Sanitary Washing Nozzle Sterilization Without Electrolytic Cell Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary washing apparatuses face challenges in preventing bacterial growth and scale formation in the electrolytic cell, leading to reduced efficiency and electrode degradation due to the production of sterilizing water from hot water electrolysis, which results in clogged flow channels and shortened electrode lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary washing apparatus with an electrolytic cell positioned midway in the flow channel, a heating device upstream, and a controller that stops or reduces heating device energization when the electrolytic cell is activated, using unheated water to suppress scale production, and includes a sterilizing water jetting nozzle for the toilet bowl surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hot water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell to produce sterilizing water, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but scale is produced and attached to the electrode causing decreased production capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by inverting the polarity of voltage applied to the electrode at regular intervals. This periodic polarity inversion prevents scale from permanently attaching to the electrode surface, maintaining the electrolytic cell's production capacity while continuing to produce sterilizing water effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of voltage polarity periodically. By switching between positive and negative polarity, the chemical reactions at the electrode surface are reversed, preventing scale accumulation and maintaining consistent sterilizing water production capacity over time.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If polarity inversion is performed frequently to remove scale, then scale detachment is improved, but electrode degradation accelerates and lifetime shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic polarity inversion at optimized intervals that balance scale removal with electrode protection. This controlled periodic action prevents excessive scale buildup while avoiding frequent inversions that would accelerate electrode degradation, thereby extending electrode lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of polarity inversion frequency and duration to achieve effective scale removal while minimizing electrode stress. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maintains productivity without prematurely degrading the electrode.
3Productivity
If polarity inversion is performed to detach scale from electrode, then production capacity is restored, but detached scale may clog the narrow flow channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic polarity inversion to gradually detach scale from the electrode in controlled amounts. This gradual detachment prevents large amounts of scale from being released simultaneously and clogging the narrow flow channel, while still restoring production capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the electrolytic cell to operate through periods of reduced efficiency with scale present, rather than frequently inverting polarity to remove scale. This approach skips the problematic removal process that could cause clogging, accepting temporary productivity loss to avoid flow channel blockage.
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 solution effectively suppresses scale production, maintains electrolytic cell efficiency, and extends electrode lifespan while providing effective sterilization of the nozzle and toilet bowl surface.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell provided midway along the flow channel and operable to produce sterilizing water
Implementation Method 2
a heating device provided on the flow channel on upstream side of the electrolytic cell
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing apparatus includes: a nozzle including a jetting port and configured to squirt water from the jetting port to wash a user's body; a flow channel configured to guide water supplied from a water supply source to the jetting port; an electrolytic cell provided midway along the flow channel and being operable to produce sterilizing water; a heating device provided on the flow channel on upstream side of the electrolytic cell; a nozzle cleaning device configured to clean or sterilize the nozzle with the water heated by the heating device or the sterilizing water produced by the electrolytic cell; and a controller configured to perform control for stopping energization of the heating device or reducing an amount of energization of the heating device when energizing the electrolytic cell.