Mobile Decontamination System With Segmented Drainage Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile decontamination systems for vehicles require significant manual effort, leading to inefficiencies and risks in decontaminating heavily soiled vehicles, particularly in contaminated areas, as they struggle with quick suction of sludge and waste water, which can spread contamination.

Innovation Solution

A mobile decontamination system with a defined drainage area separate from the treatment area, equipped with automated waste water management, including pumps and wave generators, to efficiently collect and remove contaminated waste water, reducing manual labor and preventing contamination spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual decontamination methods are used, then decontamination can be performed with simple equipment, but significant manual effort is required and contamination spread risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of decontamination processVSAvoidcomplexity of decontamination system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tank is divided into a treatment area and a separate drainage area, allowing automated wastewater collection and removal while keeping the decontamination process systematic and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automatic spray devices controlled by a control unit that operate based on vehicle detection, reducing the need for manual operation while maintaining effective decontamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If traditional decontamination systems are used, then equipment structure can be simple, but quick suction of sludge and wastewater is not achieved leading to contamination spread

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of wastewater removalVSAvoidcomplexity of drainage system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage area is completely separated from the treatment area, with dedicated suction devices that automatically remove wastewater and sludge from the tank, preventing contamination spread while maintaining simple overall system structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic pumps and fluid dynamics to efficiently suction and remove large quantities of wastewater and sludge quickly from the treatment area, achieving high productivity through automated fluid management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If heavily soiled vehicles are decontaminated, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but sludge and contaminants accumulate requiring frequent manual emptying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of decontaminationVSAvoidtime for emptying and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage pump operates continuously or periodically to automatically remove wastewater and sludge from the drainage area, ensuring the tank remains ready for the next vehicle without manual intervention, thus maintaining continuous decontamination capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages its own wastewater removal through the separated drainage area and automated pumping system, eliminating the need for manual emptying and reducing maintenance time while ensuring thorough decontamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enables largely automated decontamination with reduced manual effort, effectively preventing the spread of contamination by ensuring efficient and controlled waste water management, enhancing decontamination efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spray device (22) for the targeted application of a decontamination agent that is at least partially liquid onto the vehicle (34)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 2

an arrangement which is configured to selectively convey the wastewater from the treatment area into the drainage area by means of a pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a wave generator which is designed to set the decontamination agent collected in the tub into a wave motion with a defined wave direction, wherein the defined wave direction is directed towards the drainage area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWave motion: Wave Power

Data Source

PatentEP3594966B1Mobile decontamination system for decontaminating vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 KARCHER FUTURETECH
  • EP3594966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3594966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3594966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile decontamination system for the radioactive, disinfection, or detoxification of large mobile objects, such as vehicles (34), has at least one spray device (70) for the targeted application of a decontamination agent that is at least partially liquid. The spray device (70) is operated automatically depending on the vehicle (34) to be decontaminated. Decontamination agent running off the vehicle (34) is collected in a tray (42). The tray (42) has a defined drainage area (54), which is advantageously located near the inlet area (44) of the tray (42). A device (62) directs the decontamination agent collected in the tray (42) to the defined drainage area (54) in a controlled manner.