Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a robot platform for remotely controlled and autonomous disinfection of a facility. The robot platform comprises a mobile unit configured to move the robot platform. The robot platform also comprises a disinfection module having a plurality of ultraviolet radiation emitters disposed above the drive mechanism. The robot platform, however, is not capable of sufficiently effectively disinfect building rooms because the ultraviolet radiation will not reach all surfaces.

<CIT> discloses a robot system for performing a function in an area, the area having an area layout including at least one area segment. In one embodiment, the robot system comprising disinfectant applicator device configured to disinfect the area. The robot system, however, is not capable of disinfecting the area autonomously because not all area specific parameters (including room dimensions) are not detected by the robot system.

<CIT> discloses a method for disinfecting surfaces within a volumetric space using a peracid. The peracid is formed in a reaction layer in situ on the surface by sequentially dispersing a first composition comprising a peroxide compound and a first composition comprising an organic acid compound onto the surface, thereby preventing the peracid from being formed until the peroxide and organic acid contact each other on the surface. Delivery systems are provided for sequentially applying liquid compositions in a time-dependent manner, including associated software and hardware. An Internet of Things and single board computer assemblies can be utilized to control the sequential application of two or more liquid compositions in a time-dependent manner. This solution, however, is not suited for taking into account the volume of the space in a sufficiently manner. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an alternative solution.

Further examples are disclosed by <CIT> and <CIT>.

Thus, there is a need for a disinfection device and a method for disinfecting one or more rooms of a building which reduces or even eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

It is an object of the invention to provide a disinfection device that is capable of sufficiently effective disinfect building rooms in an autonomously manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for disinfecting one or more rooms of a building, wherein the method sufficiently effective disinfects building rooms in an autonomously manner.

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a disinfection device as defined in claim <NUM>, by a system as defined in claim <NUM> and by a method as defined in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent subclaims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The disinfection unit according to the invention is a disinfection unit configured to be operated in a room having a ceiling, wherein the disinfection unit comprises one or more nozzles each being arranged to generate a jet and hereby spray a disinfection fluid into the room, wherein the disinfection unit comprises a control unit configured to calculate a quantity of disinfection fluid to be sprayed into the room on the basis of a predefined required degree of purity, wherein the disinfection unit:.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a disinfection device that is capable of sufficiently effective disinfect building rooms in an autonomously manner. While the prior art solutions require manually settings (e.g. that manual measurements are made and entered) before the disinfection device is operated.

The disinfection unit is configured to be operated in a room having a ceiling.

The one or more nozzles each arranged to generate a jet and hereby spray a disinfection fluid into the room. The pressure for creating the jet may be generated by a pump or compressor.

In one embodiment, the speed of the pump or compressor is regulated by a regulator. In one embodiment, the regulator is a frequency converter. In one embodiment, the regulator is a.

Pulse width modulation (PWM) controller. The PWM controller is configured to reducing the average power delivered by an electrical signal, by chopping it up into discrete parts. Hereby, the duty cycle can be changed.

The control unit is configured to calculate a quantity of disinfection fluid to be sprayed into the room on the basis of a predefined required degree of purity and the volume of the room.

The control unit is configured to calculate the estimates time for spraying the disinfection fluid into the room on the basis of a predefined required degree of purity and the volume of the room.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit comprises a mobile device. This means than the disinfection unit has an integrated mobile device that is configured to move the disinfection unit.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit is configured to be electrically and mechanically connected to a mobile device. In this embodiment, the mobile device is not integrated into the disinfection unit.

The disinfection unit comprises a position determination device configured to determine the position of the disinfection unit. In one embodiment, the position determination device is integrated in the disinfection unit.

In one embodiment, the position determination device is integrated in the mobile device. Hereby, the disinfection unit can benefit from using the determination device is integrated in the mobile device.

The disinfection unit comprises a detection unit arranged and configured to detect at least one height of the room.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfection unit comprises a detection unit arranged and configured to detect all heights of the room.

The height detection may be done by the disinfection unit while the mobile device moves the disinfection unit within the room.

