UV module within consumer machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV-C fluid purification devices face challenges in achieving high light intensity without increasing bulk, weight, or operating costs, while also effectively disinfecting fluids in various forms and environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of UV-C LED purification devices that incorporate UV-C LED modules with improved light extraction efficiency, integrated with UV-C-transmissive window elements, allowing for increased light intensity without bulk or weight, and capable of disinfecting fluids in gaseous, liquid, or solid forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If UV-C LED packages are designed to increase light intensity capacity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device bulk and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C LED system is divided into multiple individual LED packages, each with its own heat sink and optical components. This segmentation allows the light intensity to be distributed across multiple smaller units rather than requiring one large, heavy source, thereby maintaining high overall intensity while reducing individual package weight and allowing flexible arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple UV-C LED packages in a three-dimensional configuration around the fluid reservoir, utilizing vertical and radial spacing rather than simply increasing the size of a single horizontal array. This dimensional arrangement increases effective light intensity through optimized positioning while controlling overall device footprint and weight.
2Illumination intensity
If UV-C LED packages are designed to increase light intensity capacity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C LED system is divided into multiple individual LED packages, each with its own heat sink and optical components. This segmentation allows the light intensity to be distributed across multiple smaller units rather than requiring one large, heavy source, thereby maintaining high overall intensity while reducing individual package weight and allowing flexible arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-C LED packages are arranged to nest around the fluid reservoir, with each package positioned to maximize light exposure while minimizing external dimensions. The modular design allows packages to be tightly integrated into the device structure, reducing overall bulk while maintaining high light intensity capacity.
3Illumination intensity
If UV-C LED packages are designed to increase light intensity capacity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but operating costs significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C LED system is divided into multiple individual LED packages, each with its own heat sink and optical components. This segmentation allows the light intensity to be distributed across multiple smaller units rather than requiring one large, heavy source, thereby maintaining high overall intensity while reducing individual package weight and allowing flexible arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system enables periodic or pulsed operation of the UV-C LED packages, activating them only when disinfection is required rather than continuous operation. This reduces overall energy consumption and operating costs while maintaining effective light intensity during active disinfection cycles.
4Illumination intensity
If UV-C LED packages are designed to increase light intensity capacity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C LED system is divided into multiple individual LED packages, each with its own heat sink and optical components. This segmentation allows the light intensity to be distributed across multiple smaller units rather than requiring one large, heavy source, thereby maintaining high overall intensity while reducing individual package weight and allowing flexible arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single controller that manages power distribution, monitoring, and operation of all UV-C LED packages. This universal control approach simplifies the overall device architecture despite the increased number of components, as one controller handles all packages rather than requiring separate control circuits for each.
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 solution achieves enhanced light intensity for effective disinfection of fluids, reduces the risk of spreading diseases like Legionnaires' disease, and can be integrated into various consumer and industrial devices without increasing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
UV-C LED modules for administering UV-C light to fluid... each module comprising one or more UV-C LED
Implementation Method 2
UV breaks molecular bonds of DNA in the cells of microorganisms, producing thymine dimers in the DNA
Implementation Method 3
one or more UV-C-transmissive window elements... The UV-C-transmissive window element(s) may be translucent, transparent or even opaque to light having visible wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for ultraviolet (UV) fluid purification, wherein the fluid is in a gaseous, liquid or solid form or combination thereof, comprising UV-C LED modules having improved light extraction efficiency. UV-C LED(s) are in optical communication with one or more UV-C transmissive window elements.