Patent Publication Number: US-2022226521-A1

Title: Vehicle Surfaces Sterilization Equipment

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims the benefit of German patent application ser. no. DE 10 2021 100 832.8, filed on Jan. 15, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure is directed to a device for sterilizing at least one surface within an interior or arranged at an exterior of an object, preferably a vehicle, to be used by a human being (user), wherein, when the object is in use, the surface being exposed to micro-organisms and/or bacteria and/or pathogens and/or viruses transmitted from the user to the surface of the object. 
     PRIOR ART 
     The document WO 002012019800 A2 relates to a method for vehicle conditioning and provision. It particularly it relates to a method for the conditioning and provision of hired vehicles and/or used vehicles. Vehicles referred to by the state of the art are passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles. In the field of vehicle renting as well as prior to the delivery of new vehicles, there is are necessity to condition and provide vehicles. While in the field of vehicle renting, there is the need to eliminate signs of use and dirt caused by the previous hirer prior to rehiring, in the field of the delivery of new vehicles, there is the need to eliminate production residues and dirt which typically result from vehicle production. In both cases, a great number of vehicles must be conditioned within a time as short as possible to provide them for rehiring or to deliver or hand them over to a new owner. 
     DEFICIENCIES OF THE STATE OF THE ART 
     Objects and associated surfaces or textures which are commonly used by a plurality of individuals in a public environment promote the holding of micro-organisms, bacteria, pathogens and/or viruses. 
     This is especially true on handles, side pockets, foot rests and/or carpets. Micro-organisms, bacteria, pathogens and/or viruses are also found on seats and arm rests or other textiles that are not easy to wipe, when used in shared or rented automobiles. 
     The problem further enhances itself when vehicles are shared among drivers or passengers, such as taxis and rental cars. 
     Other objects and associated surfaces outside the automotive industry are dispensers such as for food, drinks, medicine and other items. Levers and buttons which are used to activate the functionality of such equipment is particularly prone to being contaminated due to touching by multiple people. 
     Problem to be Solved 
     It is the intention of the disclosure to provide a device and a corresponding system for intensively cleaning and/or sterilizing at least one surface within the interior or arranged at or on the exterior of an object, preferably a vehicle, to be used by a human being (user). The invention should remedy the deficiencies of the prior art listed above. 
     Solving the Problem 
     The problem is solved by a device for sterilizing at least one surface within an interior or arranged at or on an exterior of an object, preferably a vehicle, to be used by a human being (user). 
     When the object is in use, the surface is exposed to micro-organisms and/or bacteria and/or pathogens and/or viruses transmitted from the user to the surface of the object. 
     The device comprises at least one UV-C light source mounted in or in the area of the surface of the object, which is exposed to the micro-organisms and/or bacteria and/or pathogens and/or viruses. 
     The device further comprises at least one control module, for controlling the UV-C light, emitted by at least one UV-C light source, and at least one user presence detection module, for sensing the presence of a user, using the object. 
     The invention is described in more detail using a car as an example. It goes without saying that the invention can also be related to other fields of application. Other fields of application may be dispensers, elevator buttons and levers or else. 
     By implementing the above UV-C light source one creates a convenient vehicle sterilization system within the limits of existing lighting systems in automotive engineering. 
     The device and the system can be implemented without affecting the styled appearance of the vehicle. 
     Both the device and the system can be coupled to a control module which can switch between the car&#39;s normal light and the UV-C light. 
     The intensity and the duration of such UV-C light exposure can be controlled in an automated or manually activated manner. 
     An activation sensor, a presence sensors and/or time-outs determine whether there is presence of a user in the vehicle. 
     As soon as there is neither the driver nor a passenger in the vehicle, thus when it is safe, the normal light of the vehicle switches to UV-C light. 
     Activating the light source for a predetermined period of time is sufficient to sterilize the at least one affected surface. 
     Since UV-C light is absorbed by normal transparent materials utilized in modern vehicles, the UV-C light source has to be placed in such a manner such that UV-C light can pass through either open spaces such as a grill type of feature or be transmitted through special grades of silica (glass). 
     UV-C light UV-A light and UV-B light are naturally occurring wavelengths within the UV spectrum. 