According to the invention, the disinfection unit is configured to carry out a height detection while the mobile device is moved along a predefined path. The predefined path should be selected in such a manner that a sufficiently large number of height measurements are available in order to ensure that at predefined number of height measurements are available for square meter of the ceiling. According to the invention, the predefined number of height measurements available is at least <NUM> for each square meter of the ceiling. In one embodiment, the predefined number of height measurements available is at least <NUM> for each square meter of the ceiling.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit comprises a housing provided with a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles are directed in different directions. In one embodiment, the directions of the corresponding jets are directed in different directions.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a distribution of the disinfection fluid.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit is configured to carry out a position specific distribution of the disinfection fluid so that the disinfection fluid is distributed in dependency of position specific height measurements of the detection unit. Hereby, it is possible to take different height distributions of a room into account.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit is configured to carry out a position specific distribution of the disinfection fluid in such a manner that the volume of the disinfection fluid is distributed in dependency of one or more height measurements carried out by the detection unit while the disinfection unit is within <NUM> meters from an actual position.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit is configured to carry out a position specific distribution of the disinfection fluid in such a manner that the volume of the disinfection fluid is distributed in dependency of one or more height measurements carried out by the detection unit while the disinfection unit is within <NUM> meter from the actual position.

By the term "the actual position" is meant the horizontal coordinates of the disinfection unit in the building. The "the actual position" would typically be defined by a X value and a Y value, wherein X and Y represents two orthogonal horizontal axes extending along the floor of the room.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit is configured to distribute the distribute the disinfection fluid evenly in the space independently of the height.

In one embodiment, the nozzles are symmetrically arranged on such a manner that the jet of a central nozzle extends along the frontal plane of the disinfection unit.

In one embodiment, the jet of nozzles adjacent to the central nozzle are angled relative to the frontal plane of the disinfection unit.

I one embodiment, the angle α between the first adjacent nozzle and the jet of the central nozzle corresponds to the angle β between the second adjacent nozzle and the jet of the central nozzle.

In one embodiment, the control unit is arranged and configured to receive signals from one or more external devices, wherein the control unit is configured to control the activity of the disinfection unit on the basis of these signals.

Hereby, it is possible to take external conditions into consideration when operating the disinfection unit.

In one embodiment, the signals are wirelessly sent signals.

In one embodiment, the control unit is arranged and configured to receive signals from one or more external devices, wherein the control unit is configured to control the activity of the mobile device on the basis of these signals.

In one embodiment, the one or more external devices includes a communication unit that receives signals from the ventilation system of the building, in which the disinfection unit is operated.

In one embodiment, the one or more external devices includes a reader box arranged to detect when a member of staff leaves or enters the building, wherein the reader box comprises a key reader configured to read a key member used by a person to acknowledge that the person enters the building or leaves the building.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to stop the disinfection unit if the control unit receives a signal that indicates that a person is in the room to be disinfected.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to stop the disinfection unit if the control unit receives a signal that indicates that the ventilation system is turned on.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to stop the disinfection unit if the control unit receives a signal that a door is being opened. The signal may be transmitted by a sensor arranged to detect opening of the door.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to stop the disinfection unit if the control unit receives a signal that a person enters a room in the building, in which the disinfection is arranged. The signal may be transmitted by a motion arranged to detect nearby motion. In one embodiment, the motion sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) that is configured to measure infrared (IR) light radiating from objects (such a person) in its field of view.

The disinfection system according to the invention is a disinfection system that comprises:.

wherein the disinfection system is configured to control the activity of the disinfection unit on the basis of the detected activity of the ventilation system.

Hereby, the disinfection system is capable of sufficiently effective disinfect building rooms in an autonomously manner and take the activity of the ventilation system into consideration.

The one or more communication units is integrated in the ventilation system.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system comprises a reader box arranged and configured to read a key member used by persons entering or leaving the building in which the room is placed, wherein the communication unit is arranged and configured to detect the activity of a reader box, wherein the disinfection system is configured to control the activity of the disinfection unit on the basis of the detected activity of the reader box.

Hereby, it is possible to ensure that the disinfection unit is only operated when no persons are present in the room or in the building, in which the room is located.

By the term "activity of a reader box" is meant events detected by the activity of a reader box. Such events may include that a person acknowledges that he or she is leaving the building or is entering the building.

In one embodiment, the communication unit is integrated in the reader box. Accordingly, the reader box sends signals directly or indirectly (via an intermedia device) to the disinfection unit.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system is configured to stop the disinfection unit if it is detected that one or more of the ventilation devices are turned on. This can be done by applying a control algorithm that only allows the disinfection unit to be operated if it has been verified that no "turned on" signals are received form any of the ventilation devices.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system is configured to stop the disinfection unit if it is detected that a door is being opened. The signal may be transmitted by a sensor arranged to detect opening of the door.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system is configured to stop the disinfection unit if it is detected that a person enters a room in the building, in which the disinfection is arranged. The signal may be transmitted by a motion arranged to detect nearby motion. In one embodiment, the motion sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) that is configured to measure infrared (IR) light radiating from objects (such a person) in its field of view.

