Surface disinfection system

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface disinfection system. The surface disinfection system comprises: - a laser beam scanner as a projection device (22, 22'', 22''') with a beam generator (140) for generating a light beam (LBM) and a mirror unit (73) for reflecting the light beam (LBM) and for moving the reflected light beam (LBR) over a predetermined solid angle range; wherein the projection device (22, 22'', 22''') has a light source with a wavelength of less than 475 nm, - a projection surface (21, 21'', 21''') over which the light beam (LBR) emitted by the projection device (22, 22'', 22''') can be moved, and - a computing unit (52) which is designed to control the intensity and illumination time of the light beam emitted by the projection device (22, 22'', 22''').

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a surface disinfection system. It is known from the prior art that, in case of necessity or need, surfaces, e.g., inside a vehicle, are disinfected manually. For this purpose, chemical disinfectants are used, and the corresponding surfaces are sprayed, rubbed, and / or washed with them.

[0002] Depending on the disinfectant used, surfaces, such as those in a vehicle, can be damaged. Furthermore, during manual disinfection, parts of the surface may be disinfected less thoroughly or even missed altogether. Another problem is that disinfectants are often used with previously used and potentially contaminated cleaning cloths. Disinfectants can also lose their effectiveness, for example, if they are too old or have been diluted too much. All in all, the potential for errors during manual disinfection is therefore very high. Moreover, surfaces such as seats or armrests in a vehicle are very difficult or time-consuming to disinfect because they are covered in fabric and should not get wet, and / or the fabric can be damaged by disinfectants.Therefore, such surfaces are often left out during disinfection, or appropriate specialist personnel must be commissioned to carry out the disinfection, which, however, involves increased costs.

[0003] A reliable and reproducible method for selective surface disinfection in vehicle interiors is desired. Furthermore, a surface disinfection process that can be automated and does not require an external specialist is desired.

[0004] A surface disinfection system according to the invention comprises a laser beam scanner (often abbreviated as LBS) as a projection device, a projection surface, and a computing unit. The projection device includes an imaging unit with a beam generator for generating a light beam, a mirror unit for reflecting the light beam and moving the reflected light beam over a predetermined solid angle, and a light source with a wavelength of less than 475 nm, so that the generated or emitted light beam operates with a wavelength of less than 475 nm. The light beam emitted by the projection device can be moved across the projection surface. The computing unit is configured to control the intensity and illumination time of the light beam generated or emitted by the projection device.Because the projection system uses a mirror, operates at a specific sampling frequency and wavelength, and can illuminate a certain surface area as a projection surface, for example in a vehicle, surfaces such as the steering wheel, armrests, headrests, center console, and / or other controls can be disinfected using UV light and / or low-wavelength blue light. By correctly selecting the wavelength, intensity, and exposure time, surfaces can be disinfected selectively, fully automatically, and without the need for human intervention. Such a disinfection process is therefore less prone to errors, systematically plannable, and reproducible. Furthermore, it avoids the introduction of chemicals that could potentially damage surfaces or cause allergic reactions in people.By using a laser beam scanner as a projection device, a corresponding surface disinfection system can be designed to be particularly compact. Furthermore, specific areas and / or sub-areas can be scanned easily and precisely for disinfection, eliminating the need to disinfect an entire area when only a portion of it requires disinfection. This results in a highly efficient surface disinfection system. It goes without saying that the laser beam scanner can be configured to include RGB light sources, such as laser diodes, in addition to the light source with a wavelength of less than 475 nm, allowing it to project an RGB image onto a surface during normal operation. The laser beam scanner described here should not be confused with a laser projector, where, for example,The image is generated on a DMD chip (DMD: digital micromirror device) and then projected through a lens. With LBS, the laser is directed onto the projection surface by a tilting mirror, where the image is then created. An LBS offers significantly better efficiency compared to a projector based on DMD technology. Furthermore, an LBS requires fewer components and is considerably smaller.

[0005] If the surface disinfection system has multiple projection devices, i.e., laser beam scanners, a larger surface area can be covered, or surfaces that are obscured and cannot be detected by a single projection device can be disinfected. Furthermore, individual laser beam scanners that are partially obscured can be replaced by other laser beam scanners. This allows a disinfection process to be carried out even if one or part of the total number of laser beam scanners in use is obscured.

