Clothing processing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothing processing apparatuses fail to effectively minimize wrinkles and refresh clothing without increasing device volume or cost, and often risk worsening wrinkles, especially when dealing with garments on hangers.
Innovation Solution
A clothing processing apparatus that includes a steamer elevating vertically while applying mechanical tension to clothing through a spreader mechanism, which separates the body from arms to prevent wrinkling, using a blower to open the fabric for easier spreader insertion, and a multi-stage tension part for adjustable length, allowing for effective steam application without external mechanical forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If steam is filled into the device without mechanical force application, then the device structure is simple, but the clothing is not spread taut and wrinkles cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
A spreader mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the steam generator and the clothing. The spreader applies mechanical tension to spread the clothing taut, enabling effective wrinkle removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by adding only the necessary minimal complexity to achieve the desired precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multi-directional tensile force systems with a simpler single-direction spreader mechanism that moves linearly to apply tension. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining sufficient manufacturing precision for wrinkle removal by focusing mechanical action on the most critical dimension.
2Manufacturing precision
If a press method is employed to apply mechanical force, then the clothing can be spread taut, but the device volume increases and cost increases making it unsuitable for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The press mechanism is segmented into a compact linear spreader that moves along a guide rail, separating the tensioning function from the overall device structure. This segmentation allows the spreader to be a small, space-efficient component rather than a large voluminous press system, reducing device volume while maintaining clothing tensioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader is designed as a dynamic component that moves linearly to apply tension, replacing static large-volume press structures. This dynamic approach allows the same tensioning effect to be achieved with a much smaller component that occupies minimal space when not in use.
3Device complexity
If clothing is placed on a floor frame for processing, then the device structure is simple, but the clothing may be ironed with wrinkles occurring
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader acts as an intermediary between the floor frame and the clothing, applying controlled mechanical tension to prevent wrinkles during processing. This intermediary mechanism maintains the simplicity of the floor frame structure while adding the necessary wrinkle prevention function through the spreader's tensioning action.
4Volume of stationary object
If steam is sprayed while moving along the surface of clothing, then the device can be compact, but severe and strong wrinkles are obtained when arm portions overlap the body portion
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader applies preliminary mechanical tension to the clothing before steam spraying begins. This preliminary action ensures that even overlapping portions such as arms are pre-stretched and positioned correctly, preventing severe wrinkles during the subsequent steam processing. The sequence of operations (tension first, then steam) resolves the contradiction between compact device volume and wrinkle removal quality.
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 wrinkles and refreshes clothing by applying steam vertically while tensioning the fabric, maintaining a compact design suitable for home use and preventing severe wrinkling, while ensuring efficient operation and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a steamer configured to spray steam toward the clothing while moving inside the receiving space in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
a blower configured to be disposed in the inner portion of the cabinet and to blow air into the body of the clothing from a lower side of the clothing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet having a receiving space formed therein, in which clothing is received, a holder configured to be located in the receiving space to hold a clothing supporter configured to support the clothing, a steamer configured to spray steam toward the clothing while moving inside the receiving space in the vertical direction, an elevating motor configured to provide an elevating power of the steamer, a spreader configured to move in a left and right direction to move into a body of the clothing and apply a mechanical force so as to spread the body of the clothing, and a spreader moving motor configured to move the spreader in the left and right direction.