Portable UV Sanitizer Safety Control via Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable UV sanitizers are not conveniently portable, lack safety features to prevent excessive radiation on users' skin, and are inadequate for both hand and surface sanitization, often requiring fixed installation and lacking uniform radiation distribution.
Innovation Solution
A portable, rechargeable UV hand sanitizer with a microprocessor-controlled UV light source, infrared sensors, and a range finder for safe operation, allowing for both hand and surface sanitization with safety features to prevent excessive radiation on the user's skin and ensure effective disinfection of surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If portable UV sanitizers are designed to be small and lightweight for continuous carrying, then ease of operation is improved, but safety features to prevent excessive radiation on skin become more difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary actions by implementing multiple safety mechanisms before radiation can cause harm: distance sensing is activated before UV emission begins, infrared detection is ready to immediately stop radiation if skin is detected, and cumulative exposure tracking is pre-configured to prevent excessive total radiation dosage across multiple sanitization sessions
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs feedback mechanisms where distance sensors continuously monitor the gap between the sanitizer and target surface, infrared sensors provide real-time feedback to detect skin proximity, and the microprocessor processes this feedback to dynamically control UV emission, stopping radiation when safety thresholds are approached
2Productivity
If the UV light source is designed to radiate surfaces spaced from the user, then effectiveness for surface sanitization is improved, but the device cannot safely radiate the user's own hand
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adapts its operation mode based on real-time sensing conditions. When the device detects that the user's hand is within a safe distance range through distance sensors and infrared detection, it switches to hand sanitization mode with controlled UV emission. For surface sanitization, the device operates in a different mode with higher power output when surfaces are detected at appropriate distances, thus dynamically adjusting functionality based on operational context
3Reliability
If fixed AC power supply UV sanitizers are used for hand disinfection, then safety from excessive use is improved, but portability and convenience are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device implements self-service safety mechanisms where the microprocessor automatically monitors and controls UV emission duration and intensity without user intervention. The system self-regulates cumulative exposure tracking, automatically stops radiation when safety thresholds are reached, and manages battery power consumption to prevent overheating or excessive use, eliminating the need for fixed installation while maintaining safety
4Productivity
If UV light intensity is increased to ensure effective pathogen destruction, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but risk of skin radiation damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically changes operational parameters including UV light intensity, emission duration, and pulse frequency based on real-time feedback from distance sensors and infrared detectors. When skin proximity is detected or distance is insufficient, the system automatically reduces UV intensity or terminates emission. For surface sanitization at appropriate distances, the device can operate at higher intensities to ensure effective pathogen destruction, thus optimizing the balance between disinfection effectiveness and safety
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 solution provides a safe, portable, and convenient means to sanitize hands and surfaces, preventing excessive UV exposure and ensuring effective pathogen disinfection, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
short wave ultraviolet light, or UV-C light (200-280 nm) kills or disables microorganisms by disrupting the DNA of bacteria, virus and other pathogens
Implementation Method 2
means for sensing at least one characteristic of the target surface
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, handheld light sanitizer (10) having a skin-surface sanitization mode with safety features for automatically terminating or automatically preventing initiation of a skin sanitization cycle to prevent excessive skin radiation time that could be harmful and preventing radiation that is too intense due to the UV light source being too close to the skin-surface (FIGS. 6-7), and a non-skin surface sanitization mode (FIGS. 6 and 8) which may be unlimited in time duration but in which the UV light source (12) is n ay deenergized if the UV light source (12) is directed at a person's skin is provided in a cellphone configuration (FIGS. 2-5) in which functional elements of a cellphone are also used by the sanitizer functions, a fixed light wand configuration (FIGS. 4-7), flashlight configurations (FIGS. 10-13 and 14-16), a foldable light wand configuration (FIGS. 20-22), a cellphone protector case configuration (FIGS. 26-28) and a cellphone connectable tab configuration (FIGS. 29-31).