Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
AUTOMATICALLY CLEANING A LAVATORY
FLOOR
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and
methods for automatically cleaning a floor, such as a lavatory floor within a
commercial aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Commercial aircraft are used to transport passengers between various
locations. During a flight - particularly a trans-oceanic or other long haul
flight -
passengers are typically confined within certain areas (for example, cabins)
of an
aircraft. Various individuals (such as passengers, pilots, flight attendants,
and the
like) use certain internal portions of an aircraft during a flight. For
example,
numerous individuals may use a lavatory within an internal cabin during a
flight.
As can be appreciated, with each use, the cleanliness of a lavatory onboard an
aircraft may be compromised. Individuals onboard may be sensitive to health
risks
presented by a frequently-used lavatory onboard an aircraft. Indeed, as each
individual uses a lavatory onboard an aircraft, the likelihood of germs and
bacteria
therein increases.
An aircraft lavatory is generally cleaned between flights. For example,
maintenance or cleaning personnel board the aircraft on the ground before
and/or after
a flight to clean the lavatory. However, during a flight, the lavatory is
typically not
cleaned, despite the fact that numerous individuals may use the lavatory
during the
flight. While flight attendants may be able to clean the lavatory, they are
usually
preoccupied with other duties during the flight. As such, cleaning the
lavatory may
not be a top priority for flight attendants during a flight or even between
flights.
Consequently, the cleanliness of lavatories onboard an aircraft may be
compromised, particularly during flights. In general, during a flight, a
lavatory
onboard an aircraft may become dirty, wet, smelly, and the like due to use by
individuals onboard the aircraft during the flight. As such, a flight
experience for
individuals onboard the aircraft may be negatively impacted.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
Moreover, with repeated use, portions of the floor of the lavatory may be
covered with liquids. Even after being cleaned, the floor of the lavatory may
be wet
from cleaning fluids. A wet lavatory floor may be unsettling to individuals,
even if
they know the floor is clean. That is, a wet floor may give the impression of
unsanitary conditions. Further, a wet floor may pose a safety hazard in that
an
individual may slip and fall on the wet floor.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
A need exists for a system and a method for cleaning a floor. A need exists
for a system and method for automatically cleaning a floor of a lavatory after
use. A
need exists for a system and a method for effectively and efficiently cleaning
a
lavatory floor onboard an aircraft, particularly during a flight.
With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure
provide a self-cleaning floor assembly that is configured to form or be
positioned on a
floor of an enclosed space, the self-cleaning floor assembly comprising: a
moveable
floor including a moveable floor panel; an actuation system that is
operatively
coupled to the floor panel; and a cleaning system proximate to at least a
portion of the
moveable floor, wherein the actuation system is configured to move at least a
portion
of the floor panel into and through the cleaning system during a cleaning
cycle,
wherein the cleaning system is configured to clean the at least the portion of
the floor
panel during the cleaning cycle, wherein the cleaning system comprises a
vacuum that
is configured to remove debris from the at least the portion of the floor
panel, and
wherein the vacuum comprises one or more inlets that are in fluid
communication
with a vacuum generator of a vacuum system that is connected to a toilet
through one
or more conduits.
The moveable floor may also include at least one conveyor moveably coupled
to the floor panel, and a support that is configured to support the floor
panel. A width
of the floor panel may be the same as the width of a threshold of the enclosed
space.
The actuation system may include an actuator. At least one link may
operatively couple the actuator to the moveable floor.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
The cleaning system may include a cleaner that is configured to clean the
portion(s) of the floor panel during the cleaning cycle. The cleaning system
may
include a dryer that is configured to dry the portion(s) of the floor panel
during the
cleaning cycle.
The cleaner may include at least one nozzle in fluid communication with a
storage tank that contains cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid is deposited
onto the
portion(s) of the floor panel through the nozzle(s) during the cleaning cycle.
The
cleaner may include at least one ultraviolet (UV) light that is configured to
irradiate
the portion(s) of the floor panel during the cleaning cycle.
