Drum Washer Steam Injection for Detergent Breakdown and Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines do not completely remove detergent and bacilli from laundry, leading to compromised washing performance and health concerns, failing to meet the demands of a health-oriented lifestyle.
Innovation Solution
A steam-injection type washing machine that combines a washing heater and a steam heater with a control unit to selectively drive them for a predetermined operation time, using high-temperature steam to enhance detergent and contaminant removal, with a washing algorithm that prioritizes steam injection after initial water heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional washing operation combining washing, rinsing, and spin-drying is used, then the washing machine can complete a full washing cycle, but it fails to completely remove detergent and bacilli from laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by introducing high-temperature steam (typically above 100°C) into the washing tub during the washing operation. This temperature parameter change enables complete removal of detergent and bacilli that cannot be removed by conventional washing temperatures, thereby improving washing performance and eliminating harmful factors simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to steam form. By generating high-temperature steam and injecting it into the washing tub, the system creates a steam washing environment that enhances detergent decomposition and sterilization, effectively removing residual contaminants while maintaining reliable washing performance
2Reliability
If high-temperature steam is generated and supplied into the tub to increase interior temperature, then detergent decomposition and sterilization efficiency are significantly increased, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit selectively drives the washing heater and steam heater for a predetermined operation time before the main washing cycle. This preliminary heating action pre-warms the washing water and tub interior, reducing the total energy required to reach high-temperature steam generation, thereby improving detergent decomposition efficiency while managing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternation between the washing heater and steam heater operation. The control unit selectively activates these heaters in cycles during the washing operation, maintaining high-temperature steam generation for effective detergent decomposition and sterilization while allowing energy recovery periods, thus balancing efficiency with energy consumption
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 steam-injection method significantly increases detergent decomposition and sterilization efficiency, improving washing performance and user satisfaction by effectively removing residual contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
driving a washing heater mounted in a tub to increase the interior temperature of the tub
Implementation Method 2
driving a steam heater mounted in a steam generation unit, such that high-temperature steam is generated and the high-temperature steam is supplied into the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A washing machine that performs a washing operation using high-temperature steam and a washing method of the same are disclosed. The washing method includes (a) driving a washing heater (40) mounted in a tub (56) to increse the interior temperature of the tub (56), and (b) driving a steam heater (74) mounted in a steam generation unit (70), such that high- temperature steam is generated and the high-temperature steam is supplied into the tub (56), to increase the interior temperature of the tub (56). A washing operation including the (a) step and the (b) step, which are combined either in the order of the (a) step -> the (b) step -> the (a) step or in the order of the (b) step -> the (a) step -> the (b) step, is carried out such that the interior temperature of the tub (56) is increased to a target temperature level. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of increasing the decomposition of detergent or contaminants by the provision of a washing algorithm, inw hcih a washing water heating operation and a high-temperature steam injecting operation are combined, efficiently removing contaminants that are not removed only by heating the washing water, and, furthermore, increasing the sterilization efficiency.