Optical Plasma Module for Low-Temperature Clothing Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothing treatment equipment struggles to effectively sterilize and deodorize clothes due to limitations in ventilation, which allows bacteria growth and odor retention, and existing methods like UV rays, silver ions, high temperatures, and ozone pose health risks or damage to clothes.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an optical plasma module into clothing treatment equipment, which uses an optical plasma tube to generate sterilizing air by decomposing oxygen and water molecules into oxidants, effectively sterilizing and deodorizing clothes without the health risks associated with traditional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet rays are used for sterilization, then sterilization effect is improved, but harm to human eyes and skin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of the sterilization method from ultraviolet radiation to optical plasma treatment. Optical plasma uses highly reactive species (ions, electrons, radicals) generated by optical excitation of gas molecules to achieve sterilization through chemical reactions, fundamentally changing the mechanism from physical radiation to chemical oxidation, thereby eliminating the harmful effects on human skin and eyes while maintaining effective sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of ultraviolet radiation with an optical plasma system. Optical plasma is generated by introducing gas (such as oxygen or air) into a plasma state through optical excitation, creating a highly reactive environment that sterilizes through chemical oxidation rather than UV radiation, thus achieving the same sterilization goal without the harmful side effects.
2Reliability
If high temperature treatment is used to inactivate bacteria, then sterilization effect is improved, but deformation of temperature-sensitive clothes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (typically above 50°C) to low temperature (below 40°C, preferably room temperature or slightly elevated). This is achieved by replacing thermal sterilization with optical plasma sterilization, where the plasma reacts chemically with organic matter at low temperatures, eliminating the need for high heat and thus preventing deformation of temperature-sensitive fabrics while maintaining effective bacterial inactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the thermal mechanism with an optical plasma mechanism. Instead of using heat to denature proteins and kill bacteria, the system uses optically excited plasma species (reactive oxygen species, radicals) to oxidize and destroy bacterial cell walls and structures chemically, achieving sterilization without thermal damage to the fabric.
3Reliability
If ozone is used for sterilization, then sterilization effect is improved, but irritation to human respiratory tract increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration and type of oxidizing agents. Instead of using high concentrations of ozone (O3) which are harmful to respiratory health, the system generates a mixture of reactive oxygen species including singlet oxygen, superoxide ions, and hydroxyl radicals through optical plasma. These species are highly reactive and effective for sterilization but are generated in controlled amounts that decompose quickly, reducing respiratory irritation while maintaining sterilization efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the ozone generation system with an optical plasma generation system. While both produce oxidizing agents, optical plasma creates a broader spectrum of reactive species that act more rapidly and decompose faster, reducing the accumulation of harmful ozone in the environment. The plasma process achieves sterilization through direct contact with reactive species rather than relying on ozone diffusion, thereby reducing respiratory exposure risks.
4Loss of substance
If ventilation is used to remove moisture, then moisture removal is improved, but bacterial growth and odor retention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous sterilization action during the moisture removal phase. Rather than separating drying and sterilization into distinct stages, the optical plasma module operates continuously throughout the drying cycle, treating the air and fabric surfaces as moisture is removed. This continuous exposure to reactive plasma species ensures that bacteria are inactivated throughout the entire drying process, preventing bacterial growth that would otherwise occur during the moisture removal phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical plasma as an intermediary agent that simultaneously addresses both moisture removal and sterilization. The plasma treatment of the air stream during ventilation creates oxidizing conditions that kill bacteria while the air flow continues to remove moisture. The plasma acts as a mediator that transforms the ventilation process from a purely physical drying operation into a combined drying-sterilization system, eliminating the contradiction between moisture removal and bacterial control.
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 optical plasma module achieves rapid and effective sterilization and deodorization, improving the efficiency of clothing treatment while ensuring safety and protecting clothing materials.
Implementation Method 1
Optical plasma is a gas containing ions and free electrons produced by light tubes. Optical plasma and ion clusters decompose oxygen and water molecules into hydroxide, free oxygen atoms, superoxide ions and other oxidants.
Implementation Method 2
Optical plasma and ion clusters decompose oxygen and water molecules into hydroxide, free oxygen atoms, superoxide ions and other oxidants.
Implementation Method 3
These molecules are extremely unstable and will decompose harmful impurities in the air into inert compounds such as carbon dioxide and water.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical plasma module, a clothing treatment equipment, a clothing treatment equipment with drying function, a clothing treatment equipment control method, and a clothing treatment equipment using the control method. The optical plasma module irradiates the air in the chamber of the module to form a sterilizing air, so that the chamber of the module is communicated to the clothing treatment drum through a connecting pipeline, and then controls the optical plasma generating device to input the sterilizing air into the clothing treatment equipment, so as to achieve the effect of sterilizing and deodorizing the clothes and/or the clothing treatment drum.