In at least one embodiment, the actuation system and the cleaning system are
deactivated when the enclosed space is occupied by an individual. In at least
one
embodiment, the self-cleaning floor assembly includes a control unit that is
in
communication with the actuation system and the cleaning system. The control
unit is
configured to operate the actuation system and the cleaning system during the
cleaning cycle. The control unit may be configured to deactivate the actuation
system
and the cleaning system when the enclosed space is occupied by an individual.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of
automatically cleaning a moveable floor within an enclosed space, the method
comprising: operatively coupling an actuation system of a self-cleaning floor
assembly to a floor panel of a moveable floor of the self-cleaning floor
assembly;
moving, by the actuation system, at least a portion of the floor panel into
and through
a cleaning system of the self-cleaning floor assembly that is proximate to the
at least
the portion of the floor panel of the moveable floor during a cleaning cycle;
and
cleaning, by the cleaning system, the at least the portion of the floor panel
during the
cleaning cycle, wherein the cleaning comprises vacuuming debris from the at
least the
portion of the floor panel, and wherein the vacuuming debris comprises
coupling one
or more inlets with a vacuum generator of a vacuum system that is connected to
a
toilet through one or more conduits.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aircraft comprising:
a fuselage having an internal cabin, wherein a lavatory is located within the
internal
cabin; wings outwardly extending from the fuselage; an empennage outwardly
extending from the fuselage; one or more engines carried by one or more of the
wings
and the empennage; and a self-cleaning floor assembly that forms or is
positioned on
a floor of the lavatory having a toilet, wherein the self-cleaning floor
assembly
comprises: a moveable floor including a moveable floor panel; an actuation
system
that is operatively coupled to the floor panel; and a cleaning system
proximate to at
least a portion of the moveable floor, wherein the actuation system is
configured to
move at least a portion of the floor panel into and through the cleaning
system during
a cleaning cycle, wherein the cleaning system is configured to clean the at
least the
portion of the floor panel during the cleaning cycle, wherein the cleaning
system
comprises a vacuum that is configured to remove debris from the at least the
portion
of the floor panel, wherein the vacuum comprises one or more inlets that are
in fluid
.. communication with a vacuum generator of a vacuum system that is connected
to the
toilet through one or more conduits, and wherein the vacuum is activated when
the
toilet is flushed.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of an aircraft, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2A illustrates a top plan view of an internal cabin of an aircraft,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2B illustrates a top plan view of an internal cabin of an aircraft,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective internal view of a lavatory, according to
an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a self-cleaning floor assembly,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective top view of a self-cleaning floor assembly,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective top view of an actuation system coupled to
a
moveable floor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method of automatically cleaning a
floor
of a lavatory, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8 illustrates a perspective top internal view of a lavatory, according
to
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 9 illustrates a far ultraviolet spectrum.
Figure 10 illustrates a schematic interior view of a lavatory, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 11 illustrates a front view of a status indicator during a cleaning
cycle,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
'CA 2960113 2017-03-07
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of
certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with
the
appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and
preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not necessarily
excluding
the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to "one embodiment"
are not
intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional
embodiments that
also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to
the
contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of
elements
having a particular condition may include additional elements not having that
condition.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a self-cleaning floor assembly
that may be used in a lavatory, such as a lavatory within a commercial
aircraft. The
self-cleaning floor assembly includes a moveable floor that is operatively
coupled to
an actuation system. The actuation system is configured to move a portion of
the
moveable floor through a cleaning system. The cleaning system includes a
vacuum, a
cleaner, and/or a dryer.
The moveable floor may include a floor panel, such as a belt, that is conveyed
through the cleaning system by an actuation system. As the floor panel moves
through the cleaning system, the vacuum removes debris from the floor panel
(such as
through vacuuming or suctioning the debris). The floor panel then continues to
move
through the cleaning system such that the cleaner sanitizes, disinfects, or
otherwise
cleans the floor panel. For example, the cleaner may include one or more
nozzles that
are in fluid communication with a tank that stores cleaning fluid, such as a
soap
solution, disinfectant fluid, sanitizing fluid, anti-bacterial fluid, and/or
antimicrobial
fluid. The cleaner deposits the cleaning fluid on to the floor panel, such as
by
spraying, wiping, applying via a sponge, or the like the cleaning fluid onto
the floor
panel that is conveyed through the cleaner. After the cleaning agent is
applied to the
moving floor, a dryer dries the floor panel to remove liquid therefrom. For
example,
the dryer may include a fan(s), blower(s), heat lamp(s), and/or the like.
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'CA 2960113 2017-03-07
In at least one other embodiment, the cleaner may include one or more
ultraviolet (UV) lights that are configured to irradiate the floor panel,
thereby cleaning
(for example, sterilizing) the floor panel. In at least one embodiment, the
cleaner may
apply the cleaning agent to the floor panel and include a UV light to
irradiate the floor
panel.
The self-cleaning floor assembly may be operatively coupled to a lavatory
door, for example. A cleaning cycle may be linked to movement of the lavatory
door.
For example, each time the lavatory door is closed after use, the cleaning
cycle may
be triggered. In at least one embodiment, a control unit may initiate the
cleaning
cycle when the door is unlocked, opened, and then closed. For example, when an
individual uses the lavatory, the individual closes and locks the door while
within the
lavatory. In order to leave the lavatory after use, the individual unlocks the
door,
opens the door, and then closes the unlocked door (or the unlocked door
automatically
closes, such as through spring-biased hinges) as the individual exits the
door. The
control unit detects the door motion sequence and may then initiate the
cleaning cycle.
The self-cleaning floor assembly may refrain from cleaning the moveable
floor when an individual is within the lavatory. For example, when the
lavatory door
is locked, the self-cleaning assembly may refrain from initiating or otherwise
activating the cleaning cycle.
The moveable floor may include the floor panel, which may include a single
contiguous structure, or one or more floor segments. The floor panel may be
configured to provide a conveyor or revolving floor track. The floor panel may
have
a width that is aligned with a threshold of the lavatory. In at least one
embodiment,
the floor panel may be the same or approximately the same width as the
threshold of
the lavatory.
