UV Emission Device with Interlock for Conveyor Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face inefficiencies in disinfection due to inadequate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) energy, which is necessary for effective pathogen elimination, especially in environments where manual cleaning is time-consuming and automated systems can damage items.
Innovation Solution
A UV emission device is designed to attach to conveyor systems, featuring a housing with an energy emission element, absorptive barriers, and an interlock switch system that ensures consistent exposure of moving surfaces to UV energy, preventing emission when the surface is not present and adjusting power based on conveyor activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is used to disinfect conveyor surfaces, then disinfection can be performed, but it requires relatively high time and effort from employees and results in inconsistent disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated UV emission system. The UV emission element directs ultraviolet energy onto the conveyor surface to disinfect it automatically, eliminating the need for manual cleaning while providing consistent disinfection coverage throughout the conveyor cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system performs its own disinfection function through the integrated UV emission device. The system automatically activates UV emission during the conveyor cycle without requiring external human intervention, enabling the system to maintain its own hygiene standards continuously.
2Extent of automation
If automated spray cleaning systems are used to disinfect conveyor surfaces, then cleaning can be automated, but it can damage items carried on the conveyor system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes spray-based liquid cleaning with UV electromagnetic radiation for disinfection. UV energy effectively kills pathogens and disinfects surfaces without introducing moisture or chemicals that could damage items on the conveyor, providing automated cleaning without harmful side effects.
3Reliability
If UV energy is continuously emitted to ensure disinfection, then pathogen elimination is effective, but energy consumption increases and safety risks arise when no surface is present
Solution Approach 1:
The UV emission element operates periodically rather than continuously, activating during specific phases of the conveyor cycle when the surface is present and deactivating when the surface is absent. This periodic operation maintains effective disinfection while reducing overall energy consumption and minimizing safety risks from unnecessary UV exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence or absence of the conveyor surface and provides feedback control to the UV emission element. When the surface is detected, UV emission is activated; when the surface is absent, emission is deactivated. This feedback mechanism ensures effective disinfection only when needed, optimizing energy use and safety.
4Reliability
If UV emission is activated without surface detection, then disinfection coverage is maximized, but safety risks increase due to unnecessary UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs detection mechanisms to sense the presence of the conveyor surface and uses this information to control UV emission activation. UV energy is directed onto the surface only when detection confirms the surface is present, ensuring complete disinfection coverage while eliminating unnecessary UV exposure that would occur without detection-based control.
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 provides consistent and efficient disinfection of conveyor surfaces, reducing manual cleaning time and preventing damage to items, while ensuring safety by interrupting UV emission when the surface is not properly aligned.
Implementation Method 1
ultraviolet ('UV') energy may have a disinfecting effect on surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The absorptive barrier may be configured to contact the return surface along the lateral edge of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet (“UV”) emission device may emit energy towards a movable surface of a conveyor system. A housing of the UV emission device may attach to a frame of the conveyor system. A lateral edge of the housing may extend across the moveable surface. The housing and a portion of the moveable surface may be inclined with respect to the frame. A barrier bracket of the UV emission device may support an absorptive barrier along the lateral edge, the absorptive barrier configured to contact the moveable surface. In a first position of the barrier bracket, the absorptive barrier contacts the moveable surface and the barrier bracket activates an interlock switch. In a second position of the barrier bracket, the barrier bracket deactivates the interlock switch. Responsive to deactivation of the interlock switch, a controller may provide a control signal to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.