Wireless-Powered UV Sterilizer for Uniform Exposure and Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet sterilizers face issues with uneven exposure of sterilization targets to UV rays and difficulty in cleaning and maintaining the ultraviolet emitting units due to their fixed installation, particularly when water receptacles block UV emission and complicate maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The ultraviolet sterilizer features a water receptacle with an ultraviolet emitting unit installed below the sterilization target, powered wirelessly, allowing easy removal of stains and maintenance, with a separable design ensuring watertightness and aesthetic appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ultraviolet emitting unit is installed on the bottom of the housing, then the sterilization coverage is improved, but the cleaning and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water receptacle is divided into separable parts: an upper receptacle portion and a lower plate portion. The ultraviolet emitting unit is installed on the upper receptacle portion, which can be detached from the lower plate portion. This segmentation allows the UV unit to be easily accessed for maintenance by simply removing the upper receptacle portion, while still maintaining its position on the bottom for effective sterilization coverage.
2Reliability
If the water receptacle is made of metal to prevent rust, then the durability is improved, but the UV ray transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the water receptacle are made from different materials with different properties. The upper receptacle portion that contacts water is made of metal (stainless steel) for durability and rust prevention. The lower plate portion that needs to transmit UV rays is made of a UV-transparent material. This local quality differentiation allows each part to fulfill its specific functional requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the ultraviolet emitting unit is fixed on the bottom, then the structural stability is improved, but the cleaning accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water receptacle structure is segmented into an upper receptacle portion and a lower plate portion that can be easily separated. This allows the upper portion containing the UV emitting unit to be removed for cleaning the bottom surface, while the lower plate portion remains in place to maintain structural stability and UV transmission functionality.
4Ease of operation
If the water receptacle is designed to be removable for cleaning, then the cleaning ease is improved, but the UV emission blocking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lower plate portion of the water receptacle is made specifically from a UV-transparent material, allowing UV rays to pass through effectively. The upper receptacle portion can be completely removed for cleaning access to the bottom surface. This material differentiation ensures that cleaning accessibility is improved without compromising UV emission capability.
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
Ensures uniform UV exposure to all sterilization targets, facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, and prevents accidental power transmission by using a Hall sensor and magnet for safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet emitting unit installed on a water receptacle and configured to emit ultraviolet rays to a sterilization target
Implementation Method 2
a wireless power receiver installed in the water receptacle and configured to receive power in a wireless manner and supply the power to the ultraviolet emitting unit; and a wireless power transmitter installed on the bottom and configured to transmit power to the wireless power receiver in a wireless manner
Implementation Method 3
a Hall sensor and magnet for safe operation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an ultraviolet sterilizer including a housing having an internal space configured to accommodate a sterilization target and a rack configured to support the sterilization target, the housing having an open front side through which the sterilization target and the rack are loaded into or unloaded from the internal space, and including a door configured to open or close the front side, a water receptacle configured to be loaded into or unloaded from the internal space through the front side, the water receptacle being placed on a bottom of the internal space and configured to receive water falling from the sterilization target, an ultraviolet emitting unit installed on the water receptacle and configured to emit ultraviolet rays to the sterilization target placed on the rack, a wireless power receiver installed in the water receptacle and configured to receive power in a wireless manner and supply the power to the ultraviolet emitting unit, and a wireless power transmitter installed on the bottom and configured to transmit power to the wireless power receiver in a wireless manner.