Washing Machine Steam Generator Control for Faster Low-Volume Steam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators for washing machines have large volumes, leading to increased production costs and inefficient steam generation, with issues such as energy and water wastage, prolonged steam generation times, and potential damage to laundry due to high-temperature water supply.
Innovation Solution
A compact steam generator design that omits the low water level sensing sensor and incorporates a control unit to precisely manage the heater, using a housing as both a heating element and a steam generation space, with embedded heaters and a thermostat to optimize steam production and reduce operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional steam generator with large volume is used, then steam generation capacity is sufficient, but production cost increases and steam generation time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates the heater before water is supplied to the housing, pre-heating the housing structure. This preliminary heating action reduces the time required to generate steam once water is introduced, directly addressing the contradiction between sufficient steam generation capacity and reduced steam generation time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating sequence based on operational requirements. The heater can be activated in different timing scenarios (before or during water supply), allowing the system to optimize steam generation speed while maintaining adequate capacity, thus resolving the time-efficiency contradiction
2Reliability
If heater is continuously operated to ensure steam supply, then steam generation reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic heating cycles rather than continuous operation. The heater is activated only when steam generation is required and deactivated when not needed, creating a periodic on-off pattern that maintains reliable steam supply while significantly reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the thermostat and control unit to monitor housing temperature and steam generation status. This feedback mechanism allows the heater to be activated only when necessary (when temperature drops below threshold or steam is needed), ensuring reliable steam supply while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption
3Measurement precision
If low water level sensing sensor is included, then water level monitoring is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the low water level sensing sensor from the system entirely. The control unit instead relies on the thermostat and temperature-based monitoring to manage water heating and steam generation, extracting the unnecessary sensing component while maintaining operational reliability through alternative control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the housing structure and thermostat to self-monitor and self-regulate the heating process. The thermostat detects temperature changes that indirectly indicate water presence and heating status, allowing the system to self-manage without additional sensing sensors, thus reducing complexity while maintaining functional accuracy
4Productivity
If high temperature steam is generated quickly, then productivity is improved, but risk of laundry damage from high-temperature water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-heats the housing before water is supplied, creating a warm environment that facilitates faster steam generation without requiring extremely high temperatures. This preliminary preparation allows rapid steam production while maintaining temperatures that are less harmful to laundry
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter strategy from high-temperature rapid heating to controlled temperature progression. By pre-heating the housing and then adding water to a moderately warm environment, the system achieves fast steam generation through parameter optimization rather than extreme temperature, reducing laundry damage risk
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 solution enhances steam generation efficiency, reduces production costs, minimizes laundry damage, and shortens steam cycle times, allowing for more efficient and safe operation even at low water supply pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat the water accommodated in the housing by heating the housing to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
a control unit configured to cut off or apply an electric power of the heater based on the temperature of the housing
Implementation Method 3
heat the water accommodated in the housing by heating the housing to generate steam
Implementation Method 4
the temperature of the housing reaches a first preset temperature that is over a boiling point of water
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments may relate to a home appliance, more specifically, to a washing apparatus having a steam generator and a controlling method of the same and embodiments may relate to a home appliance including a steam generator. according to one embodiment of the present invention, a home appliance includes a steam generator configured to generate steam to supply the generated steam to an object accommodation part where an object is accommodated, wherein the steam generator includes a housing configured to accommodate water supplied thereto; a heater configured to heat the water accommodated in the housing by heating the housing to generate steam; and a control unit configured to cut off or apply an electric power of the heater based on the temperature of the housing.