UV Sanitizing Wand Visual Guidance for Consistent Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV light sanitization methods for vehicles are inefficient, as they require significant time to kill microbes, some microbes develop resistance, and manual processes lack consistency and quality control.
Innovation Solution
A UV light pacing system with a UV lamp and range light sources that emit UV light and ranging light to guide the movement of a wand assembly, providing visual cues for proper sanitation timing and dosage, ensuring effective disinfection of surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional UV light sterilization methods are used, then microbes can be killed, but it takes a significant amount of time (e.g., three minutes) and requires repeated exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of UV light wavelength from traditional broad spectrum UVC (200-280nm) to far UV-C at 222nm, which has higher photon energy and stronger microbial killing capability. This parameter change enables faster sanitization time while maintaining reliable microbe elimination effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous UV light emission during the sanitization process, ensuring uninterrupted exposure to maintain effective microbial killing. The controller ensures continuous operation of the UV lamp throughout the designated sanitization period, eliminating gaps in the sanitization action
2Reliability
If manual surface treatment devices are used, then operators can perform disinfection treatment, but high degrees of repeatability and quality control are difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates visual feedback through colored LED indicators that guide operators through the sanitization process. The LED indicators provide real-time feedback on the sanitization status, ensuring consistent application of the UV light treatment and maintaining high quality control without requiring extensive operator expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to guide the operator through the sanitization process automatically, with the controller managing the UV light emission timing and duration. The visual indicators and automated control reduce the skill requirement while maintaining consistent, repeatable disinfection quality
3Reliability
If prolonged UV light exposure is applied, then microbial killing effectiveness increases, but microbes may develop resistance over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses far UV-C at 222nm with higher photon energy than traditional UVC, creating more effective damage to microbial DNA and RNA. This parameter change achieves superior microbial elimination in shorter times, reducing the cumulative exposure that could lead to resistance development while maintaining high reliability of microbe killing
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sanitization cycles rather than continuous prolonged exposure. The controller manages timed emission periods followed by interruption, achieving effective microbial killing through repeated cycles. This periodic action pattern prevents microbial adaptation and resistance development while maintaining elimination effectiveness
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 consistent and efficient UV light exposure for effective disinfection by guiding the movement of the wand assembly, ensuring the correct dose is delivered to sanitize surfaces within vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a UV lamp configured to emit UV light to disinfect a surface of a component
Implementation Method 2
one or more range light sources configured to emit ranging light onto a surface of the component to provide visual cues for guiding movement of the wand assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ultraviolet (UV) light pacing system includes an assembly including a UV lamp configured to emit UV light to disinfect a component. One or more range light sources are configured to emit ranging light. At least one aspect of the ranging light is altered to provide a visual cue for guiding motion of the assembly to disinfect the component. An ultraviolet (UV) light pacing method includes emitting ranging light from one or more range light sources of and assembly having a UV lamp configured to emit UV light to disinfect a surface of a component, and altering at least one aspect of the ranging light to provide a visual cue for guiding motion of the assembly to disinfect the component.