On-Site Electrolytic Cleaning Agent Generation with Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning technologies in households are inefficient and impractical for on-demand delivery of cleaning agents, often leading to overuse and complex waste treatment of unused agents.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for generating cleaning agents on demand using an electrolytic process in a reaction vessel with controlled water and salt ratios, forming agents like sodium hypochlorite through a redox reaction, and a system to adjust current intensity for desired concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning agents are provided in advance in households, then cleaning can be performed, but overuse occurs and unused agent requires complex waste treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary preparation by storing salt and water separately, and only combines them through electrolysis immediately before cleaning is needed. This ensures the cleaning agent is generated on-demand rather than being prepared in advance and potentially wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses readily available household materials (salt and water) as raw materials, transforming them into cleaning agents through an on-site electrolysis process. This self-service approach eliminates the need to store pre-manufactured cleaning agents and reduces waste disposal requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If electrolysis process is used to generate cleaning agents on demand, then precise concentration control is achieved, but process speed is relatively slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the electrolysis process parameters including current strength, water-to-salt ratio, and generation duration to optimize both concentration precision and generation speed. The control unit monitors and adjusts these parameters in real-time based on cleaning requirements.
3Reliability
If higher concentration of cleaning agent is used for heavily soiled areas, then cleaning efficacy improves, but risk of overuse and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates cleaning agents with different concentrations tailored to specific cleaning locations and soil levels. Heavily soiled areas receive higher concentration solutions while lightly soiled areas receive lower concentration solutions, optimizing cleaning efficacy while minimizing waste across different zones.
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
Enables precise control of cleaning agent concentration for targeted cleaning, reducing waste and enhancing cleaning efficacy while minimizing unused agent release.
Implementation Method 1
applying a predetermined DC voltage to electrodes in the reaction vessel to cause an electric current to flow through the solution to form the cleaning agent by means of a redox reaction
Implementation Method 2
The electric current passed through the aqueous solution causes an electrolytic reaction in which electrons can be exchanged between reactants
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (200) for providing a cleaning agent comprises steps of supplying water and a predetermined salt to a reaction vessel (120) to form an aqueous solution (125) of the salt; applying a predetermined direct electrical voltage to electrodes (130) in the reaction vessel (120) to cause an electric current to flow through the solution (125) to form the cleaning agent by means of a redox reaction; and supplying liquid in which the cleaning agent is formed from the reaction vessel (120). The strength of the electric current flowing through the reaction vessel (120) is determined; and a ratio of supplied water and supplied salt is controlled to achieve a predetermined current strength.