Robotic disinfection system

• US 9,352,469 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2014
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Stewart
• Original Assignee: Michael Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatib, Rami
• Assistant Examiner(s): NESLEY, TIMOTHY ALAN
• Application Number:
  US14/269,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20140330452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701 3- 28, 901 1- 13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/0085 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/02 Sensing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/007 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/08 characterised by modular constructions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot

Abstract

A robotic platform is provided having a disinfection unit configured to disinfect a technical area.

Claims

1. A robot platform for remotely controlled and/or autonomous disinfection of technical facilities, comprising:

a drive mechanism configured to move the robot platform;

a first disinfection module having a plurality of UV emitters disposed above the drive mechanism and selectively engagable shields which function to block the application of UV radiation in a specific direction, the disinfection module further having an articulating arm which has a second associated disinfecting module, the articulating arm has an actuator which can direct the emissions from the second disinfecting module, first disinfection module configured to disinfect the technical facility; and

a position determination device configured to determine position data of the robot platform and a communication device configured to exchange control data and transmission of measurement and position data to an evaluation unit.

2. The robot platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the robot platform is comprised of individual modules which are physically connected to one another by mechanical connectors.

3. The robot platform as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first disinfection module comprises a plurality of U.V. light sensors.

4. The robot platform as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the modules is a linear movement module for linear movement of a disinfection device.

5. The robot platform as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of range sensors.

6. The robot platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein the range of sensors are selected from the group of ultrasonic transceivers, laser transceivers, infra-red transceiver and optical sensor.

7. The robot platform as claimed in claim 6, comprising a submodule interfaced for data exchange and a power supply link between the modules.

8. The robot platform as claimed in claim 7, wherein the individual modules have an electric drive motor and an integrated control unit for the electric drive motor the control unit having a power submodule and a microcontroller submodule as submodules.

9. The robot platform as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the modules is a base station, which is configured to control data exchange of disinfection signals with the other modules and an evaluation unit.

10. The robot platform as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a device, configured to coordinate transformation of position data, provided upstream of the evaluation unit, such that the evaluation unit can operate in a freely selectable coordinate system which is matched to the disinfection to be carried out.

11. The robot platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the modules is a drive module for movement of the robot platform.

12. The robot platform as claimed in claim 11, wherein the drive module has an electric drive motor and, as submodules, comprises at least one wheel for rolling on a surface of the technical facility to be disinfected, a power submodule for supplying power to the drive motor, and a microcontroller submodule for controlling the disinfecting module.

13. The robot platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the modules is configured to determine a position of the robot platform.

14. The robot platform as claimed in claim 13, wherein a position transmitter submodule is provided to determine the position, and has a position transmitter wheel and an encoder unit.

15. A robot platform for remotely controlled and/or autonomous disinfection of technical facilities, comprising:

a drive mechanism configured to move the robot platform;

a first disinfection module configured to disinfect the technical facility having a plurality of UV light emitters disposed above the drive mechanism the first disinfection module having selectively engagable shields which function to block the application of UV radiation in a specific direction, the disinfection module further having an articulating arm which has a second associated disinfecting module, the articulating arm has an actuator which can direct the emissions from the second disinfecting module; and

a position determination device configured to determine position data of the robot platform and a communication device configured to exchange control data and transmission of measurement and position data to an evaluation unit, wherein the robot platform is comprised of individual modules which are physically connected to one another by mechanical connectors.

16. The robot platform as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a plurality of range sensors.