Hand Washing Timer Light With Wide-Angle Compliance Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand washing devices do not provide a visible signaling mechanism that allows supervisors, caregivers, or customers to verify that a person is washing their hands for a specified duration from a sufficient distance and angle, which is crucial for ensuring proper hygiene in various settings.
Innovation Solution
A hand washing device with a housing that includes a light emitter and a timing assembly, where the light emitter is actuated for a specified time when the fluid dispensing assembly is used, and a light diffuser ensures the light is visible from at least 15 feet and a 120-degree viewing angle, allowing others to see the hand washing duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light emitter is used to signal hand washing duration, then visibility of the signaling mechanism is improved, but the viewing distance and angle are limited
Solution Approach 1:
A light diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitter and the external environment. The diffuser scatters and redistributes the light in multiple directions, enabling supervisors and customers to view the signaling light from various distances and angles (at least 15 feet and 120-degree viewing angle) without directly observing the emitter itself.
2Reliability
If a timing assembly with light emitter is added to indicate hand washing duration, then compliance verification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing assembly and light emitter are integrated into a single unified unit within the hand washing device housing. The timing assembly automatically controls the light emitter to provide visual feedback during the hand washing process, combining timing functionality with visual signaling in one compact system that does not require separate external components.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the light is made visible from a distance of 15 feet with a 120-degree viewing angle, then supervisor and customer verification is improved, but light intensity required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light diffuser serves as an optical intermediary that efficiently distributes light energy across a wide area and angle. Rather than requiring a single high-intensity light source, the diffuser takes moderate-intensity light from the emitter and scatters it to achieve the required visibility at 15 feet with a 120-degree viewing angle, reducing overall energy consumption.
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 signals the completion of hand washing for the specified time, ensuring proper hygiene practices are maintained, and allows supervisors or customers to verify hand washing compliance from a distance, enhancing sanitation standards in workplaces and public areas.
Implementation Method 1
A light diffuser is mounted on the housing and covers the light emitter. The light diffuser diffuses light emitted by the light emitter to allow viewing of the light emitted by a distance of at least 15 feet and by a specified viewing angle. The specified viewing angle is at least 120 degrees outwardly from the light emitter.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand washing timing system includes a housing with a perimeter wall that has a dispensing aperture extending therethrough. A fluid dispensing assembly is mounted in the housing and dispenses fluid outwardly of the dispensing aperture when actuated. The fluid dispensing assembly includes an actuator. A light emitter is mounted on the housing and emits visible light outwardly away from the housing when turned on. A timing assembly is electrically coupled to the light emitter and turns on the light emitter for a specified amount of time when the timing assembly is actuated. The timing assembly is in communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and is actuated when the fluid dispensing assembly is actuated. A light diffuser is mounted on the housing and covers the light emitter to increase a viewing angle of light emitted by the light emitter to at least 120 degrees with respect to the light emitter.