The self-cleaning floor assembly may be configured to rotate the floor panel
of
the moveable floor toward a toilet within a lavatory so that a portion of the
floor panel
adjacent to (for example, within two to four feet) a base or pedestal of the
toilet is
conveyed through the cleaning system after each use of the lavatory. In this
manner,
any spills on the floor panel proximate to the toilet are cleaned after each
use.
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CA 2960113 2017-03-07
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, and
assemblies that provide an anti-skid floor that is clean and devoid of liquid.
Certain
embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to clean and remove
liquid from
a floor surface. The floor may be automatically sterilized or otherwise
cleaned, such
as through UV light irradiation. Further, embodiments of the present
disclosure
provide a cost effective, lightweight, and easy to manufacture floor assembly.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of an aircraft 10, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. The aircraft 10 includes a propulsion
system
12 that may include two turbofan engines 14, for example. Optionally, the
propulsion
system 12 may include more engines 14 than shown. The engines 14 are carried
by
wings 16 of the aircraft 10. In other embodiments, the engines 14 may be
carried by a
fuselage 18 and/or an empennage 20. The empennage 20 may also support
horizontal
stabilizers 22 and a vertical stabilizer 24.
The fuselage 18 of the aircraft 10 defines an internal cabin, which may
include a cockpit, one or more work sections (for example, galleys, personnel
carry-
on baggage areas, and the like), one or more passenger sections (for example,
first
class, business class, and coach sections), and an aft section in which an aft
rest area
assembly may be positioned. Each of the sections may be separated by a cabin
transition area, which may include one or more class divider assemblies.
Overhead
stowage bin assemblies may be positioned throughout the internal cabin.
The internal cabin includes one or more lavatories, for example.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods that are
configured to automatically clean floors within the lavatories. In particular,
each
lavatory may include a self-cleaning floor assembly that is configured to
automatically clean at least a portion of the floor (such as a portion that is
proximate
to a toilet and sink during use by an individual) after the lavatory is used
by an
individual. The self-cleaning floor assembly may automatically clean the
portion(s)
of the floor after each use, or after a predetermined number of uses (such as
after two,
three, four, or five uses by one or more individuals).
Alternatively, instead of an aircraft, embodiments of the present disclosure
may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles, buses,
locomotives and
train cars, watercraft, spacecraft, and the like. Further, embodiments of the
present
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CA 2960113 2017-03-07
disclosure may be used with respect to fixed structures, such as commercial
and
residential buildings. As an example, embodiments of the present disclosure
may be
used to automatically clean floor of lavatories, whether or not the lavatories
are within
vehicles.
Figure 2A illustrates a top plan view of an internal cabin 30 of an aircraft,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The internal cabin 30
may be
within a fuselage 32 of the aircraft. For example, one or more fuselage walls
may
define the internal cabin 30. The internal cabin 30 includes multiple
sections,
including a front section 33, a first class section 34 (or first class suites,
cabins, for
example), a business class section 36, a front galley station 38, an expanded
economy
or coach section 40, a standard economy or coach section 42, and an aft
section 44,
which may include multiple lavatories and galley stations. It is to be
understood that
the internal cabin 30 may include more or less sections than shown. For
example, the
internal cabin 30 may not include a first class section, and may include more
or less
galley stations than shown. Each of the sections may be separated by a cabin
transition area 46, which may include class divider assemblies between aisles
48.
As shown in Figure 2A, the internal cabin 30 includes two aisles 50 and 52
that lead to the aft section 44. Optionally, the internal cabin 30 may have
less or more
aisles than shown. For example, the internal cabin 30 may include a single
aisle that
extends through the center of the internal cabin 30 that leads to the aft
section 44.
One or more lavatories 100 may be located within the internal cabin 30. The
lavatories 100 may include self-cleaning floor assemblies that are configured
to
automatically clean floor portions after one or more uses of the lavatories.
Each self-
cleaning floor assembly may be configured to clean the floor portion when the
lavatory is unoccupied by an individual. Additionally, the self-cleaning floor
assembly may include at least one UV light that is configured to irradiate the
floor
portion during a cleaning cycle. The UV light rids the dry floor assembly of
germs,
bacteria, microbes, and/or the like. The UV light is configured to irradiate
or
otherwise emit UV light onto the floor portion in order to disinfect,
sanitize, clean, or
otherwise rid the floor of germs, bacteria, microbes, and/or the like. The UV
light
may be activated when the lavatory is unoccupied.
8
A presence sensor within, or, or otherwise proximate to the lavatory may be
used to detect a presence of an individual within the lavatory. The presence
sensor
may be or include one or more magnetic switches, motion sensors (such as
infrared
motion sensors), heat sensors, and/or the like that are configured to detect
whether an
individual is within the lavatory. For example, the presence sensor may be a
magnetic
switch coupled to a door of the interior chamber.
