Flexible UV Substrate for Enclosure Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultraviolet radiation-based disinfection methods are not easily integrated into flexible enclosures and do not provide a safe and portable solution for disinfecting items within these enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A flexible substrate with embedded ultraviolet radiation sources and a control system, capable of deformation, is integrated into existing enclosures to generate and manage UV radiation for disinfection, ensuring safety by preventing user exposure through UV-absorbing and reflective surfaces and automatic shut-off mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV radiation sources are integrated into flexible enclosures, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to potential UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces UV-absorbing and UV-reflective materials as intermediary elements between the UV radiation sources and the user. These materials act as mediators that allow the UV radiation to effectively disinfect items within the enclosure while simultaneously blocking and reflecting UV radiation to prevent user exposure. The flexible substrate itself is configured with UV-absorbing properties, and additional UV-reflective surfaces are incorporated to redirect UV radiation away from potential user contact zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary protective measures by incorporating UV-absorbing and UV-reflective surfaces into the enclosure structure before UV radiation is generated. The flexible substrate is pre-configured with UV-absorbing materials, and UV-reflective surfaces are positioned in advance to redirect UV radiation. This preliminary anti-action ensures that even if UV radiation escapes the intended disinfection zone, it will be blocked or reflected before reaching the user, thus preventing harm before it can occur.
2Reliability
If rigid UV sterilization devices are used, then disinfection reliability is improved, but adaptability to different enclosures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid UV sterilization device housings with flexible substrates that can conform to various enclosure shapes and sizes. The flexible substrate incorporates UV-absorbing materials and can be bent or shaped to fit different geometries while maintaining its UV-blocking functionality. This flexible construction allows the sterilization system to be integrated into diverse enclosures such as bags, containers, or wearable devices without compromising disinfection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can operate across different wavelength parameters within the UV spectrum, allowing optimization for various disinfection requirements. The flexible substrate's UV-absorbing properties can also be adjusted by modifying material composition or thickness. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain high disinfection reliability while adapting to different enclosure types and application scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If UV radiation sources are mounted on flexible substrates, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to embedded wiring and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the flexible substrate itself: structural support, UV absorption, and electrical connectivity. The substrate integrates embedded wiring for power delivery to UV LEDs, control circuitry for operation management, and communication interfaces all within a single flexible layer. This merging eliminates the need for separate rigid housings and external wiring harnesses, thereby improving portability and ease of operation while managing complexity through integration rather than addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical flexibility, UV radiation absorption, electrical power transmission, control signal routing, and even structural reinforcement. By making the substrate universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the overall number of separate components needed, thereby improving ease of operation and portability while actually reducing rather than increasing device complexity through consolidation.
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 solution enables safe, portable, and effective disinfection of items within flexible enclosures by ensuring UV radiation is directed only within the enclosure and automatically turns off when the enclosure is open, providing a high level of disinfection while preventing user harm.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible substrate can have at least one of: a wave-guiding structure, an ultraviolet absorbing surface, or an ultraviolet reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
The flexible substrate can have at least one of: a wave-guiding structure, an ultraviolet absorbing surface, or an ultraviolet reflective surface
Implementation Method 3
at least one ultraviolet radiation source mounted on the flexible substrate, the at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A solution in which an ultraviolet radiation source is mounted on a flexible substrate is provided. The flexible substrate is capable of having a deformation curvature of at least 0.1 inverse meters. The flexible substrate may be incorporated within an existing enclosure or included in the enclosure. The flexible substrate can be utilized as part of a solution for disinfecting one or more items located within the enclosure. In this case, while the items are within the enclosure, ultraviolent radiation is generated and directed at the items. Wiring for the ultraviolet radiation source can be embedded within the flexible substrate and the flexible substrate can have at least one of: a wave-guiding structure, an ultraviolet absorbing surface, or an ultraviolet reflective surface. A control system can be utilized to manage generation of the ultraviolet radiation within the enclosure.