Tunnel Washer Outer Drum Steam Heating for Treatment Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines, including tunnel washing machines, face inefficiencies in heating treatment liquids for washing and rinsing, often requiring external heating devices and tanks, which can be cumbersome and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating steam within the outer drum of the washing machine, which serves as both a steam generator and condensation surface, allowing for direct heating of the treatment liquid through condensation, eliminating the need for external heating devices and tanks. This is achieved by creating a double-walled outer drum with a circumferential annular space where steam is generated and condensed, effectively warming the treatment liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external heating devices and tanks are used to heat treatment liquid, then heating function is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer drum is designed to serve dual functions: as the structural housing for the washing chamber and as a heating device. The double-walled construction with steam injection system integrates the heating function directly into the drum structure, eliminating the need for separate external heating tanks and devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer drum is transformed into a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical containment, thermal insulation, and active heating capabilities through integrated steam injection and double-wall construction, reducing overall system complexity.
2Temperature
If external heating devices are used, then treatment liquid can be heated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of water to steam for heating. Steam is injected into the annular space between inner and outer drums, where it condenses and releases latent heat directly to the treatment liquid, providing efficient heating with minimal energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam acts as an intermediary heat transfer medium between the heating system and treatment liquid. The steam condenses on the outer drum surface, transferring heat through the drum wall to the treatment liquid, enabling efficient indirect heating.
3Temperature
If steam is generated externally, then heating is achieved, but system becomes less self-contained
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation system is integrated directly into the outer drum structure, with steam injection ports positioned in the annular space. This merging of steam generation and heating functions within the drum eliminates external steam sources and piping systems.
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 allows for efficient and self-contained heating of treatment liquids within the washing machine, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for external heating systems, while ensuring effective temperature control through pressure and temperature regulation.
Implementation Method 1
the outer drum also serves as a steam generator, in particular as a type of steam boiler... the treatment liquid which comes into contact with the outer drum is heated
Implementation Method 2
the steam for heating up the treatment liquid is also generated in the washing machine or washer-extractor... the treatment liquid which comes into contact with the outer drum is heated
Implementation Method 3
provision is made for the vapor to be generated by evaporating a liquid in at least one lower region of the annular space below the axis of rotation of the drum
Implementation Method 4
a flame tube which is arranged centrally under the bottom wall of the outer drum and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the washing machine... The flame tube is designed to heat the outer drum, in particular the bottom wall thereof
Implementation Method 5
The flame tube is designed to heat the outer drum, in particular the bottom wall thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 3
AI summary
In tunnel washing machines, the treatment liquid is heated up in some chambers (23). So far, this has been done externally. As a result, separate heating devices, in particular steam generators and storage tanks, are required. The invention provides for the treatment liquid in selected chambers to be heated by steam (57) which is generated in an outer drum (28) surrounding the drum (20) in the region of the relevant chamber (23). As a result, both the heating of the treatment liquid and the generation of steam required for this take place directly at the relevant chamber of the tunnel washing machine.