Figure 2B illustrates a top plan view of an internal cabin 80 of an aircraft,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The internal cabin 80
may be
within a fuselage 81 of the aircraft. For example, one or more fuselage walls
may
define the internal cabin 80. The internal cabin 80 includes multiple
sections,
including a main cabin 82 having passenger seats 83, and an aft section 85
behind the
main cabin 82. It is to be understood that the internal cabin 80 may include
more or
less sections than shown.
The internal cabin 80 may include a single aisle 84 that leads to the aft
section
85. The single aisle 84 may extend through the center of the internal cabin 80
that
leads to the aft section 85. For example, the single aisle 84 may be coaxially
aligned
with a central longitudinal plane of the internal cabin 80.
A self-cleaning floor assembly may be located within a lavatory 100 of the
main cabin 82 at a fore section 87 proximate to a cockpit area 89. Additional
lavatories 100 may be located throughout the main cabin 82.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective internal view of a lavatory 100, according
to
an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lavatory 100 may be onboard an
aircraft, as described above. Optionally, the lavatory 100 may be onboard
various
other vehicles. In other embodiments, the lavatory 100 may be within a fixed
structure, such as a commercial or residential building.
The lavatory 100 includes a base floor 101 that supports a toilet 102,
cabinets
106, and a sink 108. The base floor 101 may include opposed brackets 109 that
are
configured to securely retain a self-cleaning floor assembly therebetween.
Optionally,
the base floor 101 may be or otherwise include the self-cleaning floor
assembly. A
UV light 112 may be positioned at a lower end of the cabinets 106. The UV
light 112
is configured to irradiate the dry floor assembly with UV light during a
cleaning cycle
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
CA 2960113 2017-03-07
when an internal space 114 of the lavatory 100 is unoccupied. As noted, the
self-
cleaning floor assembly may also include a UV light.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a self-cleaning floor assembly
200,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The self-cleaning floor
assembly 200 may be located within a lavatory 100 having a toilet 102.
Alternatively,
the self-cleaning floor assembly 200 may be located within various other
spaces, such
as a clean room, a laboratory, and/or the like.
The self-cleaning floor assembly 200 may include a moveable floor 202 that is
operatively coupled to an actuation system 204. A cleaning system 206 is
positioned
at one end of the moveable floor 202. Optionally, the cleaning system 206 may
be
positioned underneath the moveable floor 202. In at least one other
embodiment, the
cleaning system 206 may be positioned above a portion of the moveable floor
202, at
an opposite end of the moveable floor, or may include components at various
points
along the moveable floor, whether at ends, lower portions, upper portions,
and/or the
like.
The moveable floor 202 may include a floor panel 208 that is moveably
secured around a support 210 and conveyors 212. The floor panel 208 is
flexible, and
is configured to be rotated about the support 210 and the conveyors 212. In at
least
one embodiment, the floor panel 208 may be a single, contiguous, monolithic
floor
panel that forms a loop that extends around the support 210. In at least one
embodiment, the floor panel 208 may be formed of a single panel of rubber,
elastomeric material, flexible plastic, and or the like. The single panel is
connected at
opposite ends to form a single loop. Optionally, the floor panel 208 may
include
multiple floor segments that are linked together and extend around the support
210
and the conveyors 212.
The support 210 may include one or more of walls, rails, tracks, and/or the
like that support the floor panel 208. As shown, conveyors 212a and 212b are
located
at opposite ends of the moveable floor 202. For example, a front conveyor 212a
is
positioned at a front end 214 of the moveable floor 202, while a rear conveyor
212b is
positioned at a rear end 216 of the moveable floor 202. The support 210 and
the
conveyors 212 remain in place. As the conveyors 212 rotate about fixed axles
218a
CA 2960113 2017-03-07
and 218b, the floor panel 208 rotates about the support 210 and the conveyors
212 in
response. Additional conveyors may also be used.
Each conveyor 212a and 212b may be or include a roller, for example. In at
least one other embodiment, each conveyor 212a and 212b may include aligned
wheels that are linked by an axle. The conveyor 212a and 212b may include
outer
gears that engage reciprocal internal structures of the floor panel 208.
The actuation system 204 may include an actuator 220 that couples to the
conveyor 212a through a link 221. The actuator 220 may be a motor, for
example.
The link 221 may be one or more of a belt, gears, worm screw, pulleys, chain,
and/or
the like that are configured to operatively couple the actuator 220 to the
conveyor
212a. Optionally, the actuator 220 may be operatively coupled to the conveyor
212b.
In at least one embodiment, the actuator 220 may be operatively coupled to
both of
the conveyors 212a and 212b.
The cleaning system 206 includes a vacuum 222, a cleaner 224, and a dryer
226. Alternatively, the cleaning system 206 may not include all of the vacuum
222,
the cleaner 224, and the dryer 226. For example, the cleaning system 206 may
include only the vacuum 222. In at least one other embodiment, the cleaning
system
206 may include only the cleaner 224.
The vacuum 222 includes one or more inlets 228 that are in fluid
communication with a vacuum generator 230. When the vacuum generator 230 is
activated, a vacuum force is generated that vacuums or otherwise suctions
debris into
a waste tank (which may be within the vacuum 222 or coupled thereto through a
hose,
for example).
