WO2023016702A1

WO2023016702A1 - System for cleaning a surface

Info

Publication number: WO2023016702A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/068303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jennifer AFLALO; Alexandre CHEMINAL
Original assignee: Isorg
Priority date: 2021-08-12
Filing date: 2022-07-01
Publication date: 2023-02-16
Also published as: FR3126099A1; FR3126099B1

Abstract

The present description concerns an assembly comprising an electronic device (109) having a transparent surface (103) intended to be touched by a user, and a cleaning system (101) for cleaning said surface, the cleaning system (101) comprising a hood (105) and an ultraviolet radiation source (107), the ultraviolet radiation source (107) being oriented in such a way as to illuminate said surface (103) with an angle of incidence of greater than 45°.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Surface cleaning system

This application claims the priority of the French patent application 21/08660, filed on August 12, 2021, which will be considered as an integral part of this description within the limits authorized by law.

Technical area

[0001] The present description relates generally to systems for cleaning or sanitizing surfaces, and is more particularly aimed at a system for cleaning or sanitizing a surface intended to be touched by a user, for example a surface of contact with a biometric sensor or a touch screen.

Prior technique

[0002] Electronic devices comprising detection surfaces intended to be touched by a user, such as biometric sensors, in particular fingerprint or palm print sensors, or touch screens, are more and more numerous. These devices include detection surfaces which are sometimes intended to be touched by several users in succession. This results in risks of transmission of viruses or bacteria deposited on said surfaces, between the different users.

Summary of the invention

[0003] There is a need to improve devices using detection surfaces intended to be touched by a user to include therein a cleaning and disinfection system, preferably without the intervention of an outside operator on said surface.

[0004] One embodiment provides an assembly comprising an electronic device comprising a surface transparent intended to be touched by a user, and a system for cleaning said surface, the cleaning system comprising a cover, a source of ultraviolet radiation, the source of ultraviolet radiation being oriented so as to illuminate said surface with an angle of incidence greater than 45°.

According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises at least one mirror allowing the multiple reflection of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source between said surface and the mirror.

[0006] According to one embodiment, said mirror extends over one face of the cover facing said surface.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source is UVC type radiation.

According to one embodiment, the assembly is configured so that, during a cleaning phase of said surface, the power surface density received by said surface is greater than 9 mJ/cm ² , preferably greater than or equal to 12 mJ/cm ² .

[0009] According to one embodiment, said surface is a contact face of a protective glass of a biometric sensor or of a touch screen.

According to one embodiment, said surface is flat.

According to one embodiment, said angle of incidence of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source is greater than 60°, preferably greater than 80°.

[0012]According to one embodiment, the cover is a retractable curtain mounted on a roller, the cover being adapted to be unrolled above said surface. According to one embodiment, the radiation source extends over an edge of said surface, parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reel.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cover forms a pivoting valve.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises a fastening system adapted to hold the cover facing said surface.

According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises two rails along two opposite sides of said surface, the cover being mounted between the two rails so that it can slide along the rails above said surface.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the cover is movable to, in a first configuration, cover said surface, and, in a second configuration, not to cover said surface.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cover is motorized.

Brief description of the drawings

These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures, among which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view, partial and schematic, illustrating an example of a device comprising a cleaning system according to one embodiment;

Figure 2 illustrates in more detail a first embodiment of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates in more detail a second embodiment of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 illustrates in more detail a third embodiment of the device of Figure 1; And [0024] Figure 5 illustrates in more detail a fourth embodiment of the device of Figure 1.

Description of embodiments

The same elements have been designated by the same references in the various figures. In particular, the structural and/or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0026] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described have been represented and are detailed. In particular, only the production of the cleaning system has been detailed, the cleaning system described being able to adapt to usual electronic devices comprising detection surfaces intended to be touched by a user.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, when reference is made to two elements connected together, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when reference is made to two connected elements (in English "coupled") between them, this means that these two elements can be connected or be linked via one or more other elements.

[0028] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc. ., unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orientation of the figures. [0029] Unless specified otherwise, the expressions “about”, “approximately”, “substantially”, and “of the order of” mean to within 10%, preferably within 5%.

The expression "transmittance of a layer" denotes the ratio between the intensity of the radiation leaving the layer and the intensity of the radiation entering the layer. In the rest of the description, a layer or a film is said to be opaque to radiation when the transmittance of the radiation through the layer or the film is less than 10%. In the rest of the description, a layer or a film is said to be transparent to radiation when the transmittance of the radiation through the layer or the film is greater than 10%, preferably greater than 50%. According to one embodiment, for the same optical system, all the elements of the optical system which are opaque to radiation have a transmittance which is less than half, preferably less than a fifth, more preferably less than a tenth, of the transmittance the weakest of the elements of the optical system transparent to said radiation. In addition, the term reflecting element or mirror refers to an element which reflects more than 50%, for example more than 70% of a radiation.

