CN115554433B

CN115554433B - Cabin sterilization system, cabin sterilization method and vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN115554433B
Application number: CN202211231062.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蔡瑞虹; 宋宏远; 杨洋
Original assignee: Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd
Current assignee: Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-09
Filing date: 2022-10-09
Publication date: 2023-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2042-10-09
Also published as: CN115554433A; WO2024077706A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cabin disinfection system, comprising: an integrated lighting and disinfecting unit disposed in the passenger compartment and comprising a lighting module, an ultraviolet disinfecting module arranged in parallel with the lighting module, and a switching module for selectively switching off or on the lighting module and the ultraviolet disinfecting module, wherein the switching module allows only one of the lighting module and the ultraviolet disinfecting module to be powered on; and an ingress area control unit disposed at an ingress of the passenger compartment and communicatively connected to the integrated lighting and disinfection unit and the crew management terminal within the passenger compartment, wherein the ingress area control unit includes a kinetic energy switch for controlling the lighting module and the ultraviolet disinfection module and a sensor for sensing the ingress and egress of passengers. In this way, the degree of integration and intellectualization of the disinfection system can be improved. The invention further relates to a method for disinfecting a passenger compartment and to a vehicle.

Description

Cabin sterilization system, cabin sterilization method and vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cabin disinfection system and a cabin disinfection method. The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising such a cabin sterilization system.

Background

In the epidemic period with infectious diseases, in particular respiratory infectious diseases (such as new crown pneumonia and the like), the method for sterilizing the passenger cabin of the majority of the current vehicles such as airplanes is mainly focused on two modes: one is that personnel (e.g., ground staff) use disinfection devices in the passenger cabin to spray disinfection solutions. However, with this sterilization mode, the liquid volatilizes for a long time and the smell of the sterilized water is left, which affects the health of passengers and riding experience; and secondly, ventilation is increased through the cabin door. However, with this type of disinfection, the intensity and flow of the air flow in such a comparatively closed space of the passenger cabin is first of all, so that it is difficult to ensure thorough disinfection and cleaning.

Ultraviolet sterilization methods such as ultraviolet sterilization lamps have been widely used in the sterilization and disinfection fields. The ultraviolet sterilizing lamp is effective to common bacteria or viruses, and ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamp can act on genetic material DNA of organisms, and can break DNA ribonucleic acid molecular bonds to cause death due to incapacitation of bacteria. The whole process belongs to a pure physical disinfection method, has no secondary pollution and has good disinfection effect.

It can be seen that the ultraviolet disinfection technology is different from the two modes, and the effect of thorough disinfection can be achieved only by ensuring certain ultraviolet irradiation intensity and duration. In addition, the disinfection mode does not influence the environment, and passengers can have better riding experience.

In addition, human body non-contact temperature measurement technology, such as infrared temperature measurement technology, is also very mature, and a temperature measurement and disinfection system is integrated on a carrying tool, such as an airplane, so that the system can be used for personnel boarding sensing, the manpower burden is greatly reduced, and the working efficiency is improved.

Accordingly, there is a strong need to provide an improved cabin sterilization system that overcomes one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cabin disinfection system applicable to a vehicle which, after adding the disinfection system, is able to meet the epidemic prevention needs of the vehicle operator during the pandemic of epidemic, greatly increasing its market competition advantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cabin sterilization system is presented, which may comprise:

an integrated lighting and disinfection unit that may be disposed in the passenger compartment and that includes a lighting module, an ultraviolet disinfection module arranged in parallel with the lighting module, and a switching module for selectively switching off or on the lighting module and the ultraviolet disinfection module, wherein the switching module allows only one of the lighting module and the ultraviolet disinfection module to be powered on; and

an ingress area control unit, which may be provided at an ingress of the passenger cabin, and which is communicatively connected to the integrated lighting and disinfection unit and the crew management terminal within the passenger cabin,

wherein the entrance area control unit includes a kinetic energy switch for controlling the illumination module and the ultraviolet sterilization module, and a sensor for sensing the entrance and exit of passengers.

