Disinfection apparatus for a vehicle using ultraviolet radiation

The present invention generally relates to vehicle and, more specifically, to a disinfection apparatus for a vehicle.

The inventors have identified a problem in that heretofore vehicles have not provided ways to disinfect items belonging to an occupant of the vehicle, such as smart phones, wallets, cosmetics, currency, pacifiers, and so on.

The present disclosure solves that problem with an in-vehicle disinfection apparatus that includes an interior chamber in which the occupant can place such items and an ultraviolet radiation source emitting ultraviolet radiation that irradiates upon, and thereby disinfects, those items.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a disinfection apparatus for a vehicle comprises: a housing to accept items to be disinfected; and a source of ultraviolet radiation configured to emit ultraviolet radiation into the housing.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include any one or a combination of the following features:

the housing comprises a base including an interior chamber; the housing comprises a lid operably connected to the base, the lid manipulable to, from, and between a closed position where the lid covers the interior chamber and an open position where the lid does not cover the interior chamber; the housing comprises a light guide operably coupled to at least one of the base and the lid, the light guide accepting the ultraviolet radiation from the source of the ultraviolet radiation and guiding the ultraviolet radiation within the interior chamber; the source of ultraviolet radiation is a light emitting diode configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a peak intensity within a wavelength range of 200 nm to 300 nm; the light guide further comprises a contact surface open to the interior chamber and an opposite surface that faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface; the disinfection apparatus further comprises a reflective layer, disposed adjacent to the opposite surface of the light guide, that reflects at least 40 percent of incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range of 200 nm to 300 nm; the disinfection apparatus further comprises a second light guide disposed at the other of the base and the lid, the second light guide comprising a contact surface that faces the contact surface of the light guide when the lid is in the closed position and an opposite surface that faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface of the second light guide, the second light guide accepting the ultraviolet radiation from the source of the ultraviolet radiation and guiding the ultraviolet radiation within the interior chamber when the lid is in the closed position; the light guide further comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a binding portion connecting the first portion and the second portion; the first portion comprises the contact surface; the second portion comprises another contact surface; the second portion has an open position relative to the first portion in which the contact surface of the second portion is separated from the contact of the first portion; the second portion has a closed position relative to the first portion in which the contact surface of the second portion is disposed adjacent the contact surface of the first portion; the light guide further comprises recesses extending into the contact surface or projections extending out of the contact surface; a compressive layer disposed between the base of the housing and the opposite surface of the light guide, the light guide being disposed at the base; a second compressive layer disposed between the lid of the housing and the opposite surface of the second light guide, the second light guide being disposed at the lid; the compressive layer and the second compressive layer compress the contact surface of the light guide against the contact surface of the second light guide, when the lid is in the closed position; the light guide is visually transparent such that an occupant can see through the light guide through the contact surface, through a thickness of the light guide, and through the opposite surface; the light guide is attached to the base, but a portion of the opposite surface of the light guide is separable from the base; the light guide further comprises a thickness that extends between the contact surface and the opposite surface; and the thickness of the light guide decreases as a function of the distance from where the light guide accepts the ultraviolet radiation from the source of the ultraviolet radiation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises: a seating assembly; and a console disposed proximate the seating assembly. The console comprises a disinfection apparatus. The disinfection apparatus comprises a housing to accept items to be disinfected, and a source of ultraviolet radiation configured to emit ultraviolet radiation into the housing.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention can include any one or a combination of the following features:

