Ozone Generator Cooling in Washing Machines Using Water Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ozone generators in washing machines overheat due to high voltage operation at low current levels, leading to reduced ozone gas generation efficiency over time, which decreases the effectiveness of the washing process and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A water intake conduit acts as a heat exchanger to cool the ozone generator, maintaining its efficiency by using water from the mains to regulate its temperature, thereby reducing overheating and extending ozone gas production throughout the washing program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ozone generator operates at high voltage and low current to produce ozone gas, then the sanitizing effectiveness is improved, but the generator overheats and ozone generation efficiency decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary cooling medium that flows through channels in the ozone generator housing. This water absorbs heat from the generator during the water filling process, preventing overheating while allowing the high-voltage low-current operation to continue effectively throughout the washing cycle
2Reliability
If the ozone generator operates continuously to maintain sanitizing effectiveness, then the sanitizing capability is improved, but the generator overheats and ozone generation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cooling action by circulating water through the generator housing during the water filling phase before the actual washing operation begins. This pre-cooling ensures the generator is at optimal temperature to maintain continuous effective operation throughout the entire washing cycle without efficiency degradation
3Temperature
If additional cooling components are added to the ozone generator, then the overheating problem is solved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the water filling function serve a dual purpose: it both fills the washing machine with water for the washing cycle and simultaneously cools the ozone generator through the water channels in the housing. This eliminates the need for separate cooling components while solving the overheating problem
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the water filling function with the cooling function by integrating water channels directly into the generator housing structure. The same water that fills the machine also serves as the cooling medium, combining two functions into one system
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 cooling mechanism ensures consistent ozone gas generation, reduces energy consumption by preheating water, and decreases the operational time of the heater, enhancing the washing machine's sanitizing capabilities and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a water intake conduit (4) that receives water from the water mains (M) into the washing milieu inside the tub (2) for the washing operations and an ozone generator (5) that generates ozone gas (O3) and delivers the ozone gas into the tub (2) by means of an opening (A) arranged on the tub (2). The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a water intake conduit (4) that contacts the ozone generator (5) thereby cooling it.
Implementation Method 2
The ozone generator also heats the water received from the water mains and reduces the operating time of the heater and thereby provides energy savings.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) wherein an ozone generator (5) is used for increasing the washing performance and to provide sanitation. The ozone gas generated by the ozone generator (5) is delivered directly onto the items inside the tub (2) without mixing with the wash water and the ozone generator (5) that gets overheated due to operation by high voltage is cooled.