UVB Lighting System with Child Detection and Sanitization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a low-cost, efficient method to promote vitamin D production in motor vehicle occupants and sanitize human interface surfaces within the vehicle's interior using ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, while ensuring safety, particularly for children and considering factors like makeup and sunscreen.
Innovation Solution
A UVB lighting system integrated into a motor vehicle, comprising a printed circuit board with UVB light sources, a controller, and sensors, which activates UVB light sources for predetermined cycles, includes a child detection device and imaging system to prevent activation when children are present, adjusts for makeup or sunscreen, and customizes the cycle based on user input, utilizing UVB light emitting diodes for both sanitation and vitamin D promotion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UVB light sources are activated continuously to promote vitamin D production, then vitamin D synthesis is improved, but risk of harm to children increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of children in the vehicle using sensors before activating UVB light sources. This advance detection prevents harmful UVB exposure to children while allowing vitamin D production for adults, resolving the contradiction by acting preemptively to eliminate the harmful scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle environment for children and adjusts UVB light activation accordingly. When children are detected, the system provides feedback to prevent UVB activation; when no children are present, UVB activation is permitted for vitamin D production, creating a dynamic safety mechanism.
2Reliability
If UVB light sources are activated for sanitation to kill germs on surfaces, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates UVB light sources periodically for sanitation cycles rather than continuously. During these periodic cycles, UVB lights operate at high intensity to effectively kill germs on surfaces. Between cycles, the lights remain off to conserve energy, thus resolving the contradiction between sanitization effectiveness and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If UVB light sources operate at high intensity for vitamin D production, then vitamin D synthesis is improved, but risk of skin damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts UVB light intensity and exposure duration based on real-time detection of occupants and their skin conditions. This dynamic control ensures optimal UVB dosage for vitamin D production while preventing excessive exposure that could cause skin damage, resolving the contradiction through adaptive parameter adjustment.
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 system effectively promotes vitamin D production and sanitizes vehicle surfaces while ensuring safety by preventing activation around children and adjusting for obstructive makeup or sunscreen, providing customizable and efficient UVB exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The UVB light source may comprise a plurality of UVB light emitting diodes
Implementation Method 2
provide ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to stimulate vitamin D production
Data Source
AI summary
A UVB lighting system for a motor vehicle includes a printed circuit board including a UVB light source and a map light. A controller operates the system. A related method is also disclosed.