Modified and improved self-sanitizing chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-sanitizing methods for public seating, such as fluid sanitizers, are often ineffective due to brief exposure and reliance on diligent application, leading to inadequate pathogen control in high-risk areas like medical offices and hospitals.
Innovation Solution
A self-sanitizing chair equipped with a UV light source and optional sanitizing fluid dispensing system, controlled by an occupant sensor and indicating lights, which inhibits sanitizing during occupancy and indicates when the chair is ready for the next user, ensuring thorough disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fluid sanitizers are sprayed onto furniture, then sanitizing coverage is improved, but exposure time is too brief to be fully effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spraying system with a UV-C light-based sanitizing system. The UV-C light source emits ultraviolet radiation that disinfects surfaces through photonic action rather than mechanical fluid application, eliminating the brief exposure problem inherent in spray methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of sanitizing from chemical (fluid concentration and contact time) to physical (UV-C radiation intensity and exposure duration). The control system manages UV-C exposure time to ensure adequate disinfection while addressing the insufficient exposure time of fluid-based methods.
2Ease of operation
If fluid sanitizers are applied manually, then sanitizing can be performed, but diligence of application personnel is required to ensure adequate coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The chair performs self-sanitizing automatically using integrated UV-C light sources. The system activates when no occupant is detected and runs for a predetermined period, eliminating dependence on sanitation personnel's diligence and ensuring consistent disinfection every time the chair is unused.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses occupancy sensors to detect when the chair is unoccupied and automatically activates the UV-C sanitizing system. Indicating lights provide feedback about sanitizing status, creating a closed-loop system that ensures reliable operation without human intervention.
3Reliability
If UV light is used for sanitizing, then pathogen control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: detecting occupancy via sensors, controlling UV-C light activation, timing the sanitizing duration, and managing indicating lights. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating control logic into a single integrated controller rather than separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the occupancy sensor and UV-C light source, mediating the activation and deactivation sequences. It also mediates between the sanitizing process and user awareness through indicating lights, simplifying the interaction between system components and users.
4Reliability
If sanitizing is performed continuously, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the UV-C sanitizing system operates periodically based on occupancy detection. The control system activates sanitizing only when the chair is unoccupied and runs for a predetermined time period, then deactivates it. This periodic operation maintains disinfection effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
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 self-sanitizing chair provides a reliable and effective means of reducing pathogenic contamination by ensuring thorough disinfection of contacted surfaces, enhancing safety in public and medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
UV light and sanitizing fluid (if provided) are applied to surfaces of the chair contacted by a human user
Data Source
AI summary
A self-sanitizing chair is shown and described. The chair may comprise a seating surface, legs, arm rest, head rest, and a sanitizing system. The latter may include a UV light source and a sanitizing fluid dispensing system. UV light and sanitizing fluid are applied to surfaces of the chair contacted by a human user. Indicating lights indicate when sanitizing is being performed, when sanitizing fluid is drying, and when the chair is ready for the next user. A control circuit operates the indicating lights and includes an occupant sensor. Sanitizing is inhibited in the presence of an occupant and commenced when the occupant has left the chair.