Dual-Venturi Ozonated Water Supply for Variable Washer Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems for clothes washing machines face challenges in accommodating different water flow rates, leading to ineffective ozonization due to Venturi tubes being designed for specific minimum flow rates, which can result in reduced ozone concentration and extended fill times when used with different types of washing machines.
Innovation Solution
The system employs two Venturi tubes designed for different flow rates, along with a valve for selective direction of water flow and a controller that activates the ozone generator based on water flow detection and maintains it operational during intermittent water usage, ensuring continuous ozone generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single Venturi tube is designed for a specific minimum flow rate, then effective ozonization is achieved at that flow rate, but performance deteriorates when used with washing machines having different water flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single Venturi tube into two separate Venturi tubes, each designed for a specific flow rate range. A first Venturi tube handles high flow rates while a second Venturi tube handles low flow rates, allowing the system to adapt to different washing machine types without compromising ozonization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The water treatment apparatus achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple Venturi tubes that can handle different flow rate scenarios. The system universally accommodates both high flow rate and low flow rate washing machines through selective activation of appropriate Venturi tubes based on detected water flow conditions
2Reliability
If the ozone generator is activated continuously, then ozone concentration is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a flow sensor that provides feedback about water flow conditions to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller intelligently activates or deactivates the ozone generator, maintaining ozone concentration stability only when water is actually flowing through the system, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the ozone generator operates periodically based on detected water flow events. The generator activates when water flow is detected and remains active during intermittent water usage, then deactivates when no flow is detected, creating an on-demand operation pattern that balances ozone concentration maintenance with energy efficiency
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 solution allows for effective ozonization across various washing machines by ensuring the correct Venturi tube is used based on flow rate, maintaining ozone concentration and reducing fill times, thereby enhancing the cleaning efficiency and machine performance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the Venturi tubes has a water inlet port, a water outlet port, and a vacuum port
Implementation Method 2
Corona discharge is a common method, and is employed in embodiments of the invention disclosed herein
Implementation Method 3
Another common method for generating ozone generator employs an ultraviolet light (UV)
Data Source
AI summary
Water treatment apparatus for supplying ozonated water to appliances, such as clothes washing machines. First and second water aspirators include respective first and second Venturi tubes. One aspirator is designed for a relatively higher water flow rate, and the other is designed for a relatively lower water flow rate. A valve selectively directs water from a water inlet to a water outlet through either the first or the second water aspirator. Ozone from an ozone generator is drawn either into water flowing through the first Venturi tube or water flowing through the second Venturi tube, depending on the position of the valve. A water flow sensor includes a microphone physically connected for sensing a sound characteristic of operation of a Venturi tube. A controller effects a time delay for maintaining activation of the ozone generator for a predetermined time duration even after water flow has ceased.