Elevator Button Sterilization via UV-LED and IR Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator buttons are frequently touched by multiple users, leading to germ and pathogen transmission, and existing disinfection methods are inconvenient, ineffective, or damaging when the elevator is in use.
Innovation Solution
An elevator operation system with infrared sensors and ultraviolet LEDs that sterilize and disinfect buttons every time they are touched, using a controller to recognize button presses and activate UV LEDs for disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disinfectants are sprayed over elevator buttons, then disinfection effect is improved, but button switch may be damaged due to penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical disinfection (spraying) with optical disinfection (UV-LED). The UV-LED emits ultraviolet light that sterilizes buttons without physical contact or chemical penetration, eliminating damage to button switches while maintaining disinfection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the disinfection parameter from chemical (disinfectant concentration, spray pressure) to physical (UV light intensity, exposure time). This parameter transformation allows disinfection without the harmful side effects of chemical penetration
2Reliability
If antibacterial filter is separately attached, then initial disinfection is improved, but effect significantly decreases after certain usage period
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-LED disinfection system operates periodically - activating upon button press detection and deactivating after a set time. This periodic operation ensures continuous disinfection capability throughout the elevator's operational life, unlike filters that degrade over time
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the button press event itself to trigger disinfection, making the disinfection process self-activating without requiring manual intervention or replacement of consumable filter elements
3Reliability
If manual disinfection is performed, then disinfection thoroughness is improved, but convenience deteriorates when elevator is in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects button presses via sensors and triggers UV-LED disinfection without requiring manual intervention. The elevator performs disinfection on its own behalf, maintaining thoroughness while eliminating the need for manual operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect button press events and provides feedback to the controller, which then activates the UV-LED. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures disinfection is performed automatically in response to actual 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
Ensures continuous disinfection of elevator buttons every time they are touched, enhancing user safety and reducing germ transmission, even when the elevator is in use.
Implementation Method 1
The controller may recognize that the up button is pressed by emitting infrared (IR) rays from a first transmission sensor according to a touch motion around the up button and by receiving the IR rays at a first reception sensor
Implementation Method 2
When the up button is recognized as being pressed, the controller may drive a first ultraviolet (UV) LED and control the first UV LED such that UV sterilization and disinfection is performed in an area around the up button
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an elevator operation system according to the present invention. The elevator operation system may comprise: an external operation panel configured to control, from the outside of the elevator, stopping of the elevator and opening and closing of the door of the elevator; and a control unit configured to be operable together with the external operation panel and to control sensors and LEDs associated with an up button and a down button on the basis of a user input on the up button and the down button of the external operation panel, thereby sterilizing and disinfecting a corresponding button whenever the user touches the elevator button.