[0006] A controllable computer unit allows the wavelength of the light beam from a projection device to be adjusted. This enables the light to be used selectively for the disinfection of surfaces. For example, multiple light sources, such as laser light sources from a laser beam scanner, with different wavelengths can be used in the surface disinfection system, and the computer unit selects the appropriate light source depending on the requirements. Alternatively or additionally, a light source can be designed so that its wavelength can be varied, for example, by driving the light source with a different power output or by using bandpass filters that are only transparent to specific wavelength ranges.

[0007] If the surface disinfection system is operationally connected to an assistance device, the assistance device can be used to provide a user of the surface disinfection system with information about disinfection processes. For example, information about the last disinfection performed, the pending disinfection, or the disinfection to be performed can be displayed via an output device such as a display and / or voice output.

[0008] If the surface disinfection system is operationally connected to an assistance device, and the computer unit is designed to control the surface disinfection system based on information from the assistance device, a disinfection process can be linked to certain conditions, such as location and / or time, and thus carried out automatically.

[0009] If the assistance system has an input device, a user can specify times and / or locations when and where disinfection should start automatically. For example, an input device could include a touchscreen or voice input, and the user could specify that a vehicle disinfection process should only be carried out when the vehicle is stationary and therefore unused. For instance, a disinfection process would then only be performed when the vehicle is locked and would end as soon as the vehicle is unlocked or opened. Alternatively or additionally, if the disinfection process is specified to take place during a stationary period, it would preferably be carried out at night when the likelihood of the vehicle being used is rather low.

[0010] A duration for the disinfection process can also be specified via input. Alternatively or additionally, the assistance system can suggest a duration to achieve optimal disinfection results. For example, if the disinfection process is prematurely interrupted, such as when the vehicle door is opened, the assistance system can inform the user that the disinfection process has ended prematurely and display the remaining time needed to achieve optimal results. Based on user input, the disinfection process can then either be canceled or continued, for example, by the user leaving and locking the vehicle and / or making a corresponding input to resume the disinfection process.

[0011] If the assistance device has a monitoring device, e.g. an optical sensor or a camera, the surface disinfection system, and accordingly a disinfection process of a surface, can be automatically controlled based on information from the monitoring device.

[0012] For example, the observation device, in the form of an optical sensor and / or a camera, can be directed at the surface to be disinfected and thus capture information about it. This information can be evaluated by the computer unit, for example using image processing, to determine whether the surface needs to be disinfected. Such surface information can also be used to ensure that the respective surface element is precisely targeted and disinfected by the projection device, despite individual height adjustments. Accordingly, the computer unit can adjust, for example, the mirror of the laser beam scanner to direct the light beam to the appropriate areas.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the computer unit can use the information to determine the surface properties, such as material and structure, and then, based on the result, control the wavelength, intensity, and / or illumination time of the light beam emitted by the projector, tailored to the specific surface properties. This allows for the protection of particularly sensitive surfaces, as the disinfection process is optimally adapted to these specific surface properties. Based on the result, the computer unit can also, for example, illuminate certain areas on the projection surface with particular intensity or illuminate certain areas with lower intensity, since these areas of the surface consist of a particularly sensitive material.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring device, e.g., in the form of an optical sensor or a camera, can be positioned and designed to monitor a space in which the surface disinfection system is located and / or a user of the surface disinfection system. With such a monitoring device, it can be advantageously determined, for example, whether or not people or animals are present in the area of ​​the projection device, e.g., inside a vehicle, and a disinfection process can only be triggered if no people are present. For example, an outward-facing monitoring device on a vehicle can also be advantageously used to terminate the disinfection process when a person returns to the vehicle.Such a monitoring device, in combination with a projection device, allows surfaces in a room to be disinfected even when people are present. For example, based on information from the monitoring device, the computer unit can only release surfaces in the room for disinfection that are not currently in use. Alternatively or additionally, the computer unit can control the projection device in such a way that people in the room are not scanned and therefore not hit by a light beam. Thus, the surface disinfection system according to the invention offers a significant advantage over, for example, a simple UV lamp.

[0015] Advantageously, artificial intelligence or machine learning can also be used, which is operationally linked to a corresponding assistance device, e.g. to collect information about the usage times of the surface disinfection system and to learn when a user uses the surface disinfection system or a room, e.g. the interior of a vehicle in which the surface disinfection system is located, and when not, and only provide a disinfection process for unused periods.

[0016] If the light source is a laser light source, and the beam generator produces a modulated collimated light beam (LBM), it is particularly easy to generate corresponding light beams with disinfection function and high intensity.

