UV-C Lamp Holder Layout for Stable Air Sterilization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air treatment devices for UV(C) radiation struggle to maintain precise control over process parameters such as UV(C) radiation intensity and air residence time, especially under dynamic conditions, leading to potential deviations from a defined process window, and face challenges with component maintenance, electrical interference, and UV radiation-induced degradation.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a fixed lamp holder with positioning means to ensure predictable UV(C) radiation distribution, integrated measuring units for precise parameter measurement, and shielded electrical and signal wires to prevent interference, allowing for reliable operation and easy maintenance within a narrow process window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed lamp holder with positioning means is used to ensure predictable UV(C) radiation distribution, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization performance consistencyVSAvoidlamp holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp holder includes positioning means that pre-establish the correct spatial relationship between the UV(C) lamp and the treatment chamber before operation. This preliminary positioning action ensures consistent UV(C) radiation distribution without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during operation, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with a fixed lamp holder design that incorporates positioning features directly into the structure. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical systems while maintaining manufacturing precision through integrated positioning elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If shielded electrical and signal wires are used to prevent interference, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical interference preventionVSAvoidwire installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrical supply wires and signal wires into a single integrated lamp holder assembly with common shielding. This merging approach maintains electrical interference prevention through unified shielding while simplifying manufacturing and installation compared to separate shielded cable assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp holder acts as an intermediary structure that provides shielding for both electrical and signal wires. This intermediary shielding approach prevents electrical interference between the high-voltage supply wires and sensitive signal wires while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single shielding implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If integrated measuring units are incorporated for precise parameter measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV(C) radiation intensity measurementVSAvoidmeasuring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring units are designed to measure multiple parameters (UV(C) radiation intensity, air flow rate, temperature) using integrated sensors within the lamp holder assembly. This multi-functionality approach improves measurement precision across multiple parameters while controlling overall device complexity through a unified measuring system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of repair

If the device is designed for easy maintenance and rapid component replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp replacement speedVSAvoidlamp positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp holder is designed as a segmented, modular assembly that allows the UV(C) lamp to be quickly removed and replaced without affecting the overall positioning structure. This segmentation enables rapid maintenance while the integrated positioning means ensure manufacturing precision is maintained through the fixed structural relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration ensures consistent and reliable sterilization performance, maintaining a high degree of microbial inactivation (up to 10^-4) over the UV lamp's lifespan, while preventing electrical interference and UV-induced degradation, and allows for simple maintenance and replacement of components.

Implementation Method 1

a UV(C) treatment chamber which is present in the housing and in which is accommodated a UV(C) source which subjects the passing air to a UV(C) treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV(C) radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor which measures the temperature on the wall of the UV(C) source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a UV(C) sensor for determining the intensity of the UV(C) radiation at a selected position in the UV(C) treatment chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV(C) radiation intensity measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2155270B1Sterilization device and lamp holder therefor
Publication Date: 2011.08.24 VIROBUSTER INTPROP
  • EP2155270B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2155270B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2155270B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device for subjecting air to UV(C) radiation comprises : a UV(C) treatment chamber in which is accommodated a UV(C) source which subjects the passing air to a UV(C) treatment; measuring means which comprise at least one of the following measuring units: (a) a temperature sensor which measures the temperature on the wall of the UV(C) source; (b) two temperature sensors which are placed respectively downstream and upstream relative to the UV(C) source; (c) a UV(C) sensor for determining the intensity of the UV(C) radiation in the UV(C) treatment chamber; which UV(C) source comprises at least one UV(C) lamp which is held by a lamp holder. The lamp holder comprises positioning means for positioning the lamp(s) in a fixed, defined position and holds the measuring means at a fixed position. The electrical supply wires and the signal wires are located such that they are shielded from the radiation from the UV(C) lamp(s).