UV Sterilization Light Assembly for Air Conditioner Fan Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner units face challenges in effectively sterilizing air without bulky or energy-intensive light assemblies, and in reliably preventing damage from moisture and heat within the unit.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner unit with a sterilization light assembly that includes ultraviolet light sources directed at the indoor fan, positioned within the indoor portion to transmit UV emissions along the airflow path, ensuring effective sterilization without significant size or cost increases, and using a cutoff panel to separate intake and exhaust segments for targeted UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light assembly is used to sterilize air flowing through the air conditioner unit, then microbes, bacteria, and viruses are reduced, but the light assembly becomes bulky or energy intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the UV light assembly specifically at the intake segment where air enters the unit, rather than attempting to sterilize the entire airflow path. This localized approach concentrates the sterilization effect where it is most needed while minimizing the size and energy requirements of the light assembly. The cutoff panel further refines this by creating a focused exposure zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by sterilizing only the portion of air that passes through the intake segment and is exposed to UV light, rather than attempting to treat all air uniformly. The cutoff panel creates a controlled exposure zone where UV light effectively sterilizes air in a specific region, achieving sufficient sterilization without requiring a complete-system approach that would be bulky and energy-intensive.
2Reliability
If a light assembly is mounted to sterilize air, then sterilization is achieved, but the light assembly is damaged by moisture or excessive heat within the air conditioner unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light assembly from the harmful environment by positioning it in the intake segment separated from the exhaust segment where excessive heat and moisture are present. The cutoff panel creates a physical barrier that isolates the UV light assembly from the hot, humid exhaust air while still allowing it to sterilize the incoming air. This spatial separation protects the light assembly from damage while maintaining its sterilization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutoff panel acts as an intermediary element that separates the light assembly from harmful moisture and heat sources. It creates a protective boundary that allows the UV light to sterilize air while preventing direct exposure to damaging environmental conditions in the exhaust segment.
3Productivity
If air is circulated through the air conditioner unit, then cooling or heating is provided, but microbes, bacteria, and viruses are circulated or propelled through the room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sterilizing air at the intake segment before it enters the main circulation system. The UV light assembly is positioned to treat air upstream, eliminating microbes, bacteria, and viruses before they can be circulated through the room by the air conditioning system. This proactive approach prevents contamination rather than attempting to address it downstream.
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 reduces microbes, bacteria, and viruses in the air flowing through the unit, ensuring reliable sterilization while protecting the light assembly from moisture and heat, maintaining system efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The sterilization light assembly may be directed at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and include an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and include an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion and directed at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.