Mechanically Moving UVC Emitters for Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disinfection methods require specialized and expensive equipment, making it impractical and costly to sanitize objects outside of dedicated facilities, and often result in re-contamination due to poor handling.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective disinfection system using mechanically moved UVC light in conjunction with ozone gas treatment, capable of disinfecting surfaces and volumes not in direct line of sight, with a device that includes a housing, ozone generator, and actuated UV emitters to follow the object's surface for thorough disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional specialized equipment is used for disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the disinfection system into separate functional modules: UVC emitters for surface disinfection, ozone generators for air and volume treatment, and mechanical positioning systems. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple disinfection methods (UVC light and ozone gas) into a single integrated device that can handle various types of objects and environments. The mechanical positioning system enables the same device to disinfect different surface areas and configurations, providing universal applicability across medical, retail, and residential settings.
2Reliability
If specialized facilities are used for sanitization, then sanitization quality is improved, but loss of time and operational flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical positioning systems that can dynamically adjust the position and orientation of UVC emitters and ozone generators to follow the contours of objects being disinfected. This dynamic adaptation allows thorough sanitization of complex shapes without requiring time-consuming manual positioning or specialized facility infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous disinfection operation by automatically moving emitters along object surfaces without interruption. The integrated control system coordinates UVC and ozone treatment continuously across different areas, eliminating the need to stop and reposition manually, thus reducing total sanitization time while maintaining quality.
3Device complexity
If stationary UVC emitters are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to inability to access all surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements mechanically movable UVC emitters that can be positioned and repositioned to access different surfaces and angles of objects being disinfected. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain high productivity by treating all surface areas thoroughly without requiring multiple stationary emitters or complex facility layouts.
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 quickly and efficiently disinfects objects, reducing the time required for sanitization and minimizing re-contamination risks, while being suitable for various environments and applications, including residential, medical, and retail use.
Implementation Method 1
Focused and mechanically moved Ultra-Violet C (UVC) light may be described herein as a method for disinfection
Implementation Method 2
A device that utilizes one or more mechanically moving UVC emitters in conjunction with ozone gas treatment in order to disinfect various common items
Data Source
AI summary
A device utilizing one or more mechanically moving UVC emitters in conjunction with ozone gas treatment to disinfect various common items may be described herein. Disinfection may be achieved by mechanically following the surface of the object, at close range, with the UVC light. This may increase the intensity of the UVC light, which in turn, decreases the time required to reach sanitization. The mechanically moving UVC light may allow the device to disinfect an object thoroughly due to its ability to reposition the emitters. The system described herein may sanitize surfaces not in a direct line of sight of the UVC light. A small-scale system, described herein, may quickly disinfect objects that have been re-contaminated and/or where a full-scale sanitization system is impracticable. Additionally, a system aimed at reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of frequently sanitizing objects may be described herein.