Portable Electrolyzed Water Generator for On-Site Sanitizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of harsh and toxic chemicals for sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning surfaces poses environmental and health hazards, and existing solutions often involve single-use products that generate waste and are not portable.

Innovation Solution

A portable, reusable device that generates non-toxic sanitizing, disinfecting, and detergent solutions using electrochemical activation of a brine solution with salt and water, producing hypochlorous acid and sodium hydroxide, which can be used on-site and is environmentally friendly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If harsh and toxic detergents are used for sanitizing and cleaning surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and health hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by using electrochemical activation to convert salt water into hypochlorous acid solution, which provides effective cleaning and sanitizing properties without the harmful effects of traditional toxic detergents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts a harmless substance (salt water) into a powerful cleaning and sanitizing agent (hypochlorous acid) through electrochemical activation, eliminating the need for pre-manufactured toxic chemicals while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If single-use spray-bottle cleaners are used, then convenience is improved, but waste generation and environmental pollution increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconvenienceVSAvoidwaste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service cleaning solution generation by using an electrolytic cell to convert salt water into hypochlorous acid on-demand, eliminating the need for single-use pre-filled bottles and reducing waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a reusable system where the electrolytic cell can be refilled with salt water and continues to generate cleaning solutions, replacing the discard-and-replace model of single-use bottles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If portable cleaning devices are developed, then on-site generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-site generation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components including a removable electrolytic cell, battery pack, and spray mechanism, allowing for simplified manufacturing, maintenance, and portability while maintaining on-site generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses salt water as an intermediary substance that can be easily transported and stored, which is then converted into the active cleaning agent through the electrolytic cell, simplifying the overall system compared to storing and transporting pre-made chemical solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides safe, effective, and on-demand cleaning solutions, reducing waste and environmental impact by using non-toxic materials and minimizing plastic waste, suitable for various applications including homes, hospitals, and commercial settings.

Implementation Method 1

electrochemical activation of a brine solution with salt and water, producing hypochlorous acid and sodium hydroxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical activation: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10683578B2Systems, devices, and methods for portable electrolyzed water generation

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 ECOLOGIC SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for producing electrolyzed water. In exemplary embodiments, a fluid container capable of storing a brine solution therein is used. An electrolytic cell is disposed within the fluid container and in communication with the brine solution. A power source is in electrical communication with the electrolytic cell, a pump is disposed in the fluid container; as is a chlorometer. A fluid container head is in removable mechanical communication with the fluid container, the fluid container head including a nozzle in fluid communication with the pump, a trigger in electrical communication with the pump, and a power switch in communication with the power source. A controller is in communication with the chlorometer and the electrolytic cell, the controller operating the electrolytic cell to convert the brine solution to a cleaning solution.