Automated Misting Sanitization System for Public Venues
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Public places and venues face challenges in safely and efficiently reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the spread of the coronavirus, as conventional manual disinfection methods are costly, expose personnel to risk, and are not effective in ensuring continuous sanitation.
Innovation Solution
An engineered sanitization system comprising a storage tank, pump, valve, and misting nozzle, controlled by a computing device, which delivers a disinfectant solution through a piping system to mist areas, providing automated and efficient disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual disinfection methods are used, then personnel can directly apply disinfectant to surfaces, but personnel are exposed to virus risk and operational costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical disinfection with an automated misting system that uses pumps, valves, and nozzles to dispense disinfectant. This substitution eliminates direct personnel contact with contaminated surfaces while maintaining sanitation effectiveness through automated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a misting system as an intermediary between personnel and contaminated environments. The system uses ultrasonic or pressure-based misting nozzles to deliver disinfectant through aerosolized particles, creating a barrier that protects personnel while ensuring thorough surface coverage.
2Reliability
If manual disinfection is performed frequently, then sanitation coverage can be maintained, but operational costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous misting system that can operate indefinitely with minimal intervention. The system includes reservoirs for disinfectant storage, automated pumps for continuous delivery, and control mechanisms that maintain steady-state operation, eliminating the need for repeated manual disinfection cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a self-regulating misting system with automated controls that adjust dispensing rates based on environmental conditions. Sensors detect humidity, temperature, and occupancy levels to automatically modulate misting intensity, reducing the need for human monitoring and intervention while maintaining optimal sanitation levels.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional disinfection methods are used, then simple equipment is required, but coverage area and disinfection thoroughness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the disinfection system into modular segments including separate reservoirs, pumps, valve assemblies, and nozzle clusters. Each module can be independently configured and positioned to cover specific zones, allowing scalable expansion to large areas while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized interface connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from surface-level disinfection to three-dimensional aerosolized mist distribution. The misting system delivers disinfectant particles suspended in air that can settle on surfaces from multiple angles and heights, dramatically expanding effective coverage area without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 allows for safe and efficient disinfection of large areas, reducing the need for manual labor, lowering costs, and ensuring continuous sanitation, thereby minimizing the risk of contamination and enabling safer reopening of public spaces.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pump connected to the at least one storage tank to distribute the disinfectant/sanitization solution via a piping system
Implementation Method 2
the at least one misting nozzle in communication with the piping system and the at least one valve to mist a particular area with the disinfectant/sanitization solution
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes at least one storage tank configured to store a disinfectant/sanitization solution, at least one pump connected to the at least one storage tank to distribute the disinfectant/sanitization solution via a piping system, at least one valve in communication with the piping system to open and close to control flow of the disinfectant/sanitization solution, at least one device to control the flow of the disinfectant/sanitization solution for a particular period of time to at least one misting nozzle, and the at least one misting nozzle in communication with the piping system and the at least one valve to mist a particular area with the disinfectant/sanitization solution.