UV Radiation Source State Control Using Internal Intensity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV radiation systems for surface disinfection require continuous power supply, making them unsuitable for environments with limited power availability, and they do not efficiently manage UV intensity to prevent harm to humans while maintaining effective disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a radiation body with a UV radiation source, a detector arrangement, and a controller that adjusts UV intensity based on detected radiation changes, temporarily increasing intensity after contact and reducing it during non-use to conserve energy and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous UV radiation is used for disinfection, then effective disinfection is achieved, but power consumption increases and human safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation source operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the UV source only when motion is detected by the sensor, creating on-demand disinfection cycles that reduce power consumption while maintaining effectiveness. This periodic operation allows the system to switch between standby and active disinfection states based on real-time environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a sensor that detects motion or presence in the environment and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller intelligently activates or deactivates the UV radiation source, ensuring disinfection occurs only when needed. This closed-loop control optimizes power usage by eliminating unnecessary continuous operation while maintaining reliable disinfection when objects or persons are present
2Reliability
If high UV intensity is maintained for disinfection, then effective pathogen elimination is achieved, but harm to humans and higher organisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation intensity is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor input rather than maintaining a static high level. The controller modulates the UV source activation according to detected motion or presence, creating a dynamic system that adapts its disinfection intensity to current environmental conditions. This ensures high intensity when needed for disinfection while reducing or eliminating intensity when no disinfection is required, thereby protecting humans from harmful exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor continuously monitors the environment and provides feedback to the controller about the presence of objects or persons. The controller uses this feedback to intelligently control UV source activation, ensuring high-intensity disinfection only when pathogens are present and no human exposure risk exists. When motion is detected indicating human presence, the system reduces or stops UV emission, thereby eliminating harmful effects while maintaining disinfection effectiveness when safe
3Reliability
If UV radiation source operates continuously, then disinfection coverage is maintained, but component lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation source operates periodically based on sensor-triggered events rather than continuously. This on-demand operation significantly reduces the cumulative operating hours of the UV source, thereby extending its operational lifespan and delaying replacement needs. The periodic activation maintains disinfection coverage during critical periods while minimizing wear and degradation from continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring capability through the sensor, ensuring that disinfection coverage is ready and effective whenever needed. Rather than requiring continuous UV emission, the system maintains continuous situational awareness and activates disinfection only when useful action is required. This approach preserves component life while ensuring disinfection coverage is maintained during all relevant periods
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 achieves effective disinfection with minimal power consumption, ensuring safety by increasing UV intensity only when necessary and reducing it during non-use, thus prolonging component life and preventing human exposure to harmful UV levels.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation arrangement configured to provide the radiation, comprising at least one UV radiation source configured to emit UV radiation
Implementation Method 2
a detector arrangement configured to detect an internal radiation intensity of radiation in the radiation body at at least one detector position
Implementation Method 3
the radiation body is configured to receive radiation that at least comprises UV radiation, and to radiate at least part of the radiation to the exterior of the radiation body via the radiation exit window
Data Source
AI summary
A system (1) comprises a radiation body (10), a radiation arrangement (20) configured to provide radiation at least comprising UV radiation (23) to the radiation body (10), a detector arrangement (30) configured to detect an internal radiation intensity of radiation (25) in the radiation body (10) at at least one detector position, and a controller arrangement (40) configured to control the radiation arrangement (20) in dependence on input from the detector arrangement (30). When the input from the detector arrangement (30) indicates a change of the internal radiation intensity that can be assumed to follow from an event of touch on a radiation exit window (11) of the radiation body (10), an action of temporarily changing a state of at least one UV radiation source (21) of the radiation arrangement (20) from a maintenance state to a disinfecting state of increased intensity of the UV radiation (23) is performed.