DE102020122646A1 - Method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle, and interior components for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

In a system and method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior (12) of a vehicle (11), a UV radiation source (13) is used to disinfect at least one surface (14) in the interior (12) of the vehicle (11) with UV radiation (13a ) irradiated. The surface (14) is provided with an indicator (19) which emits light (19a) when and/or after the UV radiation (13a) hits it, which light is recorded with an image recording unit (20). Depending on this, a control unit (22) controls the UV radiation source (13) and/or a movement of at least one interior component (16) of the vehicle (11).

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle, and an interior component for a vehicle. In particular, the method, the system and the interior component are suitable for motor vehicles.

In order to prevent the vehicle occupants from being endangered by viruses or bacteria when using vehicles or motor vehicles, it is important that the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned or disinfected before use. Furthermore, by disinfecting the interiors of vehicles and in particular the surfaces located therein, a further spread of viruses and/or bacteria is prevented or at least restricted.

This applies in particular to vehicles that are used alternately by several or even a large number of people, such as fleet vehicles, car sharing vehicles, vehicles for transporting people, rescue vehicles and other emergency vehicles such as those used by the police and fire brigade, as well as vehicles for transport of goods.

Chemical cleaning agents, for example, are known for cleaning vehicle interiors and disinfecting them. However, these have the disadvantage that cleaning is labour-intensive and gases can form in the process, which can lead to an unpleasant odor or are even hazardous to health.

Disinfection methods are also known in which UV-C radiation is used.

For example, in the pamphlet DE 10 2018 002 328 A1 describes a device with at least one ultraviolet light source, which emits UV-C radiation for sanitizing vehicle parts inside a vehicle. The device also includes at least one light source for emitting light that is visible to the human eye. Furthermore, a method for operating the device and a vehicle with such a device are described.

EP 3 421 054 A1 describes a cleanliness indicator system that indicates that a surface of a component is clean. The system includes a photoluminescence indicator located on the surface of the component. The photoluminescent indicator is exposed to ultraviolet light during a UV light disinfection cycle and emits light due to exposure to the UV light. It indicates that the surface is clean by emitting the light due to exposure to UV light.

U.S. 2020/0061223 A1 shows a disinfection system with a light source, a first sensor and a controller. The light source emits germicidal light in a vehicle interior. The first sensor detects the presence of bacteria, viruses and dirt. The controller activates, projects, and selectively controls light emissions of the light source based at least in part on sensor data.

JP 2008-012981 A describes a temperature controller for a seat surface, with which the position of the seat is increased in accordance with solar radiation.

As a rule, radiation processes for disinfecting vehicle interiors are carried out in stationary vehicles or in autonomous vehicles, with no occupants being in the vehicle.

The problem here is that the irradiation may have been insufficient, so that viruses or bacteria are still present in the vehicle interior.

The object of the invention is to create a system and a method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle and in particular a motor vehicle, with which the thoroughness of the disinfection can be increased. Furthermore, an interior component for a vehicle or motor vehicle is to be created with which the thoroughness of the disinfection can be increased.

The object is achieved by the system for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle according to patent claim 1, by the method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle according to patent claim 7 and by the interior component for a vehicle according to patent claim 10. Further features and details of the invention result from the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a system for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle, comprising a UV radiation source which is arranged or attachable in the interior of a vehicle in order to irradiate at least one surface in the interior of the vehicle with UV radiation, wherein the surface is at least partially provided with an indicator that emits light when and/or after the impact of the UV radiation, and an image recording measuring unit, which is designed to receive the light emitted by the indicator.

This increases the thoroughness of the disinfection. For example, it can be determined whether and, if so, which areas of the surfaces have not been irradiated or only insufficiently, which areas of the surfaces have been sufficiently irradiated, and whether all areas of the surfaces have been effectively disinfected and thus freed of viruses or bacteria.

