UV LED Sterilization with Wave Guiding Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet water and air purification systems using mercury lamps are fragile, bulky, and pose safety risks due to mercury toxicity, with limited portability and control over radiation spectrum, leading to inefficient sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A system employing ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) with wave guiding structures and a computer system to direct and control UV radiation, ensuring a target dose is delivered effectively to surfaces, enhancing sterilization efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury lamps are used for ultraviolet sterilization, then sterilization capability is achieved, but the system becomes fragile, bulky, and dangerous due to mercury toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mercury component from the ultraviolet sterilization system by replacing mercury lamps with solid-state ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs). This substitution removes the source of mercury toxicity and fragility while maintaining the sterilization function through LED-based ultraviolet radiation generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ultraviolet source from mercury-vapor lamp operation to solid-state LED operation. This parameter change includes transitioning from a fragile glass envelope containing mercury to a solid-state semiconductor device, thereby eliminating mercury-related hazards while preserving ultraviolet radiation capability.
2Reliability
If mercury lamps are used, then sterilization is performed, but portability and transportability are limited due to size and fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy and fragile mercury lamp assembly and replaces it with compact solid-state ultraviolet LEDs. This extraction of the mercury component dramatically reduces system weight and size, enabling portable and transportable ultraviolet sterilization devices while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
3Reliability
If mercury lamps are used, then ultraviolet radiation is produced, but the radiation spectrum cannot be adjusted or controlled to match DNA absorption peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent capability of ultraviolet LEDs to emit at specific wavelengths and employs spectral mixing techniques to combine multiple LED wavelengths. This allows precise control and adjustment of the radiation spectrum to match the absorption peaks of DNA and proteins, thereby optimizing sterilization efficiency while maintaining reliable ultraviolet radiation production.
4Reliability
If mercury lamps are used, then sterilization is achieved, but the operating lifetime is limited to less than 10,000 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mercury lamp component which has a limited operational lifetime of less than 10,000 hours due to mercury depletion and electrode degradation. By substituting with solid-state ultraviolet LEDs, the system achieves extended operating lifetime as LEDs do not suffer from the same degradation mechanisms and can operate for significantly longer periods while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
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 UV LED system provides a safer, more portable, and longer-lasting solution with improved control over UV radiation parameters, achieving enhanced sterilization efficiency by matching the absorption spectra of targeted biostructures.
Implementation Method 1
a source of ultraviolet radiation having wavelength(s) close to the absorption peaks of biologically significant molecules of DNA and proteins
Implementation Method 2
wavelength(s) close to the absorption peaks of biologically significant molecules of DNA and proteins
Implementation Method 3
The set of wave guiding structures can include at least one ultraviolet reflective surface having an ultraviolet reflection coefficient of at least thirty percent
Implementation Method 4
removing debris from the at least one target surface of the object using an ultrasonic unit
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sterilizing at least one surface of an object is provided. The system includes a set of ultraviolet radiation sources and a set of wave guiding structures configured to direct ultraviolet radiation having a set of target attributes to a desired location on at least one surface of the object. The set of wave guiding structures can include at least one ultraviolet reflective surface having an ultraviolet reflection coefficient of at least thirty percent. Furthermore, the system can include a computer system for operating the ultraviolet radiation sources to deliver a target dose of ultraviolet radiation to the at least one target surface of the object.