Steam Dryer Water Container Assembly for Wrinkle Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryers struggle to effectively remove wrinkles and creases from clothes during the drying process, requiring additional ironing and there is a need for a convenient method to supply and clean the water in steam dryers.
Innovation Solution
A steam dryer design featuring a detachable water container with a sealing mechanism, a cover for easy water supply, and a filter system that allows for convenient replacement and cleaning, along with a steam generator that uses a pump for efficient water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional dryer is used to dry clothes, then the drying function is achieved, but wrinkles and creases remain on the clothes requiring additional ironing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a steam generation system that injects steam into the drum during the drying cycle. This changes the thermal parameters (adding moisture and heat) to relax the fabric fibers, enabling wrinkle removal without requiring separate ironing operations. The steam treatment transforms the physical state of the clothes from dry and creased to steam-exposed and smoothed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dryer is equipped with both drying functionality and wrinkle removal functionality through the integrated steam generation system. This multi-functional approach combines what were previously separate operations (drying and ironing) into a single appliance, eliminating the need for additional ironing steps after drying.
2Device complexity
If water is supplied to the steam generator through a fixed container, then the structure is simple, but water supply and cleaning become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The water container is divided into two separate parts: a removable upper container and a fixed lower container. The upper container can be detached for convenient water filling and cleaning operations, while the lower container remains fixed to provide structural support and connection to the steam generator. This segmentation allows easy maintenance while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper water container is designed to be movable and removable, transitioning from a static fixed structure to a dynamic configurable component. This allows the user to easily access, remove, fill, and clean the upper container without disassembling the entire appliance, significantly improving ease of water supply and maintenance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper housing is permanently attached to the lower housing, then the structure is stable, but cleaning and filter replacement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The water container is segmented into an upper housing and a lower housing that can be separated from each other. The upper housing can be removed from the lower housing to access internal components for cleaning and filter replacement. This segmentation maintains structural stability when assembled while enabling easy disassembly for maintenance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the upper and lower housings is designed to be dynamically changeable - firmly attached during operation for stability, but easily separable when maintenance is needed. This dynamic attachment mechanism allows the structure to transition between stable operation mode and accessible maintenance mode.
4Reliability
If a seal is provided between the upper and lower housings, then water leakage is prevented, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal ring is installed at the interface between the upper and lower housings to prevent water leakage. The seal ring is a simple elastomeric component that compresses to create a water-tight barrier, preventing leakage without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or multiple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring is designed as a simple, inexpensive replacement component that can be easily swapped if worn or damaged. This approach uses a low-cost sealing solution that prioritizes reliability and ease of replacement over long-term durability, reducing overall system complexity.
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 steam dryer effectively prevents and removes wrinkles from clothes without additional ironing, facilitates easy water supply and cleaning, and allows for filter replacement, enhancing user convenience and dryer maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (200) for generating steam and supplying the steam to the drum (20)
Implementation Method 2
a pump for supplying water from the water container to the steam generator
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A steam dryer is disclosed, by which creases left on clothes and the like can be prevented or removed, by which water can be easily and conveniently supplied to a cartridge to facilitate the cartridge to be cleaned. The present invention includes a drum (20) to be selectively rotatable, a hot-air heater (90) to heat air to supply hot air to the drum (20), a steam generator (200) to supply steam to the drum (20), and a water container (300) to store water to be supplied to the steam generator (200), the water container having a supply hole on an upper portion.