Photoactivating Device with Motion Sensing for Even Laundry Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 difficulty in using these components in older machines without a suitable light source, as well as controlling the release of photoactivation products.
Innovation Solution
A photoactivating device for washing machines that includes a light source, a controller, and a motion sensing unit, allowing for controlled light emission based on the movement of the device and the wash cycle, ensuring thorough activation of photoactive components and preventing local over-bleaching, and can be used in any washing machine, including older models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a fixed light source is used to activate photoactive components, then activation occurs in the vicinity of the light source, but uneven exposure and local over-bleaching occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable photoactivating device that moves relative to the laundry articles during the wash cycle, transforming the fixed illumination system into a dynamic one. This movement ensures that light is distributed more uniformly across all laundry items, preventing localized over-activation and bleaching while maintaining effective photoactive component activation throughout the load.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoactivating device acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers light activation capability to various locations within the washing machine. By moving through the wash space, it mediates between the light source and laundry articles, ensuring controlled and distributed activation without direct fixed contact with any single item.
2Power
If photoactivation products are released quickly, then activation effect is strong, but the short life of products limits effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic activation cycles where the photoactivating device moves between different positions and activates photoactive components at intervals during the wash cycle. This periodic approach allows strong localized activation events to be distributed over time, maximizing the utilization of short-lived photoactivation products while maintaining overall treatment effectiveness throughout the wash duration.
3Manufacturing precision
If a motion sensing unit controls light emission, then local over-bleaching is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photoactivating device incorporates self-service capabilities through motion sensing units that automatically detect the device's position and movement relative to laundry articles. The system autonomously adjusts light emission based on detected motion parameters, eliminating the need for external manual control and reducing operational complexity despite the added sensing capability.
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 device ensures even activation of photoactive components, reduces local bleaching, and allows for a controlled release of photoactivation products, enhancing stain removal and compatibility with various washing machines.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (160) configured for emission of light for activation of the one or more photoactive components
Data Source
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).