In the rest of the description, visible light is called electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is between 400 nm and 700 nm, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is between 100 nm and 400 nm and infrared radiation electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is between 700 nm and 1 mm. In UV radiation, a distinction is made in particular between UVC radiation, the wavelength of which is between 100 nm and 280 nm.

According to one aspect of the embodiments described, provision is made to use ultraviolet radiation, preferably UVC radiation, to clean and disinfect a surface intended to be touched by a user, for example a contact surface of a transparent protective pane of a biometric sensor, for example a fingerprint or palm print sensor, or 'a touch screen.

Figure 1 is a sectional view, partial and schematic, illustrating a device 100 comprising a cleaning system 101 according to one embodiment.

The cleaning system 101 cleans a contact surface 103 of the device 100, intended to be touched by a user. More particularly, the cleaning system 101 makes it possible to clean the surface 103 after each use.

The surface 103 is, for example, the contact face of a layer or transparent glass for protecting an active area of an electronic device 109, for example an optoelectronic device. The device 109 is for example a biometric sensor. By way of example, surface 103 is flat. By way of example, the protective layer is made of glass, plastic or any other transparent material, for example a transparent polymer.

The cleaning system 101 comprises a cover 105 and an ultraviolet radiation source 107 located inside the cover 105. The source 107 is, for example, fixed to the cover 105. The ultraviolet radiation source 107 is oriented from so as to illuminate the surface 103 with an angle of incidence 0. In other words, the main direction of the beam emitted by the source 107 forms an angle 0 with the normal to the surface 103. The protective layer is transparent to the radiation of use of the device 109, such as visible and/or infrared radiation and to the radiation emitted by the source 107. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source 107 is, for example, UVC type radiation. By way of example, the central wavelength of the radiation emitted by source 107 is between 240 nm and 280 nm and is preferably around 254 nm.

The angle of incidence 0 is chosen so that at least 50% of the incident radiation, for example 75% of the incident radiation, is reflected by the surface 103 and therefore does not penetrate inside the device 109 This makes it possible on the one hand not to damage the electronic or optoelectronic components internal to the device 109, and on the other hand to maximize the fraction of the dose of the radiation emitted by the source 107 interacting with the surface to be cleaned (and therefore to minimize the total dose of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source 107 and consequently limit the potential risks for the user). The angle θ is for example greater than 45°. By way of example, for radiation whose wavelength is between 240 nm and 280 nm, when the surface 103 is made of glass, the angle θ is greater than 60°, for example greater than 80°.

The cover 105 is preferably opaque to the radiation emitted by the source 107. The cover 105 thus makes it possible to protect a user of the device 100 from the radiation emitted by the source 107. By way of example, the underside of the cover 105 , that is to say the face located opposite the device 109, is at least partially reflective for UVC and more generally UVs so as to avoid degradation of the material of the cover 105 under the effect of the radiation emitted by the source 107.

[0040] For example, to reinforce the protection of the user, seals or protective tabs, not shown, located between the surface 103 and the cover 105, can seal against the light radiation emitted by the source 107.

By way of example, the surface 103 can be considered as cleaned and, more particularly sanitized, when it receives a surface power density of the radiation emitted by the source 107 greater than 9 mJ/cm ² , for example greater than or equal to 12 mJ/cm ² .

The surface 103 has for example, in top view, a square or rectangular shape, for example of length less than 30 cm. By way of example, the surface 103 has the shape of a square with a side of 8 cm (Format FAP 60 - English Finger Acquisition Profile - finger acquisition profile), a rectangle whose width is of the order of 12 cm and the length of which is of the order of 12.5 cm or of a square of side 15 cm. The surface 103 can, in top view, have any other shape, neither square nor rectangular, or different dimensions.

The source 107 is for example a laser source. As a variant, the source 107 comprises one or more light-emitting diodes (LED, Light-Emitting Diode).

The source 107 may be an extended source, extending for example over the entire length or the entire width of the surface 103, in a direction perpendicular to the section plane of FIG. 1. The source 107 may then correspond to a single source or a strip of several sources emitting identical radiation.

