Solarium UV Control via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solariums lack effective control over UV radiation exposure, leading to potential overdoses or underdoses due to variable UV output from gas discharge lamps, which is not directly correlated with visible light output, making it difficult to maintain a safe and consistent UV dose for users.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a control system that adjusts the lamp current of gas discharge lamps using ballasts and sensor devices to maintain a desired UV luminous flux, taking into account the sensitivity profile of human skin, thereby regulating UV exposure and preventing overdoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If gas discharge lamps are used to generate UV luminous flux, then UV irradiation capability is improved, but UV output becomes variable and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensor devices continuously measure the actual UV luminous flux and feed this information back to the control device. The control device then adjusts the ballasts to modify lamp current, creating a closed-loop system that maintains desired UV output despite lamp aging or manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters of the gas discharge lamps by adjusting lamp current through ballasts. This allows the UV luminous flux to be controlled and maintained at desired levels despite natural variations in lamp performance over time.
2Ease of operation
If exposure time is controlled conventionally, then operation simplicity is improved, but UV dose accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from UV sensors to continuously monitor actual UV luminous flux and adjusts ballast output accordingly, ensuring accurate UV dosing regardless of lamp variations, while maintaining simple time-based operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically compensates for UV dose variations by adjusting lamp current based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for users to manually calculate or adjust exposure parameters while maintaining dosing accuracy.
3Power
If lamp current is increased to compensate for UV output drop, then UV luminous flux is improved, but lamp life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts lamp current based on actual UV output measurements rather than using fixed high current settings. This allows maintaining desired UV luminous flux while using the minimum necessary current, thereby extending lamp life.
Solution Approach 2:
Through continuous feedback from UV sensors, the system precisely controls lamp current to match actual UV output needs, avoiding excessive current that would shorten lamp life while ensuring sufficient UV luminous flux is maintained.
4Measurement precision
If UV sensors with skin-like sensitivity are used, then UV dose measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs UV sensors with spectral sensitivity matching human skin response to accurately measure biologically relevant UV doses. The feedback control system processes these measurements to adjust ballast output, achieving precise UV dosing control.
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 ensures a consistent and safe UV dose by dynamically adjusting lamp currents based on real-time UV flux measurements, extending lamp life and preventing excessive UV exposure, thus enhancing user safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The UV luminous flux is generated by means of one, preferably several, gas discharge lamps, for example low-pressure gas discharge lamps with carrier gas and mercury filling
Implementation Method 2
low-pressure gas discharge lamps with carrier gas and mercury filling and optionally one or more phosphors
Implementation Method 3
Ballasts are assigned to the gas discharge lamps. These are set up to supply the gas discharge lamps with a desired lamp current. These ballasts can vary the lamp current within limits in order to increase or decrease the luminous flux
Implementation Method 4
The control device is in turn connected to at least one, but preferably to a plurality of sensor devices which detect the UV luminous flux at one or more points
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The device (6) has a power supply unit (7) for operating a low pressure gas-discharge lamp i.e. fluorescent lamp (5a), and a sensor device (21) e.g. ultraviolet photo diode, for detecting an ultraviolet radiation, which is radiated from the gas-discharge lamp. A control device (14) is connected with the sensor device and the power supply device, in order to control the power supply device on the basis of a signal, which is delivered to the sensor device. The power supply device includes a trigger circuit for influencing an operational current flowing through the gas-discharge lamp.