UV Hand Sanitizer with Segmented Cavities for Rapid Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand sanitization methods face challenges such as limited power availability and long exposure times to effectively reduce bacterial counts on hands, especially in touchless and non-consumable solutions.
Innovation Solution
A hand sanitizing device that uses ultraviolet light, equipped with sensors and microcontrollers to detect hand presence and control UV light emission, providing a power-efficient and rapid sanitization process without the need for liquids like soap or water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used for hand sanitization, then bacterial count reduction is achieved, but exposure time must be extended to ensure effective disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the hand sanitization process into two separate cavities: one for placing hands palm-up and another for palm-down positioning. Each cavity has dedicated UV light arrays that target specific hand surfaces, allowing simultaneous treatment of both palms and improving overall disinfection efficiency within a shorter exposure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to hand sanitization by stacking UV light arrays at different heights and orientations (top, bottom, and side arrays). This multi-dimensional approach ensures comprehensive coverage of all hand surfaces including palms, backs of hands, and fingers, achieving effective disinfection in reduced time.
2Reliability
If conventional hand washing with soap and water is used, then effective sanitization is achieved, but water consumption and waste generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the essential disinfection function from the water-based hand washing process by using UV-C light (wavelength 254 nm) to kill bacteria and viruses directly on hand surfaces. This eliminates the need for water, soap, and paper towels, achieving effective sanitization while completely eliminating water consumption and associated waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of rubbing hands with soap and water with a photonic disinfection system. UV light arrays emit electromagnetic radiation that damages microbial DNA/RNA, providing contactless sanitization that substitutes the mechanical washing process with a more efficient optical method.
3Reliability
If touchless sanitization stations are implemented, then hygiene is improved, but power availability becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses periodic activation of UV light arrays based on sensor detection of hand presence. The controller activates the appropriate light arrays only when hands are detected in the cavities and deactivates them after a predetermined time period, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining effective disinfection during actual use.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensors that automatically detect when hands are placed in the cavities and trigger the UV light activation without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures the system operates only when needed, optimizing power usage while maintaining continuous readiness for hygiene maintenance.
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 device effectively reduces bacterial counts on hands with a quick and environmentally friendly process, reducing water consumption and waste while ensuring efficient disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first light array having a first plurality of light emitting devices mounted on the first surface and configured to emit ultraviolet light from the first surface into the space
Implementation Method 2
configured to emit ultraviolet light from the first surface into the space
Data Source
AI summary
A hand sanitizing device described herein allows users to sanitize and/or disinfect their hands by bathing them in ultraviolet light. The hand sanitizing device may comprise a cabinet that comprises one or more cavities for a user's hands. The one or more cavities may comprise a sensor to detect a user's hands, a controller to send signals to a plurality of ultraviolet lights, and a plurality of ultraviolet lights. Based on a determination that the user has placed their hands in the one or more cavities, the plurality of ultraviolet lights may be illuminated to sanitize and/or disinfectant the user's hands. When the user has removed their hands from the one or more cavities, the plurality of ultraviolet lights may be turned off. By using ultraviolet light, the hand sanitizing device may reduce the spread of infectious diseases and waste consumption associated with bathroom usage.