UVC Card Reader Disinfection Housing with Periodic Irradiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UVC sanitizers require direct exposure to surfaces for effective disinfection, which limits their applicability due to distance or movement issues, and can cause material degradation and human safety concerns over time.
Innovation Solution
A device for surface disinfection of card reader input fields using UVC irradiation, where a housing encloses the card reader to ensure direct UVC exposure while preventing human contact, and allows adjustable irradiation duration for flexible use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UVC irradiation is applied for effective disinfection, then germicidal efficacy is improved, but material degradation occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies UVC irradiation in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The control unit activates the UVC lamp for predetermined time intervals (e.g., 30 seconds to several minutes) at scheduled times such as before opening hours, during low-traffic periods, or after detected contamination events. This periodic application achieves effective disinfection while minimizing cumulative material exposure and degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates photodetectors and control units that automatically detect contamination levels and trigger UVC irradiation cycles without manual intervention. The system self-regulates the timing and duration of irradiation based on sensor inputs, optimizing the balance between maintaining germicidal efficacy and reducing material exposure to UVC radiation.
2Reliability
If UVC radiation is used for disinfection, then germicidal control is achieved, but human safety is compromised due to skin and eye damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses glass enclosures and transparent barriers as intermediaries between the UVC lamp and the environment. These glass structures allow visible light transmission for user interaction while blocking UVC radiation. The control unit coordinates lamp activation with enclosure positioning, ensuring UVC irradiation occurs only when the protective glass barrier is in place, thus maintaining germicidal efficacy while protecting human safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control units that continuously monitor the position of protective barriers and activate/deactivate the UVC lamp accordingly. When the glass enclosure is closed, the control unit enables UVC irradiation; when open, it immediately deactivates the lamp. This feedback mechanism ensures germicidal control is maintained while preventing human exposure to harmful UVC radiation.
3Reliability
If direct UVC exposure is required for effective disinfection, then germicidal efficacy is improved, but applicability is limited by distance and movement constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates the UVC lamp within a three-dimensional glass enclosure that can be positioned around the card reader input field. The enclosure allows the lamp to be placed in optimal positions for direct line-of-sight irradiation of all surfaces, including vertical and horizontal surfaces. This spatial arrangement ensures complete surface coverage and direct UVC exposure while maintaining a compact, adaptable form factor suitable for various card reader configurations.
4Productivity
If UVC lamp power is increased for faster disinfection, then productivity is improved, but harmful effects to humans and materials are intensified
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses moderate-power UVC lamps activated in periodic cycles rather than high-power continuous irradiation. The control unit manages multiple irradiation cycles at lower intensity, achieving cumulative disinfection效果 comparable to or exceeding high-power single-cycle methods while significantly reducing peak harmful effects on both materials and human tissue.
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 device effectively disinfects card reader input fields quickly and safely, reducing germ transmission and ensuring the device is always in a disinfected state, indicated by a green light.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet C radiation (UVC) is the germicidal region of the ultraviolet spectrum with a wavelength in the range of 280 to 100 nm. UV Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) has been studied for over a century. The effects of UVGI on common bacteria, viruses, and mold spores are well known.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for surface disinfection of card readers having an input field, a communication display and a receiving slot for credit cards, subscriptions and payment cards of all kinds to be inserted. The device includes a UVC lamp with which the entire input field of the card reader can be UVC-irradiated for disinfection. The device includes a movable housing with a UVC lamp incorporated therein for activating a disinfection cycle with direct irradiation of the input field of the card reader. For this purpose, the housing is brought into position over the input field.