Household electric sanitizing device and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of an efficient and effective household method for reducing harmful bacteria and virus contamination of food products and electronic devices, as current methods using ozonated water can damage electronic devices and pose toxicity risks in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A compact, vertically integrated electric sanitizing device with a UV lamp, ozone generator, and activated carbon filter, which uses a two-stage off-gas destruct system to safely sanitize food and electronic items by converting ozone into oxygen, minimizing water usage and off-gassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozonated water is used to sanitize food products, then microbial contaminants are effectively killed, but electronic devices are damaged and destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitization process is divided into two distinct stages: a wet sanitization stage using ozonated water for food items, and a dry sanitization stage using ozone gas for electronic devices and other items. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific purpose, resolving the contradiction between effective sanitization and versatility across different item types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different sanitization modes (wet and dry) based on the type of item being sanitized. The controller automatically adjusts the operational parameters, such as water spray activation and ozone generation level, to match the appropriate sanitization method for the selected item category, thereby achieving both effectiveness and versatility.
2Reliability
If high levels of ozone are used for sanitization, then microbial killing effectiveness is improved, but toxicity risk in confined household spaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
An activated carbon filter is introduced as an intermediary component in the ventilation system. This filter captures and decomposes excess ozone gas before it is released into the household environment, allowing the system to use high levels of ozone for effective sanitization while preventing toxic ozone accumulation in the surrounding air.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts potentially harmful excess ozone into beneficial oxygen through the activated carbon filter. This transformation allows the system to leverage the powerful disinfectant properties of high-concentration ozone during the sanitization process while eliminating the toxic effects, effectively turning a harmful byproduct into a beneficial outcome.
3Ease of operation
If a compact household device is designed, then ease of use at home is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sanitization functions (wet sanitization, dry sanitization, ozone generation, UV lighting, and carbon filtration) are merged into a single integrated device. The controller coordinates all components to work together automatically, allowing users to access sophisticated sanitization capabilities through a simple interface without needing to manage separate devices or complex manual procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types of items (food products, electronic devices, household items) using different sanitization methods. This universal design consolidates multiple specialized functions into one appliance, improving ease of use while the internal integration manages the inherent complexity through automated coordination of components.
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 effectively kills bacteria and viruses on food and electronic items while being safe for household use, reducing water consumption and eliminating ozone toxicity, providing a convenient and chemical-free sanitizing solution.
Implementation Method 1
The lid compartment may comprise an ultraviolet lamp
Implementation Method 2
UVC light rays may cause ozone gas dissolved in water to form hydroxyl radicals for disinfecting the surface of an item
Implementation Method 3
Ozone, a naturally occurring form of oxygen, is a powerful disinfectant capable of killing microbial contaminants by rupturing the cellar membrane
Implementation Method 4
an ozone generator having an air pump
Implementation Method 5
a vent housing an activated carbon filter
Implementation Method 6
The UVC light rays and the activated carbon filter may also convert excess ozone into oxygen for safe emission of the ozone gas into the air
Implementation Method 7
UVC light rays may cause ozone gas dissolved in water to form hydroxyl radicals for disinfecting the surface of an item
Data Source
AI summary
An electric sanitizing device and method for cleaning an item, the electric sanitizing device comprising: a lid having an ultraviolet lamp disposed above a transparent glass window, a spray nozzle, and a vent housing an activated carbon filter; a body attached below the lid, the body comprising a cleaning chamber having a contact tank, a dispersion stone and a water inlet, a retention plate, a filter plate sitting atop the retention plate, a basket sitting atop the filter plate, and a control panel; and an electronics compartment disposed below the body, the electronics compartment comprising an ozone generator having an air pump, a rotating motor adapted to rotate the basket, a water pump adapted to pump water to the spray nozzle, and a controller adapted to operate the ozone generator, the UV lamp, the rotating motor and the water pump according to a user's commands entered via the control panel.