Self-Propelled Disinfection System Minimizing Shadowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection methods in rooms, such as those in hospitals and clinics, face challenges in ensuring thorough and uniform disinfection of surfaces, particularly due to shadowing by furniture and other objects, leading to incomplete disinfection or excessive exposure of certain areas.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled disinfection system with a movable irradiating unit and a controller that generates a 3D map of the room, determines optimal positions for radiation emission, and adjusts intensity and duration to ensure complete disinfection while avoiding shadowed areas, using UV radiation or other disinfecting particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stationary irradiating unit is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but shadowing by furniture and objects occurs leading to incomplete disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary irradiating unit into a movable one that can traverse the room. The irradiating unit is mounted on a movable platform or robot that can reposition itself to access different areas, including those shadowed by furniture, thereby eliminating dead zones while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated movement control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by introducing vertical movement capability in addition to horizontal positioning. The irradiating unit can adjust its height to irradiate surfaces from different levels, including overhead surfaces and areas blocked from below, thus overcoming shadowing problems that would exist with a single fixed position.
2Reliability
If the irradiating unit moves to all positions to disinfect all surfaces, then disinfection completeness is improved, but the time required for disinfection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by using sensors and 3D mapping to pre-identify all surfaces that require disinfection before the irradiation process begins. The system creates a digital model of the room, marks shadowed areas, and pre-calculates optimal movement paths and irradiation sequences, allowing the system to efficiently visit all necessary positions without unnecessary delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the continuity of useful action principle by maintaining continuous movement and irradiation without idle pauses. The movable irradiating unit follows an optimized trajectory that continuously covers new surfaces while minimizing transition time between positions, ensuring that the disinfection process proceeds at maximum efficiency throughout the entire room.
3Reliability
If radiation intensity is increased to ensure minimum disinfection dose, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but excessive exposure of certain areas occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by adjusting the radiation intensity dynamically based on the specific requirements of each surface being irradiated. The system identifies different surface types and their contamination levels, then applies higher intensity to areas requiring it while reducing intensity for areas closer to the irradiating unit, preventing both insufficient and excessive exposure through localized parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the feedback principle by incorporating sensors that monitor the actual radiation dose received by surfaces in real-time. The system continuously measures the intensity of radiation reaching different areas and adjusts the emitted intensity accordingly, reducing power when surfaces are close or already sufficiently exposed, and increasing power only when minimum disinfection thresholds are not yet met.
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 disinfects all surfaces uniformly and efficiently, minimizing shadowing and excessive exposure, ensuring compliance with predetermined disinfection plans and providing detailed disinfection information for verification.
Implementation Method 1
by launching disinfecting radiation, such as X-ray or UV, such as UV-C radiation, on to the surface
Implementation Method 2
disinfection is performed by launching radiation or particles on to the surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for disinfecting a room, where a 3D rendering of the room is used for determining a plurality of positions from which surfaces of the room may be irradiated and where the number of shadows is minimized. A report may be output describing which surfaces are irradiated and with what dose.