Integrated non-contact intelligent washstand for aircraft washroom

Abstract

The invention discloses an integrated non-contact intelligent washstand for an aircraft washroom, and belongs to the technical field of aircraft passenger cabin equipment. The multifunctional soap box comprises an integrally-formed seamless curved-surface main body structure and integrates the functions of water flow, liquid soap, high-speed hand drying, illumination and disinfection. Full-process non-contact operation is realized through approaching / hand pressing multi-mode induction; the central control unit coordinates all the modules to work and controls the UV-C lamp and the atomization spray to perform automatic disinfection; the system has the functions of consumable monitoring, fault diagnosis and data uploading. The problems of potential sanitation hazards, low space utilization, tedious operation, difficulty in cleaning and the like of an existing wash stand are solved, sanitary, efficient, intelligent and easy-to-maintain wash experience is achieved, and the service level and the operation efficiency of an aviation passenger cabin are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an integrated contactless smart washbasin for use in aircraft lavatories. Background Technology

[0002] Aircraft lavatories, as key areas in the cabin with high usage frequency, limited space, and stringent hygiene requirements, present many prominent problems with the application of existing technologies. Traditional equipment such as faucets, soap dispensers, and hand dryers are mostly set up separately, which not only occupies limited space and leads to a cramped layout, but also poses a risk of cross-contamination due to the high-frequency contact surfaces that are prone to the growth and spread of bacteria and viruses.

[0003] Passengers have to operate multiple independent devices sequentially, which is cumbersome and becomes more difficult to operate during bumpy rides, extending the usage time for each passenger and reducing the turnover efficiency of the lavatory. At the same time, dirt easily accumulates in the gaps between the individual devices, making cleaning and maintenance difficult, and the long drying time of traditional hand dryers further affects the user experience and subsequent cleaning work.

[0004] In addition, existing equipment consumes a lot of resources, lacks intelligent management functions, and cannot monitor its status in real time, predict maintenance needs, or provide services such as automatic disinfection. It is difficult to meet the higher requirements of the modern aviation industry for cabin equipment in terms of hygiene and safety, space utilization, efficiency and intelligence.

[0005] Although some improvements have been made in existing technologies, such as infrared sensor faucets, they have not fundamentally solved the core problems caused by the separation of equipment, and have failed to achieve comprehensive optimization of functional integration and intelligent management. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, such as hygiene hazards, low space utilization, cumbersome operation, difficult cleaning and insufficient intelligence, the purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for aircraft.

[0007] An integrated contactless smart washbasin for aircraft lavatories includes a main structure, a contactless sensing and control system, a multi-functional integrated module, and a smart management and interface.

[0008] The front surface of the main structure is a seamless curved surface with multiple output terminals; the output terminals include a water outlet, a soap liquid outlet, a high-speed airflow outlet, a lighting source, and a status indicator light.

[0009] The contactless sensing and control system includes multiple proximity sensors distributed in different specific areas of the main structure, a hand-press sensor installed under the washbasin, a usage status sensor for monitoring the usage process, and a central control unit for receiving and processing sensor signals.

[0010] The multi-functional integrated module includes a water flow module that connects to the aircraft water supply system and has a built-in proportional valve and flow meter, a soap module with a replaceable sealed soap dispenser, a high-speed hand drying module, and a disinfection module with multiple built-in disinfection units, wherein the disinfection units include a UV-C disinfection lamp and an atomizing disinfection spray with a replaceable disinfectant reservoir.

[0011] Intelligent management and interfaces include a data interface for uploading usage data, consumable status and fault codes to the cabin management system, and a quick maintenance interface for connecting ground maintenance equipment;

[0012] The central control unit executes preset control logic to control the coordinated operation of various functional modules, enabling contactless operation, automatic disinfection, and status monitoring. Water supply, sewage discharge, power supply, and data are respectively connected to the corresponding structures of the washroom and the various output terminals of the main structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the high-speed airflow outlet of the high-speed hand dryer module is a narrow slit or an array of nozzles, and the airflow direction forms an "air curtain". The high-speed hand dryer module mainly uses high-speed airflow at room temperature and is equipped with a PTC heater inside.

