UV LED Row Sterilizer for Radiographic Imager Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sterilization lamps for radiographic imagers in mobile radiation irradiators rely on mercury, posing environmental concerns during manufacturing and disposal, and the transition to ultraviolet LEDs results in increased power consumption, weight, and manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple LEDs to achieve effective sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizer system that includes a holder for a portable radiographic imager and an LED row with multiple ultraviolet LEDs arranged in a row, which directly or indirectly irradiates the radiation incident surface of the imager, optimizing the irradiation range and reducing the need for excessive LED usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple ultraviolet LEDs are used to irradiate the radiographic imager surface, then the sterilization coverage is improved, but the electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-source LED irradiation to a linear array configuration, effectively changing the geometric dimension of the light source. The LED row structure distributes multiple LEDs along a line, enabling broad surface coverage without requiring a proportional increase in total power consumption, as each LED operates at low power individually while collectively achieving comprehensive sterilization coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization system is segmented into multiple individual LED units arranged in a row, where each LED contributes to a portion of the overall sterilization coverage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve broad coverage through distributed low-power units rather than requiring a single high-power source, thereby managing power consumption effectively while maintaining extensive irradiation coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple ultraviolet LEDs are used to irradiate the radiographic imager surface, then the sterilization coverage is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED row is mounted on a thin, lightweight substrate that can be integrated into the sterilizer housing. This substrate approach allows the LED array to achieve extended sterilization coverage without adding significant weight, as the mounting structure remains thin and minimally intrusive while supporting the distributed LED configuration necessary for broad surface irradiation.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple ultraviolet LEDs are used to irradiate the radiographic imager surface, then the sterilization coverage is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple individual LED units that can be manufactured and replaced as inexpensive components. Rather than requiring a single complex high-power sterilization source, the system uses numerous low-cost LED elements arranged in a row, where each unit is simple to manufacture and can be economically replaced if needed, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while achieving comprehensive sterilization coverage.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ultraviolet LEDs are used instead of mercury sterilization lamps, then the environmental impact is reduced, but the heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generation problem is addressed through segmentation of the LED system into multiple distributed units. Each individual LED generates minimal heat compared to a single high-power mercury lamp, and the distributed arrangement allows heat to dissipate across a larger area. This segmented approach reduces localized thermal accumulation while maintaining effective sterilization output, making heat management more manageable despite the increased number of LED components.
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 system enables comprehensive sterilization of the radiographic imager's radiation incident surface using ultraviolet LEDs while minimizing the increase in power consumption, weight, and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an LED row in which a plurality of LEDs that emit an ultraviolet ray are arranged in a row and which directly or indirectly irradiates a radiation incident surface of the radiographic imager with the ultraviolet ray emitted by each LED
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilizer includes: a holder that holds a portable radiographic imager; and an LED row in which a plurality of LEDs that emit an ultraviolet ray are arranged in a row and which directly or indirectly irradiates a radiation incident surface of the radiographic imager with the ultraviolet ray emitted by each LED, the radiographic imager being held by the holder.