the housing comprises a base including an interior chamber; the housing comprises a lid operably connected to the base, the lid manipulable to, from, and between a closed position where the lid covers the interior chamber and an open position where the lid does not cover the interior chamber; the housing comprises a light guide operably coupled to at least one of the base and the lid, the light guide accepting the ultraviolet radiation from the source of the ultraviolet radiation and guiding the ultraviolet radiation within the interior chamber; the source of ultraviolet radiation is a light emitting diode configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a peak intensity within a wavelength range of 200 nm to 300 nm; the light guide further comprises a contact surface open to the interior chamber and an opposite surface that faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface; the disinfection apparatus further comprises a reflective layer, disposed adjacent to the opposite surface of the light guide, that reflects at least 40 percent of incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range of 200 nm to 300 nm; the disinfection apparatus further comprises a second light guide disposed at the other of the base and the lid, the second light guide comprising a contact surface that faces the contact surface of the light guide when the lid is in the closed position and an opposite surface that faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface of the second light guide, the second light guide accepting the ultraviolet radiation from the source of the ultraviolet radiation and guiding the ultraviolet radiation within the interior chamber when the lid is in the closed position; the light guide further comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a binding portion connecting the first portion and the second portion; the first portion comprises the contact surface; the second portion comprises another contact surface; the second portion has an open position relative to the first portion in which the contact surface of the second portion is separated from the contact surface of the first portion; the second portion has a closed position relative to the first portion in which the contact surface of the second portion is disposed adjacent the contact surface of the first portion; the disinfection apparatus further comprises a compressive layer disposed between the base of the housing and the opposite surface of the light guide, the light guide being disposed at the base, and the second light guide being disposed at the lid; the disinfection apparatus further comprises a second compressive layer disposed between the lid of the housing and the opposite surface of the second light guide, the light guide being disposed at the base, and the second light guide being disposed at the lid; the compressive layer and the second compressive layer compress the contact surface of the light guide against the contact surface of second light guide, when the lid is in the closed position; the light guide is visually transparent such that an occupant can see through the light guide through the contact surface, through a thickness of the light guide, and through the opposite surface; the light guide is attached to the base, but a portion of the opposite surface of the light guide is separable from the base; the light guide further comprises a thickness that extends between the contact surface and the opposite surface; and the thickness of the light guide decreases as a function of a distance from where the light guide accepts the ultraviolet radiation from the source of the ultraviolet radiation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method of disinfecting an item with a vehicle comprises activating a source of ultraviolet radiation to emit ultraviolet radiation into a housing of a disinfection apparatus to disinfect items disposed in the housing.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an interior of a vehicle, illustrating a console disposed next to a seating assembly and a disinfecting apparatus at the console;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the vehicle of FIG. 1 , illustrating a housing of the disinfecting apparatus having a lid in an open position and hingedly attached to a base, and further illustrating a light guide disposed at the base and a second light guide disposed at the lid;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the disinfection apparatus of FIG. 1 , illustrating an item to be disinfected placed on a contact surface of the light guide;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the disinfection apparatus of FIG. 1 , but illustrating another embodiment of a light guide that has a first portion and a second portion bound together at a binding portion, and further illustrating the item to be disinfected placed on a contact surface of the first portion of the light guide;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the light guide of FIG. 2 , illustrating the light guide resembling a pad and having a thickness between the contact surface and an opposite surface, a length, and a width, with the thickness being substantially smaller than the length and the width;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the second light guide of FIG. 2 , illustrating the second light guide also resembling a pad and having a thickness between the contact surface and an opposite surface, a length, and a width, with the thickness being substantially smaller than the length and the width;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the light guide of FIG. 3B , illustrating the second portion in an opened position separated from the first portion;

FIG. 5A is an elevational view of the cross-section taken through line VA-VA of FIG. 3A , illustrating a compressive layer disposed under a reflective layer disposed under the light guide, the item on the contact surface of the light guide, a second reflective layer between the opposite side of the second light guide and the lid, and a second compressive layer disposed between the second reflective layer and the lid;

FIG. 5B is an elevational view of the cross-section taken through line VB-VB of FIG. 3B , illustrating a compressive layer disposed under the first portion of the light guide, a reflective layer disposed between the compressive layer and the first portion, a second reflective layer disposed at the lid, and a second compressive layer disposed between the lid and the second reflective layer;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the disinfecting apparatus of FIG. 2 , illustrating the lid of the housing in a closed position over the base;

FIG. 7A is an elevational view of the cross-section taken through line VIIA-VIIA of FIG. 6 , illustrating the item to be disinfected sandwiched between the light guide and the second light guide of FIGS. 2, 3A, 4A, 4B, and 5A , with the compressive layer and the second compressive layer forcing the light guide and the second light guide closer together, and further illustrating a source of ultraviolet radiation abutting the light guide and a source of ultraviolet radiation abutting the second light guide;

FIG. 7B is an elevational view of the cross-section taken through line VIIB-VIIB of FIG. 6 , illustrating the item to be disinfected sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion of the light guide of FIGS. 3B, 4C, and 5B , with the compressive layer and the second compressive layer forcing the first portion and the second portion closer together, and further illustrating the source of ultraviolet radiation abutting the binding portion to direct ultraviolet radiation into the first portion and the second portion of the light guide;

FIG. 8A is an elevational view of the cross-section taken through line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. 6 , illustrating the first light guide and the second light guide of FIGS. 2, 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A , and 7 A each abutting sources of ultraviolet radiation, and further illustrating the reflective layer and the second reflective layer positioned to reflect emitted ultraviolet radiation back in the first light guide and the second light guide rather than be absorbed by the housing, the compressive layer, or the second compressive layer;

