UV LED Food Instrument Sterilizer with Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sterilizing and disinfecting food handling instruments are often ineffective, as they may not completely eliminate microorganisms, especially on non-submersible items and those with small spaces, and can leave chemical residues or damage instruments with extreme heat.
Innovation Solution
A food handling instrument ultraviolet illuminator that uses UV-C, UV-A, and blue-UV radiation emitted by LEDs to sterilize and disinfect instruments, with a control unit managing irradiation intensity, duration, and wavelength based on sensor feedback to ensure thorough treatment without chemical residues or heat damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning with water and soap is used, then the cleaning process is simple and safe, but it is insufficient to kill all microorganisms on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical cleaning methods with ultraviolet radiation. The UV illuminator emits ultraviolet light that penetrates and kills microorganisms on instrument surfaces, eliminating the need for soap, water, and chemical cleaners while providing more reliable sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning mechanism from chemical/physical contact-based methods to electromagnetic radiation. By using ultraviolet light with specific wavelengths (UV-C, UV-A, blue-UV), the system achieves effective microorganism elimination through a different physical parameter (electromagnetic radiation) rather than chemical or mechanical means.
2Reliability
If chemicals are used to clean food handling instruments, then microorganism elimination is more effective, but chemical residues may be left on instruments that can be harmful if ingested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical cleaning agents with ultraviolet radiation. The UV illuminator uses electromagnetic radiation to kill microorganisms, leaving no chemical residues on the instrument surfaces, thus eliminating the harmful effect of chemical contamination while maintaining effective sterilization.
3Reliability
If extreme heat is used to clean food handling instruments, then microorganism elimination is more effective, but the heat may damage the instruments or require a cool-down period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal cleaning methods with ultraviolet radiation. The UV illuminator uses electromagnetic radiation to eliminate microorganisms without subjecting instruments to high temperatures, thus avoiding heat damage while maintaining effective sterilization and eliminating the need for cool-down periods.
4Ease of operation
If simple cleaning with water is used, then the process is safe and simple, but it is ineffective for items that cannot be completely submerged or have small spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-based mechanical cleaning with ultraviolet radiation. The UV illuminator can effectively treat instruments that cannot be submerged or have complex geometries with small spaces, as the ultraviolet light can penetrate these areas and kill microorganisms without requiring physical contact or submersion.
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 ultraviolet illuminator effectively reduces microbial contamination on food handling instruments by up to 99.9%, providing a safe and chemical-free method for sterilization and disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
apply ultraviolet radiation to the instruments to effectuate a cleaning treatment of the instruments that can include sterilization, disinfection
Implementation Method 2
Ultraviolet light emitting diodes offer robust technology which do not utilize high voltages
Data Source
AI summary
Ultraviolet irradiation of food handling instruments for purposes of sterilization, disinfection, cleaning and other treatment capabilities. A housing having receptacles receives one or more food handling instruments. Ultraviolet light emitting sources located about the receptacles can direct ultraviolet light towards the receptacles and any food handling instruments placed therein. One or more sensors located about the receptacles can detect operational conditions associated with the receptacles and any food handling instruments received therein. A control unit, operatively coupled to the ultraviolet light emitting sources and the one or more sensors, manages the irradiation of the receptacles and any food handling instruments in the receptacles as a function of the operational conditions detected by the one or more sensors.