Steam Laundry Drum Sterilization With Condensate Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in efficiently sterilizing the interior and exterior of the cabinet, condensate, and heat-exchanger, while also supplying steam to the drum, due to limitations in moisture management and sterilization capabilities, particularly in areas without access to sewers and with concerns about humidity and bacterial propagation.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus that supplies steam or hot water not only into the drum but also to the outside, allowing for sterilization of the space between the cabinet and drum, and includes a steam generator with a bypass pipe for high-temperature water distribution, a sterilization nozzle, and a pump for condensate management, ensuring effective sterilization of the interior, exterior, and heat-exchanger without interfering with the drum's rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If moisture is immediately discharged with air during drying, then moisture removal efficiency is improved, but indoor humidity and temperature fluctuate rapidly causing environmental discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water storage tank as an intermediary between the moisture source (drum) and the external environment. Condensed water is collected and stored temporarily in the tank rather than being immediately discharged, allowing controlled release or storage until sewer access is available. This mediator resolves the contradiction by decoupling moisture removal from immediate environmental discharge.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If moisture is condensed and discharged through separate drain pipe, then environmental conditions are stabilized, but installation location is limited to areas with sewer access
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage tank serves as a portable intermediary that eliminates the need for immediate sewer connection. The tank can be positioned anywhere within the cabinet structure, allowing the dryer to be installed in locations without direct sewer access. The stored water can be manually emptied or connected to sewer when convenient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a fixed drainage system (requiring vertical gravity drainage to sewer) to a flexible storage system. The water tank can be positioned at various heights and locations within the cabinet, using horizontal space rather than relying on vertical drainage gradients, thereby expanding installation flexibility.
3Productivity
If steam supplier is installed inside cabinet, then steam supply efficiency is improved, but water supply path becomes complex without external water storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water storage function with the existing condensate collection system. The water tank that collects condensed water from the drying process is also used to supply water to the steam generator. This eliminates the need for separate external water storage and complex supply paths, as the condensed water is readily available within the cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own condensed water output to fuel its steam generation input. The water collected during drying operations is automatically available for steam generation without requiring external water supply infrastructure, making the system self-sufficient and simplifying the overall water management architecture.
4Device complexity
If condensate is stored inside cabinet for steam generation, then external water storage is eliminated, but cabinet humidity increases promoting bacterial propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously manages water in a controlled cycle: condensation occurs during drying, water is collected in the tank, and the same tank supplies water to the steam generator when needed. This continuous circulation and controlled storage prevent stagnant water accumulation, reducing bacterial growth risk while maintaining system simplicity.
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 apparatus effectively sterilizes the interior and exterior of the cabinet, condensate, and heat-exchanger, preventing bacterial propagation and allowing for flexible installation without sewer access, while maintaining efficient steam supply to the drum.
Implementation Method 1
a steam supplier 200 disposed inside the cabinet 1 and receiving water from the water supplier 300 to generate the steam
Implementation Method 2
When air discharged from the drum is cooled in the heat pump system, the water discharged from the laundry is condensed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus that is provided to supply steam into a drum (16, 2) accommodating laundry therein and to supply hot water or the steam to a region outside the drum (16, 2) to also sterilize the region outside the drum (16, 2), and a method for controlling the same.