UV Sterilization Device with Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation disinfectant systems are not effectively deployed in occupied spaces due to the harmful effects of excessive UV irradiation on humans and animals, necessitating a system that can automatically determine when to activate and tailor UV emission based on occupancy and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A UV disinfectant system comprising a UV EMR emitting device, a detector to sense occupancy and contamination, and a controller that operates the UV device only when no occupancy is detected, along with a dispersing device for titanium dioxide to enhance sterilization, and optionally includes multiple UV devices for varied irradiation patterns and network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV EMR is continuously emitted for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects on occupants increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of occupancy status before activating UV EMR emission. The detector checks whether the space is occupied, and only activates sterilization when no occupants are present, preventing harmful exposure while maintaining effective sterilization cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The UV EMR emission system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic conditional operation. The controller adjusts emission status in real-time based on detector feedback, enabling the system to switch between active sterilization and inactive safety states
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV EMR emission is activated only when no occupancy is detected, then occupant safety is improved, but sterilization productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sterilization cycles that activate when occupancy is absent. Rather than continuous operation, UV EMR is emitted in scheduled intervals during unoccupied periods, maintaining safety while achieving cumulative sterilization effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 2:
The detector provides continuous feedback on occupancy status to the controller, which adjusts UV EMR emission accordingly. This feedback loop ensures sterilization operations are automatically scheduled during unoccupied periods, optimizing both safety and productivity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple detectors and control mechanisms are added to ensure safety, then occupant protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector and controller are integrated into a unified control system that combines occupancy detection, analysis, and UV EMR emission control. This merging reduces the need for separate complex safety mechanisms while maintaining comprehensive occupant protection
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 sterilizes surfaces while ensuring occupant safety by activating UV emission only when the space is unoccupied and adjusting irradiation based on detected contamination and room characteristics, utilizing titanium dioxide for enhanced disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitting device
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect occupancy of a room associated with the sterilization device
Implementation Method 3
a reservoir of dispersible titanium dioxide and a dispersing device in fluidic communication with the reservoir of dispersible titanium dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization device comprising an ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitting device, a detector configured to detect occupancy of a room associated with the sterilization device, and a controller operably connected to each of the UV EMR emitting device and the detector. The detector is configured to send a signal indicating occupancy to the controller upon a detection of occupancy. The controller is configured to operate the UV EMR emitting device to emit UV EMR only upon receiving a signal indicating no occupancy.