WO2021224442A1

WO2021224442A1 - A safety device for automatic adjustment of uvc radiation

Info

Publication number: WO2021224442A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/062096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik WIKSTRÖM
Original assignee: Uvivo Ab
Priority date: 2020-05-07
Filing date: 2021-05-07
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Also published as: SE2050535A1; EP4146286A1

Abstract

A safety device adapted to be used in connection with a radiation device, comprising an enclosure (1), wherein said enclosure is provided with a single or plurality of means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation from a radiation source (4), and wherein said safety device further comprises an electronic driver (5) connected to said radiation source (4) and a control unit (10); wherein said radiation source comprises a printed circuit board (RGB) (15) provided with one or several visible light emitting sources (16) in combination with one or several UVC light emitting sources (17) arranged in an electrical circuit (18); and in that the plurality of means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation comprises any one of, or a combination of: a sensor (7) configured to detect presence of one or several moving objects, arranged in series with or interconnected (19) to said RGB (15), and further configured to provide a cut-off signal to the control unit (10) if the presence of one or several moving objects is detected; and a sensor (8) configured to measure a distance to a surface of said one or several moving objects arranged in series with or interconnected (19) to RGB (15), and further configured to provide the control unit (10) with said measured distance; and a limit switch (9) arranged in series with or interconnected (19) to said RGB (15) and further configured to provide a cut-off signal to said control unit (10) if the limit switch is altered during radiation, and wherein said control unit (10) is configured to provide a signal to a double-sided function breaker (6) when a cut-off signal is received from at least one of the sensor (7) and limit switch (9), whereby said double-sided breaker is configured to stop the incoming or outgoing power to or from the electronic driver (5).

Description

A SAFETY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF UVC RADIATION

Technical field

[0001] The present document relates to devices for bacterial and virus sterilization, and is more specifically directed to a devise for sterilizing surfaces, materials, products and similar objects. More specifically the present document relates to a safety device for use in connection with UVC sterilization.

Background

[0002] The transmission of viruses and bacteria in public places such as in stores, public rooms, hospitals and other places are costly and may at times even be deadly. Research studies report that certain pathogens can survive in cases up to 3 or even 9 days on a variety of surfaces. In some cases, for instance in hospitals, the bacteria and viruses are known to significantly differ to those found elsewhere and can be resistant to treatments such as antibiotics. In stores and public rooms, there is a lot of human presence and touching of materials and surfaces, whereby the transmission rate of viruses and bacteria requires substantial cleaning. In some cases, conventional cleaning does not effectively remove or kill the pathogens.

[0003] Many viruses and bacteria can lead to severe illnesses and death by infections or diseases. These are transmitted by direct and indirect human to human contact. For example, like many viruses the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a part of a family of coronaviruses, and underlying the COVID-19 disease, is believed to be transmitted by the droplets and fluid when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Research on related coronaviruses have shown that the viruses can live for several days on surfaces and items. Similarly, many different types of bacteria can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with a reservoir of infectious bacteria and they can survive outside of a host and on products and surfaces to remain contagious for extended periods of time.

[0004] Significant costs are also associated to infections. The World Health Organization reported numbers suggesting 3.4% of reported COVID-19 patients around the world have died and studies in China reported that 2.3% of 72000 patents have died. The Ebola virus has been reported with fatality rate is up to 50%.

[0005] The problem with many viruses and bacteria are that many people do not experience symptoms and move in public spaces. In the COVID-19 example, this means that the contagious effects are problematic. U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported about 25% of people infected with the virus may exhibit no symptoms at all. Combined with that many of the viruses and bacteria are highly contagious, the risk is epidemical and pandemic outbreaks.

[0006] Efforts to eradicate or remove contaminates such as virus and bacteria from products and materials have varied in applicability and success.

