UVC Germicidal Lighting Safety Control via Occupancy Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for controlling UVC germicidal lamps do not automatically turn off when a person or object enters a room, posing safety risks, and require manual or timer-based operation, which is inefficient and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A device using occupancy sensors and relay switches to automatically turn off UVC germicidal lamps when a person or object is detected and turn them back on when the area is empty, while also controlling white color general lighting based on occupancy, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If UVC germicidal lamps are operated automatically using timers or manual switches, then energy savings can be achieved, but safety risks increase when persons are exposed to harmful UVC light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs occupancy sensors to continuously monitor the presence of persons in the room and provides feedback to the relay switch. When a person is detected, the sensor sends a signal to the relay to immediately turn off the UVC lamp, eliminating the hazard while maintaining energy savings through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay switch acts as an intermediary between the occupancy sensor and the UVC lamp. It receives the sensor's presence detection signal and mediates the response by controlling the lamp's power supply, ensuring safe automated operation without direct human intervention.
2Loss of energy
If occupancy sensors are used to control lighting for energy savings, then energy efficiency improves, but the control logic is reversed compared to safety requirements for UVC lamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the standard occupancy sensor control logic. Instead of turning lights on when occupants are present and off when absent, the system turns UVC lamps on when the area is empty and turns them off when a person is detected, achieving both energy savings and safety requirements through this inverted logic.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual power switches are used to control UVC lamps, then safety can be maintained, but productivity and efficiency decrease due to manual operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting occupancy and controlling the UVC lamp operation without requiring manual intervention. The occupancy sensor continuously monitors the environment and the relay switch automatically executes the control actions, maintaining safety while dramatically improving operational efficiency and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a device consisting of at least one occupancy sensor and relay switch for providing power to UVC germicidal light sources when the at least one sensor does detect the absence of a person or object in the room or space, and automatically turns off the UVC germicidal light sources when the at least one sensor does detect the presence of a person or object entering or already in a room or space. Additionally, the same device using the at least one sensor and relay switch can include general lighting white color light sources that energize automatically when the at least one sensor does detect the presence of a person or object in a room or space, and automatically turns off the general lighting white color light sources when the at least one sensor does detect the absence of a person or object in the room or space.