UV Lamp Sanitizing System for Laundry Slings on Support Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial laundry facilities face challenges in sanitizing laundry slings on the clean side without removing them from support rails, leading to potential contamination of cleaned laundry due to bacterial and viral growth.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing system that includes a power source, controller, fluid reservoir, bracket, sanitizing lamp, and actuators, allowing the sanitizing lamp to be extended into the laundry sling while it is still on the support rails, using UV light to sanitize surfaces without requiring sling removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laundry sling is used to hold laundry during transport, then the laundry can be conveniently moved between locations, but the sling becomes contaminated with microorganisms and odors that need sanitizing
Solution Approach 1:
A sanitizing solution is introduced as an intermediary substance between the sling and the environment. The solution contains antimicrobial agents that actively eliminate microorganisms on the sling surface, while the spray application method ensures thorough coverage without requiring direct contact between the user and contaminated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitizing solution utilizes oxidative mechanisms to destroy microorganisms on the sling. The chemical oxidation process breaks down cellular structures of bacteria and other pathogens, effectively sanitizing the sling after use while preparing it for storage or next use.
2Reliability
If the laundry sling is sanitized frequently to maintain hygiene, then microorganism contamination is reduced, but the time and effort required for maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sanitizing is performed periodically after each use of the sling rather than continuously. This periodic application maintains hygiene by eliminating microorganisms at regular intervals, preventing buildup while minimizing the total time spent on sanitizing compared to continuous treatment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The sling is designed to be easily removable from the washing machine, allowing users to quickly access and sanitize it without complex disassembly procedures. The simple design enables rapid sanitizing maintenance that does not significantly impact user time or effort.
3Ease of operation
If the laundry sling is left in the washing machine after use to maintain readiness, then it is ready for next use, but microorganisms can proliferate in the warm, moist environment
Solution Approach 1:
The sling is sanitized after each use before being placed back in the washing machine or stored. This preliminary sanitizing action prevents microorganisms from proliferating during storage by eliminating them beforehand, allowing the sling to remain ready for next use without creating a breeding ground for contamination.
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
Enables quick and efficient sanitization of laundry slings in high volumes, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and ensuring cleaned laundry is properly sanitized, even when slings are securely fastened to support rails.
Implementation Method 1
spray bottle to apply the sanitizing solution to the laundry sling
Implementation Method 2
sanitizing solution to kill microorganisms on the laundry sling
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A sanitizing system for sanitizing a laundry sling that is moveable along one or more support rails includes a motor, a cable operatively coupled to the motor, a sanitizing lamp coupled to the cable, and a controller configured to cause the motor to operate such that the sanitizing lamp is moved, via the cable, from a first position to a second position and actuate the sanitizing lamp such that the sanitizing lamp emits a sanitizing wavelength of light.