Storage device including ultraviolet illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for preserving and disinfecting stored items in refrigerated units using ultraviolet radiation do not adequately address food life prolongation, disinfection, and ethylene decomposition, as they fail to adjust UV radiation parameters based on specific conditions within the storage area or items.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors conditions within a storage area and adjusts the direction, intensity, pattern, or spectral power of ultraviolet radiation using a control system to implement various operating configurations such as storage life preservation, disinfection, and ethylene decomposition, employing ultraviolet radiation sources and a monitoring and control system to optimize UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet radiation is applied to disinfect and preserve stored items, then microbial load is reduced and storage life is extended, but the storage device complexity increases due to need for monitoring and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system that detects conditions within the storage area (such as microbial presence, ethylene levels, or item quality indicators) and feeds this information to a control system. The control system dynamically adjusts UV radiation parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) based on the detected conditions, ensuring effective disinfection while avoiding unnecessary high-dose exposure that could harm stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed UV radiation application to dynamic, adaptive UV treatment. The control system modifies radiation parameters in real-time based on monitoring data, allowing the disinfection process to respond to changing conditions within the storage area, such as varying microbial loads or different item sensitivities.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If ultraviolet radiation parameters are adjusted dynamically based on monitoring, then storage life is prolonged and item quality is maintained, but the extent of automation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring and control system operates autonomously within the storage device, detecting conditions and adjusting UV radiation parameters without external intervention. The system self-regulates the disinfection process based on real-time data from sensors, maintaining optimal radiation levels to extend storage life while minimizing the need for manual operation or external control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from monitoring sensors to automatically adjust UV radiation parameters. The control system receives data about storage conditions (microbial presence, ethylene concentration, item quality metrics) and autonomously modifies radiation intensity and duration to optimize preservation outcomes, extending storage life through automated adaptive control.
3Device complexity
If fixed ultraviolet radiation is applied without adjustment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different storage conditions and items decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic changes in UV radiation parameters (wavelength, intensity, exposure duration) based on detected storage conditions and item types. The control system selects from multiple radiation configurations to match different disinfection needs, such as adjusting wavelength for different microbial targets or modifying intensity based on item sensitivity, thereby enhancing adaptability without requiring entirely different hardware systems.
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
This approach effectively prolongs the storage life of items, ensures disinfection, and manages ethylene levels, maintaining the quality and nutritional value of stored goods by dynamically controlling ultraviolet radiation parameters.
Implementation Method 1
ultraviolet light is classified into three wavelength ranges: UV-C, from about 200 nanometers (nm) to about 280 nm; UV-B, from about 280 nm to about 315 nm; and UV-A, from about 315 nm to about 400 nm. Generally, ultraviolet light, and in particular, UV-C light is 'germicidal,' i.e., it deactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens
Implementation Method 2
a transparent region configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation
Implementation Method 3
a reflecting region configured to reflect ultraviolet radiation into the storage area
Data Source
AI summary
Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. Items located within the area and/or one or more conditions of the area are monitored over a period of time. Based on the monitoring, ultraviolet radiation sources are controlled by adjusting a direction, an intensity, a pattern, and/or a spectral power of the ultraviolet radiation generated by the ultraviolet radiation source. Adjustments to the ultraviolet radiation source(s) can correspond to one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a storage life preservation operating configuration, a disinfection operating configuration, and an ethylene decomposition operating configuration.