UV Disinfection Platform With Pattern Shaping for Material Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UV disinfection systems require significant human intervention, are prone to UV hot spots causing material damage, and lack effective automation for continuous disinfection, especially in healthcare settings where high-intensity UV exposure poses safety risks and inefficiencies in cleaning protocols.
Innovation Solution
A UV disinfection platform with an intelligent, automated UV-C light system that includes a disinfection device with a housing, UV-C light source, and sensor system for continuous monitoring and automated disinfection, featuring a UV-C illumination pattern shaping system with louvers, eyebrows, and occlusion noses to ensure uniform intensity distribution and minimize human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high intensity UV light is used for disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but material damage and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using pattern shaping optics to create non-uniform UV intensity distributions tailored to specific surfaces. Different regions receive different UV intensities - high intensity where needed for disinfection, lower intensity where materials are sensitive - resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and material damage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes UV light parameters (intensity, pattern, duration) dynamically based on the target surface characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective disinfection while controlling exposure levels to prevent material degradation, thus resolving the contradiction
2Extent of automation
If automated UV disinfection systems are implemented, then human intervention is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation through sensors that automatically detect the presence of devices, trigger disinfection cycles, and monitor completion without human intervention. This automated self-service approach reduces complexity by eliminating manual control interfaces while maintaining high automation levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where sensors detect device presence and disinfection status, automatically controlling UV light activation and deactivation. This closed-loop feedback system achieves automation without requiring complex user interfaces or manual monitoring
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning procedures are used, then disinfection thoroughness is improved, but cleaning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV disinfection system operates continuously or periodically without interrupting healthcare workflows. Devices can be disinfected in-place during normal operations, eliminating the need to stop cleaning activities and achieve thorough disinfection without time loss
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 system provides continuous, automated disinfection without human assistance, reducing bacteria levels by over 99% on treated surfaces and ensuring uniform UV intensity distribution, thereby minimizing material damage and safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
A UV disinfection platform with an intelligent, automated UV-C light system that includes a disinfection device with a housing, UV-C light source
Implementation Method 2
A lens is configured to direct UV-C light from the UV-C light source through the opening in the housing toward a target disinfection area
Implementation Method 3
A UV-C reflector can be positioned in the housing and configured reflect UV-C light toward the opening of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfection platform for at least partially disinfecting a proximal surface is provided. A disinfection apparatus includes a housing defining an aperture, a UV light source enclosed in the housing configured to project a UV illumination pattern toward a target disinfection area where the disinfection apparatus is disposed above one end and oriented at a downward angle. The illumination pattern output from the disinfection apparatus at least partially defined by louvers and an occlusion nose with reflective fins positioned at the aperture such that the illumination pattern at the target disinfection surface has improved intensity distribution. Multiple sensors cooperate with a control circuit operating the UV light source to provide intelligent and automated control with pattern detection, event based disinfection, and validation. Dual passive infrared sensors enable improved pattern detection for presence detection, accelerometer improves touch detection, and gyroscope provides attitude installation configuration.