Patent Publication Number: US-2023158188-A1

Title: Ultraviolet disinfection device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 62/573,489, filed on Oct. 17, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus for sterilizing objects. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a rolling device with an ultraviolet disinfection unit. 
     The need for cleaning athletic and other types of mats and floor surfaces has spawned many cleaning products and systems, some automated and some manual. In some of these systems, ultraviolet (UV) light is used to irradiate a surface in order to kill pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. UV light has the advantages of being quick and easy to apply, leaving no chemical residue, being in unlimited supply for as long as there is power to the system, and being better for surfaces that may be stained or otherwise damaged by liquid disinfectants. 
     Unfortunately, most of these inventions have not accounted for the needs of the marketplace or safety considerations. These devices utilize mercury vapor lamps, which can release hazardous mercury fumes if broken, a significant danger in a device intended to pass closely over large swathes of a floor for extended periods of time. These devices do not account for differences in speed as they pass over the surface, which can lead to some surfaces being underexposed, resulting in inadequate disinfection. Overexposure may cause UV damage to the surface. Furthermore, these devices often lack safety features, allowing a user to accidentally expose themselves or others to UV light, which can cause injury. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a UV disinfection system that utilizes safer UV light emitters (UVLEs), and has safety features to prevent damage to surfaces or injury to users while still ensuring adequate disinfection. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The ultraviolet disinfection device includes a main body having a hollow configuration divided into a control compartment and an active compartment. A handle is connected to the main body. At least one control board is located within the control compartment, while a heat sink is located within the main body. At least one UVLE panel is operably connected to the heat sink and operably connected to the control board. Each UVLE panel comprises at least one UVLE. A plurality of end plates are removably attached to a first side and a second side of the main body, with a plurality of wheel assemblies connected to the main body. At least one speed sensor is operably connected to the control board. The speed sensor is configured to detect data on the speed of the main body and transmit this data to the control board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3     a ,  3   b ,  4 , and  5  are bottom perspective, exploded, side cross-sectional, side cross-sectional, top cross-sectional, and top perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a UV disinfection device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a UV disinfection device  100 . As can be seen in  FIGS.  1  through  5   , device  100  includes a main body  110  with a control compartment  120  and an active compartment  130 . In certain embodiments, control compartment  120  and active compartment  130  are separated by a separation panel  140 . Wheel assemblies  150  are mounted to either side of main body  110 , along with at least one speed sensor  160  and at least one optional feedback system  170 . Device  100  is manually driven by a user using handle  180  or driven by a motor assembly  190  attached to wheel assemblies  150 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, main body  110  is a hollow, elongated body having open ends for at least one of the left and right sides. In various embodiments, main body  110  may be manufactured from polymer, steel, or aluminum. Main body  110  may be a one-piece extrusion, multiple interconnected pieces, or any combination thereof. End plates  111 , at least one of which is removable, at least partially close off the open side end or ends of main body  110 . End vents  112  in end plates  111  allow a measure of ventilation of the interior of main body  110 . The exterior edges of the lower level of main body  110  below active compartment  130  have two protruding rims  113  which have a slight incurvate deflection. The rims  113  are of equal length and inward orientation and form an open channel along the bottom side of main body  110 . In certain embodiments, a UV-inert, flexible, and/or collapsible skirt made from a material such as, but not limited to, fabric or a sheet or sheets of polymer, may be attached on or around the bottom of main body  110  provide the user with additional protection from UV light. 
     Each end plate  111  includes a wheel aperture  114  and a plurality of attachment apertures  115 . Each attachment apertures  115  aligns with an attachment channel  116  to allow removable attachment members  117  to extend through, attaching end plate  111  to main body  110 . In the exemplary embodiment, attachment channels  116  are c-shaped channels, while attachment members  117  are screws. Other embodiments of attachment channels  116  may be threaded nuts or annuluses, unthreaded annuluses or channels, snap receivers, or any other mechanical connector receiver known in the art. Other embodiments of attachment members  117  may be bolts, snap fasteners, or any other mechanical connector known in the art. An optional sensor aperture  118  allows mounting of speed sensor  160  and/or wired communication between speed sensor  160  and the interior of control compartment  120 . An optional charging port  119  allows recharge of the device  100  between uses. 
