ES1260439U - ROBOTIZED DEVICE FOR UV LIGHT DISINFECTION AND VENTILATION (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation characterized by comprising a lower mobile base (2), with means to ensure the autonomous (3) or manual movement of the device (1), and an upper tower (4) that, located fixedly on the base (2), it comprises a plurality of UV lamps (5, 5', 5''), oriented both towards the outside and towards the hollow interior of said tower (4), and a fan (6) capable of moving an air flow towards said hollow interior of the tower (4) being under the effects of the light of, at least, the UV lamps (5'') oriented towards the interior of the tower (4). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ROBOTIZED DEVICE FOR UV LIGHT DISINFECTION AND VENTILATION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the wording of the present specification, refers to a robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, which provides structural and constitutive characteristics, which are described in detail below, which suppose an improvement of the state current state of the art within its field of application.

More in particular, the object of the invention is focused on a device that is configured as a robotic system capable of moving autonomously and that carries on board a mechanism of ultraviolet lights for disinfection of surfaces combined with an air recirculation system, which allows two working modes: disinfection of surfaces by direct radiation and air by forced recirculation, combining all the advantages of current systems in one, with the added advantage of being able to be used safely even in environments where there are people and animals, since said UV light system can be hidden, affecting only the particles forced to pass through the interior of the device thanks to the air recirculation system.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention is framed within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of devices for the disinfection of surfaces and spaces, focusing particularly on the field of those that use UV light, at the same time covering the field of air recirculation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to existing evidence, COVID-19 is transmitted from one person to another by direct or indirect contact through contaminated objects or surfaces where the virus is deposited, being able to remain active on these surfaces from several hours to even days. It is also transmitted if the virus is suspended in the form of an aerosol and comes into contact direct through a person's airway.

Surfaces and objects can become contaminated by infected people through oral and nasal secretions: saliva, respiratory secretions, or droplets of secretions that are expelled through the mouth or nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings , for example. People who are in contact with such contaminated surfaces can contract COVID-19 through the mouth, nose or eyes, for example by touching them with their hands.

On the other hand, it has also been shown that the risk of contagion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by air in aerosol form inside buildings is higher when there is little ventilation. Overcrowding, small, closed or poorly ventilated spaces facilitate the transmission of the coronavirus through particles or micro drops that remain suspended in the air. Therefore, in addition to hygiene measures for surfaces and floors, as well as the use of masks to reduce the emission of aerosols, it is essential to implement a series of measures in ventilation and air conditioning systems to guarantee good indoor air quality and thus avoid contagions.

In buildings without mechanical ventilation system, natural ventilation must be carried out, opening doors and windows as long as possible. With air conditioning systems, air recirculation must be avoided, increasing the supply of fresh air from outside, as much as possible.

Ultraviolet light has been used as a disinfection method for years, but in recent months this system has become fully topical due to its effectiveness in disinfection against COVID-19.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a light invisible to the human eye that is divided into three types from lower to higher intensity: UVA, UVB and UVC. This last form is the one used in disinfection mechanisms, since it can destroy the DNA of microorganisms.

As a consequence, when bacteria, viruses and protozoa are exposed to certain wavelengths of this ultraviolet light, their DNA chains are affected, preventing their reproduction, thus remaining inactive. For that reason, for years Such spermicidal properties are used to disinfect the air and various surfaces.

Keep in mind that this method with ultraviolet light does not add any chemical component, an especially important detail when disinfecting water or food. In addition, it does not need to be processed either, which is why it stands out for having certain advantages over other disinfection systems.

Taking into account all these qualities, ultraviolet light is used to disinfect specific surfaces and objects through suitable systems. It is also used to deactivate suspended virus in aerosol form, very effectively if integrated into mechanical air recirculation systems. Among the different areas in which it is used, we must highlight wastewater treatment plants, laboratories, swimming pools, aquariums and air conditioning systems; the food and beverage industry; the sterilization of instruments, rooms and surfaces in the hospital environment; and to combat the coronavirus, as, for example, with the disinfection of means of public transport.

