ES1258159U - Sterilizer module (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Sterilizer module designed to be part of a sterilizer equipment, consisting of a printed circuit (1) with ultraviolet radiation emitting diodes (2); one or more electrical connectors (3), which have the function of collecting the electrical current supplied by the power source (7), and bringing it to conductive tracks (4), on which the electrical current flows to each of the diodes (2). The power supply (7) supplies electrical current to the connector (3) through electrical conductive cables (6). The printed circuit has one or more holes (5) that facilitate its installation within a sterilizing equipment. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Sterilizer module

TECHNICAL SECTOR

Sterilization of interior spaces

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radiation between the wavelengths of 100nm to 380nm (also called ultraviolet or UV) has been shown to have the ability to penetrate viruses and bacteria and destroy their RNA, which makes their reproduction impossible. This process is known as sterilization. For example, UV radiation of 10mW x sec / m2 sterilizes the SARS-CoV-1 virus by 90%. The effect of this type of UV radiation on viruses and bacteria is cumulative over time, so that double the radiated power means reducing the time needed to sterilize by half. UV radiation causes burns to human skin, so it should not be applied to it.

Currently, the disinfecting robots commonly used to disinfect hospital surgical rooms are based on the emission of ultraviolet light at powers of several thousand watts, and achieve sterilization in short periods of time, up to 15 minutes. The ultraviolet light from these sterilizers is commonly generated by discharging electrical currents onto a capsule containing Xenon gas.

On the other hand, there are radiation-emitting diodes that emit in a spectrum between 100nm and 380nm. These emitting diodes usually have a power in the 100-380nm spectrum of »50mW, very low compared to that necessary to sterilize surgical rooms.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

In electronics, a printed circuit is a surface made up of conductive tracks laminated on a non-conductive base. Printed circuitry is used to mechanically hold electronic components and electrically connect them through conductive tracks. The tracks are generally made of high-purity copper, while the base is generally made of fiberglass reinforced resins or ceramic. Although a printed circuit can take any form, there are several standards. For example, the ZHAGA standard recommends shapes and spatial distribution of electronic components, in circuits used to manufacture LED lighting equipment.

The invention presented consists of a sterilizer module designed to be the core part of a sterilizer equipment.

The sterilizer module consists of a printed circuit with one or more connectors, through which electrical current is supplied to the circuit. On the circuit there will also be one or more ultraviolet radiation emitting diodes. The circuit may or may not contain electrical protections. Attached to the circuit will be a power supply. The circuit can be rectangular, circular, or any other convenient shape.

The sterilizer module will be designed to be part of an indoor sterilization equipment. The sterilization equipment will be composed of one or more modules, subject to a heat sink and a mechanism that allows them to be attached to the ceiling or wall of a room. A person presence detector could also be connected to the module, so that the sterilizer turns off whenever it detects people in the room.

The disadvantage of a sterilizer such as the one described in the previous paragraph is that to achieve disinfection, the space must be irradiated for long periods of time, due to its low power compared to lamps for surgical use. For example, a sterilizer consisting of a sterilizer module, placed on the ceiling of a room 10m2 and 3m high, containing 24x diodes emitting 50mW of UV radiation each, will take »2h to reach 10mW x sec / m2, a level enough radiation to disinfect the room from SARS-CoV-1 viruses to 90%.

These sterilizers can be installed in shops, offices, hospitals, workplaces or common areas of buildings, to keep the environment free of viruses and bacteria. They can also be installed on public roads and outdoors.

The sterilizer presented here must be used in the absence of people, since ultraviolet radiation is considered harmful to people's health.

The innovation of this module is to give a new use to a common circuit and power supply in electronics. Although it has the drawback of its long disinfection time, it can be especially useful for disinfecting hospital corridors or hotel rooms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- Shows a top view of a sterilizer module, formed by a printed circuit (1) with ultraviolet radiation emitting diodes (2), a connector (3) and tracks (4), which have the function of carrying the electrical current from connector (3) to each of the diodes (2). Above the circuit there are several holes (5) that are used to fix the circuit to a heat dissipating surface. Attached to the connector (3) are cables (6), which carry electrical current from the power supply (7) to the connector (3). The power supply (7) has the function of supplying electrical current to the connector (3), and this to the diodes (2).

Figure 2.- Shows a side view of a sterilizer module as described in figure (1). We see the printed circuit (1) with ultraviolet radiation emitting diodes (2) and the connector (3). Attached to the connector (3) we see 2 cables (6), which carry electrical current from the power supply (7) to the connector (3). The power supply (7) has the function of supplying electrical current to the connector (3), and this to the diodes (2). Due to the perspective, the holes in the plate (5) are not visible, nor are the tracks through which electric current circulates (4).

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Next, a particular example of a sterilizer module according to the present invention is described with reference to the attached figures.

Specifically, a printed circuit board will be manufactured containing several light-emitting diodes with frequencies 100-380nm. For example, in figure (1) there are 24 light diodes connected in series through a high purity copper track (4). A power supply (7) supplies electrical current to the circuit through a connector (3).

We could, for example, place this module inside a hollow casing that allows it to be attached to the ceiling, for example in a corridor of a health center.

Claims (1)

1. Sterilizer module designed to be part of a sterilizer equipment, consisting of a printed circuit (1) with ultraviolet radiation emitting diodes (2); one or more electrical connectors (3), which have the function of collecting the electrical current supplied by the power source (7), and taking it to conductive tracks (4), on which the electrical current flows to each of the diodes (2). The power supply (7) supplies electrical current to the connector (3) through electrical conductive cables (6). The printed circuit has one or more holes (5) that facilitate its installation within a sterilizing equipment.