Dishwasher Ozone Hygienization Cycle for Full-Load Waiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashing machines face inefficiencies in energy and water usage due to partial loads, leading to waste and bacterial proliferation, and existing solutions for odor removal are either uneconomical or incomplete in eliminating microbes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hygienization cycle that diffuses ozone gas during operating cycles without liquid dispensation, specifically when the tub is awaiting a wash program, to sterilize and eliminate bacteria and odors, maintaining humidity equal to the outside environment for simpler machine construction and effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If users wait to load the machine with sufficient crockery for a full-load wash cycle, then energy and water consumption is optimized, but bacteria proliferation and bad smells occur in the tub
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hygienization of the tub using ozone gas before the wash cycle begins. The ozone is generated and diffused into the tub during the waiting period when crockery is loaded, eliminating bacteria and odors without requiring a full wash cycle, thus energy is saved while hygiene is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Ozone gas is introduced as an intermediary substance to address the hygiene problem. The ozone generator produces ozone that is diffused into the tub through a diffusion device, acting as a mediator that sterilizes the environment without requiring water or energy-intensive wash cycles.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If rinse cycles are executed on accumulated crockery in the tub, then some microbes are removed, but bad smells persist and water and energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical rinse cycle system is replaced with a chemical/physical ozone treatment system. Instead of using water spray and drainage mechanisms, the system uses ozone gas generation and diffusion to achieve microbe elimination, thereby eliminating water consumption and reducing energy usage while maintaining effective sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Ozone, a strong oxidizing agent, is used to accelerate the destruction of organic substances and eliminate microbes. The ozone diffuses into the tub and oxidizes bacterial cell walls and organic matter, effectively removing odors and pathogens without the need for water-based rinse cycles.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If ozone is used to remove bacteria and odors from the tub, then hygiene is improved, but machine complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The ozone generation system is integrated into the existing dishwasher control system, allowing the same device to perform both normal washing functions and hygienization functions. The control unit manages both wash cycles and ozone generation, making the system multi-functional without requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing ozone gas concentration control and timing parameters for hygienization cycles. The control unit adjusts ozone generation based on detected conditions (such as door opening/closing or periodic intervals), adding control complexity but maintaining structural simplicity through parameter-based management rather than additional hardware.
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 allows for reliable, flexible, and efficient sanitization of the dishwasher tub and crockery, reducing energy and water consumption while effectively eliminating bacteria and odors, enabling users to wait for a full load before initiating a wash cycle.
Implementation Method 1
This gas is, in fact, a strong oxidizing agent, and as such, when used in a dishwashing machine, it sterilizes and oxidizes organic substances, thereby eliminating the bad smells originating from the proliferation of bacteria inside the tub of the machine.
Implementation Method 2
This is achieved by diffusing an oxidizing gas, such as ozone, only during operating cycles wherein no liquid is dispensed into the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method of hygienization οf a dishwashing machine, wherein said machine carries out at least one wash cycle in which a wash liquid is dispensed into a tub of said machine, comprising a hygienization program that comprises a hygienization cycle wherein on oxidizing fluid is dispensed into said tub, said wash cycle and said hygienization cycle being distinct from each other.