A sterilization unit
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners with UVC lamps fail to sufficiently sterilize ambient air, leading to the spread of pathogens, and systems with double UVC lamps increase electricity and production costs, while designs with UVC lamps in indoor units are not adaptable to existing air conditioners.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization unit mounted on the air conditioner's indoor unit featuring a chamber with a UVC lamp, semicircular and rectangular reflectors to enhance UVC ray intensity, and V-shaped grills to contain rays, allowing efficient air sterilization without the need for additional fans or increased costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single UVC lamp is used in existing air conditioners, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the sterilization efficiency is insufficient and pathogens spread further into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflectors (first reflector surrounding the UVC lamp and second reflector opposite to it) to redirect UVC rays in multiple directions within the chamber. This transforms the single-dimensional ray emission from the lamp into multi-dimensional ray distribution, increasing the total exposure of air pathogens to UVC radiation without adding more lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflectors act as intermediary elements that redirect and concentrate UVC rays. The first reflector (semicircular shape) surrounds the lamp to reflect rays backward into the chamber, while the second reflector (rectangular plate) reflects rays from the opposite side, effectively multiplying the lamp's sterilization coverage area without increasing the number of light sources.
2Productivity
If double UVC lamps are used to eliminate more pathogens, then the pathogen elimination capacity increases, but electricity consumption and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflectors are designed to continuously redirect UVC rays back into the chamber multiple times. The first reflector captures rays traveling outward and redirects them inward, while the second reflector does the opposite, creating continuous circulation of UVC radiation within the chamber. This maximizes the utilization of each photon emitted by the single lamp, achieving sustained high-level sterilization without the need for additional energy-consuming lamps.
3Reliability
If UVC lamps are integrated into the indoor unit, then sterilization function is added, but adaptability to existing air conditioners is reduced due to design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system is segmented into a separate, modular assembly that can be independently installed on the air inlet of existing air conditioners. The chamber with UVC lamp and reflectors is designed as a standalone unit that attaches to the exterior, avoiding the need to modify the internal structure of the air conditioner or integrate the lamp into the indoor unit itself. This maintains compatibility with existing models while adding the sterilization function.
4Productivity
If UVC rays are emitted without containment, then sterilization effectiveness is maximized, but harmful rays escape into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is designed as a nested containment structure where the UVC lamp is housed within the chamber, which is itself attached to the air conditioner. The chamber walls and grills form concentric containment layers that trap UVC rays inside the sterilization zone. The upper and lower grills with bent fins create an additional containment layer at the boundaries, ensuring rays are reflected back into the chamber rather than escaping to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent fins on the upper and lower grills are designed to intercept UVC rays that approach the chamber boundaries and reflect them back into the chamber. What could have been harmful escaping radiation is instead converted into useful sterilization radiation by redirecting it back into the active sterilization zone, simultaneously containing harmful rays and enhancing sterilization effectiveness.
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 sterilization unit effectively increases the exposure of ambient air to UVC rays, enhancing pathogen elimination while being cost-effective and compatible with existing air conditioners, preventing harmful rays from escaping into the environment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first reflector which is disposed on the lamp housing, which has an almost semicircular shape so as to partially surround the UVC lamp and which reflects the rays emitted by the UVC lamp
Implementation Method 2
at least one second reflector which is disposed in the chamber, which is positioned opposite to the UVC lamp so as to reflect back the rays emitted by the UVC lamp
Implementation Method 3
the upper grill comprises bent fins so as to prevent the rays emitted by the UVC lamp from leaving the body. The fins have an almost V shape and prevent the rays from leaving the body through the inlet opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sterilization unit (1) suitable to be used with an air conditioner indoor unit (21) having an air inlet (22) for receiving the air so as to be placed onto the air inlet (22), and comprising a body (2), at least one inlet opening (4) which is arranged on the body (2), at least one outlet opening (11) which is arranged on the body (2) and which faces the air inlet (22), a chamber (3) which is provided in the body (2) and through which the air received via the inlet opening (4) is passed before being sent to the air inlet (22) through the outlet opening (11), at least one lamp housing (5) which is provided in the chamber (3), a UVC lamp (7) which is fitted into the lamp housing (5), and at least one first reflector (6) which is disposed on the lamp housing (5), which has a C shape so as to partially surround the UVC lamp (7) and which reflects the rays emitted by the UVC lamp (7).