[0014] The design of narrow slits or array nozzles allows for more concentrated airflow and more uniform coverage. The resulting "air curtain" can completely wrap around the hand area, avoiding the problem of low hand-drying efficiency caused by dispersed airflow. Combined with high-speed airflow at room temperature, it can dry hands within 8 seconds, significantly shortening passenger usage time and reducing the high energy consumption of traditional warm air hand dryers, thus meeting the energy-saving requirements of aviation equipment.

[0015] The internally installed PTC heater can be flexibly activated according to the cabin temperature, improving passenger comfort through precise temperature control. In addition, the PTC heater is small in size and light in weight, which will not increase the overall burden of the equipment and meets the lightweight requirements of aviation equipment.

[0016] Furthermore, the UV-C disinfection lamp has a wavelength of 254nm and is activated by a safety interlock control, only when the washroom door is locked and no one is inside; the atomizing disinfection spray is equipped with a 360° turbine atomizing nozzle, which achieves a horizontal rotation of 270° and a vertical angle of ±45° through 0.3μm ultra-micro atomization technology, with a droplet diffusion radius of 1.2m.

[0017] The 360° turbine atomizing nozzle of the atomizing disinfectant spray, combined with 0.3μm ultra-micro atomization technology, can transform disinfectant into fine droplets. With a horizontal adjustment range of 270° and a vertical adjustment range of ±45°, as well as a diffusion radius of 1.2m, it can cover the surface of the washbasin and surrounding area without any blind spots. Moreover, the ultra-micro droplets evaporate quickly, without leaving residue on the equipment surface or corroding aerospace materials, ensuring thorough disinfection while meeting the safety and cleanliness standards of aviation cabin equipment.

[0018] Furthermore, the control logic executed by the central control unit includes:

[0019] S1. The water flow is activated when a hand is detected approaching the water flow area. The water flow mode can be switched between standard, water-saving, and pulse massage modes.

[0020] S2. When a hand is detected moving to the soap liquid area, soap liquid dispensing is started, and the dispensing volume is controlled by a proportional valve.

[0021] S3. When the hand is detected to have moved to the hand-drying area, the high-speed hand-drying function is activated, supporting the "wash and dry simultaneously" mode, which means that when the hand-drying function is activated, the water flow module continuously outputs water at a very low flow rate.

[0022] S4. After each use, based on the usage duration or number of times threshold, or by a timed method, automatically start UV-C irradiation and / or atomized spray for disinfection.

[0023] Furthermore, the usage status sensor includes a flow meter, a time sensor, and a weight sensor. The weight sensor is used to detect the remaining soap solution and disinfectant. When the remaining amount is lower than a set threshold, an alarm is triggered by flashing a status indicator light, and a low consumable alarm is sent to the CMS via a data interface.

[0024] Furthermore, the data interface is an ARINC429 or CAN interface, and the quick maintenance interface is a standardized quick-connect connector, which can realize quick flushing, sewage discharge, software updates or system diagnostics.

[0025] Furthermore, the lighting source is an LED light source, the color temperature can be adjusted between warm light and white light, and the brightness can be automatically adjusted according to the ambient light or usage status; the status indicator is a ring LED light, which displays the status of idle, occupied, cleaning / disinfecting, fault, and low consumables through different colors or flashing patterns.

[0026] The LED status indicator lights show the washbasin status as follows: Idle - Green / Blue, Occupied - Red / Yellow, Cleaning / Disinfecting - Flashing, Malfunction - Flashing Red, Low Consumables - Flashing Yellow.

[0027] Furthermore, the central control unit is a microprocessor or embedded system with data storage function. It can monitor the operating status of each module, record fault information and generate fault codes when a fault occurs, trigger a red alarm by flashing a status indicator light, and upload the fault codes to the CMS.

[0028] Beneficial effects:

[0029] 1. The fully contactless operation combined with UV-C irradiation and automatic disinfection via atomized spray significantly reduces surface contact and the risk of cross-contamination, thereby significantly improving public health and safety. The integrated streamlined seamless structure eliminates equipment gaps, optimizing the use of limited space in the aircraft lavatory. Combined with self-cleaning / antibacterial coatings and modular design, it greatly reduces cleaning difficulty and maintenance time, improving the convenience of cleaning and maintenance. Intelligent linkage control and the "wash and dry" mode simplify the operation process, shorten passenger usage time, and improve lavatory turnover efficiency.

