UV Emitter Shutter Mechanism for Bulb Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot/shoe sanitization systems using UV radiation struggle with premature bulb failure due to frequent power cycles and lack of effective pathogen elimination, especially for pathogens with protective shells.
Innovation Solution
A foot/shoe sanitization system that continuously powers UV emitters and uses a mechanism with louvers or shutters to control UV light emission, ensuring fast-response UV light and ozone creation only when a user's feet are detected, thereby extending bulb life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UV emitters are frequently powered on and off to control light emission, then UV light is emitted only when needed, but bulb life is reduced due to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by keeping the UV emitter powered on continuously and using a shutter mechanism to block light when not needed, rather than repeatedly cycling the power. This preliminary continuous operation extends bulb life while the shutter provides the necessary on/off control functionality.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If UV emitters are continuously powered to extend bulb life, then bulb life is extended, but UV light emission is delayed or reduced when feet are detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic shutter mechanism that can quickly open or close in response to detecting feet, allowing the UV emitter to maintain continuous operation for extended bulb life while achieving fast response speed through the mechanical shutter's rapid movement rather than power cycling.
3Speed
If constant UV light emission is used to ensure fast response, then fast UV light response is achieved, but health risks increase due to continuous exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by keeping the UV emitter powered on continuously so that light can be emitted immediately when feet are detected, avoiding delay while the shutter mechanism controls actual exposure, thus maintaining fast response without unnecessary health risks from prolonged or delayed activation.
4Loss of energy
If UV emitters are powered on only when feet are detected, then energy consumption is reduced, but pathogen elimination effectiveness decreases due to delayed or insufficient exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by maintaining continuous UV emitter operation to ensure pathogen elimination effectiveness, while the shutter mechanism blocks light when feet are not present to reduce energy consumption. This resolves the contradiction by separating the power state from the light emission state.
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 effectively extends the life of UV bulbs by minimizing power cycles and ensures rapid UV light and ozone generation when needed, enhancing pathogen elimination without the health risks associated with constant UV emission.
Implementation Method 1
the optimum range of 250-270 nm has the best potential ability to inactivate microorganisms because it this wavelength is absorbed by nucleic acids of microbial cells and, therefore is the most lethal range of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
Lower wavelengths of ultraviolet light will ionize oxygen producing ozone (O3)
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus detect the presence of the feet of a user and emits ultraviolet light (and generate ozone) towards the feet of the user when the presence of the feet (e.g., feet or shoes) are detected. To increase the life of ultraviolet emitters within the device, the ultraviolet emitters are continuously powered (when a power source is connected). The method and apparatus include louvers or shutters that move by way of an electromechanical device from a closed position to an open position upon detecting force from the weight of the user and move from the open position to the closed position upon detecting when the weight of the user abates.