Laundry Drying Duct Nozzle And Heater For Localized Steam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines lack an optimized control method for efficiently generating steam, which affects their ability to perform desired functions such as laundry freshening and sterilization effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry machine that involves heating a predetermined space within a duct to a higher temperature than the rest of the duct, directly supplying water to the heated space to generate steam, and then using air flow to distribute the 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 costs are reduced, but steam generation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses the existing drying mechanism components (heater and blower) for dual purposes: both drying laundry and generating steam for freshening functions. This eliminates the need for an independent steam generator, reducing production costs while maintaining steam generation capability through optimized control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method performs preliminary heating of a predetermined space in the duct before supplying water for steam generation. This pre-heating step ensures that when water is supplied, it rapidly vaporizes to form steam, significantly improving steam generation efficiency without requiring additional heating equipment.
2Productivity
If steam is generated using an independent steam generator, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the drying mechanism multi-functional by enabling it to perform both drying and steam generation tasks. The heater and blower are controlled in specific sequences to generate steam efficiently, eliminating the need for costly additional equipment while maintaining effective steam supply for laundry freshening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes operational parameters (heating temperature, water supply timing, air flow rate) of the existing drying mechanism to achieve efficient steam generation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system attains steam generation performance comparable to independent steam generators without the associated cost increase.
3Speed
If water is directly supplied to heated space for steam generation, then steam generation speed is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent heats only a predetermined local space in the duct where water will be supplied for steam generation, rather than heating the entire duct. This localized heating approach rapidly generates steam where needed while minimizing energy consumption and heat loss to other areas of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method maintains continuous air flow through the duct during and after steam generation. This continuous air flow carries the generated steam directly to the laundry, ensuring that the steam generation process continuously serves its useful purpose without energy waste from stagnant or recirculating hot air.
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 distribution of steam, enhancing the machine's ability to perform laundry freshening, sterilization, and washing functions while minimizing energy consumption and water loss.
Implementation Method 1
heating a predetermined space within a duct (100) that communicates with a tub (30) of the washing machine to a higher temperature than a temperature of the other space within the duct
Implementation Method 2
directly supplying water to the heated predetermined space to generate steam
Implementation Method 3
Steam is vapor phase water generated by heating liquid water
Implementation Method 4
supplying air flow toward the heated predetermined space so as to supply the generated steam into the tub (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method of controlling steam supply in a washing machine. The control method includes heating a predetermined space within a duct (100) that communicates with a tub (30) of the washing machine to a higher temperature than a temperature of the other space within the duct, directly supplying water to the heated predetermined space to generate steam, and supplying air flow toward the heated predetermined space so as to supply the generated steam into the tub (30). Further disclosed is a laundry machine comprising: a duct (100) communicating with a tub (30) and/or drum (40) of the laundry machine; a heater (130) installed in the duct (100) and configured to heat only a predetermined space within the duct (100); a nozzle (150) installed in the duct (100) for directly supplying water to the predetermined space; a blower (140) installed in the duct (100) for blowing air toward the predetermined space; and a controller configured to perform the method of controlling steam supply.