Automated Room Disinfection Device with Sensor Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfection methods for rooms, especially hospital rooms, are time-consuming and labor-intensive as they require manual intervention to maintain minimum room temperature, relative humidity, and disinfectant concentration levels, necessitating repeated entry into the room to adjust parameters.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated disinfection device equipped with sensors and a controller that monitors and adjusts the application of disinfectant, ensuring the parameters are maintained within legal limits without human intervention, using a system of switching valves and multiple disinfectant containers to optimize disinfection efficiency and minimize disinfectant usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring and adjustment of disinfection parameters is performed, then parameter control can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfection system automatically monitors parameters (temperature, humidity, disinfectant concentration) and adjusts them without human intervention. The control unit receives sensor signals and autonomously actuates switching valves to maintain optimal conditions, eliminating the need for manual entry and adjustment during the disinfection process.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor disinfection parameters and send signals to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the disinfectant dispensing and environmental conditions to maintain parameters within required ranges, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures reliable parameter control while reducing time loss.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment of disinfection parameters is performed, then parameter optimization is possible, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-optimization by automatically adjusting disinfectant dispensing rates and environmental parameters based on real-time sensor feedback. The control unit autonomously manages parameter optimization without requiring operator intervention, thereby maintaining reliable parameter control while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment operations are replaced by an automated electronic control system. Sensors, control units, and automated valves substitute for manual monitoring and adjustment actions, reducing operational complexity while maintaining or improving parameter optimization through consistent automated control.
3Reliability
If disinfectant is applied in a controlled manner with monitoring, then disinfection quality is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfection system is divided into modular functional components: sensor modules for parameter detection, a control unit for processing signals, switching valves for controlled disinfectant dispensing, and a dispensing nozzle system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably, ensuring disinfection quality while managing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives signals from various sensors (temperature, humidity, disinfectant concentration), processes this information, and actuates switching valves to control disinfectant flow. This multi-functionality consolidates control operations into a single device, ensuring reliable disinfection quality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Productivity
If automated control system is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system operates autonomously without human intervention during the disinfection process. Sensors continuously monitor parameters and the control unit automatically adjusts disinfectant dispensing and environmental conditions, enabling rapid completion of disinfection cycles and improving productivity while the self-service nature reduces the need for complex manual control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from sensors enables the control unit to make immediate adjustments to maintain optimal disinfection conditions. This closed-loop control ensures high productivity by preventing deviations from optimal parameters, while the feedback mechanism provides simple binary signals (above/below threshold) that simplify the control logic despite the automated functionality.
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
Enables rapid, efficient, and automated disinfection of rooms without human presence, ensuring all surfaces are effectively disinfected while minimizing disinfectant consumption and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is, for example, a temperature sensor used to measure and monitor the room temperature
Implementation Method 2
The additional sensor is advantageously designed to detect and monitor the relative humidity in the room
Implementation Method 3
A third sensor is advantageously included to detect and monitor the concentration of disinfectant in the room during the disinfection process
Implementation Method 4
The disinfectant is drawn from the container by the Venturi principle, so that it emerges from the dispensing nozzle
Data Source
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AI summary
The disinfection device is designed for disinfecting rooms and has at least one container (3, 4) for a disinfectant. At least one dispensing unit (1) is connected to the container (3, 4) via a line (5 to 7), through which the disinfectant is dispensed. A switching valve (8 to 10) is located in the line (5 to 7). It is connected to a control unit (11), to which at least one sensor (16 to 18) is connected. This sensor monitors a parameter critical for the disinfection process in the room to be disinfected. The disinfectant is introduced into the room in a controlled spray pattern. The concentration of disinfectant in the room is monitored by at least one sensor (18) such that the concentration of the disinfectant in the room remains above a predetermined minimum value.