EP3843794A2

EP3843794A2 - Assembly for irradiating a surface

Info

Publication number: EP3843794A2
Application number: EP19753087.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norbert Spazier; Daniel Betz
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2018-08-27
Filing date: 2019-08-13
Publication date: 2021-07-07
Also published as: WO2020043485A2; CN112638432A; DE102018006769A1; US11964065B2; US20210187140A1; WO2020043485A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) for irradiating a surface (2), comprising: - at least one radiation source (3) which is designed to emit ultraviolet radiation, - at least one reflector (4) for directional emission of the ultraviolet radiation onto the surface, wherein a control device (9) is provided, by which a dose of the ultraviolet radiation, which is required and/or already administered for sterilizing a surface (2), can be set and/or determined.

Description

Arrangement for irradiating a surface

The invention relates to an arrangement for irradiating a surface, in particular in a vehicle.

It is known to control germs in biofilms, in particular pathogenic germs, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi, by means of ultraviolet radiation, in particular UV-C radiation. For example, a high radiation output over short periods of time or a low radiation output over longer periods can be used with the smallest possible distance from the surface to be irradiated.

A device with a flexible substrate and an ultraviolet radiation system is known from WO 2016/069701 A1. The ultraviolet radiation system may include at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation toward a surface to be disinfected, an ultraviolet transparent component to focus the ultraviolet radiation, and a control system to control the at least one ultraviolet radiation source. The device may include a hand article, such as a glove.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an improved arrangement for irradiating a surface.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an arrangement with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. An arrangement according to the invention for irradiating a surface comprises:

at least one radiation source which is designed to emit ultraviolet radiation,

at least one reflector for directed radiation of the ultraviolet radiation onto the surface,

wherein a control device is provided, by means of which a dose of the ultraviolet radiation required and / or already administered for the disinfection of a surface can be set and / or ascertained.

With the help of the solution according to the invention, a lethal dose sufficient for the germs to be controlled is achieved on the surfaces to be irradiated.

The control can be carried out in such a way that disinfection takes place during empty runs.

In particular, the control can take place in such a way that only or in particular those areas are sterilized in which there is a high number of contacts and / or which can be easily contaminated. The control system can be designed so that it is tracked which areas have already been sterilized. Based on

Radiation output and distance from the radiation source, an exposure duration can be calculated in such a way that disinfection takes place safely and is ended after sufficient exposure.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one drive is provided for the alignment of the reflector.

The drive serves to position the radiation in order to improve the accessibility of surfaces to be irradiated, for example in vehicles, in particular for

Passenger vehicles provided vehicles such as cars, buses, airplanes, autonomous vehicles, especially vehicles for the

Passenger transport with high density and changing people such as taxis, rental vehicles and sharing vehicles. Another application is the use in vehicles that are intended for the transport of food.

In one embodiment, the reflector is designed on the outside as a spherical section or hemisphere.

In one embodiment, two drives are provided, each of which has a friction wheel which rests on an outer surface of the reflector, such that the reflector can be rotated about a first axis by means of one of the drives and that the reflector can be rotated about a second axis by means of the other of the drives, which can be perpendicular to the first axis. A grid-shaped traversing of a surface by the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the arrangement is thus possible.

In one embodiment, the reflector is on the inside as possible

uniform distribution of the ultraviolet radiation on the surface to be irradiated, for example as an elliptical paraboloid. In this case, drives can in particular be dispensed with, so that the arrangement is simpler and less expensive.

In one embodiment, the reflector is formed on an inside for concentrating the ultraviolet radiation on a small area of the surface to be irradiated, for example by the inside of the reflector being designed as a free-form reflector which comprises two or more hollow shapes which contain at least a large part of the radiation focus on a common focus. In this way, smaller areas can be disinfected specifically in a shorter time.

In one embodiment, an optical system for aligning the ultraviolet radiation is provided in a beam path of the ultraviolet radiation emerging from the reflector, which optical system can comprise one or more lenses, for example at least one quartz-glass lens, in order to improve the focusing of the radiation , to the

Focus radiation power on a smaller area. In particular, the optical system can comprise a scattering lens and a converging lens downstream of the scattering lens in the beam path.

In one embodiment, the control device can be used to adapt a time duration of the action of the radiation to a radiation power which varies as a result of the alignment by means of the drive and a spacing between the reflector and the surface to be irradiated which is thereby varied.

