Autonomous UV Disinfection Robot for Complete Surface Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices for disinfecting indoor areas are inefficient in covering all contaminated surfaces and may reintroduce contaminants when operated by personnel, posing risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An actuated mobile device equipped with ultraviolet (UV) light sources that autonomously navigates a predetermined area, adjusts its path, and utilizes additional light sources or reflective surfaces to ensure thorough disinfection, minimizing human exposure and time required for disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device is used to disinfect indoor areas, then human exposure to UV light is reduced and safety is improved, but the device may fail to disinfect all contaminated surfaces effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device dynamically adjusts its navigation path based on real-time sensor feedback about surface types and contamination levels. The system transitions from static pre-programmed routes to adaptive dynamic path planning, allowing the device to optimize its movement pattern to ensure complete surface coverage while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensors that detect surface characteristics and contamination presence, feeding this information back to the control system. This feedback loop enables the device to adjust its disinfection strategy in real-time, ensuring all contaminated surfaces are treated while avoiding unnecessary exposure in clean areas
2Reliability
If the mobile device outputs UV light to disinfect surfaces, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but the time required for complete area coverage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies UV light at varying intensities and durations based on detected contamination levels. High-contamination areas receive extended exposure or higher intensity UV treatment, while low-contamination areas receive reduced treatment. This partial action approach ensures complete disinfection of critical surfaces while reducing overall treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection process is segmented into multiple zones based on contamination risk levels. The device divides the indoor area into high-priority, medium-priority, and low-priority zones, applying different UV treatment protocols to each segment. This segmentation allows simultaneous treatment of multiple areas with differentiated exposure parameters, reducing total disinfection time
3Reliability
If the mobile device navigates autonomously to cover all surfaces, then disinfection coverage is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: navigation, surface detection, contamination analysis, and UV disinfection. By making the device universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized equipment while achieving complete surface coverage through integrated autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-navigation and self-adjustment of disinfection parameters based on environmental feedback. The autonomous navigation system and adaptive control algorithms enable the device to service itself, making decisions about path planning and UV application without external intervention, thereby managing complexity through automation
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
Effectively disinfects surfaces and air without human intervention, reducing the risk of re-contamination and improving efficiency by ensuring all areas receive the required UV dosage, thereby reducing the spread of infectious agents.
Implementation Method 1
a first dosage of ultraviolet (UV) light to be output from at least one light source
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a method of receiving, at an actuated mobile device, at least one dosage level for a predetermined area, where the at least one dosage level is based on a first dosage of ultraviolet (UV) light to be output from at least one light source for at least a portion of the predetermined area. The method may include moving the actuated mobile device in a path within the predetermined area and outputting the UV light from the at least one light source onto one or more first surfaces based on the received at least one dosage level. The method may include moving the actuated mobile device within the path, and outputting the UV light onto one or more second surfaces based on the received at least one dosage level.