Washing Drum UV Reflection Layout for Safe In-Process Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances with liquid-carrying areas, such as washing machines, face challenges in utilizing radiation sources for disinfection without requiring a circulation circuit or specific operating phases, and existing solutions are costly and pose safety risks due to complex installations and material requirements.
Innovation Solution
A radiation source is positioned in a protected area within the appliance, using a specular/reflective arrangement of mirrors, particularly made from metallic materials, to direct radiation effectively to target areas, such as the interior of the tub or drum, allowing for efficient sterilization without the need for a circulation circuit or specific operating phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV radiation source is attached in the area of the loading door with a porthole glass, then a sterilizing effect can be achieved during the washing process, but the porthole glass must be made of expensive special glass (quartz glass) and the attachment becomes complicated requiring a reflector
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is extracted from the loading door area and relocated to the interior of the washing drum, eliminating the need for complex porthole glass attachments and external reflectors. This internal placement simplifies the overall structure while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective coating is applied to the inner surface of the washing drum to act as an intermediary, directing UV radiation effectively throughout the drum interior without requiring separate external reflector components. This integrated approach reduces structural complexity.
2Reliability
If a UV radiation source is attached in the area of the loading door, then a sterilizing effect can be achieved, but this represents a source of danger for an operator
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is extracted from the loading door area where operators are present and relocated to the protected interior of the washing drum. This spatial separation eliminates operator exposure risk while maintaining sterilization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to activate the radiation source only when the loading door is closed and locked, preventing operator exposure. This preliminary safety mechanism ensures the sterilization process cannot occur when operators are near the loading area.
3Reliability
If a UV radiator is fitted inside the washing machine in a line section of the circulation circuit, then disinfection of liquid can be achieved, but liquid must be constantly circulated and disinfection of other liquid-carrying areas is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source positioned in the washing drum interior serves multiple functions: it disinfects liquid in the circulation circuit, sterilizes the drum interior surfaces, and treats air within the enclosed space. This single placement achieves comprehensive disinfection across all liquid-carrying and air-carrying areas without requiring separate systems.
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
This solution enables cost-effective and safe use of radiation for disinfection in household appliances, achieving a high sterilization effect with minimal radiation loss and avoiding the need for expensive components like quartz glass, while allowing for disinfection of both liquid and items during any operational phase.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radiation source with emitted radiation for a sterilizing effect in a target area
Implementation Method 2
using a specular/reflective arrangement of mirrors, particularly made from metallic materials, to direct radiation effectively to target areas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance 1 with liquid-carrying areas, in particular a washing machine or washer-dryer, with at least one radiation source 2 with emitted radiation for a disinfection effect in a target area 5, 15. The at least one radiation source 2 is attached at a protected point within the household appliance 1, and the radiation emitted by the radiation source 2 is essentially directed into the target area 5, 15 by a specular or reflective arrangement 3, 4.