Clothing drying machine with a steam spraying apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam spraying apparatuses face challenges such as prolonged steam generation time, condensation issues due to heat loss in hoses, insufficient spray pressure, and inability to effectively reach clothing in rotating drums, leading to inefficient clothing drying and potential damage from high-temperature steam.

Innovation Solution

A steam spraying apparatus with a flow passage forming unit that heats water as it flows, integrating a nozzle to maintain steam pressure and prevent condensation, allowing for efficient steam distribution within a clothing drying machine, including a drum with a rotatable design and a detachable rack for targeted steam application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is heated in a container to generate steam, then steam is generated, but the steam generation time is prolonged and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam generation speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the steam generation process from a separate container and integrates it directly into the water supply line through the flow passage forming unit. Water is heated in-situ as it flows through the passage, eliminating the need for a separate heating container and reducing steam generation time and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary heating action by heating water before it reaches the nozzle through the integrated flow passage forming unit. This preliminary heating ensures steam is generated at the right moment and location, reducing overall steam generation time and energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If steam is generated in a container and transported through a hose to the nozzle, then steam can be delivered to the nozzle, but heat loss occurs causing condensation and reduced spray pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam delivery reliabilityVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the steam generation unit and nozzle into a single integrated flow passage forming unit. The heating element, flow passage, and nozzle are combined into one component, eliminating the intermediate hose connection that causes heat loss and condensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow passage forming unit acts as an intermediary structure that eliminates the need for separate hoses. By integrating the heating and spraying functions into one unit, steam is generated and sprayed without passing through intermediate connections that cause heat loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the nozzle is disposed outside the rotating drum, then the drum structure is simple, but steam sprayed from the nozzle cannot effectively reach the clothing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum structure simplicityVSAvoidsteam delivery effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the nozzle dynamic by integrating it with the rotating drum structure. The nozzle rotates together with the drum, ensuring that steam is continuously sprayed onto clothing throughout the rotation cycle, improving steam delivery effectiveness without complicating the drum structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution reduces steam generation time, maintains high steam pressure, prevents condensation, and ensures effective steam distribution to clothing, enhancing drying efficiency and safety while reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

water is heated until steam is generated through the phase change of water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a steam generating heater applying heat to water flowing along the flow passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the spray pressure of the nozzle is completely dependent on the volume expansion induced by the generation of steam in the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolume expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2900860B1Clothing drying machine with a steam spraying apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2900860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2900860B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2900860B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided are a steam spraying apparatus and a clothing drying machine including the same. The steam spraying apparatus includes a flow passage forming unit, a steam generating heater, and a nozzle. The flow passage forming unit has a flow passage for guiding water introduced through an inlet to an outlet. The steam generating heater applies heat to water flowing along the flow passage. A nozzle sprays steam generated by the heating of the steam generating heater at a certain pressure.