Mobile device for decontaminating persons, in particular rescue personnel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile decontamination devices, such as inflatable decon tents, are difficult to clean, require costly specialized services, and are cumbersome to transport and set up, especially in rough terrain, limiting their quick deployment and availability for emergency services.

Innovation Solution

A mobile decontamination device with a height adjustment mechanism that allows for easy setup and teardown without tools, featuring a base support with roller elements for mobility and a compact design for storage, enabling rapid deployment and efficient cleaning, suitable for use in emergency vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inflatable decon tents are used for decontamination, then decontamination function is provided, but cleaning difficulty increases and requires specialized services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecontamination functionVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses uniform, non-porous material surfaces that are consistent throughout the structure, making them resistant to contamination penetration and easy to clean. The homogeneous material composition eliminates complex internal structures where contaminants could hide, allowing for straightforward washing and disinfection procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs easily replaceable components and a structure designed for simple cleaning cycles rather than long-term durability against contamination. The base support and housing are designed to be quickly washed and disinfected, functioning effectively for multiple uses without requiring specialized cleaning services between deployments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If mobile decontamination device is transported manually in rough terrain, then mobility is achieved, but transport effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidtransport effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a pump system with flexible hoses that can be dragged behind the device during transport. The pump unit is designed to be movable and can be pulled along the ground, reducing the need to carry heavy equipment and making the system more manageable in rough terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The device features adjustable height support elements that can be collapsed during transport to reduce overall device height and weight distribution. The base support structure is designed to be stable when deployed but compact when moved, adapting its configuration to optimize both transport ease and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If decontamination device is set up quickly, then deployment speed increases, but setup complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components including a base support unit, adjustable support elements, pump system, and hose assembly. Each component can be independently handled and assembled, allowing for quick setup by simply connecting pre-assembled modules rather than building the entire system from individual parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Components such as the pump, hoses, and support elements are pre-assembled and configured during manufacturing to require minimal assembly during field deployment. The device comes pre-configured with connected components that only need to be positioned and secured, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Volume of moving object

If device is compact for storage, then storage space efficiency increases, but accessibility may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage footprintVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed to be collapsible and adjustable, allowing the device to be compacted to a small footprint for storage in emergency vehicles while maintaining the capability to expand to full operational size when deployed. The adjustable height mechanism allows the structure to be condensed during transport and extended during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3981933A1Mobile device for decontaminating persons, in particular rescue personnel
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 BIRNTHALER BERTHOLD
  • EP3981933A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3981933A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3981933A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Mobile decontamination device (1) for the decontamination of persons, in particular emergency personnel, which is in particular accessible and/or usable by at least one person, comprising a decontamination unit (20), in particular a shower unit, for dispensing a cleaning and/or decontamination agent, and a base support (30) on which at least one support element (12) is at least indirectly arranged, wherein the decontamination unit (20) is at least partially and at least indirectly arranged and/or supported on the support element (12), wherein at least two roller elements (32) are arranged on the base support (31) in order to move the decontamination device (1) relative to a floor surface.According to the invention, the decontamination device (1), and in particular the support element (12), has a height adjustment device by means of which the height (H) of the decontamination device can be changed and/or adjusted, in particular without tools.