Drone cleaning system

An automated drone cleaning system with ULV disinfection and UV-C sterilization addresses manual cleaning inefficiencies by providing rapid, reliable, and consistent decontamination, enhancing safety and hygiene.

WO2025221218A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-23OSTİM TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/TR2024/051664
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-12-20
Publication Date
2025-10-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Manual drone cleaning is time-consuming, labor-intensive, prone to human error, and inconsistent, posing risks of contamination and inefficiency, especially in sensitive environments.

Method used

An automated drone cleaning system utilizing ULV disinfection and UV-C sterilization, including an acceptance area, ULV disinfection unit, conveyor system, and UV-C sterilization room, ensuring thorough and rapid decontamination.

Benefits of technology

Automated cleaning ensures consistent high hygiene levels, reduces labor and time, minimizes contamination risk, and enables efficient drone use in critical applications.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention is a drone cleaning system and relates to comprises an acceptance area (1 ) on which the drone is placed, a ULV disinfection unit (2) that cleans the contaminants on the surface of the drone by covering the surface of the drone with a disinfectant mist, a UV-C sterilization room (3) that cleans the surface and interior of the drone by means of UV-C lamps (6) located inside, and a conveyor system (4) that automatically transports the drone from the acceptance area (1) to the ULV disinfection unit (2) and the UV-C sterilization room (3).
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Description

[0001] DRONE CLEANING SYSTEM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to an automatic drone cleaning system with ULV disinfection and UV-C sterilization that ensures hygiene and biorisk decontamination of drones.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] In the state of the art, drone cleaning and disinfection operations are performed manually. This process is time-consuming and requires constant personnel. Manual cleaning increases labor costs and creates the risk of human error. In addition, cleaning processes may vary between people, making it difficult to repeat cleaning. This can also increase the risk of contamination.

[0006] Manual cleaning requires constant monitoring of drones during their use. Continuous monitoring process requires greater use of personnel resources. Manual cleaning processes prevent rapid use of drones. The time required for cleaning may be insufficient to reduce the risk of contamination while delaying the effective use of drones. This creates problems in ensuring the hygiene levels of surfaces, especially in sensitive or risky environments.

[0007] During the research carried out in the state of the art, the application numbered CN107804476A has been found. The application relates to a drone cleaning device. The cleaning process is performed in the said device by means of sprinkler head, cleaning brush, sponge, etc. However, ULV disinfection and UV-C sterilization are not used for the said cleaning.

[0008] As a result, due to the drawbacks described above and the inadequacy of existing solutions on the subject, it has been deemed necessary to make a development in the relevant technical field. Object of the Invention

[0009] The main object of the invention is to ensure the hygiene and biorisk decontamination of drones with ULV disinfection and UV-C sterilization. Thus, by automating cleaning and decontamination processes, problems caused by manual processes are solved and higher hygiene levels are provided.

[0010] The object of the invention is to enable users to use drones in a safer and more hygienic way by performing cleaning and decontamination drones quickly, automatically and effectively.

[0011] The invention automates cleaning and decontamination processes and allows drones to be cleaned much faster. This makes it easier to use drones quickly, especially in emergency services or during medical transport.

[0012] The invention ensures the same high level of hygiene every time. The automatic system increases the repeatability of the decontamination process and minimizes the risk of human error.

[0013] Compared to manual cleaning processes, the invention saves labor and time. It reduces the need for personnel and allows drones to complete the cleaning process quickly.

[0014] The invention ensures that surfaces have a higher level of hygiene. ULV disinfection and UV-C sterilization effectively destroy microorganisms, thus ensuring reliability in sensitive environments where drones are used.

[0015] The invention enables more efficient use of cleaning materials and disinfectants.

[0016] The invention minimizes biorisk decontamination and contamination risks. This provides a safety increase in critical applications where drones are used.

[0017] The invention monitors cleaning processes and forms reports. This allows users to monitor, analyze and improve cleaning processes. The invention offers an environmentally friendly cleaning solution using non-corrosive disinfectants. This minimizes negative impacts on the environment.

[0018] The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all its advantages will be understood more clearly by means of the figures given below and the detailed description written by making references to these figures.

[0019] Description of Figures

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the system which is the subject of the invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a side view of the system.

[0022] The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and details that are not necessary to understand the present invention may be omitted.

[0023] Description of Piece References

[0024] 1 . Acceptance area

[0025] 2. ULV disinfection unit

[0026] 3. UV-C sterilization room

[0027] 4. Conveyor system

[0028] 5. Camera

[0029] 6. UV-C lamp

[0030] 7. Disinfectant sprayer

[0031] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] In this detailed description, preferred embodiments of the invention are described only for the purpose of better understanding the subject and in a way that does not form any limiting effect.

