Drying Duct Nozzle Layout for Efficient Laundry Steam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry machines with integrated drying functions struggle to efficiently generate steam for laundry freshening and sterilization, as they lack optimized control and utilization of drying mechanisms, leading to insufficient steam production compared to independent steam generators.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine design featuring a tub or drum with a duct system that includes a heater, nozzle, and blower, where the nozzle directly ejects water onto the heated space to generate steam, and the blower blows air to distribute the steam efficiently within the tub or drum, optimizing 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 combines the steam generation function with the existing drying mechanism by installing a heater and water supply device within the drying duct. This merging allows the drying system to perform dual functions (drying and steam generation) without adding a completely separate steam generator, thereby reducing production costs while improving steam generation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water supply device as an intermediary component that delivers water to a specific heating zone within the duct. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient steam generation by precisely controlling where and how water is converted to steam, resolving the contradiction between using simple existing structures and achieving high steam generation efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If the heater heats a large space in the duct, then steam generation capacity increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a concentrated heating zone within the duct rather than heating the entire duct space. The heater is positioned to heat only a specific localized area where water is supplied, and steam is generated efficiently in this focused zone. This localized heating approach increases steam generation capacity while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary heating of large spaces
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 configuration enables effective steam generation and distribution, enhancing laundry freshening, sterilization, and washing performance while reducing production costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (130) installed in the duct (100) and adapted to be heat only a predetermined space within the duct
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle (150) installed in the duct (100) and serving to directly supply water to the heated predetermined space
Implementation Method 3
a blower (140) installed in the duct and serving to blow air toward the predetermined space so as to supply the generated steam into the tub (30) or drum (40)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry machine including a tub (30) in which wash water is stored and/or a drum (40) in which laundry is accommodated, the drum (40) being rotatably provided, a duct (100) configured to communicate with the tub (30) and/or drum (40), a heater (130) installed in the duct (100) and adapted to be heat only a predetermined space within the duct, a nozzle (150) installed in the duct (100) and serving to directly supply water to the heated predetermined space, and a blower (140) installed in the duct and serving to blow air toward the predetermined space so as to supply the generated steam into the tub (30) or drum (40).