FIG. 8B is an elevational view of the cross-section taken through line VIIIB-VIIIB of FIG. 6 , illustrating the light guide of FIGS. 3B, 4C, 5B, and 7B abutting sources of ultraviolet radiation, and further illustrating the reflective layer and the second reflective layer positioned to reflected emitted ultraviolet radiation back into the light guide;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of disinfecting the item with the vehicle; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle of FIG. 1 , illustrating the vehicle having a controller that controls the source of ultraviolet radiation and that receives input from a sensor to determine whether the lid is closed and a user interface.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “rearward” and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicle 10 includes an interior 12 . In embodiments, the vehicle 10 further includes a seating assembly 14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the seating assembly 14 is part of a second row of seating 16 disposed rearward of a first row of seating 18 and forward of a third row of seating 20 . In embodiments, the vehicle 10 further includes a console 22 that is disposed proximate the seating assembly 14 . The location of the console 22 in the illustrated embodiments is just exemplary and the console 22 could be located anywhere in the interior 12 , such as between seating assemblies 24 , 26 of the first row of seating 18 . The vehicle 10 further includes a disinfection apparatus 28 . In embodiments, the console 22 includes the disinfection apparatus 28 . However, the disinfection apparatus 28 could be disposed anywhere in connection with the vehicle 10 , such as a rear side 30 of a seatback 32 of the seating assembly 26 , a rear side 34 of a headrest 36 of the seating assembly 26 , within a glove box 38 , at a door 40 , at a vertical panel 42 , and so on. The vehicle 10 can be an automobile, a truck, a van, a sports utility vehicle, a bus, an airplane, a train passenger car, and the like. The vehicle 10 can be utilized for personal transportation, public transportation, as part of a ride-sharing service, as part of ride-hailing service, and so on.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 3A-5B , the disinfection apparatus 28 includes a housing 44 . As will be explained in more detail below, an occupant places an item 46 to be disinfected in the housing 44 . In embodiments, the housing 44 includes a base 48 that provides an interior chamber 50 . The base 48 can be part of the console 22 , as in the illustrated embodiment, disposed into the rear side 30 of the seatback 32 of the seating assembly 26 , or disposed at the vertical panel 42 , and so on. In embodiments, the base 48 includes a primary surface 52 and at least one secondary surface 54 extending from the primary surface 52 , which together form the interior chamber 50 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, side surfaces 54 a - 54 d extending at least approximately orthogonally from the primary surface 52 , with side surfaces 54 a , 54 c opposing each other, and side surfaces 54 b , 54 d opposing each other.

The disinfection apparatus 28 further includes a source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . The source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation 58 into the housing 44 , such as within the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 . The phrase “ultraviolet radiation” means electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within a range of 10 nm to 400 nm. In embodiments, like the illustrated embodiment, the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), which are disposed on the base 48 at the side surface 54 c . In other embodiments, the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is a light pipe that guides ultraviolet radiation 58 from an LED disposed elsewhere in the vehicle 10 into the interior chamber 50 . In embodiments, the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is an LED that emits electromagnetic radiation have a peak intensity within a wavelength range of 200 nm to 300 nm, such as within the range wavelength range of 265 nm to 275 nm. In embodiments, the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is a mercury lamp. In embodiments, the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is a UV-C LED. An example UV-C LED is model XST-35-35UV from Luminus Devices, Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif., USA).

In embodiments, the housing 44 further includes a lid 60 . The lid 60 has a closed position 62 (see, e.g., FIG. 1 ). In the closed position 62 , the lid 60 covers the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 . By covering the interior chamber 50 , the lid 60 reduces or essentially eliminates leakage of ultraviolet radiation 58 from the interior chamber 50 to the exterior of the disinfection apparatus 28 . In addition, the lid 60 has an open position 64 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B ). In the open position 64 , the lid 60 does not cover the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 . By not covering the interior chamber 50 , the lid 60 allows an occupant to insert the item 46 to be disinfected into the interior chamber 50 of the disinfection apparatus 28 to be disinfected with ultraviolet radiation 58 . The lid 60 is manipulable to, from, and between the closed position 62 and the open position 64 . In embodiments, the lid 60 is operably connected to the base 48 , such as with a hinge 66 . In other embodiments, the lid 60 is attached to the base 48 in the closed position 62 but is separated from the base 48 in the open position 64 .

