Disinfection apparatus for a vehicle using ultraviolet radiation

A disinfection apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

• a housing to accept an item to be disinfected, the housing comprising (i) a base including a primary surface and a side surface extending at least approximately orthogonally from the primary surface, the primary surface and side surface forming an interior chamber;
• (ii) 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;
• (iii) a first light guide disposed at the base, the first light guide comprising a contact surface to contact the item to be disinfected, an opposite surface disposed over the primary surface of the base, and a side surface at least approximately orthogonal to the contact surface that is disposed proximate the side surface of the base;
• and (iv) a second light guide attached to the lid, the second light guide comprising a contact surface that faces the contact surface of the first light guide and contacts the item to be disinfected when the lid is in the closed position but is separated from the contact surface of the first light guide when the lid is in the open position, and a surface at least approximately orthogonal to the contact surface;
• and
• a source of ultraviolet radiation configured to emit ultraviolet radiation into the housing from the side surface of the base, the source of ultraviolet radiation abutting the side surface of the first light guide and the side surface of the second light guide, when the lid is in the closed position, such that a portion of the ultraviolet radiation that the source of ultraviolet radiation emits transmits (i) through the side surface of the first light guide to reflect internally within the first light guide and then transmits through the contact surface of the first light guide and onto the item and (ii) through the side surface of the second light guide to reflect internally within the second light guide and then transmits through the contact surface of the second light guide and onto the item.