WO2022125018A1

WO2022125018A1 - A robot that ensures floor and ambient air disinfection with uv

Info

Publication number: WO2022125018A1
Application number: PCT/TR2021/050523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eyup DEBIK
Original assignee: Yildiz Teknik Universitesi; Yildiz Teknoloji Transfer Ofisi Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2022-06-16
Also published as: TR202022263U5; TR202020321A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autonomous robot (1) that ensures disinfection of both floors and the ambient air with UV lamps (5), characterized in that, it comprises; at least one UV lamp (5) that is positioned on the body (2) such that the people, who are in the same environment with the robot (1 ), are prevented from being directly exposed to UV radiation, and that allows for disinfecting the floor on which the robot (1) is moving; and an air cleaning system that allows for disinfecting the air, which is passed through at least one chamber (10) and/or at least one channel (9) inside the body (2) by being drawn into the body (2) from at least one inlet hole (6) by means of UV lamps (5) positioned inside said chamber (10) and/or channel, and releasing back the disinfected air to the environment from at least one outlet hole (11).

Description

A ROBOT THAT ENSURES FLOOR AND AMBIENT AIR DISINFECTION WITH UV

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a robot that comprises UV lamps and that is capable of purifying both floors and the ambient air from harmful microorganisms in the indoor environment, in which the robot is operated, by means of the disinfection systems configured in accordance with the purpose of operation thereof and that is further capable of moving autonomously in said indoor environment.

Prior Art

In the state of the art, there are various robotic devices developed for the removal of particles and harmful microorganisms in indoor environments. Robotic devices that operate with a robot vacuum cleaner and a filtration method are utilized to collect particles such as dust rather than disinfecting microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, mites, and fungi, as per their general structure. However, disinfection processes performed with UV radiation are more effective in the removal of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses that cause infectious and epidemic diseases, when compared to vacuum cleaners and filtration-based devices.

UV-based disinfection devices can feature many different structures. The description provided herein discloses robotic devices that are capable of moving autonomously and that ensure the disinfection of an environment by utilizing UV radiation.

The importance of antiviral disinfection was understood once again all over the world after a new type of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stemming from SARS- CoV-2 was declared a global epidemic (pandemic) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. The pandemic induced an increase in the use of environmental disinfection systems with antiviral effects in public places such as offices, workplaces, mosques, shopping malls, campuses, airports, stations, and public health institutions such as hospitals, polyclinics, family health centers.

The use of autonomous robotic devices that create antiviral effects via UV radiation has increased significantly in the last period in order to ensure the disinfection of the environment particularly in the aforementioned places where hygiene is important. In general literature, the most effective type of UV radiation on microorganisms is the type that radiates in the wavelength range of 180-280 nm, known as UV-C. UV- C radiation, especially at a wavelength of 253.7 nm, breaks down the DNA of viruses and bacteria and prevents the proliferation of said microorganisms.

In the state of the art, the patent application with publication numbered WO2020151922A1 , titled as “A method of treating a room using a robotic, mobile apparatus” and the patent application with publication numbered US9555144B2, titled as “Hard surface disinfection system and method” comprise said UV disinfection robots and the like. Said robotic devices, due to their general structure, comprise UV lamps that are positioned such that they are perpendicular to the upper parts thereof and that they are visible from outside. Such UV disinfection robots are utilized particularly in hospital rooms, wards, polyclinics, laboratories, corridors, operating rooms, and places such as airports, warehouses, hotels, open offices, shopping malls, residences. However, said robots may only be utilized in environments when there are no people around due to the fact that the UV lamps are positioned such that they can be visible from outside. When said robots are operated in an environment where humans are present, people are directly exposed to UV radiation. Besides, such robots are not designed for floor disinfection, but for an aimless disinfection process in the environment in which they are operated.

In the state of the art, the patent application with publication numbered US8779391 B2, titled as “Sterilization system with ultraviolet emitter for eradicating biological contaminants” comprises a robotic device and the like which have been developed so as to perform floor disinfection via UV radiation. Said robotic devices are designed in a compact structure similar to robot vacuums and are generally suitable for being operated in small spaces and on counters. The device mentioned in the patent application with publication numbered US8779391 B2 is designed only for floor disinfection via UV radiation and does not comprise any solution for cleaning the ambient air from harmful microorganisms.

In the state of the art; the patent application with publication numbered US20200030736A1 , titled as “Robot Purifier Capable of Rotating Vertically and Horizontally”, the patent application with publication numbered EP1640672A3 titled as “Air purifying robot and operation method thereof”, patent application with publication numbered US20050022485A1 , titled as “Air cleaning robot and system thereof”, and the patent application with publication numbered US8496737B2, titled as “Movable air purification robot system” comprise robotic devices and the like which can clean the ambient air by means of moving autonomously in the environment. However, it should be noted that said robotic devices are configured only to clean the ambient air and do not offer any solution for floor disinfection.

