Drying Duct Heater and Nozzle Control for Laundry Steam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines lack an efficient method for steam generation, leading to suboptimal performance in laundry freshening, sterilization, and washing due to inadequate control and utilization of drying mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry machine that judges the amount of water supplied to a heater for steam generation, using algorithms to determine the appropriate steam supply based on temperature increase rates, and employs a nozzle to directly eject water onto the heater for efficient steam production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an independent steam generator is used, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam generation function with the existing drying heater by directly ejecting water onto the heater surface. This eliminates the need for a separate steam generator, reducing production costs while maintaining efficient steam generation capability through the high-temperature heater surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater in the drying mechanism is given dual functionality: it serves both as a drying heat source and as a steam generator. By ejecting water directly onto the heater, the same component performs multiple functions, avoiding additional device costs while improving overall system efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a drying mechanism is used for steam generation, then production cost is reduced, but steam generation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical steam generation system with a direct water ejection method onto the heater. This substitution uses the existing thermal field more effectively, achieving rapid steam generation without complex mechanical steam generation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the water supply parameters by controlling the amount and timing of water ejection onto the heater. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves efficient steam generation using the existing drying heater, transforming it into an effective steam source without additional equipment.
3Speed
If water is directly supplied to heater, then steam generation speed is improved, but water supply control precision must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control mechanisms to monitor and adjust water supply to the heater. This ensures that the water amount is precisely controlled based on actual steam generation needs, maintaining high steam generation speed while preventing water waste or insufficient vaporization.
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 approach enables the efficient generation and supply of steam, enhancing laundry freshening, sterilization, and washing performance by creating a high-temperature, high-humidity environment within the machine.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (130) and at least one nozzle (150) which are arranged within a duct (100)... judging the amount of water supplied to the heater (130) through the at least one nozzle (150) for steam generation
Implementation Method 2
at least one nozzle (150) which are arranged within a duct (100)... for steam generation
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry machine and a method of controlling steam supply in a laundry machine. The laundry machine comprises a heater (130) and at least one nozzle (150) which are arranged within a duct (100), and the method comprises: judging the amount of water supplied to the heater (130) through the at least one nozzle (150) for steam generation, wherein a first algorithm is performed to generate and supply steam to the laundry if the amount of supplied water exceeds a predetermined value, and wherein a second algorithm is performed so as not to generate and supply steam to the laundry if the amount of supplied water is less than the predetermined value.