Confined GUV Light Cone With Presence Sensing for Indoor Air Disinfection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air disinfection systems using germicidal ultraviolet light (GUV) are inefficient and pose a risk to human safety due to the need for high air circulation and direct exposure to GUV, which can harm skin and eyes, while existing indirect methods are slow or require new types of GUV light that can deliver sufficient doses without harm.

Innovation Solution

A safe ultraviolet optical source (SUVOS) with a confined GUV light cone and human presence sensors that disable the light source when humans are detected within a specific field of view, ensuring safe and efficient air disinfection by delivering controlled GUV doses within a confined space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional air disinfection systems use high air circulation to achieve effective pathogen removal, then air disinfection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair disinfection effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical air circulation system with a optical field-based disinfection system. Instead of using fans and air movers to circulate air through disinfection zones, the system uses germicidal ultraviolet light sources to directly deactivate pathogens in the air, eliminating the need for high air circulation and associated energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of disinfection delivery from air flow rate (CACH) to light dose (mJ/cm²). By controlling the intensity and duration of GUV light exposure, the system achieves effective pathogen removal without relying on air circulation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If germicidal ultraviolet light is used for air disinfection, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but human safety deteriorates due to skin and eye harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficiencyVSAvoidskin and eye harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing GUV light only to specific air zones where pathogens are present, rather than illuminating the entire room. The light sources are positioned and oriented to create localized disinfection zones, reducing overall light exposure to humans while maintaining effective pathogen removal in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts GUV light operation based on real-time environmental conditions. Sensors detect human presence and pathogen levels, and the light sources automatically adjust their operation accordingly - activating at high intensity when no humans are present and reducing or shutting off when humans are detected, thereby balancing disinfection efficiency with human safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If direct GUV irradiation is applied to the whole room, then disinfection coverage is improved, but safety deteriorates due to prolonged human exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection coverageVSAvoidhuman exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor the environment for human presence and adjust light source operation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that high-intensity GUV irradiation occurs only when safe, preventing human exposure while maintaining effective disinfection coverage when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system effectively disinfects indoor air within minutes while protecting humans by confining GUV light and using sensors to prevent exposure, achieving rapid and cost-effective disinfection with minimal energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) light source emitting a GUV light cone with a cone angle less than 60 degrees. The GUV light cone contains optical power with wavelengths between 10-280 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGermicidal ultraviolet light: Light

Implementation Method 2

A human presence sensor has a field of view cone angle greater than the GUV light cone angle. The human presence sensor generates a human presence signal in response to a human in the field of view

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12478700B1Safe ultraviolet optical source and safe indoor air disinfection system

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 BOLB

AI summary

An indoor disinfection system has a collection of lighting units. Each lighting unit includes a germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) light source emitting a GUV light cone with a cone angle less than 60 degrees. The GUV light cone contains optical power with wavelengths between 10-280 nm. A human presence sensor has a field of view cone angle greater than the GUV light cone angle. The human presence sensor generates a human presence signal in response to a human in the field of view. A controller receives the human presence signal and in response thereto disables the GUV light source.