Pulsed Light Sterilization Device with Extendable Lamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultraviolet sterilization devices require prolonged irradiation times and have controversies regarding their effectiveness, while pulsed light sterilization methods need to optimize energy distribution and material adaptation for efficient container sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A container sterilization device using pulsed light with a xenon lamp, adjustable lamp position, and a container cover to block light in light-transmissive materials, ensuring high energy transfer based on material type and minimizing shaded areas for enhanced sterilization efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ultraviolet sterilization devices are used, then sterilization can be performed, but the irradiation time required is considerable and sterilization effectiveness is controversial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light source from conventional continuous UV-C to pulsed light (IPL or flash light), which emits high-energy light in short intense pulses. This parameter change enables achieving sufficient sterilization effect in a much shorter time while improving reliability of sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulsed light emission instead of continuous irradiation. The pulsed light delivers high energy in brief intervals, creating intense instantaneous sterilization effect that is more effective than prolonged low-intensity UV-C exposure, thereby reducing total irradiation time while improving sterilization reliability
2Duration of action of moving object
If pulsed light is used for sterilization, then sterilization time is reduced, but energy distribution optimization and material adaptation are required to maintain effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable lamp structure that can adjust its position relative to the container. This dynamic adjustment capability allows optimizing the distance between the pulsed light source and the container surface, ensuring uniform energy distribution across different container sizes and materials, thereby maintaining sterilization effectiveness while reducing treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different operational parameters or lamp positions adapted to specific container materials. By adjusting the lamp-to-container distance locally according to material properties, the system optimizes energy distribution for each material type, achieving effective sterilization in reduced time without requiring complex multi-mode operation
3Productivity
If the lamp is positioned close to the container for high energy transfer, then sterilization efficiency improves, but shaded areas may form reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the pulsed light generating lamp below the container mounting area, utilizing the vertical dimension to illuminate the container from underneath. This dimensional change allows the light to pass through the container bottom and illuminate internal surfaces that would be shaded from top-down illumination, thereby maintaining high sterilization efficiency while ensuring complete coverage without dead zones
4Reliability
If a container cover is added to block light for light-transmissive materials, then sterilization effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container cover serves multiple functions: it blocks excessive light for light-transmissive materials to prevent energy loss, protects the pulsed light lamp from direct exposure, and can be integrated with the container mounting structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element by providing several benefits within a single component, thereby improving sterilization effectiveness for light-transmissive materials without proportionally increasing device complexity
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
Achieves rapid and effective sterilization by optimizing pulsed light energy distribution and material adaptation, improving sterilization efficiency and reducing exposure time compared to traditional UV methods.
Implementation Method 1
sterilization device using pulsed light, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) or flash light, capable of achieving a high sterilization effect in a short time by instantly irradiating high energy pulsed light
Implementation Method 2
pulsed light generating lamp configured to be extended from the container mounting area toward an inside of the container... The pulsed light generating lamp may be a xenon lamp or a xenon lamp
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for sterilizing containers using pulsed light including a visible light band. The device includes: a housing provided with an openable door and providing an accommodation space therein; a container mounting area disposed on at least a portion of a bottom surface of the accommodation space; and a pulsed light generating lamp configured to be extended from the container mounting area toward an inside of the container, wherein a lower end of the pulsed light generating lamp is configured to be disposed lower than a lower end of the container mounted on the container mounting area.