If necessary, this information can be used to irradiate the areas of the surfaces that have not yet been irradiated or only insufficiently irradiated with UV radiation, so that effective disinfection can also take place in these areas.

In addition, vehicle occupants who have entered a vehicle interior have the possibility of determining the execution of the irradiation and its thoroughness or effectiveness.

The indicator is embodied as a marker, for example.

The indicator or a large number of indicators are, for example, attached to the surfaces of the interior and/or integrated into the surfaces, so that they react to the UV light there by giving off or emitting light.

In particular, the indicator can be formed by a paint, a thread, a coating, a plastic, or by any combination thereof and/or can comprise such elements.

For example, the indicator comprises a fluorescence- and/or phosphorescence-based material, or it is formed by such a material or made of such a material. It lights up by fluorescence and/or by phosphorescence when stimulated to do so by UV radiation. In particular, the indicator produces an afterglow after UV exposure has occurred.

The system preferably includes an evaluation unit for determining areas of the surface which are and/or were irradiated by the UV radiation from the light emitted by the indicator. For example, an image processing unit is provided as an evaluation unit or as a part thereof.

The system advantageously includes a control unit which is designed to control the UV radiation source as a function of the light emitted by the indicator.

For example, the control unit is designed to control a movement of at least one interior component of the vehicle depending on the light emitted by the indicator.

For example, the intensity and/or the duration of the irradiation of surface areas by the UV radiation source can be controlled in this way. A movement of the UV radiation source and/or the beam direction can also be controlled as a function of the light emitted by the indicator.

For example, the system includes an actuator unit for moving the UV radiation source and/or for adjusting the emission direction in the vehicle depending on the light emitted by the indicator.

The system preferably includes a display unit for displaying those areas of the surface or surfaces in the interior of the vehicle in which the marker emits light and/or possibly does not emit light or emits less light than, for example, other areas.

In particular, the surface with the areas that can be irradiated with UV light to different extents is visualized or shown on the display unit, which is embodied as a display, for example.

The image recording unit is designed in particular to record light effects that are excited by irradiation with UV light in the indicator or marker. These may be visible upon and/or after exposure to the UV light.

The image recording unit advantageously includes an interior camera, in particular a 360° interior camera, or it is designed as such.

For example, the image recording unit or interior camera is mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle interior. For example, the interior camera observes the irradiation process, taking pictures of the surfaces in particular.

The UV radiation source is preferably designed to emit UV radiation in a radius of 360°. The UV radiation source is, for example, stationary in the area of the center console of the vehicle and radiates from there into the room. The UV radiation source emits in particular UV-C radiation.

For example, the radiation source can be moved in the vehicle by an actuator unit. For example, it is designed in such a way that it uses UV radiation to scan the interior of the vehicle or the interior elements arranged there.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: irradiating at least one surface in the interior of a vehicle with UV radiation, detecting light emitted from the surface in response to the incident UV Radiation is emitted, and determining areas of the surface that are and/or have been irradiated with UV light from the light emitted and detected by the surface.

In particular, the method determines which areas have been sufficiently irradiated to ensure effective disinfection or elimination of viruses and/or bacteria.

The irradiation of the surface and/or a movement of at least one interior component of the vehicle is preferably controlled as a function of the light emitted by the indicator.

The quality of the irradiation of the surface is advantageously displayed visually on a display unit.

The method is preferably carried out with the system according to the invention.

According to a third aspect, the invention creates an interior component for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a surface which is provided with an indicator which emits light when it is hit by UV radiation in order to mark areas of the surfaces which are UV- Radiation are irradiated and / or were irradiated.

Advantages and features that are described in connection with one aspect of the invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention. Elements identified by the same reference numerals in the different drawings will only be described again where appropriate.

