Laundry machine and control method of the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines that generate steam using a washing heater face challenges in effectively utilizing steam for refreshing without wetting the laundry, requiring separate drying procedures and limited control over steam generation and supply, which affects crease removal and odor elimination efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and control system for a laundry machine that selectively supplies wash water to prevent it from passing through the drum during steam generation, using a washing heater to produce steam at a predetermined water level, combined with 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
1Temperature
If steam is generated by heating wash water to the boiling point or above, then high-temperature washing effects are enhanced, but energy consumption increases and control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from boiling point (100°C) to a lower temperature range (60-90°C) while maintaining steam generation capability through controlled heating of wash water, thereby reducing energy consumption while preserving washing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial heating action by heating wash water only to the temperature required for steam generation (60-90°C) rather than to full boiling point, achieving sufficient steam production with reduced energy input
2Use of energy by moving object
If steam is generated by heating wash water to a temperature lower than the boiling point, then energy consumption is reduced, but steam generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the controller that monitors water temperature and adjusts heating power to maintain optimal steam generation temperature (60-90°C), ensuring efficient steam production while minimizing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous steam generation by continuously heating wash water to the optimal temperature range (60-90°C) throughout the washing cycle, ensuring sustained steam supply for enhanced washing effects without energy waste
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate steam generator is employed, then steam generation capability is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the washing heater perform multiple functions: both heating wash water for washing and generating steam for refreshing, eliminating the need for a separate steam generator and reducing device complexity while maintaining steam generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the steam generation function with the existing washing heater, combining two functions (heating and steam generation) into a single device, thereby simplifying the overall system structure and reducing costs
4Productivity
If wash water is supplied to the drum during steam generation, then washing effects are enhanced, but laundry becomes wet requiring separate drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steam generation function from the water supply system by heating wash water in the tub to generate steam, preventing water from passing through the drum and wetting laundry, thereby eliminating the need for separate drying procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses steam as an intermediary substance for refreshing laundry instead of liquid water, allowing the laundry to be refreshed without becoming wet, thus avoiding the need for additional drying time
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 solution enables enhanced crease removal and odor elimination, allowing garments to be worn immediately after refreshing without separate drying, while optimizing steam generation and supply for improved washing effects.
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
heating the wash water by driving a washing heater provided at the tub, thereby generating steam from the wash water
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry machine and a control method of the same are disclosed. The disclosed method, which controls a laundry machine to execute a refreshing course through supply of steam, includes a course selection operation of selecting one of a plurality of washing courses (820, 830, 849), a steam water supply operation (S2) of supplying wash water to a tub (200) up to a water level for generation of steam while preventing the wash water to pass through a drum (300), when the refreshing course is selected, a steaming operation (S3) of heating the wash water by driving a washing heater (600), thereby generating steam, and a refreshing operation (S4) of refreshing the laundry by alternately executing, after the steaming operation, a tumbling driving operation to tumble the laundry within the drum (300) through rotation of the drum and a spin driving operation to rotate the laundry within the drum (300) in close contact with an inner surface of the drum, in accordance with high-speed rotation of the drum, whereby a time taken for the tumbling driving operation is longer than a time taken for the spin driving operation in the refreshing operation and whereby during a drum driving cycle the tumbling driving and the spin driving operations are repeated multiple times in the refreshing operation.