Clothes care apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing clothes care apparatuses face issues with scale formation in the steam module due to mineral-rich water, leading to malfunction and fire risks, as well as odor contamination, which affects the performance and safety of the device.
Innovation Solution
A clothes care apparatus with a steam generating device that includes a wash liquid injecting part, a heating part, and a wash liquid discharging part to remove scale, utilizing a controller to manage the wash liquid injection and discharge based on sensor inputs to prevent scale buildup and odor issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water containing minerals is used in the steam module, then the steam generation function is achieved, but scale formation occurs on the heater and water level sensor causing malfunction and fire risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting scale formation on the water level sensor through electrical property changes and automatically initiating a cleaning cycle before the scale causes malfunction or fire hazards. The controller proactively manages scale accumulation by periodically injecting wash liquid and heating it to remove scale, preventing the harmful effects rather than responding after damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of scale formation into a beneficial detection mechanism. The scale accumulation on the water level sensor changes its electrical properties, which the controller detects to trigger automatic cleaning. The harmful scale buildup becomes a signal for maintenance, and the wash liquid heating process that removes scale also prevents fire risks associated with scaled heaters.
2Measurement precision
If a water level sensor is provided in the steam container, then water level detection is enabled, but the sensor malfunctions due to scale attachment causing erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the electrical properties of the water level sensor and comparing them against reference values. When scale formation causes deviation in electrical conductivity or resistance, the controller detects this feedback signal and automatically initiates cleaning operations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision by actively compensating for scale-induced errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by enabling the steam generating device to automatically detect and clean its own water level sensor without external intervention. The controller monitors sensor health, injects wash liquid through the injecting part, and heats it via the heater to remove scale, allowing the system to maintain its own measurement precision and reliability autonomously.
3Productivity
If a steam module is provided for wrinkle removal and odor elimination, then clothes care performance is improved, but odor from scale contamination flows into the clothes care apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential source of odor contamination (scale on the heater) into a trigger for preventive cleaning. The controller detects scale formation through electrical property changes and initiates automatic cleaning cycles, transforming the harmful odor-generating scale into a diagnostic signal that prompts maintenance before odor can contaminate the clothes care environment.
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 solution effectively prevents scale formation, reduces the risk of device malfunction and fire, and maintains the apparatus's performance by ensuring accurate water level sensing and odor control, enhancing user safety and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating part provided inside the steam container to heat the wash liquid
Implementation Method 2
a second pump provided to discharge the wash liquid having cleaned the scale to an outside of the steam container
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a clothes care apparatus capable of removing scale generated in a steam device. The clothes care apparatus includes a main body including a clothes care room and a steam generating device provided to supply steam into the clothes care room, wherein the steam generating device includes steam container, a wash liquid injecting part provided to inject a wash liquid for removing scale in the steam container, a heating part provided inside the steam container to heat the wash liquid, and a wash liquid discharging part provided to discharge the wash liquid having cleaned the scale using heat received from the heating part, wherein the wash liquid discharging part includes a second pump provided to discharge the wash liquid having cleaned the scale to an outside of the steam container.