[0017] If the light source has a focusable LED, a particularly cost-effective design can be created.

[0018] Overall, the solution according to the invention enables the automatic disinfection of surfaces without the need for human intervention. Furthermore, the solution is less prone to errors, systematically plannable, and reproducible. It can be performed automatically while a vehicle is stationary. It avoids the introduction of chemicals that could potentially damage the surface or to which some people might have allergic reactions.

[0019] A surface disinfection system according to the invention can be used, for example, for disinfecting surfaces in the home, especially in the kitchen; for disinfecting surfaces in professionally run businesses and kitchens that have a high demand for hygienically clean surfaces; for disinfecting surfaces in a hospital; or, for example, for disinfecting surfaces in a vehicle, e.g., for car-sharing solutions, taxi companies, public transport, airplanes, and / or vehicle rental companies. This can advantageously save personnel and money. In contrast to a UV lamp, cleaning can be carried out very precisely and, in conjunction with a camera system, can selectively disinfect surfaces even when people are present in the room, e.g., by simply excluding people from the scan.

[0020] Further details of the invention and its advantages can also be found in the following description of the figures. These show Fig. 1 schematically an imaging unit; Fig. 2 schematically an embodiment of an imaging unit as part of a surface disinfection system according to the invention; Fig. 3 schematically another embodiment of an imaging unit as part of a surface disinfection system according to the invention; Fig. 4 schematically another embodiment of an imaging unit as part of a surface disinfection system according to the invention; Fig. 5 schematically an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention; Fig. 6 schematically a first application scenario of an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention; Fig. 7 schematically a second application scenario of an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention; Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a third application scenario of an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention. Character description

[0021] To better understand the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The same reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or equivalently acting elements and are not necessarily described again for each figure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that the described features can also be combined or modified without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows an imaging unit 2 with light sources 14R, 14G, 14B, which are implemented as laser diodes. The light emitted by each light source is collimated, indicated here by lenses 151. By means of a mirror 161 or by means of two dichroic lenses 162, 163, the light emitted by the three light sources is combined in a common direction of propagation. It passes through a lens, which here schematically represents an illumination optic 155. It is then deflected by the mirror unit 73, acting as an image transmitter 11, according to an image to be displayed. It then reaches a lens, which here schematically represents a projection optic 156. It then reaches a diffuser 172 arranged in the projection surface 21 of the projection optic 156. After the diffuser 172, the light continues as a beam SB1.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows an embodiment of an imaging unit 200, which is part of a surface disinfection system according to the invention. In addition to the light sources 14R, 14G, 14B, which are used to generate a regular RGB projection image, a laser light source 14UV, here a laser diode, is used, which generates ultraviolet light. The light emitted by the UV light source 14UV travels the same path as the RGB light from the three other light sources. The light emitted by the three RGB light sources 14R, 14G, 14B is combined into a common direction of propagation by means of three dichroic reflectors 162, 163, 165. The light emitted by the UV light source 14UV is directed into the same beam path as that of the RGB light sources by means of a mirror 164.The imaging unit is exclusively focused on a projection surface 21, for illuminating and generating an RGB projection image on it using the RGB light sources 14R, 14G, 14B and / or for disinfecting it using the UV light source 14UV. A computer unit, not shown here, controls the UV light source 14UV and the three other light sources 14R, 14G, 14B. The computer unit controls the UV light source, or rather its emitted light beam, in terms of intensity and illumination time.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows another embodiment of an imaging unit 220, which is part of a surface disinfection system according to the invention. This differs from the one shown in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 differs in that only laser light sources generating UV light or low-wavelength blue light are arranged within the imaging unit. Specifically, the imaging unit contains a laser light source 14UVA, a laser light source 14UVB, a laser light source 14UVC, and a laser light source 14NB. The 14UVA laser light source generates light in the UV-A wavelength range between 380 nm and 315 nm, the 14UVB laser light source generates light in the UV-B wavelength range between 315 nm and 280 nm, the 14UVC laser light source generates light in the UV-C wavelength range between 280 nm and 100 nm, and the 14NB laser light source generates light in a low blue wavelength range between 475 nm and 380 nm. A computer unit, not shown here, controls the light sources, specifically the intensity and duration of their emitted light beams.Additionally, depending on requirements and suitability, the computer unit can select one or several of the light sources simultaneously to start a disinfection process.

