UV-C Storage Compartment Safety Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage assemblies for vehicles lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent users from being blinded by UV-C radiation and ensure that UV-C radiation is contained within the disinfection compartment, potentially leading to reduced disinfection efficiency and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a disinfection device with a UV-C light source within a storage compartment that includes a radiopaque covering element and a safety device using sensors to detect the state of the covering element, ensuring the UV-C radiation is only activated when the compartment is closed, along with reflective coatings and arrangements to enhance disinfection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UV-C light source is activated for disinfection, then the disinfection efficiency is improved, but the risk of user exposure to UV-C radiation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficiencyVSAvoiduser exposure to UV-C radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A safety device acts as an intermediary between the control system and the UV-C light source. This safety device detects whether the covering element is closed and only permits activation of the UV-C light source when the compartment is properly sealed, thereby enabling efficient disinfection while preventing user exposure to harmful radiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety device provides feedback about the state of the covering element to the control system. The UV-C light source is activated only when the feedback indicates that the compartment is closed, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures safe operation while maintaining disinfection efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the covering element is made radiopaque to contain UV-C radiation, then the safety against user exposure is improved, but the disinfection efficiency may be reduced due to radiation containment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment of UV-C radiationVSAvoiddisinfection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiopaque covering element is designed with specific local properties - it is opaque to UV-C radiation to contain the disinfection effect within the compartment, yet includes controlled openings or transmission zones that allow sufficient UV-C radiation to reach surfaces needing disinfection. This local differentiation of radiation transmission properties enables both safety and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the safety device is added to detect the state of the covering element, then the operating safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating safetyVSAvoidstructure of disinfection device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety device is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects the state of the covering element, controls the activation of the UV-C light source, and provides user feedback about operational status. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated safety device rather than separate components, the increase in complexity is minimized while achieving high operating safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Significantly reduces the risk of user exposure to UV-C radiation, ensures containment of UV-C radiation within the compartment, and enhances disinfection efficiency by ensuring the UV-C radiation is only applied when the compartment is sealed, thereby increasing operational safety and reducing disinfection time.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light source that emits UV-C radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV-C radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the covering has at least one aluminum coating, by means of which the radiation efficiency of the UV-C radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the storage compartment is designed to be radiopaque when the covering element is closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiopaque blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20230364288A1Storage assembly having at least one storage compartment

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A storage assembly has at least one storage compartment and a disinfection device, which has at least one light source that emits UV-C radiation and is integrated in the disinfection device. The storage compartment in which the disinfection device is integrated has a covering element and the storage compartment is radiopaque when the covering element is closed. The storage assembly includes a safety device, which detects a state of the covering element using detected signals when activating or deactivating the disinfection device.