Systems and methods for cleaning a lavatory floor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft lavatories are frequently used and not adequately cleaned during flights, leading to unsanitary conditions and safety hazards due to wet floors, which can compromise passenger health and experience.
Innovation Solution
A dry floor assembly with a vacuum layer connected to a vacuum system, an upper hydrophobic layer, a wicking layer, and a lower support layer, which automatically removes liquids when activated, typically during toilet flushing, and includes an ultraviolet light for sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning personnel board the aircraft to clean the lavatory between flights, then the lavatory cleanliness is improved, but the cleaning frequency is insufficient during flights
Solution Approach 1:
The lavatory floor cleaning system operates autonomously using a vacuum assembly with multiple layers (collection layer, wicking layer, hydrophobic layer) that automatically remove liquids and contaminants from the floor surface without requiring manual intervention by flight attendants or cleaning personnel during flights
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum assembly is pre-installed on the lavatory floor and remains in position during flights, ready to immediately clean up any liquids or contaminants as they occur, rather than waiting for cleaning personnel to arrive after the flight
2Reliability
If the lavatory floor is cleaned with cleaning fluids, then the floor is sanitized, but the floor becomes wet creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum assembly extracts and removes cleaning fluids, liquids, and contaminants from the lavatory floor through its multi-layer structure (collection layer with ports, wicking layer with capillary channels, and hydrophobic layer), preventing the floor from remaining wet and eliminating slip hazards while maintaining sanitization
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mopping and drying processes with a vacuum-based extraction system that uses pressure differentials and capillary action to automatically remove liquids from the floor, eliminating the need for mechanical drying and preventing wet conditions
3Reliability
If flight attendants are assigned to clean the lavatory during flights, then the cleanliness is maintained, but flight attendants are preoccupied with other duties
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum assembly installed on the lavatory floor provides automatic cleaning functionality, removing liquids and contaminants as they occur during flights without requiring flight attendants to perform cleaning tasks, thus maintaining cleanliness while preserving flight attendant availability for passenger service
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 effectively dries and sterilizes the lavatory floor, reducing health risks and safety hazards, maintaining cleanliness and passenger comfort during flights.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum system is configured to remove liquid from the dry floor assembly via the vacuum layer
Implementation Method 2
The upper layer is formed of and/or coated with a hydrophobic material. The upper layer may include a plurality of openings through which liquid is repelled toward the vacuum layer
Implementation Method 3
The wicking layer is configured to wick liquid away from the upper layer. The liquid is drawn to the vacuum layer through the plurality of pores
Implementation Method 4
an ultraviolet light for sterilization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system includes a dry floor assembly that is configured to be located within an interior space. The dry floor assembly includes a vacuum layer. A vacuum system is coupled to the vacuum layer. The vacuum system is configured to remove liquid from the dry floor assembly via the vacuum layer.