Ultraviolet lamps are effective against disinfection of certain areas and surfaces, although their use is not always recommended. For example, they should not be used on the skin, as radiation can cause irritation or serious side effects, and precisely for this reason they are not suitable for treating living organisms. Therefore, this disinfection method must be carried out by establishing the maximum security measures and avoiding the exposure of people to ultraviolet light.

On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although there are other devices for disinfection by UV light as well as ventilation devices on the market, at least by the applicant, the existence of any device is unknown. robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, or any other invention of similar application, which has technical and structural characteristics equal or similar to those presented herein.

In this sense, it should be mentioned that currently in marking you can find many disinfection systems based on ultraviolet light.

On the one hand, there are all those systems that base their operation on lighting a group of ultraviolet light lamps, either statically or on board some type of vehicle that allows movement.

This solution is aimed at disinfecting surfaces by direct radiation from lamps. The effectiveness of the disinfection will be proportional to the exposure time and the distance to the surface to be disinfected. It also disinfects the air around the lamps, but not as a primary purpose.

The disadvantage of these systems is that they cannot function in the presence of living organisms. They are usually used in closed rooms where it is ensured that no person will be exposed to radiation and strict safety regulations are met.

On the other hand, there are ultraviolet light disinfection systems installed inside ventilation towers, air conditioners or air recirculation devices that are permanently installed.

Well, the objective of the present invention is to provide the market with a robotic device to ensure, in an effective way, the disinfection of spaces through the combination of UV light and forced ventilation through a robotic device that can act autonomously. and with the advantage of being able to use it even in environments where there is the presence of people or animals.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation that the invention proposes allows the aforementioned objectives to be satisfactorily achieved, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany the present description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is a device that is configured as a robotic system capable of moving autonomously and that carries on board a mechanism of ultraviolet lights for disinfection of surfaces combined with a system of air recirculation, which allows two working modes: surface disinfection by direct radiation and air by forced recirculation, combining all the advantages of current systems in one, and with the added advantage of being able to be used in a totally safe way even in environments where there are people and animals, since the UV light system can be hidden and act only on the forced particles to pass through the interior of the device thanks to the air recirculation system.

For this, and more specifically, the device comprises, essentially, the following elements:

- a mobile base, with means to ensure the autonomous movement of the device, without prejudice to the fact that it can also be manual, through the areas to be disinfected; Y

- an upper tower with a set of UV light emitting lamps, specifically UVC, and a fan capable of moving an air flow into the hollow interior of said tower.

Preferably, the tower has a circular configuration and comprises some UV light lamps incorporated in a fixed way in a vertical position and others incorporated in such a way that they allow a folding movement of the same by up to 90 ° on the vertical to be placed perpendicular to the vertical. outer envelope of the circular tower.

As mentioned, the interior of the tower is hollow and in said hollow interior, preferably, one or more HEPA filters are installed (from the English "High Efficiency Partióle Arresting", or "high efficiency particle collector") for cleaning the air, capable of retaining particles the size of the COVID-19 virus.

Preferably, said filters have a cylindrical shape and are also hollow inside with a wall thickness such that it allows to install in the center of them one or more UV light lamps in an elongated fluorescent type of length similar to the height of the tower. .

Preferably, the fan that forcibly moves an air flow into the hollow of the tower is incorporated in the upper part of the tower. Since the bottom of the tower is covered, the air can only escape from the inside of the tower through the filters. UV lights installed inside and outside the tower They disinfect the air as it passes and also the inside of the HEPA filter cylinder. The outdoor ones, which also preferably have an elongated fluorescent-like configuration, disinfect the filters from the outside and in turn forcing the air through them and between the UV lamps, maximum exposure of the air is guaranteed during their operation. He passed. The air that passes through the HEPA filter is free of viruses.

