Induction-Heated Drum Steam Generation for Laundry Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines with built-in steam generators produce low-quality steam and require additional components, increasing material costs and complexity, while external steam generators face issues with condensation and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine employing an induction heater to generate steam by spraying water onto the outer surface of a heated drum, eliminating the need for separate heating sources and allowing simultaneous steam generation and supply without a connection hose, with controlled drum motion and water spray for optimal steam distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional sheath heater is used to heat wash water, then the heater can be submerged in water for heating, but the steam generation quality is low and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional sheath heater (mechanical heating system) with an induction heater that uses electromagnetic induction to heat the drum directly. This substitution eliminates the need for water submersion and additional steam generation components, thereby reducing material costs while producing high-quality steam through direct electromagnetic heating of the drum surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heater serves multiple functions: it heats the drum for wash water heating, generates high-quality steam for steam cycles, and provides efficient drying capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steam generation components, reducing material costs while maintaining high steam quality through direct electromagnetic heating.
2Manufacturing precision
If an external steam generator is provided, then high-quality steam can be generated freely, but additional components increase material cost and restrict installation structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam generation function with the existing drum and induction heater system. The induction heater heats the drum, and water sprayed on the heated drum surface generates steam directly in the drum cavity. This integration eliminates the need for external steam generators, connection hoses, and associated components, reducing device complexity while maintaining high steam quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the steam generation process from the external environment and integrates it directly into the drum system. By using the induction heater to heat the drum and spraying water onto the heated drum surface, steam is generated directly where needed, eliminating the need for external steam generators and their associated complex installation structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If steam is generated by a conventional heater with water supply, then the heater must be submerged, but the amount of wash water to be heated is large which lowers energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional submerged heater system with an induction heating system that heats the drum directly through electromagnetic induction. This substitution allows steam generation without submerging the heater in large amounts of wash water, significantly improving energy efficiency by heating only the drum surface and generating steam from sprayed water rather than heating bulk water.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heater applies localized heating to the drum surface rather than heating the entire volume of wash water. By concentrating electromagnetic energy on the drum surface and spraying water only where needed, the system generates steam efficiently without the energy waste associated with heating large amounts of wash water in conventional systems.
4Reliability
If a heater protection water level is maintained, then the heater is protected, but steam generation and provision is limited in terms of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional heater that requires water submersion for protection with an induction heater that heats the drum directly. This substitution eliminates the need for heater submersion and water level maintenance, allowing steam generation to continue for extended periods without being limited by water level constraints, thereby extending the duration of steam provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heater performs multiple functions including heating the drum for wash cycles, generating steam for steam cycles, and providing extended steam generation capability without requiring water submersion. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain heater protection through the drum structure itself while enabling prolonged steam generation for various laundry processes.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, enhances steam quality, and improves energy efficiency by generating high-quality steam for washing, drying, and refreshing processes while minimizing operating time and preventing hot water from entering the drum.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heater provided in the tub and configured to heat a heating surface of the drum facing the induction heater
Implementation Method 2
a spray nozzle configured to spray water onto the heating surface of the drum to generate steam
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a laundry machine including a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an induction heater provided to the tub, and configured to perform a steam operation. The steam operation may include heating a heating surface of the drum facing the induction heater by driving the induction heater, spraying, through a spray nozzle, water toward the heating surface heated in the heating operation, and rotating the drum such that the steam is introduced into the drum through the through hole in a space between the tub and the drum.