     Control compartment  120  and active compartment  130  extend lengthwise and parallel to each other over the entire length and width of main body  110 . Control compartment  120  extends over active compartment  130 . In certain embodiments, separation panel  140  is a solid planar panel that is permanently or removably connected at an approximately right angle to both front and rear interior surfaces of main body  110 . 
     Control compartment  120  includes two board channels  121  extending lengthwise, parallel and opposite to each other on the front and rear interior surfaces of control compartment  120 . Board channels  121  are offset from separation panel  140 . Board channels  121  provide a secure slide-in location for at least one control board  122 , such as, but not limited to, a printed circuit board (PCB) or multiple PCBs, to be inserted within board channels  121  and held in place within control compartment  120 . A rechargeable or replaceable power source  123  such as, but not limited to, a battery or battery pack, is also located within control compartment  120 . 
     The area above control board  122  provides airflow for ventilation and cooling of control board  122  and power source  123  as well as providing a physical offset from any heat that might dissipate from separation panel  140 . Since power source  123  is located within control compartment  120 , this reduces the likelihood that power source  123  will incur damage from overheating. In certain embodiments, control board  122  may include or otherwise be connected to an orientation sensor  124  for safety. Control board  122  is configured to adjust the power provided to any UVLEs  133  based on orientation data received from the at least one orientation sensor. In other words, if device  100  deviates from a base orientation beyond an acceptable amount, control board  122  will not allow device  100  to produce UV light. The deviation threshold may range from approximately 1 degree to approximately 45 degrees depending upon the construction of device  100 . In certain embodiments, the base orientation is horizontal; other embodiments may allow the user to change the base orientation and/or deviation threshold to accommodate other, non-horizontal surfaces. Orientation sensor  124  may include sensors such as, but not limited to, a tilt switch or a single- or multi-axial accelerometer. 
     Active compartment  130  may have separation panel  140  as an upper boundary and a heat sink in the form of a heat sink panel  131  as a lower boundary. In the exemplary embodiment, heat sink panel  131  is integral to main body  110 . In other embodiments, heat sink panel  131  may be removably held in place by channels similar to board channels  121 . In certain embodiments, the heat sink may be located in portions of main body  110  other than the lower boundary of active compartment  130 . The upper surface of heat sink panel  131  includes a series of multiple ridges running adjacent but separated from each other and parallel to each other to form a series of heat sink structures  132 . The lower surface of heat sink panel  131  has a flat surface, and, in the exemplary embodiment, includes pre-punched connection holes to allow connection between control board  122  and at least one UVLE panel  134 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, each UVLE panel  134  is a circuit board operably connected to control board  122  and including at least one UVLE  133 . In the exemplary embodiment, UVLEs  133  are solid-state light emitters such as, but not limited to, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In certain embodiments, at least one UVLE  133  emits UVC light. UVC light is UV light with a wavelength ranging from approximately 100 nm to approximately 280 nm. In one such embodiment, at least one UVLE  133  emits UV light with a wavelength of approximately 250 nm. In certain embodiments, at least one UVLE panel  134  may be backed by a metallic backing plate  138 , such as, but not limited to, a steel or an aluminum plate, to strengthen UVLE panel  134  and assist in conducting heat away from UVLE panel  134 . The heat sink structures  132  take up and dissipate any heat generated by any UVLEs  133  on UVLE panels  134 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   a   , each UVLE panel  134  is held adjacent and parallel to the lengthwise orientation of heat sink panel  131  by two of a plurality of UVLE channels  135 . This embodiment includes two pairs of UVLE channels  135  to hold two UVLE panels  134 , though other embodiments can include more or fewer UVLE panels  134  and respective UVLE channels  135 . Each pair of UVLE channels  135  extends lengthwise, parallel and opposite to each other in active compartment  130 . UVLE channels  135  are offset from heat sink panel  121 . UVLE channels  135  provide a secure slide-in location for each UVLE panel  134 , similar to control board  122  within board channels  121 . 
