Cold Rinse Sanitizing Cycle for Low-Energy Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machine sanitization cycles are energy-intensive and can damage certain stains, such as blood, due to high temperature water usage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a rinse cycle with multiple cold water fills and agitation periods, using sanitizing additives to form a sanitizing liquor, which is then drained and extracted, providing sanitization without the need for high temperature water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal sanitization is used by heating water to high temperatures for prolonged time periods, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature thermal sanitization to cold temperature chemical sanitization. Instead of heating water to high temperatures, the system uses cold water combined with sanitizing additives (such as bleach or other chemical agents) to achieve sanitization. This parameter change eliminates the need for energy-intensive heating while maintaining sanitization effectiveness through chemical action rather than thermal action.
2Reliability
If high temperature water is used for sanitization, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but stain damage occurs (blood stains are locked in)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to cold water to prevent heat-related stain damage. By using cold temperature rather than high temperature, the patent avoids the harmful effect of heat setting blood stains while still achieving sanitization through the combination of cold water and chemical additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sanitizing additives (such as bleach or other chemical agents) as an intermediary substance to achieve sanitization without relying on high temperature. These additives act as mediators that provide the sanitization function previously achieved through heat, but without the harmful side effects of heat on stains.
3Reliability
If multiple hot water fills and multiple prolonged agitation periods are used, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but energy usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to cold water for all fills, eliminating the need for energy-intensive heating of multiple water fills. The sanitization is achieved through chemical additives in cold water rather than through thermal action, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining sanitization effectiveness.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption while effectively sanitizing articles without damaging stains, offering an improved sanitization method that is both energy-efficient and stain-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
The first cold water rinse volume and the sanitizing additive are mixed during the first agitation cycle to form a sanitizing liquor
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance has a drum positioned within a tub. The drum defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing and sanitizing. A method of operating the washing machine appliance includes, in a rinse cycle, filling the tub with a cold water rinse volume to a predetermined fill level, adding a volume of sanitizing additive to the tub, and performing an agitation cycle for a predetermined time period. The first cold water rinse volume and the sanitizing additive are mixed during the first agitation cycle to form a sanitizing liquor. The rinse cycle further includes draining the sanitizing liquor from the tub after performing the agitation cycle and performing an extraction cycle after draining the sanitizing liquor from the tub. As a result, the washing machine appliance and articles therein are sanitized.