UV-C Cleaning for Transparent High-Touch Contact Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning 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 transparent targets removably coupled to contact elements, using sensors and UV light sources to disinfect surfaces, and optionally with reflectors to direct UV light, allowing for continuous or scheduled cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete replacement of high-touch elements is used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning processes with automated UV-C light irradiation. The UV-C lighting apparatus emits ultraviolet light that penetrates and disinfects high-touch surfaces automatically, eliminating the need for manual replacement or manual cleaning operations, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service cleaning by automatically irradiating UV-C light onto high-touch surfaces without requiring human intervention for the actual cleaning process. The apparatus can be activated automatically based on sensors detecting user presence or scheduled times, allowing the environment to clean itself continuously.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial coatings are applied, then disinfection is improved, but ease of retrofitting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning function from the surface material itself. Instead of applying coatings directly to surfaces, the system uses separate UV-C lighting apparatus that can be independently installed and activated. This modular approach allows retrofitting without modifying the original surfaces or requiring permanent installation of cleaning components.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-C light acts as an intermediary between the cleaning action and the surface. Rather than directly modifying the surface with coatings, the ultraviolet light mediates the disinfection process by irradiating the surface, providing a non-contact, reversible cleaning method that is easy to implement and remove.
3Device complexity
If manual cleaning methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous cleaning action through automated UV-C irradiation that can operate continuously or at scheduled intervals. Unlike manual cleaning which is intermittent and labor-dependent, the system maintains continuous disinfection of high-touch surfaces, significantly improving productivity while remaining relatively simple to install and operate.
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
Provides efficient and continuous disinfection of high-touch surfaces, reducing the spread of contaminants and enabling easy retrofit without complete replacement of equipment.
Implementation Method 1
UV light cleaning system
Implementation Method 2
UV light cleaning system
Implementation Method 3
target being at least 30% transparent to UV light
Implementation Method 4
reflector configured to reflect the UV light received from the UV light source in at least one direction through 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.