Laundry Drum Steam-Air Cycle for Waterless Odor and Wrinkle Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines that serve as dryers do not efficiently remove dust, smell, and wrinkles from clothes without using washing water, requiring separate ironing and wasting time and energy.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine operating method that includes a drum, steam generator, and air supply device, using hot air to remove dust and volatile smells, steam to dissolve nonvolatile smells and relieve wrinkles, and resupplying hot air to remove moisture and wrinkles, all without washing water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If washing water is used to remove dust or smell from clothes, then cleaning effect is improved, but time and energy are wasted and life span of clothes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cleaning medium from liquid washing water to gaseous hot air and steam. By controlling temperature and humidity parameters, the system achieves effective dust and smell removal without the negative effects of water washing, including time consumption and fabric damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical washing system (water-based agitation and rinsing) with a thermal system using hot air circulation and steam generation. This substitution eliminates the need for water while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through thermal and moisture control
2Productivity
If high-temperature hot air is supplied to dry wet clothes, then drying function is improved, but wrinkles are generated on clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous process where hot air drying is immediately followed by steam treatment and cool air finishing without removing the clothes. This continuous action sequence prevents wrinkle formation by maintaining fabric pliability throughout the treatment process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor in steam generator, vapor to liquid in fabric) to control fabric state. The steam phase softens and relaxes wrinkles, while the subsequent cool air phase sets the smooth fabric state, preventing wrinkle recurrence
3Object-generated harmful factors
If separate operation of ironing is performed to remove wrinkles from dried clothes, then wrinkle removal is achieved, but convenience is reduced and time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying function and wrinkle removal function into a single integrated operation. The drying drum, steam generator, and air supply device work together to simultaneously achieve drying and wrinkle elimination, eliminating the need for separate ironing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The laundry machine is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a dryer and a wrinkle remover. The drum structure, steam generator, and air circulation system are configured to perform multiple functions including drying, steam treatment, and cool air finishing, all within one operation cycle
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
Efficiently removes dust, smell, and wrinkles from clothes, saving water and energy, preventing fabric damage, and allowing immediate wearability by eliminating the need for separate washing and ironing.
Implementation Method 1
supplying hot air into the drum to increase a temperature of the laundry and an inner temperature of the drum and remove dust or volatile smell particles contained in the laundry
Implementation Method 2
supplying steam into the drum to dissolve nonvolatile smell particles and relieve wrinkles of the laundry
Implementation Method 3
supplying steam into the drum to dissolve nonvolatile smell particles
Implementation Method 4
resupplying hot air into the drum to remove moisture and wrinkles from the laundry
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating method for a laundry machine capable of efficiently removing dust and smell from clothes without using washing water and efficiently removing wrinkles from clothes in a convenient manner is disclosed. The operating method for a laundry machine which includes a tub (200) for storing washing water, a drum (300) for acommodating laundry, a steam generator (400) that is supplied with water for generating steam separately from the washing water to supply steam to the laundry and an air supply device (600) for compulsorily supplying air into the drum (300), the operating method including supplying hot air into the drum (300) to increase a temperature of the laundry and an innen temperature of the drum (300) and remove dust or volatile smell particles contained in the laundry, supplying steam into the drum (300) to dissolve non-volatile smell particles and relieve wrinkles of the laundry, and resupplying hot air into the drum (300) to remove moisture and wrinkles from the laundry.