Alternatively, the source 107 does not extend over the entire length of the surface 103 and is adapted to move along the surface 103, for example automatically. By way of example, the source 107 extends over substantially the entire width of the surface 103 and is adapted to move along the surface 103, for example so automatic, in a direction perpendicular to the cutting plane of figure 1.

The system 101, and more particularly the source 107, are for example powered by an electric battery, by a power supply circuit connected to the mains. By way of example, the system 101 is powered by a power supply circuit of the device 109.

The cleaning system 101 can be a mobile system independent of the device 109, intended to be mounted on an existing device 109 to form the device 100.

By way of example, the cleaning system 101 can be removably fixed to the device 109 so as to be able to be easily assembled and disassembled, for example, after each use or after a determined lapse of time.

Alternatively, the cleaning system 101 is a fixed system permanently mounted on the device 109. The system 101 and the electronic device 109 can be powered by the same source of electrical energy or by two sources of different electrical energy (not shown).

Figure 2 illustrates by a view A from above and two views B and C in section, partial and schematic, a first embodiment of the device 100 illustrated in Figure 1. View B is a view along the cutting plane B-B of view A and view C is a view according to section plane C-C of view A.

The device illustrated in Figure 2 comprises, among others, the elements of the device 100 illustrated in Figure 1, these elements bear the same references as in Figure 1 and will not be detailed again below.

In the example of Figure 2, the assembly comprising the cover 105 and the radiation source 107 is mounted sliding on rails 111 of the cleaning system 101. The cover 105 is for example rigid. In order to simplify view B, the rails 111 have not been shown in this view.

The rails 111 run along, for example, two opposite sides of the surface 103 and more precisely of the electronic device 109. The rails 111 extend, for example, in the direction of the length of the surface 103. As a For example, the rails run along the longest dimension of the surface 103. The rails 111 preferably extend over a length at least equal to the length of the surface 103.

In the example of Figure 2, the cover 105 in the shape of a parallelepiped having a so-called inner open face (the lower face in the orientation of the sectional views B and C of Figure 2) oriented in vis-à-vis the surface 103. The source 107 is for example fixed to the cover 105, for example to the inner face of the cover 105. The cover 105 is for example mounted on and between the two rails 111 so that it can slide along the rails 111 above the surface 103.

The movement of the cover 105 along the rails 111 causes the movement of the source 107. The source 107 can thus scan and irradiate the entire surface 103. A motor, not shown, can be provided to drive the cover 105 along rails 111 during a cleaning phase of the surface 103. Alternatively, the cover 105 is moved manually along the rails 111 by a user during a cleaning phase of the device 109. By way of example , it is possible to provide that the source 107 only lights up when the cover 105 is facing the surface 103. Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the source 107 lights up when the cover 105 is at a certain distance from the surface 103, for example when the cowl 105 passes in front of a primer (for example located on the path of the cowl 105, upstream of the surface 103) and it goes out when the cover passes 105 once again passes in front of this primer.

In practice, when the system 101 is not being cleaned, the cover 105 can be positioned beyond the surface 103, for example as shown in gray in views A and B of Figure 2 , so as to leave free access to the surface 103.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning system 101 comprises one or more mirrors 113 fixed to the inner face of the cover 105, between the cover 105 and the surface 103. The mirror or mirrors 113 are, for example, fixed and oriented so as to reflect again, towards the surface 103, the radiation emitted by the source 107 and reflected by the surface 103. The presence of the mirror(s) 113 allows multiple reflections of the radiation emitted by the source 107 on the surface 103 before its absorption by the cover 105.

For example, the number of reflections of radiation emitted by the source 107 is of the order of 50. The multiple reflection of the radiation emitted by the source 107 makes it possible to reduce the power of the source 107 and thus reducing the electrical consumption of the system 101.

The mirror or mirrors 113 are, for example, flat or spherical.

[0059] Figure 3 illustrates by a top view A and a sectional view B, partial and schematic, a second embodiment of the device illustrated in Figure 1, the view B being a sectional view along the section plane B-B of view A.

The device illustrated in Figure 3 comprises, among other things, the elements of the device 100 illustrated in Figure 1, these elements bear the same references as in Figure 1 and will not be detailed again below. In the example of Figure 3, the cover 105 is a retractable curtain or shutter mounted, on one of its ends, on a reel 115 of the cleaning system 101. In this embodiment, the cover 105 is adapted to wrap around the retractor 115. The cover 105 extends, for example, between the retractor 115 and a clip 117. The cover 105 has for example the shape of a flat sheet in the unrolled position.

