UV Lamp Braid Contact Assembly for High-Temperature Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV light sanitization systems face challenges such as prolonged microbial resistance, human safety risks, unreliable electrical connections due to heat generation, and connection failures in excimer lamps, particularly at high operating temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a braid attachment with a conductive copper foil and mechanical restraining devices like tape or clamps are used to secure the electrical connection, ensuring reliable contact and heat distribution, suitable for UV lamps emitting 222 nm wavelength light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a braid attachment is used to connect UV lamp to electrical coupling, then electrical connection is established, but reliability deteriorates due to heat breaking grid lines and causing arcing
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the braid attachment and the electrical coupling. This conductive layer distributes the electrical contact pressure across a larger area, preventing localized heat concentration that would otherwise break grid lines. The intermediary layer also reduces arcing by providing a more uniform electrical connection path, thereby maintaining reliability at high operating temperatures.
2Productivity
If 254 nm UV light is used for sanitization, then microbial killing effectiveness is improved, but human safety deteriorates due to direct exposure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the UV light from 254 nm to 222 nm. This parameter change maintains the sanitization effectiveness against microbes while eliminating the harmful effects on human skin and eyes. The 222 nm wavelength is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not penetrate human tissue, thereby changing the physical parameter to resolve the contradiction between effectiveness and safety.
3Reliability
If UVC light exposure time is increased, then microbial killing completeness is improved, but operational time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from 254 nm to 222 nm, which fundamentally alters the interaction with microbes. The 222 nm wavelength provides more effective microbial inactivation per unit time, reducing the required exposure time while maintaining or improving killing completeness. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by making the sanitization process more efficient.
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
This approach maintains a stable electrical connection, prevents thermal hotspots, and ensures effective microbial neutralization while being safe for human exposure, enhancing sanitation efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive layer may be formed of copper... the conductive layer includes a foil wrapped around the at least a portion of the braid attachment
Implementation Method 2
emit a broad spectrum UVC light onto the structure... The UV lamp may be configured to emit sanitizing UV light having a wavelength of 222 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A system for connecting an ultraviolet (UV) lamp with an electrical coupling includes a braid attachment coupled to the UV lamp, and a conductive layer secured to at least a portion of the braid attachment. In at least one embodiment, the conductive layer includes a foil wrapped around the at least a portion of the braid attachment. In at least one embodiment, a mechanical restraining device is configured to secure the braid attachment to the electrical coupling.