Handheld Far-UVC Sanitizer With Safe Human-Exposure Wavelength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UVC light devices for disinfection are expensive, have specific uses, and pose health risks, making them inaccessible and unsafe for everyday consumer use.
Innovation Solution
A handheld, portable, and potentially disposable device emitting far-UVC light, which is safe for humans and effective in sanitizing surfaces and air, using a range of activation mechanisms and power sources, with optional visible light guidance for precise application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional UVC light is used for disinfection, then pathogen elimination effectiveness is improved, but health safety deteriorates due to skin cancer and cataract risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of UVC light from the traditional 200-280 nm range to a specific far-UVC range (207-222 nm). This parameter modification maintains the germicidal effectiveness against pathogens while reducing the harmful effects on human skin and eyes, as the shorter wavelength is absorbed by proteins in pathogens rather than penetrating human biological tissues.
2Ease of operation
If portable UVC devices are made accessible to consumers, then ease of use is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a light source module (LED or laser diode), a wavelength filtering module (interference filter or dichroic mirror), a power module (battery), and a control module. This segmentation allows for standardized, mass-producible components that reduce overall complexity and cost while maintaining portability and consumer accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple functions into a single portable unit: pathogen detection (optional), far-UVC emission for disinfection, visible light indication for user guidance, and wireless charging capability. This multi-functionality increases ease of operation while the integration of these functions into compact modules helps manage device complexity.
3Reliability
If far-UVC light is emitted continuously, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The far-UVC light emission operates in periodic pulses rather than continuous emission. The control system activates the light source in timed intervals (e.g., several seconds of emission followed by pause periods), which maintains effective pathogen elimination over time while significantly reducing average power consumption and extending battery life for portable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
While using periodic emission to save energy, the device maintains continuous useful action through multiple mechanisms: the visible light indicator continuously guides users during operation, and the periodic far-UVC pulses are timed to ensure complete coverage of target surfaces. This approach ensures disinfection effectiveness is not compromised despite reduced emission duty cycle.
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
Provides safe, accessible, and versatile disinfection capabilities for everyday use, effectively killing pathogens without harmful side effects, with visible guidance for accurate targeting.
Implementation Method 1
a far-UVC light emitting source disposed at the body... emits far-UVC illumination to sanitize the surface or the air surrounding the surface of pathogens
Implementation Method 2
The device or container may include a solar array, and the solar array is operable to charge the battery when the solar array is exposed to light (whereby the solar array, which comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells that convert light energy to an electrical current, charges the battery)
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A handheld device (10, 20) for sanitizing a surface or air surrounding a surface, the handheld device (10, 20) comprising: a body (12, 22) that comprises a user input (14, 38); a far-UVC illumination source (28) disposed at the body; a power source (16) for providing power to the far-UVC illumination source (28), wherein the far-UVC illumination source (28), when powered, emits far-UVC illumination with a wavelength between 200 nm and 230 nm; and wherein, responsive to actuation of the user input by a user of the handheld device (10, 20), the far-UVC illumination source (28) is powered and emits far-UVC illumination to sanitize the surface or the air surrounding the surface of pathogens.