As shown, the vacuum generator 230 may be within the cleaning system 206.
In at least one other embodiment, the vacuum generator 230 may be remotely
located
from the self-cleaning floor assembly 200. For example, the vacuum generator
230
may be part of a vacuum system that is coupled to the toilet 102. In such an
embodiment, the vacuum 222 of the cleaning system 206 may be coupled to the
vacuum system through one or more conduits (for example, hose(s), tube(s),
pipe(s),
and/or the like). Accordingly, when the vacuum system is activated (that is,
when the
vacuum system generates a vacuum or suction force through the conduits), the
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CA 2960113 2017-03-07
ensuing vacuum or suction force draws debris, liquid, and/or the like that may
be on
the floor panel 208 into the vacuum 222 of the cleaning system 206.
The vacuum system may be activated when the toilet 102 is flushed. In at
least one other embodiment, the vacuum system may be activated when a lavatory
in
.. which the toilet 102 is located is unoccupied. For example, an individual
may engage
a button or lever on the toilet 102 to flush the toilet, but the lavatory 100
may be
configured such that the toilet 102 flushes (thereby activating the vacuum
system)
after the individual leaves the lavatory 100 (such as when the individual
unlocks and
closes the door to the lavatory).
The cleaner 224 may include one or more nozzles 232 fluidly connected to a
storage tank 234. The storage tank 234 stores cleaning fluid, such as a soap
solution,
detergent, disinfectant fluid, sanitizing fluid, anti-bacterial fluid,
antimicrobial fluid,
and/or the like. One or more valves may be disposed within a conduit (such as
a hose,
tube, pipe, or the like) that couples the nozzles 232 to the storage tank 234.
The
valves are configured to be controlled to selectively open and close the
conduit to
allow or prevent the cleaning fluid from being delivered to the nozzles 232.
For
example, during a cleaning cycle, the valve(s) is opened so that cleaning
fluid is
deposited onto the moveable floor through the nozzles 232. In at least one
embodiment, a control unit 240 is in communication with the valve(s) through
one or
more wired or wireless connections, and is configured to control the valve(s).
The cleaner 224 may also include one or more UV lights 236 that are
configured to irradiate or otherwise emit UV light onto portions of the floor
panel 208
as they rotate past the UV light during a cleaning cycle. The emitted UV light
rids the
floor panel 208 of germs, bacteria, and microbes. Alternatively, the cleaner
224 may
be or otherwise include only one or more UV lights 236.
The dryer 226 may be a fan, blower, heat lamp, and/or the like. The dryer 226
is configured to dry portions of the floor panel 208 as they rotate past the
dryer 226
during a cleaning cycle. Alternatively, the cleaning system 206 may not
include the
dryer 226.
As shown, the cleaning system 206 may be positioned proximate to the toilet
102. For example, the cleaning system 206 may be positioned underneath and/or
behind a portion of the toilet 102, inside a sink, cabinet, and/or the like.
As such, after
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the lavatory is used, the floor panel 208 is rotated so that that a portion of
the floor
panel 208 proximate to the toilet 102 is cleaned by the cleaning system 206.
For
example, during a cleaning cycle, the floor panel 208 may be rotated half of
one full
rotation. Accordingly, the exposed portion 209 (that is the portion of the
floor panel
208 that is visible within the lavatory 100 when occupied by an individual) is
conveyed through (for example, past) the cleaning system 206, and the shrouded
portion 211 (that is, the portion of the floor panel 208 underneath and/or
otherwise
hidden within the lavatory 100 when occupied by an individual) is
correspondingly
rotated to become the exposed portion 209.
Optionally, during the cleaning cycle, the floor panel 208 may be rotated a
full
rotation (such that a point on the floor panel is rotated fully back in a
single rotation
direction to an initial position from which the rotation started). In at least
one other
embodiment, during the cleaning cycle, the floor panel 208 may be rotated less
than a
half rotation. For example, during the cleaning cycle, the floor panel 208 may
be
rotated one quarter rotation, such that only a portion within a few feet (for
example,
two to three feet) of the toilet 102 is cleaned by the cleaning system 206.
Alternatively, the cleaning system 206 may be located at various other
portions in relation to the toilet 102. For example, the cleaning system 206
may be
located underneath the moveable floor 202. In at least one other embodiment,
the
cleaning system 206 may extend around the moveable floor 202 between the ends
214
and 216.
In operation, a cleaning cycle may be activated after the lavatory 100 has
been
used. During the cleaning cycle, the actuation system 204 rotates the floor
panel 202
in the direction of arrow A, such that the exposed portion 209 passes through
(for
example, within, past, around, or the like) the cleaning system 206. As the
exposed
portion 209 passes through the cleaning system 206, the vacuum 222 is
activated.
The activated vacuum 222 removes debris that may be on the exposed portion
209.
For example, the vacuum generator 230 generates a vacuum force that suctions
the
debris into the inlets 228.