Personal hygiene and washing hands with chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone-iodine solutions and distancing from contagious contact points have been advocated, but have proven difficult and transmission still occurs. The use of antiseptics in terms of soap, alcohol-based fluid, boric acid, and benzalkonium chloride and iodine are also evident. The problem is that many may be adding to the problem by inducing antibiotic resistance. Moreover, many products and surfaces such as keyboard, touchscreens, or handles are very difficult and almost impossible to sterilize by liquid disinfectants without a negative influence on the electronics that the product is based upon.

[0007] Artificial ultraviolet C (UVC) is a subtype of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 280-100 nm and it is produced by electric lamps, and has previously been used for germicidal applications such as sterilization and disinfection. There have been applications of high frequency wave light UVC for decontaminate water, and there has been UVC applications for air sanitation. There have been UVC bulb sanitation solutions for materials and disinfection spaces such as operation rooms. These, however, have not been used for large-scale commercial purposes and fast frequent and optimized cleaning of materials and surfaces in seconds, such as the sanitation of a product in a store. New technology solutions in the LED field makes it possible to sanitize by using Light Emitting Diodes with UVC radiation at specific wavelengths optimizing the effect of the sterilization of different types of surfaces and object. This enables large scale usage that the UVC bulbs could not effectively cover because they failed to optimize and reach important wavelength frequencies for sterilization and the technology is not suitable for fast on and off UVC light switching. In addition, also advance in LED field also make it possible to miniaturize solutions. Fast on-off switching is an important feature when sterilizing surfaces of such objects as payment terminals, key pads and code locks in a store or other public spaces where specific surfaces are touched by many. A human can use one of these surfaces when for example buying and paying a product and UVC sanitation can occur before the next user of the device. In this way, UVC sanitation can inactivate bacteria and virus on the surfaces before usage by next user. However, the wide use of UVC LED has been severely limited by safety concerns of workers and a risk of human contact. To date, there is no published efforts to use the UVC LED for optimized disinfection from a safety perspective. Exposure to UVC radiation can be a health concern, since it can lead to damage to skin and cause severe acute damage to the eye. Being close to uninstructed or unacquainted users requires strong safety protection. [0008] EP2174670B1 presents an automated room sterilizer by measuring reflection of UVC from multiple points within an area. The device can calculate the darkest area in the room and can calculate the dose of UVC for sterilization of the room.

[0009] US-A-5891399 describes a device where multiple UVC emitters are used to emit 360-degree radiation and a radiation receiver is sensing the output power of the UVC emitters.

[0010] DE-U-29812427 describes a sensor for calculating the cumulative radiation for sterilizing an item with UVC.

Summary

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure, to provide a safety device for automatic adjustment of UVC radiation. The safety device for automatic adjustment of UVC radiation in the present invention is a number of safety components that can be used either individually or in combination when conducting UVC sterilization of surfaces to reduce the risk of human exposure to the potentially harmful UVC radiation.

[0012] The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims and in the following description and drawings.

[0013] According to a first aspect, there is provided a safety device adapted to be used in connection with a radiation device, comprising an enclosure, wherein said enclosure is provided with a single or plurality of means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation from a radiation source are, and wherein said safety device further comprises an electronic driver connected to said radiation source and a control unit, wherein said radiation source comprises a PCB provided with one or several visible light emitting sources in combination with one or several UVC light emitting sources arranged in an electrical circuit; and wherein the plurality of means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation comprises any one of, or a combination of: a sensor configured to detect presence of one or several moving objects, arranged in series with or interconnected to said PCB, and further configured to provide a cut-off signal to the control unit if the presence of one or several moving objects is detected; and a sensor configured to measure a distance to a surface of said one or several moving objects arranged in series with or interconnected to said PCB, and further configured to provide the control unit with said measured distance; and a limit switch arranged in series with or interconnected to said PCB and further configured to provide a cut-off signal to said control unit if the limit switch is altered during radiation, and in that said control unit is configured to provide a signal to a double-sided function breaker when a cut-off signal is received from at least one of the sensor and limit switch, whereby said double-sided breaker is configured to stop the incoming or outgoing power to or from the electronic driver.

