UV Lamp Mesh Layout for Uniform Air Sterilization in Air Conditioners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners with UV sterilizer devices face challenges in space efficiency and uniform air sterilization due to the large size of UV lamps, which can lead to incomplete sterilization of air along the heat exchanger surface.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a UV sterilization module with a porous main body and a parallel arrangement of smaller UV lamps, supported by holders and connected in parallel, which allows for efficient air flow and uniform sterilization across the heat exchanger surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large UV lamp is used in the UV sterilizer device, then the sterilization coverage is increased, but the space efficiency is reduced and air channel obstruction is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large UV lamp into multiple smaller UV lamps arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows the sterilization function to be distributed across multiple compact units, reducing the volume occupied by each individual lamp while collectively maintaining or improving sterilization coverage through parallel arrangement along the heat exchanger surface.
2Reliability
If a large UV lamp is disposed on the heat exchanger surface, then the sterilization intensity is increased, but the air flow uniformity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning multiple UV lamps at different locations along the heat exchanger surface, ensuring that each region receives appropriate sterilization intensity. The parallel arrangement of smaller lamps creates more uniform local sterilization zones compared to a single large lamp, while maintaining overall sterilization effectiveness through strategic positioning.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple UV lamps are arranged in parallel, then the space efficiency is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple UV lamps into a unified parallel arrangement system that integrates with the heat exchanger structure. By combining the lamps in a coordinated configuration along the heat exchanger surface, the design achieves compact space utilization while managing complexity through systematic integration rather than random placement.
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 configuration enhances space efficiency, improves the uniformity of air sterilization, and reduces power consumption while maintaining a compact design suitable for wall-mounted air conditioners.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of UV lamps (764) spaced from each other on the porous main body (762) to generate UV rays
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner is provided that may include a main body having an air inlet and an air outlet defined therein; a filter received in the main body to filter air suctioned into the main body; a heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between a refrigerant and the air suctioned into the main body; and an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization module configured to sterilize the air suctioned into the main body. The UV sterilization module may include a porous main body in a mesh form, and a plurality of UV lamps. The porous main body may include a bent portion to allow the porous main body to conform to a shape of the heat exchanger. The main body may include a chassis, and a front frame at a front of the chassis. An inner space may be defined between the chassis and the front frame. The porous main body may be coupled to at least one of the chassis or the front frame, and the plurality of UV lamps may be arranged to be spaced from each other between the air inlet and the heat exchanger.