Device for installation on an inner circumferential surface of a washing-machine drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine detergents struggle to effectively remove tough stains like anthocyanin and carotenoid dyes at lower temperatures, and liquid detergents face challenges with bleach compatibility, requiring high temperatures and potentially damaging enzymes and fragrances.
Innovation Solution
A device mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum, featuring a housing, voltage source, and electrodes, uses electrolysis to convert mediator species into bleach-active species, allowing for efficient bleaching without high temperatures and minimizing detergent and mediator usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bleaching systems (TAED and sodium percarbonate) are used in solid detergents, then bleaching effect is achieved, but high washing temperatures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal activation mechanism of traditional bleaching systems with an electrochemical activation mechanism. Instead of using heat to activate the bleaching agent, the invention uses electrical energy to generate reactive oxygen species through electrolysis of water or other electrolytes, which then activate the mediator compounds to produce bleaching effects at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the activation parameter from thermal energy to electrical energy. By applying a specific voltage or current to the electrochemical cell containing the mediator and electrolyte, the system activates the bleaching process without requiring high washing temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving effective bleaching and maintaining low washing temperature.
2Reliability
If bleaching agents are added to liquid detergents, then bleaching capability is provided, but enzymes and fragrances are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mediator compounds (such as organic peroxides or other intermediate substances) that serve as intermediaries between the electrochemically generated reactive oxygen species and the dye molecules. These mediators are selectively activated by the electrochemical process to produce bleaching effects while their controlled generation and decay prevent unwanted side reactions with sensitive components like enzymes and fragrances in liquid detergents.
3Temperature
If electrochemical activation device is added to washing machine, then bleaching without high temperature is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical activation device is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates reactive oxygen species for bleaching, activates mediator compounds, and can potentially serve as a platform for other electrochemical treatments. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile low-temperature activation capabilities that replace multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements the electrochemical activation in a localized manner within the washing machine drum, using small electrochemical cells positioned strategically to treat specific areas or loads. This localized approach minimizes the overall device complexity while still achieving effective bleaching where needed, rather than requiring a complete system overhaul.
4Productivity
If mediator species are used in electrochemical bleaching, then bleaching efficiency is improved, but amount of detergent required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator compounds are designed to cycle continuously between their reduced and oxidized forms. After donating electrons to bleach dye molecules, the reduced mediators are re-oxidized by the electrochemically generated reactive oxygen species, allowing them to participate in multiple bleaching cycles. This continuous cycling maximizes the utility of each mediator molecule, improving bleaching efficiency while minimizing the total amount of mediator and detergent required.
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 device ensures efficient bleaching with reduced detergent and mediator amounts, maintaining effectiveness across various washing machine operations, ensuring compatibility with enzymes and other ingredients, and optimizing bleaching performance without high washing temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a mediator molecule, initially present in reduced form, is oxidized at the anode of the electrochemical cell
Implementation Method 2
The device (1) is suitable for activating a mediator species into a bleach-active species by means of electrolysis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for installation on an inner circumferential surface (7) of a washing-machine drum (8), comprising a housing (2), a voltage source and at least one electrode that is connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and acts as an anode, wherein a washing liquor can flow through the device (1) and the device comprises at least one inlet (6) for introducing washing liquor into the device (1) and at least one outlet for draining washing liquor out of the device (1), wherein the at least one inlet (6) and the at least one outlet are arranged on the device (1) such that, when the device (1) is in the use position, the inlet and outlet lie directly above the inner circumferential surface (7) of the washing-machine drum (8) and such that the at least one inlet (6) is located in a plane (E) of which, when the device (1) is in the use position, the surface normal (N) extends substantially orthogonally to the rotational axis (W) of the washing-machine drum (8), and the at least one electrode is arranged inside the device (1) in such a way that the longitudinal extent of said electrode extends substantially in parallel with the surface normal (N) of the plane (E) in which the at least one inlet (6) is located. The invention also relates to the use of such a device (1) and to a method for activating a mediator species by means of such a device (1).