     The UV-C light has a shorter wavelength range. The UV-C light is absorbed by the earth&#39;s upper atmosphere. 
     However, the UV-C light can be artificially produced through special bulbs such as neon tubes and LED&#39;s. 
     Currently the LED is mostly limited to specific sterilizing equipment where sanitization is a priority. This especially applies in hospitals cleaning equipment, medical equipment and other forms of hand held sanitary equipment. 
     It is also known that an exposure of a few seconds up to a few minutes to UV-C light kills and/or disables potentially infectious pathogens. It goes without saying that it depends on the power and on the affected surface area, whether the UV-C light may kill or just disable infectious pathogens. 
     UV-C Light Source 
     Currently vehicles are equipped with various light sources. The scope of the light source ranging from reading lights, to footwell lights and/or ambient lighting. Normally the light source is available to aid the user in locating the actuating device. 
     The UV-C light source may form an integral part of a control module. 
     Said control module controls the energy supply to enable switching between colors. The control module may also swap between various light sources and intensity adjustments. 
     Simpler sources are driven by a central module which may control the same functionality mentioned above. 
     Embodiments of the Invention 
     According to one embodiment of the invention the UV-C light source is mounted inside the hand grip of an automotive door handle. It can also be arranged inside a door pull. At any case, the UV-C light source is facing a touch pull area of said surface. 
     Thus, the affected areas can be sterilized directly and efficiently. 
     The UV-C light source can be mounted around an inside perimeter of a vehicle cup holder. The cup holder is preferably located in a central console between a driver seat and a passenger seat. 
     According to the invention, both the affected surfaces of the vehicle itself and other gadgets commonly used by the passengers such as cups can be clean intensively. 
     Another embodiment of the invention provides the UV-C light source mounted inside the vehicle reading light overhead module, located in the center front of the vehicle roof. It can also be arranged in a center mid-roof and/or on top of a rear door. 
     Thus, any area of the vehicle which might be exposed to micro-organisms and/or bacteria and/or pathogens and/or viruses can be sterilized. 
     Also, the UV-C light source may project the UV-C light on at least one seat of the driver or of any passenger. The UV-C light source may also be projected on the steering wheel. 
     The UV-C light source may comprise at least one LED, arranged on at least one PCBA. Other light sources can be used as well. 
     The invention provides the control module that switches on or off the UV-C light source. The control module controls the UV-C light duration and/or the power of exposure of the surface to the UV-C light source. 
     The control module communicates with the at least one user presence detection module. Thus, the UV-C light is only switched on when no driver or no passenger occupies any of the vehicle&#39;s seats. 
     According to the invention the user presence detection module is a door a jar and/or a switch or sensor and/or a seat belt switch. 
     It can also be a seat occupant sensor and/or a seat weight sensor. The presence of a driver or of a passenger can also be checked by a camera and/or by an immobilizer module. Also, a vehicle interior alarm system and/or a key location can be employed. 
     According to the invention the user presence detection module can be activated manually or automatically to indicate the presence of a user, using the object. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention the user presence detection module can be overridden by the movement of a retractable cover of a cup holder inside the vehicle. In the example of the invention the retractable cover has a switching element or a sensor monitoring the position of the cover. 
     Both the UV-C light source and/or the user presence detection module and/or the control module are supplied by a battery of the vehicle. 
     The disclosure provides a system for sterilizing at least one surface within an interior or arranged at an exterior of an object. Preferably, the object is a vehicle, to be used by a human being (user). 
     The system for sterilizing at least one surface includes at least one device for sterilizing. The system also comprises at least one UV-C light source mounted in, or in the area of the surface of the object. 
     The surface of the object, sterilized by the system is exposed to the micro-organisms and/or to bacteria and/or to pathogens and/or to viruses. 
     At least one control module is provided for controlling the UV-C light, emitted by at least one UV-C light source. 
     The system provides at least one user presence detection module for sensing the presence of a user, using the object. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Further examples and advantageous embodiments are shown in the drawings described below. 
         FIG. 1  shows the working area of a driver of a motor vehicle, 
         FIG. 2  shows the exterior of the vehicle according to the present invention, 
         FIG. 3  presents an electrical circuit  28  diagram for the device and the system for sterilization of surfaces the interior of a car and 
         FIG. 4  shows a dashboard of a motor vehicle providing UV-C light sources to release UV-C light. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows the working area of a driver of a motor vehicle as seen from the driver&#39;s seat  7 . 
