UV-C Air Sterilizer Fixture with External Radiation Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultraviolet light fixtures for disinfecting air are either ineffective due to wasted radiation, require humans and animals to leave the area, or are costly and inefficient, failing to provide continuous disinfection in enclosed spaces while ensuring safety.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet light fixture with a design that includes a top end cap, base, and louvers creating a gap to allow UV-C radiation to pass outside while safely sterilizing air flow, allowing for continuous operation in the presence of humans and animals, with adjustable louvers for varying ceiling heights and UV-C bulb sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light fixtures are used to disinfect air, then the ability to kill airborne bacteria and viruses is improved, but the harmful effect on humans and animals present in the area worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture divides the ultraviolet radiation into two distinct pathways: a first portion directed through a first opening to sterilize air flow, and a second portion directed through a second opening to create an external sterilization field. This segmentation allows different functions to be performed in different directions, resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and safety for occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture employs directional openings and reflectors to concentrate ultraviolet radiation specifically in air flow paths and external areas, while minimizing radiation exposure in occupied zones. This local concentration of sterilization function achieves effective disinfection without exposing humans and animals to harmful levels of ultraviolet light.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet radiation is maximized for sterilization, then the ability to eradicate pathogens is improved, but the absorption of radiation by the fixture increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture extracts ultraviolet radiation from the bulb and redirects it through specific openings away from the fixture body. By taking the radiation path outside the fixture structure, the design minimizes absorption by fixture materials while maximizing the sterilization field in external air flow areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture utilizes multiple openings positioned in different spatial dimensions and orientations to distribute ultraviolet radiation throughout the air flow path and external environment. This multi-dimensional radiation distribution increases sterilization coverage while reducing single-point absorption losses.
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 fixture effectively sterilizes a large area with minimal fixtures, ensuring safety and efficiency by maximizing UV-C radiation exposure while minimizing absorption, allowing continuous disinfection without the need for humans and animals to leave the area.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultraviolet light bulb to sterilize an air flow, an ultraviolet radiation field created by the at least one ultraviolet light bulb to sterilize the air flow
Implementation Method 2
the top end cap and the base to create a gap, the gap sized to allow ultraviolet radiation to pass outside the ultraviolet light fixture to create a sterilization field outside the ultraviolet light fixture
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet-C light fixture is provided, the ultraviolet-C light fixture comprising at least one ultraviolet-C light bulb to sterilize an air flow, an ultraviolet-C radiation field created by the at least one ultraviolet-C light bulb to sterilize the air flow, a top end cap, a base and a plurality of louvers, the plurality of louvers positioned proximate one another, the top end cap and the base to create a gap, the gap sized to allow ultraviolet radiation to pass outside the ultraviolet light fixture to create a sterilization field outside the ultraviolet light fixture to eradicate bacterial, viral or pathogen particles from the air flow surrounding the fixture and the gap sized to allow passage of the air flow containing a cloud of infectious bacterial, viral or pathogen particles to pass through a sterilization chamber within the ultraviolet light fixture to eradicate bacterial, viral or pathogen particles from the air flow.