Clothes care apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of scale in the steam device of clothes care apparatuses due to mineral-rich water can lead to malfunctions, including sensor errors and fire risks, as well as odor issues.
Innovation Solution
A clothes care apparatus equipped with a scale cleaning device that includes a wash liquid injecting part, heating part, and discharge part to remove scale from the steam container, utilizing a controller to manage the process and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water containing minerals is used in the steam module, then the steam generation function is achieved, but scale accumulates on the heater and water level sensor causing malfunction and fire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing scale cleaning before the scale causes malfunction or fire hazards. The controller automatically initiates a cleaning cycle using a cleaning agent and heating element to dissolve and remove scale deposits from the heater and water level sensor, preventing the harmful effects before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful scale accumulation into a beneficial cleaning process. By introducing a cleaning agent that reacts with scale deposits and using the heating element to activate this reaction, the harmful scale is transformed into soluble substances that can be flushed away, turning a problematic byproduct into part of the solution.
2Measurement precision
If scale accumulates on the water level sensor, then sensor energization occurs causing erroneous operation, but the water level detection function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning of the water level sensor by circulating cleaning agent through the steam module before scale accumulation affects sensor accuracy. The controller monitors cleaning cycle completion to ensure the sensor is free from scale deposits that could cause erroneous energization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning agent acts as an intermediary substance that selectively reacts with scale deposits on the water level sensor without affecting the sensor's electrical properties. This intermediary chemical process removes the harmful scale layer while preserving the sensor's measurement function.
3Reliability
If scale accumulates in the steam device, then fire risk increases due to heater malfunction, but the steam generation capability is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary fire prevention by automatically cleaning scale from the heater surface before it can build up to dangerous levels. The cleaning cycle uses chemical agents and heating to dissolve scale deposits, eliminating the fire hazard before it threatens the steam generation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful scale buildup on the heater into a controlled cleaning process. By using chemical reactions initiated by the cleaning agent and activated by the heater itself, the scale is transformed into removable substances, turning a fire hazard into a routine maintenance opportunity.
4Ease of operation
If scale is not cleaned regularly, then odor flows into the clothes care apparatus, but the steam function continues operating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary odor prevention by cleaning scale deposits before they decompose and generate odors. The regular cleaning cycle removes scale from all steam module surfaces, preventing the conditions that lead to odor formation and maintaining a fresh environment for clothes care.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential odor problem from scale decomposition into a beneficial cleaning opportunity. By using the steam heating function to activate cleaning agent reactions with scale deposits, the system prevents odor formation while utilizing the existing steam generation capability for a dual-purpose benefit.
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
Prevents product failures and fire hazards by effectively cleaning scale from the steam device, ensuring accurate water level sensing and maintaining apparatus performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating part (120), the interior of the steam container (41) disposed on the heating part (120) to be heated by the wash liquid (W)
Implementation Method 2
a steam module generating steam
Implementation Method 3
a heater that boils water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a clothes care apparatus capable of removing scale generated in a steam device. The clothes care apparatus includes a main body including a clothes care room and a steam generating device provided to supply steam into the clothes care room, wherein the steam generating device includes steam container, a wash liquid injecting part provided to inject a wash liquid for removing scale in the steam container, a heating part provided inside the steam container to heat the wash liquid, and a wash liquid discharging part provided to discharge the wash liquid having cleaned the scale using heat received from the heating part, wherein the wash liquid discharging part includes a second pump provided to discharge the wash liquid having cleaned the scale to an outside of the steam container.