• 1 schematisch ein Kraftfahrzeug als Seitenansicht zeigt, das ein Desinfektionssystem gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung umfasst; und
• 2 einige Beispiele für Oberflächen von Innenraumkomponenten von Fahrzeugen zeigt, die einen Indikator umfassen, der bei oder nach der Bestrahlung mit UV-Licht leuchtet.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the figures, in which:

• 1 shows schematically a motor vehicle in side view, comprising a disinfection system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
• 2 Figure 1 shows some examples of vehicle interior component surfaces that include an indicator that glows upon or after exposure to UV light.

In 1 a motor vehicle 11 is shown, in whose interior 12 a system 10 for disinfecting is arranged according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The system 10 includes a UV radiation source 13 which is designed to emit UV radiation 13a and is arranged in the interior 12 in such a way that it irradiates surfaces 14 located in the interior with UV radiation 13a. The surfaces 14 are provided with an indicator 19 which emits light 19a when and/or after the UV radiation 13a emitted by the radiation source 13 strikes them. An image recording unit 20 is arranged on the ceiling 15 of the vehicle interior 12 and is designed as a camera in order to receive the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19 and to record an image thereof.

The UV radiation source 13 is fixed in the vehicle interior 12 in the area of the center console and radiates into the room in a radius of 360°. The UV radiation emitted by the UV radiation source 13 is in particular UV-C radiation, since this is particularly suitable for eliminating viruses and/or bacteria.

The surfaces 14 that are irradiated with the UV radiation 13a for disinfection can include, for example, the surface of the ceiling 15 or the headliner of the vehicle interior 12, as well as surfaces of the seats 16, the floor 17, the instrument panel 18 with the associated operating and display instruments, other surfaces in the vehicle interior, such as the steering wheel, other operating and switching elements, and/or surfaces of shelves, side walls, interior panels, armrests, etc.

The indicator 19 for displaying the UV or UV-C radiation impinging on the surfaces 14 comprises, for example, a large number of indicator elements. It is distributed as evenly as possible in the surfaces 14 of the vehicle interior 12 in order to display their UV radiation as completely as possible.

The indicator 19 includes, for example, one or more markers that are attached to or integrated into the surfaces 14 of the interior space 12 . The indicator or the markers 19 include, for example, a color, coating, threads, plastics and / or other elements on UV light and in particular react to UV-C radiation and emit light when and/or after they are or have been irradiated with the UV radiation light. A fluorescence and/or phosphorescence-based material, from which the indicator 19 is made or which is contained in the indicator 19, is used for this purpose.

In the example shown here, the image recording unit 20 is designed as a 360° camera in order to record the surfaces 14 in the interior 12 of the vehicle 11 with the light effects emitted by the indicator 19 as completely as possible. It is used to monitor the irradiation process and to take the pictures.

An evaluation unit 21 is used to determine areas of the surfaces 14 which are and/or were irradiated by the UV radiation from the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19 . For this purpose, the evaluation unit 21 receives data or image data generated by the camera 20 and determines whether and, if so, how intensely the surface 14 is illuminated in different areas.

For example, if an indicator or marker 19 does not light up in an area or at a point on the surface 14, then this area or point is covered by an object during the UV irradiation, so that the UV radiation cannot impinge there. In this way, action and reaction can be compared with one another by evaluating the images recorded by the camera.

A control unit 22 is designed to control an active movement of the seats 16 and/or their partial areas depending on the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19 . The control unit 22 is coupled to the evaluation unit 21 in order to receive data from there which characterize the intensity and the distribution of the light 19a in the surfaces 14 .

Areas of the surfaces 14 in the vehicle interior 12 that were not or only insufficiently irradiated, which were partially or completely covered or shaded by the UV irradiation by the seats 16, can be removed by changing the position and/or setting of the seats 16 and their sub-areas using the control unit 22 are released for the UV radiation, so that these areas are no longer shaded by the seats 16 or parts thereof and their surfaces 14 are reached by the UV radiation 13a.