In one embodiment, the control device is designed to scan the surface in a grid-like manner such that all relevant areas are irradiated with a lethal dose sufficient for germs in biofilms, in particular pathogenic germs, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi. In one embodiment, the control device is designed to store the dose already administered in the event of an interruption of the radiation and to continue with the radiation after the interruption until the intended dose has been reached.

In one embodiment, a vehicle interior and at least one arrangement according to one of the preceding claims are provided in a vehicle for sterilizing at least one surface in the vehicle interior.

In one embodiment there are means in the vehicle for generating a negative pressure or a vacuum in the vehicle interior during operation of the arrangement

intended.

For example, the at least one arrangement is arranged in a roof area of the vehicle.

The efficiency of the radiation can be increased by creating a vacuum or negative pressure in the empty vehicle interior, since extinction and

Absorption of the radiation are reduced and suspended matter is removed. The more effective use of ultraviolet radiation improves hygiene and protects interior materials.

In one embodiment, means for recognizing living beings, in particular people, can be provided in the vehicle interior and / or at least one emergency stop button in order to ventilate the vehicle interior when living beings are recognized or the emergency stop button is actuated.

The arrangement can comprise one or more radiation sources, for example LEDs and / or mercury vapor lamps, which, through their optimal placement and using a reflector specially designed for this purpose, bring about an optimal and highly efficient alignment of the emitted radiation. In particular, the radiation sources emit ultraviolet radiation, for example UV-C radiation.

The surface to be sterilized can be at least part of a vehicle seat, one

Center console, a dashboard, one or more controls on a dashboard or a steering wheel. A number of factors can influence the lethality of the pathogenic germs to be eliminated, for example a biofilm in which pathogenic germs can be located, and the material of the area to be irradiated on which these germs and biofilms are located.

Porous materials and dirt behind which pathogenic germs can be found make it difficult to kill pathogenic germs.

The metabolism of the germ plays a further role in the settlement of pathogenic germs. Germs that prefer a humid environment with the presence of carbon will settle in other places rather than on surfaces in the interior. Areas contaminated with viruses and bacteria can generally be high-grade contagion spots. Various studies have shown which viruses and

Bacteria are most often found on interior surfaces.

A sufficiently large dose of radiation can neglect these factors. Therefore, doses are preferably administered that safely kill viruses and bacteria.

For viruses and bacteria, UV-C radiation doses of 1500 pj / cm ² to 8000 pJ / cm ² are sufficient in the most favorable cases, for pathogenic fungi and yeasts corresponding doses of 120,000 pJ / cm ² . Since the radiation power at the site of action is known, the control unit can calculate how long (time portion of the dose) the area to be irradiated must be irradiated in order to achieve a reduction in the bacterial load by, for example, 99.9 percent. It can be irradiated specifically; after the radiation has been interrupted, the radiation can be continued in the same targeted manner.

Systems are possible which scan the surface to be irradiated and those which irradiate a fixed area from one or more reflectors. It should be noted that the radiation is harmful to health and can therefore only take place in the absence of human and animal occupants, i.e. when driving empty, when standing / charging overnight, etc.

Taking into account the growth phases of the different

Bacterial populations do not need to be sterilized again before at least 24 hours have elapsed. In addition, the frequency of trips and the throughput of different people (shared cars) can also be used to calculate the possible new contamination and the resulting need for a new one Disinfection of the surfaces must be taken into account. For example, if the vehicle is charged overnight, it is impossible for people or animals to get in the car

Vehicle. The system begins with the disinfection, for example with a scanning system.

If the disinfection process is interrupted, the system remembers the position and the dose administered and continues the disinfection at the same position after the interruption.

In the case of a system with fixed reflectors, the radiation is resumed after an interruption until the intended dose has been reached.

All the information required for this is known to the controller and is processed taking into account an algorithm developed for this. The sensors and actuators are processed or controlled accordingly.

The system does not have to know what type of germ it is. Instead, a dose can be administered that is sufficient for all typically occurring known germs. However, the dose should only be so large that the material of the surfaces to be irradiated is spared.