In addition, it is important to note that, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ultraviolet lamps on the outside of the tower can be protected and covered by a system of mobile covers provided for this purpose in the device, which prevent, by a On the other hand, the accidental breakage of the lamps by blows and, on the other hand, the external radiation of UV light, and also, in turn, favor the channeling of the air inside the tower for a maximization of disinfection through UVC lamps.

With all this, the operation of the device will preferably be as follows:

For the disinfection of surfaces by direct UV light radiation, the robotic device, thanks to the mobile base, moves with the covers open, allowing the tower lights to irradiate all surfaces in view at 360 °. In addition, mobile luminaires, when deployed in their horizontal position, increase disinfection efficiency by irradiating horizontal surfaces such as tables or beds perpendicularly.

Logically, in this operating mode, the presence of people is not allowed due to the risks to health.

In addition, and here the great advantage of the device of the invention, this at the same time can also disinfect the virus in its aerosol format by causing the fan at the top of the tower to force air to circulate inside the tower. through the HEPA filters provided in it. With this, the disinfection is complete, since all the surfaces within your reach are treated while you navigate and it also disinfects the air in large volumes.

Another great advantage is that, also, in another operating mode, the device can be left static, with the covers closed so that UV light does not radiate outside the tower, and with the forced ventilation system in operation. In this way you can disinfect the environment of a room or closed space, with poor or no ventilation, and with the presence of people and / or animals. This ensures additional protection of people against COVID-19 when it is not possible to maintain a ventilated space.

An example of an application would be a gathering of people inside a room without ventilation that has an air conditioner recirculating the air. In this case, the robotic device would be operating in a mode compatible with the presence of people, with the tower covers closed to avoid irradiating ultraviolet light to the outside and with the forced ventilation system activated to disinfect the air in the room through the HEPA filters and the ultraviolet light that falls on the air that passes through them and on these filters.

Once the meeting ends and people leave the room, the operation of the device can be activated for cleaning surfaces with the ultraviolet lights activated and radiating to the outside, removing the covers, allowing the autonomous navigation of the device throughout the room that guarantees disinfection of all compromised areas and surfaces without the presence of people.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is attached, as an integral part thereof, with a drawing, in which it is illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the robotic device for UV light disinfection and ventilation object of the invention, represented with the lamps in the folded position and with the cover in place, showing its general external configuration .

Figure number 2.- Shows a schematic perspective view of the example of the device of the invention shown in figure 1, in this case represented with the folding lamps in the open position and without the cover.

And figure number 3.- Shows a schematic view in sectioned side elevation of the example of the device, according to the invention, shown in the preceding figures, in this case showing the parts and elements it comprises inside.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the robotic device for UV light disinfection and ventilation of the invention can be seen in them, which comprises what is described in detail following.

Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the device (1) in question essentially comprises a lower mobile base (2), with means to ensure the autonomous movement (3) of the device as a whole, without prejudice to the fact that it is also can be moved manually, and an upper tower (4) that, located in a fixed way on the base (2), comprises a plurality of UV lamps (5, 5 ', 5' '), oriented both outwards and inwards hollow of said tower (4), and a fan (6) capable of moving an air flow towards said hollow interior of the tower (4) being under the effects of the light of, at least, the UV lamps (5 '' ) oriented towards the interior of the tower (4).

Preferably, the tower (4) has a circular configuration and, of the UV lamps (5, 5 ') facing outwards, which are preferably elongated, it comprises some fixedly incorporated (5), in a vertical position, for example distributed in a lower segment (4a) and an upper segment (4b) of the tower structure (4), and some incorporated in a folding way (5 '), preferably incorporated in a support (7) articulated in a central plate (4c) of the tower structure (4), such that they can be placed, either in a vertical position, parallel to the fixed lamps (5), or in a lowered position, as shown in figure 2, up to 90 ° above the vertical to be located perpendicular to the outer envelope of the circular tower (4).

Preferably, the hollow interior of the tower (4) has one or more HEPA filters (8) for air cleaning.

