Autonomous UV Disinfection System with Human Presence Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV decontamination systems for hospital rooms are labor-intensive, prone to human error, and inadequate for ensuring thorough disinfection of all surfaces due to their manual operation and design limitations, which can lead to incomplete disinfection and interference with workflow.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous disinfectant system that includes a disinfectant module and a sensing module with multiple sensors to detect human presence, allowing for automated UV disinfection only when the space is clear, ensuring thorough and efficient disinfection without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual UV decontamination devices are used, then disinfection can be performed, but the operation becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects human presence and activates UV disinfection without requiring manual operation. The control unit monitors sensor inputs and autonomously controls the UV light source, eliminating the need for operators to physically move and position devices while ensuring consistent disinfection execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors (acoustic, optical, electromagnetic) to detect human presence and triggers UV disinfection automatically. This substitution eliminates labor-intensive physical handling while maintaining disinfection reliability.
2Reliability
If manually operated UV devices are deployed, then terminal disinfection can be achieved, but human error increases and foolproof instructions are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the environment for human presence and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism ensures disinfection only occurs when safe, preventing human error while maintaining operational reliability and eliminating the need for manual verification procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system independently manages the entire disinfection process, from detecting appropriate conditions to activating UV sources and monitoring completion. This self-service approach eliminates reliance on human operators to follow procedures correctly, reducing operational errors while maintaining disinfection completeness.
3Device complexity
If single point UV emission sources are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but shadowed areas are not adequately disinfected
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the disinfection function into multiple UV light sources positioned at different locations within the enclosed space. Each light source addresses specific areas, collectively providing comprehensive coverage of all surfaces including shadowed regions, while maintaining individual source simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point UV emission source to a distributed array of UV sources positioned throughout the three-dimensional space. This dimensional expansion ensures that UV radiation reaches all surfaces from multiple angles, eliminating shadowed areas while keeping each individual source relatively simple.
4Productivity
If UV decontamination is performed manually, then workflow interference occurs, but automated systems require complex sensing and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes inputs from various sensor types (acoustic, optical, electromagnetic), determines human presence absence, controls UV light source activation, and monitors disinfection completion. This multi-functionality consolidates system complexity into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical deployment with an integrated electronic control system that uses standard sensor technologies to detect environmental conditions and automatically manages UV disinfection. This substitution achieves automation with relatively simple, off-the-shelf components rather than complex custom mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides efficient and thorough disinfection of hospital rooms, reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections by ensuring all surfaces are treated without labor-intensive manual operation and minimizing human error, while maintaining a high safety threshold to prevent exposure to UV radiation.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing module including at least one sensor for sensing the presence of all substantially stationary and/or an intermittently mobile humans or animals within the enclosed space
Implementation Method 2
One such technology is the use of Ultra Violet (UV) radiation. UV radiation occupies the part of the electromagnetic spectrum just below visible light (shorter wavelengths). UV radiation is germicidal as photons of this frequency carry enough energy to damage cell structures and DNA.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a disinfectant system in the form of an autonomous device for performing a disinfectant operation within an enclosed space defined by the walls, ceiling and floor of a room when a predefined condition, in the form of the absence of a human being within the room, is met. The purpose of the system is environmental decontamination and specifically to inactivate pathogenic organisms. The device includes a disinfectant module for carrying out the disinfectant operation when there is an absence of a human being within the room, and a sensing module for sensing the presence of a substantially stationary human being within the room.