According to the cabin disinfection system, a set of circuits can be used for supplying two modules through circuit switching based on different use scenes of the ultraviolet disinfection module and the lighting module, so that the electricity load is reduced. In addition, through the interactive control of the entrance area control unit and the crewmember management terminal, passengers can be prevented from being damaged by ultraviolet rays, various operations are controlled and displayed in a graphical mode by means of the existing crewmember management terminal, and the integration and intelligent degree of the cabin disinfection system is improved.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, preferably, the integrated lighting and sterilizing unit may include a passenger service unit disposed above the passenger seat, and the ultraviolet sterilizing module may be disposed in the passenger service unit adjacent to the lighting module and include a mount, an ultraviolet light emitting unit supported on the mount, a power distribution portion, and a lamp cover.

By integrating the ultraviolet disinfection module in the passenger service unit, the existing structure of the existing passenger service unit in the passenger cabin can be utilized without greatly changing the design of the passenger cabin, and the ultraviolet disinfection module can be used as an optional module, thereby reducing the modification cost and improving the product competitiveness.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, preferably, the ultraviolet light emitting unit may include a plurality of lamps arranged side by side, and the ultraviolet sterilizing module further includes a reflecting cover disposed above the lamps to reflect ultraviolet light emitted from the lamps to the lower side.

With this arrangement, it is possible to achieve as high an efficiency of ultraviolet sterilization as possible in as small a space as possible and to achieve a more efficient ultraviolet sterilization effect, thereby reducing the downtime of the vehicle caused by the cabin sterilization.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, preferably, the lighting module may include a ring-shaped lighting unit, and the ultraviolet light emitting unit of the ultraviolet sterilization module is disposed around the lighting unit.

By means of this alternative integrated design, retrofitting of the disinfection module with existing lighting structures in the passenger cabin is likewise possible, increasing the product diversity. And the ultraviolet disinfection module and the lighting module form the unification and coordination in form and have certain aesthetic effect.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, preferably, in order to further reduce the complexity of the ultraviolet sterilization module and reduce the number of parts required, the illumination module and the ultraviolet sterilization module may have a common power supply circuit.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, the passenger service unit may preferably further include an air conditioning module, a control switch, a speaker, an emergency oxygen module, and an indication system disposed adjacent to the lighting module. In this way, a complete modular passenger service unit with more sophisticated passenger service functions may be provided, such that the modular passenger service unit may be assembled and used directly on a vehicle such as an aircraft, train, ship, etc.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, preferably, in order to more intuitively monitor the ultraviolet sterilization process and to alarm personnel accidentally entering the passenger compartment, the entrance area control unit may further include a sterilization warning lamp indicating that the ultraviolet sterilization module is operating.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, the cabin sterilization system may preferably further comprise an air quality detection module provided in the cabin. Thus, the ultraviolet disinfection module is combined with the air conditioning system to automatically turn on or off the ultraviolet disinfection mode, while the disinfection effect is more precisely controllable (e.g., by controlling the time, intensity, etc. of disinfection and ventilation).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of sanitizing a passenger compartment is presented, which may include the steps of:

providing a cabin disinfection system according to the above aspect;

a preparation step in which it is detected by means of the access zone control unit whether a person is in the passenger cabin;

a sterilizing step of controlling an integrated lighting and sterilizing unit provided in the passenger compartment via the crew management terminal based on the confirmation of the absence of the person in the passenger compartment in the preparing step, to turn on the ultraviolet sterilizing module for a predetermined time; and

and a ventilation step of starting ventilation of the air conditioning system and switching off the air conditioning system after the air quality in the passenger cabin reaches a preset threshold value.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is proposed, which may comprise a cabin disinfection system according to the above aspects.

