Portable UVC LED Decontamination for N95 Masks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UVC decontamination systems are inefficient in treating complex-shaped items like N95 masks and require hazardous mercury-based lights, which are bulky and require long irradiation times, often necessitating fixed locations and restricting portability and applicability.

Innovation Solution

A portable decontamination unit using an array of UVC LEDs with a reflective coating and electrostatic fields, allowing for even irradiation of complex surfaces and eliminating shadows, combined with air circulation to dislodge particles, and a microprocessor-controlled dosage for efficient pathogen elimination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mercury-based UVC lights are used for decontamination, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and requires fixed locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen elimination effectivenessVSAvoidsystem portability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the light source from mercury-based UVC lamps to LED-based UVC sources, operating at different wavelengths and power levels. This parameter change enables miniaturization and portability while maintaining decontamination effectiveness through optimized LED arrays and reflective surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of mercury lamps with a solid-state LED system. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky ballasts and mercury vapor containment structures, enabling a portable handheld device while maintaining or improving pathogen elimination through controlled LED emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If mercury-based UVC lights are used, then decontamination is performed, but irradiation time is extended and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidirradiation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameters of UVC delivery through pulsed LED operation and optimized emission duration. The LED system provides intense short-duration irradiation that achieves decontamination faster than continuous mercury lamp operation, improving productivity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic or pulsed UVC emission patterns using LED arrays, delivering concentrated doses of UVC radiation in optimized time intervals. This periodic action achieves pathogen elimination more efficiently than continuous low-intensity mercury lamp irradiation, reducing overall treatment time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Weight of moving object

If simple UVC lighting is used, then portability is improved, but shadowing occurs on complex surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem portabilityVSAvoidirradiation uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the UVC light source into multiple segmented LED arrays positioned at different locations and angles within the handheld device. This segmentation allows the light to reach complex surfaces from multiple directions, eliminating shadows while maintaining portability through modular LED construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds spatial dimensions to UVC delivery by positioning LED arrays in three-dimensional configurations within the handheld device. This multi-dimensional light delivery approach ensures comprehensive coverage of complex-shaped objects like masks, eliminating shadowing areas that would occur with single-direction lighting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Use of energy by moving object

If hazardous mercury materials are used, then UVC emission is achieved, but exposure risk to users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUVC emission capabilityVSAvoiduser exposure to hazardous materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the inherent hazard of mercury-based UVC systems into a benefit by eliminating mercury entirely and using solid-state LEDs. This conversion removes the toxic material hazard while maintaining UVC emission capability, protecting users from mercury exposure risks associated with broken lamps or improper disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the hazardous mercury component from the UVC generation system, replacing it with non-toxic LED technology. This extraction eliminates the source of user exposure risk while preserving the essential UVC emission function needed for decontamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 decontaminates complex-shaped items like N95 masks and other high-contact components with improved efficiency and portability, reducing exposure to hazardous materials and enabling on-site treatment without the need for large, fixed facilities.

Implementation Method 1

use UV radiation to kill or inactive pathogens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode (LED): Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

UVC LED decontamination unit may be configured for a single UVC LED over a concave side of a N95 mask

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 3

wherein the container has reflective coating applied to the walls of the container; wherein the reflective coating reflects UVC light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

In further embodiments, a decontamination unit (DU) may use UV light in combination with electrostatic fields and air movement to improve the decontamination of personal protection equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics