Washing Machine Steam Refresh Cycle for Wrinkle and Odor Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines do not effectively remove wrinkles or odors from laundry, requiring users to manually iron clothes and wasting resources through frequent washing and drying.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a washing machine that involves supplying high-temperature steam to a drum with laundry, followed by controlled air supply to remove wrinkles and odors, with drum rotation during both processes to ensure uniform treatment and efficient moisture removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional washing machines dry laundry using high temperature air, then the laundry is dried, but wrinkles are not removed and the laundry cannot be worn directly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling temperature, humidity, and time parameters during the drying process. The washing machine performs a drying cycle followed by a refreshing cycle where steam is injected to raise temperature and humidity to specific ranges (temperature 20-40°C, humidity 30-70%), allowing wrinkles to be removed and laundry to be wearable without ironing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by implementing multiple drying cycles alternating with refreshing cycles. The drum rotates periodically to tumble the laundry, and the process repeats drying and refreshing phases to progressively remove wrinkles and odors, enabling the laundry to be worn directly after the complete cycle.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If laundry is washed frequently using water and detergent to remove odors, then deodorization is achieved, but water and energy are wasted and laundry damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes odors from laundry through the refreshing cycle without requiring water and detergent. The system uses steam injection followed by hot air circulation and condensation to eliminate odors, thereby avoiding the energy and water consumption associated with traditional washing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces steam as an intermediary substance to remove odors. Steam is injected into the drum during the refreshing cycle, penetrates the laundry to neutralize odors, and then condenses and is removed. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for water and detergent while effectively deodorizing the laundry.
3Manufacturing precision
If steam is supplied to remove wrinkles, then laundry smoothness is improved, but moisture remains in the laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by immediately following the steam injection phase with a hot air circulation and condensation phase. The drum continues to rotate, and hot air is circulated to evaporate and remove excess moisture from the laundry, ensuring that wrinkles are removed while moisture content is reduced to acceptable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards excess moisture from the laundry through condensation and drainage. After steam injection, the system circulates hot air to evaporate moisture, then condenses the moisture and drains it away. This process removes the harmful excess moisture while preserving the beneficial wrinkle-removal effect of the steam.
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 method allows for effective wrinkle removal and deodorization without water, enabling users to wear freshly cleaned and smoothed laundry directly after the cycle, reducing energy and water consumption.
Implementation Method 1
supplying steam of a high temperature to a drum containing laundry
Implementation Method 2
supplying cold air of a low temperature to the drum to remove moisture from the laundry and to cool the laundry, simultaneously
Implementation Method 3
supplying hot air of a high temperature to the drum to remove moisture from the laundry
Implementation Method 4
a condensing process for condensing air discharged from the drum is performing during the supply of the hot air
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a washing machine, in which wrinkles are removed from laundry using steam. The method includes supplying steam of a high temperature to a drum containing laundry; and supplying air to the drum. The method facilitates the refreshing of the laundry, such as clothes, thus allowing a user to wear the clothes just after the refreshing of the clothes.