Steam Generator Water Control in Laundry Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum type laundry machines face issues with high water consumption, lack of sterilization capabilities, and wrinkle formation, leading to inefficient washing, drying, and additional ironing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine equipped with a steam generator that includes a water-adjust-valve to regulate water supply to the steam generator, ensuring efficient steam generation and supply, even with varying water pressure, and incorporates a steam generating part with a heater to produce steam for washing, drying, and sterilization cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a soaking cycle using a lot of wash water is performed before washing, then the laundry can be properly dampened, but wash water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses steam generation from water to dampen laundry, utilizing the phase transition from liquid water to steam. This allows effective laundry treatment without requiring large volumes of liquid wash water for soaking, thus resolving the contradiction between dampening effectiveness and water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a steam generator that converts water into steam, which is then delivered to the laundry. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach replaces traditional liquid soaking with steam infusion, achieving proper dampening with minimal water usage.
2Reliability
If no auxiliary sterilization structure is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the laundry cannot be sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates steam generation into the existing washing system, allowing the same steam mechanism to serve multiple functions: washing assistance, sterilization, and wrinkle reduction. This multi-functionality achieves sterilization without requiring separate dedicated sterilization structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-temperature steam generated through phase transition of water provides sterilization capability. The steam's thermal energy effectively kills bacteria and pathogens, achieving reliable sterilization through the physical properties of steam rather than complex chemical or mechanical sterilization systems.
3Productivity
If a drying cycle is performed with many wrinkles in the drum, then drying efficiency is maintained, but ironing becomes more difficult and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent continuously supplies steam to the laundry throughout the drying cycle, maintaining constant moisture and heat exposure. This continuous steam treatment keeps fabric fibers pliable and reduces wrinkle formation during drying, making subsequent ironing easier while maintaining drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of steam (gas phase) throughout the drying process prevents fabric from drying out completely, keeping it in a more flexible state. The phase transition properties of steam allow it to penetrate and relax fabric fibers, reducing wrinkles without compromising drying performance.
4Reliability
If water pressure from the outer water supply apparatus varies, then water supply adaptability is reduced, but steam generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic water supply control system that adjusts the water supply valve opening degree based on detected water pressure conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent water flow to the steam generator regardless of external pressure variations, maintaining steam generation efficiency while adapting to different water supply conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a water pressure detector to monitor external water pressure and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the water supply valve accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable steam generation by compensating for water pressure variations in real-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
This solution enhances washing and drying efficiency, reduces water consumption, effectively sterilizes laundry, and minimizes wrinkle formation, providing a refreshing effect and improved user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator for supplying steam into the drum; and a water-adjust-valve for adjusting an amount of water supplied to the steam generator
Implementation Method 2
at least one steam generator for supplying steam into the drum
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry machine is disclosed. A laundry machine includes a body for defining an exterior; a water supply valve (200) provided in the body and connected with an outer water supply apparatus; a tub (400) provided within the body; a drum (300) rotatably mounted within the tub (400); at least one steam generator (600) for supplying steam ino the drum (300); and a water-adjust-valve (900) for adjusting the water amount supplied to the steam generator (600). An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine which can perform washing and drying more quickly and efficiently as well as which has an effect of smoothing out wrinkles and sterilization of laundry.