UV Illuminator With Piezoelectric Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective preservation and disinfection methods for stored items, particularly in situations where access to electricity and stationary storage devices is limited, such as in food storage, medical equipment, and other applications, where ambient temperature affects bacterial activity and traditional methods like pasteurization can alter product quality.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure system utilizing ultraviolet transparent windows and UV radiation sources, with a control unit that manages UV radiation based on pressure inputs to ensure autonomous preservation and disinfection, including the use of UV-transparent materials and energy-efficient power sources like piezoelectric generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pasteurization methods are used to reduce microbial load, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but product quality (taste, flavor, nutritional characteristics) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter from thermal treatment to ultraviolet radiation treatment. UV light at specific wavelengths (250-280 nm) provides germicidal effectiveness without the thermal damage caused by pasteurization, thus maintaining product quality while achieving disinfection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal pasteurization system with an optical system using ultraviolet light sources. This substitution eliminates the need for heat application that degrades product quality while maintaining disinfection effectiveness through UV-induced DNA damage to microorganisms
2Reliability
If stationary storage devices with electricity access are used, then preservation reliability is improved, but adaptability to environments without electricity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through piezoelectric generators that harvest mechanical energy from enclosure compression or movement to power the UV radiation sources. This eliminates dependency on external electricity infrastructure while maintaining preservation reliability through autonomous energy generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static electricity-dependent systems to dynamic energy harvesting systems. The piezoelectric components convert mechanical motion or compression into electrical energy, enabling the preservation system to adapt to mobile or off-grid environments
3Reliability
If UV radiation sources are continuously operated to maximize disinfection, then microbial load reduction is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic UV radiation delivery through controlled illumination cycles. The system activates UV sources only when needed (upon detecting items in storage) and uses multiple light sources at different positions to achieve comprehensive coverage over time, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining effective disinfection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamically controllable UV radiation sources that adjust their operation based on system needs. Multiple light sources can be selectively activated and positioned to optimize disinfection coverage while minimizing energy consumption through intelligent control strategies
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 system effectively preserves and disinfects items using UV radiation, maintaining product quality and extending shelf life while being energy-efficient and adaptable for various environments, including those without constant electricity access.
Implementation Method 1
A set of ultraviolet radiation sources may be located adjacent to the at least one ultraviolet transparent window and configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed through the at least one ultraviolet transparent window
Implementation Method 2
energy-efficient power sources like piezoelectric generators
Data Source
AI summary
A solution for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation is provided. The solution can include an enclosure including at least one ultraviolet transparent window and a set of ultraviolet radiation sources located adjacent to the at least one ultraviolet transparent window. The set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed through the at least one ultraviolet transparent window. An input unit can be located on the enclosure and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to pressure applied to the enclosure. A control unit can be configured to manage the ultraviolet radiation by monitoring the electrical signal generated by the input unit and controlling, based on the monitoring, the ultraviolet radiation generated by the set of ultraviolet radiation sources.