Mobile UV Sterilization Vehicle for Athletic Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing artificial athletic fields, such as infill turf systems, are costly and inefficient, as they rely on chemical spraying or UV light exposure that may not effectively reach all areas, especially the infill material between synthetic fibers, and lack a mobile, environmentally friendly solution.
Innovation Solution
A mobile, battery-powered UV sterilization vehicle equipped with ultraviolet lamps and tines that move across the field to engage and position synthetic fibers for maximum UV exposure, while also turning over infill material to ensure thorough disinfection, using rechargeable batteries for energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical spraying is used to sterilize the field, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but cost and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical spraying with a mechanical mobile UV sterilization system. The vehicle-mounted UV lamps mechanically traverse across the field surface, substituting chemical methods with physical ultraviolet radiation to achieve sterilization without the associated chemical costs and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile UV sterilization system is designed to be self-contained with its own power source (battery or generator) and mobility mechanism. The system serves itself by carrying its own energy supply and propulsion, eliminating dependence on external chemical supply chains and reducing labor intervention.
2Productivity
If UV light is used to sterilize the field, then cost and labor are reduced, but sterilization effectiveness on infill material and synthetic fibers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sterilization system is segmented into multiple lamp units distributed across the vehicle platform. This segmentation allows UV radiation to reach different areas of the field simultaneously, including both synthetic fibers and infill material, thereby improving overall sterilization effectiveness while maintaining cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical engagement through downward-extending tines that lift infill material, adding a vertical dimension to the sterilization process. This enables UV light to penetrate and sterilize infill material that would otherwise be shielded, enhancing effectiveness without increasing operational costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile UV sterilization vehicle is used, then accessibility and coverage are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transport platform and as the sterilization system itself. The vehicle integrates UV lamp mounting, power supply, and field engagement mechanisms into a single universal platform that can navigate and treat various field surfaces, reducing the need for multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the mobility function with the sterilization function by integrating UV lamps, power sources, and control systems directly onto the vehicle platform. This consolidation reduces device complexity by combining what could be separate systems into a unified mobile sterilization unit.
4Reliability
If infill material is turned over to expose it to UV light, then sterilization completeness is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The downward-extending tines act as intermediaries between the UV lamps and the infill material. These tines mechanically engage and lift the infill material to positions where it can be exposed to UV radiation, serving as a simple mediating mechanism that achieves sterilization completeness without complex equipment.
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 vehicle effectively destroys infectious materials on sports fields with minimal environmental impact by ensuring thorough UV exposure of both fibers and infill material, reducing costs and labor compared to chemical methods.
Implementation Method 1
carrying a source of ultraviolet light on the vehicle, shining the source of ultraviolet light downwardly against the blades to destroy infectious material on the field
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile ultraviolet sterilization vehicle. A plurality of UV lamps are removably mounted to a wheeled vehicle. A plurality of tines and a brush are mounted to the vehicle extending across the width thereof and into the supporting surface to position the supporting surface to receive the UV light.