Garment Smoothing Using Simultaneous Air and Liquid Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garment smoothing methods using crease-removing cabinets do not ensure optimal smoothing in a timely manner with efficient energy consumption without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the simultaneous diffusion of a liquid and an air stream onto the garment within the crease-removing cabinet, where the air stream enhances liquid distribution and penetration, applies pressure for better flattening, and can be at room temperature or warmer for optimized energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If only liquid is diffused onto the garment without air stream, then the smoothing process is simpler, but the liquid distribution is insufficient and smoothing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines liquid diffusion and air stream diffusion into a single integrated process. The air stream and liquid are applied simultaneously to the garment, where the air stream enhances liquid distribution and penetration while the liquid provides humidification for smoothing. This merging of two functions (air flow and liquid application) resolves the contradiction by achieving better smoothing effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the components work synergistically rather than independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The air stream acts as an intermediary that facilitates liquid distribution onto the garment. By introducing the air stream as a mediating element, the liquid is carried and distributed more effectively across the garment surface, improving smoothing effectiveness. The air stream mediates between the liquid source and the garment, enabling better liquid penetration and distribution without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
2Productivity
If warm air is used for drying the garment, then the drying effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using air at room temperature or slightly warmed air instead of high-temperature warm air for the drying process. This modification of the temperature parameter maintains sufficient drying effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption. The air stream's velocity and flow characteristics are optimized to compensate for the lower temperature, ensuring productivity is maintained despite the reduced thermal energy input.
3Productivity
If the smoothing process is accelerated to reduce time, then the productivity is improved, but the smoothing quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by diffusing liquid onto the garment before the air stream drying process begins. This pre-humidification step prepares the garment fabric in advance, allowing the subsequent air stream to effectively smooth and dry the garment more quickly without compromising quality. The liquid application occurs first, penetrating the fabric and preparing it for the faster air stream smoothing action, thus enabling accelerated processing while maintaining smoothing quality.
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 achieves satisfactory garment smoothing in less time with reduced energy consumption and no user action beyond placing the garment, ensuring effective humidification and tensioning for improved results.
Implementation Method 1
the entrainment of the liquid droplets by the blowing effect of the air stream
Implementation Method 2
The diffusion of the air stream also makes it possible to apply pressure/traction on the garment which enhances the flattening of the garment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for smoothing a garment using a crease-removing cabinet comprising diffusion means for diffusing an air stream and a liquid stream onto the garment, wherein the smoothing method comprises the diffusion of an air stream onto the garment simultaneously with the diffusion of the liquid stream onto the garment.