[0033] The invention is a drone cleaning system, comprising an acceptance area (1 ) on which the drone is placed, a ULV disinfection unit (2) that cleans the contaminants on the surface of the drone by covering the surface of the drone with a layer of disinfectant fog, a UV-C sterilization room (3) that cleans the surface and interior of the drone by means of UV-C lamps (6) located inside, a conveyor system (4) that automatically transports the drone from the acceptance area (1 ) to the ULV disinfection unit (2) and the UV-C sterilization room (3).

[0034] A drone is placed in the acceptance area (1 ) for cleaning. The ULV disinfection unit (2) covers the surface of the drone with a fine layer of disinfectant mist. The drone is automatically transported to the UV-C sterilization room (3) by the conveyor system (4). The UV-C lamps (6) located in the UV-C sterilization room (3) effectively sterilize the surface and interior of the drone. Thus, the drone leaves the system clean and decontaminated. The system performs cleaning and decontamination of drones quickly, automatically and effectively. This ensures safe and hygienic use of drones.

[0035] The acceptance area (1 ) represents the first step for the drones to clean. The drones are placed in this area and the cleaning process begins. The acceptance area (1 ) automatically places the drones on the conveyor system (4). This allows the drones to start the cleaning process quickly and efficiently.

[0036] The ULV disinfection unit (2) effectively cleans and removes contaminants from the surface of the drone. The ULV disinfection unit (2) completely covers the surface of the drone, thus removing all contaminants from the surface. The ULV disinfection unit (2) is controlled by sensors, which it contains to ensure complete coverage of the drone’s surface. This unit (2) provides the disinfection of the drone’s surface before it is transported to the UV-C sterilization room (3). In the ULV disinfection unit (2), the hygiene level is increased, and microorganisms are eliminated.

[0037] After the ULV disinfection unit (2), the drones are transported to the UV-C sterilization room (3) by the automatic conveyor system (4). In this room (3), there are multiple UV- C lamps (6). Drones are exposed to UV-C radiation in the UV-C sterilization room (3). UV-C radiation effectively destroys microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and spores, providing biohazard decontamination. The drone is exposed to UV-C radiation from all angles to ensure complete sterilization. This room is controlled by sensors to ensure that the drone is exposed to UV-C radiation from all angles. Operations in the UV-C sterilization room (3) are the final stage of the drone's cleaning process. The automatic conveyor system (4) allows the drone to move automatically throughout the cleaning process. The entire process is automatic, and the conveyor system (4) transports the drone from the acceptance area (1 ) to the ULV disinfection unit (2) and then to the UV-C sterilization room (3). This ensures that the cleaning process of the drones is performed quickly and efficiently. This system (4) ensures that the drone is processed equally at each stage.

[0038] The presence of the drone is detected by the camera (5) and the cleaning process is started. The images taken from the camera (5) are transmitted to the processor in a computer and the data is processed. This ensures that the cleaning and sterilization processes proceed correctly. Based on the data received from the camera (5), it is determined which stage the drone is in and whether the process is progressing reliably is checked. In addition, the effectiveness of cleaning and sterilization processes is controlled by processing and monitoring data. The control process provides real-time feedback and shows what is happening at each stage of the process.

[0039] The UV-C lamp (6) is used for drone germination by producing ultraviolet light at germicidal wavelengths. This special beam disrupts the DNA structure of bacteria, viruses, mold and fungal spores in water and neutralizes them. In this way, the sterilization of drone is provided.

[0040] Disinfectant sprayers (7) create a fine mist that covers the surface of the drone using non-corrosive disinfectants. ULV technology provides complete coverage while minimizing the use of disinfectants.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A drone cleaning system, characterized by comprising:• an acceptance area on which the drone is placed (1 ),• a ULV disinfection unit (2) that cleans the contaminants on the surface of the drone by covering with a disinfectant mist,• a UV-C sterilization room (3) that cleans the surface and interior of the drone by means of UV-C lamps (6) located inside,• a conveyor system (4) that automatically transports the drone from the acceptance area (1 ) to the ULV disinfection unit (2) and the UV-C sterilization room (3).

2. The drone cleaning system according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising a camera (5) that detects the presence of the drone and enables the cleaning process to be performed.

3. The drone cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized by comprising a processor within the computer that processes the data received from the camera (5) and enables the monitoring and analysis of cleaning and sterilization processes.

4. The drone cleaning system according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising a UV- C lamp (6) that produces ultraviolet light at germicidal wavelengths.

5. The drone cleaning system according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising disinfectant sprayers (7) that create a mist that covers the surface of the drone using non-corrosive disinfectants.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    CN208897349U

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