Adjacent Water Reservoir Layout for Clean Steam Dryers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic appliances, such as dryers, face challenges in using steam for odor removal as the steam unit requires fresh water free from lime and contaminants, which is not achievable with condensate water due to accumulated dirt and foreign matters.
Innovation Solution
A domestic appliance with a separate water reservoir for supplying clean water to the steam unit, equipped with a filter and sensor for maintaining water quality, and a modular design for easy integration and maintenance, ensuring fresh and contamination-free steam treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If condensate water is used for the steam unit, then water consumption is reduced, but water quality deteriorates due to accumulated dirt and foreign matters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water management system into separate functional units: a condensate reservoir for collecting used water and a fresh water reservoir for supplying clean water to the steam unit. This segmentation allows the system to maintain water quality for steam generation while still achieving water conservation through condensate collection and disposal, resolving the contradiction between water consumption reduction and water quality maintenance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate water reservoir is added for fresh water supply, then water quality for steam unit is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir assembly is designed with multi-functionality: it can store both fresh water for the steam unit and condensate for disposal, includes integrated filtration systems that serve both reservoirs, and provides a unified user interface for water level monitoring and refilling. This multi-functional design reduces the overall complexity compared to having completely separate systems while still maintaining water quality requirements.
3Ease of operation
If condensate reservoir and water reservoir are hydraulically connected, then water transfer is automated, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtration system between the condensate reservoir and fresh water reservoir. This intermediary component allows automated water transfer and level balancing while preventing contamination by filtering any potential contaminants from the condensate before it could affect the fresh water supply. The filtration system acts as a mediator that enables automation while maintaining water quality separation.
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
Enables high-quality steam treatment without reintroducing dirt or contaminants into textiles, optimizing the treatment process by ensuring fresh and clean water is always available for steam production.
Implementation Method 1
a steam unit (2) for applying water steam, especially hot or superheated steam, to the textiles
Implementation Method 2
liquid is converted into steam, said steam flows through the textiles
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Domestic appliance (1) for textiles, especially home dryer or washing machine, wherein the domestic appliance is a dryer of the condensation type having a condensate reservoir (8), wherein the domestic appliance is equipped with a steam unit (2) for applying water steam, especially hot or superheated steam, to the textiles and wherein a water reservoir (3) is located in or at the domestic appliance (1) for receiving water (4) for the steam unit (2), wherein the water reservoir (3) and the condensate reservoir (8) are arranged adjacently.