Polarized UV Touch Detection at Radiation Exit Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV radiation systems for surface disinfection face challenges in balancing effective disinfection with safety, particularly in preventing harmful exposure to humans when larger objects contact the radiation exit window, as they often rely on internal reflection intensity monitoring which can lead to unintended UV radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing polarized UV radiation and a detector arrangement to differentiate between the intensity of polarized radiation of the same and orthogonal polarization orientations, allowing for sensitive detection of larger object contact and automatic reduction of UV radiation intensity to ensure safety while maintaining disinfection efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If internal reflection intensity monitoring is used to detect object contact, then the system can detect touch events, but the detection sensitivity is insufficient and may lead to unintended UV radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from intensity monitoring to polarization state monitoring. By detecting changes in polarization orientation caused by objects contacting the radiation exit window, the system achieves higher detection sensitivity and more reliable distinction between actual contact events and normal radiation variations, thereby preventing unintended UV exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional intensity-based detection mechanism with a polarization-based detection mechanism. This substitution enables more precise detection of object contact through polarization state changes, improving measurement precision and reducing false positives that could lead to harmful UV exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV radiation intensity is reduced to ensure safety, then human exposure is minimized, but disinfection efficacy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of UV radiation intensity based on real-time polarization detection. The system adjusts radiation intensity adaptively - maintaining high intensity for effective disinfection when no contact is detected, and reducing intensity when contact is detected through polarization changes - thus balancing safety and disinfection efficacy dynamically rather than using a fixed intensity level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the detector arrangement continuously monitors polarization state changes and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustment of UV radiation intensity, ensuring safety when objects are present while maintaining disinfection efficacy when the area is clear, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and efficacy.
3Measurement precision
If a detector arrangement is added to monitor polarization changes, then detection sensitivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the radiation body to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the UV radiation source for disinfection and as the detection medium for polarization-based touch sensing. The radiation exit window serves dual purposes - allowing UV radiation to pass through while also serving as the interface for polarization state detection. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the radiation delivery function and the detection function into a single integrated system. The detector arrangement is functionally coupled with the radiation body, and the controller integrates both radiation control and detection processing. This merging approach consolidates components and reduces system complexity compared to having separate independent radiation and detection systems.
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
This approach enhances detection sensitivity and ensures safe operation by reducing UV radiation intensity when larger objects are detected, thereby minimizing human exposure while maintaining effective disinfection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation body (10) comprising a radiation exit window (11), wherein the radiation body is configured to receive radiation that at least comprises UV radiation, and wherein the radiation exit window is capable of allowing at least part of the radiation to pass to the exterior of the radiation body
Implementation Method 2
at least one radiation source of the radiation arrangement is configured to emit polarized radiation
Implementation Method 3
a detector arrangement configured to detect intensity of polarized radiation of a first polarization orientation and intensity of polarized radiation of a second polarization orientation
Implementation Method 4
the UV radiation is used for killing microorganisms as may be present on the radiation exit window, or for rendering the microorganisms inactive or unable to reproduce
Data Source
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AI summary
In a system (1) comprising a radiation body (10), a radiation arrangement (20), a detector arrangement (30) and a controller arrangement (40), the controller arrangement (40) is configured to put a UV radiation source (21) of the radiation arrangement (20) from a default state to a state of reduced radiation intensity when detection results demonstrate occurrence of a disturbance incident that is indicative of touch on a radiation exit window (11) of the radiation body (10). In particular, at least one radiation source (21) of the radiation arrangement (20) is configured to emit polarized radiation (22), and the detector arrangement (30) is configured to detect at least one of intensity of polarized radiation of the source polarization orientation and intensity of polarized radiation of orthogonal polarization orientation, wherein a change of the at least one of those intensities is taken as an indication of occurrence of a disturbance incident.