Steam Washing Machine Control for Enhanced Performance
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Summary
Problems
Conventional washing machines lack convenience and effective washing performance, especially when using steam, due to malfunctions and inefficient control systems.
Innovation solutions
A washing machine with a steam generator that includes a course select part, steam select part, and controller to selectively supply steam based on user input, along with indicators and adjustable steam options, ensuring steam is only used in predetermined wash courses to prevent damage to fabrics and enhance cleaning.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If steam generator is added to improve washing performance, then washing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Why choose this principle:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent parts: course select part for choosing wash programs, steam select part for controlling steam generation, and controller for coordinating operations. This modular segmentation allows the steam generator to be integrated without overwhelming complexity, as each part handles specific functions independently.
Principle concept:
If steam generator is added to improve washing performance, then washing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Why choose this principle:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the steam generator, coordinates the wash cycle, and controls the interplay between different washing modes. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated control units for each function, thereby improving washing performance while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A washing machine with a steam generator that includes a course select part, steam select part, and controller to selectively supply steam based on user input, along with indicators and adjustable steam options, ensuring steam is only used in predetermined wash courses to prevent damage to fabrics and enhance cleaning.
Abstract
A washing machine using steam and a method for controlling the same is disclosed. The washing machine with a steam generator ( 100 ) selectively supplying steam inot a drum ( 30 ) according to the present invention includes a course select part ( 420 ) for a user to select a wash course, a steam select part ( 430 ) for a user to select whether steam washing is operated and a controller ( 440 ) for controlling the steam generator ( 100 ) based on a wash course selected from the course select part ( 420 ) (an inputted wash course) and a signal selected from the steam select part ( 430 ). The present invention has an advantageous effect that convenience is improved for a user to use the washing machine using steam as well as washing performance is improved, because disadvantages due to malfunctions of a steam generator are prevented.