UV Lavatory Disinfection Controller with Dynamic Cycle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UV lighting disinfecting systems for lavatories often fail to achieve a target dosage due to repeated interruptions from occupant usage, leading to incomplete disinfection cycles and potential pathogen transmission.
Innovation Solution
A UV light disinfecting system with a controller and sensors that dynamically adjust disinfection cycles based on occupancy, implementing a longer dosage cycle when consecutive incomplete cycles exceed a threshold, ensuring a 3 log reduction of pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV lighting disinfecting system operates continuously to achieve target dosage, then pathogen reduction is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to interruptions from occupant usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the disinfection cycle duration based on real-time occupancy detection. When occupancy is detected, the system extends the UV lighting duration to ensure the target dosage is achieved, thereby maintaining disinfection effectiveness while adapting to varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses occupancy sensors to continuously monitor lavatory usage and feeds this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the UV lighting duration to ensure complete disinfection cycles are not interrupted, maintaining both reliability and productivity
2Reliability
If UV lighting duration is extended to achieve target dosage despite interruptions, then pathogen reduction is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the UV lighting based on occupancy detection. When occupancy is detected, the system increases the lighting duration parameter to ensure target dosage is achieved, thereby maintaining pathogen reduction effectiveness while consuming additional energy only when necessary
3Reliability
If system implements longer dosage cycle when interruptions occur, then pathogen reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects occupancy conditions and self-adjusts the UV lighting duration without external intervention. The system monitors its own operational status and makes real-time adjustments to maintain disinfection effectiveness, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms
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
Ensures effective pathogen reduction by completing extended disinfection cycles when necessary, maintaining a safe and healthy environment in lavatories despite frequent usage.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) light
Data Source
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AI summary
A disinfecting system for a lavatory may comprise an ultraviolet light source (110), a controller (120) in operable communication with the ultraviolet light source (110), and a lavatory sensor operably coupled to the controller (120). The controller (120) may be configured to track a number of consecutive incomplete dosage cycles. The controller (120) may be configured to determine whether to implement a first dosage cycle or second dosage cycle based on a comparison of the number of consecutive incomplete dosage cycles to a threshold number.