Vehicle Sanitizing System with Targeted Surface Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles pose a high risk for the transmission of contagions due to the close proximity of passengers and drivers, with surfaces within the vehicle being frequently contaminated, leading to increased exposure to infected individuals, especially in public transit or ride-sharing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sanitizing system comprising detection devices (microphones and cameras) that identify surfaces contacted by passengers and direct a sanitization device to sanitize these surfaces based on the type of contact, with the option to route the vehicle to a medical facility if certain conditions, such as vomiting, are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If comprehensive sanitization of all vehicle surfaces is performed, then contagion transmission is reduced, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies sanitization selectively to specific contaminated surfaces rather than treating the entire vehicle interior uniformly. Detection devices identify precise locations where passengers have contacted surfaces or where contaminants are present, and sanitization devices are directed only to those specific areas, thereby reducing overall sanitization time while maintaining effective contagion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs detection of contaminated surfaces before sanitization occurs. By using detection devices (cameras, microphones, sensors) to identify contaminated areas in advance, the system can then target sanitization resources precisely to those areas, avoiding unnecessary sanitization of clean surfaces and reducing total sanitization time.
2Measurement precision
If detection devices and sanitization systems are integrated, then sanitization precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into unified devices where possible. For example, detection devices are positioned to simultaneously monitor multiple surfaces and contamination types, and control logic coordinates both detection and sanitization functions within a single integrated system architecture, reducing the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between detection devices and sanitization devices. This control layer processes data from various sensors, determines contamination levels and locations, and translates this information into targeted sanitization commands, simplifying the integration complexity by providing a centralized coordination point.
3Reliability
If real-time detection and sanitization is implemented, then contagion prevention effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic detection cycles rather than continuous monitoring, and activates sanitization devices only when contamination is detected. Detection devices operate in intervals, and sanitization is triggered event-driven based on actual contamination events, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining effective contagion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects contamination and activates sanitization without requiring manual intervention or constant monitoring. The integrated system self-manages the detection-sanitization cycle, reducing the need for additional energy-intensive monitoring systems and human operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior and a vehicle exterior, one or more detection devices including at least one of a microphone and a camera structurally configured to receive data indicative of conditions within the vehicle interior or on the vehicle exterior, a sanitization device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more detection devices and the sanitization device, the controller including a processor and a non-transitory computer readable and executable instruction set, which when executed, causes the processor to receives data from the one or more detection devices, determine a surface at least one of within the vehicle interior or on the vehicle exterior contacted by a user based at least in part on the data from the one or more detection devices, and direct the sanitization device to sanitize the surface.