Washing Nozzle Flow Channel Sterilization With Timed Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary washing devices face challenges in effectively sterilizing the washing nozzle and flow channel, particularly in humid environments, where bacteria like methylobacteria and black mold can grow, leading to biofilm formation that is difficult to remove, and the sterilizing power of silver ion electrolytic water decreases over time, causing contamination and clogging.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary washing device with a sterilizing water producing device that retains sterilizing water for a prescribed time in the flow channel before draining it, ensuring reliable sterilization of bacteria and preventing biofilm formation, and includes a controller to manage the sterilizing water supply based on user presence and temperature, optimizing the operation of the electrolytic cell and heating device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterilizing water is continuously circulated through the flow channel, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases and bacteria can still multiply during prolonged non-use periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sterilization by retaining sterilizing water in the flow channel before actual use, rather than continuously circulating it. This preliminary sterilization action ensures the flow channel is sterilized in advance, eliminating the need for continuous water circulation and preventing bacterial multiplication during non-use periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous sterilizing water circulation, the system uses periodic retention and drainage cycles. The sterilizing water is retained for a prescribed time to achieve sterilization, then drained, creating a periodic action that reduces water consumption while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
2Productivity
If the sterilization process is performed quickly during user operations, then operational efficiency is improved, but some mold and bacteria may survive and multiply during non-use periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sterilization as a preliminary action before the flow channel is needed for washing operations. By retaining sterilizing water in advance and allowing it to contact all surfaces of the flow channel for a prescribed duration, complete sterilization is achieved without compromising operational speed when users need to use the device.
3Reliability
If sterilizing water is retained in the flow channel for extended periods, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the sterilizing power may weaken over time allowing bacterial multiplication
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic retention and drainage of sterilizing water. The sterilizing water is retained for a prescribed time sufficient to achieve complete sterilization, then drained to prevent the sterilizing power from weakening. This periodic cycle maintains sterilization effectiveness without allowing bacterial multiplication during extended retention.
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 solution ensures reliable sterilization of the washing nozzle and flow channel, preventing biofilm formation and maintaining hygiene by retaining sterilizing water for an optimal duration, even when the sterilizing power decreases, and reduces wasteful water usage and electrode energization time.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell is connected to the flow channel for supplying wash water. The electrolytic cell produces water containing hypochlorous acid
Implementation Method 2
The electrolytic cell produces water containing hypochlorous acid. This water is regularly supplied to sterilize the washing nozzle so as to avoid biofilm formation
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary washing device includes: a nozzle including a water discharge port and configured to squirt water from the water discharge port to wash user's human private parts; a flow channel configured to supply the water to the water discharge port; a water supply device configured to supply the water; a sterilizing water producing device provided midway along the flow channel and being operable to produce sterilizing water; and a controller configured to perform control for retaining the sterilizing water produced by the sterilizing water producing device for a prescribed time in the flow channel, and then draining the sterilizing water out of the flow channel.