Vehicle Lavatory Sink Basin Assembly for UV Surface Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft lavatory systems face challenges in efficiently sanitizing high-touch surfaces and maintaining air quality due to limitations in UV light effectiveness at angles and distances, and the need for crew intervention in cleaning and maintenance, which can compromise hygiene and safety during flights.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lavatory monument assembly with integrated touchless hygiene stations, UV sanitization systems, and air replenishment systems that automate sanitization and air purification, using reflective surfaces and lenses to optimize UV light effectiveness and minimize crew interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light is used to sanitize surfaces, then sanitization effectiveness improves, but effectiveness decreases when light rays strike surfaces at angles or from distances
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sanitization system is divided into multiple UV light sources positioned at different locations within the lavatory. Each UV source targets specific surfaces or zones, ensuring comprehensive coverage without requiring precise angular alignment from a single source. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high sanitization effectiveness while simplifying installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different UV light sources are positioned to optimize local sanitization of specific high-touch surfaces such as the sink basin, toilet seat, and door handles. Each UV source is strategically placed to deliver maximum intensity to its target area, compensating for angle and distance variations. This localized approach ensures effective sanitization of critical surfaces without requiring perfect angular alignment across the entire lavatory.
2Ease of manufacture
If commercial cleaning products are adapted for aircraft use, then cleaning capability is provided, but they may not meet industry safety requirements and certification standards
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs UV-C light technology, which is inherently safe for aircraft use and does not require chemical cleaning agents. The UV sanitization process is automated and self-contained, eliminating the need for crew intervention with potentially hazardous chemicals. This self-service approach ensures compliance with aircraft safety regulations while providing effective sanitization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical-based cleaning systems with a physical UV-C light-based sanitization system. This substitution eliminates concerns about chemical compatibility, flammability, and certification requirements associated with commercial cleaning products. The UV-C system provides equivalent or superior sanitization effectiveness while automatically meeting aircraft safety and certification standards.
3Reliability
If crew members manually clean and maintain lavatories, then hygiene standards can be maintained, but crew intervention increases workload and potential contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sanitization system operates automatically upon detection of lavatory occupancy status. When the lavatory is unoccupied, UV lights activate to sanitize surfaces without requiring crew intervention. This self-service capability maintains high hygiene standards while eliminating the need for manual cleaning during flights, reducing crew workload and potential cross-contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect lavatory occupancy and automatically control UV light activation. This feedback mechanism ensures UV sanitization occurs only when appropriate (when no passengers are present), maintaining hygiene effectiveness while preventing unnecessary energy consumption and ensuring passenger safety. The automated feedback-based control simplifies operation compared to manual scheduling.
4Reliability
If air recirculation is increased in the lavatory, then air quality improves, but pathogen spread risk increases without proper filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs UV-C light, which generates oxidative effects that destroy pathogens and contaminants in the air and on surfaces. The UV-C irradiation creates a chemical environment that actively eliminates biological contaminants, allowing for improved air circulation without increasing pathogen spread risk. This oxidative mechanism provides continuous pathogen destruction as air moves through the lavatory.
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 provides rapid and effective sanitization of high-touch surfaces and air purification, enhancing passenger confidence and reducing the risk of pathogen spread by ensuring thorough and automated cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
The killing of bacteria and viruses by ultraviolet (UV) light or sanitization occurs on surfaces that are in a direct 'line of sight' of the light rays emitted by the UV light source
Implementation Method 2
a lens member. The lens member is configured to direct ultraviolet light rays to the first direct surface to be sanitized
Implementation Method 3
a first reflective surface that includes a reflective coating thereon... The lens member is also configured to direct ultraviolet light rays to the first reflective surface and the first reflective surface is angled to direct ultraviolet light rays to the first indirect surface to be sanitized
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lavatory monument assembly that includes an enclosure having first, second, third and fourth walls that cooperate to define a lavatory interior, an entry door positioned on the second wall, and a sink basin assembly positioned in the lavatory interior. The sink basin assembly includes a sink basin that includes a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall that cooperate to defined a sink basin interior. The top wall includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface partially defines the sink basin interior, and the top surface is a counter.