[0014] By utilizing one or several of the described components a safer operation of radiation, in particular UVC, of surfaces or objects in public spaces can be achieved. Typical applications or products are payment terminals, keyboards, code locks etc. Through this device there is provided a manner of mitigating UVC damage to skin and acute damage to eyes. The purpose of the invention is to ensure as safe as possible automatic operation of UVC radiation of surfaces. Uninstructed or unacquainted users are ensured extra safety protection, since by breaking the power to the electronic driver the UVC radiation immediately stops.

[0015] The safety device may be be incorporated into a UV radiating product or be placed separate outside of the UVC radiation area. The unit may be mobile or stationary, while being incorporated in either the UV radiating products itself or outside of it. The device is placed and associated to UVC radiation products when concern exists of bacteria, viruses or other pathogens or otherwise concerns of treating objects of items with UV light for sterilization. The means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation from a radiation source may be used individually, or in combination with each other. In a preferred embodiment a combination of these means, components, or features is used. [0016] The combination of visible light emitting sources (such as LEDs) with UVC light emitting sources, ensures a safer interaction with humans, by visualising the invisible UV radiation with LED’s emitting light in the visible spectrum.

[0017] The sensor for detecting presence of one or more moving objects provides for a way of avoiding accidental radiation of moving objects or even living object. The presence sensor/sensors will detect any moving object in a room or area and immediately signal activity to UVC radiation unit and cease ongoing radiation. Also, if the sensor is detecting any movement in area any start of radiation is prevented also long as movement is present.

[0018] According to the first aspect the double side breaker may be configured to break both a primary and a secondary side of said electronical driver. This ensures that the radiation is immediately switched off in case there is a risk of human exposure to the UVC radiation. This allows for a more reliable switching off procedure since, the conventional way of powering off a radiation source, could mean that the UVC emitting devices continues to emit UV radiation even after the power has been cut for electric drivers that has components like capacitors who is storing energy during operation.

[0019] The sensors may be configured to be continuously active. By being continuously active the sensors provide for a way of checking both before starting radiation and during to make sure no unwanted objects is present. If activated, before or during radiation it will send a signal to the control unit who will either prevent start of radiation or follow the same shut-down procedure with the double-sided breaker as described above. The distance sensor can be set to read the distance and send distance to control unit. The control unit will, depending upon distance, take different actions. If distance is too long or short, control unit will initiate shut-down procedure. If distance is within desired length, control unitwill continue radiation.

[0020] A fluorescent label may be further provided inside said enclosure. The fluorescent label is activated to give a visible warning, i.e. glowing when activated, of ongoing UVC radiation, and thus provides for a secondary visible means of protection from harmful exposure to UVC radiation.

[0021] The sensor configured to detect presence of one or several moving objects may be any one of Doppler and PIR sensor. The presence detection sensor may also be of any conventional type of motion detection sensor known to the skilled person. [0022] The sensor configured to detect a distance to one or several moving objects may be any one of a laser, optical and mechanical sensor.

[0023] According to one alternative the safety device may further comprisine a NFC / RFID or Barcode reader, wherein said reader is configured to provide a signal to said control unit. The use of NFC/RFID or Barcode technology to target objects and surfaces and avoid UVC radiation of object that are not meant to be radiated. Objects meant to be radiated are marked with NFC/RFID chips or barcodes to be recognised. If no objects with said type of NFC chips or barcodes present radiation ceases.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Embodiments of the present solution will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

Figure 1 is a 3D side view of one component of the present solution. Figure 2 is a 3D view of one component of the present solution.

Figure 3 is a side view of one component of the present solution Figure 4 is a top view of one component of the present solution.

Figure 5 is a 3D view of one component of the present solution.

