UV Sterilization Robot With Fluorescence-Guided Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic cleaning systems are ineffective in eradicating infectious bacterial and virus strains on surfaces due to the lack of specific chemical or photonic emission devices capable of disrupting DNA structures, and they often spread contamination or require hazardous chemicals for effective disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled robotic system utilizing high-intensity UV light sources that adjust intensity, exposure time, and distance to target biological contaminants, equipped with sensors and navigation systems for autonomous operation, ensuring effective sterilization of surfaces without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-intensity UV light sources are used to eradicate biological contaminants, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light intensity is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor feedback about contaminant presence and severity. The system transitions between different operational modes (high-intensity for heavy contamination, low-intensity for light contamination) to optimize the balance between sterilization effectiveness and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including UV light intensity, exposure time, and distance from contaminants based on sensor measurements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than using fixed high-intensity settings, the system achieves effective sterilization while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Reliability
If multiple passes over contaminated areas are performed to ensure thorough disinfection, then sterilization completeness is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Optical sensors continuously detect biological contaminants and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system determines whether a single pass is sufficient or if additional passes are needed, eliminating unnecessary repetitions and reducing time consumption while maintaining sterilization completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies UV light exposure that is sufficient but not excessive for the detected level of contamination. By matching the treatment intensity and duration to the actual contaminant load rather than always using maximum treatment, the system achieves complete sterilization without wasting time on unnecessary additional passes.
3Reliability
If the UV light source is positioned closer to surfaces for maximum eradication effect, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical sensors as intermediaries to detect contaminants at a distance before deploying the UV light source. This allows the system to identify target areas and plan safe approach paths, maintaining effective treatment distance while avoiding direct exposure risks to operators and unnecessary close positioning that would increase safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and mapping of contaminated areas using sensors before activating the UV light source. This preliminary action allows operators to prepare safety measures and positioning strategies in advance, ensuring that when the UV source is positioned close to surfaces for effective treatment, appropriate safety protocols are already in place.
4Productivity
If autonomous navigation with sensors is implemented to locate contaminants, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensors serve multiple functions: detecting biological contaminants, navigating the environment, and providing feedback for treatment verification. By making the sensor system multi-functional rather than adding separate dedicated systems for each task, the patent improves operational efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 efficient and safe eradication of infectious bacterial and virus strains on surfaces, reducing the need for hazardous chemicals and minimizing human exposure, while maintaining energy efficiency and effective disinfection with minimal passes over contaminated areas.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing high-intensity UV light sources that adjust intensity, exposure time, and distance to target biological contaminants
Implementation Method 2
lack of specific chemical or photonic emission devices capable of disrupting DNA structures
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary sterilization system includes a self-propelled robotic mobile platform for locating and eradicating infectious bacterial and virus strains on floors (and objects thereon), walls, cabinets, angled structures, etc., using one or more ultraviolet light sources. A controller allows the system to adjust the quantity of ultraviolet light received by a surface by, for example, changing the intensity of energy input to a ultraviolet light source, changing a distance between a ultraviolet light source and a surface being irradiated, changing the speed/movement of the mobile platform to affect time of exposure, and/or by returning to contaminated areas for additional passes. The mobile platform may include a sensor capable of detecting fluorescence of biological contaminants irradiated with ultraviolet light to locate contaminated areas. The system is thus capable of “seek and destroy” functionality by navigating towards contaminated areas and irradiating those areas with ultraviolet light accordingly.