Mobile UV Disinfection Routing Around Large Indoor Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated disinfection systems using UV lamps struggle to effectively disinfect areas around large objects like beds and tables due to limited access and inefficient disinfection cycles, leading to incomplete disinfection and increased time and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A mobile UV disinfection system that adjusts movement speed, UV lamp power, and direction using sensors and mirror devices to ensure thorough disinfection by categorizing objects and optimizing UV exposure time and intensity, allowing for faster and more efficient disinfection of indoor spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot moves along the floor to disinfect areas, then the device can cover large spaces, but it cannot access locations such as the center of beds or large tables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mirror devices as intermediary elements that reflect UV light from the mobile device to reach areas directly inaccessible to the device. The mirrors act as mediators, redirecting UV radiation to the center of beds, tables, and other large objects that the floor-moving robot cannot physically access.
2Ease of operation
If the robot uses fixed speed and power UV lamps, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot optimize disinfection time and energy consumption for different areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of UV lamp power and robot movement speed based on real-time sensor feedback. The system continuously adapts its operational parameters to optimize disinfection efficiency, adjusting power output and speed according to the specific disinfection needs of different areas rather than using fixed settings throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (UV power output, movement speed) dynamically during the disinfection process. Sensors detect environmental conditions and object characteristics, triggering parameter adjustments to optimize both energy consumption and disinfection effectiveness for different spatial contexts.
3Reliability
If the robot increases UV lamp power to disinfect large objects, then disinfection effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing enhanced UV power specifically to areas requiring it (centers of large objects) while using lower power in areas that are easily accessible. The mirror devices concentrate UV energy precisely where needed, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption in already-sufficiently-disinfected zones.
4Reliability
If the robot slows down to increase UV exposure time for large objects, then disinfection completeness improves, but disinfection cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror devices enable the robot to maintain higher speeds while still achieving complete disinfection of large objects. By reflecting UV light around obstacles, the mirrors allow the robot to move faster without sacrificing exposure time to critical areas, thus reducing overall cycle time while maintaining completeness.
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 enables faster disinfection of areas, reduces energy consumption, and ensures complete disinfection of indoor spaces by adapting UV exposure based on object size and location, achieving a disinfection threshold in less time compared to traditional fixed-speed systems.
Implementation Method 1
coupled with ultraviolet (UV) lamps to expose areas around a room to disinfect for viruses and bacteria
Implementation Method 2
redirect the radiation from the lamps using a mirror device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for disinfecting a space, such as an interior room. In some aspects, at least one object in the space may be identified, such as by a mobile disinfecting device (device) including an ultraviolet lamp. Next, the object(s) may be categorizing as a certain type based on whether the object allows some light to pass through or around it. A route for the device may be determined, where the route includes a path and speed of the device corresponding to different segments of the path to yield a dosage score (ultraviolet exposure) that meets or exceeds a threshold value for different areas of the space. In some cases, determining the route further includes determining at least one of a speed, a modified path, or an ultraviolet radiation characteristic for at least one segment of the path based on the categorization of the object(s).