Washing Machine Steam Generator Layout for Dry Steam Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steam generators in washing machines have issues with water re-supply, leading to incomplete steam conversion, short heater ON/OFF periods, water leakage, and poor washing efficiency due to direct heater contact with water and inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator design with a lower case for water storage and a separate heater, an upper case for steam discharge, and a steam supply passage system that prevents water from being introduced with steam, minimizing water leakage and ensuring all water is converted to steam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heater is in direct contact with water for heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but water leakage risk increases and safety control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into a lower case (water storage) and an upper case (steam discharge), with the heater mounted on the upper case. This segmentation separates the heating function from direct water contact, eliminating water leakage risk while maintaining heating efficiency through thermal conduction from the heater to the water via the container walls.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heater is in direct contact with water, then heating efficiency is improved, but the system requires complex water level sensing and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is extracted from direct contact with water and mounted on the upper case instead. This eliminates the need for complex water level sensing mechanisms that would be required to prevent heater exposure, simplifying the control system while maintaining effective heating through thermal conduction.
3Reliability
If water is re-supplied when heater is not fully submerged, then heater safety is ensured, but remaining water cannot be fully converted to steam and process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is preliminarily positioned on the upper case where it does not require water submersion for safety. This allows the system to continue heating and converting remaining water to steam without interrupting operation for water re-supply, thereby maintaining high steam generation efficiency while ensuring heater safety through design rather than control.
4Reliability
If sealing is provided at lower position to prevent leakage, then sealing coverage is improved, but steam and water may be supplied together reducing washing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is positioned at the junction between the upper and lower cases, utilizing the vertical dimensional separation. This high-position sealing effectively prevents water leakage from the water storage chamber while the separate steam supply passage ensures only steam (not water) is delivered to the washing area, maintaining washing efficiency.
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
This design minimizes remaining water, prevents water leakage, and enhances washing efficiency by ensuring all water is converted to steam, eliminating the need for minimum water level sensing and reducing heater operation time.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for heating the lower case
Implementation Method 2
for discharging steam generated in the lower case
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to steam generator and a washing machine having the same which can minimize remained water in the steam generator, and can prevent the water stored in the steam generator from leaking and the water in the steam generator from being supplied to the clothes together with the steam due to a spray pressure of the steam.