Occupancy-Based UV Sanitizer Automation to Reduce Pathogen Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing pathogen exposure in buildings are often manual and inefficient, lacking a data-driven approach to track and disinfect spaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes occupancy sensors and a controller to determine the optimal time for sanitizing spaces within a building, employing UV sanitizers to kill pathogens on surfaces and in the air, and integrating with Property Management Systems for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning processes are used by cleaning staff, then disinfection can be performed, but the process is inefficient and lacks data-driven tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service disinfection where the sanitizer autonomously performs disinfection tasks based on occupancy data from sensors, eliminating the need for manual scheduling and tracking by cleaning staff. The system monitors itself and executes disinfection automatically when conditions are appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning processes with an automated electronic system that uses occupancy sensors, controllers, and UV sanitizers. This substitution transforms the manual cleaning workflow into an automated, data-driven system that tracks and executes disinfection tasks without human intervention.
2Reliability
If frequent disinfection is performed to reduce pathogen exposure, then safety is improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic disinfection actions triggered by occupancy sensor data. Instead of continuous operation, the sanitizer activates only when occupancy patterns indicate it is appropriate (e.g., when spaces are unoccupied), creating an efficient periodic cycle of monitoring and disinfection that reduces energy consumption while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses occupancy sensors to provide feedback about space usage patterns to the controller, which then determines optimal disinfection timing. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust disinfection frequency based on actual occupancy data, performing disinfection only when necessary to reduce pathogen exposure while minimizing energy waste.
3Loss of time
If automated occupancy-based disinfection is implemented, then disinfection timing is optimized, but system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of occupancy patterns through sensors before triggering disinfection actions. By continuously gathering occupancy data in advance, the system can determine the optimal timing for disinfection beforehand, ensuring spaces are disinfected at the most appropriate times without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the disinfection process itself.
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 provides an unintrusive and data-driven method to reduce pathogen exposure by ensuring timely and automated disinfection of spaces, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A sanitizer is configured to sanitize surfaces within the space when activated. The sanitizer may be a UV sanitizer that illuminates surfaces in the space and kills pathogens on the surfaces or even in the air.
Data Source
AI summary
A system reduces risk of pathogen exposure within a space that is located within a facility having a plurality of spaces that periodically have one or more people within the space. The system includes one or more occupancy sensors that are configured to provide an indication of when the space is occupied and when the space is not occupied. A sanitizer is configured to sanitize surfaces within the space when activated. A controller is operably coupled with the one or more occupancy sensors and the sanitizer. The controller is configured to determine a designated time to sanitize the space based at least in part upon information received from the one or more occupancy sensors and to automatically instruct the sanitizer to sanitize surfaces within the space at the designated time.