Aircraft Cabin Disinfection via Predictive UVC Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft cabin disinfection systems using UVC light are restricted from operating when personnel are present, limiting their effectiveness and flexibility in maintaining cabin hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes sensors to detect personnel presence and predictive modules to assess motion direction, allowing UVC radiation sources to disinfect cabin zones safely and flexibly, even when people are present, by adjusting intensity and beam focus to maintain safe exposure levels and controlling disinfection based on flight modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UVC disinfection operates only when no personnel are present, then safety of personnel is ensured, but disinfection effectiveness and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of personnel presence and motion direction before initiating disinfection. The predictive sensing module forecasts future personnel positions to determine if disinfection can proceed safely, allowing the system to act in advance based on predicted safe conditions rather than waiting for complete personnel absence
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts disinfection operation based on real-time personnel detection and prediction. Instead of a static on/off approach, the controller continuously monitors sensor data, updates predictions, and modulates UVC radiation delivery to maintain both safety and disinfection effectiveness under varying occupancy conditions
2Productivity
If UVC radiation intensity is increased for effective disinfection, then disinfection efficacy is improved, but exposure risk to personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes UVC radiation parameters (intensity, duration, spatial distribution) based on real-time personnel presence and predictive information. The controller adjusts radiation delivery parameters dynamically to achieve effective disinfection in unoccupied zones while maintaining safe exposure levels in occupied or potentially occupied zones
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different UVC radiation characteristics to different spatial zones within the cabin. Zones determined to be safe for disinfection receive full-intensity radiation, while zones with personnel or predicted personnel presence receive reduced or no radiation, creating a spatially differentiated disinfection strategy
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
Enables safe and flexible disinfection of aircraft cabins, ensuring effective disinfection while minimizing exposure risks to passengers and crew, allowing for disinfection during occupied periods and varying flight conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more UVC radiation sources adapted to disinfect the cabin in the selected zone
Implementation Method 2
The system may include intensity measuring sensor to measure the intensity of UVC radiation in the selected zone
Data Source
AI summary
A cabin disinfection system for an aircraft, including: a sensing means (3, 11, 13) to sense the presence of personnel in one or more zones (16-19, 23-26, 28, 29, 30, 32), a predictive sensing means (3, 11, 13, 33) to sense the direction of motion of a person (31) and to predict whether that person will occupy a zone to be disinfected (18) during planned disinfection, one or more UVC radiation sources (4, 9) to disinfect the cabin, and a controller (33) to control operation of the UVC radiation sources (4, 9) dependent on sensing of personnel in that zone and the predictive sensing means (3, 11, 13, 33) predicting that a person (31) will occupy the zone (18) during the planned disinfection period.