Mobile UV Sterilization Vehicle for Synthetic Turf 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 embedded infill materials, and there is a need for a mobile, environmentally friendly solution that maximizes sterilization while minimizing labor and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A mobile vehicle equipped with downwardly shining ultraviolet lamps, tines to engage and turn over infill material, and a rechargeable battery source, designed to move across the field in multiple directions to ensure thorough exposure of infectious materials to UV light, minimizing the environmental impact.
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 environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical spraying with a mobile UV sterilization vehicle that uses ultraviolet light to destroy infectious materials on the field. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical substances while achieving effective sterilization through photolytic degradation of organic compounds by UV radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV lamps emit ultraviolet radiation that accelerates the oxidation and decomposition of infectious materials and organic compounds on the field surface and infill material, providing a chemical-free sterilization method that breaks down harmful substances into harmless components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If UV light is used to sterilize the field, then environmental impact is reduced, but sterilization effectiveness decreases due to inability to reach embedded infill materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sterilization process into two functional components: UV lamps for surface sterilization and mechanical agitation elements (brushes or tines) for infill material treatment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function, with the mechanical elements exposing embedded infill materials to UV radiation for complete sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges UV sterilization technology with mechanical field treatment equipment into a single mobile vehicle. The combination of UV lamps, brushes, and/or tines in one integrated system allows simultaneous or sequential operation to achieve comprehensive sterilization of both surface and embedded materials.
3Productivity
If a mobile UV sterilization vehicle is used, then labor costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a transport platform and a sterilization system. It integrates UV lamp assemblies, mechanical agitation devices, and power sources into a single unit that can autonomously perform sterilization operations across the field, reducing the need for multiple separate equipment pieces and manual labor.
4Reliability
If the vehicle moves in multiple directions across the field, then sterilization coverage is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic movement patterns where the vehicle can change direction and speed adaptively based on field conditions. The system optimizes its traversal path to maximize UV exposure of all field areas while minimizing total operation time, potentially using sensors or pre-programmed routes to guide efficient coverage.
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 synthetic turf fields by maximizing UV light exposure to both the turf blades and infill materials, reducing costs and environmental impact through efficient and thorough sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
High-intensity ultraviolet light has long been known to destroy organic compounds including infectious materials.
Implementation Method 2
High-intensity ultraviolet light has long been known to destroy organic compounds including infectious materials through photolytic degradation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile ultraviolet sterilization vehicle. A plurality of UV lamps in housing 220 are removably mounted to a wheeled vehicle. A plurality of tines 62- 64 and a brush 60 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.