FR3110428A1 - VEHICLE INTERIOR DISINFECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Disinfection module provided for disinfecting an area of an interior space of a vehicle, formed of a box provided with a window comprising: an electrical current supply interface (102) capable of being electrically connected to an electrical power supply , a far ultraviolet lamp (106) powered by the power supply interface, a ballast (108) powered by the power supply interface and arranged to trigger the ignition of the lamp, a microcontroller (122) powered by the power supply interface and configured to drive the ballast. Figure for abstract: 1

Description

DISINFECTION DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE INTERIOR

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a device for disinfection of a vehicle interior. It also relates to a vehicle equipped with such a device and a process for disinfecting said vehicle.

State of the art

Ultraviolet light has been known for decades for the disinfection of surfaces, air or water, its use is widespread and the scientific literature is abundant on this subject. The germicidal power of ultraviolet light is also known.

For example, the document US20190298875 is known which describes a disinfection system arranged to carry out a disinfection process inside a lavatory in an airplane when the lavatory is not in use. Conversely, the disinfection system is inactive when the cabinet is in use.

This results from a major drawback of the ultraviolet rays currently used, at the wavelength of 254 nm, and more precisely of 253.7 nm, which are extremely dangerous for humans. Exposure to this type of light is risky for the eyes and the skin, which can cause cataracts or cancer.

An object of the invention is to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, it is proposed, according to a first aspect of the invention, a disinfection module provided for disinfecting a zone of an interior space of a vehicle, formed of a box provided with a window comprising:

• an electrical current supply interface electrically connected to a power supply,
• a far ultraviolet lamp powered by the power supply interface,
• the electronic lamp ballast powered by the power supply interface and arranged to trigger the ignition of the lamp,
• a microcontroller powered by the power supply interface and configured to drive the ballast.

By the term far-ultraviolet lamp, the present invention refers to a lamp whose dominant wavelength is in the range 207 to 222 nm. This range of wavelengths is sometimes known as far UVC in English.

Advantageously, the far ultraviolet light is just as germicidal as the usual light at 254 nm, but without deleterious effect on humans.

It is planned to select the wavelength whose dominant is 222 nm for which many studies emphasize more particularly the germicidal interest and the human safety.

The wavelength of 207 nm is also considered. However, there are fewer manufacturers of such lamps.

According to one possibility, the disinfection module can include a data storage unit and the microcontroller can further be configured to drive the ballast from data coming from the data stored on the data storage unit.

Advantageously, the disinfection module may further comprise a presence detector powered by the power supply interface and arranged to detect a human presence, the microcontroller further being configured to control the ballast from data generated by the presence detector .

Preferably, the disinfection module further comprises a timer powered by the power supply interface, provided to determine an operating time of the lamp, the microcontroller further being configured to control the ballast from data generated by the timer .

Still advantageously, the disinfection module may further comprise a fan powered by the power supply interface, provided to cool the disinfection device, the microcontroller further being configured to control the fan.

According to one embodiment, the disinfection module may further comprise a command interface configured to generate command data, the microcontroller further being configured to control the ballast from the command data.

It is envisaged that the disinfection module may comprise a temperature probe, placed in thermal contact with the lamp, configured to generate temperature data, the microcontroller being further configured to drive the fan from the temperature data.

The box may also include:

• a glazing fitted to the window, the glazing being arranged to diffuse the light from the lamp towards the outside of the housing, and/or
• a device for opening the module arranged on one of the walls of the box to allow access to the interior of the module, and/or
• ventilation openings (206) provided on one of the walls of the box (provided to evacuate the heat from the lamp and all the electronic components).

The lamp can be fixed on the box by means of flexible damping elements.

The housing may include means for adjusting the inclination of the main direction of the lamp relative to the window, said adjustment means being able to be controlled by the microcontroller.

Advantageously, the lamp can be secured to the window of the case and the disinfection module can include a system for modifying the angular position of the window relative to the case. This has the effect of changing the main lamp direction.

The module may further comprise a fixing system provided for fixing the module to the vehicle, preferably in a removable manner.

The microcontroller can be provided to control the lamp according to different operating modes.

The disinfection module may include a second window, a second far ultraviolet lamp, the microcontroller further being provided to control the second lamp.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a kit is provided, comprising:

• an electronic disinfection module according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements,
• a disposable dosimetric card intended to indicate a dose of far ultraviolet rays received by the card.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a kit is provided, comprising:

• an electronic disinfection module according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements,,
• a cigarette lighter cable for electrical connection to a vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is proposed a vehicle equipped with a disinfection module according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements.

