Autonomous Robot System for Targeted Pathogen Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfection methods in environments such as hospitals and public areas are manual, time-consuming, and costly, with low automation, making them inefficient for pathogen inactivation.
Innovation Solution
A robot system equipped with mobile robots that include pathogen detectors and inactivation devices, allowing for autonomous detection and targeted disinfection of pathogens, using UV emitters or chemical disinfectants, and utilizing machine learning to optimize detection and inactivation strategies based on environmental mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual disinfection procedures are used, then human presence and flexibility are maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system performs autonomous pathogen detection and inactivation without human intervention. The mobile robot navigates independently, the manipulator positions the detector and inactivation device, and the system automatically inactivates pathogens based on detection data, making the disinfection process self-service and eliminating manual labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical disinfection operations with an automated robot system. The mobile robot with manipulator substitutes human hands and movements, while automated pathogen detection and inactivation replace manual disinfection procedures, achieving higher efficiency and reduced time loss
2Productivity
If automated robot systems are used, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: autonomous navigation, pathogen detection using the manipulator-positioned detector, and inactivation using the manipulator-positioned inactivation device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pathogen detector and inactivation device on the same manipulator system, allowing seamless integration of detection and treatment functions. The mobile robot base unifies navigation, detection, and inactivation operations, reducing overall system complexity through consolidation
3Manufacturing precision
If targeted inactivation based on pathogen detection is used, then inactivation precision improves, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator serves as an intermediary between the mobile robot base and the pathogen detector/inactivation device. It enables precise positioning of the detector and inactivation device based on detected pathogen locations, achieving high inactivation precision while simplifying the control system through mechanical positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time pathogen detection data to guide the manipulator's positioning of the inactivation device. The detection results provide feedback that determines the precise location and timing of inactivation actions, ensuring targeted treatment while managing detection complexity through automated data processing
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 robot system enables efficient, rapid, and accurate pathogen inactivation, reducing human intervention and operational costs while improving disinfection performance by focusing on detected pathogen areas, enhancing both detection and inactivation precision and speed.
Implementation Method 1
a pathogen detector carried by one of the at least one manipulator, the pathogen detector being configured to detect the presence of pathogens in a detection region
Implementation Method 2
an inactivation device carried by one of the at least one manipulator, the inactivation device being configured to inactivate pathogens
Implementation Method 3
using UV emitters or chemical disinfectants
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inactivating pathogens in an environment, the method including moving a base of a mobile robot carrying a pathogen detector on a base surface; moving the pathogen detector by means of a manipulator; obtaining pathogen data by means of the pathogen detector, the pathogen data being indicative of a presence of pathogens in one or more detection regions of the environment; moving a base of a mobile robot carrying an inactivation device on the base surface based on the pathogen data; moving the inactivation device based on the pathogen data by means of the manipulator carrying the inactivation device; and controlling the inactivation device to inactivate the pathogens.