Clothes treatment apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cabinet type clothes treatment apparatuses are inefficient in refreshing clothes effectively, lacking advanced mechanisms for steam and heated air distribution and targeted treatment of contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treatment apparatus with a cabinet featuring a heated air generating device, a steam generating device, and a moving nozzle device that supplies steam and heated air selectively, along with a control method that allows for different treatment courses using either a fixed or moving nozzle device to optimize treatment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional cabinet type clothes treatment apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but the refreshing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the treatment space into multiple zones with different functions: a treatment chamber for steam and heated air treatment, a heating chamber for generating heated air, and a steam generation chamber. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall refreshing effectiveness while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable nozzle device that can move within the treatment chamber to dynamically adjust the position of steam and heated air delivery. This dynamic capability ensures comprehensive coverage of clothes surfaces, significantly improving refreshing effectiveness compared to static nozzle designs
2Device complexity
If steam and heated air are supplied uniformly to all areas, then the treatment process is simple, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs a movable nozzle device that can selectively deliver steam and heated air to different local areas of clothes based on their contamination level and treatment needs. This localized treatment approach concentrates energy where required rather than uniformly distributing it throughout the entire chamber, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect the contamination level and treatment status of clothes, providing feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the operation of steam and heated air generation devices, as well as the position of the movable nozzle, to optimize energy usage by focusing treatment on areas that need it most
3Productivity
If a movable nozzle device is introduced, then treatment efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable nozzle device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can deliver both steam and heated air, and it can move to different positions within the treatment chamber. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate components, improving treatment efficiency while limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that coordinates the operation of the steam generation device, heated air generation device, and movable nozzle device. This centralized control mechanism simplifies the management of complex interactions between components, allowing the system to achieve high treatment efficiency without requiring overly complex individual components or control mechanisms
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 washes and refreshes clothes by providing targeted steam and heated air distribution, improving treatment efficiency and reducing energy consumption by focusing on contaminated areas.
Implementation Method 1
a heated air generating device configured to generate heated air
Implementation Method 2
a steam generating device configured to generate steam
Data Source
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AI summary
A clothes treatment apparatus and a control method thereof are disclosed. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a fixed nozzle device and a moving nozzle device to supply at least one of steam and heated air to clothes. As a result, the clothes may be washed effectively or refreshed.