Cleaning Machine Disinfection Unit for Surface and Self-Sanitizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning machines lack an effective method for both surface disinfection and self-disinfection, particularly in reducing pathogens to a level that prevents infection transmission, and often require manual disinfection of components.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning machine equipped with a disinfection unit that applies disinfectants to surfaces and its own components, using a combination of tanks for disinfectant storage and concentration adjustment, along with mechanisms for atomization and distribution, allowing for both cleaning and disinfection as separate or combined operations, including self-propelled autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning machine is equipped with both cleaning and disinfection functions, then the machine can perform surface disinfection and self-disinfection, but the device complexity increases due to multiple tanks and concentration adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning machine is designed to perform both cleaning and disinfection functions using a integrated system. The disinfection unit shares the mobile chassis and control systems with the cleaning unit, allowing one machine to fulfill multiple hygiene functions rather than requiring separate cleaning and disinfection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection system is nested within the existing cleaning machine structure. The disinfectant tank and application mechanisms are integrated into the mobile chassis, utilizing the same structural framework, wheels, and control systems already present in the cleaning unit, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If disinfectant concentration is adjusted by metering from multiple containers, then the disinfectant concentration can be optimized for different applications, but the device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfectant concentration is made dynamically adjustable through a metering mechanism that can vary the mixing ratio of disinfectant from concentrate to water. This allows the system to adapt concentration levels in real-time based on different disinfection requirements without requiring multiple pre-mixed solutions or manual preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration parameter of the disinfectant solution by metering different proportions of concentrate and water. This parameter adjustment is achieved through controlled mixing ratios rather than physical changes to the containers or application method, simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Productivity
If the cleaning machine operates autonomously with self-propelled movement, then productivity increases, but the device complexity and control system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning machine is designed to service itself by autonomously navigating the facility, positioning the cleaning and disinfection units, and executing cleaning and disinfection tasks without continuous human intervention. The machine manages its own operation including movement, application timing, and concentration adjustment.
4Reliability
If cleaning and disinfection are performed as separate operations, then each function can be optimized independently, but the loss of time increases due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cleaning and disinfection as continuous sequential operations without interruption. The cleaning unit operates first to remove dirt, then the disinfection unit immediately follows to apply disinfectant, creating an uninterrupted hygiene process that eliminates idle time between operations while maintaining optimal conditions for each function.
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 machine achieves effective surface disinfection by reducing pathogens by at least 5 log 10 levels and ensures self-disinfection of its components, reducing the need for manual disinfection and enhancing hygiene through automated processes.
Implementation Method 1
liquid, vapor and/or gaseous disinfectants are finely atomized or atomized, preferably evenly, onto the liquid, vapor and/or gaseous disinfectants by means of single-substance pressure nozzles such as cone or flat jet nozzles surface to be disinfected is applied
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3(a)
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning machine (1) for surface cleaning with a cleaning unit (2) for removing coarse and/or fine dirt, which is designed such that the cleaning machine has a disinfection unit (3) for applying agents for disinfection for surface disinfection and for self-disinfection (28) of components of the cleaning machine itself.