Figure 6 is a schematic top of one component of the present solution Figure 7 is a 3D view of one component of the present solution Figure 8 is a 3D view of one preferred embodiment of the safety device.

Description of Embodiments

[0025] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the components or means for adjusting radiation of the invention are mounted inside of a cover or enclosure 1 to both protect and provide structure for fasting of the below mentioned components (or means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation from a radiation source). Arranged on an outside of the enclosure, a handle 2 is provided for opening the enclosure. A horizontal axis 3 is located on the backside of the top area of the cover. When pulling the handle upwards, the cover or enclosure will rotate around the horizontal axis 3 and open up the radiation area 14 beneath. By radiation area 14 is thus meant an area, surface or object which is intended to be treated with the emission of radiation such as UVC and/or visible light. In Fig. 8 one preferred embodiment is shown where substantially all components are arranged on an inside of the cover. In alternative embodiments some of the components may be arranged outside the cover or even remotely from said cover. For instance, a control unit 10, and electrical driver 5 may be arranged outside of the cover.

[0026] The cover 1 is provided with a printed circuit board (PCB) 15, as illustrated in Fig. 1, provided with a UVC (ultra violet C) emitter 17 with built in LEDs emitting visible light 16. These UVC emitters 17 and LEDs 16 may preferably be arranged in series. The PCB 15 and electrical circuit containing the UVC and LEDs is connected to an electronic driver 5 providing the UVC emitters and LEDs with electrical power, for instance from an outside grid. [0027] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 8, the safety device comprises a presence/motion sensor 7 (see Fig. 2), a distance sensor 8 (see Fig. 3), a limit switch 9 (see Fig. 4). All these components are connected together for functionality, for instance by being arranged in series.

For example, if the cover or door 20 (as shown in Fig. 4) is opened during ongoing radiation the limit switch 9 will be altered, i.e. trip or spring back or out, the limit switch 9 will send a cut-off signal to the control unit 10.

Further, if the motion/presence sensor detects a moving object it will send a cut-off signal to the control unit 10.

[0028] The presence/motion sensor 7 is continuously active. It will detect any moving objects inside the cover, thus checking both before starting radiation and during to make sure no unwanted objects is present. If activated, before or during radiation it will send a signal to the control unit who will either prevent start of radiation or follow the same shut-down procedure with the double-sided breaker as described above.

[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 3 the distance sensor 8 can be set to read the distance D to for instance the radiation surface 14 and send the measured distance to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 will, depending upon the measures distance, take different actions. If distance D is too long or short, control unit will initiate shut-down procedure. If distance D is within desired length, control unit will instruct the radiation source to continue with the radiation operation. The sensor 8 can also be so arranged that it is moving in itself, and the surrounding or measured objects are not moving. The sensor can be of various types like laser, optical, mechanical or other suitable types. As a further safety measure, if any one of the presence/motion sensor 7, or the distance sensor 8 are non-functional (or breaks down during operation) the UVC radiation will be stopped, since the electrical circuit is cut-off.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 6 the electronic driver 5, is connected to mains electrical power on primary side and to the UVC emitter on the secondary side. A breaker with double sided function 6, and a control unit 10. The control unit 10 is adapted to receive signals from the components, or means of the safety device, and controls the activation or deactivation of the breaker 6, i.e. controls the provision of power to the radiation source 4. This means that when the control unit 10 receives a cut-off signal from any of the components, such as the limit switch 9 or the presence sensor 7 it will instruct the double-sided breaker 6 to activate. This will cut power on both the primary 23 and secondary 24 side of the UVC/LED electronic driver 5 which will result in immediate stop of radiation from the radiation source 4. The LED electronic driver 5 or the control unit 10 delivers power to the safety device components including the UVC emitter.

