UV Lamp Frame Layout for Low-Maintenance Water Disinfection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water disinfection systems are costly due to the need for dedicated guide elements and complex mechanisms for lifting and positioning UV lamp arrays, limiting accessibility and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A water disinfection system with a stand-alone frame that holds UV lamps in a cuboid shape, allowing simultaneous lifting and unguided movement of the entire array, using a single crane, and featuring attachment elements for secure lifting and power cutoff mechanisms to ensure safe handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated guide rails and complex mechanisms are used for lifting and positioning UV lamp arrays, then the lamps can be securely held and positioned, but the system cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of UV lamp arraysVSAvoidguiding system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the dedicated guide rails and complex positioning mechanisms from the system. Instead, the UV lamp arrays are simply lowered into the channel and held in place by their own weight, eliminating the need for guiding systems while maintaining secure positioning during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UV lamp arrays serve their own positioning function by being held in place through their自重 (self-weight) when lowered into the channel. The design allows the arrays to self-position and self-hold without requiring external guiding mechanisms or complex lifting systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If dedicated guide rails and complex mechanisms are installed in the channel, then lamp arrays can be positioned accurately, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp array positioning accuracyVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates dedicated guide rails and complex positioning mechanisms from the channel installation. The UV lamp arrays are positioned by simply lowering them into the channel where they are held by their own weight, significantly reducing installation complexity and maintenance costs while maintaining adequate positioning accuracy for disinfection operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If UV lamp arrays are fixed in place with secure mounting, then the lamps remain stable during operation, but accessibility for maintenance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp array stability during operationVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic positioning system where UV lamp arrays can be easily lowered into and removed from the channel using a crane, providing excellent maintenance accessibility. During operation, the arrays are held stable by their own weight, achieving both operational stability and maintenance ease through a simple, reversible positioning approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If multiple dedicated lifting mechanisms are provided for each frame, then each array can be lifted independently, but the system cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent array lifting capabilityVSAvoidlifting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal crane as a multi-functional lifting mechanism that can handle multiple UV lamp arrays. Instead of providing dedicated lifting mechanisms for each frame, a single crane performs the lifting function for all arrays, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining the capability to lift arrays independently when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces installation and maintenance costs by enabling easy frame removal and positioning without guide rails, enhancing accessibility and safety during maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

disinfection systems for water and wastewater treatment utilizing ultraviolet radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3604233B1Water disinfection system
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 XYLEM EURO GMBH
  • EP3604233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3604233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3604233B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a water disinfection system comprising - a flow-through treatment chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the water in an open channel, the inlet and the outlet defining a flow direction of a flow of water, - a plurality of elongated ultraviolet lamps positioned parallel to each other in at least one array within said treatment chamber which at least one array is disposed at an acute angle with respect to and transverse to the flow of water so that the water must pass through the array, - a frame which holds in place the lamps of the array and which is constructed so that all lamps of the at least one array can be lifted out of the chamber simultaneously by lifting the frame, which is further improved in that - the frame is a stand-alone frame with a cuboid outer shape, the frame having in the direction of the flow of water: -- an upstream end with two vertical front frame members and two horizontal front frame members, -- a downstream end with two vertical rear frame members and two horizontal rear frame members, and -- a frame centre section with two lower side frame members and two upper side frame members, - wherein the at least one array is contained inside the cuboid shape and - wherein the frame is positioned in the chamber and has attachment elements for attaching the frame to a lifting mechanism.