Hypochlorous Acid Generator for Enclosed Space Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enclosed spaces such as vehicle cabins and hotel rooms often harbor microbial and viral contaminants that can spread diseases, and existing cleaning methods are inadequate in removing these contaminants and malodors, especially from textured surfaces and air, posing health and economic risks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that generates and distributes hypochlorous acid through electrolysis within an enclosed space, creating air-borne liquid droplets and vapor to effectively clean surfaces and air ducts, utilizing agitation methods like bubbling or ultrasonic vibration to ensure thorough coverage and dwell time for effective disinfection and deodorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wiping methods are used to clean surfaces, then manual labor is required and surfaces must be directly accessible, but textured surfaces and joints cannot be effectively cleaned and microbial load persists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical wiping with an automated electrostatic spray system that uses electrostatic charging to deposit cleaning solution onto surfaces. The spray apparatus automatically charges particles and surfaces, enabling effective cleaning of textured surfaces and joints without direct manual contact or accessibility constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pneumatic spray delivery to distribute cleaning solution throughout the enclosed space. Compressed air or gas flows the charged cleaning particles onto surfaces, enabling penetration into textured areas and joints that are inaccessible to manual wiping methods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If enclosed spaces are not cleaned of microbial contaminants, then health hazards and disease spread occur, but existing cleaning methods fail to remove contaminants from air and textured surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inadequate mechanical cleaning with electrostatic spray technology that charges cleaning particles and uses electrostatic attraction to deposit them onto surfaces. This method effectively removes microbial contaminants from both accessible and textured surfaces, as well as from air, providing reliable contaminant removal that traditional methods cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and electrical charge parameters of the cleaning solution, transforming it into charged particles that can be precisely controlled and deposited. By adjusting charge levels, spray pressure, and particle size, the system optimizes contaminant removal effectiveness across different surface types and environmental conditions.
3Reliability
If hypochlorous acid is generated and distributed throughout an enclosed space, then microbial and viral loads are significantly reduced and malodors are neutralized, but the process requires electrolysis equipment and controlled distribution time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single electrostatic spray apparatus: it generates hypochlorous acid through electrolysis, charges the cleaning particles, delivers the spray through pneumatic systems, and controls the distribution timing. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate equipment while maintaining high disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic control features that allow the electrolysis process and spray distribution to operate autonomously for the required dwell time. The apparatus self-regulates the generation and distribution of hypochlorous acid, reducing the need for continuous manual monitoring or intervention despite the complexity of the equipment.
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
Significantly reduces microbial and viral loads by at least 80% and neutralizes malodors, providing a safe and aesthetically improved environment within a commercially reasonable time frame, with the ability to be remotely controlled and monitored.
Implementation Method 1
activating generation of hypochlorous acid from the container of the apparatus; wherein the step of activating generation of hypochlorous acid comprises the electrolyzing of a solution comprises chloride ions in the container of the apparatus to release hypochlorous acid
Implementation Method 2
wherein the step of distributing the generated hypochlorous acid throughout the enclosed space comprises agitating the electrolyzing solution in the container to create fine air-borne liquid droplets and vapor comprising hypochlorous acid; wherein the step of agitating the electrolyzing solution in the container to create fine air-borne liquid droplets and vapor comprises using ultrasonic vibration of the solution to create the fine air-borne liquid droplets and vapor
Data Source
AI summary
A method and corresponding apparatus for cleaning an enclosed space by in situ generation and distribution of hypochlorous acid. The method includes selecting an apparatus comprising a container, placing the apparatus in the enclosed space, activating generation of hypochlorous acid from the container of the apparatus, distributing hypochlorous acid throughout the enclosed space as the hypochlorous acid is generated; and allowing the distributed hypochlorous acid to dwell in the enclosed space for an effective time.