UVC LED Airflow Chamber Cooling for Stable Disinfection Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
UVC LEDs in air disinfection devices suffer from longevity issues due to heat buildup and inefficient thermal management, leading to reduced disinfection intensity and shortened service life.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system utilizing a thermally conductive airflow chamber, fan, and UVC LED array with airflow cut-outs, which conducts waste heat into the chamber walls and removes it via convection, enhancing heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If UVC LEDs are used to generate UVC radiation for air disinfection, then disinfection capability is improved, but heat buildup occurs leading to reduced longevity and degraded UVC intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal management system as an intermediary between the UVC LEDs and the environment. This system includes a heat sink coupled to the LED array, a fan mounted on the heat sink, and a shroud directing airflow. The intermediary system actively removes waste heat through forced convection, preventing heat buildup while maintaining high UVC radiation intensity from the LEDs.
2Device complexity
If UVC LEDs operate without efficient thermal management, then device complexity is reduced, but service life is shortened due to heat-related degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into distinct functional components: a heat sink structure with fins for heat dissipation, a fan for forced airflow, and a shroud for directing air movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and extending LED service life through effective heat removal.
3Ease of manufacture
If waste heat is not removed from UVC LEDs, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but disinfection effectiveness decreases due to intensity degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a fan to generate forced airflow through the heat sink and shroud system. This active air movement enhances convective heat transfer, efficiently removing waste heat from the UVC LEDs. The pneumatic cooling system maintains high UVC radiation intensity for effective disinfection while remaining relatively simple to manufacture using standard components.
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
Extends the life and maintains consistent UVC radiation intensity by efficiently removing waste heat from UVC LEDs, improving the operational effectiveness of air disinfection devices.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to generate airflow through the airflow chamber
Implementation Method 2
a fan configured to generate airflow through the airflow chamber
Implementation Method 3
a UVC LED array coupled to a framework, the framework including cut-outs for airflow, the framework coupled to the airflow chamber in the path of the airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system for extending the life and operational effectiveness of UVC LEDs utilized in an air disinfection device, includes a hollow airflow chamber having a first end and a second end on opposite sides of a length of the hollow airflow chamber; a fan configured to generate airflow through the airflow chamber; a UVC LED array coupled to a framework, the framework including cut-outs for airflow, and the framework is coupled to the hollow airflow chamber in the path of the airflow. An air disinfection system and ceiling light troffer fixture are described herein.