Laundry Humidifying Chamber Using Piezoelectric Cold Aerosol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry from existing washing-drying machines is often ultra-dry and hot, making it difficult to iron, and re-humidification can result in excessive wetting, complicating the ironing process.

Innovation Solution

A laundry conditioning device with a closed laundry holding space and a humidifying device using a piezoelectric aerosol generator to inject controlled, non-hot moisture, which includes a water reservoir, atomization tray, and electronic control for generating a cold aerosol flow to condition the laundry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a washing-drying machine uses conventional drying circuits (closed or open), then the laundry is effectively dried, but the laundry becomes ultra-dry and hot, making it difficult to iron

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture content of laundryVSAvoidtemperature of laundry
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameters of moisture application by using a piezoelectric aerosol generator to produce fine water droplets at controlled rates, delivering moisture in a non-hot state rather than through conventional heating methods, thus achieving suitable ironing conditions without excessive heat

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transition by converting liquid water into aerosol form through piezoelectric vibration, creating a fine mist that evaporates gently on the laundry surface, providing moisture without the high temperatures associated with conventional steam methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If re-humidification is applied to ultra-dry laundry, then ironing becomes easier, but the laundry becomes excessively wet, complicating the ironing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture content of laundryVSAvoidease of ironing
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates feedback control through a humidity sensor that continuously monitors the moisture content of the laundry and adjusts the aerosol generation rate accordingly, preventing over-wetting while ensuring sufficient moisture for easy ironing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies partial action by delivering moisture in controlled, incremental amounts through the aerosol generator rather than applying large amounts at once, achieving the optimal moisture level for ironing without excessive wetting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The device effectively conditions the laundry for easier ironing by providing quality-controllable moisture, avoiding excessive wetting and maintaining a suitable temperature for ironing.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric aerosol generator which in contact with water to be converted into moisture expands and shrinks in response to a potential difference applied to the piezoelectric crystal, thus applying a high-frequency vibration (in the ultrasounds range) to the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

applying a high-frequency vibration (in the ultrasounds range) to the water, such as to generate an instantaneous, cold aerosol flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2175065B1Laundry conditioning device
Publication Date: 2014.01.15 CANDY
  • EP2175065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2175065B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP2175065B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A conditioning device (1; 33; 37) for laundry (3) comprises a support and housing structure (6), a laundry holding space (2; 24, 25) obtained in the support and housing structure (6), and so closable as to essentially insulate the laundry (3) from the device (1) external environment, as well as a humidifying device (4) which is adapted to inject moisture (20) into the laundry holding space (2; 24, 25). The humidifying device (4) comprises means (5) to provide a water amount, and water atomization means (9, 10), in which the atomization means (9, 10) comprise a piezoelectric aerosol generator (10).