With continued rotation in the direction of arrow A, the vacuumed portion of
the floor panel 208 is then conveyed through the cleaner 224, which is
activated to
disinfect, sanitize, or otherwise clean the portion of the floor panel 202
that was just
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vacuumed. For example, the cleaner 224 may apply cleaning fluid onto the
portion of
the floor panel 202 via the nozzles 232, and/or irradiate the portion of the
floor panel
202 with sterilizing light via the UV light 236.
With continued rotation in the direction of arrow A, the vacuumed and cleaned
portion of the floor panel 208 is conveyed through the dryer 226. The dryer
226 is
activated during the cleaning cycle to dry the portion of the floor panel 208
to remove
liquid therefrom.
A control unit 240 may be in communication with the actuation system 204
and the cleaning system 206 through one or more wired or wireless connections.
The
control unit 240 may be housed within a portion of the self-cleaning floor
assembly
200, or remotely located therefrom.
The control unit 240 may also be in communication with a presence sensor
242 through one or more wired or wireless connections. The presence sensor 242
may be on, within, or proximate to the lavatory 100.
The control unit 240 may be configured to control operation of the self-
cleaning floor assembly 200. For example, the control unit 240 receives
presence
signals from the presence sensor 242 that indicate whether or not an
individual is
within the lavatory 100. The presence sensor may be or include one or more
magnetic
switches, motion sensors (such as infrared motion sensors), heat sensors,
and/or the
like that are configured to generate presence signals indicative of whether or
not an
individual is within the lavatory 100. For example, the presence sensor may be
a
magnetic switch coupled to a door of the lavatory 100. When the control unit
240
determines that the lavatory 100 is occupied, such as through one or more
signals
received from the presence sensor 242, the control unit 240 refrains from
activating
the actuator 220 and the cleaning system 206. After the individual leaves the
lavatory
100, and the control unit 240 determines that the lavatory 100 is unoccupied
(through
one or more signals received from the presence sensor 242), the control unit
240
activates the actuator 220 and the cleaning system 206 to clean at least a
portion of the
floor panel 208 (such as the exposed portion 209).
As described above, the control unit 240 may be configured to control
operation of the self-cleaning floor assembly 200 to sterilize, disinfect, or
otherwise
clean the floor panel 208. As noted, the control unit 240 may be operatively
coupled
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CA 2960113 2017-03-07
to the actuation system 204 and the cleaning system 206, such as through one
or more
wired or wireless connections. Accordingly, the control unit 240 is configured
to
control operation of the actuation system 204 and the cleaning system 206.
As used herein, the term "control unit," "unit," "central processing unit,"
"CPU," "computer," or the like may include any processor-based or
microprocessor-
based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set
computers (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic
circuits, and
any other circuit or processor including hardware, software, or a combination
thereof
capable of executing the functions described herein. Such are exemplary only,
and
are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of
such terms.
For example, the control unit 240 may be or include one or more processors
that are
configured to control operation of the self-cleaning floor assembly 200.
The control unit 240 is configured to execute a set of instructions that are
stored in one or more storage elements (such as one or more memories), in
order to
process data. For example, the control unit 240 may include or be coupled to
one or
more memories. The storage elements may also store data or other information
as
desired or needed. The storage elements may be in the form of an information
source
or a physical memory element within a processing machine.
The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the control
unit 240 as a processing machine to perform specific operations such as the
methods
and processes of the various embodiments of the subject matter described
herein. The
set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may
be in
various forms such as system software or application software. Further, the
software
may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program subset
within a
larger program or a portion of a program. The software may also include
modular
programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of
input
data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, or in
response
to results of previous processing, or in response to a request made by another
processing machine.
The diagrams of embodiments herein may illustrate one or more control or
processing units, such as the control unit 240. It is to be understood that
the
processing or control units may represent circuits, circuitry, or portions
thereof that
may be implemented as hardware with associated instructions (e.g., software
stored
on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a
computer hard drive, ROM, RAM, or the like) that perform the operations
described
herein. The hardware may include state machine circuitry hardwired to perform
the
functions described herein. Optionally, the hardware may include electronic
circuits
that include and/or are connected to one or more logic-based devices, such as
microprocessors, processors, controllers, or the like. Optionally, the control
unit 240
may represent processing circuitry such as one or more of a field programmable
gate
array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
microprocessor(s),
and/or the like. The circuits in various embodiments may be configured to
execute
one or more algorithms to perform functions described herein. The one or more
algorithms may include aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not
expressly identified in a flowchart or a method.
As used herein, the terms -software" and "firmware" are interchangeable, and
include any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer,
including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and
non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only,
and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a
computer
program.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective top view of the self-cleaning floor
assembly
200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The moveable floor
208
may be moveably secured within a support base 270 that securely retains the
conveyors 212a, 212b and the support 210. As shown, the width W of the floor
panel
208 may be the same as that of a threshold 110 extending through a door frame
111 of
the lavatory 100. The door frame 111 moveably retains a door 114. As such, the
exposed portion 209 of the floor panel 208 may provide an entirety (or
substantially
an entirety) of a surface on which an individual may stand within the lavatory
100,
thereby ensuring that no portion of a floor that may support an individual
within the
lavatory is left uncleaned by the self-cleaning floor assembly 200.