In the example of Figure 3, the reel 115 is movable and the clip 117 is fixed relative to the surface 103. In the unrolled position, the cover 105 covers the entire surface 103 to be cleaned. In the rolled-up position, the cover 105 does not cover the surface 103, which thus remains free of access for the user. The clip 117 is, for example, fixed to one edge of the system 101 or of the electronic device 109. By way of example, a system for holding the cover 105 in the unrolled position, for example a system for attaching the end of the bonnet opposite the retractor, or a detent system integrated into the retractor, can be provided. This makes it possible to fix the cover in the unrolled position during the time during which the surface is treated with ultraviolet radiation.

Alternatively, provision may be made for the retractor to be fixed and for the attachment 117 to be mobile. The winder 115 is then, for example, located on one edge of the system 101 or of the electronic device 109. The clip 117 is then mobile and has the ability to move forward on the surface 103 so that the cover 105 is unrolled over the entire surface of surface 103.

In the example of Figure 3, the cover 105 is covered, on the side of its face facing the surface 103, namely its lower face in the orientation of view B of Figure 3, by a layer reflective or mirror layer 119, reflecting UVC and more generally UVs. The mirror layer 119 extends, for example over an entire underside of the cover 105. In this example, the mirror layer 119 is mechanically secured to the cover 105 and rolls up and unrolls with the cover 105 on the reel 115.

The source 107 is located under the cover 105, for example fixed to the clip 117 or to the reel 115 and is, for example, oriented towards the surface 103 or the mirror layer 119, respectively in the direction of the retractor 115 or clip 117. In the example of FIG. 3, the beam emitted by the source 107 scans the surface 103 following multiple reflections of the radiation between the surface 103 and the mirror layer 119. orientation of the source 107 is, for example, chosen so that the main direction of the beam emitted by the source 107 forms an angle of incidence 0. Preferably, in the unrolled position of the cover 105, the reflective layer 119 is parallel to the surface 103, so that, after each reflection on the layer 119, the beam is returned towards the surface 103 with substantially the same angle of incidence 0.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the source 107 is fixed to the clip 117 and is oriented towards the surface 103 in the direction of the reel 115.

For example, the source 107 is an extended source extending over the entire width of the surface 103. The source 107 can then correspond to a single source or to a strip of several sources emitting identical radiation.

[0068] By way of example, provision can be made for the source 107 to light up only when the cover 105 is completely unrolled. As a variant, provision can be made for the source 107 to light up when the reel 115 or the clip 117 passes in front of a primer (for example located on the path of the cover 105 upstream of the surface 103) and that it extinguishes when the reel 115 or the clip 117 passes again in front of this primer. [0069] Figure 4 illustrates by a top view A and a sectional view B, partial and schematic, a third embodiment of the device of Figure 1, the view B being a sectional view along the cutting plane BB of view A.

The device of Figure 4 is similar to the device of Figure 3 except that, in the device of Figure 4, the source 107 extends in the direction of the length of the surface 103, it that is to say parallel to the direction of winding / unwinding of the cover 105.

In the example of Figure 4, the source 107 is arranged on the side of the left edge of the surface 103. More particularly, in this example, the source 107 extends over substantially the entire length of the left edge of the surface 103. As a variant, the source 107 can be arranged on the side of the right edge of the surface 103. In another variant, two sources 107 can be arranged respectively on the side of the left edge and on the side of the right edge of the surface 103. More generally, any other arrangement of the source 107 can be provided. By way of example, sources 107 can be provided on three or four of the sides of surface 103, or even in the corners of surface 103.

[0072] Figure 5 illustrates by two views A and B in section, partial and schematic, a fourth embodiment of the device illustrated in Figure 1.

The device of FIG. 5 comprises, among other things, the elements of the device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. These elements bear the same references as in FIG. 1 and will not be detailed again below.

In the example of Figure 5, the cover 105 is fixed, by one of its edges, on a pivot 121. In this example, the cover 105 is rigid and flat and forms a pivoting valve adapted, in the closed position, to cover the surface 103, and, in the open position, to uncover the surface 103 to allow free access to the user. View A of FIG. 5 illustrates the device in the open position (that is to say when the cover 105 does not cover the surface 103) and view B of FIG. 5 illustrates the device in the closed position (that is ie when the cover 105 covers the surface 103).

