Vehicle Cabin Aerosol Disinfection Using Controlled Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial disinfection methods for public transport vehicles, particularly railway vehicles, face challenges in controlling air flows and dosing disinfection products effectively due to controlled ventilation systems, leading to inefficiencies and potential overuse, which complicates the evaluation of disinfection operations and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize controlled air circulation modes between closed and open circuits to optimize the distribution and evacuation of aerosol disinfectants within railway vehicles, featuring timed operations and controlled door management to ensure thorough disinfection and minimize product usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If controlled ventilation systems are used in transport vehicles, then air circulation and temperature control are improved, but control of airflow entering and leaving the vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system switches to closed-circuit circulation mode before releasing the aerosol product, preparing the environment in advance to contain the disinfectant. This preliminary action ensures that airflow control is established prior to disinfection, allowing effective dosing without interference from external air exchange.
2Reliability
If aerosol product is released into vehicle interior air, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but assessment of disinfection operations and dosing control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses timers controlled by control means to precisely manage the duration of aerosol release and closed-circuit circulation. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate dosing by automatically controlling the timing sequences, allowing assessment of disinfection operations through predetermined time parameters rather than manual estimation.
3Reliability
If more aerosol product is used to ensure thorough disinfection, then disinfection coverage is improved, but product cost and pollution risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system switches to closed-circuit circulation mode before releasing the aerosol product, preparing the environment in advance to contain the disinfectant. This prevents product loss through ventilation, ensuring thorough disinfection coverage with optimized dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses timed periodic cycles of closed-circuit circulation followed by aerosol release and then open-circuit evacuation. This periodic action sequence ensures complete disinfection coverage while controlling total product usage through automated timing, preventing both under-dosing and excessive product consumption.
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
This approach allows for precise and efficient disinfection of interior air, enhancing the effectiveness of germicidal treatment while reducing the risk of overuse and pollution, thereby improving the control and cost-effectiveness of the disinfection process.
Implementation Method 1
Release of an aerosol product into the vehicle's interior air
Implementation Method 2
air circulation means for said vehicle between a closed-circuit circulation mode and an open-circuit circulation mode
Implementation Method 3
evacuation of the aerosol product by switching to the open circulation mode
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates mainly to a method for disinfecting the interior of a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, by air, which vehicle includes air circulation means (2) controlled by control and command means for said vehicle between a closed-circuit circulation mode and an open-circuit circulation mode in which the interior air (18) is renewed with air (17) from outside the vehicle, which method includes at least the successive steps of: • Actuating the closed circulation mode by the control and command means; • Releasing an aerosol product into the interior air (18) of the vehicle; • Starting a timer by the control and command means, and • At the end of the timer, evacuating the aerosol product by switching to the open circulation mode by the control and command means.