UV-C Decontamination for High-Touch Device Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-touch devices such as EFTPOS and ATM terminals, and other public surfaces, pose a significant risk for the spread of infectious agents like bacteria and viruses due to frequent contamination and inadequate decontamination methods, which can lead to increased transmission risks during pandemics.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a power source and decontamination areas with UV-C light sources that emit ultraviolet radiation to inactivate microorganisms, designed for integration into devices or as separate units for decontaminating surfaces and contact areas, ensuring effective disinfection without damaging the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent cleaning of EFTPOS and ATM terminals is performed using liquid chemicals, then the decontamination effectiveness is improved, but the device lifespan deteriorates due to unintentional damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical cleaning mechanisms with UV-C light irradiation. The UV-C LED array emits ultraviolet radiation that inactivates microorganisms on contact surfaces without requiring liquid chemicals, thereby eliminating damage to electronic components while maintaining decontamination effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the decontamination method from chemical (liquid) to physical (UV-C radiation). By altering the fundamental parameter of the cleaning agent from chemical substance to electromagnetic radiation, the system achieves decontamination without the harmful side effects of chemicals on electronic devices
2Ease of operation
If hand sanitizer is used by individual users, then personal hygiene is improved, but the overall transmission risk worsens due to improper usage and insufficient coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic decontamination of devices by integrating UV-C LEDs that activate when the device is idle or between uses. The device self-decontaminates without requiring user action, ensuring consistent hygiene standards regardless of user behavior or availability of hand sanitizer
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-C light acts as an intermediary decontamination method between user interactions. Instead of relying directly on user-applied hand sanitizer, the system uses UV-C radiation as a mediating agent to eliminate pathogens on the device surface, providing an additional layer of protection
3Ease of operation
If conventional pens are used for signing in, then the functionality is improved, but the infection risk worsens due to contamination of the pen surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional ink pens with UV-C integrated pens or surfaces. Instead of using a physical writing instrument that accumulates contamination, the system uses UV-C radiation to decontaminate the signing surface or pen between uses, eliminating the infection vector while maintaining the signing function
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 UV-C radiation effectively inactivates microorganisms on high-touch surfaces and contact areas, reducing the risk of infection transmission and extending the lifespan of devices by providing a safe and efficient decontamination method.
Implementation Method 1
at least one decontamination area, and characterized in that the at least one decontamination area includes one or more light sources that emit UV-C radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for decontaminating an object. The system comprises a power source, and at least one decontamination area, which includes one or more light sources that emit UV-C radiation to decontaminate the object's surface. In one embodiment, the device comprises the power source; and the at least one decontamination area. In another embodiment, the object comprises the power source; and the at least one decontamination area. In this embodiment, the object further includes a contact area which can become contaminated; and the decontamination area is located within another portion of the object, and is accessible only when the object has undergone a transformation from one use state to another.