Conductive Thread Electromagnetic Sanitization for Ride-Sharing Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous ride-sharing vehicles accumulate germs and microbes on surfaces and in the air, posing health risks to passengers, and existing cleaning methods require the vehicle to be taken out of service, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system using conductive threads within the vehicle to create pulsed electromagnetic fields that kill microbes on surfaces and ionize air particles, which are then removed by an electrode filter, allowing for sanitization during charging cycles without disrupting vehicle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods are used to sanitize the vehicle compartment, then microbes and airborne particles are removed, but the vehicle must be taken out of service resulting in loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning systems with an electromagnetic field-based sanitization system. Conductive threads embedded in the compartment generate electromagnetic fields that kill microbes and ionize airborne particles, eliminating the need for physical cleaning operations and allowing continuous vehicle operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the cleaning process by using electromagnetic field parameters (frequency, intensity) to achieve sanitization. By adjusting electromagnetic field parameters, the system effectively kills microbes and removes particles without requiring vehicle shutdown
2Reliability
If the vehicle is taken out of service for cleaning, then thorough sanitization can be achieved, but operational productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic field sanitization system operates continuously or periodically without interrupting vehicle service. The conductive threads can be activated during normal operation or charging cycles, maintaining continuous productivity while ensuring ongoing sanitization
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitization system is self-contained within the vehicle compartment through embedded conductive threads. The vehicle sanitizes itself using its own electromagnetic field generation capability, eliminating the need for external cleaning services and maintaining operational continuity
3Loss of time
If electromagnetic fields are used to kill microbes, then sanitization is achieved without stopping vehicle operation, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic field sanitization operates periodically rather than continuously, activating conductive threads at intervals or during specific periods such as charging cycles. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining effective sanitization and vehicle availability
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic field system serves multiple functions: killing microbes, ionizing airborne particles, and potentially assisting with air filtration. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple sanitization tasks into a single energy-consuming process, improving overall energy efficiency
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 sanitizes the vehicle compartment by killing microbes and removing airborne particles without requiring the vehicle to be taken out of service, ensuring passenger safety and maintaining operational readiness.
Implementation Method 1
causing electric current to flow through a conductive thread within the compartment to thereby create an electromagnetic field that is pulsed at a frequency within the compartment
Implementation Method 2
The electric current is caused to flow through the conductive thread to create gas ions within the compartment
Implementation Method 3
Air that is within the compartment is moved so that that the gas ions adhere to airborne particles in the air, thereby forming charged airborne particles
Implementation Method 4
The filter includes an electrode that attracts the charged airborne particles to thereby remove the charged airborne particles from the air
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cleaning a compartment includes a conductive thread incorporated near a surface that has microbes on it. An electric current may flow through the conductive thread to kill the microbes on the surface through low-frequency electromagnetic pulse sterilization of the surface. The conductive trace is also in contact with air in the compartment. The electric current flowing through the conductive trace also ionizes the air within the compartment, which produces charged particles that are removed from the air.