UV and Blue-UV LED Illuminator for Surface Disinfection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet (UV) sterilization technologies, particularly those using UV-C LEDs, suffer from low efficiency and require high maintenance, containing mercury and needing high voltages.
Innovation Solution
The development of an illuminator that combines UV LEDs and blue-UV LEDs, operating in specific wavelength ranges (270-290 nm and 380-420 nm respectively), to enhance surface disinfection through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mercury UV-C lights are used for sterilization, then effective sterilization is achieved, but the devices are difficult to maintain, contain mercury, and require high voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful mercury component from the sterilization system and replaces it with LED technology. The invention uses UV-C LEDs and blue-UV LEDs to generate the necessary radiation without requiring mercury, thereby eliminating the maintenance and safety issues associated with traditional mercury lamps while preserving sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of mercury arc lamps with a solid-state LED system. This substitution eliminates the need for high voltage power supplies and complex ballast circuits, resulting in a simpler, more reliable device that is easier to maintain while achieving the same sterilization function
2Object-generated harmful factors
If UV-C LEDs are used for sterilization, then mercury-free operation is achieved, but the efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV-C LEDs (wavelength 270-290 nm) with blue-UV LEDs (wavelength 380-420 nm) in a single illumination system. This merging of two different LED types with different wavelength outputs creates a synergistic effect where the blue-UV component generates reactive oxygen species that enhance the sterilization capability of the UV-C radiation, thereby improving overall efficiency while maintaining mercury-free operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the illumination system by introducing blue-UV wavelengths (380-420 nm) in addition to UV-C wavelengths (270-290 nm). This parameter change enables the generation of reactive oxygen species through photochemical processes, which significantly enhances the sterilization efficiency compared to UV-C LEDs alone, while maintaining the mercury-free advantage
3Object-generated harmful factors
If blue-UV LEDs are used alone for sterilization, then prolonged exposure achieves sterilization through ROS generation, but the treatment time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses blue-UV LEDs to preliminarily generate reactive oxygen species on the surface before the UV-C LEDs deliver the primary sterilization radiation. This preliminary action of ROS generation sensitizes microorganisms to UV-C radiation, making them more vulnerable and reducing the overall treatment time required for effective sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent operates both UV-C LEDs and blue-UV LEDs simultaneously or in coordinated sequences, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the treatment process. The blue-UV LEDs continuously generate ROS while UV-C LEDs deliver germicidal radiation, creating a sustained synergistic effect that achieves sterilization faster than either component could alone, thereby reducing the loss of time
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 combination significantly improves the disinfection efficiency of surfaces by effectively sterilizing microorganisms through prolonged exposure to blue-UV light, while also addressing the inefficiencies and maintenance issues of traditional UV-C technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Prolonged exposure to blue-UV light, e.g., in the wavelength range of approximately 380 nanometers (nm) to approximately 420 nm, results in sterilization due to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Implementation Method 2
UV LEDs and blue-UV LEDs, operating in specific wavelength ranges (270-290 nm and 380-420 nm respectively)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An illuminator comprising more than one set of ultraviolet radiation sources. A first set of ultraviolet radiation sources operate in a wavelength range of approximately 270 nanometers to approximately 290 nanometers. A second set of ultraviolet radiation sources operate in a wavelength range of approximately 380 nanometers to approximately 420 nanometers. The illuminator can also include a set of sensors for acquiring data regarding at least one object to be irradiated by the first and the second set of ultraviolet radiation sources. A control system configured to control and adjust a set of radiation settings for the first and the second set of ultraviolet radiation sources based on the data acquired by the set of sensors.