UV Light Shield with Reflective Cells for HVAC Microbial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC units face issues with water condensation leading to microbial growth on heat exchangers and drain pans, which can be mitigated by UV light, but UV exposure degrades components and poses a hazard to humans.
Innovation Solution
A light shield with UV light reflective walls is placed between the UV light source and heat exchanger or drain pan, directing UV light towards these areas while minimizing exposure to access openings and UV-sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light is used to kill microorganisms on heat exchangers and drain pans, then microbial growth is eliminated, but UV-sensitive components are degraded and human safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A light shield made of UV-transparent material is positioned between the UV light source and the HVAC components. This intermediary structure allows UV light to pass through to the heat exchanger and drain pan for microbial control, while simultaneously blocking UV exposure to UV-sensitive components such as plastic housings, belts, and electrical insulation, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective disinfection and component protection
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield creates localized UV exposure zones. The shield is designed with specific transparency characteristics that allow UV light to reach only the intended target areas (heat exchanger surfaces and drain pan) while blocking UV light from reaching other areas containing sensitive components. This spatial differentiation of UV exposure quality enables selective disinfection without widespread damage
2Reliability
If UV light exposure is increased to ensure complete microbial degradation, then sanitation effectiveness is improved, but component lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-transparent light shield acts as a selective mediator that transmits UV light to sanitation-critical areas while blocking UV exposure elsewhere. This enables maintaining high UV intensity for complete microbial degradation on heat exchangers and drain pans, while simultaneously protecting UV-sensitive components from degradation, thus preserving both sanitation effectiveness and component lifespan
3Reliability
If UV light source is positioned to maximize coverage of heat exchanger and drain pan, then microbial control is enhanced, but exposure to access openings and sensitive components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield is strategically positioned as an intermediary between the UV light source and the surrounding environment. It allows UV light to propagate freely toward the heat exchanger and drain pan for maximum microbial control coverage, while simultaneously serving as a barrier that blocks UV light from reaching access openings and UV-sensitive components, thus resolving the spatial exposure contradiction
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
This configuration effectively kills microorganisms on the heat exchanger or drain pan while reducing UV light exposure to sensitive components and humans, thereby extending component lifespan and ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
The light shield includes a network of open-ended cells, each cell having ultraviolet light reflective walls
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The unit comprises a heat exchanger or drain pan located inside a HVAC housing that has one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components therein. The unit also comprises a light located inside of the HVAC housing and a light shield located between the heat exchanger or drain pan and the light source. The light source includes a network of open-ended cells, each cell having ultraviolet light reflective walls. The light shield is oriented to direct an ultraviolet light from the light source through the open-ended cells towards the heat exchanger or drain pan and away from the one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components.