The required doses are known or prescribed from other applications, for example disinfection in food and water treatment.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Show:

1 shows a schematic view of an arrangement for irradiating a surface with a number of radiation sources, a reflector and an optical system,

2 schematic views of the reflector with a drive,

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a reflector for the most uniform possible

Distribution of the radiation from a radiation source on the surface to be irradiated,

4 shows a schematic view of a reflector for concentrating the radiation from a radiation source on a small area of the surface to be irradiated, Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a vehicle interior with several

Reflectors,

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the vehicle interior with several

Reflectors,

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a vehicle interior with several

Reflectors and drives,

8 is a schematic view of the vehicle interior with several reflectors and drives,

9 is a schematic view of a vehicle interior with a reflector and drives,

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the vehicle interior with a reflector and

Drives,

Fig. 1 1 is a schematic view of a control device for controlling the arrangement, and

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a system for evacuating a

Vehicle interior.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an arrangement 1 for irradiating a surface 2 for sterilizing this surface. Figure 2 shows further schematic views of the

Arrangement 1. The arrangement comprises one or more radiation sources 3,

for example LEDs and / or mercury vapor lamps that are used to emit

Ultraviolet radiation, in particular UV-C radiation, are formed. A reflector 4 is arranged for directed radiation of the ultraviolet radiation. The reflector 4 can, in particular on its outside, have a circular cross section and in particular be designed as a spherical section or hemisphere. One or more, in particular two, drives 5.1, 5.2 can be provided for the alignment of the reflector 4. The drives 5.1, 5.2 each have an electric motor, which engages the reflector 4 by means of positive locking or friction locking. For example, each drive 5.1, 5.2 can have a friction wheel 6.1, 6.2, which rests on an outer surface of the reflector 4, in particular in such a way that the reflector 4 can be rotated about a first axis A1 by means of one of the drives 5.1 and that the reflector 4 can be rotated by means of the other of the drives 5.2 is rotatable about a second axis A2, which is oriented, for example, at right angles to the first axis A1. An optical system 7 can be provided in the beam path emerging from the reflector 4 in order to further align the radiation. The optical system 7 can, for example, a scattering lens 7.1 and one of the scattering lens 7.1 in the beam path

downstream lens 7.2 include.

The drives 5.1, 5.2 can be connected to a drive control unit 8, which in turn can be connected to a control unit 9.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an inside of a reflector 4, which is designed to distribute the radiation from a radiation source 3 as evenly as possible on the surface 2 to be irradiated. The inside of the reflector 4 can

for example, be designed as an elliptical paraboloid. By means of the so

trained reflector 4, a radiometric performance on the surface 2 to be irradiated can be optimized. The effective range of the radiation is largely limited to this area 2 and the radiation power available

Radiation source 3 is largely evenly distributed on surface 2.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an inside of a reflector 4

Concentration of the radiation from a radiation source 3 on a small area of the surface 2 to be irradiated. The inside of the reflector 4 can, for example, be designed as a free-form reflector which comprises two or more hollow shapes which focus at least a large part of the radiation onto a common focal point. By means of the reflector 4 designed in this way, a radiometric power can be focused on a small area 2 to be irradiated.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show schematic views of a vehicle interior 10 with a plurality of arrangements 1, which can be designed as in FIGS. 1 to 3 and whose reflectors 4 can be designed as in FIGS. 3 or 4. The

Arrangements 1 can be formed in a roof area of a vehicle and can be designed with or without drives 5.1, 5.2 and with or without an optical system 7. The reflectors 4 are designed in particular for the most uniform possible distribution of the radiation from a radiation source 3 on the surfaces 2 to be irradiated. The surfaces 2 to be irradiated are, in particular, at least parts of vehicle seats 11, in particular front seats, and at least parts of a center console 12 and / or a dashboard on which the control elements can be provided, for example levers and switches, buttons or touchscreens . Furthermore, a steering wheel 13 of the vehicle can be part of the surface 2 to be irradiated. FIGS. 7 and 8 show schematic views of a vehicle interior 10 with a plurality of arrangements 1, which can be designed as in FIGS. 1 to 3 and whose reflectors 4 can be designed as in FIGS. 3 or 4. The

Arrangements 1 can be formed in a roof area of a vehicle and can be designed with or without drives 5.1, 5.2 and with or without an optical system 7. The reflectors 4 are designed, in particular, to concentrate the radiation from a radiation source 3 onto a small area 2.1 of the surface 2 to be irradiated.

The surfaces 2 to be irradiated are, in particular, at least parts of vehicle seats 11, in particular front seats and at least parts of a center console 12 and / or a dashboard 14 on which the control elements can be provided, for example levers and switches, buttons or Touchscreens. Furthermore, a steering wheel 13 of the vehicle can be part of the surface 2 to be irradiated.

