UV-C Eyewear Sanitizing Airflow Without Mask Enclosure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional facemasks are uncomfortable, obstructive, and present aesthetic and social challenges while providing limited protection against airborne pathogens, and existing UV-based masks route air through enclosed paths, which is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A wearable sanitizing device incorporating UV-C sources attached to eyewear frames, hats, or earpieces that direct UV-C energy downward to sanitize air around the mouth and nose without covering the face, powered by a battery, offering continuous protection without the drawbacks of traditional masks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional facemasks are used to protect against airborne pathogens, then protection against bacteria and viruses is improved, but comfort and wearability deteriorate due to heat and sweat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sanitizing function from the mask structure itself, using UV-C sources mounted on eyewear or hats to sanitize air externally, eliminating the need for enclosed mask structures that cause discomfort and heat accumulation while maintaining pathogen protection
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical filtration system of traditional masks is replaced with a UV-C light-based sanitizing system that uses electromagnetic radiation to inactivate pathogens in the air, allowing open-face design that improves comfort while maintaining protection efficacy
2Reliability
If conventional facemasks are used to sanitize air, then pathogen protection is improved, but device complexity increases due to enclosed air routing paths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex enclosed air routing paths from the mask design, using UV-C sources on external devices (eyewear, hats) to sanitize air in open environment, dramatically simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining sanitization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of routing air through enclosed mask paths for sanitization, the invention inverts the approach by using UV-C light sources positioned externally to sanitize air in the open space around the face, eliminating the need for complex internal air routing structures
3Reliability
If facemasks are used to reduce infection transmission, then infection risk reduction is improved, but social acceptance and aesthetic considerations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sanitizing function from the mask and places it on socially acceptable accessories like eyewear and hats, allowing users to maintain normal facial appearance and social interactions while still achieving infection risk reduction through UV-C sanitization of exhaled air
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the sanitizing devices universal by mounting UV-C sources on common accessories (eyewear frames, hats, headbands) that serve both as fashion items and protective devices, improving social acceptance and aesthetic considerations while maintaining infection protection functionality
4Reliability
If traditional masks are used for continuous protection, then pathogen protection is improved, but ease of use deteriorates due to cleaning, disposal, and replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous pathogen protection through reusable UV-C light sources that can be continuously powered by batteries, eliminating the periodic cleaning, disposal, and replacement cycles required by traditional masks, thereby improving ease of use while maintaining continuous protection
Data Source
AI summary
A personal sanitizing device includes an eyewear frame and one or more UV-C sources attached to a lower edge of the eyewear frame for directing UV-C energy in a downward direction from the eyewear frame. The one or more UV-C sources are configured for sanitizing air in proximity of a mouth and/or a nose of a wearer of the personal sanitizing device. The personal sanitizing device also includes a battery configured for powering the one or more UV-C sources.