[0025] Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows a further embodiment of an imaging unit 230, which is part of a surface disinfection system according to the invention. In addition to the light sources 14R, 14G, 14B, which are used to generate a regular RGB projection image, a highly focusable UV light-emitting diode (UV-LED) 14UVLED, which generates ultraviolet light, is used as a UV light source. The light emitted by the UV-LED 14UVLED follows the same path as the RGB light from the three other light sources. The light emitted by the three RGB light sources 14R, 14G, 14B is combined in a common direction of propagation by means of three dichroic lenses 162, 163, 165. It passes through a lens, which here schematically represents an illumination optic 155. It is then deflected by means of the mirror unit 73 as an image transmitter 11 according to an image to be displayed. It then reaches a lens, which here schematically represents a projection optic 156.It then reaches a diffuser 172 located in the projection surface 21' of the projection optics 156. After the diffuser 172, the light continues as a beam SB1. The light emitted by the UV LED 14UVLED is directed by a mirror 164 into the same beam path as that of the RGB light sources. A computer unit, not shown here, controls the UV light source 14UV and the three other light sources 14R, 14G, and 14B. The computer unit controls the UV light source, or rather its emitted light beam, in terms of intensity and illumination time. Additionally, depending on requirements and suitability, the computer unit can select one or more of the light sources simultaneously to project an image at the same time as the RGB light sources and to use the UV light source for a disinfection process.

[0026] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention, comprising a laser beam scanner 22 as the imaging unit 200 and a projection surface 21. The beam generator 140 produces a modulated collimated light beam LBM. The beam generator 140 contains, for example, light sources 14R, 14G, 14B, a UV light source 14UV, lenses 151, mirrors 164, dichroics 162, 163, 165, illumination optics 155, and electronic control elements, which are not shown in this figure. The modulated light beam LBM is reflected by the mirror unit 73. The reflected light beam LBR passes through a projection optic 156 and reaches the projection surface 21. Through modulation, the light beam LBM carries image information that is coordinated with a movement of the mirror unit 73, so that the image to be displayed is formed on the projection surface 21 when the reflected light beam LBR is moved.A computer unit 52, which is designed to control the intensity and illumination time of the light beam emitted by the projection device 22, is connected to the same.

[0027] Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a first application scenario of an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention, which uses a laser beam scanner 22 (LBS: laser beam scanner) as a projection device with an imaging unit 200. Fig. Figure 2 shows a system that is installed inside a vehicle 100. The LBS 22 is shown, for example, mounted on a rearview mirror of the vehicle 100. The LBS 22 uses RGB light sources to project an image onto the dashboard, which serves as the projection surface 21. The projection is indicated here as a direction and speed indication. A computer unit 52 executes an algorithm that controls the LBS 22 to generate the desired image at the desired location. Since the dashboard is not a flat surface but a three-dimensionally curved surface, the projection surface 21 is also curved accordingly. The computer unit takes this curvature into account when controlling the LBS 22. Furthermore, the computer unit is configured to switch on the UV light source 14UV when necessary for a disinfection process, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2, and to control their intensity and illumination time. For example, another LBS 22' is arranged on the rearview mirror of the vehicle, which contains an imaging unit 2. Fig. 1. This LBS 22' is aligned with a side window, which forms its projection surface 21'. A circular diffuser 172 is arranged on the side window. The laser light coming from the LBS 22' is scattered by the diffuser 172 into a limited angular range. Depending on the scattering properties of the diffuser 172, a real image is visible both from inside the vehicle and from outside the vehicle, as long as the viewer's eye is within the corresponding angular range, i.e., in the eyebox. Alternatively, the LBS 22' could also, for example, be an imaging unit 230. Fig. 4, in order to be able to perform a disinfection process of the side window with the additional UV LED.

