UV LED Cooling via Radial Accommodation Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sterilization devices using ultraviolet LEDs for cooling water face inefficiencies in cooling the light source unit, leading to increased size and weight of the device.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sterilization device design featuring a light source unit with a support portion and an accommodation portion that extends radially from the support portion, allowing fluid to efficiently cool the light emitting element by contacting its back surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat sink is provided to cool the ultraviolet LED, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device size and weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the flow path tube by making the accommodation portion of the light source unit extend radially to contact the inner circumferential surface of the flow path tube. The flow path tube itself serves as the heat dissipation structure, eliminating the need for a separate heat sink. This combines the fluid conduit and thermal management functions into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path tube is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the fluid flow for sterilization and acts as a heat dissipation structure for cooling the ultraviolet LED. The inner circumferential surface of the flow path tube contacts the accommodation portion to transfer heat, making the flow path tube a multi-functional component that performs both fluid transport and thermal management.
2Temperature
If the accommodation portion is extended radially to increase cooling contact area, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the light source unit structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation portion extends in the radial direction from the support portion, creating a three-dimensional structure that protrudes outward to contact the flow path tube. This radial extension adds a dimensional aspect to the heat transfer interface, increasing the contact surface area between the light source unit and the cooling fluid path without requiring additional components.
3Reliability
If a mercury lamp is used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but environmental load and device size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from a mercury lamp to an ultraviolet LED. This parameter change transitions from a gas-discharge lighting mechanism to a solid-state LED that emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet LED achieves the required sterilization wavelength output while eliminating mercury toxicity and reducing overall device size, representing a significant parameter change in the light source technology.
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 radial extension of the accommodation portion enhances cooling efficiency by increasing the contact area with the fluid, thereby improving the performance of the fluid sterilization device.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit disposed at a position closer to the inlet in the flow path space and configured to emit ultraviolet light to the second end, in which the light source unit includes a light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
the accommodation portion is formed to extend from the front end of the support portion toward an outside of the support portion in a radial direction over an entire periphery of the front end of the support portion. Therefore, the fluid may be brought into contact with a back surface of the accommodation portion (surface closer to the support portion), and the accommodation portion may be efficiently cooled.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sterilization device includes: a flow path tube forming a flow path space through which a fluid flows and having a side wall, a first end, and a second end, the side wall provided with an inlet at a side of the first end and an outlet at a side of the second end; and a light source unit disposed closer to the inlet in the flow path space to emit ultraviolet light to the second end. The light source unit includes a light emitting element, a support portion protruding from an end surface of the first end toward the second end, and an accommodation portion provided at a front end of the support portion and accommodating the light emitting element. The accommodation portion extends from the front end toward an outside of the support portion in a radial direction over an entire periphery of the front end.