Steam Laundry Dryer With Detachable Water Tank for Wrinkle Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry dryers fail to remove wrinkles from clothes during the drying process, requiring users to iron them afterward, and there is a need for a device that can easily remove wrinkles from clothes that have been worn or stored, which may develop creases and folds.

Innovation Solution

A steam laundry dryer is designed with a drum, a hot air heater, a steam generator, and a detachable water supply source, which supplies steam into the drum to prevent and remove wrinkles, and features a detachable cartridge for convenient water supply and residual water collection, along with a pump for efficient water management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional high temperature air drying is used, then drying efficiency is improved, but wrinkles are generated and cannot be removed during the drying process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidwrinkle removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of water from liquid to steam by heating water to generate steam, which is then supplied into the drum to remove wrinkles from laundry without affecting the high temperature drying process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The steam generator operates continuously or periodically during the drying process to supply steam into the drum, enabling continuous wrinkle removal action throughout the drying cycle rather than requiring a separate ironing step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a steam generator with integrated water storage is used, then wrinkle removal function is improved, but device complexity and water management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle removal functionVSAvoidwater management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply system is segmented into a detachable water tank that can be easily removed and refilled by the user, separating the water storage function from the main appliance body and simplifying water management operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes automatic water level detection and pump control that enables self-service water management, where the appliance automatically monitors water levels and activates the pump to supply water to the steam generator without user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a pump system is added for water supply, then water management efficiency is improved, but noise and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater management efficiencyVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual water management with an automated pump system controlled by water level sensors, substituting mechanical user operations with an automated electromechanical system that improves efficiency while minimizing disturbance through controlled operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 laundry dryer effectively prevents and removes wrinkles from laundry, can be used as a wrinkle remover for already dried clothes, provides sterilization and deodorization, and reduces noise by minimizing water leakage and vibration during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a steam generator to supply steam into the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change (water to steam): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a heater installed in the case for heating water stored in the case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a hot air heater to heat air to supply hot air into the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

The heating means heats air drawn into the drum. The blower unit sucks air into the drum, or discharges air outside the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

a pump for efficient water management

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP1932963B1Laundry machine
Publication Date: 2011.10.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP1932963B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1932963B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1932963B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A steam laundry dryer is disclosed. The steam laundry dryer includes a drum (20) rotatably mounted in a cabinet (10), a hot air heater (90) to heat air to supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator (200) to supply steam into the drum, a water supply (300) source to supply water into the steam generator, and a container (700) drawably mounted in a portion of the cabinet. The water supply source (300) is detachably mounted in the container (700).