In embodiments, the housing 44 further includes a light guide 68 A 1 . The light guide 68 A 1 accepts the ultraviolet radiation 58 that the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 emits and guides the ultraviolet radiation 58 within the interior chamber 50 . The light guide 68 A 1 has a rectangular pad-like structure (see particularly FIG. 4A ), with a length 70 extending between side surfaces 72 a , 72 c , a width 74 orthogonal to the length 70 that extends between side surfaces 72 b , 72 d , and a thickness 76 orthogonal to both the length 70 and the width 74 that extends between a contact surface 78 and an opposite surface 80 . The length 70 and the width 74 are substantially greater than the thickness 76 . The contact surface 78 is the surface that contacts the item 46 that the occupant inserts into the disinfection apparatus 28 to be disinfected. The contact surface 78 is open to the interior chamber 50 , when the lid 60 is in the open position 64 . The opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface 78 , and is disposed over the primary surface 52 of the base 48 either directly or with intermediate materials placed between the primary surface 52 of the base 48 and the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 (as discussed below). In such embodiments, one of the side surfaces 72 a - 72 d of the light guide 68 A 1 , such as the side surface 72 c , is placed adjacent to the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 , such as abutting the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . Side surfaces 72 a - 72 d of the light guide 68 A 1 are disposed proximate the side surfaces 52 a - 52 d of the base 48 , respectively. A portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 that the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 emits transmits through the side surface 72 c of the light guide 68 A 1 . A portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 that transmits through the side surface 72 c reflects internally within the light guide 68 A 1 and then transmits through the contact surface 78 . In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 includes projections 82 extending outward from the contact surface 78 , recesses 84 extending inward into the thickness 76 of the light guide 68 A 1 from the contact surface 78 , or both projections 82 and recesses 84 . The internal reflection of the ultraviolet radiation 58 distributes the ultraviolet radiation 58 throughout the interior chamber 50 of the housing 44 . The projections 82 and the recesses 84 disrupt the internal reflection of the ultraviolet radiation 58 within the light guide 68 A 1 , and a portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 transmits through the contact surface 78 through the projections 82 and recesses 84 to enter the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 . In other words, the light guide 68 A 1 guides the ultraviolet radiation 58 from the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 , through the contact surface 78 , and into the interior chamber 50 . In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 lies within the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 without attaching the light guide 68 A 1 to the base 48 . In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 is disposed within the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 and operably coupled to the base 48 , such as with the side surface 72 c adjacent to the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 attached to the side surface 54 c of the base 48 where the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is disposed. In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 is attached to the lid 60 and is only disposed within the interior chamber 50 when the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , which places the side surface 72 c of the light guide 68 A 1 adjacent to the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . In embodiments, the thickness 76 of the light guide 68 A 1 decreases as a function of the distance from the side surface 72 c adjacent the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . That is, the thickness 76 of the light guide 68 A 1 is greatest at the side surface 72 c and the least at the side surface 72 a , with the thickness 76 decreasing from the side surface 72 c toward the side surface 72 a . For example, the thickness 76 at the side surface 72 c can be approximately 3 mm, while the thickness 76 at the side surface 72 a can be approximately 1 mm.

In embodiments, the disinfection apparatus 28 further includes a second light guide 68 A 2 disposed at the other of the base 48 and the lid 60 than where the light guide 68 A 1 is disposed. For example, if the light guide 68 A 1 is disposed at the base 48 , then the second light guide 68 A 2 is attached to the lid 60 . In embodiments, the second light guide 68 A 2 is a mirror image of the light guide 68 A 1 . The second light guide 68 A 2 (see particularly FIG. 4B ) has a thickness 86 extending from a contact surface 88 to an opposite surface 90 . The contact surface 88 of the second light guide 68 A 2 faces the contact surface 78 of the light guide 68 A 1 when the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 . In embodiments, the opposite surface 90 is attached to the lid 60 . The second light guide 68 A 2 has a length 92 extending from a side surface 98 a to a side surface 98 c . In the embodiment illustrated at FIG. 5B , when the lid 60 is in the open position 64 , the side surface 98 c is separated from and does not abut the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . However, when the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , the side surface 98 c is disposed adjacent to (such as abuts) the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 , such as source 56 a . The second light guide 68 A 2 accepts the ultraviolet radiation 58 from the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 through the side surface 98 c . The second light guide 68 A 2 guides the ultraviolet radiation 58 via internal reflection within the interior chamber 50 , when the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 . The second light guide 68 A 2 has a width 96 that extends from a side surface 98 b to a side surface 98 d . When the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , the side surfaces 98 a - 98 d face the side surfaces 54 a - 54 d , respectively, of the base 48 . Like the first light guide 68 A 1 , the thickness 86 of the second light guide 68 A 2 decreases from the side surface 98 c to the side surface 98 a . For example, the thickness 86 at the side surface 98 c can be approximately 3 mm, while the thickness 86 at the side surface 98 a can be approximately 1 mm.

