Sterilization Module Light Guide Design for Uniform Filter Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners face issues with filter contamination leading to reduced air purifying performance, unpleasant odors, and decreased airflow due to accumulated foreign substances, necessitating a sterilization module that can uniformly sterilize the filter surface, radiate light with uniform illuminance, adjust radiation angles, minimize light loss, and sterilize long or wide surfaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization module comprising a light source module, a light guide with a circular cross-section, and a body supporting the light guide, featuring reflection patterns and reflectors to achieve uniform illuminance and adjustable radiation angles, while using a single light source to simplify structure and reduce material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple light sources are used to sterilize long or wide surfaces, then sterilization coverage is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a point light source into a linear light source by utilizing the light guide's elongated structure. This dimensional transformation allows a single light source to cover a long or wide surface area that would traditionally require multiple light sources, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining extensive sterilization coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary between the single light source and the target surface. It receives light from one source and distributes it along its length, effectively extending the illumination area without requiring additional light sources. This mediator enables uniform sterilization across large areas while simplifying the overall system configuration.
2Device complexity
If a single light source is used, then device complexity and material costs are reduced, but sterilization uniformity across large areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By transforming the light distribution from a point source to a linear distribution through the light guide, the system achieves uniform illumination across extended surfaces. The light guide's geometry ensures consistent light delivery along its length, maintaining sterilization uniformity without requiring multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the light distribution parameters by using a light guide with specific geometric characteristics (cross-sectional shape, length, material properties). These parameter changes enable a single light source to produce uniform illumination across large areas, overcoming the limitation of traditional point-source sterilization systems.
3Device complexity
If light is radiated directly without guidance, then device structure is simplified, but light loss and radiation angle control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as an intermediary optical element that channels and directs light from the source to the target area. This mediator reduces light loss by confining and guiding the light path, while also enabling precise control over the radiation angle through the light guide's geometric configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide transforms the light propagation from omnidirectional radiation to controlled linear distribution. This dimensional transformation allows for efficient light delivery with minimized loss and precise angular control, achieving better energy utilization without significantly 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
The module enables uniform sterilization of filter surfaces, adjusts radiation angles, minimizes light loss, and sterilizes entire areas using a single light source, improving air conditioner performance and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide may include a first curved section connecting the first side and the second side and formed as a curved surface; and a second curved section connecting the first side and the second side, formed as a curved surface, and positioned below the first curved section. A reflection pattern may be formed in the second curved section.
Implementation Method 2
The light source module may include a light source that generates light having a wavelength of 100 nm to 280 nm.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sterilization module comprising: a light source module that generates light; a light guide which extends in a first direction and into which the light is incident; and a body having an upper surface that is open and supporting the light guide disposed therein, wherein the light guide includes a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side in the first direction, and the light source module is disposed on the first side of the light guide to allow the light to be incident on the light guide.