UV Sanitizing System Modulating Irradiance for Aircraft Occupancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV light sanitizing systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, face challenges in modulating irradiance effectively due to transient occupancy, leading to reduced disinfection efficiency and increased energy consumption, especially when powered by limited energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses occupancy sensors and a control unit with processors to dynamically modulate the irradiance of UV light based on occupancy, adjusting power output during persistent occupation and maintaining full irradiance during unoccupied periods to ensure effective disinfection while conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UV lamp immediately deactivates upon detection of occupancy, then person safety is ensured, but disinfection efficiency is reduced and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts UV lamp irradiance based on real-time occupancy detection. When occupancy is detected, the system transitions from full irradiance to reduced irradiance or shutdown, creating a dynamic response that balances safety requirements with disinfection effectiveness during transient occupancy periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the irradiance parameter of the UV lamp based on occupancy status. By modulating the irradiance level rather than simply on/off control, the system maintains safety during occupation while preserving partial disinfection capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and disinfection efficiency
2Productivity
If the UV lamp operates at full irradiance continuously, then disinfection efficiency is maximized, but energy consumption increases and depletes the power source
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic operation cycles where the UV lamp alternates between full irradiance operation during unoccupied periods and reduced irradiance or shutdown during occupied periods. This periodic action pattern maximizes disinfection efficiency when needed while minimizing energy consumption during occupation, directly addressing the energy vs. effectiveness contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The occupancy sensor provides feedback to the control system, which then adjusts UV lamp operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the system operates at full power only when necessary for disinfection (unoccupied periods) and reduces consumption when occupancy is detected, resolving the energy consumption contradiction
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UV lamp reduces power output upon occupancy detection, then energy consumption is reduced, but the UV dose administered to components is reduced and disinfection time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic irradiance modulation rather than static reduction. By adjusting irradiance levels dynamically based on occupancy duration and type (transient vs. persistent), the system minimizes energy consumption while maintaining adequate disinfection dosing through intelligent control strategies
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
This approach enhances disinfection efficiency by maintaining optimal UV dosage during unoccupied periods while reducing energy consumption and preventing harm to occupants during occupied times, thus extending the operation duration of the UV lamp.
Implementation Method 1
a UV lamp (602) that includes one or more UV light emitters configured to emit UV light into a target space
Implementation Method 2
a sensor (606) configured to monitor the target space and generate sensor signals over time indicative of an occupancy of the target space
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for sanitizing a target space include an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, an occupancy sensor, and a control unit operably connected to the occupancy sensor and the UV lamp. The UV lamp is configured to emit UV light into the target space. The occupancy sensor is configured to monitor the target space and generate sensor signals indicative of an occupancy of the target space by at least one person. The control unit is configured to receive the sensor signals generated by the occupancy sensor and to modulate an irradiance of the UV light emitted by the UV lamp over time based on the occupancy of the target space.