DE102020210016A1 - Method and device for disinfecting a target object in an interior of an aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for disinfecting a target object (12a-c) in an interior (2) of an aircraft, the target object (12a-c) is disinfected by spraying it with a disinfectant (10), the disinfectant (10) being discharged through an outlet (16 ) is released as a spray mist at a spray location (22), and the disinfectant (10) is or will be provided with an electrical charge and/or polarization, and an electric field (20) is generated in the interior (2) which is emitted from the spray location ( 22) leads to the target object (12a-c) and causes the disinfectant (10) to be attracted from the spray location (22) to the target object (12a-c). A device (14) for carrying out the method contains an outlet (16) for releasing of the disinfectant (10) and an electric potential device (18) for generating the electric field (20) and for providing the spray with the electric charge and/or polarization.

Description

The invention relates to the disinfection of target objects in an aircraft or its interior, in particular a lavatory as the interior.

In connection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (formerly 2019-nCoV) or COVID-19, comprehensive hygiene concepts in aircraft are desirable or even necessary from 2020 at the latest. There is a need for disinfecting interior spaces in the aircraft, e.g. the passenger cabin, in particular also the washrooms (lavatories). The aim is to disinfect as comprehensively as possible target objects that can contribute to disease transmission. These are e.g.

The disinfection of interior spaces in aircraft (especially lavatory) by means of UV disinfection is known from practice, for example see "Wikipedia, "Disinfection", section "Disinfection by irradiation", website "https://de. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ disinfection", retrieved on June 29, 2020 or Wikipedia, "Ultraviolet radiation", section "Disinfection", website "https:// de. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ Ultraviolet radiation", retrieved on June 29th, 2020". Radiators are attached and directed at the surfaces to be disinfected. Alternatively, the lavatory is disinfected by hand by the staff after each use. Room disinfection devices spray a fine mist into the room knocks down.

The object of the invention is to improve the disinfection in the interior of an aircraft.

The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 for disinfecting at least one target object in an interior of an aircraft. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention and other categories of the invention result from the further claims, the following description and the attached figures.

In the method, the target object is disinfected by spraying it with a disinfectant. This is done as follows: the disinfectant is released through an outlet at a spray location. It is released into the air at the spray location or made available there, e.g. by being sprayed out of a nozzle. The spray location is then the location of the nozzle or the local area of a spray cloud or a spray cone in which the disinfectant reaches the interior.

The disinfectant is or will also be provided with an electrical charge and/or polarization. For the sake of simplicity, the term “charge” is used below, although charge and/or polarization is meant. The charge may be intrinsic to the disinfectant itself or imparted to it before, during or after spraying or misting. The disinfectant, after spraying, is in the form of spray droplets such as aerosol, mist, cloud, etc., each of these spray droplets having the charge.

In addition, an electric field is generated in the interior, which field lines lead from the spray location to the target object and cause an attraction of the disinfectant or an attraction force on the disinfectant from the spray location to the target object. In other words, the spray or its droplets are drawn towards the target object.

In the method, one or more target objects can be sprayed simultaneously or one after the other. The spray location is in the interior or at its border, e.g. a wall of the interior. The force of attraction acts on one spray droplet at a time, so the disinfectant corresponds to a mist of spray droplets.

In the process, therefore, there is no targeted spraying in the strict sense. Rather, the spray is released, in particular a cloud of fine droplets is generated. The released spray, e.g. the cloud, first spreads out and is then directed by the electric field to the target location, e.g. on fittings. So this is not comparable to targeted spraying, such as with a paint gun or when spray plaster is applied.

• Beim Sprühen eines Sprühnebels durch Raum-Desinfektionsgeräte nach der bekannten Vorgehensweise wie oben erläutert werden nicht sichtseitige Flächen kaum benetzt, so dass massiv Desinfektionsmittel versprüht werden muss um auch in Hinterschnitten eine ausreichende Entkeimung zu erreichen. Das Meiste landet auf dem Boden - der gar nicht vornehmlich desinfiziert werden muss.

