Germicidal Lamp Apparatuses Having Automated Mobility While Emitting Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatuses are limited in efficiency and versatility for UV light propagation, particularly in disinfection and sterilization applications, as they often require cumbersome provisions for user safety and are not adaptable for diverse applications or environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatuses with automated mobility and features such as optical filters to attenuate visible light and reflector systems to redirect UV light, allowing for efficient and versatile germicidal light distribution across larger areas, including the use of wheels and a processor for automated movement within a room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional discharge lamp apparatuses are used for UV light generation, then UV light can be produced for disinfection applications, but the apparatuses require cumbersome safety provisions and have limited efficiency for UV light propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful visible light component from the discharge lamp output by introducing an optical filter that selectively transmits UV light while blocking visible light. This separation allows the system to maintain disinfection effectiveness while eliminating the need for cumbersome visible light safety provisions such as room shielding and user protection measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter acts as an intermediary component between the discharge lamp and the treated environment. It mediates the light output by selectively transmitting germicidal UV wavelengths while absorbing harmful visible wavelengths, thereby enabling effective disinfection without requiring extensive safety infrastructure.
2Productivity
If discharge lamps are configured for direct alignment treatment, then treatment efficiency is maintained for close proximity items, but the apparatus lacks versatility for diverse applications and environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces automated mobility features including wheels and motorized positioning systems that enable the discharge lamp apparatus to dynamically reposition itself. This transforms a static, fixed-position treatment system into a mobile platform that can adapt to various treatment scenarios, maintaining optimal alignment with targets while enhancing versatility across different applications and environments.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the discharge lamp with optical filtering, automated positioning, and mobile capabilities, the system achieves multi-functionality. It can effectively treat both close-proximity items in direct alignment and broader areas through repositioning, thereby serving diverse disinfection applications from small-scale object treatment to large-scale environmental decontamination.
3Reliability
If pulsed ultraviolet light technology using xenon flashlamps is used, then broad spectrum light is generated for disinfection, but visible light exposure requires harmful safety shielding and containment provisions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter selectively extracts and removes the harmful visible light portion of the xenon flashlamp spectrum while transmitting the germicidal UV portion. This spectral separation enables the system to maintain broad-spectrum germicidal effectiveness while eliminating visible light exposure hazards that would otherwise require shielding and containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful visible light emission into a beneficial selective filtering opportunity. By using the optical filter to block visible light while transmitting UV, the system transforms what was previously a safety hazard into an advantage, enabling effective disinfection without the need for harmful safety shielding.
4Adaptability or versatility
If automated mobility features are added to discharge lamp apparatuses, then versatility and UV light distribution efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated mobility through wheels and motorized positioning systems controlled by processors. This dynamic capability allows the apparatus to autonomously navigate and reposition itself to optimize UV light distribution across different environments, enhancing versatility without requiring complex manual reconfiguration by users.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated positioning system enables the apparatus to self-navigate and self-position for optimal treatment coverage. The processor-controlled mobility features allow the system to autonomously adapt to different treatment scenarios and environments without requiring complex external control or manual intervention, thereby enhancing versatility while keeping the control system manageable.
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
Enhances the efficiency and versatility of UV light distribution, reducing the need for cumbersome safety provisions and enabling effective disinfection and sterilization of both objects and areas, with improved UV light propagation and reduced downtime for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
discharge lamps refer to lamps which generate light by means of an internal electrical discharge between electrodes in a gas. The electrical discharge creates a plasma which supplies radiant light.
Implementation Method 2
The electrical discharge creates a plasma which supplies radiant light.
Implementation Method 3
optical filters to attenuate visible light
Implementation Method 4
reflector systems to redirect UV light
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses are disclosed which include one or more lamps configured to emit germicidal light, wherein the apparatuses are configured such that germicidal light emitted from the one or more lamps is projected exterior to the apparatus. The apparatuses further include wheels arranged along a bottom of the apparatus and a motor to provide automated mobility of the apparatus across at least a part of a room or area in which the apparatus is arranged. Moreover, the apparatuses include a processor and a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for activating the motor such that the apparatus is moved within the room or area while the one or more lamps are emitting germicidal light.