Laundry Machine Steam Refreshing Without Drum Wetting or Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines that generate steam using a washing heater face challenges in efficiently utilizing steam for refreshing without wetting the laundry, requiring a separate drying procedure and limited steam utilization due to structural restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine control method that selectively supplies wash water to prevent it from passing through the drum, generating steam at a predetermined water level, and combines tumbling and spin driving operations to enhance steam distribution and absorption, allowing for effective refreshing without additional drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If steam is generated using a washing heater in conventional laundry machines, then steam can be supplied for refreshing, but wash water passes through the drum and wets the laundry, requiring a separate drying procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply path is segmented into two separate paths: one for steam generation (supplying water to the tub bottom) and another for washing (supplying water through the drum). This segmentation allows steam generation without wash water contacting the laundry, eliminating the need for post-refreshing drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (wash water passing through the drum) is extracted from the steam generation process. By providing a dedicated water supply path to the tub bottom that bypasses the drum, the invention separates the steam generation function from the washing function, preventing laundry wetting during steam refreshing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate steam generator is employed, then steam generation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The washing heater is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both washing (heating wash water) and steam generation (generating steam for refreshing) purposes. The controller manages the heater to generate steam during refreshing cycles, eliminating the need for a separate steam generator and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing washing heater serves the dual purpose of washing and steam generation without requiring additional dedicated steam generation equipment. The system utilizes the already-present heater component to provide steam functionality, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wash water is supplied to generate steam, then steam generation is achieved, but laundry structure and texture may be damaged due to water contact
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into separate paths: one supplying water to the tub bottom for steam generation, and another supplying water through the drum for washing. This segmentation ensures that during steam generation, wash water does not contact the laundry, preventing potential damage to laundry structure and texture.
Solution Approach 2:
The tub bottom acts as an intermediary medium between the water supply and the laundry. Water is supplied to the tub bottom where it generates steam, and the steam then contacts the laundry without the wash water itself directly contacting the fabric, thus protecting laundry integrity.
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 significantly improves crease removal and odor elimination, enabling garments to be worn immediately after refreshing without a separate drying process, while optimizing steam generation and supply.
Implementation Method 1
a steaming operation of heating the wash water by driving a washing heater provided at the tub, thereby generating steam from the wash water at the water level for generation steam
Implementation Method 2
a refreshing operation of refreshing the laundry by driving the drum to execute tumbling driving and spin driving
Implementation Method 3
combines tumbling and spin driving operations to enhance steam distribution and absorption
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry machine having a refreshing operation and a control method of the same are disclosed. The disclosed method comprises a steam water supply operation of supplying wash water to a tub up to a water level for generation of steam while preventing the wash water to pass through a drum, when the refreshing course is selected, a steaming operation of heating the wash water by driving a washing heater, thereby generating steam, and a refreshing operation of refreshing the laundry by alternately executing, after the steaming operation, a tumbling driving operation to tumble the laundry within the drum through rotation of the drum and a spin driving operation to rotate the laundry within the drum in close contact with an inner surface of the drum, in accordance with high-speed rotation of the drum.