UV Sanitizing Enclosure With Reflective Grid for Complex Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitizing devices struggle to effectively sanitize complex-shaped devices such as children's toys and adult toys, as well as personal hygiene items, due to their inability to penetrate curves, angles, and holes, and often require exposure to water or chemicals that can damage electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A device sanitizer that uses electromagnetic radiation, specifically UV-C and UV-B, with adjustable exposure times and wavelengths to target specific organisms while avoiding damage to materials, combined with a reflective grid and support members to ensure thorough sanitization of complex shapes, and includes a charging module for simultaneous charging during sanitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic radiation is used to sanitize devices, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but penetration into complex shapes (curves, angles, holes) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into multiple segments with reflective surfaces positioned at different locations and angles. Each segment reflects electromagnetic radiation toward specific areas of the device, collectively ensuring complete coverage of complex shapes including curves, angles, and holes that a single source cannot reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by positioning multiple reflective surfaces at various angles and locations within the enclosure. This multi-dimensional arrangement redirects electromagnetic radiation to reach all surfaces of complex-shaped devices, transforming a single-direction limitation into multi-directional coverage.
2Reliability
If water or chemical cleaning solutions are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but electronic components are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (water spraying, chemical application) with electromagnetic radiation-based sanitization. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid contact, thereby protecting electronic components from water damage while maintaining sanitization effectiveness through UV-C and other electromagnetic wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the cleaning process from liquid-based mechanical/chemical action to electromagnetic radiation. By altering the physical state and mechanism of the sanitizing agent from liquid to electromagnetic wave, the system achieves cleaning without water or chemical contact, protecting electronics while maintaining hygiene.
3Reliability
If exposure time is increased to sanitize complex shapes, then sanitization completeness is improved, but processing time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surfaces are pre-positioned within the enclosure to optimize radiation distribution before the sanitization process begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that electromagnetic radiation is immediately and efficiently directed to all areas of complex-shaped devices upon activation, eliminating the need for extended exposure times to achieve complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous electromagnetic radiation emission throughout the enclosure, with multiple reflective surfaces ensuring uninterrupted coverage of all device surfaces. This continuous multi-directional action maintains constant sanitization effectiveness without requiring prolonged single-point exposure, reducing overall processing time while ensuring completeness.
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 sanitizer effectively sanitizes complex-shaped devices and personal items by ensuring thorough exposure to sanitizing radiation, while protecting electronic components and allowing for simultaneous charging, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Some types of electromagnetic radiation may be capable of sanitizing the surface of a device relatively quickly (for example, 3-5 minutes of exposure to UV-C may be sufficient to sanitize some surfaces)
Implementation Method 2
at least one reflective grid disposed in at least one of the upper member or the lower member where the reflective grid is configured to reflect the electromagnetic radiation in a plurality of directions
Data Source
AI summary
A system and apparatus for sanitizing person use items. The system is comprised essentially of a mechanism for emitting sanitizing electromagnetic radiation within an enclosed compartment. The apparatus may be light-tight such that the radiation is contained within the apparatus. It may be configured to emit a plurality of sanitizing wavelengths. The apparatus may include a series of reflective and/or refractive apparatuses to alter the reflection path of the emitted electromagnetic radiation, allowing the electromagnetic radiation to reflect in a plurality of directions. The enclosure may include a support member or personal item support that may be transparent to, or reflective of, the electromagnetic radiation.