According to one possibility, the electronic disinfection module can be positioned on the ceiling, on a door jamb, or on a headrest support.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is proposed a method for disinfecting a vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements, comprising a step of disinfecting an area of the vehicle by switching on the far ultraviolet lamp (106) of the module (100) of the vehicle

Description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• [Fig. 1] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a top view of a disinfection module according to the invention,
• [Fig. 2] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of the module of Figure 1,
• [Fig. 3] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a car on which the module of Figure 1 is mounted on the ceiling,
• [Fig. 4] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a car in which the module of Figure 1 is mounted on a door pillar or a headrest support,
• [Fig. 5] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a vehicle of the aircraft, train, coach or bus type on the ceiling of which are fixed several modules,
• [Fig. 6] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a module 200 comprising several lamps.,
• [Fig. 7] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a module with a lamp that can be directed towards the area to be disinfected

The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, variants of the invention may in particular be considered comprising only a selection of characteristics described, subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient. to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one feature, preferably functional without structural details, or with only part of the structural details if only this part is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art .

In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

A disinfection module 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is now described.

Module 100 is made up of a box and comprises:

• a power supply interface 102 capable of being electrically connected to a power supply,
• a voltage converter 104 connected to the power supply interface 102, arranged inside the case, in order to be able to supply the electronic modules with a voltage adapted to their operation, from the power supply interface,
• a far ultraviolet lamp 106 powered by the voltage converter 104, arranged inside the housing,
• a lamp ballast 108 powered by the voltage converter 104 and arranged to trigger the ignition of the lamp 106 and maintain a constant voltage therein, arranged inside the housing,
• a presence detector 110 powered by the voltage converter 104 and arranged to detect a human presence, having an electronic part arranged inside the case and a presence sensor arranged outside the case (FIG. 2), to trigger the automatic switching on and/or switching off of the lamp,
• a timer 112 powered by the voltage converter 104, configured to determine an operating time of the lamp and generate timer data, disposed inside the housing, for a pre-programmed duration (eg 10 min on then off ) or by cycle (e.g. 10 mn of ignition every 60 mn),
• a fan 114 powered by the voltage converter 104, provided to cool the disinfection device, arranged inside the housing,
• a temperature probe 116, powered by the voltage converter 104, placed in thermal contact with the lamp 106, configured to generate temperature data,
• a command interface 118, powered by the voltage converter 104, configured to generate command data, arranged outside the case,
• a microcontroller 122 powered by voltage converter 104, and configured to drive ballast 108 and fan 114.

According to the embodiment described here, the module 100 comprises an optional data storage means 120, powered by the voltage converter 104, for example an SD card.

The power supply can be external to the box. It can for example be a vehicle battery. The electrical connection to the electric battery of the vehicle can implement a cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle. Alternatively, or in addition, the power supply can be a solar panel fitted to the vehicle.

Alternatively, the power supply can be inside the box, for example by means of a rechargeable battery placed in the box. The voltage converter 104 can then no longer be useful, the power supply interface 102 then being directly connected to the various electrical components.

The microcontroller 122 controls the ballast 108 according to data coming from the presence detector 110, data generated by timer 112, data generated by the fan 114, data generated by the temperature sensor 114, data generated by the interface control 118, for example from data coming from the data storage means 120.

The production module may not include any data storage means 122.

The microcontroller drives the fan 108 based on data generated by the temperature sensor 114, data from the data storage means 120.

Other current common components are reported in the box 100, such as:

• a fuse for electrical protection, an electrical relay, one or more LEDs,
• buttons: module power on/off button, operating mode change buttons, flash ignition button,
• electrical cables and sockets and in particular a socket for connecting the module to the car's cigarette lighter.

Housing 100 can be metal or plastic. The housing may typically have an approximate dimension of 150 x 150 x 40 mm.

The casing includes a screw or hatch opening system (not shown) to allow the lamp 106 and all the electronic components of the module to be changed.

As shown in Figure 2, the housing 100 includes a window 202 on a lower face.

The module is equipped with a window 202, for example made of transparent glass or Plexiglas® allowing UV rays to pass, to allow the lamp 106 to diffuse its light outside the case. The pane 202 is attached to the level of the window 202.

The module further comprises ventilation openings 206 provided on a side surface to evacuate the heat from the lamp and from all the electronic components.

The module includes systems for fixing the lamp and the various electronic components to secure them to the case.

In particular, the lamp can be mounted on the box by means of flexible damping elements, also known as silentblock®.

The lamp can be rotatably mounted around the housing. Thus, the lamp can be tilted with for example an angle between +/- 20°. This makes it possible to best position the cone of light from the lamp so that the power of the light is maximum on the area to be disinfected. This also compensates for the inclination of a ceiling light on which the box can be mounted.

To this end, the lamp can be secured to the glass 202. The glass 202 can be rotated, for example around an axis fixed to the housing and inscribed in the plane of the glass, as shown in FIG. 7.

To scan a larger surface with a single module, the angular position of the lamp can be controlled so that its inclination is adjustable.

To achieve this mobility, the lamp can for example be installed on an axis. The rotation movement can be ensured by a motorization of the axis, or by 2 electromagnets which when they are actuated causes the axis to rotate in one direction or the other, which tilts the lamp to one side or starting from a central position of rest.

