Steam Drum Laundry Machine With Bottom Injection Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum type washing machines face inefficiencies due to excessive water consumption and poor steam distribution, leading to reduced washing efficiency, as steam is difficult to supply evenly to laundry at the bottom of the drum when injected from the top.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine design featuring a steam generation unit with a primary steam supply part that injects steam directly into the lower part of the drum, accompanied by a water supply unit and control system to manage water levels and circulation, ensuring efficient steam distribution and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If steam is injected from the top side of the drum, then the steam supply structure is simple, but the steam cannot be smoothly supplied to the laundry placed at the bottom part of the drum due to gravity and high temperature causing steam to rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional steam supply approach by injecting steam from the bottom side of the drum instead of the top. This reversal allows steam to directly contact laundry at the bottom while utilizing natural convection to distribute steam upward, solving the problem of ineffective steam supply to bottom-placed laundry without requiring complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lateral steam supply dimension by positioning steam injection nozzles at the bottom side of the drum, creating a horizontal steam flow component that complements the vertical convection current. This dimensional change enables steam to reach laundry effectively regardless of its position within the drum.
2Productivity
If a large amount of washing water is used to submerge laundry for contaminant separation, then washing effectiveness is improved, but water consumption and power consumption are excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to steam to achieve washing and sterilization functions. By injecting high-temperature steam directly onto laundry, the patent enables effective contaminant removal and sterilization without requiring large amounts of liquid washing water, thus dramatically reducing water consumption while maintaining washing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical washing system (relying on water immersion and drum agitation) with a thermal-based steam washing system. The high-temperature steam provides both mechanical impact through condensation and thermal effects for sterilization, achieving superior washing effectiveness with minimal water usage.
3Reliability
If washing water is heated for laundry sterilization, then sterilization is achieved, but power consumption is unnecessarily large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the phase transition of water to steam and the subsequent condensation process. The steam generation unit produces high-temperature steam that directly contacts laundry for sterilization. The condensation of steam on cooler laundry surfaces releases latent heat, enhancing the sterilization effect while minimizing energy loss, thereby achieving effective sterilization with reduced power consumption compared to heating large volumes of water.
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 smooth and efficient steam supply to the bottom of the drum, enhancing washing efficiency and reducing water consumption by enabling steam to flow upward and distribute uniformly, improving both washing and sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generation unit (400) for generating steam
Implementation Method 2
in consideration of the fact that the steam is in a high-temperature state, whereby high-temperature steam moves from the bottom part to the upper part of the drum
Implementation Method 3
a washing water heater (60) for heating washing water
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel-structure laundry machine that is capable of washing laundry using steam is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a machine body (100) constituting the external appearance thereof, a drum (300) mounted in the machine body for receiving laundry, a steam generation unit (400) for generating steam, and a primary steam supply part (610) for supplying the steam generated in the steam generation unit (400) into the lower part of the drum (200).