Laundry treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment systems face challenges in efficiently drying laundry while minimizing humidity and preventing mold growth, and require separate machines for drying and ironing, which can lead to longer drying times and wrinkled clothes.
Innovation Solution
A combined laundry treatment apparatus featuring a dehumidifying and ironing module and a drying module, where the dehumidifying module suctions and dehumidifies indoor air, and the drying module uses air flow to dry laundry, with a controller regulating operations to optimize air flow and reduce drying time, and includes features like wireless charging for ironing devices and storage for condensate water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If laundry is air dried using evaporation of water, then no additional machine is needed, but drying time becomes long and mold may develop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying machine and ironing machine into a single integrated apparatus. The drying module includes a drying chamber with heating elements and air circulation fans, while the ironing module includes an ironing board and steam generation system. This merging allows simultaneous or sequential operation of drying and ironing functions, reducing total processing time while eliminating the need for multiple separate appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process is performed as a preliminary action before ironing. The control unit coordinates the sequence where laundry is first dried in the drying chamber, then transferred to the ironing board for steam ironing. This preliminary drying action removes excess moisture before the ironing process, preventing mold growth and reducing drying time overall.
2Ease of operation
If separate drying machine and ironing machine are used, then each function is dedicated, but drying time increases and clothes become wrinkled
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus integrates both drying and ironing functions in one unit. The drying module processes laundry by circulating heated air, and the ironing module immediately follows with steam ironing on the integrated ironing board. This combination eliminates transfer time between separate machines and allows continuous processing, reducing total time while maintaining ease of operation through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit enables continuous operation where the drying process flows directly into the ironing process without interruption. The laundry moves from the drying chamber to the ironing board in a continuous workflow, maintaining useful action throughout and eliminating idle time between operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If laundry is air dried, then no energy is consumed, but indoor humidity increases and mold develops
Solution Approach 1:
The drying module utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through controlled heating. Heating elements raise the temperature of laundry and surrounding air, causing moisture to evaporate and be carried away by air circulation fans. This controlled phase transition efficiently removes moisture without creating excessive indoor humidity, preventing mold growth while consuming reasonable energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The ironing module uses steam generation and high-temperature contact to rapidly remove moisture through accelerated evaporation and oxidation processes. The steam ironing applies hot vapor that quickly breaks down remaining moisture and prevents mold formation, effectively addressing the harmful effects of humidity.
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 apparatus reduces laundry drying time, prevents mold growth by maintaining dry air, and integrates ironing capabilities with efficient power management and storage solutions, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a dehumidifying unit (412) which dehumidifies air which is suctioned into the cabinet through the air inlet
Implementation Method 2
a first blower unit (413) which discharges the air dehumidified in the cabinet by the dehumidifying unit; and a second blower unit which suctions air to send the air to the laundry hung on the hanger
Implementation Method 3
a drying module which dries laundry by sending air to the laundry
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus dries laundry by sending air to the laundry while the laundry is hung on a hanger, and dehumidifies surrounding air of the laundry to reduce a drying time of the laundry. The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a cabinet which has an air inlet; a dehumidifying unit which is provided inside the cabinet, and dehumidifies air suctioned into the cabinet through the air inlet; a first blower unit which is provided at a top portion of the cabinet, and discharges the air dehumidified in the cabinet by the dehumidifying unit; and a second blower unit which is provided over the cabinet with a distance therebetween, has a hanging part on which a hanger is hung, and suctions air to send the air to the laundry hung on the hanger.