UV Shoe Tree Sanitizer With Contained Germicidal Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Warm, damp environments inside shoes promote the growth of infectious microorganisms, and existing UV light sanitization methods risk damaging human tissue due to direct UV exposure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating germicidal UV LEDs or bulbs within shoe trees or directly into shoes, with safety features like opaque barriers, light sensors, and electrical switches to contain and control UV exposure, ensuring effective sanitization while preventing unwanted radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light is used to destroy microorganisms in shoes, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but risk of UV radiation exposure to human tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary safety mechanisms between the UV light source and human tissue: opaque barriers (shoe tree housing, caps over shoe openings) that block UV radiation, light sensors that detect ambient light to determine proper insertion, and electrical safety switches that control power delivery. These intermediaries enable effective UV sanitization while preventing harmful exposure to users.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If opaque barriers are added to contain UV radiation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the UV light source is housed within an opaque shoe tree, which is then inserted into the shoe. Additional opaque caps are placed over the shoe openings. This nested arrangement of multiple opaque barriers (shoe tree housing → shoe insertion → caps over openings) contains UV radiation effectively while organizing the complexity in a hierarchical, manageable structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light sensors and safety switches are added to control UV exposure, then safety is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service safety mechanisms where the system automatically monitors and controls UV exposure without requiring user intervention. Light sensors automatically detect whether the shoe tree is properly inserted into the shoe, and electrical safety switches automatically control power delivery to the UV source. The system serves itself by making safety decisions based on sensor inputs, eliminating the need for users to manually control safety parameters.
4Reliability
If UV LEDs are mounted inside shoe trees, then sanitization coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UV light source into multiple individual LEDs rather than using a single bulb. These multiple LEDs are distributed within the shoe tree housing, which provides a larger volume for placement flexibility. The segmentation allows for more forgiving manufacturing tolerances while maintaining comprehensive UV coverage throughout the shoe interior.
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
Effectively destroys or inhibits microorganisms within shoes while safeguarding against UV radiation exposure, maintaining a safe environment for users.
Implementation Method 1
exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light of certain wavelengths, intensities, and durations can destroy or inhibit growth of surface pathogens
Implementation Method 2
Germicidal UV light, the type that destroys microorganisms, is limited to a wavelength range from 240 nm to 280 nm
Implementation Method 3
A light leak could be the result of improper insertion of the UV light source into the shoe. Disabling the UV power source when a threshold level of ambient light is detected by a light sensor, such as a photodiode or a phototransistor, prevents unwanted UV exposure
Implementation Method 4
One method of containing UV radiation inside a shoe entails placing an opaque or a translucent barrier between the propagation path of the UV radiation and openings in the shoe
Implementation Method 5
implementing an electrical safety switch that prevents operation of the UV light source unless the UV light source is properly inserted in the shoe. When positioned correctly, the UV light source closes an electrical circuit, causing actuation of the safety switch
Data Source
AI summary
Introducing ultraviolet (UV) light (102, 202) to alter the environment inside a shoe destroys microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Visible light can also be used to prevent further growth. A preferred embodiment comprises an adjustable shoe tree (200) equipped with a UV germicidal light source (202) and electronic safeguards (284, 370) that prevent appreciable leakage of UV radiation outside the shoe.