UV Sanitizing Shutter with Occupancy Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Germicidal sanitizing systems using ultraviolet light pose a risk to human health due to potential harmful effects, necessitating a solution to control UV light exposure safely.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet (UV) light germicidal sanitizing system with a shutter mechanism and sensors to detect human presence, allowing controlled operation of the UV light source based on occupancy, ensuring safe exposure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light is transmitted into an enclosed space for germicidal sanitizing, then sanitizing efficacy is improved, but human safety deteriorates due to harmful UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of human presence in the enclosed space before activating the UV light source. The processor receives signals from occupancy sensors and determines whether the space is occupied before allowing UV transmission through the shutter, preventing harmful exposure before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
A shutter mechanism serves as an intermediary between the UV light source and the enclosed space. The shutter controls and modulates UV light transmission, allowing it to be opened only when safe to do so and closed when human presence is detected, thereby mediating between the need for sanitizing and the need to protect humans from harmful exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shutter mechanism is added to control UV light transmission, then human safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety device to block UV light when humans are present, and simultaneously serves as a control element to enable UV transmission during sanitizing cycles. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing both safety and operational control in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the processor continuously monitors occupancy sensor signals and automatically adjusts the shutter position accordingly. When human presence is detected, the processor signals the shutter to close; when the space is unoccupied, the shutter opens to allow UV transmission. This automated feedback loop simplifies operation despite the mechanical complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If occupancy sensors and control systems are implemented, then safety control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service safety control by automatically detecting human presence and adjusting UV light transmission without requiring manual intervention. The occupancy sensors, processor, and shutter work together in an autonomous safety control system that eliminates the need for additional manual safety devices or complex interlocking mechanisms, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism serves as a cost-effective intermediary that provides physical UV blocking capability. Rather than using expensive complex safety systems, the patent employs a relatively simple shutter controlled by standard occupancy sensors and a processor, achieving safety control at lower manufacturing cost through this intermediate control element.
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 sanitizes enclosed spaces while minimizing human exposure to UV light, ensuring safety and efficacy in germicidal disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
The UV light source generates radiation in the UVC band of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet (UV) light germicidal sanitizing system for use in an enclosed space comprises a room occupancy sensor, a door sensor, a UV light generating unit, and a control software application. The room occupancy sensor is positioned in the enclosed space and generates a first signal indicating that the enclosed space is either occupied or unoccupied. The room occupancy sensor is implemented with a door providing access to the enclosed space and generates a second signal indicating that the door is either open or closed. The UV light generating unit receives the first and second signals and generates UV light into the enclosed space if the first signal indicates that the enclosed space is unoccupied and the second signal indicates that the door is closed. The control software application generates commands for the UV light generating unit to start generating UV light and to stop generating UV light.