System and method for washing items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing systems, such as washing machines and dishwashers, have a negative environmental impact and are costly due to their high salt content and reliance on detergents.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a water purification apparatus with filters, reverse osmosis, and deionizing filters to produce purified water for washing, reducing the need for detergents and minimizing environmental harm, connected to a common water supply network and optionally using pumps for pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ordinary tap water is used for washing, then the washing system is simple and low cost, but the environmental impact is negative and detergent usage is high
Solution Approach 1:
The water purification system is divided into multiple independent filtration stages: pre-filter for particulate removal, reverse osmosis unit for salt removal, and deionizing filter for ion removal. Each stage handles a specific purification task, allowing the system to achieve high water purity through modular, manageable components that can be maintained separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary purification of water before it reaches the washing container. By pre-filtering, reverse osmosis, and deionizing the water in advance, the system prepares purified water that can then be used for washing without requiring additional treatment during the washing process itself, eliminating the need for detergents.
2Loss of substance
If purified water is used for washing, then detergent usage is reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but the cost of water purification is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The purified water system serves itself by creating a closed-loop where the same purification infrastructure supports multiple washing operations. The system prepares purified water in advance and stores it, allowing subsequent washing cycles to use this pre-prepared water without requiring additional purification efforts for each wash, thereby reducing overall operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the chemical parameters of water through three sequential processes: physical filtration removes particulates, reverse osmosis removes salts through membrane separation, and deionizing filters remove dissolved ions. This multi-stage parameter transformation converts ordinary tap water into purified water suitable for detergent-free washing.
3Reliability
If reverse osmosis and deionizing filters are used, then water purity is increased and detergent becomes unnecessary, but the system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces purified water as an intermediary medium between the water supply and the washing process. This intermediate purified water serves as a bridge that eliminates the need for chemical detergents while maintaining effective washing, as the purified water directly contacts and cleans the items without requiring additional chemical agents.
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 system provides cost-effective and environmentally friendly washing by using purified water alone to clean items, reducing detergent usage and salt content, thus lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis device
Implementation Method 2
at least one deionizing filter
Implementation Method 3
at least one filter for filtering off particulate solids
Data Source
AI summary
A system (10) for washing items (12) with water, comprising a water inlet (18) and a container (13) for receiving the items (12) to be washed. The system (10) comprises a water purification apparatus (19) for purifying water introduced through said water inlet (18) to produce purified water. The water purification apparatus (19) comprises at least one filter (25, 29, 30) for filtering off particulate solids, a reverse osmosis device (26), and at least one deionizing filter (27, 31). The system (10) further comprises a reservoir (20) for storing purified water produced by the water purification apparatus (19), said reservoir (20) being connected to said water purification apparatus (19) and said container (13), so that the items (12) are washable inside the container (11) with the purified water. Disclosed is also a method for washing items.