Door Handle Disinfection via Actuating Arm Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toilet door handles in public areas, especially in hospitals, are frequently contaminated with bacteria and germs due to inadequate hand hygiene, leading to potential spread of infection.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a housing and actuating arm that sprays disinfectant liquid onto door handles and push plates when the door is opened or closed, utilizing a reservoir and spray head connected via a conduit, with the actuating arm engaging the door frame to operate the spray head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of door handles is performed, then disinfection can be applied, but it requires continuous human intervention and is not consistent
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle cleaning system performs disinfection automatically without requiring continuous human intervention. The actuating arm is triggered by door opening/closing motion to activate the spray head, enabling the system to clean itself through the natural use of the door.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and applies disinfectant before the door is fully opened or closed. The spray head activates in advance of the door's final position, ensuring disinfection occurs at the critical moment of contact.
2Reliability
If an automated spray system is installed, then consistent disinfection is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating arm serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a trigger mechanism for the spray head, and a door motion sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray head is integrated directly with the actuating arm mechanism, combining the dispensing function with the actuation mechanism. The conduit connects the reservoir to the spray head through the actuating arm structure, merging multiple functions into a unified assembly.
3Reliability
If the spray head is activated frequently, then continuous disinfection is maintained, but disinfectant liquid is consumed faster
Solution Approach 1:
The spray head activates periodically based on door opening/closing cycles rather than continuously. This periodic activation maintains effective disinfection at critical moments while reducing overall disinfectant consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the spray activation parameters based on door motion detection. The spray head activates only when the actuating arm is triggered by door motion, changing the operational parameters from continuous to event-based activation to optimize disinfectant usage.
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 device effectively applies disinfectant to door surfaces each time the door is used, reducing contamination and infection risk by ensuring consistent disinfection of high-touch areas.
Implementation Method 1
a spray head, an actuating arm which projects outwardly from the housing and is in use operatively associated with a door frame in which the door mounted, such that opening or closing of the door causes movement of the actuating arm to operate the spray head and to spray a disinfectant liquid onto the door handle
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for door handles and door push plates comprising a housing (60) for mounting on a door, the housing having a reservoir (76) of disinfectant liquid and a spray head (71), an actuating arm (72) which projects outwardly from the housing and is in use operatively associated with a door frame in which the door is mounted, such that opening or closing of the door causes movement of the actuating arm (72) to operate the spray head and to spray a disinfectant liquid onto the door handle, door push plate or other door surface, wherein the actuating arm engages with the door frame to operate the spray head.