Condensed Water Drainage Structure for Clothes Care Cabinets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes treatment apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism for managing and disposing of condensed water generated during steam-based wrinkle removal and deodorization processes, which can lead to leakage and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treatment apparatus with a partition plate and condensed water guide member that directs condensed water to a drainage grill, utilizing a backward slope to prevent leakage and ensure effective drainage, along with a drainage tank and pump system for efficient water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a partition plate is used to separate the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, then structural organization is improved, but condensed water management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plate and condensed water guide member are merged into a single integrated component. The guide member is directly formed on the partition plate, combining the separation function with the water guidance function, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective condensed water management.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plate serves multiple functions: it separates the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, provides structural support, and through the integrated guide member, directs condensed water to the drainage grill. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
2Productivity
If a door liner is added to guide condensed water, then water discharge efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door liner is integrated with the condensed water guide member, combining the door sealing function with the water guidance function. This eliminates the need for separate water guidance components while maintaining effective water discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The door liner serves dual purposes: it seals the door opening and guides condensed water to the drainage system. This multi-functionality improves water discharge efficiency without adding separate dedicated water guidance components.
3Reliability
If a backward slope is designed on the guide member, then leakage prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backward slope on the guide member creates a curved surface profile that naturally directs water flow toward the drainage grill. This curved geometry prevents water accumulation and leakage while being manufacturable through standard molding or forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member incorporates a specific slope angle parameter that optimizes water flow direction. By carefully selecting this geometric parameter, the design achieves effective leakage prevention while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication methods.
4Productivity
If a drainage grill and pump system are implemented, then condensed water disposal is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into distinct functional components: the drainage grill for water collection, the guide member for water transport, and the pump for water removal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The backward slope on the guide member creates a self-draining mechanism that uses gravity to move water toward the drainage grill without requiring additional power or complex mechanisms. The pump only needs to remove water at the collection point, simplifying the overall disposal system.
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 effectively prevents leakage, facilitates easy discharge of condensed water, and minimizes the risk of water accumulation, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 2
The condensed water guide member may include a backward slope portion such that a front side of the backward slope portion is vertically higher than a rear side of the backward slope portion
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.