Sterilization unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultraviolet light, particularly UV-C, used for germ elimination poses safety risks during inspection or replacement of lamps, necessitating a solution to ensure safe operations.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization unit with a casing that includes a shielding portion to prevent UV-C light leakage, detachable maintenance panels, and a detection mechanism to ensure UV lamps are turned off during maintenance, combined with a cable cover and internal casing to block light through screw holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet lamps are installed to sterilize air, then germ elimination effectiveness is improved, but safety risk during inspection and replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the ultraviolet lamp and the external environment. This shielding portion blocks UV-C light from leaking through screw holes and other openings in the casing, thereby preventing harmful radiation exposure to operators during maintenance while allowing the lamp to function effectively for germ elimination
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful UV-C radiation is extracted or isolated from the system by using the shielding portion to contain it within the sterilization unit. The shielding portion acts as a barrier that separates the useful sterilization function from the harmful radiation leakage, allowing maintenance work to be performed safely
2Ease of operation
If maintenance panels are made detachable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of UV light leakage through screw holes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding portion serves as an intermediary barrier that remains in place even when maintenance panels are removed. It specifically covers the screw holes that would otherwise provide direct pathways for UV light leakage, enabling panel detachment for maintenance while preventing radiation exposure
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
Enables safe inspection and replacement of UV lamps by preventing direct exposure to UV-C light, ensuring operator safety during maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
a shielding portion that is part of the internal casing to prevent ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp from leaking to outside of the casing
Implementation Method 2
an ultraviolet lamp that sterilizes air passing through the casing
Data Source
AI summary
To Provide a sterilization unit (11) whereby inspection and a replacement operation of an ultraviolet lamp (32) can be carried out safely. A sterilization unit (11) is provided with: a casing (12), maintenance panels (41, 51) that are removably attached to the outer surface of the casing (12), an ultraviolet lamp (32) that sterilizes air passing through the interior of the casing (12), a control board (65a) for the ultraviolet lamp (32), and an electrical component box (61) in which the control board (65a) is accommodated. The casing (12) is provided with a shield unit (101) which prevents ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp (32) from leaking to the exterior of the casing (12) through screw holes for attaching the maintenance panels (41, 51).