The cabin disinfection system according to the invention may include, but is not limited to, the beneficial technical effects listed below:

1) An integrated lighting and disinfection unit design integrated with ultraviolet disinfection technology, such as a preferred PSU design. The ultraviolet disinfection module can be of an integral design or a selective installation module, so that the product diversity is increased, the competitiveness is improved, and the refitting cost of a passenger cabin is reduced;

2) Based on different use scenes of the ultraviolet disinfection module and the lighting module, a specific circuit switching module is designed to realize that a set of circuits simultaneously supply the ultraviolet disinfection module and the lighting module, so that the power consumption load is reduced, and the circuit complexity is reduced;

3) The cabin sterilization system according to the present invention combines ultraviolet sterilization, personnel boarding sensing (e.g., passenger temperature measurement), sterilization warning lights, an air conditioning system, can automatically turn on or off an ultraviolet sterilization mode, and controls the cabin sterilization system through CMT, so that sterilization effect can be controlled more precisely (e.g., in terms of sterilization time and sterilization intensity).

During the epidemic period of epidemic diseases (such as in a later new epidemic situation), the ultraviolet disinfection module and the lighting module are integrated without increasing the space of disinfection products, and the ultraviolet disinfection module can be used as a selective installation module of PSU (passenger service unit), thereby increasing the diversity of products and improving the competitiveness. On the other hand, after the ultraviolet disinfection system is added, epidemic prevention requirements of carrier operators are met during the pandemic period of epidemic diseases, and market competitive advantages are greatly increased.

The cabin disinfection system according to the invention thus fulfils the requirements of use, overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and achieves the intended aim.

Drawings

For a further clear description of the cabin disinfection system according to the invention, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings and to the specific embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cabin sterilization system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit of a cabin sanitizing system in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is another schematic view of a first exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit of a cabin sanitizing system in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit shown in fig. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a second exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit of a cabin sanitizing system in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an entry zone control unit of a cabin sterilization system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 10 is a schematic flow chart of a cabin disinfection method according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

The figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale.

List of reference numerals in the figures and examples:

a 100-cabin sterilization system comprising:

10-integrated lighting and disinfection unit comprising:

10A-passenger service unit;

10B-cabin lighting assembly;

11-lighting module, comprising:

11A-an illumination unit;

11B-an illumination line;

12. a 12' -uv disinfection module comprising:

121. 121' -mount;

122. 122' -ultraviolet light emitting units;

123. 123' -power distribution portion;

124. 124' -lamp cap;

125-a reflector;

126-ultraviolet light emitting unit wiring;

a 13-switching module comprising:

13A-switching module power lines;

13B-switching module control lines;

14-an air conditioning module;

15-controlling a switch;

16-a speaker;

17-emergency oxygen module;

18-an indication system;

20-an inlet zone control unit;

21-a kinetic energy switch;

22-sensors;

23-warning lamps;

30-a crew management terminal;

40-an air quality detection module;

200-a passenger cabin comprising:

201-inlet.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It should be further understood that the specific devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed and defined herein. Thus, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the particular orientations, directions, or other physical characteristics to which the various embodiments disclosed relate should not be considered limiting.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a cabin sterilization system 100 according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the cabin sterilization system 100 according to the invention is described with reference to a cabin 200 of an aircraft.

It should be understood, however, that the present invention may be used with other vehicles or vehicles including, but not limited to, ships, trains (e.g., motor cars, high-speed rail cars, etc.) cars, subway cars, buses, etc. various vehicles having a passenger compartment.

As shown, the cabin sterilization system 100 according to the present disclosure may mainly include an integrated lighting and sterilization unit 10 and an entrance area control unit 20.

The integrated lighting and disinfection unit 10 is typically disposed in the passenger compartment 200. As an example, the integrated lighting and disinfection unit 10 may include a passenger service unit 10A, a cabin lighting assembly 10B, and other lighting units disposed in the passenger cabin 200.

For example, the passenger service unit 10A may be generally disposed above a passenger seat, and may be individually controlled by a passenger. The cabin lighting assembly 10B may be the primary light source within the passenger cabin 200 and may be disposed above and/or below the overhead stowage compartment along the length of the passenger cabin 200. In addition, several other lighting units may be provided within the passenger compartment 200, such as lighting units provided in kitchen, lavatory, etc. locations.

