Mobile UV Sterilization Unit for Athletic Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing artificial athletic fields, such as infill turf systems, are costly due to labor and chemical expenses, and existing ultraviolet sterilization technologies are inefficient in sanitizing areas adjacent to obstacles like goal posts and benches.
Innovation Solution
A mobile UV sterilization unit with a wheeled carriage and adjustable ultraviolet lamp system that can be powered by both onboard and external energy sources, featuring a brush and tines to position synthetic fibers for effective UV exposure, and a modular design for sanitizing both fields and indoor spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical spraying is used to sterilize artificial fields, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but cost increases due to labor and material expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical spraying system with a mobile UV sterilization unit that uses ultraviolet lamps to destroy infectious material on synthetic fields. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical materials and reduces labor costs while maintaining sterilization effectiveness through photodissociation of microbial structures by UV radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV sterilization system operates autonomously without requiring chemical applications or extensive manual intervention. The mobile unit can be moved across the field to perform sterilization independently, reducing dependency on chemical supply chains and manual spraying operations.
2Area of stationary object
If a mobile UV sterilization unit is used to sanitize areas adjacent to obstacles, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sterilization system into modular components: a mobile carriage with UV lamps for field coverage and a separate sterilization module with tines and brushes for navigating around obstacles like goal posts and benches. This segmentation allows the system to cover both open areas and restricted spaces without requiring a single complex device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds vertical dimension to the sterilization approach by using downward-shining UV lamps from the mobile carriage and by employing tines that extend downward to engage synthetic fibers. This multi-dimensional approach enables coverage of surfaces at different heights and angles, particularly around obstacles where horizontal movement is limited.
3Ease of operation
If a smaller mobile device is used to sanitize areas adjacent to objects, then accessibility is improved, but sterilization speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sterilization function into a dedicated smaller module with tines and brushes that can navigate around obstacles. This module can be attached to or separated from the main mobile carriage, allowing rapid deployment for localized sterilization around goal posts and benches without requiring the entire large-scale system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tines and brushes in the sterilization module perform preliminary mechanical action by engaging and positioning synthetic fibers before UV illumination. This preliminary mechanical preparation ensures that the UV lamps can effectively reach all surfaces adjacent to obstacles, maintaining sterilization completeness despite the smaller size and slower movement of the module.
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 solution provides efficient and cost-effective sterilization of artificial athletic fields and adjacent areas, minimizing infectious material while being environmentally friendly and adaptable for various surfaces, including those without infill materials.
Implementation Method 1
A first set of ultraviolet lamps is removably mountable in the lamp housing and is positioned to shine downwardly through the open bottom of the housing to shine against a surface to be sterilized
Implementation Method 2
destroy infectious material located on a surface
Data Source
AI summary
A UV sterilization unit. A plurality of UV lamps are removably mounted to a portable lamp housing. The portable lamp housing is mounted to a wheeled vehicle and may be used to destroy infectious material located beneath or remotely from the vehicle.