SER Sanitation Dose Control With Dosimeter Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SER sanitation systems deliver excessive radiation doses to pathogens, ignoring energy efficiency and illumination module defects, leading to potential overdosing and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sanitation system with a dosimeter module to measure radiation dose, a control module to adjust illumination based on measured dose, and a feedback loop to ensure the required dose is delivered while minimizing overdosing, using LED-based illumination modules for adjustable power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If typical current SER sanitation systems produce very high amounts of SER radiation to guarantee the required dose is delivered to the object, then the required dose to inactivate or destroy pathogens is ensured, but excessive radiation dose (overdose) is delivered to the pathogens and energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a dosimeter module continuously measures the actual radiation dose delivered to the object, and the control module adjusts the illumination module's power settings based on this measured dose to maintain the required dose level. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for excessive radiation by dynamically adjusting power output to match actual delivery, thereby resolving the contradiction between ensuring reliable pathogen inactivation and reducing energy waste from overdosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the radiation power parameter of the illumination module based on measured dose feedback. By adjusting the power setting of the SER illumination module in response to actual dose delivery conditions (such as illumination module defects or positional variations), the system optimizes energy efficiency while ensuring the required dose is consistently delivered, preventing both overdose and underdose scenarios.
2Reliability
If typical current SER sanitation systems produce very high amounts of SER radiation to guarantee the required dose is delivered to the object, then the required dose to inactivate or destroy pathogens is ensured, but the illumination module lifetime is reduced due to continuous high power operation
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system using dosimeter measurement and control module adjustment allows the illumination module to operate at optimal power levels rather than continuously high power. By monitoring actual dose delivery and adjusting power settings accordingly, the system extends illumination module lifetime while maintaining reliable pathogen inactivation, as the module only operates at high power when actually needed to compensate for defects or positioning issues.
3Reliability
If the illumination module power setting is increased to compensate for illumination module defects or positional variations, then the required dose can be delivered to the object, but excessive radiation dose is delivered to the pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The dosimeter-based feedback system directly measures the radiation dose actually received by the object and provides real-time feedback to the control module. This allows the system to precisely adjust the illumination module power setting to deliver exactly the required dose, preventing both underdosing (which would fail to inactivate pathogens) and overdosing (which would expose pathogens to excessive radiation). The feedback loop ensures accurate dose delivery regardless of illumination module defects or positional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the radiation power parameter based on measured dose feedback, changing the power setting from fixed high power to variable power levels. This parameter change approach allows precise control of the radiation dose delivered to pathogens, ensuring the required dose is achieved without excessive radiation exposure, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of overdosing while maintaining reliable pathogen inactivation.
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
Guarantees the delivery of the required radiation dose to pathogens while limiting overdosing, optimizing energy use and extending illumination module lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination module arranged to radiate the target location with sanitizing electromagnetic radiation (further referred to as 'SER'); It is known that pathogens can be inactivated or destroyed by irradiation with electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
a dosimeter module comprising at least a first dosimeter arranged to measure a dose of SER. The SER is emitted by the illumination module and received by the first dosimeter
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitation system for sanitizing an object is disclosed. The system comprises a support surface having a target location arranged to receive the object; an illumination module arranged to radiate the target location with sanitizing electromagnetic radiation (“SER”); a dosimeter module comprising at least a first dosimeter arranged to measure a dose of SER emitted by the illumination module and received by the dosimeter (the “measured dose”); a database storing instructions indicating the required dose of SER to reach the target location (the “required dose”); and a control module in communication with the illumination module, the database and the dosimeter module. The control module is arranged to receive from the dosimeter module the level of the measured dose. The control module is further arranged to control, based on the level of the measured dose, the illumination module such that the required dose reaches the target location.