The invention is based on the following findings:

• When spraying a spray mist through room disinfection devices according to the known procedure as explained above, surfaces that are not visible are hardly wetted, so that massive amounts of disinfectant have to be sprayed in order to achieve sufficient disinfection even in undercuts. Most of it ends up on the floor - which does not have to be primarily disinfected.

The procedure according to the invention represents a less problematic solution to the known procedures mentioned above: The invention offers “electrostatic disinfection”. In particular, the disinfectant is sprayed into the room with an electrical charge. The charge is followed by the droplets (of the disinfectant or Spray mist) the electrical field lines and accumulate primarily at the points where the field lines end on the target object. In particular, these are the points that are connected to ground or another suitable electrical potential with an opposite pole (to a pole at the outlet or a spray nozzle). This creates a thin film of disinfectant around these points (on the target object) and kills the pathogens. For example, a door handle is also wetted on the back (which, for example, would not have reached the spray mist falling due to the force of gravity, according to the prior art).

The invention allows precise application of a desired layer thickness of disinfectant, selective application of the agent to neuralgic points, low overspray (spraying of more disinfectant than would be necessary for the actual disinfection of the target object), fast, defined drying times, minimal use of disinfectant in terms of consumption and weight. Undercuts are also reliably wetted, e.g. the back of a door handle. The method or the procedure or a corresponding device carrying out the method is adaptive to the respective pathogen, i.e. the disinfection can also be specifically tailored to the pathogen (e.g. in the case of germ resistance). Only a small amount of electrical power is required to operate the method or the operation of a corresponding device.

According to the invention, an electrostatic field is used to specifically control the wetting process.

In a preferred embodiment, the electric field is generated by applying potentials of a potential difference to the outlet and the target object. In this way, the field leads specifically from the point of application to the target point of the disinfectant and thus directs the disinfectant particularly effectively to the target object.

In a preferred embodiment, the method is carried out with a washroom as the interior and a piece of furniture in the washroom is sprayed as the target object. The washroom is a particularly critical area in the aircraft, which should be disinfected as often as possible. The effective, thorough and economical disinfection is particularly effective there. For example, the saving of disinfectant per disinfection adds up to a particularly large overall saving.

In a preferred embodiment, a door handle and/or a washbasin and/or water tap and/or a toilet element (seat, lid, etc.) and/or an operating element to be operated by a passenger of the aircraft is sprayed as the target object. For these target objects, what was said for the washroom applies accordingly, that the efficiency of the method is particularly effective here.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectant is released at a location in the interior that is higher than the object. "Elevated" is to be understood as meaning "above" or "above". In the present case, location information such as “above”, “below”, etc. always refers to a passenger aircraft in the normal horizontal position (not overhead) (e.g. when stationary on a runway). Thus, at least one vertical path component between the spraying location and the target object is accounted for by the direction of gravity, so that a movement of the spraying agent in this direction is promoted. The electric field can thus be made weaker than if the spray agent had to overcome gravity.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectant is released by spraying it from a spray nozzle as an outlet at the spray location. In addition, the disinfectant is provided with the electrical charge and/or polarization when it is sprayed. "When spraying" means immediately before or after spraying, in particular at the very moment of spraying, i.e. in particular when passing a spray nozzle of a spray device. In this way, the spray can be provided with the charge in a particularly simple manner. The spray mist is only generated here directly at the outlet by atomizing the disinfectant that has been liquid up to that point.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the spray nozzle is brought to a spray potential that corresponds to the potential of the target object in order to provide the spray with the charge. In particular, the spray nozzle is at a more negative potential than the target object, in particular the target object is at ground. In this way, a particularly non-critical potential difference can be created in order to generate the electric field. In particular, if the target object is grounded, this is harmless or not dangerous for a user who is touching the target object at that moment.

In a preferred embodiment, electrically conductive target objects are electrically contacted to create the potential of the target object. Alternatively or additionally, non-conductive target objects are provided with a conductive covering. In particular, target objects in the form of metal parts or metal parts of target objects are directly electrically contacted (bonded). Non-metallic targets or parts of these are in particular which is deposited on a back side facing away from an operating side with a coating, a covering or some other metallic structure. A "disguise" also includes attachment in the vicinity of the target object or gluing or painting or other coating, eg sticking aluminum adhesive tape and/or carbon adhesive tape behind a target object. In particular, it is essential that in the final configuration the field lines from the spray location first strike the target object and then, if necessary, lead through it to the coating etc. as a field line sink.

