UV Door Handle Housing for Timed Touch Surface Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Points of contact such as doorknobs, ATMs, and elevator buttons are significant vectors for the spread of communicable germs, leading to increased sickness and productivity loss in hospitals, offices, and public spaces, as existing methods fail to effectively sanitize these surfaces in a timely and efficient manner.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing apparatus with a housing affixed to the point-of-contact surface, utilizing germicidal UV light as a sanitizing agent, and featuring a switch, motion sensor, or timer to control the sanitizing process, ensuring effective germ elimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sanitizing methods are used, then the sanitizing process can be performed, but the frequency and timeliness of sanitization is insufficient, leading to germ spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sanitization through multiple mechanisms: automatic periodic operation via timers that activate UV lights at set intervals, manual periodic operation through motion sensors that detect user presence and trigger sanitization cycles, and on-demand periodic operation via remote controls. This ensures surfaces are sanitized at appropriate intervals without requiring continuous manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service sanitization by automatically detecting when sanitization is needed through motion sensors that sense hand approaches, then autonomously activating the UV sanitizing lights without requiring manual switching. The timer-based automatic operation also allows the system to sanitize surfaces independently based on predetermined schedules.
2Reliability
If continuous UV light exposure is used to maximize germ elimination, then sanitization effectiveness increases, but UV exposure to users increases harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed UV illumination rather than continuous exposure. Motion sensors detect hand approach and trigger timed UV sanitization cycles that operate only when needed. Remote controls allow users to activate sanitization on-demand. This periodic operation maintains germ elimination effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary UV exposure to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sanitization before user contact by detecting hand approach with motion sensors and activating UV lights in advance. The timer-based automatic operation also sanitizes surfaces before anticipated use. This preliminary action eliminates germs before users touch surfaces, preventing germ transmission without requiring continuous UV exposure.
Solution Approach 3:
Motion sensors act as intermediaries between user presence and UV light activation. The sensors detect hands approaching the point-of-contact surface and trigger UV sanitization only when needed, serving as a mediator that prevents direct unnecessary UV exposure to users while maintaining sanitization effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a housing structure is added to contain UV lights, then UV light containment and direction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains and directs UV lights toward the point-of-contact surface, provides structural support for mounting the device, and acts as a protective enclosure. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural elements by consolidating several requirements into a single integrated component.
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 apparatus significantly reduces the spread of communicable germs by ensuring regular and efficient sanitization of high-touch surfaces, thereby minimizing patient sickness, lost productivity, and disease transmission.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the one or more sources of a sanitizing agent may be a source of germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for sanitizing a point-of-contact surface may include a housing configured to be affixed about at least a portion of said point of contact. The housing may have an interior in or through which the point of contact may be accessed and an anterior opening for access to the interior. The apparatus may further include one or more sources of a sanitizing agent configured to direct the sanitizing agent toward a location where at least a portion of the point-of-contact surface may be disposed. One or more of an anterior dome, an inner surface, and a posterior surface may also be configured to reflect the sanitizing agent toward the location where at least a portion of the point-of-contact surface may be disposed.