Steam Spray Laundry Treatment for Local Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment machines with steam supply units are inefficient in removing contaminants and require additional hand-washing for local stains, leading to increased time, water, and power consumption, with limitations in steam distribution and performance.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment method using a steam spraying apparatus that combines pre-mixed detergent with steam, where the steam is generated by heating flowing water, allowing for efficient absorption and direct contact with laundry, and includes air blowing for enhanced cleaning and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam is transferred through a hose from a container to a spray nozzle, then the steam supply unit can sterilize or unwrinkle laundry, but the steam condenses during transfer and wets already dried laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful condensation phenomenon from the steam delivery system by eliminating the hose and container configuration. Instead, steam is generated directly at the nozzle location, removing the intermediate transfer path where condensation occurs, thus preventing laundry wetting while maintaining steam delivery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direct thermal coupling mechanism where the steam generation heating element is positioned to heat water that flows directly through the nozzle. This eliminates the need for a separate container and hose intermediary, preventing steam condensation during transfer
2Device complexity
If a typical spray apparatus is used for steam supply, then the structure is simple, but the steam spray pressure is low and cannot reach clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam generation function with the spray nozzle by integrating the heating element directly into the nozzle structure. This combination allows the system to achieve high spray pressure without requiring a complex separate steam generation system, as the water is heated and pressurized simultaneously at the point of delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the spray apparatus by using a high-power heating element that rapidly heats water to generate high-pressure steam directly at the nozzle. This parameter change enables the simple nozzle structure to deliver steam at sufficient pressure to reach clothing
3Adaptability or versatility
If a steam supply unit is used for sterilization or unwrinkling, then those functions are achieved, but it cannot remove contaminants from laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spray apparatus universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: contaminant removal through high-pressure steam injection, sterilization through thermal exposure, and unwrinkling through steam application. The same nozzle and heating system that removes contaminants can also provide these additional functions, eliminating the need for separate treatment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by first spraying cleaning liquid onto contaminated laundry to pre-treat and loosen contaminants before applying steam. This preliminary cleaning action enhances the subsequent steam treatment effectiveness for complete contaminant removal
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 effectively removes contaminants, reduces treatment time and power consumption, and ensures performance for both water-soluble and fatty contaminants, while preventing denaturalization and coagulation of proteins on clothing.
Implementation Method 1
spraying steam to laundry, the steam being generated by applying heat to flowing water
Implementation Method 2
waiting for a certain time interval such that the sprayed cleaning liquid is absorbed into laundry
Implementation Method 3
blowing air into a space holding laundry during the spraying of the cleaning liquid
Implementation Method 4
drying laundry after the spraying of the steam. The drying of laundry may include blowing hot air into the space holding laundry
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a laundry treatment method and apparatus. First, a cleaning liquid with a detergent dissolved is sprayed. Waiting lasts for a certain time such that the sprayed cleaning liquid is absorbed into laundry. Steam generated by applying heat to flowing water is sprayed to laundry.