Clothes care apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clothes care apparatuses lack an efficient method for using steam to remove dust and odors from clothes while optimizing energy consumption and steam distribution.
Innovation Solution
A clothes care apparatus with a steam generating device, controlled by a controller that manages the steam supply and air circulation to optimize steam adherence to clothes, using sensors for temperature detection and user-inputted course information to determine steam supply time and dispersion periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam is supplied continuously to the chamber, then clothes care function is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generating device operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the steam generator in specific time intervals (first time period for steam generation, second time period for air circulation) to achieve effective clothes care while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Air circulation is performed before steam supply to pre-heat and prepare the chamber environment. This preliminary action optimizes the conditions for steam effectiveness, allowing reduced steam quantity and shorter steam generation time, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining clothes care efficacy.
2Reliability
If steam is supplied for a longer time, then steam adherence to clothes is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air circulation is performed before steam supply to pre-heat and prepare the chamber environment. This preliminary action optimizes the conditions for steam effectiveness, allowing reduced steam quantity and shorter steam generation time, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining clothes care efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors chamber temperature and adjusts steam supply duration accordingly. When the chamber reaches the target temperature, the controller stops steam generation, ensuring steam is supplied only as long as necessary for effective clothes care, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from extended operation.
3Reliability
If air circulation is increased to disperse steam, then steam distribution is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation fan operates periodically in alternating time periods rather than continuously. Air circulation is activated in the second time period to disperse steam, then stopped during the third time period for stabilization, achieving effective steam distribution while minimizing energy consumption from continuous fan operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Air circulation is performed before steam supply to pre-heat and prepare the chamber environment. This preliminary action optimizes the conditions for steam effectiveness, allowing reduced steam quantity and shorter steam generation time, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining clothes care efficacy.
4Quantity of substance
If steam generating device operates continuously, then steam supply is sufficient, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generating device operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the steam generator in specific time intervals (first time period for steam generation) to achieve effective clothes care while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between steam generation, air circulation, and stabilization periods to maintain continuous effective action on clothes. While the steam generator itself operates intermittently, the overall clothes care process continues effectively through alternating phases of steam supply, air dispersion, and steam adherence.
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 apparatus effectively removes creases and odors from clothes by optimizing steam distribution, improving clothes care functions while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generating device configured to generate steam by heating water
Implementation Method 2
a steam generating device configured to generate steam by heating water
Implementation Method 3
an upper fan provided above the chamber and configured to move air to a lower side of the chamber, a lower fan provided under the chamber and configured to move air to an upper side of the chamber
Implementation Method 4
a sensor configured to detect a temperature of the inside of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes care apparatus includes a chamber, an upper fan provided above the chamber and configured to move air to a lower side of the chamber, and a lower fan provided under the chamber and configured to move air to an upper side of the chamber. A first motor is configured to rotate the lower fan and a steam generating device is configured to generate steam by heating water. A controller is configured to control on-off states of the steam generating device and the first motor, configured to turn on the steam generating device in a first period for supplying the generated steam to the chamber, and configured to turn on the first motor in a second period for allowing the steam to be dispersed by air moving to the chamber.