Cleaning Pad Electrolytic Cell for On-Demand Bleach Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning systems that generate oxidizing agents like bleach at the point of use are often large and require hazardous chemicals, posing safety concerns during handling and storage, and may not be suitable for direct application with cleaning pads due to spraying hazards.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning device with an integrated electrolytic cell within the cleaning pad, powered by a rechargeable battery, that generates bleach on demand using sodium chloride and water, allowing for controlled application directly to surfaces through a cleaning pad, equipped with sensors and indicators for bleach concentration monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bleach is generated and stored in large quantities for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating bleach on-demand at the point of use rather than storing large quantities beforehand. The electrolytic cell produces sodium hypochlorite only when needed for cleaning, eliminating the need for bulk storage and associated safety hazards while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the bleach generation function from centralized storage and places it directly at the point of use through an integrated electrolytic cell. This separation removes the need to handle and store hazardous bleach quantities, as the system generates only the amount needed immediately before application.
2Productivity
If spraying system is used to apply bleach to surfaces, then application efficiency is improved, but exposure hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning pad serves as an intermediary between the generated bleach and the surface. Instead of spraying bleach directly onto surfaces which creates exposure hazards, the bleach is transferred to the cleaning pad first, then applied through controlled contact, reducing airborne exposure while maintaining application efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional spray application method by using a cleaning pad contact method. Rather than projecting bleach through air onto surfaces, the system transfers bleach to a pad and then applies it through direct contact, reversing the application sequence to eliminate spray-related exposure risks.
3Weight of moving object
If electrolytic cell is integrated within cleaning pad, then device portability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the cleaning pad assembly: the electrolytic cell, power supply, bleach generation chamber, and cleaning pad are integrated into a single unified device. This combination eliminates the need for separate bleach storage containers and application tools, improving portability while the integrated design manages the complexity through functional consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device achieves multi-functionality by integrating bleach generation, storage, and application functions into one unit. The same cleaning pad serves both as the substrate for electrolytic bleach generation and as the application tool for surface cleaning, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and improving portability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, on-demand generation and application of bleach directly to surfaces, reducing storage needs and minimizing exposure risks, while allowing for efficient cleaning and disinfection without the hazards associated with large bleach quantities.
Implementation Method 1
An oxidation reaction takes place at the anode, producing chlorine gas and a reduction reaction takes place at the cathode, producing sodium hydroxide. The chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide react to produce sodium hypochlorite.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one anode and the at least one cathode are formed at least in part in the cleaning pad, for generating a bleach solution within the cleaning pad
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a surface cleaning device comprises an electrolytic cell for generating bleach for use with a cleaning pad. The electrolytic cell is in fluid communication with the cleaning pad for delivering bleach to a surface to be cleaned. According to another embodiment of the invention, the surface cleaning device is a hand-held cleaning device capable of selectively generating bleach at the request of a user directly in the cleaning pad. A sufficient amount of bleach for cleaning a surface can be generated within the electrolytic cell at the request of a user, eliminating the need for storing and transporting large quantities of bleach.