The method according to the invention is a method for disinfecting a room having a ceiling, wherein the method uses a disinfection unit that comprises one or more nozzles each being arranged to generate a jet and hereby spray a disinfection fluid into the room, wherein the disinfection unit comprises a control unit configured to calculate a quantity of disinfection fluid to be sprayed into the room on the basis of a predefined required degree of purity, wherein the disinfection unit:.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a method that sufficiently effective disinfects building rooms in an autonomously manner.

It may be an advantage that the method comprises the step of controlling the activity of the disinfection unit on the basis of signals received from one or more external devices.

In one embodiment, the step of controlling the activity of the disinfection unit is carried out on the basis of signals from the key system when the last person leaves the building, in which the room is placed.

In one embodiment, the step of controlling the activity of the disinfection unit is carried out on the basis of signals indicating the activity of a ventilation system. Hereby, it is possible to only operate the disinfection unit when the ventilation system is turned off.

In one embodiment, the step of controlling the activity of the disinfection unit is carried out on the basis of one or more signals indicating that a door is being opened. The signal may be transmitted by a sensor arranged to detect opening of the door.

In one embodiment, the step of controlling the activity of the disinfection unit is carried out on the basis of one or more signals indicating that a person enters a room in the building, in which the disinfection is arranged. The signal may be transmitted by a motion arranged to detect nearby motion. In one embodiment, the motion sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) that is configured to measure infrared (IR) light radiating from objects (such a person) in its field of view.

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:.

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a disinfection unit <NUM> of the present invention is illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic side view of a disinfection unit <NUM> according to the invention. <FIG> illustrates a front view of the disinfection unit shown in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a perspective top view of the disinfection unit shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a top view of the disinfection unit shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>.

The disinfection unit <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> provided with a compartment for a disinfection fluid. A detection unit <NUM> is arranged at the upper portion of the hosing <NUM>. The detection unit <NUM> is arranged and configured to detect the height H<NUM>, H<NUM>, H<NUM> of the room, in which the disinfection unit <NUM> operated. In one embodiment, the detection unit <NUM> is a laser distance sensor. A laser distance sensor ensures high process stability. In one embodiment, the detection unit <NUM> is an ultrasonic distance sensor.

The disinfection unit <NUM> comprises three nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" arranged at the upper portion of the housing <NUM>. Each nozzle <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" is arranged to generate a jet <NUM> and hereby spray a disinfection fluid into the room in which the disinfection unit <NUM> is operated.

In <FIG> it can be seen that the central nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" are symmetrically arranged. The jet of the central nozzle <NUM>' extends along the frontal plane of the disinfection unit <NUM>. The jet <NUM> of nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>" adjacent to the central nozzle <NUM>' are angled relative to the frontal plane of the disinfection unit <NUM>. It can be seen that the angle a between the first nozzle <NUM> and the jet <NUM> of the central nozzle <NUM>' corresponds to the angle β between the third nozzle <NUM>" and the jet <NUM> of the central nozzle <NUM>'.

The disinfection unit <NUM> is arranged on a mobile device <NUM> that comprises a plurality of ground engaging wheels <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> comprises sensors <NUM>, <NUM>' configured to detect any objects present in the room, in which the disinfection unit <NUM> is operated. In one embodiment, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>' are laser sensors.

The disinfection unit <NUM> comprises a control unit that is arranged and configured to receive and process data. The disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the mobile device <NUM>. Hereby, it is possible to send sensor data detected by the mobile device <NUM> to the control unit. Accordingly, the disinfection unit <NUM> can process these sensor data and use them to calculate the volume of the room, in which the disinfection unit <NUM> is operated.

<FIG> illustrates a disinfection unit <NUM> according to the invention being operated in a room <NUM>. The room <NUM> comprises a floor <NUM>, a wall <NUM> and a ceiling <NUM>. The ceiling <NUM> comprises several different sections of different heights H<NUM>, H<NUM>, H<NUM>.