     Each UVLE panel  134  is covered by an UVLE shield  136 , a panel substantially transparent to UV light which protects UVLEs  133  from damage. In the exemplary embodiment, UVLE shields  136  are slabs of quartz glass; other embodiments may use different UV-transparent materials. Each UVLE shield  136  is held adjacent and parallel to the lengthwise orientation of a UVLE panel  134  by two shield channels  137 . The exemplary embodiment includes two pairs of shield channels  137  to hold two UVLE shields  136 , though other embodiments can include more or fewer shield channels  137  and UVLE shields  136 . Each pair of shield channels  137  extends lengthwise, parallel and opposite to each other in active compartment  130 . Shield channels  137  are located directly below UVLE channels  135 . Shield channels  137  provide a secure slide-in location for each UVLE shield  136 , similar to control board  122  within board channels  121 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   b   , the backing plate  138  of each UVLE panel  134  is directly connected to heat sink panel  131 . While the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   b    does not show a UVLE shield  136 , one may be incorporated over UVLE panel  134 . Any of the various aspects of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   a    may be combined with the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   b   , and vice versa. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, each wheel assembly  150  includes a wheel  151  mounted to a wheel axle  152 . In this embodiment, wheel assembly  150  includes at least one motor driven wheel  151  that moves device  100  by electrical power using motor assembly  190 . In another embodiment, wheel assembly  150  includes ball rollers that provide multilateral motion for device  100 . In another embodiment, wheel axle  152  is slidably connected to a wheel axle connector which extends through wheel axle  152  and wheel aperture  114 . In such an embodiment, the wheel axle connector is a press-release connector, when pressed allowing wheel axle  152  to slide up and down to adjust the height of main body  110  above a treatment surface. 
     At least one speed sensor  160  is located on or within main body  110 . In one embodiment, speed sensor  160  is located on control board  122 . In one embodiment, speed sensor  160  is located on end plate  111  adjacent to wheel  151 . Various embodiments of speed sensor  160  may include a single- or multi-axial accelerometer, a light sensor that detects motion of wheel  151  via alternating colors on the surface of wheel  151 , a laser motion sensor that detects surface motion of wheel  151 , a physical roller contact sensor that reads the rotations and speed of a wheel or roller, or a magnetic sensor such as, but not limited to a reed switch with a rotation magnet on wheel  151 . 
     Control board  122  processes input from speed sensor  160  to control UVLEs  133  and provides optional feedback through optional feedback system  170 . In embodiments where speed sensor  160  is not connected directly to control board  122 , a connector cable  161 , such as, but not limited to, a cable or wire, connects speed sensor  160  to sensor connector  162 , which is in turn connected to control board  122 . In other embodiments, connector cable  161  connects speed sensor  160  directly to a sensor pad on control board  122 . Certain embodiments may also include at least one height sensor  165  mounted to main body  110  to incorporate height into UV treatment optimization calculations. 
     Certain embodiments may include a feedback system  170  connected to main body  110  or handle  180  for providing to the user feedback regarding the speed and/or status of device  100 . Feedback system  170  may include any combination of at least one haptic feedback output  171 , at least one visual feedback output  172 , and/or at least one audio feedback output  173 . Haptic feedback outputs  171  may include vibration or braking modules for changing vibration transmitted through main body  110  and/or handle  180  or altering resistance to movement of wheels  151  using motor assembly  190 . Visual feedback outputs  172  may include light emitters that indicate speed with changing color, intensity, or number or type of light emitters lit, or a light emitting or analog gauge or dial showing a readout of speed. Visual feedback outputs  172  may also include light emitters that indicate whether the UVLEs  133  and overall device  100  have power, or if recharging device  100  is necessary. Audio feedback outputs  173  may include speakers for emitting sounds ranging from a tone that changes volume or frequency, to a verbal warning of speed outside of parameters, to a verbal declaration of current speed at various intervals. Audio feedback outputs  173  may also include speakers for emitting sounds that indicate whether the UVLEs  133  and overall device  100  have power, or if recharging device  100  is necessary. 