The small area of surface 2 to be irradiated can be shifted by means of drives 5.1, 5.2, for example in such a way that a larger area is scanned in a grid-like manner. The control device 9 can be used to move the surfaces in such a way that all relevant areas are irradiated with a lethal dose sufficient for germs in biofilms, in particular pathogenic germs, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show schematic views of a vehicle interior 10 with an arrangement 1 which can be designed as in FIGS. 1 to 3 and whose reflector 4 can be designed as in FIGS. 3 or 4. The arrangement 1 can be formed in a roof area of a vehicle and can be designed with or without drives 5.1, 5.2 and with an optical system 7 or without one. The reflector 4 is designed, in particular, to concentrate the radiation from a radiation source 3 onto a small area 2.1 of the surface 2 to be irradiated.

The surfaces 2 to be irradiated are, in particular, at least parts of vehicle seats 11, in particular front seats, and at least parts of a center console 12 and / or a dashboard 14 on which the control elements can be provided, for example levers and switches, buttons or Touchscreens. Furthermore, a steering wheel 13 of the vehicle can be part of the surface 2 to be irradiated. The small area 2.1 of the area 2 to be irradiated can be displaced by means of the drives 5.1, 5.2, for example in such a way that a larger area 2 is scanned in a grid-like manner. The control device 9 can be used to scan the surfaces in such a way that all relevant areas are irradiated with a lethal dose sufficient for germs in biofilms, in particular pathogenic germs, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi. In this case, the duration of exposure to the radiation can be adapted by means of the control device 9 to the radiation power which is reduced as a result of the larger distance in places between the reflector 4 and the surface 2 to be irradiated.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the control device 9 for controlling the at least one arrangement 1. The control device 9 has, for example

Microcontroller 15, which can have a number of modules 15.1 to 15.1 1, in particular software modules, for example a module 15.1 for detecting empty trips and downtimes, a module 15.2 for detecting a connection of the vehicle 16 to a charger, and a module 15.3 for Start the disinfection and specification of at least one start position SP1, SP2, SPx of each of the arrangements 1, a module 15.4 for

Prevent disinfection for the purpose of occupant protection, a module 15.5 for detecting a battery condition, a module 15.6 for calculating a required radiation dose at a given distance from the radiation source 3, a module 15.7 for detecting a throughput of people and / or seat occupancy, a module 15.8 for forecasting a contamination to be expected for a given throughput of people, a module 15.9 for determining the date, time and / or season, a module 15.10 for displaying a hygienic condition in the vehicle 16 or for displaying a current disinfection on a display unit 25, and a module 15.1 1 for determination and / or setting of start positions and / or target positions and / or actual positions of the arrangements 1 and for switching the radiation sources 3 on and off.

The efficiency of the radiation can be increased by creating a vacuum or negative pressure in the empty vehicle interior 10, since in this way the extinction and absorption of the radiation are reduced and suspended matter is removed. The more effective use of ultraviolet radiation improves hygiene, and interior materials are spared by reducing the radiation to a minimum.

The vehicle interior 10 can be monitored by means of the module 15.4 to ensure that there is no living organism in the vehicle interior 10 during the irradiation and / or evacuation. Emergency stop devices can also be used be provided to end the evacuation and / or to ventilate the vehicle interior 10.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a system 17 for evacuating the

Vehicle interior 10. The system 17 comprises an actuator 18 for actuating a forced ventilation, an actuator 19 for actuating a forced ventilation, a vehicle computer 20, a sensor system 21 for interior monitoring and detection of living beings, in particular people, in the vehicle interior 10, for example by means of infrared and / or Ultrasonic detectors. The actuators 18 and 19 can be designed as actuators and / or electromotive flaps. The vehicle computer 20 recognizes whether the vehicle 16 is open or closed and whether there are living things in the vehicle. The vehicle computer 20 can control a system 24 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, which is provided in the vehicle 16.

The system 17 further comprises one or more emergency stop buttons 22 for stopping or interrupting the evacuation and / or for opening the actuators 18 and / or 19 for forced ventilation or forced ventilation. The door openers of the vehicle 16 can also be used as the emergency stop button 22.

The system 17 further comprises a vacuum pump 23. As an alternative to the vacuum pump, the evacuation can take place by means of a fan of a system 24 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, which is provided in the vehicle 16 anyway. The system also contains at least one arrangement 1 and the control unit 9, as described above.