The disinfection unit <NUM> is arrange din a first section of the room <NUM> having a first constant height is H<NUM>. This section is located next to a section having a larger constant height is H<NUM>. This section is located next to a section having a decreasing height is H<NUM>. Decreasing from H<NUM> to H<NUM>.

The detection unit <NUM> comprises a detection unit that is arranged and configured to detect the heights H<NUM>, H<NUM>, H<NUM> of the room <NUM>. Accordingly, the disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to detect determine the dimension of the room <NUM> so that the volume of the room <NUM> can be automatically determined.

<FIG> illustrates a disinfection unit <NUM> being operated in a second room <NUM> defined by a floor <NUM>, a wall <NUM> as well as a ceiling <NUM> having a central arch arranged between side portions. It can be seen that the height varies. In the side portions the height H<NUM>, H<NUM> is lower than the heights H<NUM>, H<NUM> in the central arch.

The disinfection unit <NUM> comprises nozzles arranged and configured to spray jets <NUM> in an upwards direction. The angle θ between the spray directing and vertical is indicated. In one embodiment, the angle θ between the spray directing and vertical is <NUM>-<NUM> degrees.

In one embodiment, the angle θ between the spray directing and vertical is in the range <NUM>-<NUM> degrees.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a disinfection system <NUM> according to the invention. The disinfection system <NUM> comprises a disinfection unit <NUM> corresponding to the one shown in and explained with reference to the preceding figures.

The disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to carry out the most efficient disinfection and in the same time avoid that personnel are exposed for the disinfection fluid sprayed by the disinfection unit <NUM>. This is achieved by detecting the activity of ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>' installed in the room <NUM> to be disinfected by the disinfection unit <NUM>. It should be noted that even though the ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>' are illustrated as ceiling mounted fans, the ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>' may be any type of ventilation device including ventilating devices arranged and configured to ventilate the room <NUM>. Accordingly, the ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>' may be arranged and configured to replace air from the room <NUM> with air from outside.

The disinfection system <NUM> comprises a communication unit <NUM> arranged and configured to detect the activity of ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>'. This is done by receiving signals <NUM>, <NUM>' sent from the ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>'.

The communication unit <NUM> is also arranged and configured to detect the activity of a reader box <NUM>. The reader box <NUM> is used by the staff <NUM> working in the building in which room <NUM> is placed. When a member of staff leaves or enters the building, a key member <NUM> is used to acknowledge that the person <NUM> enters the building or leaves the building. The reader box <NUM> comprises a key reader <NUM> integrated in or attached to the reader box <NUM>. The reader box <NUM> is arranged and configured to send signals <NUM> to the disinfection unit <NUM> (preferably to a control unit of the). In one embodiment, the reader box <NUM> is arranged and configured to send signals <NUM> to the communication unit <NUM>, wherein the communication unit <NUM> is arranged and configured to transmit received signals <NUM>', <NUM> to the disinfection unit <NUM> (preferably to a control unit of the).

In practice, the person <NUM> holds a key member <NUM> in his hand <NUM> and holds the key member <NUM> in close proximity to the key reader <NUM> of the reader box <NUM> in order to acknowledge entrance into and/or exit from the building, in which the room <NUM> is placed.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system <NUM> is configured to stop the disinfection unit <NUM> if it is detected that one or more of the ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>' are turned on. This can be done by applying a control algorithm that only allows the disinfection unit <NUM> to be operated if it has been verified that no "turned on" signals are received form any of the ventilation devices <NUM>, <NUM>'.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system <NUM> is configured to stop the disinfection unit <NUM> if it is detected that one or more persons <NUM> are present in one or more predefined rooms <NUM> of the building. This can be done by applying a control algorithm that only allows the disinfection unit <NUM> to be operated if it has been verified that no persons <NUM> are present in one or more predefined rooms <NUM> of the building.

In one embodiment, the disinfection system <NUM> is configured to stop the disinfection unit <NUM> if it is detected that one or more persons <NUM> are present in the building. This can be done by applying a control algorithm that only allows the disinfection unit <NUM> to be operated if it has been verified that no persons <NUM> are present building.

<FIG> illustrates two-dimensional sensor data of a room <NUM> detected by sensors of a disinfection unit according to the invention. The two-dimensional sensor data may be detected by sensors <NUM>, <NUM>' as shown in and explained with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

It can be seen that the disinfection unit <NUM> is arranged close to the central part of the room <NUM>. Moreover, it can be seen that the two-dimensional sensor data comprises non-visible areas <NUM> as well as visible areas <NUM>. The non-visible areas <NUM> detected by the disinfection unit <NUM> may be caused by an object that provides shade.