     On the left of the driver&#39;s seat  7  one can see the door of the driver. 
     A single or multiple UV-C light source  1  (not shown) may be at least one LED. The LED is mounted inside the hand grip of an automotive door handle  2  and/or of a door pull  3 . The LED is facing the touch pull surface and is controlled through a control module  16  (not shown) both of which are supplied by the vehicle battery  10  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Above the driver&#39;s door one can see a reading light overhead module  5 . 
     In front of the driver&#39;s seat  7   FIG. 1  shows the steering wheel  8 . At the right hand side of the driver&#39;s seat  7  there is the passenger seat (not shown). 
     Between the driver&#39;s seat  7  and the passenger seat in the vehicle there is a vehicle cup holder  4 . 
     Another overhead module  5  is arranged above the driver&#39;s mirror on the inside of the vehicle. The overhead module  5  arranged above the driver&#39;s mirror comprises a camera  11  and a grid like geometry  9  protecting the PCBA (not shown) against touching. 
       FIG. 2  shows the exterior of the vehicle. Behind the front window there is the overhead module  5  above the steering wheel  8 . 
     On either side of the vehicle the  FIG. 2  shows an electronic key location  12  and the door-adjar  14  of the vehicle. 
     A battery  10 , the presence detection module  13  and the seat belt switch  15  are arranged on the left of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  shows a circuit diagram of an example of an electrical circuit  28  that can be used to operate the device  17  and the corresponding system for sterilizing at least one surface of the vehicle. 
     The device  17  comprises at least one UV-C light source  1  mounted in or in the area of the surface of the object, which is exposed to the micro-organisms and/or bacteria and/or pathogens and/or viruses and therefore needs to be sterilized. 
     The device  17  further comprises at least one control module  16 , for controlling the UV-C light  21 , emitted by at least one UV-C light source  1 , and at least one user presence detection module  13 , for sensing the presence of a user, using the vehicle. 
     By implementing the above UV-C light source  1 ;  21  one creates a convenient vehicle sterilization system within the limits of existing lighting systems in automotive engineering. 
     Both the device  17  and the system can be coupled to a control module  16  which can switch between the car&#39;s normal light  18  and the UV-C light  21 . 
     The intensity and the duration of such light exposure to the UV-C light  21  can be controlled in an automated or manually activated manner. 
     An immobilizer module  19 , a presence detection module  13  and/or time-outs determine whether there is presence of a user in the vehicle. 
     As soon as there is neither the driver nor a passenger in the vehicle, thus when it is safe, the normal light  18  of the vehicle switches to UV-C light  21 . 
     Since UV-C light  21  is absorbed by normal transparent materials utilized in modern vehicles, the UV-C light source  1  has to be placed in a manner such that UV-C light  21  can pass through either opening  23  such as a grill type of feature or be transmitted through special grades of silica (glass) (please see  FIG. 4 ). 
     However, the UV-C light  21  can be artificially produced through special bulbs such as neon tubes and LED&#39;s. 
     Currently vehicles are equipped with various light sources  1 . The scope of the light source  1  ranging from reading lights, to footwell lights and/or ambient lighting. Normally the light source  1  is available to aid the user in locating the actuating device  17 . 
     An electronic component  27  is provided to control the electrical voltage (Volt) required for the respective light source  1  arranged within the vehicle. The electronic component  27  also controls the energy conversion per time unit (Watt) required to provide energy to the respective light source  1 ;  18 ;  21  of the vehicle. 
     The UV-C light source  1  may form an integral part of a control module  16 . 
     Said control module  16  controls the energy supplies to enable switching between colors. The control module  16  may also swap between various light sources and intensity adjustments. 
     Simpler light sources are driven by a control module  16  which may control the same functionality mentioned above. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention the UV-C light source  1  is mounted inside the hand grip of an automotive door handle. It can also be arranged inside a door pull  3  (not shown). The UV-C light source  1  may also be a part of the door adjar  14 . At any case, the UV-C light source  1  is facing a touch pull area of said surface ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The UV-C light source  1  can be mounted around an inside perimeter of a vehicle cup holder  4  ( FIG. 1 ). The cup holder  4  is preferably located in a central console between a driver seat  7  and a passenger seat. 
