UV Hand Dryer With Reflectors to Reduce Pathogen Spread and Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand drying systems in lavatories, such as those in vehicles, fail to effectively disinfect hands and can spread pathogens due to water spray from hand dryers, and they consume power which may be limited in certain settings.
Innovation Solution
A system that incorporates ultraviolet (UV) light emitters emitting UV light between 215-235 nanometers, reflectors made of Teflon or Aluminum to ensure thorough disinfection, and a dryer for air drying, with sensors and a control unit to manage operation and conserve power by continuing UV emission after hands are removed and disabling other systems during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand dryers blow warm or hot air onto hands to dry moisture, then hands are dried effectively, but water spray from hand dryers can contain pathogens that land on surfaces proximate to hand dryers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hand drying function with UV disinfection function into a single integrated system. The UV light emitters are positioned within the hand dryer housing to emit UV light into the same air stream that dries hands, allowing simultaneous drying and disinfection of hands and surrounding surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses UV light, which has germicidal properties, to convert the potentially harmful water spray containing pathogens into a beneficial disinfection process. The UV light neutralizes pathogens in the water spray and on surfaces, turning a harmful byproduct into a useful disinfection mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If hand dryers are activated to dry hands, then hands are dried, but power is consumed which can be limited in certain settings such as within an internal cabin of a commercial aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The hand dryer system is designed to perform multiple functions: drying hands with warm air and disinfecting hands and surfaces with UV light. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide enhanced hygiene benefits while justifying the power consumption through dual-purpose operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light emitters are configured to operate during specific periods - typically during and after the hand drying cycle. The control system activates UV emission when hands are detected in the drying zone and continues UV emission for a predetermined period after hands are removed, optimizing power usage while ensuring effective disinfection.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If UV light emitters emit UV light into a hand disinfection area to disinfect hands, then pathogen spread is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light emitters operate periodically rather than continuously - activating when hands are detected in the disinfection area and continuing for a predetermined period after hands are removed. This periodic operation ensures effective disinfection while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during periods when no hands are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the presence of hands in the disinfection area and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system activates or deactivates the UV light emitters, ensuring power is consumed only when disinfection is actually needed and hands are present to be disinfected.
4Reliability
If reflectors are added to reflect UV light within the hand disinfection area to ensure thorough disinfection, then disinfection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflectors are strategically positioned to redirect UV light in multiple directions, effectively expanding the disinfection coverage in three-dimensional space. The reflectors bounce UV light off surfaces and into areas that would otherwise be shadowed or unreachable, ensuring comprehensive disinfection of the hand treatment zone.
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
Simultaneously dries and disinfects hands, reduces pathogen spread, and conserves power by maintaining UV disinfection after hand removal and reducing power to other systems during operation.
Implementation Method 1
one or more ultraviolet (UV) light emitters configured to emit UV light into a hand disinfection area
Implementation Method 2
The UV light emitter(s) is configured to illuminate to both disinfect the hands and the water droplets that spray off the hands
Implementation Method 3
one or more reflectors configured to reflect the UV light within the hand disinfection area
Implementation Method 4
a dryer configured to emit drying air into the hand disinfection area
Data Source
AI summary
A system for disinfecting hands includes one or more ultraviolet (UV) light emitters configured to emit UV light into a hand disinfection area, and one or more reflectors configured to reflect the UV light within the hand disinfection area. In at least one example, the system also includes a dryer configured to emit drying air into the hand disinfection area.