SANITATION SYSTEMS FOR AIRCRAFT

A sanitization system can include a housing defining an interior volume, and one or more FAR-UVC light sources disposed within the housing and configured to irradiate at least a portion of the interior volume. The interior volume can be configured to receive one or more user hands or portions thereof to sanitize the one or more user hands and/or portions thereof.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to sanitation systems, e.g., for aircraft.

BACKGROUND

The risk of cross contamination of viral pathogens such as COVID-19 is increased in situations where there are a number of high incidence touch points, e.g., in an aircraft galley and around the passenger cabin. Protective gloves have to be frequently disposed of, and to be truly effective, hand sanitizing gel should be used after every touching incident. As a result a large quantity of personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be transported to avoid shortages.

Conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved sanitation systems. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A sanitization system can include a housing defining an interior volume, and one or more FAR-UVC light sources disposed within the housing and configured to irradiate at least a portion of the interior volume. The interior volume can be configured to receive one or more user hands or portions thereof to sanitize the one or more user hands and/or portions thereof.

The one or more FAR-UVC light sources can include at least one FAR-UVC light source disposed on each internal surface of each wall of the housing. The housing can define an enclosed chamber having an opening. For example, the housing can include five walls.

The system can include a proximity sensor disposed on or within the housing and configured to detect when a user has inserted a hand and/or portion thereof into the enclosed chamber. The system can include a control module operatively connected to the proximity sensor and to each FAR-UVC light sources to turn on each FAR-UVC light source when a user's hand and/or portion thereof is detected by the proximity sensor.

The system can include one or more visible lights disposed within the internal volume to indicate that the device is active when in use, wherein the control module is configured to turn on the one or more visible lights when the one or more FAR-UVC light sources are turned on. Any suitable visible wavelength is contemplated herein (e.g., about 405 nm UV).

The one or more FAR-UVC light sources can be a FAR-UVC LED that emits light between about 207 nm to about 222 nm. Any suitable band configured to inactivate viruses, bacteria, and/or other microbes without posing a risk to humans is contemplated herein.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an aircraft can include a sanitization system as disclosed herein, e.g., as described above. The sanitization system can be in any suitable location (e.g., a lavatory, a galley).

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method can include detecting a presence of an object in a chamber, and activating a FAR-UVC light source in response to irradiate the object in the chamber. The object can be one or more hands and/or a portion thereof. Activating the FAR-UVC light source can include activating for at least a period of time sufficient to cause viral, bacterial, or other microbial inactivation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a sanitization system in accordance with the disclosure is shown inFIG. 1and is designated generally by reference character100. Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Certain embodiments described herein can be used to irradiate a user's hands without hurting the user while sanitizing the user's hands, for example. Any other suitable use is contemplated herein.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a sanitization system100can include a housing101defining an interior volume103, and one or more FAR-UVC light sources105disposed within the housing101and configured to irradiate at least a portion of the interior volume103(e.g., the entirety). The interior volume103can be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive one or more user hands or portions thereof to sanitize the one or more user hands and/or portions thereof (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3C).

The one or more FAR-UVC light sources105can include at least one FAR-UVC light source105disposed on each internal surface of each wall101a, b, c, d, eof the housing101, for example (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1). As shown, the housing101can define an enclosed chamber having an opening107(e.g., a single opening). For example, the housing101can include five walls101a, b, c, d, e(and the opening107).

The system100can include a proximity sensor109disposed on or within the housing101(e.g., at or proximate to the opening107) and configured to detect when a user has inserted a hand and/or portion thereof into the enclosed chamber (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3C). Any suitable proximity sensor (and/or any components thereof) known to those having ordinary skill in the art is contemplated herein (e.g., similar to a touchless faucet system).

The system100can include a control module111operatively connected to the proximity sensor109and to each FAR-UVC light source105to turn on each FAR-UVC light source105when a user's hand and/or portion thereof is detected by the proximity sensor109. The control module111can include any suitable hardware and/or software module(s) configured to perform any suitable function (e.g., as disclosed herein or otherwise). Any suitable power supply (e.g., corded, battery, etc.) for powering the device100is contemplated herein.

The system100can include one or more visible lights113disposed within the internal volume103to indicate that the device100is active when in use. Any other suitable location is contemplated herein (e.g., external of the device100). The control module111can be configured to turn on the one or more visible lights113when the one or more FAR-UVC light sources105are turned on. Any suitable visible wavelength is contemplated herein (e.g., about 405 nm UV).

The one or more FAR-UVC light sources105can be a FAR-UVC LED that emits light between about 207 nm to about 222 nm. Any other suitable source is contemplated herein. Any suitable light band configured to inactivate viruses, bacteria, and/or other microbes without posing a risk to humans is contemplated herein.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an aircraft (not shown) can include a sanitization system (e.g., system100) as disclosed herein, e.g., as described above. The sanitization system can be in any suitable location of the aircraft (e.g., a lavatory, a galley).

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method can include detecting a presence of an object in a chamber, and activating a FAR-UVC light source in response to irradiate the object in the chamber. The object can be one or more hands and/or a portion thereof. Activating the FAR-UVC light source can include activating for at least a period of time sufficient to cause viral, bacterial, or other microbial inactivation.

Embodiments can include a FAR-UVC hand sanitizer for passenger aircraft, for example. Embodiments can include a box or other suitable chamber open on at least one side to allow the user to insert their bare or gloved hands. The chamber can be internally equipped with an array of FAR-UVC and visible UV light LEDs on the remaining internal sides, FAR-UVC can be a short wave UV in the 207 to 222 nm band that does not pose a human skin or eye exposure risk, but is extremely effective against viruses. The device can also be equipped with visible light UV LEDs in the 405 nm range to provide the user with a reference and reassurance that the device is operational. To sanitize their hands the user can insert them into the open slot rotating them back and forth for about 20 to about 60 seconds. Tuning the device on could be done by a manual switch (e.g., touchless) or a proximity sensor and can include an auto-off function (e.g., turn off after about 60 seconds).

Installing an embodiment of a device, either as an integrated part of a galley, lavatory, or in the passenger cabin as a sanitizing station can significantly reduce the volume of PPE required on an aircraft. Embodiments can also provide a quick, easy to use, and effective method of deactivating a virus and preventing cross commination between the cabin crew, passengers and high touch surfaces. Using the device can be similar to using a washroom hand drier, and integrating both FAR-UVC and visible UV can aid effectiveness.

A problem in aircraft can be viral contamination of flight attendants and passengers hands as a result of touching infected surfaces or objects. Protective gloves can be used once, and then have to be disposed of. Sanitizing gel can exacerbate some skin conditions. Significant stock needs to be carried as well, which is heavy. As a solution to these problems, embodiments can provide a modular sanitation station consisting of a cavity with FAR-UV LED lamps on all internal sides. The operating procedure can be similar to using a washroom drier, and a user deactivates the virus by inserting their bare or gloved hands inside. Embodiments eliminate the need to carry significant quantities of consumable gel on board which saves weight and cost, and also cannot run out of stock in flight. Embodiments can reduce the volume of potentially contaminated disposable PPE trash, can be installed on galleys, lavatories, etc., or as a standalone cleansing station. Embodiments are easy to use, require very low power consumption, can provide auto power off when not in use, can provide a safe timed cleaning cycle, and could be available to both flight crew and passengers.