Sterilizing Light Guide Module for Targeted Air Conditioner Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a technique capable of sterilizing air circulated through air conditioners effectively, as pathogenic infectious agents can be transmitted through air movement, and existing solutions fail to deliver sterilizing light only to specific areas while protecting other components.
Innovation Solution
A light source module with a light guide that narrows the beam angle of sterilizing light, ensuring it is directed to a predetermined sterilization area within the air conditioner, preventing exposure to other components, and includes a substrate for the light source and a housing that reflects or absorbs the light to maintain efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If sterilizing light is emitted in all directions from the light source, then the sterilization coverage area is increased, but other components become exposed to the sterilizing light causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple light guide portions, each directing light to a specific direction. This segmentation allows the sterilizing light to be distributed to multiple areas while controlling the directionality to prevent damage to specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light guide portions are configured with different light transmission properties and orientations to direct light to specific target areas (such as the heat exchanger) while preventing light from reaching areas where it would cause damage (such as the air circulator).
2Manufacturing precision
If the beam angle of the light source is narrowed using a light guide, then the sterilizing light is delivered precisely to the sterilization area, but the sterilization coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into multiple portions with different orientations and light transmission characteristics. Each portion narrows the beam angle for precise targeting while the collection of segments provides comprehensive coverage of the sterilization area.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide portions are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations to direct light to multiple target areas simultaneously, maintaining narrow beam angles for precision while achieving broad coverage through multi-dimensional distribution.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple light guides are used to direct light to different areas, then the sterilization precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guide portions are integrated into a single light guide structure that is formed as one piece or closely coupled components. This merging approach maintains the precision benefits of multiple directional guides while reducing the complexity of assembling and managing separate light guide components.
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 solution effectively sterilizes pollutants in the air by delivering sterilizing light only to the necessary area, preventing damage to other components and enhancing air sterilization efficiency within the air conditioner.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide guiding a traveling direction of the sterilizing light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
The light guide may guide the sterilizing light such that a beam angle of the light source module becomes narrower than a beam angle of the light source
Implementation Method 3
a housing that reflects or absorbs the light to maintain efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A light source module and an air conditioner including the light source module. The light source module includes: at least one light source emitting sterilizing light in a wavelength band capable of sterilizing pollutants; a substrate on which the light source is mounted, the substrate being electrically connected to the light source; and a light guide guiding a traveling direction of the sterilizing light emitted from the light source. The light guide may guide the sterilizing light such that a beam angle of the light source module becomes narrower than a beam angle of the light source.