[0030] Second, the optimized water flow design, high-speed hand drying function with room temperature as the primary operating temperature, and concentrated consumable application effectively reduce water and electricity consumption and waste generation, meeting the requirements of energy conservation and environmental protection. Real-time status monitoring, consumable early warning, and fault diagnosis functions, combined with aviation standard data interfaces, enable intelligent equipment management and predictive maintenance, ensuring operational stability. Comfortable adjustable lighting, a clean operating environment, and efficient operating experience further enhance passenger satisfaction. Moreover, the overall design fully adapts to the stringent environmental requirements of aviation, ensuring compliance with industry standards in terms of weight, safety, and compatibility. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 : A three-dimensional structural diagram of an integrated contactless smart washbasin.

[0032] Figure 2 : Front view of the integrated contactless smart washbasin of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 : Side cross-sectional view of the integrated contactless smart washbasin of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 : Flowchart of the intelligent control logic of this invention.

[0035] Figure 5 : Schematic diagram of the installation of the present invention in an aircraft lavatory.

[0036] In the diagram: 1. Main structure, 11. Water outlet, 12. Soap outlet, 13. High-speed airflow outlet, 14. Light source, 15. Status indicator light, 21. Sign, 22. Proximity sensor, 23. Hand press sensor, 24. Usage status sensor, 25. Central control unit, 321. Sealed soap dispenser, 33. High-speed hand dryer module, 331. Brushless motor, 342a. UV-C disinfection lamp, 342b. Atomizing disinfection spray, 343. Water supply hose, 344. Sewage hose, 41. Data interface, 42. Quick connector, 51. Aviation-grade stainless steel buckle. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To enhance understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] Example 1:

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the main structure 1 of the integrated contactless smart washbasin is integrally formed from 316L stainless steel, with a nano-titanium dioxide-silver ion composite coating on the surface, possessing photocatalytic self-cleaning and long-lasting antibacterial functions. The operating surface is a smooth curved surface, with a circular water outlet 11, a soap outlet 12 located on its left, and a high-speed airflow outlet 13 in a narrow slit at the top. LED lighting 14 and a circular status indicator 15 are embedded in the upper edge. Proximity sensors 22 are distributed at the top and the edge of the operating area. A hand-press sensor 23 is located below the washbasin.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the internal cavity houses: a water flow module containing a proportional valve and flow meter, connected to the water supply pipe; a soap dispenser module containing a replaceable 200ml concentrated hand sanitizer container 321 and a micro peristaltic pump; a high-speed hand dryer module containing a brushless motor-driven centrifugal fan and air duct; a central control unit is an ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller; a UV-C disinfection lamp 342a is mounted on the upper side of the water flow module; and a misting disinfection spray 342b contains a piezoelectric atomizing plate and a 10ml disinfectant tank. All water supply hoses 343 and sewage hoses 344 are connected to the corresponding structures in the washroom, and all cables, power cords, and data cables are led out through the integrated wiring harness interface 42 on the back.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the control logic is as follows: When a passenger enters the lavatory and their hands approach the water flow area, proximity sensor 22 detects a signal, and control unit 25 activates the water flow module in the default standard water dispensing mode. When the hands move to the soap dispenser area, another proximity sensor triggers, and the soap dispenser module dispenses soap once. After rinsing, the hands move to the hand-drying area, triggering a proximity sensor and activating the high-speed hand-drying module 33, which includes a centrifugal fan driven by a brushless motor 331 and an air duct. High-speed airflow is ejected from the top gaps to form an air curtain. After drying, the hands are removed, the sensor signal disappears, and hand-drying stops. Simultaneously, when hand-drying begins, the control unit can also activate the water flow module for a very small flow rate of simultaneous rinsing and drying as an auxiliary rinse.

