Laundry Steam Control Using Duct Heater and Voltage Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry machines without independent steam generators struggle to efficiently generate steam, leading to suboptimal performance in laundry freshening and sterilization functions due to inadequate control and utilization of drying mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry machine that involves heating a heater within a duct to create a high-temperature environment for steam generation, directly supplying water to the heater using a nozzle, and rotating a blower to distribute the steam, with adjustments based on actual voltage power to optimize steam generation and supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a drying mechanism is used for steam generation without an independent steam generator, then production costs are reduced, but steam generation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heater originally designed for drying laundry is made to serve dual purposes: both drying and steam generation. The control unit enables the heater to operate in different modes (drying mode and steam generation mode) by adjusting power supply based on detected voltage levels, allowing one component to fulfill multiple functions without requiring an independent steam generator.
2Quantity of substance
If the heater operation time is extended to generate sufficient steam, then steam quantity increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control method dynamically adjusts the heater's operating parameters (power level and duration) based on the detected voltage. When voltage is high, the heater operates at higher power for shorter duration; when voltage is low, it operates at lower power for longer duration. This adaptive parameter adjustment ensures sufficient steam generation while optimizing energy consumption according to available power supply conditions.
3Productivity
If the heater temperature is increased to improve steam generation speed, then steam generation efficiency improves, but risk of overheating and fire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously detects the voltage level and uses this feedback to adjust the heater's power supply in real-time. This closed-loop control prevents the heater from operating at excessively high temperatures by adapting power levels to actual electrical conditions, thereby reducing overheating risk while maintaining steam generation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generation process uses periodic heating cycles with multiple stages. The heater operates intermittently with heating periods followed by pause periods, rather than continuous high-temperature operation. This periodic action allows heat dissipation during pauses, preventing dangerous temperature accumulation while still generating sufficient steam over the complete cycle.
4Ease of operation
If voltage fluctuation is not considered in heater control, then control simplicity is maintained, but steam generation consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates voltage detection and automatic adjustment mechanisms that operate transparently to the user. While the internal control logic is sophisticated (detecting voltage and adjusting power/duration), the user interface remains simple. This feedback-based automatic adaptation ensures consistent steam generation results regardless of voltage fluctuations, without requiring user intervention or complex manual adjustments.
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 efficient steam generation and supply, effectively performing desired functions such as wrinkle removal, deodorization, and sterilization, while minimizing energy consumption and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a preparation operation of heating a heater (130) arranged within a duct (100)
Implementation Method 2
a steam generation operation of generating steam by directly supplying water to the heater (130)
Implementation Method 3
a steam supply operation of supplying the generated steam into a tub (30) and/or drum (40)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry machine and a method of controlling steam supply therein. The control method comprising: a preparation operation of heating a heater (130) arranged within a duct (100); a steam generation operation of generating steam by directly supplying water to the heater (130); and a steam supply operation of supplying the generated steam into a tub (30) and/or drum (40), wherein the method further comprises an adjustment operation of varying implementation time of the preparation operation based on actual voltage of power supplied to the laundry machine.