The integrated lighting and disinfection unit 10 according to the invention differs from existing lighting units in the passenger cabin 200 in that the integrated lighting and disinfection unit 10 comprises, in addition to the usual lighting modules 11, disinfection modules arranged together with the lighting modules 11, for example in parallel therewith. Hereinafter, the first exemplary ultraviolet sterilization module 12 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 2-5, and the second exemplary ultraviolet sterilization module 12' will be described in detail with reference to fig. 6-8.

Fig. 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of a first exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit 10 of a cabin sanitizing system 100 in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the integrated lighting and sanitizing unit 10 is in the form of a passenger service unit 10A, and may include various subassemblies for servicing passengers. In order to be able to concentrate high-intensity ultraviolet rays to achieve sterilization in a short time, the installation height of the ultraviolet sterilization module for object surface sterilization and disinfection is not preferably too high, and therefore, it is advantageous to provide the ultraviolet sterilization module in the passenger service unit 10A.

The passenger service unit 10A may include a lighting module 11, an ultraviolet sterilization module 12, and a switching module 13 for selectively switching off or on the lighting module 11 and the ultraviolet sterilization module 12.

The lighting module 11 may include a lighting unit 11A, and the lighting unit 11A may be various lamps for emitting visible light, such as reading lamps commonly used in a passenger cabin, and the like.

Fig. 4 and 5 are schematic exploded perspective and rear views, respectively, of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit 10 shown in fig. 2.

As shown, the ultraviolet sterilization module 12 may include a base 121, an ultraviolet light emitting unit 122, a power distribution portion 123, a lamp cover 124, and the like.

The base 121 may be part of the passenger service unit 10A or secured to the passenger service unit 10A to provide a support structure for the ultraviolet disinfection module 12.

The ultraviolet light emitting unit 122 may include a plurality of lamps arranged side by side, for example, 2 lamps shown in fig. 4. The lamp tube can emit ultraviolet rays, and the ultraviolet rays can break DNA ribonucleic acid molecular bonds to break, so that bacteria cannot reproduce and die. The ultraviolet light emitting unit 122, which is typically in the form of a lamp, may have a greater power, for example, compared to the ultraviolet light emitting unit 122' shown below in connection with fig. 6-8, thereby enabling a substantial reduction in sterilization time.

The power distribution portion 123 may include various voltage, current conversion modules, and may be connected to a power source (e.g., by means of the switching module 13) via the ultraviolet light emitting unit line 126.

The ultraviolet disinfection module 12 also includes a reflector 125 disposed above the lamp and may be coated with a reflective coating material as known in the art to reflect ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp to the underside, thereby increasing the disinfection effect.

In addition, the lamp cover 124 may be made of a transparent material, such as various composite materials, and is fitted with the base 121 from below, to enclose the ultraviolet light emitting unit 122 therein, and to reduce absorption and blocking of ultraviolet rays as little as possible.

The switching module 13 may be connected downstream to the illumination line 11B and the ultraviolet light emitting unit line 126, respectively, and upstream to the switching module power line 13A to be connected to a power source. In addition, the switching module 13 may receive a switching instruction from a controller (e.g., a kinetic energy switch 21 described in detail below) via a switching module control line 13B, and may send the state of the switching module 13 or the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit 10 to a display device or controller, e.g., to the crewmember management terminal 30.

The switching module 13 may selectively turn on one of the illumination line 11B and the ultraviolet light emitting unit line 126 based on an instruction from the controller, thereby allowing only one of the illumination module 11 and the ultraviolet sterilization module 12 to be turned on. For example, the switching module 13 may be controlled by a kinetic energy switch 21 provided in the inlet zone control unit 20.

It should be understood that the above-described allowing only one of the illumination module 11 and the ultraviolet sterilization module 12 to be powered on is intended to mean that the switching module 13 does not allow the illumination module 11 and the ultraviolet sterilization module 12 to be powered on at the same time. Thus, as an example, when the lighting module 11 is powered on, the ultraviolet sterilization module 12 will be powered off, and when the ultraviolet sterilization module 12 is powered on, the lighting module 11 will be powered off.

