UV-C Shoe Sanitizing Platform With Triggered Disinfection Cycles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor environments are contaminated by pathogens such as viruses and bacteria from shoe soles, which can spread rapidly and cause significant health issues, as studies have shown that these contaminants are frequently transferred to indoor surfaces, highlighting the need for effective sanitization at entry points.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing device and system utilizing UV-C light-emitting platforms and mats that selectively transmit disinfecting rays, allowing users to sanitize their shoes and other items by stepping on designated areas, with the UV-C light source activating only when a person is present and deactivating after a disinfection period, and a portable wand for additional sanitization of surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-C light is continuously emitted to eliminate contaminants, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and risk of UV exposure to users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C light source is activated only during discrete sanitization cycles when users step on the platform, rather than continuous operation. The system uses foot pressure sensors to trigger UV-C emission for a specific duration (e.g., 10-30 seconds), then deactivates it, creating periodic on-off cycles that reduce energy consumption while maintaining sanitization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when a user needs sanitization through foot pressure sensors and activates the UV-C light source without requiring manual intervention. The platform self-regulates the sanitization process based on user presence, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring or manual switching while ensuring energy is used only when necessary.
2Reliability
If UV-C light is continuously emitted to eliminate contaminants, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but user safety decreases due to potential UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent mat serves as an intermediary between the UV-C light source and the user's feet. It allows UV-C light to pass through to sanitize shoe soles while blocking UV exposure to the user's skin. The mat material is specifically selected to be transparent to UV-C wavelengths while providing protective blocking properties for human tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-C light source operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, activating only during brief sanitization intervals (e.g., 10-30 seconds) when triggered by foot pressure sensors. This periodic operation minimizes cumulative UV exposure risk while maintaining effective contaminant elimination during each activation cycle.
3Illumination intensity
If the platform top is made transparent to UV-C light for sanitization, then UV transmission is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform top is segmented into different functional zones: translucent areas (shoe print outlines) that allow UV-C transmission for sanitization, and opaque areas that provide structural support and UV blocking. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its properties for its specific function without compromising overall platform integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the platform top have different optical and mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The translucent zones under the shoe prints are designed for UV-C transmission with appropriate material thickness and composition, while surrounding opaque zones provide enhanced structural support and UV protection, creating local quality variations that satisfy both sanitization and strength requirements.
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
Substantially eliminates contaminants at entry points before they can spread throughout a structure, effectively disinfecting shoe soles and other items, reducing the risk of infection and improving indoor air quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first embodiment is a device that eliminates contaminants before they can be transmitted throughout a structure. This first embodiment includes a platform housing a disinfection source for selectively emitting UV-C light
Implementation Method 2
The top has two areas that pass the UV-C light with remaining area of the top unable to pass the UV-C light
Data Source
AI summary
A device that eliminates contaminants before they can be transmitted throughout a structure. The device may include a platform housing a disinfection source for selectively emitting UV-C light. The platform has a top. The top has two areas that pass the UV-C light with the remaining area of the top unable to pass the UV-C light. The two areas of the top are capable of supporting a person standing on the areas with a foot respectively on each area. The disinfection source is configured to emit the UV-C light when a person stands on the two areas, but not when there is no person standing on the two areas. The disinfection source may be removable from the platform for use in disinfecting objects.