Radiation output and distance from the radiation source, an exposure duration can be calculated in such a way that disinfection takes place safely and is ended after sufficient exposure. Based on the identified throughput, a

The expected new contamination is forecast. A new contamination can then occur, for example, when the vehicle is empty. Each of the modules 15.1 to 15.1 1 can include a part of the program, possibly including the results of one or more of the other modules 15.1 to 15.1 1

Develop control. These can flow into the control system conditionally or absolutely.

For example, the module 15.1 can be connected to a vehicle computer, personal monitoring and / or door contacts for the detection of empty runs and downtimes in order to detect an empty run, for example in the case of autonomously driving vehicles, or generally downtimes. The vehicle computer can tell, for example, that it is an empty run / idle time. Depending on the prognosis for the new contamination, the control device 9 can start with a disinfection, for example with a focus on certain areas.

The module 15.5 for recognizing the battery state can receive information from the vehicle 16 or from a battery charger about the state of charge of a battery and from the module 15.8 about the contamination to be expected. For example, in the case of an empty run and good state of charge, disinfection can be carried out in accordance with the expected

New contamination occurs. If the charge is poor, disinfection can occur

not happen, especially when driving empty.

Module 15.9 for determining the date, time and / or season can

Receive information from the vehicle computer. Based on a time, a

Processing of the time shares for the cans. A possible service time and / or a charge for electric vehicles can also be taken into account. Based on the time of year, forecasts of new contamination can be made, for example in the months with an increased risk of catching a cold.

Claims

claims

1. An arrangement (1) for irradiating a surface (2), comprising:

at least one radiation source (3) which is designed to emit ultraviolet radiation,

at least one reflector (4) for directed radiation of the ultraviolet radiation onto the surface,

characterized in that a control device (9) is provided, by means of which a dose of the ultraviolet radiation required and / or already administered for the disinfection of a surface (2) can be set and / or determined.

2. Arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one drive (5.1, 5.2) is provided for the alignment of the reflector (4).

3. Arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the reflector (4) is formed on its outside as a spherical section or hemisphere.

4. Arrangement (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that two drives (5.1, 5.2) are provided, each having a friction wheel (6.1, 6.2), which rests on an outer surface of the reflector (4), such that that the reflector (4) can be rotated about a first axis (A1) by means of one of the drives (5.1) and that the reflector (4) can be rotated about a second axis (A2) by means of the other of the drives (5.2).

5. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the reflector (4) is formed on an inside for the most uniform possible distribution of the ultraviolet radiation on the surface (2) to be irradiated.

6. Arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the inside of the reflector (4) is designed as an elliptical paraboloid.

7. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the reflector (4) is formed on an inside for concentrating the ultraviolet radiation on a small area (2.1) of the surface (2) to be irradiated.

8. Arrangement (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the inside of the reflector (4) is designed as a free-form reflector which comprises two or more hollow shapes which focus at least a large part of the radiation onto a common focal point.

9. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an optical system (7) for aligning the ultraviolet radiation is provided in a beam path of the ultraviolet radiation emerging from the reflector (4).

10. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that by means of the control device (9) a period of exposure to the radiation due to the alignment by means of the drive (5.1, 5.2) and a thereby varying distance between the reflector (4) and the area to be irradiated (2) varying radiation power is adjustable.

1 1. Arrangement (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device (9) is designed to scan the surface (2) like a grid, such that all relevant areas with one for germs in biofilms, in particular pathogenic germs, such as Viruses, bacteria or fungi, sufficient lethal dose to be irradiated.

12. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the control device (9) is designed to store the already administered dose in the event of an interruption of the radiation and to continue with the radiation after the interruption until the intended dose has been reached.

13. Vehicle (16) comprising a vehicle interior (10) and at least one arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims for disinfecting at least one surface (2) in the vehicle interior (10).

14. Vehicle (16) according to claim 13, characterized in that means for

Generating a negative pressure or a vacuum in the vehicle interior (10) during operation of the arrangement (1) are provided.

15. Vehicle (16) according to claim 14, characterized in that means for recognizing living beings, in particular people, are provided in the vehicle interior (10) and / or at least one emergency stop button (22) to the vehicle interior (10) ventilate when living beings are recognized or the emergency stop button (22) is pressed.