UV-Transmissive Remote Control for Safe Self-Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet light disinfection methods require active human interaction, posing risks to users and not effectively addressing contamination on communal devices like remote controls, which are frequently handled and exposed to germs.
Innovation Solution
A self-disinfecting remote control with ultraviolet light emitters integrated into a transmissive housing, coupled with sensors to determine user presence, activating disinfection only when safe, using a network of sensors and devices to assess proximity and usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light emitters are activated for disinfection, then bacteria and viruses are killed, but users may be exposed to harmful UV light
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence using sensors (motion sensors, microphones, light sensors) before activating the ultraviolet light emitters. This ensures disinfection only occurs when no users are present, eliminating UV exposure risk while maintaining disinfection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices that mediate between the disinfection need and user safety. These sensors detect user presence and control UV emitter activation, acting as a safety intermediary that prevents direct user exposure to harmful UV light
2Ease of operation
If active human interaction is required to activate ultraviolet disinfection, then user control is maintained, but the process is cumbersome and less effective for communal devices
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device performs self-disinfection automatically by using its own integrated sensors to detect user presence and controlling its UV light emitters. This eliminates the need for separate manual activation while ensuring disinfection occurs at appropriate times, making the device self-sufficient in maintaining hygiene
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors (motion, sound, light) to automatically control UV emitter activation. The sensors continuously monitor the environment and provide feedback to the control circuit, which adjusts UV emitter operation accordingly, creating an automated closed-loop disinfection system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ultraviolet light is contained within enclosed apparatuses, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases and requires active user participation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the UV light containment requirement by using motion sensors and other detection devices to identify when no users are present, allowing UV emitters to be activated without physical enclosure. This removes the complex enclosure structure while maintaining user safety through intelligent control
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
Ensures safe and effective disinfection of remote control surfaces without human intervention, reducing germ transmission and maintaining device hygiene without exposing users to UV light.
Implementation Method 1
ultraviolet light emitters... emit ultraviolet light that can kill the contaminants
Implementation Method 2
The remote control charging pad may include an inductive coil for transferring energy to the remote control for recharging
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control having an ultraviolet light emitting device for disinfecting the outer surfaces of the remote control is disclosed. In particular, the remote control may include an ultraviolet transmissive housing and internal ultraviolet emitting light emitting diodes. The ultraviolet transmissive housing allows the light from the internally mounted ultraviolet emitters to pass through the remote control's housing and kill bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms on the outer surface of the remote control by employing methods to automate safe and effective operations of ultraviolet light.