     Handle  180  is attached to the rear panel of main body  110  to propel and/or steer device  100 . In certain embodiments, handle  180  can rotate for better maneuvering, as with, by way of non-limiting example, a pin joint or a ball-and-socket joint. In other embodiments, the length of handle  180  is adjustable for better user ergonomics. Adjustment may occur through telescoping segments or adding or removing one or more detachable segments to or from handle  180 . In certain embodiments, handle  180  includes a power switch  181  operably connected to control board  122  and/or UVLEs  133  to activate these components. In other embodiments, power switch  181  is located on main body  110 . In certain embodiments, handle  180  is removable. 
     Device  100  is designed to provide specific capabilities and UV irradiation accuracy. First, device  100  uses UVLEs  133  instead of the standard delicate, potentially hazardous mercury vapor lamps used in the UV sterilization industry. Furthermore, device  100  controls delivery of UV light based on data from speed sensor  160 . As a result, device  100  can manage on-off operations, safety interlock functions (to limit exposure of the device user) and speed control feedback to the user with the use of haptic, audio, and/or visual outputs. Device  100  provides adjustable UV irradiation level capability based upon the speed of the rolling motion of device  100  over a surface. In embodiments using motor assembly  190 , device  100  may also control the speed at which its wheels  151  rotate to ensure effective disinfection. 
     Moreover, device  100  can provide a moment to moment (real time) constant irradiation level regardless of its speed over a surface by controlling (again in real time) adjustable UVLE  133  radiation intensity based on speed. Device  100  utilizes an algorithm to control transmission of UV radiation based on at least one of device speed, distance of UVLEs  133  to the cleaning surface, and power to the UVLEs. Device  100  uses at least one speed sensor  160  which can determine when the UVLEs  133  turn on or off. By way of non-limiting example, if the rolling speed of device  100  approaches, or exceeds, a speed which does not allow a proper UV irradiation level from device  100 , feedback system  170  is activated, providing an indication to the user to slow movement of device  100 . The same speed sensor(s)  160  further provides the basis for a safety interlock based on speed or no speed of device  100  (i.e. control board  122  turns off UVLEs  133  unless a minimum speed is detected by one or both wheels  151 ). 
     Furthermore, device  100  may have an adjustment to increase or decrease the height level of UVLEs  133  above the surface. This feature ensures the optimal motion of device  100  over various types of surfaces and keeps UVLEs  133  as close to the surface as possible when set correctly. The integral controller system for device  100  on control board  122  may utilize an algorithm which senses the height adjustment and the moment to moment speed of device  100  to provide the optimal power setting to the UVLEs  133 . This combination of features provides an automatic uniform cleaning of surfaces beneath device  100 . Device  100  provides accurate cleaning protocols which are not found with other UV products. 
     As seen in the accompanying drawings, the direct and simple functionality of device  100  provides a novel, unique and unobvious solution to providing an optimized UV disinfection device that can be pushed like a broom but has all the safeguards and cleaning abilities needed without having the user maintain more than minimal vigilance in the operation of device  100 . 
     Any version of any component or method step of the invention may be used with any other component or method step of the invention. The elements described herein can be used in any combination whether explicitly described or not. All combinations of method steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Numerical ranges as used herein are intended to include every number and subset of numbers contained within the range, whether specifically disclosed or not. Further, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number of subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 2 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 5 to 6, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth. 
     The devices, methods, compounds and composition of the present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations described herein, as well as any additional or optional steps, ingredients, components, or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in the art. 
     While this invention may be embodied in many forms, what is described in detail herein is a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular examples, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such process steps and materials may vary somewhat. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.