[0031] As illustrated in Figs 7 and 8 the safety device may also be provided with a NFC/RFID or Barcode reader 11 , which is arranged to detect whether objects provided with NFC/RFID chips or Barcodes 22 are present inside the enclosure 1 or not. NFC/RFID or Barcode components may further be used to position and identify objects going intended for radiation. If NFC/RFID tagged objects 13 comes sufficiently close to the NFC/RFID or Barcode reader it will read the data from the chip or barcode and convey it to the control unit. The control unit will analyze the data and give appropriate commands to UVC emitter. Different type of commands can be given depending upon desired functionality. Typical examples can be strength of dosage, and turning the radiation source 4 on or off. The control unit may also provide the radiation source 4 with exact information on the location of objects having a NFC/RFID or barcode tag 13 and objects 21 without the tag, and thus the radiation surface 14 may be limited to cover only objects having a tag 22. This could be useful when protecting objects that might be sensitive to radiation. This means that the control unit 10 is able to control which of the UVC LEDs 17 that are turned on during a radiation operation.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5 in the radiation area 14, also a fluorescent label 12 may be provided.

[0033] For illustrative purposes some of the safety device components, like NFC reader, optical sensor, distance sensor have all been drawn larger than they would be in reality in Fig. 8, for easier understanding of embodiment. These components may be placed on a PCB or they may be integrated on the inside surface of the cover or placed anywhere in radiation area as defined by the enclosure. [0034] As shown in Fig. 8 the UVC emitter (4) emits UVC radiation towards the surface being sterilized or disinfected. The radiation is originating from one or several LED chips or circuit boards 15 and could be controlled by one or several optical lenses to adjust the area being radiated. From the UVC emitter, there is also built in light within the visible spectrum as a safety function. This light will be always on during radiation operations. As an additional safety function, since the UVC LEDs 17 and visible spectrum LEDs 16 are connected in series, if either any of the type LED chips 16 are broken the rest of the chips will cease to function since the serial connection is broken. Also, as opposite, this arrangement gives a visible light trace of the invisible light radiation.

Claims

1. A safety device adapted to be used in connection with a radiation device, comprising an enclosure (1), wherein said enclosure is provided with a single or plurality of means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation from a radiation source (4), and wherein said safety device further comprises an electronic driver (5) connected to said radiation source (4) and a control unit (10); characterized in that said radiation source comprises a printed circuit board, PCB, (15) provided with one or several visible light emitting sources (16) in combination with one or several UVC light emitting sources (17) arranged in an electrical circuit (18); and in that the plurality of means adapted to automatically adjust emission of radiation comprises any one of, or a combination of: a sensor (7) configured to detect presence of one or several moving objects, arranged in series with or interconnected (19) to said PCB (15), and further configured to provide a cut-off signal to the control unit (10) if the presence of one or several moving objects is detected; and a sensor (8) configured to measure a distance to a surface of said one or several moving objects arranged in series with or interconnected (19) to PCB (15), and further configured to provide the control unit (10) with said measured distance; and a limit switch (9) arranged in series with or interconnected (19) to said PCB (15) and further configured to provide a cut-off signal to said control unit (10) if the limit switch is altered during radiation, and in that said control unit (10) is configured to provide a signal to a double-sided function breaker (6) when a cut-off signal is received from at least one of the sensor (7) and limit switch (9), whereby said double-sided breaker is configured to stop the incoming or outgoing power to or from the electronic driver (5).

2. The safety device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said double side breaker (6) is configured to break both a primary (23) and a secondary (24) side of said electronical driver (5).

3. The safety device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said sensors (7, 8) are configured to be continuously active.

4. The safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fluorescent label (12) is further provided inside said enclosure (1).

5. The safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (7) configured to detect presence of one or several moving objects is any one of Doppler and PIR sensor.

6. The safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (8) configured to detect a distance to one or several moving objects is any one of a laser, optical and mechanical sensor.

7. The safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a NFC / RFID or barcode reader, wherein said reader is configured to provide a signal to said control unit (10).