UVC Baggage Tray Cleaning System with Buffer Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet radiation cleaning systems for baggage trays in airport security environments are inefficient, leading to labor-intensive operations and increased waiting times due to sequential processing and limited capacity, which results in reduced security process flow rates and increased idle time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a buffering zone system at the input and output of the cleaning tunnel, along with destacking and stacking mechanisms using tray handling organs with rotatable flanges, allows for continuous processing and replenishment of trays, enabling efficient and reliable handling and disinfection of trays with UVC lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If trays are cleaned sequentially one at a time through the UVC tunnel, then the cleaning process is simple and reliable, but the productivity is low and waiting times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tray cleaning process into multiple parallel segments by implementing a buffer zone with multiple tray positions (first buffer position, second buffer position, etc.). Instead of cleaning one tray sequentially, the system can load, clean, and unload multiple trays simultaneously at different buffer positions, thereby increasing throughput without extending the individual tray cleaning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading clean trays into the buffer zone before they are needed. The first buffer position can store pre-cleaned trays, allowing passengers to receive clean trays immediately without waiting for the current tray to be cleaned. This eliminates idle time and maintains continuous workflow.
2Productivity
If the UVC cleaning tunnel operates at maximum capacity, then the cleaning efficiency is maximized, but labor-intensive operations are required to manage tray loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer zone acts as an intermediary between the tray loading area and the UVC cleaning tunnel. It automatically manages the queue of trays, allowing the system to operate at maximum capacity without requiring manual intervention for each tray transition. The buffer positions serve as intermediate storage points that decouple the loading rate from the cleaning rate, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated tray handling mechanisms that load and unload trays from the buffer zone without continuous human intervention. The buffer zone automatically receives clean trays from the cleaning tunnel and makes them available for distribution, reducing the labor-intensive nature of tray management while maintaining high throughput.
3Reliability
If trays are placed on the outlet belt from the UVC tunnel, then clean trays are made available, but idle time is created for the next passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning clean trays in the buffer zone before they are needed by passengers. The first buffer position stores pre-cleaned trays that are immediately available for distribution, eliminating the idle time that would otherwise occur while waiting for trays to be cleaned and transferred to the outlet belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds another dimension to the tray delivery process by implementing a buffer zone with multiple storage positions rather than a single outlet belt position. This spatial expansion allows multiple clean trays to be held in readiness simultaneously, ensuring continuous availability without creating idle time gaps in the passenger flow.
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
This solution enables a continuous flow of clean trays, reducing waiting times and increasing the efficiency of the security process by maintaining a constant supply of clean trays, thereby enhancing the overall security setup capacity and reducing idle times.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet radiation source arranged to irradiate the tray when it is in the radiation tunnel
Implementation Method 2
efficiently and reliably eliminate micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses from these trays
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet radiation cleaning system for baggage trays in an airport security environment, comprising a radiation tunnel with an input for dirty trays and an output for clean trays, wherein at the input a first buffering zone is provided for a stack of dirty trays, and at the output a second buffering zone is provided for a stack of clean trays.