Steam Generator Layout for Wrinkle Removal and Clothing Sterilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treated with washing machines and dryers often retains rumples and microbes, such as fungi, which require high temperatures to eliminate, posing challenges in removing creases and ensuring sterilization without damaging clothing.
Innovation Solution
A clothing treatment apparatus with a steam generator that produces both steam and superheated steam, allowing for selective use to prevent rumples and effectively sterilize clothing at high temperatures without high pressure, ensuring safe and convenient home use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high temperature (about 125°C) is applied to eliminate microbes and fungi from clothing, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damaging clothing and safety concerns for home use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by generating superheated steam at temperatures exceeding 100°C (up to about 125°C or higher) through a two-chamber steam generation system. The first chamber generates saturated steam, which is then further heated in the second chamber to produce superheated steam, enabling effective microbial elimination while controlling the heating process to prevent clothing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses steam as an intermediary medium to transfer heat to the clothing. By generating superheated steam and controlling its condensation on the clothing surface, the system achieves high-temperature sterilization indirectly through phase change, reducing direct thermal shock and damage risk to the fabric
2Shape
If separate pressing is used to remove rumples from clothing, then wrinkle removal is improved, but the process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single steam treatment process. The generated steam simultaneously performs wrinkle removal through fabric relaxation, sterilization through high-temperature exposure, and freshening through moisture provision, eliminating the need for separate pressing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of steam condensing on cool fabric surfaces to provide both moisture and heat. This phase change process naturally relaxes wrinkles while delivering the temperature needed for sterilization, achieving multiple effects through a single physical phenomenon
3Temperature
If conventional steam generation is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to achieve high temperature for sterilization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous heating across two sequential chambers. The first chamber generates saturated steam, and the second chamber continuously heats this steam to produce superheated steam. This continuous action ensures sustained high-temperature output for effective sterilization while maintaining energy efficiency through optimized heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested chamber configuration where the second heating chamber is positioned to receive and further heat the steam generated in the first chamber. This nested arrangement allows efficient use of space and energy, with the second chamber utilizing the output of the first chamber as its input, minimizing energy waste
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 removes rumples and sterilizes clothing by using steam and superheated steam, enhancing washing performance and energy efficiency while safely handling high temperatures to eliminate microbes like athlete's foot fungi.
Implementation Method 1
a steam chamber which forms a space for heating water to generate the steam
Implementation Method 2
a superheated steam chamber which forms a space for reheating the steam to generate the superheated steam
Implementation Method 3
heating water to generate the steam, and a superheated steam chamber which forms a space for reheating the steam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a clothing treating apparatus. The clothing treating apparatus includes a cabinet (100), a clothing holding unit in the cabinet for holding clothing, and a steam generator (600) for generating steam or superheated steam to supply to the clothing holding space, thereby permitting to remove rumples from the clothing and microbes from the clothing possible to remain thereon.