Dryer Steam and Additive Cycle for Wrinkle and Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryers do not effectively remove bad smells, wrinkles, and static electricity from laundry, requiring additional ironing and lacking features like fragrance addition.
Innovation Solution
A dryer with a steam generation device, additive supply system, and controlled drying cycles that include supplying steam and additives like fabric softeners or fragrances to the drum, along with hot or cool air, to prevent wrinkles, remove bad smells, and add pleasant scents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional drying method is used, then drying function is achieved, but wrinkles and bad smells remain on laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing steam treatment and additive application during the drying process before the laundry is completely dried. The steam penetrates the fabric to relax wrinkles, and additives are applied to remove odors and provide fragrance, so that the laundry is ready to wear without additional ironing or treatment after drying completes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling temperature, humidity, and time parameters during different drying stages. The steam generation device introduces moisture and heat to relax fabric fibers, reducing wrinkles. Additives are applied at specific humidity levels to ensure proper absorption, transforming the laundry's physical state to eliminate bad smells and prepare for wear.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If steam treatment and additive supply are added, then laundry quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the dryer to perform multiple functions: drying, steam generation, additive supply, and fragrance application. The steam generation device not only removes wrinkles but also prepares fabric for additive absorption. The additive supply device delivers multiple benefits including odor removal, static electricity reduction, and fragrance addition, consolidating several functions into integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the steam treatment function and additive supply function into a coordinated process. The steam generation device and additive supply device work together during specific drying stages, with steam preparing the fabric surface to enhance additive penetration and effectiveness. This combination achieves multiple benefits (wrinkle removal, odor elimination, fragrance addition) through integrated operation rather than separate processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additives are supplied during drying, then laundry freshness is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by supplying additives at specific intervals and stages during the drying cycle rather than continuously. Additives are introduced during cool-down periods or at specific temperature ranges when fabric porosity is optimal for absorption. This periodic supplementation ensures freshness and fragrance are maintained throughout the drying process without requiring continuous energy input for additive delivery.
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 prevents wrinkles, removes bad smells, and adds fragrance to laundry, enhancing user convenience by making clothes wearable straight from the dryer without additional ironing, while also being usable without additional water supply facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum
Implementation Method 2
a pump that pumps the additive held in the additive holding part to generate a hydraulic pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry machine, more particularly, a control method of a dryer may be disclosed. A control method of a dryer includes (a) of supplying an additive to a drum in an initial part of a drying cycle for drying a drying object; and (b) of supplying an additive to the drum in a last part of the drying cycle.