Closed-Chamber Deodorization for Household Odor Breakdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing odor-active molecules from household appliances are inefficient, leading to long process times, odor accumulation, and contamination of adsorber surfaces, with reactive methods like ozonolysis posing risks and requiring secure containment to prevent environmental leakage.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance with a deodorization system that combines multiple deodorization methods, including photocatalytic and ozonolytic processes, along with filtration and adsorption using activated carbon, within a closed process space to effectively break down and remove odor-active molecules, utilizing a combination of deodorization devices such as extraction, filtration, and oxidative deodorization to achieve rapid and complete odor removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adsorption using activated carbon is used to remove odor-active molecules, then odor removal is achieved, but the adsorber surfaces become contaminated over time, reducing cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone as a strong oxidant to actively decompose odor-active molecules rather than merely adsorbing them. The ozone generation device produces ozone that reacts with and breaks down odor molecules in the process air, preventing contamination of filter surfaces and eliminating the need for frequent filter replacement while maintaining continuous odor removal effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the odor removal function from passive adsorption to active decomposition by introducing an ozone generation device. This separates the odor elimination function from the filtration system, allowing the filter to maintain its original function while the ozone handles the chemical decomposition of odor molecules independently
2Reliability
If ozonolysis is used to permanently eliminate odors, then odor removal effectiveness is improved, but decay time increases and requires secure containment to prevent environmental leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ozonolysis with photocatalytic oxidation and filtration in a combined deodorization system. The photocatalyst accelerates the decomposition of ozone and intermediate products, significantly reducing decay time while maintaining permanent odor elimination. The filtration component captures any remaining particles, ensuring complete odor removal without extended containment requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The photocatalyst acts as an intermediary that facilitates the decomposition of ozone and odor molecules. It absorbs light energy to generate reactive species that accelerate the breakdown of ozone into oxygen, thereby reducing the decay time of the ozonolysis process while maintaining its effectiveness in permanently eliminating odors
3Reliability
If ventilation or dilution is used to eliminate odors, then odor removal is achieved, but process time increases and odor molecules may accumulate in closed process circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ozone, a strong oxidant, to rapidly decompose odor-active molecules through chemical reaction rather than slow ventilation or dilution. This accelerated oxidation process achieves complete odor elimination in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods, making it suitable for closed process circuits where rapid odor removal is critical
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical ventilation systems with a chemical oxidation process using ozone. Instead of relying on air movement and dilution to remove odors, the system uses chemical reactions to decompose odor molecules in place, eliminating the need for extended ventilation periods and preventing odor accumulation in closed circuits
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
The system enables the rapid and complete removal of at least 90% of odor-active molecules, reducing decay times and allowing for self-cleaning of filters, while ensuring no odor escape into the environment, thus enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of odor removal across various household appliances.
Implementation Method 1
a filter device (20) designed as an activated carbon filter, by means of which the process air is filtered and odor-active molecules are adsorbed and broken down photolytically
Implementation Method 2
a filter device (20) designed as an activated carbon filter, by means of which the process air is filtered and odor-active molecules are adsorbed
Implementation Method 3
an oxidative deodorization device (22), in which odor-active molecules are broken down oxidatively
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance (10) with a deodorizing system (16) for removing odour-active molecules from a processing medium of the domestic appliance (10), wherein the deodorizing system (16) is arranged in a processing chamber (14) of the domestic appliance (10), said processing chamber (14) being closed at least during the removal of the odour-active molecules, and comprises at least two different deodorizing mechanisms (17) which can be acted on by the processing medium and which are chosen from the group of filtration mechanisms (20), adsorption mechanisms, absorption mechanisms, extraction mechanisms (18), thermal deodorizing mechanisms, catalytic deodorizing mechanisms, oxidative deodorizing mechanisms (22) and/or biological deodorizing mechanisms. The invention further relates to a method for removing odour-active molecules from a processing medium of a domestic appliance (10).