Washing Nozzle Sterilization Using Segmented Electrolyzed Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary washing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently sterilizing washing nozzles due to varying chlorine ion concentrations in service water, leading to insufficient hypochlorous acid production for effective sterilization, especially when trying to balance flow rate for waste removal and sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary washing apparatus with a separate physical washing and sterilizing process, utilizing an electrolytic cell to produce hypochlorous acid for sterilization, where the flow rate and temperature of water are controlled differently for each process to optimize sterilization efficiency and extend electrolytic cell life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow rate of water supplied to the electrolytic cell is reduced to increase hypochlorous acid concentration, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the water force to remove liquid waste and solid waste from the washing nozzle becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process is divided into two distinct phases: a first washing process using service water at normal flow rate for waste removal, and a second washing process using electrolyzed water at reduced flow rate for sterilization. This segmentation allows each process to operate under optimal conditions without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The first washing process is performed before the second washing process to remove liquid waste and solid waste from the washing nozzle. By preliminarily clearing the nozzle surface, the subsequent sterilization process becomes more effective as the electrolyzed water can directly contact and sterilize the nozzle surface without waste interference.
2Productivity
If the flow rate is increased to ensure adequate water force for waste removal, then cleaning capability is improved, but the concentration of hypochlorous acid produced by the electrolytic cell becomes insufficient for effective sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process is divided into two distinct phases: a first washing process using service water at normal flow rate for waste removal, and a second washing process using electrolyzed water at reduced flow rate for sterilization. This segmentation allows each process to operate under optimal conditions without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate parameter is changed between the two washing processes. The first process uses a higher flow rate optimized for mechanical waste removal, while the second process uses a lower flow rate optimized for sterilization effectiveness, allowing each process to operate at its optimal parameter setting.
3Reliability
If electrolysis is performed continuously at high current to maintain high hypochlorous acid concentration, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the life of the electrolytic cell is reduced due to excessive wear and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic cell operates periodically rather than continuously. It is activated only during the second washing process when sterilization is needed, and remains inactive during the first washing process and other periods. This periodic operation reduces cumulative wear, energy consumption, and extends the electrolytic cell's service life while maintaining sterilization effectiveness when required.
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 approach allows for efficient sterilization of the nozzle by varying the concentration of sterilizing components, improving user satisfaction and extending the life of the electrolytic cell by optimizing the conditions for each process, ensuring effective removal of bacteria and waste without wasteful electrolysis.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell connected to a flow channel that supplies wash water; and the washing nozzle is sterilized such that biofilms do not form by regularly supplying water including hypochlorous acid produced by the electrolytic cell
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary washing apparatus includes a nozzle having a water discharge port, the nozzle being configured to wash a human private part by squirting water from the water discharge port, a flow channel configured to supply the water to the nozzle, a sterilizing water supply unit provided partway through the flow channel, the sterilizing water supply unit being capable of supplying sterilizing water, and a control unit configured to execute a physical washing process of washing the nozzle using water and a sterilizing process of sterilizing the nozzle using the sterilizing water after the washing the human private part. The washing nozzle can be sterilized more efficiently or a user's sense of cleanliness regarding the washing nozzle can be improved.