Aircraft Tray Table UVC Disinfection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft tray tables are highly infected with pathogens and lack an efficient automatic disinfection system, leading to the spread of diseases during air travel, as current methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, with no existing technology effectively addressing the need for rapid and precise sanitization.
Innovation Solution
An automated disinfection system using UVC radiation, powered by a removable and rechargeable source, is integrated into the aircraft tray table, emitting UV light only when the tray is secured upright, ensuring safe and rapid disinfection without manual intervention, utilizing UV light-emitting diodes and a microprocessor for control and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual disinfection methods are used by airline crew, then tray tables can be disinfected, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming (taking 18-20 seconds per tray table)
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table disinfection system is designed to automatically disinfect surfaces without requiring manual intervention by airline crew. The system includes sensors that detect when a tray table is opened or closed, and automatically activates UVC lights to disinfect the tray table surface, eliminating the need for manual disinfection while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical disinfection process performed by airline crew is replaced with an automated electronic system using UVC LED lights and control circuits. This substitution eliminates human labor requirements while achieving faster and more consistent disinfection results
2Productivity
If UVC disinfection system is activated continuously, then rapid disinfection can be achieved, but it may cause harmful effects to passengers and crew
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect whether a passenger is present in the seat and whether the tray table is open or closed. Based on this feedback information, the control circuit intelligently decides when to activate the UVC lights, ensuring disinfection occurs only when safe and necessary, thus maintaining high productivity while preventing harmful exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs disinfection in advance during specific safe conditions (when the tray table is closed and no passenger is present), so that when the passenger needs to use the tray table, the disinfection has already been completed. This preliminary action ensures both rapid disinfection capability and passenger safety
3Reliability
If chemical disinfectants are used, then disinfection can be achieved, but harmful residues may remain on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Chemical disinfectants are completely replaced with physical UVC light disinfection technology. The UVC lights destroy microorganisms through photonic energy without leaving any chemical residues on the tray table surface, maintaining reliable disinfection effectiveness while eliminating harmful chemical byproducts
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection method is changed from chemical parameters (concentration, contact time) to physical parameters (UVC wavelength, exposure duration). This parameter change allows for effective disinfection without introducing harmful chemical substances, as the UVC energy directly inactivates pathogens through DNA damage
4Reliability
If airline crew disinfect all tray tables during turnaround, then passenger safety can be improved, but flight operations are delayed due to time constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs disinfection automatically during brief moments when tray tables are not in use, such as when closed during flight or during quick transitions. This preliminary and opportunistic disinfection approach maintains passenger safety without requiring dedicated time for comprehensive disinfection, thus avoiding delays to flight operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous or near-continuous disinfection of tray tables throughout the flight operation cycle, rather than requiring periodic batch disinfection during turnaround. This continuous action ensures constant hygiene protection while maintaining flight schedule efficiency
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 provides rapid, safe, and effective disinfection of tray tables, reducing microbial loads and preventing the spread of diseases, with the potential to save hundreds of lives by ensuring continuous disinfection without delaying flight operations.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may comprise one or more ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes configured to emit UV light
Implementation Method 2
Fastest disinfectant though UVC is effective germicidal technology not only for air but also for surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitation assembly attaches over a surface inside a tray table of an aircraft. A source of UV radiation is mounted to the assembly and configured to direct UVC radiation to the tray table at a predetermined dosage, wherein the assembly uses for disinfection of the aircraft tray table. The embodiments may use UV light sources and/or a disinfection unit powered by a fuel cell or other external power source.