Clothes care apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothes care apparatuses face challenges in effectively distributing and maintaining airflow to both the inside and outside of clothes support members, leading to airflow loss and inefficient drying and refresh functions.

Innovation Solution

A clothes care apparatus design featuring a main body with a clothes care compartment, a blower, and a nozzle system that includes an airflow outlet larger than the air supply port, along with a top cover with a vortex reducing portion, to guide and distribute airflow to both the inside and outside of clothes support members, reducing airflow loss and enhancing airflow distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the airflow outlet size is increased to supply airflow to both inside and outside of clothes, then the airflow distribution is improved, but the airflow loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow distribution capabilityVSAvoidairflow loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into multiple independent airflow outlets, with different outlets having different sizes. The larger outlets supply airflow to the outside of clothes while smaller outlets supply airflow to the inside, allowing differentiated airflow distribution to reduce overall airflow loss while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the nozzle are designed with different outlet sizes to match the specific airflow requirements of different clothes regions. The airflow outlet sizes are optimized locally based on the distance from the clothes and the required airflow intensity, improving overall distribution efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the airflow outlet size is increased to supply airflow to both inside and outside of clothes, then the drying and refresh functions are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidnozzle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple airflow outlets with different sizes are integrated into a single nozzle structure, combining the functions of supplying airflow to both inside and outside of clothes in one component. This merging approach improves drying efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs multiple functions: supplying airflow to the inside of clothes through smaller outlets, supplying airflow to the outside of clothes through larger outlets, and controlling airflow distribution patterns. This universal design improves productivity without requiring separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blower power is increased to maintain airflow pressure through larger outlets, then the airflow distribution is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow distribution capabilityVSAvoidblower energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle outlets are designed with different sizes and shapes to optimize airflow parameters. By carefully designing the outlet dimensions and configurations, the system achieves improved airflow distribution while minimizing the pressure requirements, thereby reducing blower energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 supplies airflow to both the inside and outside of clothes support members, reducing airflow loss and improving the distribution of air, thereby enhancing drying and refresh functions.

Implementation Method 1

the blower may be configured to suction air, which is discharged to the clothes support member though the airflow outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a nozzle provided to guide the airflow formed by the blower to the clothes support member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

the top cover may include a vortex reducing portion formed to be recessed on opposite sides of the central portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex reduction: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentUS11459697B2Clothes care apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A clothes care apparatus comprises a main body including a clothes care compartment, a clothes support member disposed in the clothes care compartment and including an air supply port provided to allow air to flow therein, a blower configured to form an airflow to be supplied to the clothes support member, and a nozzle provided to guide the airflow formed by the blower to the clothes support member, and including an airflow outlet disposed to face the air supply port, the airflow outlet provided to supply an airflow to an inside and an outside of the clothes support member.