Laundry appliances cold water sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry appliances lack efficient sanitization methods that do not require separate operations or the use of heated water, such as steam, which can be time-consuming and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrolytic hypochlorous acid generator upstream of the treatment chamber in laundry appliances, which uses cold water to produce hypochlorous acid for sanitization, activated by a controller that confirms the presence of water before initiating the sanitization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heated water or steam is used for sanitization, then effective disinfection is achieved, but energy consumption increases and separate sanitization operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of water temperature from heated to cold, and introduces a chemical parameter (hypochlorous acid concentration) to achieve disinfection effectiveness without increasing thermal energy consumption. The electrolytic generator produces hypochlorous acid in cold water, maintaining disinfection reliability while eliminating the need for heating energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal mechanism (heated water/steam) with a chemical mechanism (electrolytic generation of hypochlorous acid). This substitution eliminates the need for heating systems and steam generation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective disinfection through chemical action.
2Reliability
If separate sanitization operations are performed, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sanitization function with the existing water fill operation by integrating an electrolytic generator into the water supply system. The generator produces hypochlorous acid during the normal water filling phase, combining two operations (filling and sanitizing) into one, thereby eliminating separate sanitization cycles and reducing total operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs sanitization preliminarily during the water fill operation before the main washing cycle begins. The electrolytic generator produces hypochlorous acid as water enters the appliance, preparing the environment for disinfection in advance, so that no additional time is required for separate sanitization operations.
3Reliability
If heated water is used for sanitization, then effective disinfection is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal systems (heating elements, steam generators, temperature control mechanisms) with a simpler electrolytic chemical generation system. The electrolytic generator uses electrical energy to produce hypochlorous acid directly in cold water, eliminating the need for thermal processing equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from thermal (heated water at high temperature) to chemical (cold water with hypochlorous acid), thereby eliminating the need for temperature control systems, heating elements, and steam generation equipment, which simplifies the overall system design and reduces component complexity.
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 method provides an efficient and energy-saving sanitization process integrated into existing cycles, ensuring effective disinfection without the need for separate sanitization operations or heated water, enhancing the overall efficiency and hygiene of laundry appliances.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic hypochlorous acid generator spaced apart from the laundry vessel and upstream of the treatment chamber with respect to a flow of cold water through the laundry appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an opening with a laundry vessel mounted within the cabinet. The laundry vessel defines a treatment chamber. The laundry appliance also includes an electrolytic hypochlorous acid generator upstream of the treatment chamber with respect to a flow of cold water through the laundry appliance and a controller. The controller may be configured for and/or a method of sanitizing the laundry appliance may include opening a valve upstream of the electrolytic hypochlorous acid generator to provide the flow of cold water through the laundry appliance, confirming the presence of the cold water in the laundry appliance after opening the valve, and activating the electrolytic hypochlorous acid generator after confirming the presence of the cold water in the laundry appliance.