Light Directing Element Uniform Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High touch surfaces, such as handles, often harbor harmful microorganisms like E. coli, MRSA, and Clostridium Difficile, and existing disinfection methods like chemical cleaners provide intermittent disinfection, while antimicrobial coatings can wear off and be unsafe, and UV light is harmful to humans.
Innovation Solution
The development of light directing elements with internal diffusers that emit disinfecting light in the 380-420 nm range, which is safe for humans and continuously inactivates microorganisms, using a transparent or translucent elongated body with a diffuser containing reflective elements to ensure consistent and uniform illumination and disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical cleaners are used for disinfection, then disinfection effect is achieved, but continuous disinfection cannot be provided and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical disinfection methods with a light-based disinfection system. A light emitter produces disinfecting light in the 380-420 nm range, which is transmitted through the elongated body to continuously disinfect high touch surfaces without requiring chemical applications, thereby providing consistent disinfection while ensuring human safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The light directing element provides continuous disinfection by emitting light continuously through the elongated body. Unlike chemical cleaners that require periodic reapplication, the light source maintains constant disinfection activity as long as it is powered, ensuring uninterrupted protection against microorganisms on high touch surfaces.
2Reliability
If UV light is used for disinfection, then disinfection effect is achieved, but human safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specific wavelength range (380-420 nm) that provides effective disinfection while being safe for human exposure. This selective wavelength choice allows the light to inactivate microorganisms on high touch surfaces without causing harm to humans, unlike broader spectrum UV light.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful UV light into beneficial disinfection by selecting the 380-420 nm range, which maintains the antimicrobial effectiveness of UV while removing the harmful effects. The light emitter produces this specific spectrum to achieve safe and effective disinfection simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If light emitter is placed at one end, then device simplicity is improved, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffuser component that transforms the one-dimensional light path into a three-dimensional distribution pattern. The diffuser with reflective elements scatters light in multiple directions, creating uniform illumination across the elongated body's surface area, thereby solving the non-uniform distribution problem while keeping the light emitter at a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary between the light emitter and the exterior surface. It receives light from the emitter and redistributes it uniformly across the elongated body, ensuring consistent illumination and disinfection effectiveness throughout the structure without requiring multiple light sources.
4Illumination intensity
If diffuser expands in cross-section, then light distribution uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the diffuser expands in cross-section from one end to the other, creating a conical or frustoconical shape. This geometric parameter change allows the diffuser to progressively distribute light more widely as it travels through the elongated body, achieving uniform illumination while maintaining a manufacturable form factor.
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 light directing elements provide continuous and uniform disinfection of high touch surfaces with safe, non-harmful disinfecting light, ensuring consistent inactivation of microorganisms like E. coli and MRSA, while being aesthetically pleasing and safe for human exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser including at least one reflective element disposed within the elongated body, wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect light emitted from the light emitter uniformly towards the exterior surface
Implementation Method 2
the elongated body being transparent or translucent to permit transmission of light axially and radially therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
Light directing elements, methods, and systems are disclosed. An example light directing element may comprise an elongated body having a first end, a second end and an exterior surface, the elongated body being transparent or translucent to permit transmission of light axially and radially therethrough, a light emitter disposed at the first end of the elongated body, and a diffuser including at least one reflective element disposed within the elongated body, wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect axially emitted light from the light emitter radially towards the exterior surface and wherein the diffuser expands in cross-section towards the second end.