Object treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional object treating apparatuses are inefficient in managing humidity and temperature for delicate items, occupy excessive space, and are not energy-efficient, leading to potential damage to objects due to suboptimal environmental conditions within the treating room.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a cabinet with a first chamber for displaying and storing objects under controlled environmental conditions and a second chamber for air circulation and treatment, utilizing a connection duct with a blowing fan and air filter, and a regeneration flow channel for maintaining optimal humidity and temperature, while minimizing the machine room's volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat pump and steam generator are installed inside the cabinet to treat laundry, then the laundry can be managed with appropriate humidity and temperature, but the machine room occupies a considerable volume inside the cabinet, reducing the space available for accommodating objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steam generator from the cabinet interior and relocates it to the exterior. The steam generator is now positioned outside the cabinet, with only its control unit or minimal components remaining inside, dramatically reducing the machine room volume while maintaining the steam treatment functionality for laundry management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reconfigures the spatial arrangement by moving the steam generator to an external position, utilizing space outside the cabinet volume. This dimensional shift allows the cabinet interior to be fully dedicated to laundry accommodation while the steam generation function is fulfilled by an externally positioned device connected through ducts or openings
2Ease of operation
If a hanger reciprocating mechanism is disposed inside the treating room to hang laundry, then the laundry can be managed and displayed, but there is a limitation in placing shelves for mounting other articles in the treating room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laundry management functions by separating the hanger reciprocating mechanism from the shelf mounting areas. The hanger mechanism operates in a dedicated zone, while shelves can be independently positioned in other areas of the treating room, allowing both functions to coexist without mutual interference and enhancing overall system versatility
3Productivity
If the treating room supplies steam and dehumidifies to treat laundry, then the laundry can be managed, but it is difficult to store objects while preserving them in the best condition by providing appropriate temperature and humidity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by creating distinct micro-environments within the cabinet. The treating room maintains high humidity and temperature for laundry treatment, while separate storage compartments provide controlled, stable conditions suitable for preserving sensitive objects. This localized environmental differentiation allows simultaneous optimization for both laundry management and object preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cabinet interior into functionally segregated zones: a treating room for active laundry management with steam and dehumidification, and separate storage areas with independently controlled temperature and humidity conditions. This segmentation enables each zone to maintain optimal conditions for its specific purpose without compromising the other
4Loss of information
If a transparent material is used for the door front surface to allow users to check laundry, then visibility is improved, but the insulation performance is poor, making it difficult to achieve energy-efficient laundry management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a hybrid door structure where only specific portions require transparency. The door incorporates transparent panels strategically positioned for user viewing, while other portions use insulating materials to maintain thermal performance. This localized transparency approach satisfies visibility requirements without compromising overall insulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction for the door assembly, combining transparent materials (such as glass or transparent plastic) with insulating materials (such as foam or air gaps). This composite structure allows the door to simultaneously provide optical transparency for laundry visibility and thermal insulation for energy efficiency, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements
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 allows for efficient air circulation and treatment, maintaining optimal conditions for objects, reducing energy consumption, and extending the lifespan of air filters, while providing a space-efficient and aesthetically pleasing solution for storing and displaying items.
Implementation Method 1
circulating means positioned inside the second chamber so as to circulate air in the first chamber, wherein the circulating means includes a connection duct equipped with a blowing fan for circulating air
Implementation Method 2
connection duct with a blowing fan and air filter
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an object treating apparatus including a cabinet equipped with an inlet defined in a front surface, a door coupled to the cabinet so as to open and close the inlet, a first chamber located inside the cabinet and accommodating therein an object input via the inlet, a second chamber located inside the cabinet and defining therein a space separated from the first chamber, and circulating means positioned inside the second chamber so as to circulate air in the first chamber, wherein the circulating means includes a connection duct equipped with a blowing fan for circulating air and air treating means for treating air, a first flow channel including the connection duct and in communication with the first chamber so as to circulate air in the first chamber, and a second flow channel disposed in the first chamber, including the connection duct, and circulating air in the connection duct during a regeneration process of the air treating means.