In a preferred embodiment, such elements are deactivated during the disinfection (fan switched off, flap closed, ...) that promote or actively cause an air flow in the interior. These measures prevent air circulation in or on the interior. In this way, the disinfectant can move along the field lines to the target object - as undisturbed as possible by air movements. In particular, as measures, a ventilation system affecting the interior is switched off, air circulation openings in the interior (e.g. door, ventilation duct, ...), e.g. closed by closing flaps, a fan that actively promotes the air in the interior is switched off, the interior is sealed against drafts, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, a measure that promotes drying of the disinfectant is taken after the disinfectant has been sprayed in the interior, in particular after a predetermined exposure time after the disinfectant has deposited on the target object. In this way, the disinfectant is dried from the target object, but also from the floor or other surfaces / objects on which it was deposited. As a measure, e.g. ventilation of the rooms is carried out, there is a reactivation or activation of the above measures (activate ventilation system, open flaps, switch on fan / motor, etc.).

The object is also achieved by a device according to claim 11 for carrying out the method according to the invention explained above. The device includes an outlet for releasing the disinfectant and electric potential means for generating the electric field and providing the spray with the electric charge (and/or polarization, see above). Thanks to the device, the method according to the invention can then be carried out indoors.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a closable ventilation opening, e.g. with a controllable supply/exhaust air flap, and/or a controllable ventilation device, e.g. a fan/motor, for air exchange in the interior and/or a control interface for this. Ventilation devices are in particular those for the above-mentioned purposes of circulation, circulation, movement of air in the interior, fan, etc. On the one hand, the above-mentioned deactivation of the elements for the air flow in the interior can take place and the above-mentioned drying of the disinfectant can be effected.

In a preferred embodiment, the device contains a tank for disinfectant and/or a spraying/nebulizing unit for spraying the disinfectant from the outlet and/or a control and evaluation unit for operating the device according to the method according to the invention and/or a compressor for generating a Spray pressure for spraying the disinfectant from the outlet. In particular, a nozzle is included, which is used for spraying and/or for charging/ionizing the spray. The spraying agent is present in the tank in particular in unsprayed, in particular liquid form.

In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the device is in the form of a column and can be attached to the floor and/or a wall and/or in a corner of the interior. In this case, the device or the column is in particular matched to an intended interior space. This means that the dimensions, geometries, etc. of the interior are already known at the draft / design / construction of the column / device and this is adapted to the relevant circumstances. In other words, the system is designed according to the lock and key principle. In particular, the outlet, in particular a nozzle for dispensing the disinfectant, is fitted at or in the region of an upper end of the column, e.g. in the upper 15%, 10%, 5%, 3% or 1% of the height of the column.

In a preferred embodiment, at least the outlet is designed as part of a wall and/or ceiling panel for the interior and/or at least part of the device is designed as a PSU (Passenger Service Unit) or part of a PSU and/or as a hatrack (overhead storage compartment ) or part of a hatrack. This applies in particular to at least a part or even the entire device. In particular, part of the device is housed in a PSU, the associated tank and possibly the remainder of the device in the hat rack.

The invention is based on the following findings, observations and considerations and also has the following embodiments on. The embodiments are sometimes also referred to as “the invention” for the sake of simplicity. The embodiments can also contain parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or correspond to them and/or optionally also include embodiments that have not been mentioned before.

In particular, the following procedure is carried out: In an interior (e.g. the washroom), the ventilation is closed for the duration of the disinfection. The disinfectant is sprayed into the room with an electrical charge. Due to the charge, the droplets follow the electric field lines (generated in the interior) and accumulate primarily at the points that are connected to the opposite pole (on the target object, opposite pole to the other pole, both poles together produce the field lines between them) to ground (as electric potential of the target object / opposite pole) are drawn. That would be e.g. B all metal parts that are bonded, such as toilet, faucet or door handle. Plastic parts such as the washbasin can be easily bonded with a metallic coating or adhesive on the back and can also be specifically exposed to disinfectant. This creates a thin film of disinfectant around these areas and kills the pathogens. For example, a door handle is also effectively wetted on the back. Finally, the exhaust flap opens and the thinly applied layers dry within a short time. The room is available again for the next use.

