Air Baffles for UVC Sterilization Dwell Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UVC air sterilization devices face challenges in maximizing the exposure of air to UVC radiation within enclosed spaces while preventing leakage and ensuring safety from UVC exposure to people and pets, as conventional designs often result in inefficient air circulation and potential harm from UVC radiation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an air baffle system within UVC air sterilization enclosures that creates air turbulence, increasing the dwell time of air volumes near UVC light sources, thereby enhancing UVC exposure and sterilization efficiency while preventing radiation leakage through the use of baffles with angled surfaces and UV-reflective coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is circulated through the UVC enclosure, then air sterilization is achieved, but the dwell time of air in the enclosure is insufficient for effective sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by creating turbulent airflow patterns within the enclosure using strategically positioned baffles. This turbulence dynamically changes the airflow path, causing air to circulate more extensively and remain in the enclosure longer, thereby increasing the dwell time for effective UVC sterilization without requiring higher fan speeds or larger enclosure volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces baffles that add spatial complexity to the airflow path, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space within the enclosure. The baffles create multiple flow layers and directional changes, transforming simple linear airflow into complex multi-dimensional circulation patterns that maximize exposure to UVC radiation.
2Reliability
If UVC light sources are used for sterilization, then microorganisms are killed, but UVC radiation may leak and harm people and pets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses opaque baffles as intermediary elements that physically block and contain UVC radiation within the enclosure. These baffles act as mediators between the UVC light sources and the external environment, allowing the sterilization function to proceed effectively while preventing harmful radiation from escaping to protect people and pets in the surrounding area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the enclosure interior using multiple baffles positioned at different locations and angles. This segmentation creates distinct zones that contain and direct UVC radiation, ensuring thorough air sterilization while maintaining radiation containment. The segmented structure provides multiple barriers against potential radiation leakage.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional glass or plastic materials are used for enclosure, then manufacturing is easier, but UVC radiation is blocked and cannot sterilize air effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using UV-transparent materials specifically for the enclosure walls and ceiling where UVC transmission is needed, while using opaque materials for internal baffles where radiation containment is required. This localized material selection optimizes both sterilization effectiveness and safety without compromising ease of manufacture.
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 baffle system increases the UV dose received by air, enhancing the sterilization efficiency of UVC air purification devices by prolonging air exposure to UVC radiation and reducing the distance between air volumes and light sources, thus improving the germicidal effectiveness while ensuring safety by containing UVC radiation within the enclosure.
Implementation Method 1
The baffle is designed and arranged so that it creates air turbulence within the enclosure to Increase the dwell time of a given volume of the air in the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
UV wavelengths around 265 nm, in the UVC band, is the optimal biocide wavelength to damage nucleic acids which can kill microorganisms. Thymine (and Uracil), components of DNA and RNA, have absorption spectra that are especially sensitive at wavelengths at or near 265 nm
Implementation Method 3
The introduction of an air baffle system within UVC air sterilization enclosures that creates air turbulence, increasing the dwell time of air volumes near UVC light sources, thereby enhancing UVC exposure and sterilization efficiency while preventing radiation leakage through the use of baffles with angled surfaces and UV-reflective coatings
Data Source
AI summary
One or more air baffles are provided for an apparatus that sterilizes air in a room using UVC radiation. At least one baffle within an air sterilization enclosure is arranged so the baffle is proximal to the at least one UVC light source. The baffle is designed and positioned to create air turbulence within the enclosure to increase the dwell time of a given volume of the air in the enclosure, and to reduce the effective distance of a given volume of air to the UVC light sources. Thus, airflow is hindered by the baffle in its passage through the enclosure in order to increase the UVC exposure to that volume of air.