Laundry Duct Steam Control Using Heated Space and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry machines without dedicated steam generators struggle to efficiently generate steam for laundry freshening and sterilization functions due to suboptimal control and utilization of their drying mechanisms, leading to inadequate performance in creating a suitable washing atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A control method for laundry machines that involves heating a specific space within the duct to a higher temperature, directly supplying water to generate steam, and adjusting heating times based on actual power voltage, ensuring efficient steam generation and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a drying mechanism is used for steam generation without additional devices, then production cost is reduced, but steam generation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drying mechanism is designed to perform both its original drying function and steam generation function. The heating element and water supply system are controlled to generate steam by injecting water onto heated surfaces during specific operational phases, allowing one mechanism to serve multiple purposes without requiring a dedicated steam generator
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism adjusts operational parameters (heating temperature, water injection timing and amount, air circulation patterns) to optimize steam generation from the drying mechanism. By dynamically changing these parameters based on operational mode, the system achieves efficient steam generation while maintaining cost-effectiveness
2Device complexity
If a drying mechanism is used for steam generation, then device complexity is reduced, but steam supply performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism incorporates feedback loops that monitor temperature, humidity, and operational phase to dynamically adjust water injection rates and heating intensity. This ensures the drying mechanism reliably generates sufficient steam for freshening and sterilization functions while maintaining simple hardware architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the drying mechanism components before water injection to ensure immediate and efficient steam generation. This pre-conditioning of the thermal environment ensures reliable steam supply performance when needed without requiring complex additional equipment
3Device complexity
If steam is generated without optimized control, then device simplicity is maintained, but functional performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements periodic cycles of water injection followed by heating phases, creating optimal conditions for continuous steam generation. This rhythmic operation pattern maximizes steam production from the drying mechanism through simple temporal control rather than complex mechanical additions
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 enables the efficient generation and distribution of steam, effectively enhancing laundry freshening, sterilization, and washing performance by optimizing steam production and utilization within the machine.
Implementation Method 1
heating a predetermined space within a duct in communication with a tub and/or drum of the laundry machine to a higher temperature than a temperature of the other space within the duct
Implementation Method 2
directly supplying water to the heated predetermined space to generate steam
Implementation Method 3
supplying air flow towards the heated predetermined space so as to transport the generated steam to the laundry
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling steam supply in a laundry machine. The control method includes heating a predetermined space within a duct in communication with a tub and/or drum of the laundry machine to a higher temperature than a temperature of the other space within the duct, directly supplying water to the heated predetermined space to generate steam, supplying air flow towards the heated predetermined space so as to transport the generated steam to the laundry, and adjusting an implementation time of the heating based on actual voltage of power supplied to the laundry machine.