UV Disinfection Exposure Validation Using Mobile Robot Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to determine whether mobile robots effectively disinfect all contaminated surfaces using ultraviolet (UV) light, as existing methods lack validation mechanisms to confirm disinfection efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot emits UV light and uses exposure sensors to create a disinfection exposure map, capturing images and disinfection levels to generate a validation report, ensuring thorough disinfection and safety by plotting UV light emission and validating disinfection effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light is emitted to disinfect surfaces, then disinfection efficacy is improved, but ability to validate disinfection effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces exposure sensors as intermediary elements that mediate between the UV light source and the validation process. These sensors are placed in the environment to detect UV light exposure levels, serving as a bridge that enables measurement of disinfection effectiveness without interfering with the disinfection process itself. The sensors convert UV light exposure into measurable data that can be used to validate whether disinfection targets were met.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using exposure sensors to detect UV light exposure levels and comparing them against required disinfection thresholds. The validation report provides feedback on whether disinfection was effective, allowing operators to verify compliance and take corrective action if necessary. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that disinfection efficacy can be measured and validated systematically.
2Measurement precision
If exposure sensors are placed in the area to measure UV light, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable UV exposure sensors that are inexpensive and single-use. These sensors are placed in the environment during disinfection, used once to measure exposure levels, and then discarded. This approach avoids the complexity of retrieving, recalibrating, and maintaining reusable sensors, significantly reducing the operational complexity of the validation system while maintaining measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If a validation report is generated with exposure plots and sensor images, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing sensor data, generating exposure plots, and creating validation reports immediately after disinfection without requiring manual data collection or analysis. The validation report is prepared in advance with all necessary information (exposure plots, sensor images, compliance determinations) ready for immediate review, eliminating delays associated with manual validation processes.
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 solution provides a systematic approach to validate disinfection efficacy, reducing human error and ensuring that all contaminated areas are effectively disinfected, as demonstrated by the UV exposure map and sensor data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, using a light source of a mobile robot, ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect at least a portion of an area
Implementation Method 2
one or more exposure sensors disposed in the area... receiving at least one of images of the one or more exposure sensors, and/or disinfection levels measured by the one or more exposure sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter may provide a method that includes emitting, using a light source of a mobile robot, ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect at least a portion of an area, including the at least one of air, a surface, and an object, where the UV light may be emitted onto one or more exposure sensors disposed in the area. A processor of the mobile robot may plot a representation of the emission of the UV light onto a map of the area to generate an exposure plot, where the representation is of the UV light emitted. The mobile robot may receive images from and/or disinfection levels measured by the one or more exposure sensors. The method may include generating a validation report that includes the exposure plot, images of the exposure sensors, and/or the disinfection levels measured by the one or more exposure sensors.