Plasma UV Sterilization Apparatus for Airport Baggage Scanners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Airport baggage scanners face contamination issues due to unhygienic items and indirect contact, necessitating a sterilization method that is space-efficient and can be flexibly installed near scanners to prevent disease transmission.

Innovation Solution

A sterilization apparatus using a combination of plasma and ultraviolet light sterilizers, controlled by a sensing unit and controller, which operates the ultraviolet light sterilizer only when an object is present, integrated with a conveyor belt system for real-time sterilization and mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sterilization apparatus is installed near baggage scanners to prevent contamination, then disease transmission is prevented, but spatial limitations and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of disease transmissionVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilization apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: a housing module, a plasma sterilizer module, and a UV sterilizer module. These segmented components can be independently manufactured and then assembled near the baggage scanner, reducing installation complexity while maintaining sterilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that coordinates between the sensing unit, plasma sterilizer, and UV sterilizer. This intermediary manages the complex interactions between components, simplifying the overall system control and installation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a sterilization apparatus is installed near baggage scanners to prevent contamination, then disease transmission is prevented, but the space required for installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of disease transmissionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The UV sterilizer is positioned inside the housing, with the plasma sterilizer and sensing unit also integrated within or attached to the housing structure. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple sterilization functions into a single compact unit, minimizing the space required for installation near baggage scanners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines plasma sterilization and UV sterilization functions into a single integrated apparatus. By merging these two sterilization methods into one device rather than installing separate systems, the total installation space is reduced while maintaining effective disease prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the ultraviolet light sterilizer operates continuously to ensure sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UV sterilizer operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated only when the sensing unit detects an object in the sterilization space. This periodic operation maintains sterilization effectiveness for objects that need it while significantly reducing power consumption during periods when no objects are present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing unit provides feedback to the controller about the presence of objects in the sterilization space. Based on this feedback, the controller activates or deactivates the UV sterilizer accordingly, ensuring sterilization effectiveness only when needed and minimizing unnecessary power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively sterilizes baggage, preventing contagious diseases with double sterilization methods while being compact and easily installable near baggage scanners, reducing power consumption and maintaining hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a first sterilizer configured to radiate plasma rays toward the sterilization space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

a second sterilizer configured to radiate ultraviolet light toward the sterilization space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11992568B2Sterilization apparatus using plasma and ultraviolet light and sterilization system comprising the same

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 KIM MIN GYEONG

AI summary

Disclosed are a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object using plasma and ultraviolet light and a sterilization system for an airport including the same. The sterilization apparatus includes a first sterilizer configured to radiate plasma rays toward a sterilization space, a second sterilizer configured to radiate ultraviolet light toward the sterilization space, a sensing unit configured to sense whether an object is placed in the sterilization space, and a controller configured to control an operation of the second sterilizer based on information sensed by the sensing unit.