Rotating UV-C Emitter Array for Zonal Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV-C disinfection methods face challenges in efficiently delivering targeted UV radiation to all areas of a room, leading to potential overexposure and increased disinfection time due to omnidirectional emission patterns and inaccurate measurement of UV energy, especially with air gaps and varying reflectivity.
Innovation Solution
A portable UV-C disinfection apparatus with a planar array of emitters and sensors that rotates to deliver UV-C radiation in zonal orientations, using UV-C and near-UV LEDs emitting at specific wavelengths, and a controller that adjusts the duty cycle and pulse width to ensure effective disinfection while minimizing exposure, incorporating sensors for precise UV energy measurement and air gap compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If omnidirectional UV-C emission is used, then disinfection coverage is improved, but UV energy measurement accuracy deteriorates due to air gaps and varying reflectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements zonal disinfection where the UV-C emitter array is divided into multiple independently controllable zones. Each zone can be activated selectively based on the specific disinfection needs of different areas, allowing precise control of UV energy delivery to different spatial locations with varying reflectivity and air gap characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of UV-C emission through pulse width modulation and duty cycle adjustment. The controller dynamically modifies the emission parameters based on real-time feedback from UV-C sensors, enabling adaptive response to varying environmental conditions such as air gaps and surface reflectivity across different zones.
2Reliability
If continuous UV-C exposure is used, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but exposure time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pulsed UV-C emission instead of continuous exposure. The controller activates UV-C emitters in periodic pulses with controlled duty cycles, delivering intense UV energy in short bursts that achieve effective disinfection while minimizing total exposure time and energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates UV-C sensors that provide real-time feedback on the UV energy reaching target surfaces. The controller uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the emission duty cycle and pulse width, optimizing the balance between disinfection effectiveness and exposure time by terminating exposure once sufficient UV dose is delivered.
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 reduces exposure time and energy consumption by delivering precise UV doses to specific zones, minimizing overexposure and optimizing disinfection efficiency across varying environments.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms. One mechanism by which UV-C deactivates microorganisms is by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA
Implementation Method 2
UV-C LEDs use semiconductors to emit light between 255 nm-280 nm. The wavelength emission is tunable by adjusting the material of the semiconductor
Implementation Method 3
it is only comparatively recently that the antimicrobial properties of visible violet-blue 405 nm light have been discovered and used for environmental disinfection and infection control applications. A large body of scientific evidence is now available that provides underpinning knowledge of the 405 nm light-induced photodynamic inactivation process
Implementation Method 4
at least one UV-C sensor coupled to the substantially planar array surface
Data Source
AI summary
A portable UV-C disinfection apparatus, method, and system for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. UV-C emitters may be coupled to an array housing having a planar array surface in a vertical configuration. UV-C sensors are configured to measure the amount of UV-C light or near UV-C light from a target surface. A controller may be communicably engaged with the UV-C sensors to determine the amount of UV-C radiation collected by the UV-C sensors. The controller includes instructions stored on a memory according to the amount of UV-C radiation collected corresponding to an effective kill-dose for surface disinfection. The improved apparatus, method, and system reduces exposure time by varying the intensity and wavelength of the UV-C administered, while concurrently reducing UV overexposure to surfaces by administering radiation through a rotational zonal application.