as viruses and bacteria within the environment. At times, the environmental protection plan may be responsive to one or more aspects (size, objects contained therein) of the environment, a use for the environment, a modeled and/or actual pathogen load within the environment, desired levels of pathogen reduction within the environment, and/or human and/or animal safety limits for the sanitizing radiation.