UV Sanitizing Enclosure With Reflective Grid for Complex Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices struggle to effectively sanitize complex-shaped items like children's toys and adult toys, as well as other personal use items, due to their design limitations and the need to avoid damaging electronic components or specific materials.
Innovation Solution
A device sanitizer that uses configurable electromagnetic radiation, including UV-C and UV-B, with adjustable exposure times and wavelengths to target specific organisms while protecting materials, combined with a reflective grid and support system to reach intricate surfaces, and the option to charge devices during sanitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic radiation is used to sanitize devices, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but electronic components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs UV-C LEDs with specific wavelengths (265-280nm) and controls exposure duration (3-5 minutes) to achieve effective sanitization while minimizing damage to electronic components. The emitter intensity and exposure time are optimized to kill microorganisms without overheating or damaging sensitive electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective grid is introduced as an intermediary element to distribute UV-C radiation uniformly across the device surface. This ensures that no single area receives excessive radiation that could damage electronics, while maintaining overall sanitization effectiveness. The reflective grid acts as a mediator between the emitter and the device being sanitized.
2Reliability
If cleaning chemicals or water are used to clean devices, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but electronic components and certain materials cannot be safely exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical cleaning methods (water, alcohol, cleaning solutions) with electromagnetic radiation (UV-C LEDs). This substitution eliminates the need for liquids and chemicals that could damage electronic components, silicones, or other sensitive materials, while still achieving effective sanitization through photobiological mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the sanitizer is designed to clean simple shapes, then device complexity is reduced, but complex-shaped items like toys cannot be sanitized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflective grid that distributes UV-C radiation in multiple directions and dimensions, allowing the emitter to effectively sanitize complex three-dimensional shapes including toys with curves, angles, and crevices. The reflective surfaces redirect radiation into hard-to-reach areas, extending the sanitizer's capability from simple flat surfaces to complex geometries without adding multiple emitters.
4Reliability
If exposure time is extended to sanitize all surfaces, then sanitization completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a reflective grid that continuously distributes UV-C radiation across all device surfaces simultaneously, eliminating the need for extended exposure times. The multi-directional reflection ensures that all areas receive adequate radiation intensity at once, achieving complete sanitization in 3-5 minutes rather than requiring prolonged single-direction exposure.
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 can efficiently sanitize complex shapes by ensuring thorough exposure of electromagnetic radiation to all surfaces, including curves and angles, while minimizing damage to materials and electronics, and can charge devices simultaneously, providing a comprehensive sanitization and charging solution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation disposed within at least one of the upper member or lower member
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.