Antimicrobial Push Button Assembly With UV-C Surface Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-service dispensing and charging stations face challenges in preventing the spread of microbial diseases due to the high frequency of contact with surfaces that harbor pathogens, with existing chemical disinfectants being ineffective and potentially harmful.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial push button switch assembly is designed with a plastic film sheet that allows germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel through, disinfecting the outer touch surface, using a UV light transmissive waveguide and antimicrobial agents integrated into the clear plastic surface layer, and a UV light source to emit germicidal light for pathogen inactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical disinfectants are used to disinfect touch surfaces, then microbial pathogens are killed, but the disinfectants are ineffective and potentially harmful to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical disinfectants with a physical disinfection system using UV-C LEDs. The mechanical/physical system (light emission) substitutes for the chemical system (disinfectant application), eliminating harmful chemical exposure while maintaining disinfection effectiveness through germicidal UV-C radiation at 265nm wavelength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light to achieve effective disinfection. By using UV-C light at a specific wavelength of 265nm, the system targets microbial DNA/RNA absorption peaks, maximizing germicidal effectiveness while the controlled emission parameters ensure safety for human exposure.
2Reliability
If UV light is used to disinfect surfaces, then pathogenic microorganisms are inactivated, but UV light may damage human tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing UV-C light specifically to the button touch surfaces where pathogens are most likely to be present. The disinfection is localized to high-contact areas rather than illuminating the entire environment, reducing unnecessary human exposure while maintaining effective pathogen inactivation at the critical contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by activating UV-C LEDs only during specific intervals - such as when the dispenser is not in active use or during brief intervals between transactions. This periodic disinfection cycle effectively reduces pathogen load while minimizing cumulative human exposure to harmful UV radiation.
3Illumination intensity
If a plastic film sheet is made transparent to UV light for disinfection, then germicidal light can reach the surface, but the plastic material must maintain structural integrity and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by selecting a plastic polymer composition that combines UV transmission properties with mechanical strength requirements. The plastic film sheet is formulated as a composite material that allows UV-C light passage while incorporating additives or molecular structures that maintain structural integrity, durability, and safety for consumer contact applications.
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 effectively disinfects the touch surfaces of pathogenic microorganisms, reducing the risk of disease transmission while being safe for human contact, as the UV light used has a narrow wavelength range that kills microbes without damaging healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
The film sheet is configured to allow at least one of germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel therethrough to the outer touch surface to disinfect the outer touch surface of pathogenic microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
a UV light source to emit germicidal light for pathogen inactivation
Implementation Method 3
The film sheet is configured to allow at least one of germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel therethrough to the outer touch surface to disinfect the outer touch surface of pathogenic microorganisms
Implementation Method 4
using a UV light transmissive waveguide and antimicrobial agents integrated into the clear plastic surface layer
Data Source
AI summary
An antimicrobial, push button switch assembly for use at a self-service, dispensing or charging station is provided. The assembly includes a housing and a selection button supported for bi-directional movement within an opening in the housing. The selection button includes a plastic substrate and a plastic film sheet bonded to the substrate in a molding process. The film sheet has an outer touch surface configured to be pressed by a customer to initiate a dispensing or charging transaction. The film sheet is configured to allow at least one of germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel therethrough to the outer touch surface to disinfect the outer touch surface of pathogenic microorganisms.