Alternatively, the
width W of the floor of the panel 208 may be greater or less than the width of
the
threshold 110.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-05
CA 2960113 2017-03-07
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective top view of the actuation system 204
coupled
to the moveable floor 202, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. The
actuator 220 may be a rotary motor having a gear 280 that couples to the link
221,
which may be a belt that reciprocally engages the gear 280. The link 221 (for
example, the belt) also engages a portion of the conveyor 212a. As motion is
imparted by the actuator 220 into the link 221 via the gear 280, the link 221
rotates,
thereby imparting a corresponding motion in the conveyor 212a, and therefore
the
floor panel 208 and the other conveyor 212b.
Alternatively, the actuation system 204 may be configured to rotate the floor
panel 208 through various other mechanisms. For example, the actuator 220 may
include a worm screw, pulley(s), a servo motor(s), roller(s), and/or the like
that are
configured to operatively couple to one or both of the conveyors 212a, 212b
and/or
the floor panel 208.
Referring to Figures 4-6, the cleaning cycle may be linked to movement of the
lavatory door 114. For example, each time the lavatory door 114 is closed
after use,
the cleaning cycle may be triggered. In at least one embodiment, the control
unit 240
may initiate the cleaning cycle when the door 114 is unlocked and closed after
being
locked. For example, when an individual uses the lavatory, the individual
closes and
locks the door 114 while within the lavatory 100. In order to leave the
lavatory after
use, the individual unlocks the door 114, opens the door 114, and then closes
the
unlocked door 114 (or the unlocked door automatically closes, such as through
spring-biased hinges) as the individual exits the lavatory 100. The control
unit 240
detects the door sequence (such as by monitoring signals output by the
presence
sensor 242) and may then initiate the cleaning cycle. In at least one
embodiment, the
lavatory door 114 automatically locks during a cleaning cycle, and unlocks
when
ready for use after the cleaning cycle.
The self-cleaning floor assembly 200 may refrain from cleaning the moveable
floor 202 when an individual is within the lavatory 100. For example, when the
lavatory door 114 is locked, the self-cleaning assembly 200 may refrain from
initiating or otherwise activating the cleaning cycle. For example, the
control unit
240 may determine that an individual is within the lavatory 100, such as by
monitoring signals output by the presence sensor 242. When the control unit
240
17
CA 2960113 2017-03-07
determines that an individual is within the lavatory 100, the control unit 240
may
prevent the actuation system 204 and the cleaning system 206 from activating.
Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method of automatically cleaning a
floor
of a lavatory, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring
to
Figures 4-7, the control unit 240 monitors the lavatory 100. For example, the
control
unit 240 may receive signals output by the presence sensor 242 to determine
whether
or not an individual is within the lavatory 100. At 302, based on the signals
received
from the presence sensor 242, the control unit 240 determines whether the
lavatory
100 is occupied. If the lavatory is occupied, the control unit 240 refrains
from
initiating a cleaning cycle at 304. That is, the control unit 240 refrains
from cleaning
the floor panel 208.
If, however, the control unit 240 determines at 302 that the lavatory 100 is
not
occupied, the method proceeds from 302 to 306, in which the control unit 306
determines if the lavatory 100 is already clean. For example, if the lavatory
100 has
not been occupied since a previous cleaning, the lavatory 100 is already
clean. In at
least one embodiment, the control unit 240 may determine whether the lavatory
100
has not been occupied from a previous cleaning by analyzing a motion sequence
of
the door 114. For example, the control unit 240 may initiate a cleaning cycle
after
detecting a motion sequence in which the door is locked (indicating the
lavatory is
occupied), and then unlocked, opened, and closed, at which point the control
unit 240
may initiate the cleaning cycle. If the door has not been reopened after the
cleaning
cycle, the control unit 240 determines that the lavatory has not been re-
occupied after
the cleaning cycle, and is therefore already clean. In at least one
embodiment, the
control unit 240 may determine whether the lavatory 100 is occupied and/or
whether
the lavatory 100 is clean through one or more pressure sensors in the floor
that are
configured to detect the presence of an individual, operation of a cleaning
cycle (such
as pressure exerted by a moveable floor), and/or the like.
At 306, if the control unit 240 determines that the floor panel 208 is already
clean, the method proceeds from 306 to 304, in which the control unit 240
refrains
from initiating the cleaning cycle. The method then returns to 300 from 304.
If, however, the control unit 306 determines that the floor panel 208 is not
clean at 306 (such as through an analysis of a door motion sequence), the
control unit
18
CA 2960113 2017-03-07
306 activates a cleaning cycle. In particular, the control unit 240 at 308
activates the
actuating system 204 to move a portion of the floor panel that was exposed
during use
of the lavatory by an individual towards a cleaning system 306. At 310, the
control
unit 240 activates the cleaning system 206 to clean the portion of the floor
panel 208
that was exposed during use. For example, the cleaning system 206 may vacuum,
clean, and dry the portion of the floor panel 208 that was exposed during use.