The device for carrying out the method can in particular be designed as follows: The device can be mounted in a space-saving manner in particular as a column in a corner of the room (interior, e.g. washroom). The exhaust air flap (to prevent or promote ventilation of the interior) can be set up separately and is connected to the control electronics in the column. The column contains the disinfection tank, electronics, compressor and the nebulization unit. At the top is the atomizing nozzle, directed into the room. The disinfectant is sprayed into the room at a certain height in order to achieve a good initial distribution.

The device can be implemented in particular as a column with a foot attached to the floor, as a column attached to the wall, as a permanent installation in a ceiling panel, as a permanent installation in the PSU with a narrow tank unit in the hattrack.

• 1 eine Lavatory eines Flugzeuges bei der Desinfektion,
• 2 einen Türgriff der Lavatory aus 1 im Detail,
• 3 einen Wasserhahn der Lavatory aus 1 im Detail.

Further features, effects and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and the attached figures. Show, each in a schematic principle sketch:

• 1 a lavatory of an airplane in disinfection,
• 2 a lavatory door handle 1 in detail,
• 3 off a lavatory faucet 1 in detail.

1 shows an interior 2 of an aircraft, not shown. The interior 2 is a lavatory, i.e. a washroom. This includes, among other things, a toilet 4 and a sink 6 with two taps (for cold water) 8a (and for hot water) 8b.

The interior 2 is to be disinfected. This is achieved in that the two taps 8a, b and the sink 6 are disinfected as target objects 12a-c. For this purpose, disinfectant 10 (indicated here by arrows) is sprayed onto the target objects 12a-c in the interior. This is done using a device 14. This contains an outlet 16 for releasing the disinfectant 10 and an electric potential device 18 for generating an electric field 20, of which two field lines are shown as an example. The field lines begin at the outlet 16 and end at the target objects 12a-c, respectively. the outlet 16 is designed as a nozzle. The disinfectant 10 is sprayed out of the nozzle into a spray location 22 or spray area, which is surrounded by a dashed line. The field lines 20 pass through the spray area. When it is sprayed out of the nozzle, the disinfectant 10 or its spray droplets are provided with an electrical charge. As a result, the spray droplets are drawn along the field lines 20 towards the target objects 12a-c. Thus, the majority of the disinfectant settles precisely on the target objects 12a-c and does not or hardly reaches other places in the interior 2, in particular its floor.

The electric field is generated by charging the outlet 16 and the respective target objects with different potentials (symbolized in the figure by the potentials "P+" and "P-"), ie by the potential difference between them. The electrically conductive water taps 8a, b are directly electrically connected (bonded) and connected to a ground potential. The non-electrically conductive washbasin 6 is provided on its underside (not visible in the figure) with an electrically conductive cover 26, indicated only by dashed lines, here in the form of a coating, which in turn is electrically connected. The field lines thus end on the water taps 8a, b and also penetrate the sink 6, but only end on the panel 26. The result, however, is always charged disinfectant 10 on the targets 12a-c.

The outlet 16 is located at a higher location than the target objects 12a-c, so that gravity takes over part of the transport of the disinfectant 10 along the field lines 20.

During the disinfection, i.e. from the beginning to the end of the spraying process (sufficient wetting of all target objects 12a-c), possibly including an exposure time for the disinfectant on the target objects 12a-c), air circulation in the interior 2 is prevented. This is done by deactivating a ventilation system, not shown, so that air flow no longer takes place at ventilation openings 24, which are only indicated here. The air in the interior 2 is therefore almost still, so that the disinfectant can precisely follow the field lines 20 unhindered or without being disturbed by air currents. The deactivation consists here in the fact that a respective flap on the ventilation openings 24 is closed, ie these are sealed. At the same time, a ventilation motor 28, which is only indicated here and which has actively conveyed air through the ventilation openings 24, is deactivated.

