Fluid Sterilization Device with Desiccant for UV Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid sterilization devices face issues with dew condensation near the light source, leading to malfunction, reduced bactericidal effectiveness, and corrosion due to water absorption or scattering of ultraviolet rays, which increases installation space and cost when trying to supply dry air.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a desiccant outside the discharge head in a fluid sterilization device to adsorb water vapor, combined with a reflecting portion on the tube to enhance ultraviolet ray utilization and a detachable light-emitting element holder for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid sterilization device is provided in an environment with air containing water vapor, then the device can operate in typical ambient conditions, but dew condensation occurs on the device when the temperature difference between the device and environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
A desiccant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ambient air and the light source. The desiccant adsorbs water vapor from the air, preventing dew condensation on the device while allowing the device to operate in typical ambient conditions. This resolves the contradiction by mediating the interaction between the environment and the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant creates a locally modified environment around the light source that is depleted of water vapor. This inert-like environment prevents dew condensation without requiring complete isolation from the ambient atmosphere, thus maintaining adaptability while eliminating the harmful effect.
2Reliability
If dry air is supplied to the vicinity of the light source to prevent dew condensation, then the light source is protected from water damage, but installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily installed and replaced. It provides effective protection against dew condensation without requiring complex dry air supply systems. The desiccant's simplicity and low cost make it an economical solution compared to installing additional dry air supply equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful water vapor is extracted from the air through the desiccant's adsorption action. By removing the problematic substance (water vapor) from the environment around the light source, the need for complex dry air supply systems is eliminated, thus reducing installation space and cost while maintaining protection.
3Temperature
If dew condensation occurs on the light source, then the temperature difference indication is accurate, but the light-emitting element malfunctions due to water accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant acts as a protective intermediary between the ambient air and the light-emitting element. It prevents water vapor from reaching and accumulating on the light source, thereby protecting the light-emitting element from malfunction while allowing accurate temperature difference indication to continue.
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant performs preliminary protection by adsorbing water vapor before it can condense on the light source. This preventive action stops the harmful effect (water accumulation causing malfunction) from occurring in the first place, while allowing the temperature indication function to operate accurately.
4Temperature
If dew condensation occurs on the tube portion, then the temperature difference is significant, but ultraviolet rays are absorbed or scattered by the water, reducing bactericidal effect
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant serves as an intermediary that prevents water vapor from condensing on the tube portion. By maintaining a dry environment around the tube, it ensures that ultraviolet rays can pass through the tube wall without being absorbed or scattered by water, thus preserving the bactericidal effect while allowing temperature difference to remain significant.
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant converts the potentially harmful water vapor into a beneficial dried state through adsorption. This prevents water from interfering with ultraviolet ray transmission, thereby converting the presence of moisture from a harmful factor into a controlled condition that maintains sterilization effectiveness.
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 solution effectively suppresses dew condensation, maintains the bactericidal effectiveness of ultraviolet rays, and prevents corrosion, reducing the need for additional dry air supply systems and minimizing installation and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a desiccant provided outside the discharge head and in a space communicating with the hole of the discharge head or in the hole of the discharge head
Implementation Method 2
a light source provided in an end portion of the tube portion and irradiating the inside of the tube portion with ultraviolet rays
Implementation Method 3
the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source and incident on the inside surface of the tube portion are propagated while reflection is repeated in the tube portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A fluid sterilization device according to an embodiment includes: a tube portion; a supply head in one end portion of the tube portion; a discharge head provided in the other end portion thereof and having a hole penetrating a space between end faces on the tube portion side and the opposite side; a holder having a flange and a protruding portion projecting from one surface of the flange and provided in the hole; a substrate on an end face of the protruding portion on a side opposite to the flange side; a light-emitting element provided on a surface of the substrate on a side opposite to the protruding portion side and emitting ultraviolet rays; a window provided in the hole and facing the light-emitting element; and a desiccant provided outside the discharge head and in a space communicating with the hole or in the hole.