In other embodiments, a light guide 68 B is a essentially a combination of the light guide 68 A 1 and the second light guide 68 A 2 being connected at a binding portion 100 to form a book-like structure with the light guide 68 A 1 becoming a first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B and the second light guide 68 A 2 becoming a second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B. The first portion 102 is therefore substantially like the embodiment of the light guide 68 A 1 described in connection with FIG. 4A , having a thickness 106 (see particularly FIG. 4C ) extending from a contact surface 108 to an opposite surface 110 , a length 112 extending from a side surface 114 a to a side surface 114 c at the binding portion 100 , and a width 116 extending from a side surface 114 b to a side surface 114 d . The second portion 104 is also substantially like the embodiment of the second light guide 68 A 2 described in connection with FIG. 4B , having a thickness 118 from a contact surface 120 to an opposite surface 122 , a length 124 (see FIG. 7B ) from a side surface 126 a to the side surface 114 c (shared with the first portion 102 at the binding portion 100 ), and a width 128 (see FIG. 8B ) from a side surface 126 b to a side surface 126 d . The surface side 114 c at the binding portion 100 thus extends between the opposite surface 80 of the first portion 102 and the opposite surface 122 of the second portion 104 . The second portion 104 has an open position 132 relative to the first portion 102 in which the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 is separated from the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 . In addition, the second portion 104 has a closed position 134 (see, e.g., FIG. 7B ) relative to the first portion 102 in which the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 is disposed adjacent (such as contacting) the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 . The contact surface 78 of the first portion 102 is open to the interior chamber 50 , when the lid 60 is in the open position 64 and the second portion 104 is in the open position 132 . The contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 and the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 are brought closer together as the second portion 104 is manipulated from the open position 132 to the closed position 134 . In use, as described below, the occupant places the item 46 to be disinfected between the contact surfaces 108 , 120 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 , respectively. The opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface 108 , and is disposed over the primary surface 52 of the base 48 either directly or with intermediate materials placed between the primary surface 52 of the base 48 and the opposite surface 80 of the first portion 102 (as discussed below). The opposite surface 122 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B faces in a generally opposite direction as the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 , and is disposed adjacent the lid 60 when both the second portion 104 and the lid 60 are in their respective closed positions 62 , 134 . The side surfaces 114 a , 114 b , 114 d of the first portion 102 face toward the side surfaces 54 a , 54 b , 54 d , respectively, of the base 48 . When the second portion 104 is in the closed position 134 , the side surfaces 126 a , 126 b , 126 d of the second portion 104 face toward the side surfaces 54 a , 54 b , 54 d , respectively, of the base 48 . The side surface 114 c at the binding portion 100 is disposed adjacent to (such as abutting) the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 and the side surface 54 c of the base 48 . For example, a source 56 b of ultraviolet radiation 58 is positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation 58 into the first portion 102 through the side surface 114 c , while the source 56 a of ultraviolet radiation 58 is positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation 58 into the second portion 104 through the side surface 114 c . In embodiments, the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 and the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 include the projections 82 or the recesses 84 , or both the projections 82 and the recesses 84 . A portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 that the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 emits transmits through the side surface 114 c of the binding portion 100 of the light guide 68 B, into the first portion 102 and into the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B. The ultraviolet radiation 58 transmitted through the side surface 114 c transmits throughout the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 via internal reflection. A portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 internally reflected transmits out of the light guide 68 B through the contact surfaces 108 , 120 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 . In embodiments, the light guide 68 B lies within the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 without attaching the light guide 68 B to the base 48 . In embodiments, the light guide 68 B is disposed within the interior chamber 50 of the base 48 and is operably coupled to the base 48 , such as with the side surface 114 c at the binding portion 100 attached to the side surface 54 c of the base 48 at which the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is disposed. In embodiments, the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B is attached to the lid 60 , such that when the lid 60 is manipulated to the open position 64 , the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B is forced to the open position 132 . In embodiments, the thicknesses 106 , 118 of both the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 , respectively, decrease from the binding portion 100 toward the side surfaces 114 a , 126 a . For example, the combined thicknesses 106 , 118 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 at the side surface 114 c of the binding portion 100 can be 6 mm, and the thicknesses 106 , 118 at or near the side surfaces 114 a , 126 a of the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 , respectively, can each be 1 mm. In embodiments, the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B includes a flap 136 contiguous with side surfaces 114 a , 114 b , 114 d of the first portion 102 that extends orthogonally from the contact surface 108 away from the primary surface 52 of the base 48 . When the second portion 104 is in the closed position 134 , the flap 136 faces the side surfaces 126 a , 126 b , 126 d of the second portion 104 . When the light guide 68 B includes the flap 136 , the width 128 and the length 124 of the second portion 104 can be slightly smaller than the width 116 and the length 112 of the first portion 102 .

In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 , the second light guide 68 A 2 , and the light guide 68 B are made of a flexible material, such as silicone. In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 , the second light guide 68 A 2 , and the light guide 68 B are molded from silicone. Molded silicone transmits ultraviolet radiation 58 well, in some instances having over 90 percent transmission at selected ultraviolet wavelengths. Molded silicone resists scratches. The projections 82 and recesses 84 can be formed via the molding of the silicone. An example moldable silicone for the light guide 68 A 1 , the second light guide 68 A 2 , and the light guide 68 B is DOWSIL MS-1003 moldable silicon available from Dow (Midland, Mich., USA).

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 6-8B , in embodiments, the disinfection apparatus 28 further includes a reflective layer 138 . The reflective layer 138 is disposed adjacent to (such as abuts) the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 (see, e.g., FIG. 7A ) or the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B (see, e.g., FIG. 7B ). In the case of the light guide 68 A 1 , the reflective layer 138 reflects a portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 that transmits through the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 back through the opposite surface 80 and into the light guide 68 A 1 . In the case of the light guide 68 B, the reflective layer 138 reflects a portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 that transmits through the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B back through the opposite surface 110 and into the light guide 68 B.

