Motorized UV Reflector for Dynamic Air and Surface Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection systems for air and surfaces in spaces are inefficient in ensuring consistent disinfection, particularly in occupied areas, and may not adequately address the risk of infectious disease transmission due to limitations in directing UV light effectively.
Innovation Solution
A disinfection system that includes a UV light source, a reflector, and a motorized mechanism controlled by an occupancy sensor, allowing the reflector to adjust its orientation between an occupied air treatment position and an unoccupied surface treatment position, ensuring targeted disinfection of air and surfaces based on occupancy status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UV light is directed in a single primary direction to disinfect air, then air disinfection efficiency is improved, but surface disinfection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is made rotatable to change its orientation dynamically. When the reflector rotates to different positions, it directs UV light toward different targets (air vs. surfaces), allowing the system to adapt between air disinfection mode and surface disinfection mode, thus resolving the contradiction between air disinfection efficiency and surface disinfection capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If UV light is directed downward toward surfaces, then surface disinfection capability is improved, but air disinfection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable reflector enables dynamic switching between downward orientation (for surface disinfection) and other orientations (for air disinfection). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize UV light distribution based on the required disinfection target, resolving the trade-off between surface and air disinfection efficiency
3Productivity
If UV light is directed into an occupied space, then air disinfection is improved, but risk of UV exposure to occupants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy sensor provides feedback about whether the space is occupied. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the reflector's position: when occupied, the reflector directs UV light away from occupants while maintaining air disinfection; when unoccupied, the reflector can direct UV light more aggressively for both air and surface disinfection. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between air disinfection productivity and UV exposure risk
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 effectively reduces the risk of infectious disease transmission by ensuring thorough disinfection of both air and surfaces, adapting its UV light direction to prevent exposure to occupants and ensure adequate disinfection of surfaces when the area is unoccupied.
Implementation Method 1
a source of ultraviolet (UV) light selectively provide a UV light emission
Implementation Method 2
a UV light that has germicidal properties and is directed in a primary direction
Implementation Method 3
The reflector extends partially around the source of UV light and may be oriented relative to the housing so as to direct the UV light emission provided by the source of UV light in a direction that is dependent on the orientation of the reflector relative to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for disinfecting air and surfaces are described herein. The systems may include a source of light, a reflector, a motor, and a controller. The source of light may provide ultraviolet germicidal irradiation light and the light may be selectively provided. The reflector may extend along and/or around the source of light. The motor may be coupled to the reflector and cause the reflector to adjust relative to the source of light so as to direct light at different target locations. The controller may determine occupancy in a room in which the system is located. When the room is not occupied, the controller may cause the reflector to be adjusted to an unoccupied position. When the room is occupied, the controller may cause the reflector to be adjusted to an occupied position.