In this way, the lighting module 11 and the ultraviolet disinfection module 12 may be connected to a common power supply circuit via the switching module 13, and the lighting module 11 or the ultraviolet disinfection module 12 may be selectively powered, respectively, as needed.

The lighting unit 11A of the cabin PSU module may be used for passenger lighting (e.g. for aircraft cruising stage for passengers). While the uv light emitting units 122, 122' may be available to staff personnel when no passengers are present in the passenger compartment. For example, after an aircraft voyage or while the aircraft is being diverted, where no passengers are present in the passenger cabin, the ground crew may activate the ultraviolet light emitting units 122, 122'.

In addition, as shown in detail in fig. 2, the passenger service unit 10A may further include an air conditioning module 14, a control switch 15, a speaker 16, an emergency oxygen module 17, an indication system 18, etc., the construction of which are known in the art, and therefore, the present invention will not be described in detail.

As a non-limiting example, the ultraviolet disinfection module 12 may be a separate module, for example, and be disposed between the control switch 15 and the speaker 16. Alternatively, the ultraviolet disinfection module 12 may be disposed between other types of subassemblies.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a second exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit 10A of a cabin sanitizing system 100 in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure; fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit 10A shown in fig. 6.

As shown, the second exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit 10A shown in fig. 6-7 differs from the first exemplary integrated lighting and sanitizing unit 10A shown in fig. 2-5 primarily in the arrangement of the ultraviolet sanitizing modules. In fig. 6-7, the ultraviolet disinfection module 12 'may be arranged around the outlet of the lighting unit 11A and the air conditioning module 14 to form a uniform and coordinated morphology of the ultraviolet disinfection module 12' and the lighting module 11.

Fig. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the integrated lighting and disinfecting unit 10A shown in fig. 6.

As shown and as a non-limiting example, the ultraviolet disinfection module 12' may likewise include a base 121', an ultraviolet light unit 122', a power distribution portion 123', a lamp cover 124', and the like.

The base 121 'may be part of the passenger service unit 10A or secured to the passenger service unit 10A to provide a support structure for the ultraviolet disinfection module 12'.

The ultraviolet light unit 122' may include a substantially annular lamp, such as the lamp shown in fig. 4 including a major arc of greater than 270 degrees. The lamp tube can emit ultraviolet rays, and the ultraviolet rays can break DNA ribonucleic acid molecular bonds to break, so that bacteria cannot reproduce and die. This arrangement of light tubes allows for better utilization of the existing passenger service unit 10A configuration in the passenger compartment, thereby greatly reducing retrofit and installation maintenance costs.

The power distribution portion 123' may include various voltage, current conversion modules, and may be connected to a power source (e.g., by means of the switching module 13) via the ultraviolet light emitting unit line 126.

The lamp cover 124' may be made of a transparent material, such as various composite materials, and may be shaped to conform to the generally annular shape of the base 121' and the ultraviolet light emitting unit 122' so as to cooperate with the base 121' from below, enclose the ultraviolet light emitting unit 122' therein, and reduce absorption and blocking of ultraviolet light as little as possible.

It should be appreciated that while the ultraviolet disinfection module 12' is shown in fig. 6-8 as having a generally annular (or circular) configuration, other configurations may be employed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, while the integrated lighting and sanitizing unit 10 according to the present invention has been described above primarily with reference to the structure of the passenger service unit 10A, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. Those skilled in the art may also apply this to other existing lighting modules or assemblies in the passenger cabin with simple modifications, for example, the ultraviolet disinfection modules 12, 12' may be integrated into the cabin lighting assembly 10B in a similar manner.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the ingress area control unit 20 of the cabin sterilization system 100 according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 9 and referring to fig. 1, an ingress area control unit 20 may be disposed at an ingress 201 of a passenger compartment 200 and communicatively connected to an integrated lighting and disinfection unit 10 and crew management terminal 30 within the passenger compartment 200. For example, communicatively connected to each integrated lighting and disinfecting unit 10 to send control signals to each integrated lighting and disinfecting unit 10 and receive corresponding signals therefrom. Thus, the description "communicatively connected" as used herein refers to the ability to transmit electrical signals between components or units connected to each other, such as via wired or wireless transmission, etc.