In embodiments, the light guide 68 A 1 is visually transparent. The light guide 68 A 1 is sufficiently visually transparent that an occupant can see through the light guide 68 A 1 through the contact surface 78 , through the thickness 76 of the light guide 68 A 1 , and through the opposite surface 80 . In embodiments, the light guide 68 B is visually transparent. The first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B is sufficiently visually transparent that an occupant can see through the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B. If the disinfection apparatus 28 incorporates the reflective layer 138 , then the light guide 68 A 1 or the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B is sufficiently visually transparent that an occupant can see through the light guide 68 A 1 or the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B to the reflective layer 138 . In embodiments, the second light guide 68 A 2 , and the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B, are visually transparent, as well. As mentioned, the surface 72 c of the light guide 68 A 1 adjacent to the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is attached to the side surface 54 c of the base 48 where the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is disposed. However, the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 is not attached or adhered to the reflective layer 138 and thus, portions of the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 , such as near the surface 72 a , is separable from the base 48 . In other words, portions of the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 can be lifted away from the reflective layer 138 . This non-adherence of the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 to the reflective layer 138 allows for the placement of maps, toll booth and parking lot tickets, family pictures, etc., between the light guide 68 A 1 and the reflective layer 138 . Because the light guide 68 A 1 can be visually transparent, those items can be viewed through the light guide 68 A 1 without removing the items. However, in other embodiments, the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 is adhered to the reflective layer 138 .

Similarly, for the light guide 68 B, the side surface 114 c of the light guide 68 B at the binding portion 100 adjacent to the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is attached to the side surface 54 c of the base 48 where the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 is disposed. However, the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B is not attached or adhered to the reflective layer 138 and thus, portions of the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 , such as near the side surface 114 a , is separable from the base 48 . In other words, portions of the opposite surface 110 can be lifted away from the reflective layer 138 . This non-adherence of the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 to the reflective layer 138 allows for the placement of maps, toll booth and parking lot tickets, family pictures, etc., between the first portion 102 and the reflective layer 138 . Because the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 are visually transparent, those items can be viewed through the light guide 68 B without removing the items, even when the second portion 104 is in the closed position 134 and the lid 60 is in the open position 64 . However, in other embodiments, the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B is adhered to the reflective layer 138 .

In embodiments, the disinfection apparatus 28 further includes a second reflective layer 140 . The second reflective layer 140 is disposed adjacent to (such as abuts) the opposite surface 90 of the second light guide 68 A 2 , if the first light guide 68 A 1 and second light guide 68 A 2 are utilized. The second light guide 68 A 2 can be affixed to the second reflective layer 140 . If instead the light guide 68 B with the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 is utilized, then the second reflective layer 140 is disposed adjacent to (such as abuts) the opposite surface 122 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B, when the light guide 68 B is in the closed position 134 and the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 . The second reflective layer 140 reflects ultraviolet radiation 58 that transmits through the opposite surface 90 of the second light guide 68 A 2 or the opposite surface 122 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B back into the second light guide 68 A 2 or the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B as the case may be.

The reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 , if utilized, reflects ultraviolet radiation 58 back into the light guide 68 A 1 , the second light guide 68 A 2 , and the light guide 68 B, as the case may be, to increase the amount of ultraviolet radiation 58 emitted through the contact surfaces 78 , 88 , 108 , 120 , and onto the item 46 . In embodiments of the disinfection apparatus 28 without the light guide 68 A 1 , the reflective layer 138 is disposed at either the base 48 or the lid 60 , or both the base 48 and the lid 60 , such as at the primary surface 52 and the side surfaces 54 a - 54 d of the base 48 , and the second reflective layer 140 is disposed at the other of the base 48 or the lid 60 . The reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 increase the amount of ultraviolet radiation 58 emitted from the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 that irradiates upon the item 46 placed in the interior chamber 50 and decreases the amount of ultraviolet radiation 58 absorbed by the disinfection apparatus 28 , such as the housing 44 . In embodiments, the reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 reflect at least 40 percent, at least 45 percent, at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent of incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range of 200 nm to 300 nm, at a normal (90 degree) angle of incidence. In embodiments, the reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 comprise a metal, such as a metal foil. In embodiments, the reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 comprise aluminum. In embodiments, the reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 comprise biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate polyester film (e.g., Mylar).

