Vehicle UV Sanitizing Control for Hands-Free Interior Disinfection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sanitizing methods for vehicles, such as spraying sanitizers or using air purifiers, require significant time and effort, and air purifiers necessitate periodic filter replacements.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle sanitizing system equipped with an ultraviolet light source, specifically deep ultraviolet LEDs, and a control unit to manage the UV light source's operation, allowing for efficient sanitization without manual effort and eliminating the need for filter replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spraying sanitizer is used to sanitize vehicle interior, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but time and effort required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization effectivenessVSAvoidtime and effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spraying operation with an automated ultraviolet irradiation system. The UV light source is mounted on the vehicle and automatically irradiates the interior surfaces when activated, eliminating the need for manual spraying operations while maintaining sanitization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sanitization system is designed to operate autonomously within the vehicle. The UV light source automatically activates and sanitizes the interior without requiring external intervention or manual operation, making the system self-service capable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If air purifier is used to sanitize vehicle interior, then sanitization is automated, but filter replacement is required periodically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization automationVSAvoidfilter replacement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the air purifier system with an ultraviolet irradiation system. Instead of using air filtration and circulation mechanisms that require filter maintenance, the system uses UV light sources that directly irradiate surfaces, eliminating filters and their associated replacement requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The UV light sources used in the system have no consumable parts requiring replacement. Unlike filters that degrade and must be replaced periodically, the UV LEDs or bulbs are designed for long-term operation without maintenance, effectively using a durable, non-consumable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If manual spraying operation is used, then sanitization can be performed, but operator time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization capabilityVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service sanitization by mounting the UV light source within the vehicle and allowing it to automatically activate and perform sanitization without external human intervention. The vehicle itself becomes the platform that delivers the sanitization service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical action of spraying is replaced by an automated optical system. The UV light source automatically activates and irradiates the interior surfaces, substituting human-operated mechanical spraying with an automated optical sanitization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively sanitizes vehicle interiors by irradiating ultraviolet rays, reducing the time and effort required for sanitization and maintaining cleanliness, especially in shared vehicles, while providing visual indication of sanitizing processes.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet light source mounted on the vehicle and configured to irradiate an irradiation target with an ultraviolet ray so as to sanitize the irradiation target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11944711B2Sanitizing system for vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A sanitizing system for a vehicle includes an ultraviolet light source mounted on the vehicle and configured to irradiate an irradiation target with an ultraviolet ray so as to sanitize the irradiation target and a control unit configured to control the ultraviolet light source to be turned on and off. The sanitizing system may further include an illumination light source configured to illuminate the irradiation target of the ultraviolet light source. The control unit may turn on the illumination light source when the ultraviolet light source is turned on. The control unit may be configured to carry out a first detection that an occupant outside the vehicle approaches the vehicle and turn on the ultraviolet light source in response to the first detection.