Seoul-based LG Innotek (a subsidiary of South Korean electronics company LG Group) says that, since the end of March, it has been mass producing an ultraviolet (UV) LED module that sterilizes the inside of water purifier faucet aerators. The module has been incorporated into LG Electronics’ new direct water purifier ‘PuriCare Slim Updown’, launched in March.
A water purifier faucet aerator always holds a small amount of water. This part is prone to contamination due to the growth of germs that enter with the influx of air. However, it has been difficult to install a sterilizer inside a faucet aerator because the space is too narrow. The new module is 1.5cm in width and 3.7cm in length and can be mounted in the small space inside the water purifier.
The UV LED module kills 99.98% of germs when a faucet aerator is exposed to ultraviolet rays (of 278nm wavelength) for 5 minutes.It is also harmless, since it uses only ultraviolet rays for sterilization without any chemicals or heavy metals.
LG Innotek says that the new module is convenient to use as it allows quick and accurate control of ultraviolet rays. As soon as its sterilization function is activated, UV rays are released at peak performance. In contrast, a mercury UV lamp requires about 2 minutes to warm up.
LG Electronics’ direct water purifier installed with this module allows instant sterilization of faucets by pressing the ‘Self Care’ button at any time. It also performs automatic sterilization every hour.
LG Innotek plans to actively expand the application of UV LEDs to various products. It already has a line-up of products that are optimized for different applications, including 365nm, 385nm, 395nm and 405nm UV-A LEDs for general industry and a 305nm UV-B LED for the biomedical field as well as a 280nm UV-C LED for sterilization.
