Self-Disinfecting Door System with UV and Fluid Nozzles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current door systems are labor-intensive and time-consuming to clean, often requiring manual labor and taking them out of service, which is inefficient and may lead to contamination from germs like bacteria and viruses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-disinfecting door systems equipped with ultraviolet (UV) lights and/or disinfecting fluids, controlled by sensors and a controller to activate disinfection mechanisms automatically, ensuring the door systems can disinfect themselves without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is used to clean the door system, then the door system can be disinfected, but it requires labor-intensive manual labor and time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is equipped with UV-C lights and disinfecting fluid application systems that automatically disinfect the door surfaces without requiring manual intervention. The controller activates these systems based on sensor detection or scheduled times, enabling the door to clean itself autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced with an automated system using UV-C electromagnetic radiation and chemical disinfecting fluids applied through nozzles. This substitution eliminates the need for manual labor while maintaining effective disinfection.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning is used to clean the door system, then the door system can be disinfected, but the door system must be taken out of service which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The automated self-disinfection system operates without requiring the door to be taken out of service. The door remains functional while the UV-C lights and fluid application systems perform disinfection automatically, maintaining continuous operation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection system operates periodically based on sensor detection of contamination or predetermined schedules. This periodic operation ensures disinfection is performed when needed while minimizing disruption to door system availability and productivity.
3Measurement precision
If UV light is directed at the door to exclude other portions of surrounding environment, then disinfection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C lights are positioned and directed to concentrate disinfection energy specifically on the door surfaces that require cleaning. This localized approach targets only the necessary areas while minimizing exposure to surrounding environments, achieving precise disinfection without requiring complex directional control systems.
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
This solution allows door systems to maintain hygiene without manual labor, reducing downtime and effectively eliminating harmful microorganisms, thereby ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet (UV) light in the proximity of the door and configured to shine at at least a portion of the door when activated
Implementation Method 2
an infrared sensor configured to monitor a temperature of a person approaching or moving through a door system
Data Source
AI summary
A self disinfecting door system and method is described, including: a door, and an ultraviolet (UV) light in the proximity of the door and configured to shine at at least a portion of the door when activated. The UV light may be directed at the door to the exclusion of other portions of the surrounding environment. The UV light is mounted on the wall or floor proximate the door. Additionally, there may be a nozzle adjacent the door and configured to release a disinfecting fluid directed at the door when activated.