Washware Chamber Door Control for Steam Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning and thermal disinfection of items like bedpans and urine bottles face issues such as increased water consumption, unsightly residues, contamination risks, high energy consumption, odor nuisances, and potential failures due to complex ventilation systems during the cooling process after thermal disinfection.
Innovation Solution
The method involves automatically opening the washware chamber door after thermal disinfection to allow steam to escape, introducing supply air for self-drying and cooling, and using flavored water additives for aromatic benefits, while employing a flavored decalcifying agent to prevent calcification and enhance odor quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is sprayed to cool the items after thermal disinfection, then the items are cooled down, but water consumption increases and contamination risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium instead of using water. The air flows through the wash item chamber and absorbs heat from the thermally disinfected items, achieving cooling without water contact and eliminating contamination risk and water consumption issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pneumatic system (air flow) instead of a hydraulic system (water spray) for the cooling process. Air is circulated through the chamber to remove heat from the items, leveraging gas-phase heat transfer rather than liquid-phase cooling.
2Speed
If air is forced into the closed washware chamber for cooling, then the items are cooled faster, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the door opening and air flow. The door is opened to a defined position rather than fully opened, and air flow is controlled through the opening rather than forced into a completely closed chamber. This dynamic approach reduces the pressure differential and energy requirements while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes natural convection and the temperature differential between the hot chamber interior and ambient air to drive the cooling process. The system leverages the existing thermal energy gradient rather than requiring high-power forced ventilation, reducing energy consumption while achieving self-drying and cooling effects.
3Ease of operation
If the door is fully opened for unloading, then items can be removed easily, but steam escapes causing odor nuisance and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by opening the door only to a defined position rather than fully opening it. This partial opening is sufficient to allow controlled steam escape and air flow for cooling, while preventing excessive steam release that would cause odor nuisance and safety hazards. The defined position balances cooling effectiveness with steam containment.
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 approach reduces water consumption, prevents contamination, saves energy through self-drying, improves odor quality, and ensures effective disinfection with simplified process control and reduced risk of failures.
Implementation Method 1
Steam is applied... the items being recooled after the disinfection step has been completed
Implementation Method 2
the steam atmosphere in the wash ware chamber to escape from the wash ware chamber into the atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
supply air can be introduced into the wash ware chamber. This supply air introduced into the wash ware chamber can support the self-drying of the wash ware that is already in use and additionally cool the wash ware
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves applying cold cleaning liquid for performing the cleaning process of to-be-cleaned items, through a ware chamber closed by a door (6). The thermal disinfection of to-be-cleaned items is performed by using steam. The re-cooling process of to-be-cleaned items is performed after the completion of disinfection process, and the door held in open position for predetermined time period is released for a manual or automatic door opening. An independent claim is included for device for cleaning and thermal disinfection of to-be-cleaned items.