Steam-Assisted Laundry Drying Control for Wrinkle Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines often fail to remove wrinkles effectively during the drying process, necessitating additional ironing, and struggle to adapt to varying laundry loads, leading to inefficient drying.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine equipped with a rotatable drum, a hot air heater, a steam generator, and an electrode sensor that automatically adjusts steam supply based on the sensed laundry amount to optimize drying conditions, ensuring efficient wrinkle removal and appropriate drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional drying methods are used, then the drying process is simple, but wrinkles are not removed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam generation function and hot air heating function into a single drying system. The steam generator produces steam that is mixed with hot air from the heater, creating a combined steam-hot air flow that is supplied to the drum. This merging of functions allows wrinkle removal through steam while maintaining drying capability, resolving the contradiction between improving wrinkle removal quality and avoiding excessive system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drying medium by introducing steam into the hot air stream. The steam generator converts water into steam, which then mixes with the heated air to create a humid hot air environment. This parameter change (adding moisture content to the drying air) enables effective wrinkle removal while maintaining the drying function, addressing the technical contradiction.
2Productivity
If fixed drying parameters are used, then the control system is simple, but drying efficiency varies with laundry amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller monitors drying conditions and adjusts the steam supply amount and hot air supply amount based on the sensed laundry amount. The sensor detects the laundry load, and the controller uses this information to dynamically adjust the drying parameters, ensuring optimal drying efficiency for varying laundry amounts while maintaining reasonable control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from fixed drying parameters to dynamic parameter adjustment. The steam supply amount and hot air supply amount are no longer constant but are dynamically adjusted according to the detected laundry amount. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different loading conditions, improving drying efficiency without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If steam supply amount is fixed, then the system operation is simple, but wrinkle removal effectiveness varies with laundry load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically adjust steam supply based on the detected laundry amount without requiring manual intervention. The sensor detects the laundry load, and the controller automatically calculates and adjusts the appropriate steam supply amount and duration. This self-service capability maintains wrinkle removal effectiveness across varying loads while preserving ease of operation, as the user simply needs to load the laundry and start the cycle.
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 effectively removes wrinkles and dries laundry efficiently without the need for additional ironing, while automatically adjusting to varying laundry loads for optimal drying results.
Implementation Method 1
a hot air heater to supply hot air to the drum by heating air
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator to supply steam to the drum
Implementation Method 3
a sensor to sense a laundry amount inside the drum, the sensor being configured of an electrode sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry machine that can prevent as well as remove wrinkles of laundry. A laundry machine includes a drum rotatable in a cabinet; a hot air heater to supply hot air to the drum by heating air; a steam generator to supply steam to the drum; a sensor to sense a laundry amount inside the drum; and a controller to control an amount of steam supplied to the drum based on sensing results of the sensor. In another aspect of the present invention, a controlling method of a laundry machine includes sensing a laundry amount inside a drum and drying the laundry by supplying hot air to the drum. In the drying of the laundry by supplying hot air to the drum, an amount of hot air is adjusted based on the laundry amount sensed in the sensing of the laundry amount inside the drum.