Transactional Currency Sanitizer Using Segmented UV-C Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a means to sanitize paper-based currency effectively, quickly, and easily, given the increasing importance of reducing contact with common surfaces and items, especially during pandemics like COVID-19.
Innovation Solution
A transactional currency sanitizer with an enclosure, ultraviolet radiation-producing (UV) device, deposit and retrieval devices, and optional features like a currency calculator with AI for denomination detection and counterfeit detection, and a touch screen controller, designed to sanitize both sides of currency using UV light emitters and handle both paper bills and coins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light emitters are used to sanitize currency, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV device is divided into multiple spaced-apart UV light emitters within the enclosure, allowing currency to be sanitized as it passes through different zones. This segmentation improves sterilization effectiveness by ensuring all surfaces are exposed to UV light while maintaining a manageable device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure serves multiple functions: it houses the UV light emitters for sterilization, provides a pathway for currency to pass through, and contains the deposit and retrieval devices. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several functions into a single integrated structure.
2Reliability
If currency passes between spaced-apart UV light emitters, then both sides of currency are sanitized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple UV light emitters are positioned at different locations within the enclosure to create separate sanitization zones. Currency passes through these zones sequentially, ensuring both sides and all surfaces are exposed to UV radiation. This segmented approach achieves complete sanitization without requiring an overly complex multi-stage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light emitters are positioned in three-dimensional space within the enclosure, creating a volumetric sanitization field rather than a single-plane exposure. This spatial arrangement ensures comprehensive coverage of currency surfaces as it moves through the enclosure, achieving complete sanitization with a relatively simple linear path.
3Ease of operation
If deposit and retrieval devices are added, then currency handling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deposit device and retrieval device are integrated into the same enclosure that houses the UV sanitization system. Currency is deposited into the enclosure, automatically passes through the UV light emitters for sanitization, and is then retrieved from the same enclosure. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity compared to separate sanitization and handling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposit device is positioned to receive currency before it enters the UV sanitization zone, and the retrieval device is positioned to collect sanitized currency after it exits. This preliminary arrangement of deposit and retrieval functions streamlines the overall currency handling process while maintaining a compact device structure.
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 sanitizer effectively sterilizes currency using UV-C light, detects counterfeit bills, and provides a safe and efficient method for sanitizing and storing currency, ensuring reduced contact and improved hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet radiation-producing (UV) device inside of the enclosure, which has at least two spaced-apart UV light emitters
Data Source
AI summary
A transactional currency sanitizer which includes an enclosure, a deposit device on the enclosure for depositing the currency into said enclosure, an ultraviolet radiation-producing (UV) device with at least two spaced-apart UV light emitters, and a retrieval device on the enclosure for retrieving the currency from said enclosure. The deposit device is configured to receive the currency and pass the currency between the at least two spaced-apart UV light emitters to sanitize both sides of the currency and the retrieval device is configured to accept the sanitized currency from between said device at least two spaced-apart UV light emitters and to provide the sanitized currency for retrieval from said enclosure.