Laundry treating appliance having a vapor and/or mist and/or aerosol generator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating appliances face issues with steam distribution inefficiency, energy and water consumption, complex and bulky steam generation systems, and safety concerns due to steam generators mounted on doors, leading to incomplete laundry treatment and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating appliance with an electric liquid treating device fixed to the tubular mantle or flange, which generates vapor, mist, or aerosol directly within the inner volume, reducing condensation risks and energy consumption, and eliminating the need for specialized insulation or complex piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a steam generator is mounted on the door to treat laundry, then steam can be supplied to the laundry, but the door requires specialized thermal and electric insulation increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is extracted from the door assembly and relocated to the drum structure. This separates the high-temperature steam generation function from the door, eliminating the need for specialized thermal and electric insulation in the door while maintaining steam supply capability to the laundry.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum acts as an intermediary structure that houses the steam generator and facilitates steam distribution to the laundry. By using the drum as the mounting location and distribution medium, the system avoids the complexity of insulating the door while still achieving effective steam treatment of the laundry.
2Reliability
If a steam generator is mounted on the door, then steam can be released to the laundry, but complex piping and electrical connections are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator and its associated piping and electrical connections are extracted from the door assembly and integrated into the drum structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex external piping and electrical connections to the door, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining steam release functionality.
3Reliability
If a boiler is positioned away from the laundry to produce steam, then steam generation is possible, but the system becomes bulky and occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is nested within the drum structure, utilizing the existing space in the laundry treating appliance. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for a separate, bulky boiler positioned away from the laundry, maintaining steam generation capability while significantly reducing the overall system volume.
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
Ensures effective treatment of all laundry with reduced water and energy use, simplifies appliance design, and enhances safety by eliminating the need for specialized insulation and complex steam generation systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric liquid treating device configured for treating a liquid contained in the liquid reservoir so as to release, within the tubular mantle, at least one of the following: vapor; mist; aerosol
Implementation Method 2
an electric liquid treating device configured for treating a liquid contained in the liquid reservoir so as to release, within the tubular mantle, at least one of the following: vapor; mist; aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine comprising: a cabinet, a washing tub housed inside the cabinet, a tubular mantle rotatably housed inside the cabinet, an electric additive treating device mounted in/on the tubular mantle and configured for treating a washing and/or rinsing additive loaded within the tubular mantle in such a way to generate within the tubular mantle a solution of washing and/or rinsing additive water.