Sensor-Activated Disinfecting Mat with UV-C and Chemical Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regular doormats fail to disinfect and sanitize the bottom of shoes, allowing germs, bacteria, and viruses to be tracked into homes and businesses, posing a risk of illness transmission.
Innovation Solution
A disinfecting mat device with multiple layers, including a non-slip bottom layer, a UV light layer that kills pathogens, and a top layer with a sensor-activated disinfecting agent dispenser, which expels a disinfecting compound and illuminates UV light when stepped on, concentrating disinfection on the soles of shoes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a regular doormat is used, then it is simple in structure and easy to operate, but it fails to disinfect and sanitize the bottom of shoes, allowing germs, bacteria, and viruses to be tracked into homes and businesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single doormat device: mechanical scrubbing action, UV-C light disinfection, and chemical disinfectant dispensing. This merging of functions allows the device to effectively disinfect shoe bottoms while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates all components into one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The doormat device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it mechanically scrubs the shoe bottom, emits UV-C light for disinfection, and dispenses chemical disinfectant. This multi-functionality ensures comprehensive disinfection coverage while addressing the limitation of regular doormats that only provide mechanical cleaning without sanitization.
2Reliability
If UV light and disinfecting agent are added to the doormat, then disinfection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases with multiple layers, storage tanks, and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The doormat is divided into multiple functional layers: a top wear layer, a middle layer containing UV-C lights and disinfectant storage, and a bottom structural layer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while being integrated into a cohesive device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device nests multiple components within the doormat structure: storage tanks are embedded in the middle layer, UV-C lights are integrated between layers, and the sensor system is incorporated into the overall design. This nesting approach reduces the overall device complexity by embedding components within the doormat rather than adding separate external units.
3Manufacturing precision
If the disinfecting agent is expelled through the top surface, then the disinfection is concentrated on the soles of shoes, but the device requires sensor activation and controlled dispensing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The doormat uses a pressure-activated sensor that automatically detects when someone steps on it and triggers the dispensing of disinfectant and activation of UV-C lights. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation or complex control systems, as the device activates automatically based on user presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor provides feedback about user presence and weight distribution, which controls the timing and intensity of disinfectant dispensing and UV-C activation. This feedback mechanism ensures the disinfection is concentrated when needed (when someone steps on the mat) while maintaining simple control logic.
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
Effectively prevents the entry of germs, bacteria, and viruses into homes and businesses by disinfecting the bottom of shoes before entry, enhancing the functionality of traditional doormats.
Implementation Method 1
the device expels a disinfecting compound when stepped on and uses at least one UV light to disinfect the bottom of a user's shoes simultaneously
Implementation Method 2
The light is activated to illuminate by at least one sensor which is preferably comprised of a pressure sensor. In this manner, the sensor detects when a user steps onto the body.
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfecting mat device is provided. The device is comprised of a body with at least one, but preferably a plurality of layers with at least one UV light, at least one storage tank that stores at least one disinfecting agent, and at least one sensor. The device is designed to be used as a door mat, such that the device sanitizes the bottom of the shoes of the user as they step on the device by expelling sanitizing solution through the top surface. The device also simultaneously sanitizes the bottom of a user's shoes via the UV light when the user steps on the device.