As a non-limiting example, the entrance zone control unit 20 may include a kinetic energy switch 21, a sensor 22, and a disinfection warning light 23.

The kinetic energy switch 21 may be used to control the switching on or off of the lighting module 11 and the ultraviolet disinfection modules 12 and 12', for example via the switching module 13. The sensor 22 may be used to sense the ingress and egress of passengers into the portal 201. For example, the sensor 22 may be integrated with a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the human body, thereby being able to simultaneously be used to determine whether the temperature of an incoming passenger exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Since ultraviolet rays cause burns to the skin and eyes, the ultraviolet disinfection modules 12 and 12' should ensure that no one is in the passenger cabin when in use. In addition, as substances such as ozone and the like can be generated during ultraviolet sterilization, ventilation is needed in time after sterilization so as to avoid discomfort of human body.

To this end, the cabin sterilization system 100 further comprises an air quality detection module 40 arranged in the cabin 200.

As a non-linear example, as a passenger enters the passenger cabin 200 via the portal 201, the sensor 22, such as a anthropometric sensor, may detect the temperature of the passenger and, upon sensing a fever of the passenger, may perform a high temperature alarm, which may be indicated by an audible and visual alarm through the Crewmember Management Terminal (CMT) 30.

When the personnel determines that no person is present in the cabin 200, the cabin sterilization system 100 is activated by the kinetic energy switch 21, at which point the circuit is switched to power the ultraviolet sterilization module 12, 12', for example, at which point current flows through the ultraviolet light unit line 126 and no current flows in the lighting line 11B.

When the sensor 22 detects that a person enters the passenger compartment 200, a signal is transmitted to the switching module 13, the current of the ultraviolet light unit line 126 is cut off, and ultraviolet sterilization is stopped. At the same time, the crewmember management terminal 30 may record the start time and duration of disinfection for subsequent re-opening, for example, upon detecting again that no person is in the passenger cabin 200.

When the sterilization duration satisfies the setting, the crew management terminal 30 transmits a signal to the switching module 13, stopping the ultraviolet sterilization. At this time, ventilation of the air conditioning system may be turned on by the crew management terminal 30 until the air quality detection module 40 detects that the air quality in the passenger compartment 200 is good. Then, the air conditioning system may be turned off by the attendant management terminal 30 and a corresponding audible and visual cue may be displayed. As an example, a prompt may be displayed that "the sterilized air today is of good quality" and a corresponding voice broadcast may be made.

The operating logic of the cabin sterilization system 100 according to the present invention may optionally include the steps of:

step 1: in a preparation step, cabin 200 monitoring may be performed, for example by means of a sensor 22 of the ingress area control unit 20, to monitor whether someone has entered the cabin 200 and to monitor whether the body temperature of the passengers entering the cabin 200 is abnormal.

For example, before the cabin 200 is sterilized, it may be determined whether a person is within the cabin 200, if a person is present, the cabin sterilization system 100 may not be activated, and if a person is not present, the cabin sterilization system 100 may be activated.

Step 2: a disinfection step in which the cabin disinfection system 100 is turned on by actuating the kinetic energy switch 21 of the inlet zone control unit 20. For example, the ultraviolet light emitting unit line 126 is energized by means of the switching module 13 so that the ultraviolet light emitting units 122, 122' emit ultraviolet rays and irradiate a predetermined portion of the passenger compartment 200 or the entire passenger compartment 200. At this time, the warning lamp 22 of the entrance area control unit 20 may also be turned on at the same time. In addition, an actuation signal of the kinetic energy switch 21 may be sent to the attendant management terminal 30 so that the attendant management terminal 30 may record the cabin sterilization system 100 on time and duration.

