Drum-Integrated Induction Heater for Laundry Machine Steam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines with steam generators face issues such as high material costs, complex configurations, limited energy efficiency, and restricted steam generation due to the use of separate heating sources and external steam generators, which hinder effective steam production and supply during washing, drying, and refreshing processes.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine employing an induction heater to generate steam by spraying water onto the outer surface of a heated drum, eliminating the need for a sheath heater and external steam generators, and using a single inverter drive to control the output powers of two induction heaters for efficient steam production and supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external steam generator is provided, then high-quality steam can be generated freely, but material cost increases and installation structure is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam generation function with the existing drum structure by providing a steam generation groove directly on the drum surface and using the drum itself as the heating surface. This eliminates the need for separate external steam generators and their associated complex installation structures, while still enabling high-quality steam generation through the induction heater.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum serves multiple functions: it acts as both the rotating container for laundry and as the heating surface for steam generation. The induction heater mounted on the tub wall heats the drum, which then generates steam that contacts the laundry. This multi-functional design eliminates separate steam generation components.
2Ease of operation
If a sheath heater is used to heat wash water, then washing function is achieved, but separate heating sources increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heater serves dual purposes: it heats the drum for steam generation and also heats wash water for washing operations. By mounting the induction heater on the tub wall and using the drum as the heating surface, the system achieves both steam generation and water heating with a single heating source, eliminating the need for separate sheath heaters.
3Reliability
If steam is generated by heating after water is supplied to submerge the heater, then steam generation is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases due to heating large amounts of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses localized steam generation by providing a steam generation groove on the drum surface where water is supplied specifically to this groove rather than submerging the entire heater. The induction heater locally heats this water to generate steam, which then contacts the laundry. This localized approach significantly reduces the amount of water that needs to be heated, improving energy efficiency while maintaining reliable steam generation.
4Reliability
If heater protection water level is maintained, then heater protection is achieved, but steam generation time is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The drum acts as an intermediary between the induction heater and the laundry. The induction heater heats the drum, which then transfers heat to localized water in the steam generation groove to produce steam. This intermediary approach allows steam generation without requiring the heater to be submerged in large amounts of water, enabling steam generation during drum rotation and various operational phases without compromising heater protection.
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
This solution enables immediate and efficient steam generation and supply, reduces manufacturing costs, and optimizes steam distribution within the drum, enhancing washing, drying, and refreshing performance while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heater provided in the tub and configured to heat a heating surface of an outer surface of the drum
Implementation Method 2
a spray nozzle configured to spray water to the heating surface of the drum facing the steam induction heater to generate steam
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. The laundry machine may include a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a steam induction heater provided at a front upper portion of a front wall or a rear upper portion of a rear wall of the tub to heat a heating surface of the drum facing the steam induction heater, a motor driven to rotate the drum, a spray nozzle configured to spray water onto the heating surface facing the steam induction heater to generate steam, and a processor configured to rotate the drum to introduce the steam into the drum through the through hole in a space between the tub and the drum.