In embodiments, the disinfection apparatus 28 further includes a compressive layer 142 . The compressive layer 142 is disposed between the base 48 of the housing 44 and the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 , or the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B. For example, with the light guide 68 A 1 , the compressive layer 142 is disposed over the primary surface 52 of the base 48 , the reflective layer 138 is disposed over the compressive layer 142 , and the opposite surface 80 of the light guide 68 A 1 is disposed over the reflective layer 138 . As another example, with the light guide 68 B, the compressive layer 142 is disposed over the primary surface 52 of the base 48 , the reflective layer 138 is disposed over the compressive layer 142 , and the opposite surface 110 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B is disposed over the reflective layer 138 . In embodiments, the compressive layer 142 is attached (such as adhered) to the primary surface 52 of the base 48 . In embodiments, the compressive layer 142 extends between and abuts the side surfaces 54 a - 54 d of the base 48 . When the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , the compressive layer 142 compresses the contact surface 78 of the light guide 68 A 1 against the contact surface 88 of the second light guide 68 A 2 , or the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B against the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B.

In embodiments, the disinfection apparatus 28 further includes a second compressive layer 144 . The second compressive layer 144 is disposed between the lid 60 of the housing 44 and the opposite surface 90 of the second light guide 68 A 2 , or the opposite surface 122 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B. For example, with the second light guide 68 A 2 , the second compressive layer 144 is disposed between the lid 60 and the second reflective layer 140 , and the second reflective layer 140 is disposed between the opposite surface 90 of the second light guide 68 A 2 and the second reflective layer 140 . As another example, with the light guide 68 B, the second compressive layer 144 is disposed between the lid 60 and the second reflective layer 140 , and the second reflective layer 140 is disposed between the opposite surface 122 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B and the second reflective layer 140 . In embodiments, the second compressive layer 144 is attached (such as adhered) to the lid 60 . In embodiments, when the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , the second compressive layer 144 extends between and abuts the side surfaces 54 a - 54 d of the base 48 . When the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , the compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 compress the contact surface 78 of the light guide 68 A 1 against the contact surface 88 of the second light guide 68 A 2 , or the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B against the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 9-10 , a method 200 of disinfecting items within a vehicle 10 is disposed. At step 202 , the method 200 includes moving the lid 60 from the closed position 62 (see FIG. 1 ) to the open position 64 (see FIG. 2 ). If the lid 60 is hingedly attached to the base 48 , then moving the lid 60 from the open position 64 to the closed position 62 entails rotating the lid 60 away from the base 48 . Moving the lid 60 to the open position 64 reveals the light guide 68 A 1 , or the light guide 68 B. If the light guide 68 B is utilized, then the method 200 includes, at step 204 , moving the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B to the open position 132 . This can be achieved by lifting or otherwise manipulating the second portion 104 away from the first portion 102 . The second portion 104 can be placed over the lid 60 , such as over the second reflective layer 140 , as illustrated in FIG. 3B . In any event, moving the second portion 104 away from the first portion 102 reveals the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 .

The method 200 further includes, at step 206 , placing the item 46 to be disinfected adjacent to the contact surface 78 of the light guide 68 A 1 , or the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 of the light guide 68 B. In the illustrated embodiments, the item 46 is a smart phone. However, the item 46 could be anything that fits, such as a pacifier, a wallet, headphones, hard currency, and so on. If the light guide 68 B with the second portion 104 is utilized, then the method 200 , at step 208 , further includes manipulating the second portion 104 to the closed position 134 over the first portion 102 .

The method 200 further includes, at step 210 , manipulating the lid 60 to the closed position 62 . When the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 , the contact surface 78 of the light guide 68 A 1 and the contact surface 88 of the second light guide 68 A 2 both contact the item 46 . The compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 force the contact surface 78 of the light guide 68 A 1 and the contact surface 88 of the second light guide 68 A 2 to compress against the item 46 and, if there are no other items interfering, to essentially seal around the item 46 . The side surface 98 c of the second light guide 68 A 2 abuts against the sources 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 at the side surface 54 c of the base 48 .

Alternatively, if the light guide 68 B is utilized, the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 and the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 both contact the item 46 . The compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 force the contact surface 108 of the first portion 102 and the contact surface 120 of the second portion 104 to compress against the item 46 , and, if there is no other item interfering, to essentially seal around the item 46 . In either embodiment, molded silicon is flexible and conforms well to the shape of the item 46 . As in embodiments illustrated at FIGS. 7A and 7B , the compressive layer 142 below the item 46 and the second compressive layer 144 above the item 46 force the light guide 68 A 1 and second light guide 68 A 2 , or the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B, as the case may be, to contact the item 46 from above and below the item 46 and conform to the item 46 . The lid 60 cooperates with the base 48 to seal the interior chamber 50 .

In embodiments, at step 212 , the method 200 further includes recognizing that the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 . The vehicle 10 further includes a controller 146 . The controller 146 includes a microprocessor 148 and memory 150 . The microprocessor 148 executes one or more programs stored in the memory 150 . The vehicle 10 further includes a sensor 152 that senses whether the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 . The sensor 152 is in communication with the controller 146 . The sensor 152 could be a capacitive sensor disposed at the lid 60 that provides a signal when the lid 60 is in the closed position 62 that the controller 146 interprets as the lid 60 being in the closed position 62 .

