Drying-Duct Heater And Nozzle Coordination For Laundry Steam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines lack an optimized control method for efficiently generating and utilizing steam, leading to inadequate performance in laundry freshening and sterilization functions.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry machine that involves heating a heater within a duct to a higher temperature than the surrounding space, directly supplying water to the heater using a nozzle, and then using a blower to generate and supply steam into the tub or drum, with specific timing and duration controls for heating, water supply, and air flow to optimize steam generation and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a drying mechanism is used for steam generation without additional devices, then production cost is reduced, but steam generation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the drying mechanism (heater and blower) to serve dual purposes: both drying laundry and generating steam for freshening functions. This eliminates the need for a separate steam generator, reducing production costs while maintaining steam generation capability through optimized control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-heating the heater and activating the blower before water is supplied to the heater. This ensures the heater reaches optimal temperature for efficient steam generation, and the blower is ready to immediately distribute the steam once generated, thereby improving steam generation efficiency without additional hardware.
2Device complexity
If steam is generated using a drying mechanism without optimized control, then device complexity is reduced, but laundry freshening function performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic control sequence that adjusts the operation timing of the heater, blower, and water supply based on the steam generation requirements. The control method dynamically coordinates these components to ensure optimal steam generation and distribution, achieving reliable laundry freshening function without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through the controller that monitors and adjusts the operation of the heater and blower based on the steam generation process. This feedback control ensures that steam is generated and distributed effectively for laundry freshening, maintaining functional reliability while keeping the device structure simple.
3Device complexity
If steam is generated without optimized control timing, then control complexity is reduced, but steam supply efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through a structured control sequence that operates the heater, water supply, and blower in specific time intervals. The heater is activated first, followed by water supply after a predetermined time, and the blower operates in coordination to distribute steam. This periodic control pattern ensures efficient steam supply while maintaining manageable control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the heater and blower operation throughout the steam generation process. The heater continues heating while water is supplied, and the blower continuously distributes the generated steam, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient steam supply to the laundry without requiring complex intermittent control.
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 method enables the efficient generation and supply of steam, effectively enhancing laundry freshening, sterilization, and washing performance by creating a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere within the drum.
Implementation Method 1
a preparation operation of heating the heater (130)
Implementation Method 2
a steam generation operation of generating steam by directly supplying water to the heater using the nozzle (150)
Implementation Method 3
a steam supply operation of generating air flow within the duct by rotating the blower (140) and to supply the generated steam to the laundry
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method of controlling steam supply in a laundry machine, the laundry machine comprising a heater (130), a nozzle (150) and a blower (140) which are arranged within a duct (100). The control method comprising: a preparation operation of heating the heater (130); a steam generation operation of generating steam by directly supplying water to the heater using the nozzle (150); and a steam supply operation of generating air flow within the duct by rotating the blower (140) and to supply the generated steam to the laundry, wherein the steam supply operation at least includes a duration for which simultaneous actuation of the heater (130), the nozzle (150), and the blower (140) is performed.