<FIG> illustrates two-dimensional sensor data of another room <NUM> detected by sensors of a disinfection unit according to the invention. The two-dimensional sensor data may be detected by sensors <NUM>, <NUM>' as shown in and explained with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The disinfection unit <NUM> is arranged centrally in the room <NUM>. Two-dimensional sensor data comprises no non-visible areas but only visible areas <NUM>. This indicates that no objects are placed on the floor of the room <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a disinfection unit <NUM> according to the invention operated in a room <NUM>. The room <NUM> has rectangular floor having a length L and a width W. Accordingly, the area of the floor can be calculated as the product between the length L and the width W. The room <NUM> has a height H<NUM>. Therefore, the disinfection unit <NUM> can automatically detect that the volume V of the room <NUM> is given by the product by the length L, the width W and the height H<NUM>.

In practice, the disinfection unit <NUM> can initially automatically detect the dimensions of the room <NUM>. Accordingly, the volume of the room can be calculated on the basis of the detected dimensions of the room <NUM>.

When the volume of the room has been calculated, the disinfection unit <NUM> can automatically disinfect the room <NUM> in an efficient manner.

The disinfection unit <NUM> can by means of the mobile device carrying it move freely in the room <NUM>. The control unit (not shown) of the disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to calculate the volume V of the room <NUM> on the basis of the data collected by means of the sensors and detection unit of the disinfection unit <NUM>.

The control unit of the disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to calculate the disinfection time required by the disinfection unit <NUM> to obtain the desired degree of purity.

Accordingly, the disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to carry out the disinfection process in the shortest possible time and with the greatest possible precision. The process can be carried out automatically by the disinfection unit <NUM> without requiring any staff.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfection unit <NUM> is configured to select the pressure applied to create the jet <NUM> on the basis of measurements carried out by any of the sensors and detection unit of the disinfection unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of a disinfection unit <NUM> according to the invention operated in a room <NUM>. The room <NUM> has several walls <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" defining the boundaries of the room <NUM>. It can be seen that the disinfection unit <NUM> comprises three nozzles each generating a jet <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>". The direction of the jets <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" differ. The angle (viewed in the horizontal plane) α, β between adjacent jets <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" are approximately <NUM> degrees.

The disinfection unit <NUM> configured to be maintained in a zone that ensures that the jets <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" do not spray directly on any of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>". Hereby, it is possible to prevent the disinfection fluid from condensing on any wall surface.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of a disinfection unit <NUM> according to the invention operated in a room <NUM> having a wall <NUM> and a ceiling <NUM>. The disinfection unit <NUM> comprises several nozzles each generating a jet <NUM>, <NUM>'. The angle θ of the jets <NUM>, <NUM>' (viewed in the vertical plane) relative to vertical is approximately <NUM> degrees.

The disinfection unit <NUM> configured to be maintained in a zone that ensures that the jets <NUM>, <NUM>' do not spray directly on the ceiling <NUM>. Hereby, it is possible to prevent the disinfection fluid from condensing on the ceiling <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A disinfection unit (<NUM>) configured to be operated in a room (<NUM>) having a ceiling (<NUM>), wherein the disinfection unit (<NUM>) comprises one or more nozzles (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") each being arranged to generate a jet (<NUM>) and hereby spray a disinfection fluid into the room (<NUM>), wherein the disinfection unit (<NUM>) comprises a control unit configured to calculate a quantity of disinfection fluid to be sprayed into the room (<NUM>) on the basis of a predefined required degree of purity, wherein the disinfection unit (<NUM>):
a) comprises a mobile device (<NUM>) or
b) is configured to be electrically and mechanically connected to a mobile device (<NUM>),
wherein the mobile device (<NUM>) is configured to move the disinfection unit (<NUM>), wherein the disinfection unit (<NUM>) comprises a position determination device configured to determine the position of the disinfection unit (<NUM>),
wherein the disinfection unit (<NUM>) comprises a detection unit (<NUM>) arranged and configured to detect a height (H<NUM>, H<NUM>, H<NUM>) of the room (<NUM>),
characterised in that the disinfection unit (<NUM>) is configured to carry out a height detection while the mobile device (<NUM>) is moved along a predefined path, wherein the predefined path is selected in such a manner that at least one height measurement is available for each square meter of the ceiling (<NUM>).