UV Disinfecting Face Shield with Serpentine Plenum
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current personal protective equipment (PPE) face shields are passive and do not effectively disinfect the air breathed by individuals, posing a risk of pathogen transmission, especially in high-risk environments such as hospitals during pandemics.
Innovation Solution
A UV light disinfecting face shield system with UV light emitters emitting specific wavelengths (222 nm and 270 nm) integrated into a headgear with a serpentine airflow channel and ionizer, which neutralizes or destroys pathogens in the inhaled air before it reaches the wearer, while preventing UV exposure to the skin and eyes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passive face shields are used to provide a barrier, then ease of operation is improved, but pathogen disinfection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light emitters are positioned to emit light into the plenum space where air is drawn before it reaches the wearer's face. This preliminary action disinfects the air in advance, transforming a passive barrier into an active disinfection system without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum space acts as an intermediary chamber between the external environment and the wearer's face. Air is drawn through this plenum where UV light emitters disinfect it, serving as a mediator that enables both protection and disinfection functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If UV light emitters are added to disinfect air, then pathogen disinfection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield system integrates multiple functions: the outer shield provides a physical barrier, the inner shield with UV light emitters provides active disinfection, and the plenum space handles air flow. This multi-functionality consolidates several protective mechanisms into a single integrated device, managing complexity through functional consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shield is nested within the outer shield structure, with the plenum space formed between them. The UV light emitters are integrated into the inner shield assembly. This nested configuration allows compact integration of multiple components without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If destroying UV light is emitted to destroy pathogens, then pathogen disinfection capability is improved, but harmful factors to human skin and eyes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner shield acts as an intermediary barrier that allows destroying UV light to be emitted into the plenum for pathogen destruction while blocking the light from reaching the wearer's skin and eyes. This mediator enables the harmful disinfection function while protecting the user from harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs different UV light characteristics in different locations: destroying UV light (270-280 nm) is emitted into the plenum where air flow carries it away from the face, while the inner shield blocks this same light from reaching the wearer's skin and eyes. This local differentiation allows effective disinfection without compromising user safety.
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 system achieves a 99.9% disinfection rate of pathogens in the inhaled air, ensuring safe breathing and reducing the risk of infection, with the ability to switch between neutralizing and destroying modes based on risk levels.
Implementation Method 1
UV light emitters that emit light on an inner side, side proximal to a person wearing the face shield, to neutralize or destroy pathogens
Implementation Method 2
A UV light disinfecting face shield system with UV light emitters emitting specific wavelengths (222 nm and 270 nm) integrated into a headgear with a serpentine airflow channel and ionizer
Data Source
AI summary
A face shield system utilizes a headgear with an outer shield and an optional inner side that is proximal to a person wearing the face shield. The headgear may be configured to receive a disinfecting cartridge that neutralize or destroy pathogens in an airflow flowing therethrough. The cartridge may include a neutralizing UV light emitter and a destroying UV light emitter as well as an ionizer. The plenum may include a plurality of baffles to produce a serpentine flow through the plenum. The baffles and the interior of the plenum may be textured and polished and may include catalytic coatings for improving the effectiveness of pathogen destruction and absorbing ions and UV light. An air inlet may allow air from the plenum to pass into the inner side of the shield after the air is disinfected and purified by the UV light emitters.