UV-C Sanitization Housing with Reflective Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sanitization methods, such as chemical sterilization and ultraviolet lamp sterilization, face issues like safety hazards, chemical residues, uneven energy distribution, overheating, and incomplete pathogen neutralization, leading to inefficient sanitization of products on conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a housing with internal conveyor belts and UV-C lights, designed to ensure complete sanitization by maintaining products inside for 16 seconds, with reflective strips for comprehensive light coverage and black strips to block UV-C light escape, and remote-controlled operation for safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ultraviolet lamp sterilization is used, then sterilization can be performed, but the energy distribution is uneven and local killing effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single ultraviolet lamp into multiple ultraviolet light sources arranged in an array. Each light source covers a specific zone, ensuring uniform energy distribution across the entire sterilization area while maintaining effective sterilization in each local region
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple ultraviolet light sources into a unified sterilization system with integrated control circuitry. The control unit coordinates all light sources to operate simultaneously, achieving both uniform energy distribution and reliable sterilization through combined action
2Productivity
If conveyor systems are used for disinfecting products, then large area sterilization is achieved, but products may overheat, dry, or change properties due to elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional heat-based sterilization methods with ultraviolet light-based sterilization. This substitution allows large-area sterilization through the conveyor system while avoiding the thermal effects that cause product overheating, drying, or property changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sterilization parameter from thermal energy to ultraviolet light energy. By using UV-C wavelength light sources instead of heat, the system achieves effective sterilization across large conveyor areas without raising product temperature or causing thermal damage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If curtains are used to block ultraviolet radiation, then operator safety is improved, but gaps between curtain strips allow UV radiation to leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inadequate curtain blocking system and replaces it with a dedicated enclosed housing structure. The housing completely encloses the ultraviolet light sources, eliminating gaps and providing reliable UV radiation containment for operator safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs UV-blocking materials in the housing construction, combining opaque housing walls with UV-absorbing or UV-reflecting surfaces. This composite approach ensures complete UV radiation containment while maintaining structural integrity and safety
4Productivity
If conventional chemical sterilization is used, then quick sterilization of large area is achieved, but chemical residues remain and have influence on human health and environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical sterilization agents with physical ultraviolet light sterilization. This replacement eliminates chemical residues and environmental contamination while maintaining rapid sterilization capability through the conveyor-based UV-C system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the photochemical oxidation effect of UV-C radiation to sterilize surfaces. The high-energy UV-C light directly damages microbial DNA and promotes oxidative destruction of pathogens, achieving rapid sterilization without introducing harmful chemical residues
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
Effectively neutralizes pathogens on products by ensuring uniform UV-C light exposure and preventing UV radiation leakage, providing a safer and more reliable sanitization process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one UV-C light connected inside the housing
Implementation Method 2
reflective strips for comprehensive light coverage
Implementation Method 3
black strips to block UV-C light escape
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for sanitising products comprising a housing comprising a bottom portion, interior walls an external portion and doors a pair of support beams, a plurality of internal conveyor belts, at least one UV-C light connected inside the housing, a first opening adapted to allow products to enter the housing for sanitisation and a second opening adapted to allow products to exit the housing after sanitisation.