Appliance UV Disinfection with Sensor Interlocks

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disinfection methods are labor-intensive and inefficient for disinfecting appliance environments, particularly due to the complexity of surfaces and the risk of incomplete disinfection with UV light systems that are not automated or safe for human exposure.

Innovation Solution

An integrated disinfection system for appliances that includes a power distribution system with a moveable compartment, wireless power transfer, and multi-spectrum UV light sources, controlled by sensors and interlocks to ensure safe and comprehensive disinfection of surfaces and food storage compartments, while minimizing user exposure to UV light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual disinfection techniques are used to clean surfaces in appliance environments, then disinfection can be performed, but the process becomes time and labor intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical disinfection actions with an automated UV light system. The control system automatically activates UV lights to disinfect surfaces, eliminating the need for manual wiping or cleaning actions by users, thereby resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance performs self-disinfection through integrated UV lighting systems controlled by the appliance's control system. The system automatically initiates disinfection cycles without requiring user intervention, enabling the appliance to maintain its own hygiene and reducing the time and effort users must spend on disinfection tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If UV light is used for disinfection, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but user safety is compromised due to UV exposure risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of UV light activation through sensors that detect user presence. The UV lights are automatically activated only when no user is detected in proximity, and deactivated when a user approaches. This dynamic on-demand operation maintains high disinfection efficiency while eliminating UV exposure risks to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to provide feedback about user presence to the control system, which then adjusts UV light operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures UV lights operate only when safe, maintaining disinfection efficiency while protecting users from harmful exposure through real-time monitoring and automatic response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If high intensity UV light is applied for fast disinfection, then disinfection speed is improved, but the size and cost of UV light source increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the disinfection task into multiple smaller UV light sources distributed throughout the appliance rather than using one large high-intensity source. Each UV light module operates at lower intensity but collectively they achieve comprehensive fast disinfection of all surfaces, reducing individual component size and cost while maintaining overall disinfection speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple UV light sources with different wavelengths (UV-C for disinfection, UV-A/B for food treatment) into an integrated disinfection system. This merging of multiple lower-power sources achieves the desired disinfection speed and effectiveness without requiring a single large, expensive high-intensity UV source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The system provides automated, efficient, and controlled disinfection of appliance surfaces and food storage areas, reducing bacterial growth and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, while ensuring user safety through interlocks and UV transmissive materials for effective UV light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a UV light source operable to emit UV light to disinfect the surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a wireless power supply configured to wirelessly provide power to the treatment device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11534512B2Appliance disinfection

Publication Date: 2022.12.27

AI summary

An appliance disinfecting device with monitoring and safety interlock system that utilizes user detection and sensors to detect touch and can provide user feedback and decorative features. The device can include a UV transmissive material that provides disinfection of hard to reach surfaces or areas safely. The appliance disinfection device can include an automatic interlock to protect a user from UV exposure. The optics used for the UV disinfection allow the device to become a human interface. The device can be connected to the appliance control system which can be connected to a network and cloud interface.