The method 200 , at step 214 , further includes activating the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 to emit ultraviolet radiation 58 . The controller 146 is in communication with the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 and can activate or deactivate the source 56 . In embodiments, the controller 146 activates the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 whenever the controller 146 senses that the lid 60 has moved from the open position 64 to the closed position 62 . In other embodiments, the vehicle 10 further includes a user interface 154 , and the controller 146 activates the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 whenever the controller 146 receives input from the user interface 154 commanding activation of the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . If the controller 146 senses that the lid 60 is not in the closed position 62 , the controller 146 does not activate the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 and provides notification at the user interface 154 (such as at a display screen 156 ) that the lid 60 is not in the closed position 62 . Once the lid 60 is manipulated to the closed position 62 , and the sensor 152 provides the controller 146 with the requisite input, then the controller 146 activates the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . The controller 146 can activate some other light source (such as a visible red LED) at the disinfection apparatus 28 to indicate that the controller 146 has activated the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 .

The source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 emits ultraviolet radiation 58 into the housing 44 of the disinfection apparatus 28 . The ultraviolet radiation 58 disinfects the item 46 disposed in the housing 44 . More particularly, with the embodiment of the light guide 68 A 1 , the ultraviolet radiation 58 that the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 emits enters the light guide 68 A 1 through the side surface 72 c and the second light guide 68 A 2 through the side surface 98 c . The ultraviolet radiation 58 is guided throughout the interior chamber 50 via internal reflection within the light guide 68 A 1 and the second light guide 68 A 2 , and the ultraviolet radiation 58 exits out of the light guide 68 A 1 through the contact surface 78 (such as through projections 82 and/or recesses 84 at the contact surface 78 ) and out of the second light guide 68 A 2 through the contact surface 88 (such as through projections 82 and/or recesses 84 at the contact surface 88 ). A portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 exiting out of the contact surfaces 78 , 88 irradiates the item 46 . Because the compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 force the contact surfaces 78 , 88 close to the item 46 , the ultraviolet radiation 58 impinging upon the item 46 has a higher intensity leading to a disinfection period of time than if the compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 did not do so. After a period of time, the irradiation of the ultraviolet radiation 58 upon the item 46 disinfects the item 46 . The reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 help reflect ultraviolet radiation 58 back within the light guide 68 A 1 and the second light guide 68 A 2 , decreasing the amount of ultraviolet radiation 58 that the housing 44 absorbs.

With the embodiment of the light guide 68 B, the ultraviolet radiation 58 enters both the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B through the side surface 114 c at the binding portion 100 . The ultraviolet radiation 58 is guided throughout the interior chamber 50 via internal reflection within the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 , and the ultraviolet radiation 58 exits out of the first portion 102 through the contact surface 108 (such as through projections 82 and/or recesses 84 at the contact surface 108 ) and out of the second portion 104 through the contact surface 120 (such as through projections 82 and/or recesses 84 at the contact surface 120 ). A portion of the ultraviolet radiation 58 exiting out of the contact surfaces 108 , 120 irradiates the item 46 . The reflective layer 138 and the second reflective layer 140 help reflect ultraviolet radiation 58 back within the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 of the light guide 68 B, increasing efficiency as mentioned. The compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 increase efficiency as well, as described above.

The method 200 further includes, at step 216 , deactivating the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . After a period of time, the irradiation of the ultraviolet radiation 58 upon the item 46 disinfects the item 46 . The controller 146 can count the time after the controller 146 activated the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 . The controller 146 can deactivate the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 after a predetermined period of time. An occupant of the vehicle 10 can set the predetermined period of time at the user interface 154 , which the controller 146 accepts as input, and deactivates the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 after the set period of time. The controller 146 can deactivate the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 upon receiving input from the sensor 152 that the lid 60 is no longer in the closed position 62 . The lid 60 being in the closed position 62 lowers, minimizes, or prevents leakage of ultraviolet radiation 58 from the housing 44 to the interior 12 of the vehicle 10 . The controller 146 can activate some other light source (such as a visible green LED) at the disinfection apparatus 28 to indicate that the controller 146 has deactivated the source 56 of ultraviolet radiation 58 .

The method 200 further includes, at step 218 , opening the lid 60 and removing the item 46 . If the light guide 68 B is utilized, this step further entails moving the second portion 104 to the open position 132 . The item 46 has been disinfected.

The disinfection apparatus 28 provides many advantages, including occupying little space in the interior 12 of the vehicle 10 . The compressive layer 142 and the second compressive layer 144 prevent the item 46 from moving while in the housing 44 and thus prevent noise generation. The emission of the ultraviolet radiation 58 to disinfect the item 46 takes a short period of time, such as less than five minutes, less than four minutes, less than three minutes, less than two minutes, and even less than one minute. Further, if the light guide 68 A 1 , the second light guide 68 A 2 , or the light guide 68 B are made from silicone, then they are easily cleanable.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.