Germicidal Apparatus with Movable Shield and Source for Selective Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfection technologies face challenges in effectively disinfecting occupied spaces without exposing individuals to germicides, and they often require separate devices for surface and air disinfection, lacking configurations that optimize different disinfection modes based on occupancy status.
Innovation Solution
The development of a germicidal apparatus with repositionable germicidal sources and shields, coupled with a processor and storage medium, allows for selective operation modes by activating power supply circuitry based on the proximity of germicidal sources within a chamber or exterior to the apparatus, enabling both interior and exterior disinfection modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If automated area/room disinfection devices distribute germicide 360 degrees around the device to maximize surfaces treated, then the area of surfaces treated is improved, but the exposure risk to germicides increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic repositioning of the germicidal source and shield within the apparatus. The germicidal source can be positioned in different locations (e.g., central, off-center, or outside the apparatus) and the shield can be adjusted to different positions and orientations. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between wide-area disinfection mode (source outside, shield retracted) and controlled containment mode (source inside, shield positioned), thereby resolving the contradiction between treating large surface areas and minimizing germicide exposure risk.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for surface and air disinfection to optimize each mode, then the disinfection efficacy for each mode is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single apparatus that can perform multiple disinfection functions by reconfiguring its components. The same germicidal source and shield system can be adjusted to optimize for surface disinfection (source positioned for broad coverage) or air disinfection (source positioned for targeted treatment). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices while maintaining optimized efficacy for each disinfection mode through dynamic repositioning of the germicidal source and shield.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the germicidal source is contained within the apparatus to minimize external exposure, then the exposure risk is reduced, but the disinfection area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the position of both the germicidal source and the shield based on the selected disinfection mode. For contained air disinfection, the source is positioned inside the apparatus with the shield in place to minimize exposure. For wide-area surface disinfection, the source is repositioned outside the apparatus and the shield is retracted or repositioned to allow broad germicide distribution. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between containment and coverage area.
4Area of stationary object
If the germicidal source is positioned exterior to the apparatus to treat larger areas, then the disinfection area is improved, but the configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates movable mechanisms that allow the germicidal source to be repositioned between interior and exterior positions relative to the apparatus. The shield is also made movable to adjust its position and orientation. These dynamic components enable the system to switch between containment configuration (source inside, shield positioned) and wide-area disinfection configuration (source outside, shield retracted), managing the complexity through automated or manual repositioning mechanisms rather than requiring multiple fixed configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses are provided which include one or more germicidal sources, power circuitry coupled to the germicidal source/s, and a shield. The shield and/or at least one of the germicidal source/s are moveable within the apparatus and the apparatus is configured such that the shield and/or the germicidal source/s may be brought in and out of proximity with the other and upon doing so germicide projected from one or more of the germicidal source/s is either substantially contained in the apparatus or is projected exterior to the apparatus for different disinfection modes of the apparatus. The apparatuses include a processor and processor-executable program instructions for activating the power circuitry to operate the at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source is not encased within the apparatus and for activating the power circuitry to operate at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source/s are encased within the apparatus.