Preferably, said filters (8) have a cylindrical shape and are also hollow inside with a wall thickness such that in the center of them the existence of one or more interior UV lamps (5 ''), preferably of an elongated configuration and of similar length to the height of the tower (4).

Preferably, the fan (6) is incorporated in the upper internal part of the tower (4), the lower part of which is covered, so that the air can only escape from the interior of the tower (4) through the aforementioned filters ( 8).

In any case, in addition, in a preferred embodiment, the device comprises covers (9) suitable for coupling incorporated on the UV lamps oriented towards the outside (5, 5 ') of the tower (4), such that they are covered , serving, on the one hand, as protection to avoid accidental breakage of the same by blows and to prevent, in active state, UV light radiation from going outside, allowing the safe use of the device in spaces where there are people, and also to favor the channeling of the air inside the tower (4) and optimize the disinfection of the air that circulates the fan (6) through its interior.

Preferably, said covers (9) consist of corrugated pieces of semicircular section and length according to the length of the lamps (5, 5 '), suitable to be fixed, for example by pressure, in respective circular stops (10) provided for this purpose in the ends of said UV lamps (5, 5 ').

Finally, it should be mentioned that, the mobile lower base (2) preferably incorporates, as means to ensure the movement (3) of the device in an autonomous manner, with a series of rotating wheels (30), an electric motor (31) controlled through of an electronic board (32) linked to a series of presence sensors (33) and powered by a battery (34), preferably rechargeable through a connection socket (35) to the network, operating in a similar way to as do other robotic devices for autonomous movement.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, Within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one indicated by way of example, and to which It will also achieve the protection that is sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims (9)

re iv in d ic a tio ns 1. - Robotic device for UV light disinfection and ventilation characterized by comprising a lower mobile base (2), with means to ensure the autonomous (3) or manual movement of the device (1), and an upper tower (4) that, fixedly located on the base (2), it comprises a plurality of UV lamps (5, 5 ', 5''), oriented both towards the exterior and the hollow interior of said tower (4), and a fan (6 ) capable of moving a flow of air towards said hollow interior of the tower (4) being under the effects of the light of, at least, the UV lamps (5 '') oriented towards the interior of the tower (4). 2. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises covers (9) suitable for coupling incorporated on the UV lamps oriented towards the outside (5, 5 ') of the tower (4) , such that they are covered, serving as protection against blows and to prevent UV light radiation from going to the outside in the active state, in addition to favoring the channeling of air inside the tower (4). 3. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tower (4) has a circular configuration and, of the UV lamps (5, 5 ') oriented towards the outside, it comprises some incorporated of fixed mode (5), and some incorporated in a folding mode (5 '), up to 90 ° above the vertical to be perpendicular to the outer envelope of the circular tower (4). 4. - Robotic device for UV light disinfection and ventilation, according to claim 3, characterized in that the folding lamps (5 ') are incorporated in a support (7) articulated in a central plate (4c) of the tower structure ( 4), 5. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the hollow interior of the tower (4) the existence of one or more HEPA filters (8) for air cleaning has been provided . 6. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to claim 5, characterized in that said filters (8) have a cylindrical shape and are also hollow inside with a wall thickness such that in the center of them it is contemplated the existence of one or more indoor UV lamps (5 ''). 7. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to claim 6, characterized in that the fan (6) is incorporated in the upper internal part of the tower (4), whose lower part is covered, so that the air it can only come out from inside the tower (4) through the aforementioned filters (8). 8. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to claim 2, characterized in that the covers (9) consist of corrugated pieces of semicircular section and length according to the length of the lamps (5, 5 '), being suitable to be fixed on respective circular stops (10) provided for this purpose at the ends of said UV lamps (5, 5 '). 9. - Robotic device for disinfection by UV light and ventilation, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile lower base (2) incorporates, as means to ensure the autonomous movement (3) of the device, with rotating wheels (30) , electric motor (31), electronic board (32), presence sensors (33) and power supply battery (34).