Steam Laundry Cabinet Drainage for Condensate Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating machines fail to efficiently remove unpleasant odors, wrinkles, and humidity from clothes without repetitive washing, which shortens the lifespan of clothes and increases maintenance costs, and existing solutions are complex and costly due to the need for multiple parts and complicated drainage systems.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating machine with a steam generator for moisture supply and a detachable water tank for condensate collection, featuring a circulation duct and a heat exchanger for air dehumidification and heating, along with a drain pump for efficient water drainage, simplifying the drainage path and minimizing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moisture is supplied to laundry and hot air is circulated to remove odors, wrinkles, and humidity, then the treating effect is improved, but condensed water accumulates in the cabinet reducing drying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the condensed water from the cabinet interior by providing a drainage structure that collects and removes the condensed water from the steam supply path. The drainage structure includes a drainage hole in the steam supply tube and a collection reservoir, separating the condensation removal function from the steam supply function to maintain drying efficiency while preserving the odor-removal treating effect.
2Productivity
If a drainage structure is added to remove condensed water, then drying efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drainage structure with existing cabinet components. The drainage hole is formed directly in the steam supply tube, and the collection reservoir utilizes the cabinet's bottom surface or an integrated tray, combining the condensation removal function with the existing steam supply system and cabinet structure to minimize additional parts and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage structure operates automatically using gravity and condensation pressure. The condensed water naturally flows through the drainage hole into the collection reservoir and is discharged without requiring external pumps or active control systems, allowing the system to self-manage condensation removal without adding operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple parts are used for water supply and drainage, then water management is improved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam supply tube serves multiple functions: it supplies steam to the laundry, acts as a condensation collection point through the drainage hole, and provides a pathway for condensed water discharge. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed for water management, simplifying the system and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining effective water 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
Effectively removes odors, wrinkles, and humidity from clothes while minimizing maintenance costs and complexity by efficiently supplying moisture and draining condensate, enhancing user satisfaction and extending the life of clothing.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator for heating water and supplying the generated steam to the received laundry
Implementation Method 2
the steam that is supposed to reach the received laundry might condense in various places on the steam supply path
Implementation Method 3
a circulation duct for circulating air inside the cabinet and dehumidifying the circulated air
Implementation Method 4
a drain pump for pumping water collected in the water collecting tank to the water discharge part
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry treating machine (100) is disclosed. The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine capable of minimizing the number of parts required to discharge the generated condensate as possible and of simplifying the drainage path. A laundry treating machine includes a cabinet (10) in which an accomodating space (12) receiving laundry therein is formed, a moisture supply device (25) supplying moisture to the accomodating space, a water supply part connected with the moisture supply device to supply water, a water discharge part discharging water condensed from the moisture supplied by the moisture supply device or water remaining in the moisture supply device, a circulation duct (26) to draw-in air of the accomodating space and discharging the air into the accomodating space, and a heat exchanging part provided in the circulation duct, the heat exchanger (23) in which circulated air is dehumidified or heated.