The module 100 is intended in particular for disinfection:

• passenger compartments of professional vehicles (VTC, Taxi, private drivers, utility vehicles, etc.),
• passenger compartments of current shared vehicles (car sharing, carpooling, company fleets, etc.), and of the future (shared autonomous vehicles),
• passenger car interiors,
• driver's and pilot's cabins (trains, coaches, buses, trucks, planes, etc.) which are intensively occupied by successive drivers/engineers/pilots,
• the passenger cabins of buses, coaches, trains or planes by positioning several disinfection modules,
• other uses are possible, such as disinfection of coach and train passenger compartments or even toilets.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate several vehicles 300 equipped with one or more disinfection modules 100 according to the invention.

Depending on the configuration and type of vehicle, passenger compartment or cabin, the module may be:

• mechanically fixed (vehicle ceiling, door pillar, etc.),
• fixed with magnetic strips (magnetic strips fixed on the module) on a metal part of the vehicle (ceiling for example) to be able to install and remove the module easily,
• mounted on a headrest support, of the tablet support type for commercial headrests.

With reference to Figure 5, several modules are fixed to the ceiling at a regular distance, following the configuration of the cabin of an airplane, a train car or in a coach or bus. The objective is for the radiation to cover as much surface (and air) as possible to disinfect it.

To increase the power of the emitted ultraviolet radiation and irradiate a larger surface, there may be 2 lamps in the module, as shown in Figure 6. These lamps would for example be slightly inclined at 60° to the right or to the left. This is a solution that allows the use of a single more compact double module instead of 2 separate modules. Of course, the dual module can include one or two microcontrollers and one or two control interfaces.

It should be noted that module 100 makes it possible to disinfect surfaces and the surrounding volume of air. Also, bacteria and viruses suspended in the air and not deposited on a surface will also be destroyed.

The module 100 can have one or more of the operating modes described below:

• off mode: no emission from lamp 106.
• permanent lighting mode: the 106 lamp emits a light continuously until it is extinguished by deliberately pressing a button.
• absence automatic ignition mode: automatic ignition of the lamp in the event of non-detection of a presence by the presence detector. The effect is to not send radiation to a human if detected near the module.

This ignition can be timed, i.e. an ignition of a predetermined duration (e.g. 10 min) of the lamp as soon as no presence is detected, followed by an automatic extinction. The effect is to limit the use of the lamp to save it and therefore increase its lifespan.

• flash ignition mode: ignition of the lamp for a determined duration (eg 10 min) then extinction. To trigger this mode, you must press a button on the module.
• cycle ignition mode: automatic ignition then automatic extinction of the lamp in a cyclic manner (for example 10 mins on then 60 mins off, then 10 mins on, then 60 mins off, etc.).

The display modes can be combined, for example:

• the module being in "absent automatic ignition mode", by pressing the module button you can manually trigger the "flash ignition mode" which will interrupt the first mode before it resumes automatically.
• the module being in "cycle ignition mode", pressing the module button can trigger the "flash ignition mode" which will interrupt the first mode before it resumes automatically.

Of course, the different features, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described previously can be combined with each other.

Claims (14)

Disinfection module provided for disinfecting a zone of an interior space of a vehicle, formed of a box provided with a window (202) comprising:

• a power supply interface (102) capable of being electrically connected to a power supply,
• a far ultraviolet lamp (106) powered by the power supply interface,
• a ballast (108) powered by the power supply interface and arranged to trigger the ignition of the lamp,
• a microcontroller (122) powered by the power supply interface and configured to drive the ballast.

Disinfection module according to the preceding claim, further comprising a presence detector (110) powered by the power supply interface and arranged to detect a human presence, the microcontroller further being configured to control the ballast (108) from data generated by the presence detector. Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a timer (112) powered by the power supply interface (102), provided to determine an operating time of the lamp, the microcontroller (122) being in further configured to drive the ballast from data generated by the timer. Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fan (114) powered by the power supply interface, provided to cool the disinfection device, the microcontroller further being configured to drive the fan. Electronic disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control interface (116) configured to generate control data, the microcontroller being further configured to control the ballast from the control data. A disinfection module according to any preceding claim, further comprising a voltage converter connected to the power supply interface and which is operatively disposed between the power supply interface and the electronic components of the module. Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing further comprises:

• a pane (204) fitted to the window (202), the pane being arranged to diffuse the light from the lamp outside the casing,
• a device for opening the module arranged on one of the walls of the box to allow access to the interior of the module,
• ventilation openings (206) provided on one of the walls of the box (provided to evacuate the heat from the lamp and from all the electronic components).

Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for adjusting the inclination of the main direction of the lamp relative to the window, said adjusting means being controlled by the microcontroller. Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lamp is secured to the glass of the housing, the module comprising a system for modifying the angular position of the glass in the housing. Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fixing system provided for fixing the module to the vehicle. Disinfection module according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the microcontroller is provided for controlling the lamp according to different operating modes. Vehicle (300) equipped with a disinfection module according to any one of the preceding disinfection module claims. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, in which the electronic disinfection module (100) is positioned on the ceiling, on a door pillar, or on a headrest support. A method of disinfecting a vehicle according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a step of disinfecting an area of the vehicle by switching on the far ultraviolet lamp (106) of the module (100) of the vehicle.