In the example of Figure 5, the pivot 121 is fixed or placed on the surface of the electronic device 109. The cleaning system 101 may include a stop 123, fixed to the cover 105, opposite the pivot 121 The stopper 123 allows the cover to be held parallel to the surface 103 in the closed position. By way of example, the stop 123 is associated with a fastening system allowing the cover 105 to be kept in the closed position for the duration of the irradiation of the surface 103 by the ultraviolet radiation. It is possible, for example, to provide a fastening system of the double pressure latch type, fixed to the device 109, allowing the abutment 123 to remain fixed to the device 109 for the duration of the treatment of the surface 103. Closing and opening of the hood are then implemented exerting pressure on the hood.

The cover 105 is, in the example of Figure 5, covered by a reflective layer or mirror layer 125, for example similar to the mirror layer 119 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The mirror layer 125 extends, for example, over the entire inner surface of the cover 105, that is to say on the surface of the cover 105 facing the surface 103 to be cleaned

The source 107 is for example located under the cover 105 close to the pivot 121 or close to the stop 123, and is, for example, oriented towards the surface 103 or the mirror layer 125, respectively in the direction of the stop 123 or pivot 121. As in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the beam emitted by the source 107 undergoes multiple reflections on the surface 103 and on the mirror layer 125, for example with the same angle of incidence 0 on each passage over the area 103.

In the example shown, the source 107 is located close to the pivot 121 and is oriented towards the surface 103 in the direction of the stop 123.

The source 107 extends for example over the entire width of the surface 103 (that is to say parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivot 121). The source 107 can then correspond to a single source or to an array of several sources emitting identical radiation.

Alternatively, the source 107 can be fixed on the side of the cover 105 opposite the pivot 121.

In the embodiments described, provision can be made for the movements of the cowl 105 to be electrically assisted, for example by means of a motor. The cleaning system 101 is then autonomous and it is not necessary for a user to touch the system 101. For example, the triggering of the cleaning can be activated automatically by a presence sensor.

As a variant, the cover 105 can be actuated mechanically by a user.

An advantage of the embodiments and modes of implementation described is that they make it possible to sanitize a contact surface of an electronic device, and thus to limit or avoid the transmission of viruses or bacteria between multiple users of the device.

[0084] An advantage linked to the use of the mirror(s) 113 or the mirror layer 119 or 125 is that they make it possible to limit the power of the ultraviolet radiation source and thus protect users from excessive UV power.

Another advantage linked to the provision of a relatively high angle of incidence on the surface to be cleaned is to make it possible to avoid damaging the components of the electronic device.

Various embodiments and variants have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the embodiments described are not limited to the examples of dimensions and materials mentioned above.

Furthermore, the embodiments described are not limited to the particular examples described above of the arrangement of the cover 105, the light source 107, and the mirrors 113, 119 or 125.

Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of those skilled in the art based on the functional indications given above.

Claims

CLAIMS Assembly comprising an electronic device (109) comprising a transparent surface (103) intended to be touched by a user, and a cleaning system (101) for said surface, the cleaning system (101) comprising a cover (105), a source of ultraviolet radiation (107), the source of ultraviolet radiation (107) being oriented so that the main direction of the beam emitted by the source (107) forms an angle 0 greater than 45° with the normal to said surface (103 ) . Assembly according to claim 1, in which the angle θ is such that at least 50% of the ultraviolet radiation (107) is reflected by the said surface (103). Assembly according to claim 1, comprising at least one mirror (113; 119; 125) allowing the multiple reflection of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source (107) between the said surface (103) and the mirror (113; 119; 125). Assembly according to claim 2, in which said mirror (113; 119; 125) extends on a face of the cover (105) facing said surface (103). Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source (107) is UVC type radiation. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, configured so that, during a cleaning phase of said surface (103), the power surface density received by said surface (103) is greater than 9 mJ/cm ² , preferably greater than or equal to 12 mJ/cm ² . An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said surface (103) is a mating face a protective glass a biometric sensor or a touch screen. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said surface (103) is planar. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to

7, wherein said angle of incidence of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the source (107) is greater than 60°, preferably greater than 80°. . Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the cover (105) is a retractable curtain mounted on a roller (115), the cover (105) being adapted to be unrolled above said surface (103) . . An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the radiation source (107) extends over an edge of said surface (103), parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reel (115). . Assembly according to any one of the claims

1 to 8, in which the cover (105) forms a pivoting valve. . Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a fastening system adapted to hold the cover (105) facing said surface (103). . Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two rails (111) running along two opposite sides of said surface (103), the cover (105) being mounted between the two rails (111) so that it can slide along the rails above said surface (103). . Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the cover (105) is movable to, in a first configuration, cover the said surface (103), and, in a second configuration, not covering said surface (103). Assembly according to any one of the claims

1 to 14, in which the cover (105) is motorized.