The irradiation per area can also be increased by moving or adjusting the seats 16 depending on the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19 . Instead of or in addition to the seats 16, other movable interior components of the vehicle 11 can also be controlled in the same way in order to carry out or increase the UV radiation in certain areas.

The control unit 22 is also designed to control a movement of the UV radiation source 13 . For this purpose, the radiation source 13 can be moved in position. For this purpose, an actuator unit 23 is provided, which is controlled by the control unit 22 and correspondingly changes the orientation or emission direction of the UV radiation source 13 and/or its position.

For example, the actuator unit 23 includes a robot arm 24, as shown in the enlarged detail A in 1 shown so that the UV radiation source 13 can be moved robotically. The actuator unit 23 is designed in such a way that the interior of the vehicle 12 is scanned with the UV radiation 13a.

A display unit in the form of a display 25 is designed to display the areas of the surface 14 and the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19 in response to the UV radiation 13a. The image recorded by the camera 20 is then reproduced. The display 25 is arranged on the instrument panel 18 and shows the driver and other vehicle occupants whether and in which areas of the vehicle interior 12 effective UV irradiation is being carried out or has been carried out.

The quality of the UV radiation can also be displayed and perceived by the vehicle occupants. The reproduction or display of a fast-motion or time-lapse recording, which shows the surfaces 14 with the light effects of the indicator 19, serves this purpose in particular.

In order to display locations or areas of the surfaces 14 that have not received any UV radiation, a long-term exposure is used, for example, in which these locations or areas appear dark.

A mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone, for example, can also be used as the display unit 25, to which the recorded image or the recorded images are transmitted. This allows the user of the vehicle to make sure that the interior has been thoroughly disinfected before entering the vehicle. If the user deems it necessary, he can initiate automatic cleaning of the vehicle interior 12 by means of UV radiation.

In 2 some examples of surfaces 14 of interior components of vehicles are shown, which have an indicator 19 and emit light 19a through fluorescence and/or phosphorescence when irradiated with the UV radiation 13a generated by the UV radiation source 13 .

1. (A) eine Oberfläche 14, die mit einem Kunststoff, einem Lack, einer Farbe oder Ähnlichem als Indikator 19 beschichtet ist,
2. (B) eine Oberfläche 14, die einen oder mehrere Fäden, Keder oder Ähnliches als Indikator 19 aufweist, und zum Beispiel als Bezug für die Fahrzeugsitze 16 oder auch als Innenverkleidung verwendbar ist, und
3. (C) eine Oberfläche 14, die einen Marker als Indikator 19 aufweist.

The example shows

1. (A) a surface 14 coated with a plastic, a lacquer, a paint or the like as an indicator 19,
2. (B) a surface 14 which has one or more threads, piping or the like as an indicator 19 and can be used, for example, as a cover for the vehicle seats 16 or as an interior lining, and
3. (C) a surface 14 having a marker 19 as an indicator.

An exemplary embodiment of the interior component according to the invention is in 1 seat 16 shown. It has a cover formed in accordance with example (B) above such that upon exposure to UV radiation the seat 16 emits light to thereby indicate areas of its surface which are exposed to UV radiation and /or have been irradiated.

An interior component designed in this way is also formed, for example, by the instrument panel 18, the ceiling 15 and the floor 17 in the vehicle 11.

• Dabei werden mittels der UV-Strahlungsquelle 13 die Oberflächen 14 im Innenraum 12 des Fahrzeugs 11 mit UV-Strahlung 13a bestrahlt, wie beispielsweise die Oberflächen der Sitze 16 und der Decke 15. Das Licht 19a, das durch den Indikator 19 von den Oberflächen 14 als Reaktion auf die auftreffende UV-Strahlung 13a abgestrahlt wird, wird mittels der Kamera 20 erfasst. Mit Hilfe der Auswerteeinheit 21 werden aus dem von den Oberflächen 14 abgestrahlten und von der Kamera 20 erfassten Licht 19a Bereiche der Oberflächen 14 bestimmt, die mit der UV-Strahlung 13a bestrahlt wurden.

An exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle is described below:

• The surfaces 14 in the interior 12 of the vehicle 11 are irradiated with UV radiation 13a, such as the surfaces of the seats 16 and the ceiling 15, by means of the UV radiation source 13. The light 19a, which is emitted by the indicator 19 from the surfaces 14 as Response to the incident UV radiation 13a is emitted is detected by the camera 20 . With the aid of the evaluation unit 21, areas of the surfaces 14 that were irradiated with the UV radiation 13a are determined from the light 19a emitted by the surfaces 14 and detected by the camera 20.

The irradiation of the surface 14 with the UV radiation 13a is controlled as a function of the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19 and captured by the camera 20 and with the aid of an image evaluation, with the UV radiation source 13 being moved by means of the actuator unit 23 .

Also, depending on the light 19a emitted by the indicator 19, the seats 16 are moved with the aid of the control unit 22 in order to invert areas of the surfaces of the seats 16 and/or areas of these and other surfaces in the vehicle that were initially shaded by the seats 16 to bring the area of UV radiation 13a.

Images recorded by the camera 20 are shown on the display 25 so that the quality of the irradiation of the surface can be seen by the vehicle user.

The method is preferably carried out using the system 10 according to the invention, as described in detail above.

Reference List

10

system

11

motor vehicle

12

inner space

13

UV radiation source

13a

UV radiation

14

surfaces

15

ceiling

16

seats

17

floor

18

dashboard

19

indicator

19a

light

20

image acquisition unit

21

evaluation unit

22

control unit

23

actuator unit

24

robotic arm

25

display unit

(A), (B), (C)

Examples of surfaces

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102018002328 A1 [0006]
• EP 3421054 A1 [0007]
• US 2020/0061223 A1 [0008]
• JP 2008012981A [0009]

Claims (10)

System for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle, comprising a UV radiation source (13) which is arranged or attachable in the interior (12) of a vehicle (11) in order to irradiate at least one surface (14) in the interior (12) of the vehicle (12) with UV radiation (13a). , wherein the surface (14) is at least partially provided with an indicator (19) which emits light (19a) when and/or after the impact of the UV radiation (13a), and an image recording unit (20) which is designed to record the light (19a) emitted by the indicator (19). system after claim 1 characterized by an evaluation unit (21) for determining areas of the surface (14) which are and/or have been irradiated by the UV radiation (13a) from the light (19a) emitted by the indicator (19). system after claim 1 or 2 , characterized by a control unit (22) for controlling the UV radiation source (13) and/or a movement of at least one interior component (16) of the vehicle (11) depending on the light (19a) emitted by the indicator (19). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a display unit (25) for displaying the areas of the surface (14) in which the indicator (19) emits the light (19a). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image recording unit (20) comprises a 360° interior camera. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UV radiation source (13) is designed to emit UV radiation (13a) in a radius of 360°. Method for disinfecting surfaces in the interior of a vehicle, comprising the steps: Irradiating at least one surface (14) in the interior (12) of a vehicle (11) with UV radiation (13a), detecting light (19a) emitted from the surface (14) in response to the incident UV radiation (13a), and Determining areas of the surface (14) which are and/or have been irradiated with the UV radiation (13a) from the light (19a) emitted and detected by the surface (14). procedure after claim 7 , characterized in that depending on the light (19a) emitted by the indicator (19), the irradiation of the surface (14) and/or a movement of at least one interior component (16) of the vehicle (11) is controlled. procedure after claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the quality of the irradiation of the surface (14) is shown optically on a display unit (25). Interior component for a vehicle, comprising a surface (14) which is provided with an indicator (19) which emits light (19a) when struck by UV radiation (13a) in order to identify areas of the surface (14) which are UV radiation (13a) are and/or have been irradiated.

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