During ultraviolet disinfection, if someone intrudes into the passenger compartment 200, the sensor 22 (e.g., an infrared thermometry system) may transmit a signal to the switching module 13 such that the illumination line 11B is energized and the illumination unit 11A emits visible light to provide illumination to the passenger compartment 200. At this time, the ultraviolet light emitting unit line 126 is powered off due to the line switching, thereby stopping the sterilization in an emergency, and simultaneously transmitting a signal to the crew management terminal 30, recording the ultraviolet sterilization termination time and duration. If no person breaks in, the ultraviolet disinfection module 12, 12' of the cabin disinfection system 100 may be operated until the cabin 200 is disinfected.

Step 3: in the ventilation step, after the ultraviolet sterilization is completed, the attendant management terminal 30 may turn on the air conditioning system for ventilation, and when the air quality detection module 40 detects that the air is qualified, the air conditioning system may be turned off, and a prompt of "the sterilized air is good today" may be displayed on the attendant management terminal 30.

It should be understood that the sterilization steps shown above are merely illustrative and that one skilled in the art may adjust the order of steps, add steps, or subtract steps accordingly.

In view of the foregoing, a cabin sterilization system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and achieves the intended objects.

While the cabin sterilization system of the present invention has been described above in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Accordingly, the present invention may be variously modified and changed within the spirit of the claims, and all such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cabin sterilization system (100), the cabin sterilization system comprising:

an integrated lighting and disinfection unit (10) which is arranged in a passenger cabin (200) and comprises a lighting module (11), an ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12 ') arranged in parallel with the lighting module (11), and a switching module (13) for selectively switching off or on the lighting module (11) and the ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12 '), wherein the switching module (13) allows only one of the lighting module (11) and the ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12 ') to be powered on; and

an ingress area control unit (20) provided at an ingress (201) of the passenger cabin (200) and communicatively connected to the integrated lighting and disinfection unit (10) and a crew management terminal (30) within the passenger cabin (200),

wherein the entrance zone control unit (20) comprises a kinetic energy switch (21) for controlling the illumination module (11) and the ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12 ') and a sensor (22) for sensing the ingress and egress of passengers into the entrance (201), wherein the integrated illumination and disinfection unit (10) comprises a passenger service unit (10A) arranged above a passenger seat, and the ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12') is a separate module and arranged in the passenger service unit (10A) adjacent to the illumination module (11) and comprises a mounting seat (121; 121 '), an ultraviolet light emitting unit (122; 122') supported on the mounting seat, a power distribution section (123; 123 ') and a lamp cover (124').

2. The cabin sterilization system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting unit (122) includes a plurality of light tubes arranged side-by-side, and the ultraviolet sterilization module (12) further includes a reflector (125) disposed above the light tubes to reflect ultraviolet light emitted by the light tubes to the lower side.

3. The cabin sterilization system (100) as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the lighting module (11) comprises an annular lighting unit (11A), while the ultraviolet light emitting unit (122 ') of the ultraviolet sterilization module (12') is disposed around the lighting unit (11A).

4. A cabin disinfection system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the passenger service unit (10A) further comprises an air conditioning module (14), a control switch (15), a speaker (16), an emergency oxygen module (17) and an indication system (18) arranged adjacent to the lighting module (11).

5. A cabin disinfection system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the lighting module (11) and the ultraviolet disinfection module (12) have a common power supply circuit.

6. A cabin disinfection system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the access zone control unit (20) further comprises a disinfection warning light (23) indicating that the ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12') is operating.

7. A cabin sterilization system (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the cabin sterilization system further comprises an air quality detection module (40) arranged in the cabin (200).

8. A method of cabin sterilization, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing a cabin disinfection system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1-7;

-a preparation step in which it is detected by means of the sensor (22) of the access zone control unit (20) whether a person is in the passenger compartment (200);

a disinfection step of controlling the integrated lighting and disinfection unit (10) provided in the passenger compartment (200) via the crew management terminal (30) based on the confirmation of no person in the passenger compartment (200) in the preparation step, to turn on the ultraviolet disinfection module (12; 12') for a predetermined time; and

and a ventilation step of turning on an air conditioning system for ventilation and turning off the air conditioning system after the air quality in the passenger compartment (200) reaches a predetermined threshold.

9. A vehicle comprising a cabin sterilization system (100) according to any one of claims 1-7.