Integrated Steam Generator Layout to Prevent Laundry Drum Condensate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment appliances face challenges in introducing steam into laundry drums with minimal water droplets, leading to potential stains and inefficiencies in steam distribution.
Innovation Solution
A compact laundry treatment device with a rotatable drum and a steam generator integrated into the end shield, featuring a short steam channel and thermally insulated steam outlet, which generates steam with minimal droplets by heating water to its boiling point and directing it into the drum via a steam outlet opening, and includes temperature sensors and fuses for boil-dry protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If steam is generated using a conventional steam generator with long steam channels, then steam can be introduced into the laundry drum, but condensate forms on the inner walls of the steam channels and water droplets are accelerated into the drum causing stains
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is merged with the end shield structure, integrating the heating unit and steam outlet opening into a single compact assembly. This eliminates the need for separate, long steam channels and reduces the distance steam travels, preventing condensate formation and water droplet acceleration that cause stains on laundry.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam outlet opening is positioned directly on the end shield in a different spatial arrangement than conventional steam generators. By changing the dimensional layout and placing the outlet directly at the drum entrance rather than through extended channels, the patent eliminates the harmful effects of long steam paths while maintaining effective steam introduction.
2Productivity
If the steam generator is positioned far from the steam outlet opening, then easier installation is possible, but more condensate forms and steam distribution becomes less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator and end shield are merged into an integrated unit, eliminating complex steam channel configurations. This integration maintains short steam paths for effective steam distribution while simplifying the overall device structure and installation process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a drop separator device is added to prevent water droplets from entering the drum, then stains are prevented, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of long steam channels that causes water droplet acceleration is extracted and eliminated. By removing the need for long channels through direct integration of the steam generator with the end shield, the patent prevents water droplet formation at the source without requiring additional separator devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator is positioned and configured in advance to generate steam that travels a minimal distance to the outlet opening. This preliminary arrangement prevents condensate formation and water droplet acceleration before they can occur, eliminating the need for corrective separator devices.
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 prevents condensate formation and droplet acceleration, ensuring effective steam distribution without stains and enhancing the freshness and drying efficiency of laundry with reduced treatment times.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid, e.g. water with or without additives (e.g. a fragrance), is heated to its boiling point by means of the steam generator
Implementation Method 2
heating water to its boiling point and directing it into the drum via a steam outlet opening
Implementation Method 3
The at least one steam channel, which guides the steam from the heating unit to the at least one steam outlet opening, can be at least partially thermally insulated to further suppress condensation
Implementation Method 4
as a result of which short steam channel lengths can be realized between the steam generator and the at least one steam outlet opening. This in turn means that little or no condensate forms on the inner wall or walls of the steam channel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry treating device comprising a rotatable laundry drum W supported on a bearing shield 1, a steam generator 3 having a heating unit 4 for generating steam D from a liquid F, and at least one steam outlet opening 12 fluidically connected to the heating unit 4 and opening into the laundry drum W, wherein the steam generator 3 and the steam outlet opening 12 are disposed on the bearing shield 1. The method serves for operating a laundry treating device and comprises at least the following steps: monitoring a temperature at an inlet end 6 of the heating unit 4 for exceeding a predetermined temperature value and/or a predetermined temperature gradient, and shutting down and/or switching off the heating unit 4 as a reaction to exceeding said value. A further method serves for operating such a laundry treating device, wherein steam D is fed multiple times onto laundry present in a rotatable laundry drum W and the laundry is simultaneously or alternatingly circulated.