Deep UV Vehicle Sanitization Control With Battery-Safe Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In car sharing and taxi services, existing sanitization technologies face challenges in maintaining vehicle cleanliness, power consumption leading to battery drain, and insufficient disinfection efficacy, especially when multiple users share a vehicle, and users lack assurance of a clean environment.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular sanitization control system utilizing deep ultraviolet LEDs, a rechargeable battery, and solar charging, with a control unit that switches power sources and displays operational status, ensuring continuous sanitization without battery drain and visible indication of sanitization activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sanitization is performed using ions during vehicle usage, then the vehicle can be sanitized while being used by a user, but the ability to inactivate coronavirus may be poor and sanitization may take time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the light source from conventional UV or ion-based sanitization to deep ultraviolet LED with wavelength of 200nm or less. This parameter change enables rapid inactivation of viruses and bacteria while maintaining high disinfection efficacy, resolving the contradiction between sanitization speed and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces ion-based sanitization mechanisms with deep ultraviolet LED light emission. The deep UV light directly damages the genetic material of pathogens, providing rapid and reliable disinfection without the limitations of ion-based methods, thus improving both speed and efficacy
2Ease of operation
If sanitization is performed using the vehicle battery, then the vehicle sanitizer can be powered, but there is a concern that a dead battery of the vehicle may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sanitization cycles triggered by vehicle usage patterns. The control unit detects when the vehicle has been used and automatically initiates sanitization cycles, ensuring the vehicle is sanitized between uses without requiring continuous operation. This periodic action reduces overall battery consumption while maintaining sanitization availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects vehicle usage through the control unit and autonomously activates the deep ultraviolet LED sanitization function without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and initiating appropriate sanitization cycles, reducing the energy burden on the vehicle battery
3Area of stationary object
If multiple sanitizers are mounted on the vehicle to sanitize every corner, then complete coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases and the possibility of dead battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle interior into multiple zones with separate deep ultraviolet LED modules positioned at different locations. Each module covers a specific zone, and the control unit activates only the modules needed for the current sanitization cycle based on vehicle usage patterns. This segmentation provides comprehensive coverage while allowing selective operation to reduce power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple deep ultraviolet LED modules but activates only a partial set based on actual vehicle usage and required coverage areas. Rather than running all modules simultaneously, the control unit determines the minimum necessary activation to achieve effective sanitization, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate coverage
4Reliability
If conventional UV or ion sanitization is used, then the vehicle can be sanitized, but it is difficult to obtain a sense of security when riding as users cannot know whether the vehicle is maintained in a clean state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a visible light source that emits different colored lights to indicate sanitization status. When the deep ultraviolet LED is operating, a corresponding visible light indicator changes color or illuminates to show users that sanitization is in progress or has been completed. This visual feedback provides transparency and reassures users about the cleanliness status of the vehicle
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 efficiently sanitizes vehicle interiors, preventing battery drain and providing users with assurance of cleanliness, even when the vehicle is parked, by using deep ultraviolet light and solar charging, while minimizing power consumption and visible light usage.
Implementation Method 1
a deep ultraviolet LED that emits a deep ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of, for example, 222 [nm] can inactivate viruses and bacteria
Implementation Method 3
a solar panel mounted on the vehicle; a rechargeable internal power source
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicular sanitization control device includes a rechargeable internal power source, a deep ultraviolet light source, a first display light source configured to display an operating state of the deep ultraviolet light source, a second display light source configured to display a state of charge of the internal power source, and a control unit configured to control a power supplied to the deep ultraviolet light source, a charging operation of the internal power source, and displays of the first display light source and the second display light source, respectively.