[0042] After use, the timer starts. After 30 seconds, or if the door is locked and no one is inside, the control unit automatically activates the UV-C lamp 342a for 2 minutes of irradiation and starts the atomizer for 10 seconds of disinfection. The status indicator light flashes blue during disinfection. When the soap solution level is below 20%, the status indicator light flashes yellow, and an alarm is sent to the CMS via data interface 41. Figure 5As shown, the washbasin is secured to the pre-installed frame of the lavatory via seven aerospace-grade stainless steel clips 51 on the back. Water supply hoses, wastewater hoses, and power cords are connected to the lavatory structure, while data cables connect to the aircraft system via quick connectors 42 on the back, enabling rapid installation.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for aircraft lavatories, characterized in that, This includes the main structure, contactless sensing and control system, multi-functional integrated module, and intelligent management and interface; The front surface of the main structure is a seamless curved surface with multiple output terminals; the output terminals include a water outlet, a soap liquid outlet, a high-speed airflow outlet, a lighting source, and a status indicator light. The contactless sensing and control system includes multiple proximity sensors distributed in different specific areas of the main structure, a hand-press sensor installed under the washbasin, a usage status sensor for monitoring the usage process, and a central control unit for receiving and processing sensor signals. The multi-functional integrated module includes a water flow module that connects to the aircraft water supply system and has a built-in proportional valve and flow meter, a soap module with a replaceable sealed soap dispenser, a high-speed hand drying module, and a disinfection module with multiple built-in disinfection units, wherein the disinfection units include a UV-C disinfection lamp and an atomizing disinfection spray with a replaceable disinfectant reservoir. Intelligent management and interfaces include a data interface for uploading usage data, consumable status and fault codes to the cabin management system, and a quick maintenance interface for connecting ground maintenance equipment; The central control unit executes preset control logic to control the coordinated operation of various functional modules, enabling contactless operation, automatic disinfection, and status monitoring. Water supply, sewage discharge, power supply, and data are respectively connected to the corresponding structures of the washroom and the various output terminals of the main structure.

2. The integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for aircraft lavatories according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-speed hand dryer module has a high-speed airflow outlet that is a narrow slit or an array of nozzles, and the airflow direction forms an "air curtain". The high-speed hand dryer module mainly uses high-speed airflow at room temperature and has a PTC heater inside.

3. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for an aircraft lavatory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UV-C disinfection lamp has a wavelength of 254nm and is activated by a safety interlock, meaning it is only activated when the washroom door is locked and no one is inside. The atomizing disinfection spray is equipped with a 360° turbine atomizing nozzle, which uses 0.3μm ultra-micro atomization technology to achieve a horizontal rotation of 270° and a vertical angle of ±45°, with a droplet diffusion radius of 1.2m.

4. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for an aircraft lavatory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control logic executed by the central control unit includes: S1. The water flow is activated when a hand is detected approaching the water flow area. The water flow mode can be switched between standard, water-saving, and pulse massage modes. S2. When a hand is detected moving to the soap liquid area, soap liquid dispensing is started, and the dispensing volume is controlled by a proportional valve. S3. When the hand is detected to have moved to the hand-drying area, the high-speed hand-drying function is activated, supporting the "wash and dry simultaneously" mode, which means that when the hand-drying function is activated, the water flow module continuously outputs water at a very low flow rate. S4. After each use, based on the usage duration or number of times threshold, or by a timed method, automatically start UV-C irradiation and / or atomized spray for disinfection.

5. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for an aircraft lavatory according to claim 4, characterized in that, The usage status sensor includes a flow meter, a time sensor, and a weight sensor. The weight sensor is used to detect the remaining soap solution and disinfectant. When the remaining amount is lower than a set threshold, an alarm is triggered by flashing a status indicator light, and a low consumable alarm is sent to the CMS via a data interface.

6. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for an aircraft lavatory according to claim 4, characterized in that, The data interface is an ARINC429 or CAN interface, and the quick maintenance interface is a standardized quick-connect connector, which can realize quick flushing, sewage discharge, software updates or system diagnostics.

7. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for an aircraft lavatory according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lighting source is an LED light source, the color temperature can be adjusted between warm light and white light, and the brightness can be automatically adjusted according to the ambient light or the usage status; the status indicator is a ring LED light, which displays the status of idle, occupied, cleaning / disinfecting, fault, and low consumables through different colors or flashing patterns.

8. An integrated contactless intelligent washbasin for an aircraft lavatory according to claim 4, characterized in that, The central control unit is a microprocessor or embedded system with data storage function. It can monitor the operating status of each module, record fault information and generate fault codes when a fault occurs, trigger a red alarm by flashing a status indicator light, and upload the fault codes to the CMS.

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