At 312, the control unit 240 determines whether the portion of the floor panel
208 that was exposed during use has been fully moved through the cleaning
system
206 That is, the control unit 240 determines whether the portion of the floor
panel
208 that was exposed during use has moved through or otherwise by the entire
cleaning system 206.
If the control unit 240 determines at 312 that the portion of the floor panel
208
that was exposed during use has not moved fully through the cleaning system,
the
method proceeds to 314, in which the control unit continues operation of the
actuation
system 204 and the cleaning system 206. The method then returns to 312.
If, at 312, the control unit 240 determines that portion of the floor panel
208
that was exposed during use has been moved fully through the cleaning system
206,
the method proceeds from 312 to 316, in which the control unit 240 ceases
operation
of the actuation system 204 and the cleaning system 206. The method then
returns to
300 from 316.
Figure 8 illustrates a perspective top internal view of a lavatory 400,
according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lavatory 400 is configured to
be
secured within a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The lavatory 400 includes a
toilet 402, a
sink 404, and one or more ultraviolet lights 406 that are configured to emit
ultraviolet
light into the lavatory 400 during a UV cleaning cycle when the lavatory 400
is
unoccupied. The lavatory 400 may also include a self-cleaning floor assembly,
such
as those described above. The UV cleaning cycle may occur at the same time, or
at a
different time than the cleaning cycle of the self-cleaning floor assembly
described
above.
Figure 9 illustrates a far ultraviolet spectrum 500. Embodiments of the
present
disclosure may emit light within the far ultraviolet spectrum 500 to sanitize
interior
portions of a lavatory, for example. In particular, embodiments of the present
19
disclosure may emit light within a germicidal UVC portion 502 of the spectrum
500.
It has been found that by emitting UV light in the far ultraviolet spectrum
500, the
ultraviolet lights of embodiments of the present disclosure provide cleaning
cycles
that are extremely fast and efficient (for example, lasting 2-3 seconds).
Embodiments
of the present disclosure provide ultraviolet cleaning systems and methods
that are
configured to sterilize surfaces within the lavatory within seconds.
Figure 10 illustrates a schematic interior view of a lavatory 600, according
to
an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lavatory 800 may include an
integrated
UV sanitation system 602, which may include one or more UV lights that are
configured to emit light into the lavatory 600 during a cleaning cycle (such
as when
the lavatory is unoccupied). The lavatory 600 may also include a self-cleaning
floor
assembly 603, such as those described above. The lavatory 600 may further
include
direct improved lighting 603a, a hand dryer 603b, a hands free faucet/soap
dispenser
603c, surface treatments 603d, a manual touchless trash flap 603e,
antimicrobial
treatments 603f, a touchless toilet lid and seat 603g. UV treatment at the
faucet 603h,
a separate surface 603i, light surfaces 603j, and branding opportunities 603k.
A status indicator 604 may also be positioned on a door or frame of the
lavatory 600. The status indicator 604 is configured to provide status
information
regarding a cleaning cycle (such as a UV cleaning cycle, and/or a cleaning
cycle of
the moveable floor, as described above). Various surfaces within the lavatory
600
may be coated or otherwise treated with antimicrobial materials, titanium
dioxide,
and/or the like.
Figure 11 illustrates a front view of the status indicator 604 during a
cleaning
cycle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The status
indicator 604
.. includes a cleaning status light 606 (such as one or more light emitting
diodes) and a
lock light 608 (such as one or more light emitting diodes). During a UV
cleaning
cycle, the cleaning status light 606 may change to indicate a cleaning
spectrum (from
unclean to clean, for example). During the cleaning cycle, the door of the
lavatory
may be locked, which is indicated by the lock light 608. After the cleaning
cycle, the
lock light 608 indicates that the door is unlocked. As shown in Figure 11, the
UV
cleaning process may last just a few seconds. Optionally, the cleaning process
may be
shorter or longer than shown in Figure 11.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-06
As described above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and
methods for efficiently and effectively cleaning surfaces within interior
chambers,
such as lavatories. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and
methods that are configured to automatically clean interior spaces, such as
those of an
aircraft.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid,
lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe
embodiments of
the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with
respect to
the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted,
rotated, or
otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice
versa,
horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is -configured to"
perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed,
or adapted
in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity
and the
avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to
perform the
task or operation is not -configured to" perform the task or operation as used
herein.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative,
and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or
aspects
thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the
teachings
of the various embodiments of the disclosure without departing from their
scope.
While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to
define
the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments
are by
no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will
be
apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
The scope
of the various embodiments of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined
with
reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to
which
such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and
"in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms
"comprising"
and "wherein." Moreover, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are
used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on
their
objects.
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-06
CA 2960113 2017-03-07
This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of
the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled
in the
art to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure, including making
and using
any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable
scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims,
and may
include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are
intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural
elements
that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples
include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal
language
of the claims.
22
