Fabric Dryer Contamination Removal Using Steam and Radicals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fabric dryers require a separate washing machine to remove contaminants from laundry, which is inefficient in terms of time and cost, especially when dealing with small quantities of soiled items.
Innovation Solution
A fabric dryer equipped with a steam supply unit for water-soluble contaminants and a radical supply unit for fat-soluble contaminants, controlled by a contamination removal function selector to remove contaminants directly during the drying process without the need for a separate washing machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate washing machine is used to remove contaminants from laundry, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but loss of time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the contaminant removal function and drying function into a single fabric dryer device. The dryer includes a steam supply unit for water-soluble contaminants and a radical supply unit for fat-soluble contaminants, allowing both cleaning and drying to occur in one machine, thereby eliminating the need for separate washing machine operation and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric dryer is designed with multi-functionality to perform both contaminant removal and drying operations. By equipping the dryer with selective contaminant removal capabilities (water-soluble via steam, fat-soluble via radicals), the device becomes a universal appliance that can handle various contamination types without requiring separate specialized equipment.
2Reliability
If a separate washing machine is operated to remove spots and contaminants, then cleaning quality is improved, but device complexity and operational convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (contaminant removal and drying) into a single device with a unified control system. The controller automatically manages the steam supply unit and radical supply unit based on the selected contaminant type, simplifying user operation while maintaining high cleaning quality through specialized treatment for different contaminant categories.
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
Enables effective removal of contaminants from laundry within the fabric dryer, improving convenience and efficiency by integrating contaminant removal into the drying cycle, reducing the need for additional washing steps.
Implementation Method 1
a steam supply unit supplying steam into the drum
Implementation Method 2
a radical supply unit for supplying radical into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a fabric dryer and a method of controlling the fabric dryer. The fabric dryer includes a drum, a driving unit, a steam supply unit, a radical supply unit, a contamination removal function selector, and a controller. The drum is rotatably disposed and receives laundry. The driver rotates the drum. The steam supply unit supplies steam into the drum. The radical supply unit supplies radical into the drum. The contamination removal function selector selects a water-soluble contaminant or a fat-soluble contaminant. The controller controls the steam supply unit to supply steam in response to selection of the water-soluble-contaminant by the contamination removal function selector, and controls the radical supply unit to supply radical in response to selection of fat-soluble contaminant by the contamination removal function selector.