UV Light Emitter Assembly Layout for High-Irradiance Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV devices face challenges in effectively delivering UV radiation for disinfection due to limitations in power supply and design, leading to inefficiencies in disinfecting larger surface areas.
Innovation Solution
The UV light-emitting assembly includes a plurality of UV light emitters supported by spaced emitter supports, with heat sinks and thermally conductive-insulating plates, allowing for higher power operation and adjustable UV intensity through mechanical mechanisms, enhancing UV irradiation and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple UV emitters are provided with a low power supply (12 watts), then the device can operate with simple power requirements, but the UV irradiation intensity and coverage area are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the UV emission function into multiple separate UV emitters (at least two, preferably three or more) that can be independently positioned and controlled. Each emitter operates at lower power individually, but collectively they provide enhanced UV irradiation coverage and intensity across larger surface areas, resolving the contradiction between simple power supply requirements and adequate UV output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial arrangement as a new dimension by positioning multiple UV emitters at different locations and orientations. This three-dimensional configuration allows the system to achieve broader coverage and higher effective irradiation intensity without requiring each individual emitter to operate at high power, thus maintaining power supply simplicity while improving UV delivery performance.
2Device complexity
If multiple UV emitters are provided with a low power supply, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to disinfect larger surface areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfiction function is segmented across multiple UV emitters positioned at different locations. Each emitter handles a portion of the total surface area, allowing the system to cover larger areas effectively. This segmentation approach maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving enhanced coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the UV emitters to be dynamically arranged and repositioned according to the specific disinfection needs. This dynamic adaptability enables the same simple structure to effectively service varying surface areas and configurations, maximizing coverage without increasing structural complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If UV emitters operate at higher power to increase irradiation, then UV intensity improves, but heat generation increases causing potential electrical arcing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of operating a single high-power UV emitter that generates excessive heat, the system segments the power delivery across multiple lower-power emitters. Each emitter operates at moderate power levels that generate manageable heat, collectively providing the necessary UV intensity while avoiding the temperature buildup that would cause electrical arcing in a single high-power configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat sinks as intermediary thermal management components positioned between the UV emitters and the surrounding environment. These heat sinks act as mediators that actively dissipate the heat generated by the UV emitters, maintaining operational temperature below arcing thresholds while allowing the emitters to operate at optimal power levels for effective UV delivery.
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 assembly enables higher UV irradiance and larger irradiated areas with adjustable intensity, improving disinfection efficiency and coverage without electrical arcing, using heat sinks and mechanical adjustments to manage heat and power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A first heat sink is affixed to the first UV light emitter support and a second heat sink is affixed to the second UV light emitter support. A thermally conductive and electrically insulating plate contacts the first heat sink and the second heat sink.
Implementation Method 2
heat sinks and thermally conductive-insulating plates, allowing for higher power operation and adjustable UV intensity
Implementation Method 3
Ultraviolet (UV) light has been used in some settings to disinfect and sanitize surfaces. In some examples, multiple UV emitters are provided and powered by a relatively low power supply, such as 12 watts.
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and methods for disinfecting surfaces using ultraviolet (UV) light are disclosed. In one aspect, a UV light-emitting assembly comprises a plurality of UV light emitters, a first UV light emitter support seating the plurality of UV light emitters, and a second UV light emitter support seating the plurality of UV light emitters, wherein the first UV light emitter support is spaced from the second UV light emitter support. A first heat sink is affixed to the first UV light emitter support and a second heat sink is affixed to the second UV light emitter support. A thermally conductive and electrically insulating plate contacts the first heat sink and the second heat sink.