UV-C Disinfection Apparatus with Dynamic Light Source for Rapid Personal Item Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet disinfection methods for personal items, such as smartphones, are inefficient and require significant time, reducing their utility and increasing the risk of disease transmission due to the need for manual handling and long disinfection cycles.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed, hands-free ultraviolet disinfection apparatus that uses UV-C light within a specific wavelength range (200-280 nm) to rapidly disinfect personal items, with a touchless design and compact footprint, capable of disinfecting objects in under 90 seconds, including smartphones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ultraviolet disinfection methods are used, then disinfection effectiveness is achieved, but disinfection time is excessively long (30 minutes or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic motion between the ultraviolet light source and the object being disinfected. The light source moves relative to the object to ensure all surfaces receive adequate UV exposure, enabling effective disinfection in under 90 seconds rather than requiring static 30-minute exposure. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining disinfection effectiveness while dramatically reducing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic or cyclic motion patterns where the light source systematically covers different areas of the object in sequential periods. This ensures complete surface coverage for effective pathogen destruction while keeping each disinfection cycle under 90 seconds, addressing both the effectiveness and time constraints.
2Ease of operation
If manual handling is required for disinfection, then device operation is simple, but disease transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when an object is placed on the platform and initiates the disinfection process without requiring manual operation. The automated detection and execution eliminate the need for users to manually handle or operate the device, thereby removing contact-based transmission risks while maintaining ease of use through simple object placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with automated optical detection systems. Sensors detect the presence and placement of objects, automatically triggering the UV disinfection sequence. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing disease transmission risk while preserving operational simplicity.
3Reliability
If clam shell enclosure is used, then device protection is provided, but additional manual manipulation opportunities create transmission risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic object detection and securement mechanisms that eliminate the need for manual opening and closing of protective enclosures. Objects are automatically detected when placed on the platform, and the disinfection process initiates without requiring users to manipulate any enclosure components, thereby removing additional pathogen transfer opportunities while maintaining device protection.
4Productivity
If disinfection time is reduced to match handwashing cycles, then community adoption increases, but disinfection completeness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic motion system ensures that during the reduced disinfection time (under 90 seconds), the UV light source systematically covers all surfaces of the object through controlled movement. This dynamic coverage pattern maintains disinfection completeness by ensuring adequate exposure of all areas, including edges and corners, within the compressed time frame to match handwashing cycles and enable rapid community adoption.
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 solution effectively reduces the time required for disinfection to match handwashing cycles, minimizing community infection risk and eliminating the need for manual handling, thereby enhancing community adoption and reducing disease transmission.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet (UV) light of an effective wavelength and intensity is applied within the disinfection zone to destroy pathogens on the object of interest
Data Source
AI summary
Disinfectors that are touchless, high speed, or both for personal electronic devices and the like. A housing defines an internal volume including a disinfection zone and an object entry port of a size to permit entry by an object of interest with exposed surface area. At least one emitter projects a stripe of UV-C light into the disinfection zone. Wherein the apparatus has a small footprint and the emitter to exposes the surface area to greater than 3 mJ/cm2 of UV-C light in less than 90 seconds.