Steam Generator Heater Control for Laundry Machine Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines with steam generators are prone to overheating and fire due to malfunctioning water level detection, leading to increased power consumption and maintenance issues, as well as inaccurate operation time limits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that sets and updates an operation limit time for the heater based on factors like applied voltage, water quantity, temperature variation rate, and water pressure, ensuring the heater is turned off before overheating occurs, and using a water quantity detecting unit to prevent incorrect water level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the heater operates continuously to generate steam, then steam supply is maintained, but overheating and fire hazards occur due to malfunctioning water level detection
Solution Approach 1:
The controller sets an operation limit time for the heater in advance based on detected water quantity. This preliminary time limit prevents the heater from operating beyond a safe duration, thereby preventing overheating and fire hazards before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors water quantity using a water quantity detecting unit and adjusts the heater's operation limit time accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the heater operates only within safe parameters based on actual water availability, preventing overheating conditions.
2Productivity
If the operation limit time is set too long, then steam generation is sufficient, but power consumption increases and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The operation limit time is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on detected water quantity. The controller calculates an appropriate operation limit time that matches the actual water available, optimizing steam generation efficiency while preventing excessive power consumption and maintenance needs.
3Ease of operation
If water level detection is used to control heater operation, then operation control is simplified, but inaccurate detection leads to incorrect operation time limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical water level detection with a water quantity detecting unit that measures actual water quantity. This substitution provides more accurate measurement data for the controller to set appropriate operation limit times, eliminating the inaccuracies of traditional water level detection while maintaining simple automated control.
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
Prevents overheating and fires, reduces power consumption, enhances reliability by accurately controlling the heater's operation time, and minimizes maintenance needs by preventing steam generator malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (55) for heating the water stored in the steam generator (50)
Implementation Method 2
a water quantity detecting unit detecting a water quantity within the steam generator (50)
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor (57) for measuring a temperature within the steam generator (50)
Implementation Method 4
The steam generator (50) generates steam by heating the water stored therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A laundry machine and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which malfunctions of a steam generator and laundry machine and fire due to the overheating of a heater can be prevented. The present invention includes a steam generator having a heater and a controller turning of the heater if an operation time of the heater exceeds a operation limit time set in the course of driving the heater.