After the exposure time has ended, the ventilation motor 28 is put back into operation, and the ventilation openings 24 or their controllable closing flaps are opened again. The ventilation motor 28 and/or controllable flaps of the ventilation openings 24 can be components of the device 14 . Alternatively, the device has only one interface that triggers the corresponding elements (motor, flaps), which are then not part of the device 14 themselves.

2 Using a further target object 12d, here a door handle, FIG. In this way, disinfectant 10 also reaches the surfaces 32 and wets them in a targeted manner. The door handle is made of metal here and is bonded to the potential P+ by electrical contacting.

The disinfectant 10 and the field lines of the field 20 are in the 2 and 3 shown together in respective lines for the sake of simplicity to symbolize that the disinfectant follows the field lines.

3 shows the situation for the water tap 8a. Here, too, the field lines of field 20 also lead to its underside 34. Disinfectant 10 also reaches there, which would not be possible to this extent by purely gravity sprinkling from above.

reference list

2

inner space

4

Toilet

6

sink

8a,b

water tap

10

disinfectant

12a-c

target object

14

contraption

16

outlet

18

potential device

20

electric field

22

spray location

24

ventilation opening

26

disguise

28

ventilation motor

32

surface

34

bottom

P+, P-

potential

Claims (15)

Method for disinfecting at least one target object (12a-c) in an interior (2) of an aircraft, in which: the target object (12a-c) is disinfected by spraying it with a disinfectant (10), by - the disinfectant (10) is released as a spray through an outlet (16) at a spray location (22), and - the disinfectant (10) is or will be provided with an electrical charge and/or polarization, - An electric field (20) is generated in the interior (2), which leads from the spray location (22) to the target object (12a-c) and an attraction of the disinfectant (10) from the spray location (22) to the target object (12a-c). causes. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the electric field (20) is generated by applying potentials (P+, P-) of a potential difference to the outlet (16) and target object (12a-c). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method is carried out with a washroom as the interior (2) and a piece of furniture in the washroom is sprayed as the target object (12a-c). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target object (12a-c) is a door handle and/or a washbasin (6) and/or water tap (8a,b) and/or a toilet element and/or a Aircraft to be operated control is sprayed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disinfectant (10) is released through the outlet (16) at a location in the interior (2) which is higher than the object. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disinfectant (10) is released by spraying from a spray nozzle as an outlet (16) at the spray location (22) and is provided with the electrical charge and/or polarization during spraying, procedure after claim 6 , characterized in that the spray nozzle is brought to a spray potential corresponding to the potential (P+,P-) of the target object (12a-c) in order to provide the spray with the charge. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to create the potential (P+,P-) of the target object (12a-c), electrically conductive target objects (12a-c) are electrically contacted and/or non-conductive target objects (12a-c) be provided with a conductive covering (26). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the disinfection those elements are deactivated which promote or actively cause an air flow in the interior (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a measure promoting drying of the disinfectant (10) is taken after the disinfectant (10) has been sprayed in the interior (2). Device (14) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, - with an outlet (16) for releasing the disinfectant (10), - With an electric potential device (18) for generating the electric field (20) and for providing the spray with the electric charge and/or polarization. Device (14) after claim 11 , characterized in that the device (14) has a closable ventilation opening (24) and/or a controllable ventilation device for air exchange in the interior (2) and/or a control interface thereto. Device (14) according to one of Claims 11 until 12 , characterized in that the device (14) has a tank for disinfectant (10) and/or a spraying/nebulizing unit for spraying the disinfectant (10) out of the outlet (16) and/or a control and evaluation unit for operating the device (14) according to the method and/or a compressor for generating a spray pressure for spraying the disinfectant (10) from the outlet (16). Device (14) according to one of Claims 11 until 13 , characterized in that at least part of the device (14) is designed in the form of a column and can be attached to the floor and/or a wall and/or in a corner of the interior (2). Device (14) according to one of Claims 11 until 14 , characterized in that at least the outlet (16) is designed as part of a wall and/or ceiling panel for the interior (2) and/or at least part of the device (14) as a PSU or part of a PSU and/or as a hat track or part of a hat track is running.

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