Photoactivating device for washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment systems face challenges in evenly activating photoactive components within washing machines, leading to uneven stain removal, local bleaching effects, and incompatibility with older machines without suitable light sources, and require controlled release of photoactivation products.
Innovation Solution
A photoactivating device with a light source, motion sensing unit, and controller that adjusts light emission based on the washing machine's agitation cycles and movement, ensuring thorough activation of photoactive components and preventing local over-bleaching, while being compatible with any washing machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed light source is used to activate photoactive components, then photoactivation occurs, but uneven activation and local bleaching effects result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple light sources positioned at different locations within the washing machine drum that can be independently controlled. During agitation cycles, different combinations of light sources are activated to ensure uniform photoactive component activation across all laundry articles, preventing localized over-activation and bleaching effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates light sources in periodic sequences synchronized with the washing machine's agitation cycles. During agitation phases, light sources are activated in alternating patterns to match the movement of laundry articles, ensuring even exposure. During spin cycles, light emission is reduced or paused to prevent concentrated exposure on stationary articles.
2Productivity
If light emission is increased to improve photoactivation effectiveness, then activation speed increases, but local bleaching and discolouration worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the intensity and duration of light emission from multiple sources based on real-time detection of washing machine cycle phases. During agitation, higher intensity light is emitted to maximize photoactivation effectiveness. During spin cycles or when motion is detected to be insufficient, light emission is reduced or interrupted to prevent cumulative over-exposure and bleaching of laundry articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates motion sensing units that detect the agitation state of the washing machine drum. This feedback information is used by the controller to modulate light source activation - increasing light emission during effective agitation phases and reducing or pausing emission during spin cycles or insufficient agitation, thereby optimizing photoactivation while preventing harmful local effects.
3Device complexity
If a fixed light source arrangement is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but compatibility with older washing machines without suitable light sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed as a multi-functional photoactivating device that can operate effectively across different washing machine types and cycle configurations. The multiple light sources can be selectively activated based on the specific washing machine model and cycle type, enabling compatibility with both older machines without native light sources and newer machines with existing lighting systems. The device adapts its light emission pattern to suit different agitation mechanisms and drum configurations.
4Manufacturing precision
If continuous light emission is used to maintain photoactivation, then activation completeness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic light emission cycles synchronized with washing machine agitation phases. Light sources are activated during agitation cycles when photoactive component activation is most effective, and deactivated during spin cycles or transitional phases. This periodic operation maintains sufficient photoactivation completeness while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous photoactivation effectiveness throughout the wash cycle by strategically timing light emission during all agitation phases, ensuring that photoactive components are continuously activated when mechanical agitation distributes laundry articles. During spin phases where agitation is minimal, light emission is paused as photoactivation is less effective, optimizing the balance between activation completeness and energy efficiency.
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
Ensures even activation of photoactive components, prevents local bleaching, and allows for controlled release of photoactivation products, enhancing stain removal and compatibility with various washing machines.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured for emission of light for activation of the one or more photoactive components
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a photoactivating device (100) for deployment in a washing machine for activating one or more photoactive components in a laundry treatment composition, comprising: a light source (160) configured for emission of light for activation of the one or more photoactive components; a controller (180), and a switch and/or a motion sensing unit (170), wherein the controller (180) is configured to control the light source (160) responsive to the switch and/or signals received from the motion sensing unit (170).