[0028] Fig. Figure 7 schematically shows a second application scenario of an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention, which includes a projection device with an imaging unit 220. Fig. 3 features an LBS 22", which is located inside a vehicle 100, specifically on the roof lining. The LBS 22" projects using the laser light sources 14UVA, 14UVB, 14UVC, 14NB, as shown in Fig. 3. Corresponding UV light and / or light in the low blue wavelength range is projected onto the steering wheel, which serves as the projection surface 21". This disinfects the steering wheel when it is illuminated. The LBS 22" with imaging unit 220 is used exclusively for surface disinfection. A computer unit 52, operationally coupled to the LBS 22", is configured to switch on the LBS 22" or the individual laser light sources as needed for disinfection and to control their intensity and illumination time. A light beam LBR, reflected by a mirror unit and exiting the LBS 22", is moved across a solid angle defined by the computer unit 52, scanning or rasterizing the projection surface. The computer unit thus determines the appearance of the projected image.Which areas of a surface, the projection surface, are illuminated with appropriate light, scanned, or scanned. Using an input device 110, here exemplified by a touchscreen 110, a user, e.g., the driver, can input when a disinfection process, here e.g., of the steering wheel, should be started. The user chooses to have disinfection processes take place only when no one is inside the vehicle and enters the desired process in a corresponding program or menu within the touchscreen or an app, e.g., on a smartphone. A monitoring device 111, here exemplified by an interior camera 111, monitors the interior of the vehicle 100 and can thus determine the absence of people inside the vehicle.As soon as the driver, the only person present, leaves vehicle 100, the information from the interior camera 111 is evaluated by the control unit and used to start the steering wheel disinfection process. Using an external camera (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, the control unit detects that the driver has returned after 10 minutes and is about to get back into vehicle 100. The control unit 52 then ends the disinfection process by switching off the LBS 22". Since the disinfection process would have required another 5 minutes for optimal results, the control unit 52 instructs the touchscreen 110 to display that the steering wheel disinfection process was prematurely terminated and would have required another 5 minutes for optimal results.The driver decides to cancel the disinfection process and postpone it to a later time, using voice input to issue the corresponding instruction. The computer unit 52 then postpones the disinfection process to a later time, once no one is present inside vehicle 100.

[0029] Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a third application scenario of an embodiment of a surface disinfection system according to the invention, which comprises a projection device with an imaging unit 230. Fig. Figure 4 features an LBS 22''', which is located inside a vehicle 100, specifically on the headliner. The LBS 22'' projects an image onto the windshield, which serves as the projection surface 21''', using RGB light sources. The projected image is indicated here as a direction and speed indication. A computer unit 52 executes an algorithm that controls the output of the LBS 22''' to generate the desired image at the desired location. Furthermore, the computer unit 52 is configured to switch on the UV LED 14UVLED when required for disinfection, e.g., of the windshield or the dashboard, as shown in Figure 4. Fig.4, and to control their intensity and illumination time. An observation device 112, exemplified here by an optical sensor 112, which is arranged below the windshield at a windshield base, observes the projected image that falls onto the windshield and also observes, in the case of a windshield disinfection process, the illumination, scanning, or scanning of the windshield with the light beam LBR, which leaves the LBS 22'''. Information about the disinfection process can be collected via the optical sensor 112, which can be evaluated by the computer unit 52, e.g., by means of image processing, and which can be used, for example, to determine whether the corresponding surface needs to be disinfected or whether a disinfection process has been successful.Such surface information can also be used to ensure that the respective surface element is precisely targeted and disinfected by the projection device, despite individual height adjustments. Accordingly, the computer unit 52 can adapt, for example, the mirror of the projection device to direct the light beam LBR to the appropriate points on the projection surface 21'''.

Claims

[1] Surface disinfection system comprising: - a laser beam scanner as a projection device (22, 22'', 22''') with beam generator (140) for generating a light beam (LBM) and mirror unit (73) for reflecting the light beam (LBM) and for moving the reflected light beam (LBR) over a predetermined solid angle range, wherein the projection device (22, 22'', 22''') has a light source of a wavelength less than 475 nm, - a projection surface (21, 21'', 21''') over which the light beam (LBR) emitted by the projection device (22, 22'', 22''') can be moved, and - a computing unit (52) which is designed to control the intensity and illumination time of the light beam emitted by the projection device (22, 22'', 22'''). [2] Surface disinfection system according to claim 1, wherein the projection system comprises a plurality of projection devices (22, 22'', 22''''). [3] Surface disinfection system according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the computing unit (52) is configured to control a wavelength of the light beam emitted by the projection device (22, 22'', 22'''' ). [4] Surface disinfection system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface disinfection system is operationally connected to an assistance device, and wherein the computer unit (52) is configured to control the surface disinfection system based on information from the assistance device. [5] Surface disinfection system according to claim 4, wherein the assistance device comprises an input device (110). [6] Surface disinfection system according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the assisting device comprises an observation device (111). [7] Surface disinfection system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises a laser light source (14UV, 14UVA, 14UVB, 14UVC) and the beam generator produces a modulated collimated light beam (LBM). [8] Surface disinfection system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises a focusable UV LED (14UVLED).

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