UVC Germicidal Device with Multi-Sensor Human Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UVC germicidal devices are limited in their ability to simultaneously sterilize air and surfaces, often have blind spots due to the rectilinear nature of UVC light, and may produce ozone, which is harmful. They also lack advanced sensors to accurately detect human presence, leading to potential exposure risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A UVC germicidal device that incorporates smart technology with a lighting member emitting UV light, a sensing member for detecting events such as movement or acoustic waves, and a microcontroller unit to control the device's operation. This device can switch between on and off states based on predetermined times, remote instructions, or user input, and includes features like radar and infrared sensors for precise human detection, allowing for both surface and air sterilization with optional ozone production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UVC light is used for sterilization, then microorganisms are killed effectively, but blind spots are created due to rectilinear propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the sterilization function into multiple UVC light sources positioned at different locations and angles, creating overlapping coverage zones that eliminate blind spots while maintaining effective sterilization in each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reflective surfaces and multi-angular light sources to transform the one-dimensional rectilinear propagation into three-dimensional coverage, allowing UVC light to reach surfaces that would otherwise be in shadow or blind spots
2Device complexity
If basic sensors are used for human detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple sensor types (passive infrared sensors for thermal detection, radar sensors for motion detection, and acoustic sensors for sound detection) into an integrated sensing system that cross-validates signals to accurately distinguish humans from other objects while managing complexity through unified control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: human detection, motion tracking, presence confirmation, and safety monitoring, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors and lowering overall system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy
3Reliability
If UVC sterilization operates continuously, then sterilization effectiveness is maximized, but human exposure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between sterilization phases when no humans are detected and safe phases when humans are present, using sensor-triggered timing to maximize sterilization effectiveness during empty periods while ensuring human safety during occupied periods
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system continuously provides feedback about human presence to the control system, which automatically adjusts or shuts off UVC light emission in real-time, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that maintains sterilization effectiveness when needed while preventing harmful exposure when humans are nearby
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 device effectively kills microorganisms on surfaces and in air while minimizing human exposure to UV light, providing comprehensive and intelligent sterilization capabilities, including ozone-free options for safer use.
Implementation Method 1
UVC (ultraviolet with C wavelength range) light has the effect of cracking the DNA and RNA molecular chain and kills germs and viruses in several seconds
Implementation Method 2
UVC light has the effect of cracking the DNA and RNA molecular chain
Implementation Method 3
the sensing member comprises a built-in sensor unit comprising at least one radar sensor for detecting a moving or stationary object in the area
Implementation Method 4
at least one passive infrared sensor for detecting a movement in the area
Implementation Method 5
at least one acoustic sensor for detecting an acoustic wave in the area
Implementation Method 6
a housing surrounding the lighting member... when air in the area is operably circulated through the at least one air pass-through channel, the UV light emitted from the lighting member kills the microorganisms in the circulated air
Data Source
AI summary
A germicidal device includes a lighting member operably in an on-state in which the lighting member emits ultraviolet light for killing microorganisms, or in an off-state in which the lighting member emits no light; a sensing member operably detecting at least one event occurred in an area; and a microcontroller unit coupled with the lighting member and the sensing member for controlling operations of the lighting member in a respective state in accordance with the at least one event occurred in the area. The at least one event includes a movement in the area, an acoustic wave in the area, an intrusion into the area, an expiration of an on-state time period in which the lighting member is in the on-state, an expiration of an off-state time period in which the lighting member is in the off-state, and/or an instruction from a remote operation.