UV LED Disinfection Chamber with Reflective Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection devices for sound transmission devices and other small items are inefficient due to their bulkiness, heat generation, hazardous materials, and limited portability, making them unsuitable for effective and safe disinfection, especially for complex-shaped items.
Innovation Solution
A portable and autonomous ultraviolet disinfection device with UV emitters, such as LEDs, and a reflective chamber that uses actuators to ensure uniform UV radiation coverage, allowing for efficient disinfection of complex-shaped items without the need for extensive setup or hazardous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Mercury lamps are used for UV disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device portability and safety deteriorate due to bulkiness, heat generation, and hazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional Mercury arc lamps with UV LED technology. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky glass envelopes, high-voltage ignition systems, and hazardous Mercury content while maintaining effective UV-C wavelength emission (265-280nm) for disinfection. The UV LED array provides the same germicidal effect without the mechanical and safety drawbacks of conventional lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the UV light source from high-temperature Mercury arc operation to low-temperature LED electroluminescence. This parameter change reduces operating temperature, eliminates hazardous materials, and enables portable device design while maintaining the critical UV-C wavelength range for effective microbial inactivation.
2Reliability
If Mercury lamps are used for UV disinfection, then disinfection capability is improved, but device complexity and safety requirements worsen due to high voltage and temperature sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex high-voltage ignition and control electronics with simple low-voltage LED driver circuitry. UV LEDs operate directly from standard battery voltages without requiring ballasts, starters, or high-voltage transformers, dramatically simplifying the electronic system while maintaining reliable UV-C output for disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
UV LEDs are inherently more robust and require less maintenance than Mercury lamps. They do not require warm-up time, are not sensitive to mechanical shock or vibration, and have longer operational lifetimes. The device is designed to be self-sufficient with no complex maintenance procedures, making it suitable for portable and field use.
3Power
If conventional UV lamps are used, then disinfection power is improved, but heat generation increases limiting exposure time and distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from high-temperature Mercury lamp operation (typically 400-1000°C arc temperature) to low-temperature LED operation (<50°C junction temperature). This enables prolonged exposure times and closer placement to the target object without thermal damage, while maintaining high UV-C output power for effective disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
Replacing Mercury lamps with UV LEDs eliminates the thermal management problems associated with conventional lamps. The solid-state LED technology converts electrical energy directly to UV light with minimal heat generation, removing the need for complex cooling systems and enabling safe, prolonged exposure of heat-sensitive items.
4Weight of moving object
If UV LEDs are used instead of Mercury lamps, then portability and safety are improved, but ensuring uniform coverage on complex-shaped items becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an array of multiple UV LEDs distributed across the device surface rather than a single point source. This segmentation of the light source enables coverage of complex geometries from multiple angles simultaneously. The reflective chamber walls further segment and redirect UV radiation to reach all surfaces of the target object, ensuring uniform disinfection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a three-dimensional reflective chamber configuration that redirects UV radiation from multiple directions onto the target object. This dimensional approach ensures that even complex-shaped items with irregular surfaces receive uniform UV exposure, overcoming the limitations of simple planar LED arrays.
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 device provides effective disinfection of complex-shaped items with reduced energy consumption and heat generation, enhancing portability and safety by using UV LEDs and reflective surfaces to ensure thorough UV coverage.
Implementation Method 1
UV LED's can also be used to kill microorganisms. Peak emission wavelength of UV LED's can be adjusted during manufacturing process to provide an optimal irradiation band for eradication of specific bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi.
Implementation Method 2
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be used to disinfect and operates by damaging and/or destroying DNA in a non-selective way.
Implementation Method 3
A portable and autonomous ultraviolet disinfection device with UV emitters, such as LEDs, and a reflective chamber that uses actuators to ensure uniform UV radiation coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cleaning a target includes a housing including a base defining an inner circumference and a lid; a chamber within the housing having a top within the lid, a bottom within the base, and at least one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitter attached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into the chamber; and a support attached to the base and located in the chamber, the support configured for locating the target so that the UV radiation illuminates the target. The support may be formed of a plurality of ribs and/or a plurality of protrusions configured so that the target is supported thereon without falling onto the base. The at least one UV emitter may be upper and lower UV emitters, either or both of which may be one or more arrays.