Steam generator and laundry treatment apparatus including the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators for laundry treatment apparatuses take too long to generate steam, face challenges in controlling steam pressure, and suffer from scale buildup, leading to increased water consumption and risk of laundry damage due to uneven drying times for clothes with varying moisture content.
Innovation Solution
The steam generator design includes a flow channel system with inflection portions and strategically positioned heating elements to enhance heat exchange, minimize scale formation, and control steam pressure, while a moisture supply method alternates between steam and hot air to prevent overdrying, using sensors to determine optimal dryness levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a heater is activated after the storage space is filled with water, then steam can be generated, but steam generation takes too much time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-heats the storage space and components before water is supplied, so that when water is introduced, the heating process is already accelerated. This preliminary heating action reduces the overall steam generation time by avoiding heating from cold state.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is divided into stages: pre-heating the storage space and components, then heating the water. This segmentation allows different parts to be heated optimally at different times, improving overall efficiency and reducing total steam generation time.
2Reliability
If the heater is completely immersed in water for safety, then the heater can be activated, but water needs to be resupplied even when considerable water remains, increasing water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A water level sensor acts as an intermediary between the water supply system and the heater control. It detects the actual water level and provides feedback to control water supply, preventing unnecessary water resupply and reducing water consumption while maintaining safe heater operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses water level detection and control feedback mechanisms to monitor water levels and adjust water supply accordingly. This feedback loop ensures water is supplied only when necessary, preventing waste while maintaining heater safety through proper water level management.
3Productivity
If water is heated to generate steam, then steam is produced, but scale forms in the storage space and may plug the discharge member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes scale deposits from the storage space and heater surfaces through cleaning mechanisms. This prevents scale accumulation that would otherwise plug discharge members and reduce steam production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful scale formation process into a detectable condition that triggers cleaning operations. By monitoring for scale-related changes and initiating removal procedures, the harmful effect of scale is transformed into a controlled maintenance process that preserves system performance.
4Productivity
If hot air is supplied for a fixed time based on amount of clothes, then drying can be completed, but laundry with lower moisture content may be damaged due to overdrying
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses moisture sensors to continuously monitor laundry moisture content during drying and provides feedback to the control system. This allows the drying process to be adjusted in real-time, stopping when the desired dryness is achieved and preventing overdrying damage while maintaining efficient drying for high-moisture items.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process transitions from a fixed-time static approach to a dynamic, adaptive process that adjusts hot air supply duration and intensity based on real-time moisture detection. This dynamic control optimizes drying efficiency for each load while preventing damage to delicate or low-moisture garments.
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 reduces steam generation time, prevents scale buildup, minimizes water consumption, and ensures even drying by controlling the steam and hot air supply based on laundry moisture content, preventing damage to clothes.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, for heating the water supplied through the water supply pipe
Implementation Method 2
the water supplied through the water supply pipe is heated by the heating element, steam is generated from the water
Data Source
AI summary
A method of the present disclosure includes a first operation of supplying hot air to laundry until the dryness of the laundry has reached a predetermined standard dryness, and a second operation of alternately performing a moisture supply operation of supplying moisture to the laundry and a hot air supply operation of supplying hot air to the laundry.