Multi-Channel Steam Generator for Faster Laundry Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators for laundry treatment apparatuses take a long time to generate steam, are prone to pressure control issues, and suffer from scale buildup, leading to potential blockages and increased water consumption, while also risking overdrying of laundry due to inconsistent drying times.
Innovation Solution
The steam generator design includes a generator body with multiple flow channels and a heating system that heats fluid as it flows, minimizing water consumption and preventing scale buildup, along with a nozzle that adjusts to pressure, and a control method that alternates steam and hot air supply to prevent overdrying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional steam generator uses a heater that directly contacts water in a storage space, then steam can be generated, but the steam generation time is long and pressure control is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into multiple independent flow channels (first flow channel, second flow channel, third flow channel) with separate heating parts for each channel. This segmentation allows parallel steam generation across multiple channels, significantly reducing the overall time required to produce sufficient steam while enabling independent control of each channel's heating process for better pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is pre-heated as it flows through the flow channels before entering the storage space. The heating parts heat the water during its transit through the channels, so that when water reaches the storage space, it is already at an elevated temperature, reducing the additional heating time required and accelerating steam generation.
2Productivity
If water is heated in a storage space with a heater, then steam is generated, but scale builds up on the heater and storage space surfaces causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is extracted from the storage space environment and relocated to the flow channels. Heating parts are positioned to heat water while it flows through channels, separating the heating function from the water storage function. This prevents scale accumulation on horizontal surfaces where it would cause blockages, as scale forms in the flowing water stream instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channels act as an intermediary medium between the heating parts and the storage space. Water is heated in the channels (intermediary structure) before entering the storage space, preventing direct contact between the heater and water in the storage space, thereby eliminating scale buildup on heater surfaces and discharge members.
3Reliability
If the heater must be completely immersed in water for safety, then safety is ensured, but water consumption increases due to repeated resupply
Solution Approach 1:
The heating parts are designed to heat water dynamically as it flows through the channels, rather than requiring static immersion. The heating process adapts to the continuous flow of water, maintaining safety through controlled heating in the channels while allowing the storage space water level to be lower, thus reducing the need for frequent water resupply.
4Ease of operation
If hot air is supplied for a fixed time based on laundry amount, then drying process is simplified, but laundry with lower moisture content may be damaged due to overdrying
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors steam generation in real-time and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the hot air supply duration. By measuring actual steam production from the segmented flow channels, the system can determine when sufficient moisture has been added to the laundry, preventing overdrying of sensitive items while maintaining simple automated operation.
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 design reduces steam generation time, maintains high-pressure steam supply, prevents blockages, minimizes water usage, and ensures consistent drying by controlling moisture and heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a heating part for heating the generator body to supply heat to fluid in the respective flow channels
Implementation Method 2
a first heating part connected to a positive electrode of a power source to supply heat to fluid in the second flow channel, a second heating part connected to a negative electrode of the power source
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A steam generator (7) and a laundry treatment apparatus (100) comprising said steam generator (7) are disclosed. The steam generator (7) includes a generator body (71) including an introduction part (72) through which fluid is introduced and a discharge part (73) through which the fluid is discharged, a first flow channel (75) defining a flowing path for fluid introduced into the generator body (71) through the introduction part (72), a second flow channel (76) connected to the first flow channel (75) to guide fluid toward the discharge part (73), and a heating part (78) for heating the generator body (71) to supply heat to fluid in the respective flow channels, and particularly for supplying heat from a region thereof generating the greatest amount of heat to fluid in the first flow channel (75).