     Another embodiment of the invention provides the UV-C light source  1 ;  21  mounted inside the vehicle reading light overhead module  5 , located in the center front of the vehicle roof. It can also be arranged in a center mid-roof and/or on top of a rear door ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Also, the UV-C light source  1  may project the UV-C light  21  on at least one seat  7  of the driver or of any passenger. The UV-C light source  1  may also be projected on the steering wheel  8  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The UV-C light source  1  may comprise at least one LED, arranged on at least one PCBA. Other light sources can be used as well. 
     The invention provides the control module  16  that switches on or off the UV-C light source  1 . The control module  16  controls the UV-C light  21  duration and/or the power of exposure of the surface to the UV-C light source  1 . 
     The control module  16  communicates with the at least one user presence detection module  13 . Thus, the UV-C light  21  is only switched on when no driver or no passenger occupies any of the vehicle&#39;s seats. 
     According to the invention the user presence detection module  13  is a door ajar  14  and/or a switch or sensor and/or a seat belt switch  15  ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). 
     It can also be a seat occupant sensor and/or a seat weight sensor. The presence of a driver or of a passenger can also be checked by a camera  11  and/or by an immobilizer module  19 . Also, a vehicle interior alarm system and/or a key location can be employed ( FIG. 1 ). 
     According to the invention the user presence detection module  13  can be activated manually or automatically to indicate the presence of a user, using the vehicle. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention the user presence detection module  13  can be overridden by the movement of a retractable cover of a cup holder  4  inside the vehicle. In the example of the invention the retractable cover has a switching element or a sensor monitoring the position of the cover. 
     It goes without saying that the presence detection module  13  may also be overridden in any other manner. 
     Both the UV-C light source  1  and/or the user presence detection module  13  and/or the control module  16  are supplied by a battery  10  of the vehicle. 
     The electrical circuit  28  diagram comprises further electronic elements such as a resistance and/or an electric fuse. 
     The electric energy to run the device  17  and/or the system is provided by an energy supply such as a battery  10 . Obviously, the energy may also be provided by any other means. 
       FIG. 4  shows a dashboard  25  of a motor vehicle. Behind the dashboard  25  of the vehicle there is at least one UV-C light source  1  provided to release UV-C light  21 . 
     The UV-C light sources  1  emits the UV-C light  21  and directs the UV-C light  21  towards the driver&#39;s seat  7  or the passenger seat, whichever seat is located opposite to the UV-C light source  1  in the interior  24  of the vehicle. 
     Alternatively, the UV-C light sources  1  arranged behind the dashboard  25  of the vehicle may also direct the UV-C light  21  towards a door ajar  14  (not shown) in the  FIG. 4  or any other object or component in the interior  24  of the vehicle which needs to be sterilized by means of UV-C light when the vehicle is used by varying passenger. 
     Between the dashboard  25  and the front-end of the vehicle (not shown) the at least one UV-C light source  1  is mounted on a carrier  22 . 
     The UV-C light source  1  may reach through at least one opening  23  in the dash-board  25  to emit the UV-C light  21  facing away from the carrier  22  holding the UV-C light source  1  into the interior  24  of the vehicle (not shown). 
     Next to the at least one UV-C light source  1  a steering column  26  is arranged, supporting the steering wheel  8  of the motor vehicle. 
     REFERENCE LIST 
     
         
           1  UV-C light source 
           2  Automotive door handle 
           3  Door pull 
           4  Cup holder 
           5  Overhead module 
           6  free 
           7  Driver seat 
           8  Steering wheel 
           9  Geometry 
           10  Battery 
           11  Camera 
           12  Key location 
           13  User presence detection module 
           14  Door adjar 
           15  Seat belt switch 
           16  Control module 
           17  Device 
           18  Normal light 
           19  Immobilizer module 
           20  free 
           21  UV-C light sources 
           22  Carrier 
           23  Opening 
           24  Interior of the vehicle 
           25  Dashboard 
           26  Steering column 
           27  Electronic component 
           28  Electrical circuit