SELF-STERILIZING TOUCHPOINTS FOR LIGHT ELECTRIC VEHICLES
This application describes a self-sterilizing handlebar and/or handlebar grip for a light electric vehicle. The handlebar described herein uses a light source, such as an ultra-violet light source, to transmit ultra-violet light within and/or through a handlebar and/or a handlebar grip. The ultra-violet light source transmits short-wavelength light to sterilize the handlebar grip.
1 . A method comprising:
determining when a reservation period for a light electric vehicle has ended;
initiating, after the reservation period has ended, a sterilization process on a touchpoint of the light electric vehicle, via an internal component; and
providing a notification that the sterilization process is complete.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification that the sterilization process is complete is visual.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the internal component is a light pipe comprising an ultra-violet light source.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the light pipe further comprises a light source to provide the notification that the sterilization process is complete.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the light pipe is at least partially contained within a handlebar tube of the light electric vehicle.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the handlebar tube of the light electric vehicle includes a slot that permits light from the light pipe to pass through the handlebar tube.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the touchpoint is a grip portion of a handlebar of the light electric vehicle.
8 . The method of 1 , further comprising:
providing a notification that the sterilization process is ongoing.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the notification that the sterilization process is ongoing is visual.
10 . A light electric vehicle comprising:
a handlebar including a slot on an exterior surface thereof;
an ultra-violet light source provided within an inner cavity of the handlebar and at least partially aligned with the slot; and
a handlebar grip provided on the handlebar,
wherein the ultra-violet light source initiates a sterilization process on the handlebar grip when illuminated.
11 . The light electric vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the ultra-violet light source is powered by a rechargeable battery of the light electric vehicle.
12 . The light electric vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising:
a second light source provided within the inner cavity of the handlebar, the second light source providing a visual indicator that the sterilization process is ongoing.
13 . The light electric vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising:
a second light source provided within the inner cavity of the handlebar, the second light source providing a visual indicator that the sterilization process is complete.
14 . The light electric vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising:
a second light source provided within the inner cavity of the handlebar, the second light source providing a visual indicator that the light electric vehicle is performing a turn.
15 . The light electric vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the handlebar grip includes a cavity that enables light from the ultra-violet light source to be transmitted through the handlebar grip.