Brief Description of the Invention

The most important feature of the present invention is to ensure simultaneous disinfection of both floors and the ambient air via UV radiation by a single configuration.

Another important feature of the present invention is that the device performing the aforementioned disinfection processes is in the configuration of a robot that has the capability of autonomous mobility.

Another important feature of the present invention is that the autonomous device which ensures disinfection of both floors and the ambient air via UV radiation is capable of operating in an environment where humans are present. The positioning of the UV lamps allows the device to emit UV radiation such that the people who are present in the environment are not directly exposed to radiation.

The present invention is described in more detail by way of illustration with the attached figures. The inventive robot that ensures the disinfection of floor and ambient air via UV is not limited to the form that is shown in the figures in the annex of the description. Figures are provided for illustration purposes only. Description of the Figures

FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of the robot that ensures floor and ambient air disinfection with UV.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the robot that ensures floor and ambient air disinfection with UV.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a sectional view of the inner portion of the robot that provides floor and ambient air disinfection with UV.

Description of the Reference Numerals

NO PART NAME

1 Robot

2 Body

3 Motor

4 Wheel

5 UV Lamp

6 Inlet Hole

7 Fan

8 Filter

9 Channel

10 Chamber

11 Outlet Hole

12 LIDAR 13 Environmental Sensors

14 Floor Sensors

15 Movable Wheel

16 Battery

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to an autonomous robot (1 ) that ensures disinfection of both floors and the ambient air via UV lamps (5), characterized in that, it comprises; at least one UV lamp (5) that is positioned on the body (2) such that the people, who are in the same environment with the robot (1 ) are prevented from being directly exposed to UV radiation and that allows for disinfecting the floor on which the robot (1 ) is moving; an air cleaning system that allows for disinfecting the ambient air, which is passed through at least one channel (9) and or at least one chamber (10) inside the body (2) by being drawn into the body (2) from at least one inlet hole (6), by means of UV lamps (5) positioned inside said chamber (10) and/or channel and for releasing the disinfected air back to the environment from at least one outlet hole (1 1 ); at least one fan (7) that allows for passing the air through the air cleaning system comprising UV lamp (5) by drawing the air into the system for disinfecting the ambient air, and that enables the airflow for releasing the air back to the environment; at least one filter (8) provided for filtering the particles contained in the air that enters from the inlet hole (6) and/or exits from the outlet hole (11 ); at least one LIDAR (12) that detects the distance of surfaces, floor, and objects during the autonomous movement of the robot (1 ) in the environment and ensures that the autonomous movement of the robot is controlled; at least one environmental sensor (13) that allows the robot to detect various objects around it during the robot's (1 ) autonomous movement in the environment; at least one floor sensor (14) that enables the robot (1 ) to detect the conditions and characteristics of the floor on which the robot is moving during its autonomous movement in the environment; an adjuster unit that adjusts which one of the UV lamps (5) utilized for floor disinfection is active and which one is passive and/or that adjusts radiant power levels thereof in accordance with the floor characteristics detected by means of the floor sensor (14);

- at least one motor (3) that drives the wheels (4), which enable the movement of the robot (1 ) in the environment and/or moveable wheels (15), which enable the maneuvers of the robot (1 ), and that further drives the movement of wheels (4) and/or movable wheels (15), and at least one battery (16) that provides power to the motor (3).

The present invention, as a basic structure, comprises of UV lamps (5) that ensure floor disinfection; an air cleaning system that ensures ambient air disinfection; LIDAR (12), sensors, and movement mechanisms that enable autonomous movement.

As a feature of the present invention, the UV lamps (5), which ensure floor disinfection, are positioned on the body (2) of the robot (1 ) such that the robot (1 ) may operate in an environment where humans are present. UV lamps (5), which are positioned on the part of the body (2) facing the floor are placed such that the people in the environment are prevented from being directly exposed to UV radiation. UV lamps (5) are embedded in the base of the body (2) and positioned such that they can observe the floor. The embedded state of the UV lamps (5) may be defined as the configuration, which ensures that the UV radiation does not reach the people in the environment but reaches the floor as a point of focus. Said UV lamps (5) are positioned in order to ensure the disinfection of the floor in the best way possible and are designed to be in an optimal number based on the environment in which the robot (1 ) is operated.

