UV Light-Emitting Module Cooling for Higher Power Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV light-emitting devices face challenges in effectively delivering UV radiation for disinfection due to limitations in power delivery and heat management, leading to inefficiencies in disinfection processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of UV light-emitting modules with cooling features such as sidewall and rear wall ventilation openings, heat sink features, and a housing with cooling fans, allowing for higher power operation and increased UV irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If UV light emitters are operated at higher power to increase UV irradiation for disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but heat generation increases causing overheating issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the main enclosure structure by adding separate cooling features including sidewall ventilation openings and rear wall heat sink features. This allows heat to be removed from the UV light emitters independently from the light transmission path, enabling higher power operation without overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, transmits UV light through the face plate, and dissipates heat through integrated cooling features. The sidewalls and rear wall are designed to perform both structural and thermal management functions simultaneously.
2Temperature
If cooling features are added to manage heat from UV emitters, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling features are merged into the enclosure structure itself rather than being separate components. The sidewalls incorporate ventilation openings and the rear wall includes heat sink features, combining structural support and thermal management into a single integrated design, thereby minimizing added complexity.
3Temperature
If ventilation openings are provided in sidewalls for cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but UV light transmission may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The face plate is designed with localized UV-transmitting properties while the sidewalls provide cooling ventilation. The light-transmitting aperture in the face plate maintains high UV transmission, while the sidewall ventilation openings are positioned and sized to optimize heat dissipation with minimal impact on the concentrated UV light path through the face plate.
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
Enables efficient disinfection by enabling higher power operation and correspondingly higher UV irradiation, reducing energy consumption and time required for effective disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
at least one UV light emitter is located within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
at least one cooling feature selected from (1) a sidewall ventilation opening in the at least one sidewall and (2) a heat sink feature extending from the rear wall
Implementation Method 3
a heat sink feature extending from the rear wall
Implementation Method 4
a sidewall ventilation opening in the at least one sidewall
Data Source
AI summary
Modules, systems and methods that disinfect surfaces using ultraviolet (UV) light are disclosed. In one aspect, a UV light-emitting module comprises an enclosure including a rear wall and a face plate that includes a light-transmitting aperture. At least one sidewall extends between the rear wall and the face plate, and at least one UV light emitter is located within the enclosure. The module includes at least one cooling feature selected from (1) a sidewall ventilation opening in the at least one sidewall and (2) a heat sink feature extending from the rear wall.