UV Light Source Apparatus for Handrail Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handrail sterilization devices face challenges in ensuring uniform sterilization across varying handrail sizes and shapes, and there is a risk of user safety accidents due to the introduction of hands or foreign substances into the sterilization devices, with side surfaces often being overlooked.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus that combines ultraviolet and heat sterilization capabilities, featuring a modular design allowing position adjustment to accommodate different handrail types, includes brushes to prevent hand or foreign object entry, and a safety shield to protect users from UV exposure and prevent accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light emitting device is used for sterilization, then sterilization function is provided, but side surfaces of hand rail are not effectively sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The light source module is divided into multiple independent light emitting units arranged at different positions and orientations. Each unit targets specific surfaces (upper surface or side surfaces) of the hand rail, ensuring comprehensive sterilization coverage through segmented functional distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by arranging light emitting units not only horizontally but also vertically and at different angles. This multi-dimensional arrangement enables the system to illuminate both upper surfaces and side surfaces of the hand rail simultaneously, solving the coverage limitation of single-directional sterilization.
2Device complexity
If light source module is fixed in position, then device structure is simple, but sterilization effectiveness varies with hand rail types
Solution Approach 1:
The light source module incorporates adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the module's position and orientation. This enables the sterilization device to adapt to different hand rail types, sizes, and installations while maintaining effective sterilization coverage without requiring complete redesign for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source module is designed as a universal component that can be configured for various hand rail applications. Through adjustable positioning and multiple light emitting units oriented in different directions, a single module design serves multiple sterilization scenarios, reducing the need for specialized modules for each hand rail type.
3Ease of operation
If opening is provided for hand rail passage, then hand rail can pass through, but user hand or foreign substances may be introduced into device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a brush component that acts as a flexible barrier at the opening. The brush allows the rigid hand rail to pass through while its flexible bristles close the gap when the hand rail is absent, preventing hands or foreign objects from entering the device interior while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush serves as an intermediary element between the opening and the device interior. It mediates the passage function by allowing legitimate traffic (hand rail) while blocking unauthorized entry (hands or foreign objects), thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
4Reliability
If ultraviolet light is emitted continuously, then sterilization effectiveness is maximized, but user safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet light emitting units operate periodically rather than continuously. The control system activates the light sources during periods when the hand rail is present and sterilization is needed, while deactivating them during maintenance periods or when no hand rail is detected, thus balancing sterilization effectiveness with user safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a sensing mechanism that detects the presence of the hand rail and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system intelligently controls the ultraviolet light emission, ensuring the light is emitted only when needed for sterilization and not when users or objects are present, thereby resolving the safety effectiveness 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
The apparatus enhances sterilization effectiveness by uniformly targeting both upper and side surfaces of handrails, prevents user safety hazards by blocking UV exposure and detecting hand presence, and ensures safe operation by stopping escalator movement when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first ultraviolet light emitting element disposed on one surface of the first circuit board, at least one second ultraviolet light emitting element disposed on one surface of the second circuit board, and at least one third ultraviolet light emitting element disposed on one surface of the third circuit board
Implementation Method 2
a heat dissipation plate disposed on the first circuit board, the heat dissipation plate may include at least one or more cavities, the at least one first ultraviolet light emitting element may be disposed in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in an embodiment is a light source comprising: a housing; a coupling unit which fixes the housing on the target structure; a light source module for emitting light onto the target structure; and a power source module which supplies power to the light source module. The light source module comprises: a first circuit board; a second circuit board disposed on one side of the first circuit board; a third circuit board disposed on another side of the first circuit board; at least one first ultraviolet light emitting element disposed on one surface of the first circuit board; at least one second ultraviolet light emitting element disposed on one surface of the second circuit board; and at least one third ultraviolet light emitting element disposed on one surface of the third circuit board, wherein one surface of the second circuit board and one surface of the third circuit are disposed so as to face each other.