Laundry Steam-Drying Cycle for Sanitization and Wrinkle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses lack the capability to effectively sanitize clothes through the supply of water, mist, and steam, which limits their sanitization performance.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry treatment apparatus that includes steps for supplying steam and heated air to an accommodating space, involving a water supplying/heating step, re-supplying water, steam supplying, cooling, and drying, with optional motion applied to the laundry during these processes to enhance sanitization and drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laundry treatment apparatuses are used, then basic drying function is provided, but sanitization capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry treatment apparatus integrates multiple functions including steam supplying, water spraying, cooling, and drying within a single system. The control method sequentially executes different treatment cycles (steam treatment, water spraying, cooling, drying) to provide comprehensive laundry care including sanitization, wrinkle removal, and freshening, transforming a simple dryer into a multi-functional laundry treatment system.
2Reliability
If steam is supplied to laundry for sanitization, then sanitization effect is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control method implements periodic action by sequentially executing steam supplying, water spraying, cooling, and drying steps in repeated cycles. The steam supplying step is performed intermittently rather than continuously, with cooling and drying steps following to prepare for the next steam cycle. This periodic operation reduces cumulative energy consumption compared to continuous steam generation while maintaining effective sanitization through repeated exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to steam, steam to condensed water) to achieve sanitization and drying effects. The steam supplying step converts liquid water to steam for high-temperature sanitization, while the cooling step causes steam to condense back to liquid, releasing latent heat that aids in the subsequent drying process. These natural phase transitions enable energy-efficient thermal processing.
3Reliability
If multiple treatment steps (steam, cooling, drying) are implemented, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control method merges multiple treatment functions (steam supplying, water spraying, cooling, drying) into a single integrated control sequence. The control unit coordinates all treatment steps and transitions between different treatment modes, consolidating what would otherwise require separate apparatuses into one unified system. This merging approach manages complexity through centralized control while delivering comprehensive treatment effectiveness.
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 method enables effective sanitization of laundry by supplying water, mist, and steam, improving wrinkle removal, deodorization, and static electricity prevention, while also enhancing drying efficiency by applying controlled motion and temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
a water supplying/heating step supplying water to a water supplying device configured to supply steam and heating the water; a steam supplying step heating the water inside the water supplying device and supplying steam to the accommodating space
Implementation Method 2
a cooling step cooling the accommodating space
Implementation Method 3
a drying step supplying heated air having a predetermined temperature to the accommodating space
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus (100) is disclosed. A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus (100) configured to supply steam and/or heated air to an accommodating space (12) accommodating laundry therein, the control method includes a water supplying step supplying water to water supplying device (130) configured to supply steam, a step supplying steam to the accommodating space (12) by heating of water inside the water supplying device (130), the step applying a horizontal motion to the laundry for a predetermined time period, simultaneously with the steam supplying, a cooling step cooling the laundry, and a drying step supplying heated air having a predetermined temperature to the accommodating space (12).