UV-C Area Sterilizer with Reflective Architectural Partitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital-acquired infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, fungi, and viruses are prevalent, and existing disinfection methods are ineffective, hazardous, or environmentally unfriendly, particularly in large enclosed areas like operating rooms.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet C (UV-C) area sterilizer that uses UV-C generators to direct and reflect UV-C radiation uniformly throughout enclosed spaces, with sensors measuring the cumulative dose to ensure effective disinfection and automatic shutdown, while ensuring safety through motion detection and power allocation to UV-C emitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-C radiation is used to disinfect large enclosed areas, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but safety risks to workers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflective surfaces as intermediaries to redirect UV-C radiation indirectly onto target surfaces. This allows the radiation to reach contaminated areas without direct line-of-sight exposure to workers, maintaining disinfection effectiveness while reducing direct worker exposure risks. The reflective surfaces act as mediators that carry the UV-C energy to where it is needed without requiring workers to be in direct proximity to the radiation sources.
2Ease of operation
If conventional liquid disinfectants are used on surfaces, then ease of application is improved, but effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical liquid disinfection systems with UV-C radiation systems. Instead of applying liquid disinfectants that may be ineffective against resistant bacteria, the system uses ultraviolet radiation to achieve disinfection. This substitution maintains ease of operation through automated radiation delivery while dramatically improving reliability by using a mechanism proven effective against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
3Reliability
If formaldehyde gas fumigation is used for disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and worker hazard increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the disinfection agent from chemical (formaldehyde gas) to physical (UV-C radiation). This parameter change maintains disinfection effectiveness while eliminating the harmful environmental and health effects associated with formaldehyde. UV-C radiation decomposes upon contact with surfaces and does not leave toxic residues, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental safety.
4Reliability
If UV-C radiation dose is increased to ensure complete disinfection, then disinfection completeness is improved, but exposure time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflective surfaces to add a spatial dimension to UV-C radiation delivery. By using reflections from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, the system multiplies the effective radiation coverage without proportionally increasing the energy input. This allows the required disinfection dose to be achieved more efficiently by utilizing the existing space geometry rather than simply increasing direct radiation intensity or duration.
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 UV-C area sterilizer effectively kills pathogens on surfaces within a reasonable time, reducing infection risks and avoiding residual toxins or environmental harm, with enhanced reflectivity coatings increasing efficiency and reducing exposure times.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet C (UV-C) generators generate UV-C radiation that is directed into an enclosed area. The direct and reflected UV-C radiation kills pathogens in the enclosed area.
Implementation Method 2
The direct and reflected UV-C radiation kills pathogens in the enclosed area
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet area sterilizer or disinfector is incorporated into a building structure where concern exists regarding the presence of pathogenic bacteria on environmental surfaces. Ultraviolet C (UV-C) generators generate UV-C that is directed to architectural partitions of an enclosed area. The architectural partitions reflect UV-C to kill pathogens in the enclosed area. The device transmits a calculated dose of UV-C from a fixture mounted to an architectural partition in the enclosed area. Once an effective cumulative dose of UV-C has been reflected to radiation sensors, as measured by the sensors, the device shuts down. The device may allocate power to specific UV-C emitters so as to direct UV-C radiation more uniformly throughout the area, as measured by the sensors.