UV Adapter for Liquid Disinfection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reusable water bottles often harbor significant bacterial growth, posing a risk of pathogen transmission, as evident from studies showing average adult water bottles contain 75,000 bacteria counts/mL, necessitating effective disinfection methods.

Innovation Solution

An adapter system for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device to containers, featuring a body with a window and coupler that aligns the UV light source with the container's interior, enabling safe and efficient disinfection of liquids within.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UV disinfection device is coupled directly to container, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device versatility and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoiddevice versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into three separate components: a UV disinfection device, a removable adapter with window, and a container. The adapter can be detached and attached to different container types, allowing the same UV device to work with multiple container configurations while maintaining effective disinfection through the window-aligned light path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the UV disinfection device and the container. It includes a window that aligns with the UV light source, enabling the UV light to pass through and disinfect the container interior. This intermediary allows versatile coupling with different container types while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If UV light source is positioned close to container interior, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but safety and controlled application deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficiencyVSAvoidUV safety control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter with its window serves as a mediator that positions the UV light source at an optimal distance for efficient disinfection while providing a controlled light path. The window aligns precisely with the UV source, ensuring the light reaches the container interior effectively without exposing the user to uncontrolled UV radiation, thus balancing efficiency and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 adapter system effectively reduces bacterial loads within containers by ensuring direct UV light exposure, enhancing the disinfection process and ensuring user safety through controlled UV application.

Implementation Method 1

a UV light source of the disinfecting device and configured to enable the UV light source to be in communication with the interior of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20240358868A1Systems and Methods for Detection, Treatment, Prevention and Protection

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 P TECH LLC

AI summary

An adapter couples an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device to a container suitable for holding liquid. The adapter may be a lid adapter that also functions as a lid for the container. The adapter includes a body and a coupler. The body couples to the UV disinfecting device, and the coupler couples to the container. In this way, the UV disinfecting device is in communication with the interior of the container.