Transparent Target UV Cleaning for Continuous High-Touch Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning methods for high-touch surfaces, such as those found in retail spaces and transportation vehicles, are time-consuming and inefficient, leading to the spread of undesirable elements like dirt, bacteria, and viruses among users.
Innovation Solution
A UV light cleaning system with removably coupled transparent targets that can be easily retrofitted, using sensors and UV light sources to sanitize surfaces, and optionally combined with reflectors and absorbers to direct UV light for effective disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete replacement of high-touch elements is implemented, then cleanliness and hygiene are improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The high-touch element performs self-cleaning through UV-C irradiation. The element includes a UV-C light source that emits ultraviolet light to disinfect its own surface, eliminating the need for manual cleaning or replacement while maintaining hygiene standards
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is activated in advance between uses. The control unit triggers UV-C irradiation during idle periods or transition times, ensuring the surface is disinfected before the next user contacts it, thus maintaining continuous cleanliness without interrupting operation
2Reliability
If antimicrobial coatings are applied, then hygiene is improved, but ease of retrofit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The high-touch element integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the functional element (door handle, button, etc.) and the cleaning device. The UV-C light source, control unit, and housing are combined within the same element, allowing universal application across different high-touch surfaces without requiring separate coating or attachment processes
3Productivity
If UV light cleaning is implemented, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C light source, control unit, and housing are merged into a single integrated high-touch element. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation, as the entire cleaning system is embedded within the functional element itself rather than requiring separate mounting of multiple components
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 system provides efficient and continuous disinfection of high-touch surfaces, reducing the spread of contaminants and maintaining cleanliness without the need for complete replacement of equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet (UV) light source configured to emit UV light in a wavelength range from about 222 nm to about 300 nm
Implementation Method 2
a target being at least 30% transparent to UV light in a wavelength range from about 222 nanometers (nm) to about 300 nm
Implementation Method 3
a first reflector configured to reflect the UV light on to at least one surface of the target
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a cleaning system that includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source configured to emit a UV light in a predetermined wavelength range and a target having a predetermined transparency to the predetermined wavelength range. The cleaning system may further include a contact element removably coupled to the target. The UV light source cleans the target, which is configured to cause motion of the contact element in response to force being applied to the target. The cleaning system can further include one or more reflectors or absorbers coupled to the target or the UV light source, or positioned relative to the target or the UV light source, as to control the emission of UV light.