As a feature, the present invention is also capable of disinfecting the ambient air in addition to being capable of disinfecting floors. The disinfection of the ambient air is performed by means of the air cleaning system in which UV lamps (5) are utilized. The air cleaning system begins functioning by taking the ambient air into the body (2) from the inlet hole (6), which is preferably located on an upper part of the body (2) of the robot (1 ). As the inlet hole (6) may have a single-piece structure, it may also be divided into two or more parts. The fans (7) ensure that the air is drawn from the inlet hole (6). The air drawn from the inlet hole (6) by means of fans (7) is passed through the filter (8) that is positioned just below the inlet hole (6). The filter (8) ensures that relatively large particles in the air are contained. Thus, relatively large particles in the ambient air, which are drawn and contained into the air cleaning system from the inlet hole (6) are purified. The air that enters from the inlet hole (6) and the filter (8) is directed to the chamber (10) by being passing through a channel (9) by means of the fans (7). A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises UV lamps (5) that are positioned into the chamber (10). However, optionally, UV lamps (5) may also be positioned along the channel (9). The air directed to the chamber (10) by means of the fans (7) is disinfected via the UV lamps (5) positioned inside the chamber (10) and/or along the channel (9). The air disinfected by UV lamps (5) in the chamber (10) and/or along the channel (9) is directed to the outlet hole (1 1 ) by means of fans (7). The disinfected air directed to the outlet hole (1 1 ) is released to the environment. Optionally, there is also a filter (8) in the outlet hole (11 ).

As a feature of the present invention, the robot (1 ), which ensures the disinfection of both the floor and the ambient air via UV lamps (5) moves autonomously in the environment where it is operated. The detection and mapping of the environment during autonomous movement are provided by means of the LIDAR (12). The LIDAR (12) processes data and information received from the environmental sensors (13) positioned around the body (2) of the robot (1 ) and the floor sensors (14) positioned on the base of the body (2) of the robot (1 ). In addition, characteristics of the floor may be identified by means of the floor sensor (14). The radiation parameters of the UV lamps (5) may be adjusted according to the floor characteristics detected by the floor sensor (14). Said parameters may be determined by means of an adjuster unit.

The movements of the autonomous robot (1 ) are provided by means of the movable wheels (15) and/or wheels (4) positioned on the base part thereof. The maneuvers and rotations of the robot (1 ) are performed by means of the movable wheels (15). The movements of the wheels (4) and/or the movable wheels (15) are provided by means of the motors (3). The expression of motor (3) may be defined as any type of drive system. The power transferred to the motors (3) is provided by means of the battery (16). The expression of battery (16) may be defined as any type of power supply.

Adjectives such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "inside", "outside", "side" as used in the description provided herein do not define a priority, direction and/or order that would limit the invention. The aforementioned expressions are used in this way to provide a better understanding of the embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS - An autonomous robot (1 ) that ensures the disinfection of both the floor and the ambient air with UV lamps (5), characterized in that, it comprises; at least one UV lamp (5) that is positioned on the body (2) such that the people, who are in the same environment with the robot (1 ) are prevented from being directly exposed to UV radiation and that allows for disinfecting the floor on which the robot (1 ) is moving; an air cleaning system that allows for disinfecting the ambient air, which is passed through at least one channel (9) and or at least one chamber (10) inside the body (2) by being drawn into the body (2) from at least one inlet hole (6), by means of UV lamps (5) positioned inside said chamber (10) and/or channel and for releasing the disinfected air back to the environment from at least one outlet hole (1 1 ). - An autonomous robot (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises; at least one fan (7) that allows for passing the air through the air cleaning system comprising UV lamp (5) by drawing the air into the system for disinfecting the ambient air, and that enables the airflow for releasing the air back to the environment. - An autonomous robot (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises; at least one filter (8) provided for filtering the particles contained in the air that enters from the inlet hole (6) and/or exits from the outlet hole (1 1 ); - An autonomous robot (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises; at least one LIDAR (12) that detects the distance of surfaces, floor, and objects during the autonomous movement of the robot (1 ) in the environment and ensures that the autonomous movement of the robot is controlled;

9 at least one environmental sensor (13) that allows the robot to detect various objects around it during the robot's (1 ) autonomous movement in the environment; and at least one floor sensor (14) that enables the robot (1 ) to detect the conditions and characteristics of the floor on which the robot is moving during its autonomous movement in the environment. - An autonomous robot (1 ) according to Claim 4, characterized in that, it comprises; an adjuster unit that adjusts which one of the UV lamps (5) utilized for floor disinfection is active and which one is passive and/or that adjusts radiant power levels thereof in accordance with the floor characteristics detected by means of the floor sensor (14). - An autonomous robot (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises at least one motor (3) that drives the wheels (4), which enable the movement of the robot (1) in the environment and/or moveable wheels (15), which enable the maneuvers of the robot (1 ), and that further drives the movement of wheels (4) and/or movable wheels (15), and at least one battery (16) that provides power to the motor (3).