Aircraft Cabin UV Light Layout for Fast Turnaround Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airplane cabins harbor pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and worms on surfaces and in the air, posing a risk to passenger health and creating negative perceptions of airline travel. Existing manual surface cleaning methods are time-consuming, dependent on crew diligence, and not always effective.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pathogen sterilization light assembly featuring spaced apart sterilization lights that emit ultraviolet light to sterilize pathogens on vehicle cabin surfaces and in the intervening air. This system includes a power controller that selectively powers groups of sterilization lights based on flight information, such as occupancy history and flight schedules, to prioritize sterilization of high-risk areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual surface cleaning methods are used, then cabin surfaces can be cleaned between flights, but the process is time-consuming and dependent on crew diligence and training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated UV-C light sterilization system. The system uses ultraviolet light to sterilize pathogens on cabin surfaces and in the air, eliminating the need for manual wiping and chemical application. This substitution provides consistent, reliable sterilization without depending on crew diligence or training, and can be completed quickly during turnaround time.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization system operates autonomously without requiring human intervention during the cleaning process. The UV-C lights are automatically activated during periods when the cabin is unoccupied, performing sterilization independently. This self-service capability ensures consistent execution of the sterilization function regardless of crew availability or attentiveness.
2Reliability
If all sterilization lights are powered simultaneously, then complete cabin sterilization is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization light system is divided into multiple independently controllable groups or zones. The controller can activate specific groups of lights based on which cabin areas require sterilization, rather than powering all lights simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete sterilization coverage when needed while reducing power consumption by activating only the necessary portions of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller activates only the minimum necessary sterilization light groups required to achieve adequate sterilization coverage, rather than activating all lights at full power. This partial action approach maintains effective sterilization while optimizing power consumption, particularly important during aircraft ground operations with limited power availability.
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 effectively sterilizes pathogens on surfaces and in the air, enhancing passenger safety and comfort by reducing the risk of infection. It improves upon manual cleaning methods by providing a more efficient and consistent sterilization process, even when crew availability is limited.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sterilization lights mounted at spaced apart locations along a cabin of the vehicle and configured to emit ultraviolet light directed toward areas within the cabin to sterilize pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
A pathogen sterilization light assembly for a vehicle cabin is provided herein and may include a plurality of sterilization lights mounted spaced apart along a cabin of the vehicle and configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) light directed toward areas within the cabin to sterilize pathogens.