UV Lamp Cover Layout for Uniform Cylindrical Sterilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultraviolet sterilizing apparatuses using external electrode fluorescent lamps suffer from reduced sterilizing efficiency due to shaded areas created by external electrodes, which prevent uniform irradiation of ultraviolet rays on cylindrical objects.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizing apparatus with a cylindrical lamp body and external electrodes, featuring a cover that scatters light emitted from the lamp body to ensure uniform irradiation of ultraviolet rays, even in areas obstructed by the external electrodes, by positioning the cover to face the outer surface of the lamp body and electrodes, allowing light to be transmitted and scattered radially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If external electrodes are placed on the outer surface of the lamp body to induce electric discharge, then the lamp can operate at low voltages with extended lifetime and reduced power consumption, but the external electrodes create shaded areas that prevent uniform irradiation of ultraviolet rays on cylindrical objects
Solution Approach 1:
A light-emitting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the lamp body and the object to be sterilized. This light-emitting member is positioned to face the shaded area created by the external electrodes and emits light toward that area, effectively mediating the delivery of ultraviolet radiation to regions that would otherwise be blocked by the electrode structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-emitting member is strategically positioned asymmetrically to specifically target the shaded area created by the external electrodes. Rather than attempting to uniformly illuminate all surfaces, the system acknowledges the asymmetric shadowing effect and compensates for it by placing additional light-emitting elements in the specific locations where shadows fall, creating a balanced overall illumination pattern.
2Ease of manufacture
If external electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the lamp body, then the lamp structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but light emitted from the lamp body does not penetrate the external electrodes resulting in shaded areas
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting member serves as a mediator that bypasses the blocking effect of the external electrodes. Instead of trying to make light penetrate through the electrodes, the system uses the light-emitting member to generate additional light in the shaded region, effectively working around the structural constraint rather than fighting against it.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial distribution parameter of light emission by adding a light-emitting member at a specific position and orientation. This parameter change allows the system to maintain the simple external electrode structure while achieving adequate illumination in previously shaded areas through modified light emission patterns.
3Device complexity
If a conventional fluorescent lamp structure is used without additional light-emitting members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sterilizing function is reduced due to shaded areas
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting member is introduced as a minimal additional component that specifically addresses the sterilization effectiveness issue without requiring a complete redesign of the lamp structure. This intermediary element bridges the gap between the simple conventional lamp structure and the requirement for effective uniform sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than completely redesigning the lamp structure to eliminate shaded areas, the system applies a partial solution by adding light-emitting members only in the specific locations where shadows are created. This excessive action (adding more light sources than the minimum single source) is targeted and localized, maintaining overall device simplicity while ensuring adequate sterilization coverage.
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 ensures that ultraviolet rays are uniformly distributed, enhancing the sterilization effect by eliminating shaded areas and improving the overall sterilizing performance of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a lamp body containing a gas configured to emit ultraviolet rays through electric discharge
Implementation Method 2
a cover configured to cover at least a portion of the light-emitting region and to scatter the light emitted from the lamp body
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilizing apparatus and a home appliance comprising the same are provided. The sterilizing apparatus may include: a lamp body containing a gas configured to emit ultraviolet rays through electric discharge and having a cylindrical shape, a plurality of external electrodes disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the lamp body and extending in a longitudinal direction of the lamp body, and a cover including an inner wall and an outer wall, and provided in a radial direction of the lamp body to allow the inner wall to face the outer circumferential surface of the lamp body and outer surfaces of the plurality of external electrodes, wherein the lamp body includes a light-emitting region provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lamp body, the light-emitting region disposed between the plurality of external electrodes and configured to allow light emitted from the lamp body to be transmitted, wherein the cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the light-emitting region to scatter the light emitted from the lamp body.