Steam Supply Layout for Clothes Care Without Condensate Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes treating apparatuses using electric heaters consume high amounts of electric power, leading to high operating costs and potential damage or ignition risks, while also facing issues with condensate water interference during steam ejection.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating apparatus employing a steam generator and a supply unit that separates steam and condensate water paths, using a heat pump for efficient air dehumidification and heating, and a steam supply unit with a water collecting mechanism to prevent condensate water from interfering with the steam supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electric heaters are used to heat air, then heating efficiency is improved, but electric power consumption increases and risk of fire damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric heaters (electrical heating system) with a heat pump system that uses mechanical compression and phase change of refrigerant to achieve heating. The heat pump compresses refrigerant gas to high temperature and pressure, then uses the high-temperature refrigerant to heat the air in the drying chamber, thereby reducing direct electric power consumption while maintaining heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of refrigerant (evaporation and condensation) to achieve heat transfer. The refrigerant evaporates at low temperature absorbing heat, then condenses at high temperature releasing heat to warm the air. This phase transition mechanism enables efficient heat pumping without direct electric heating, solving the contradiction between heating efficiency and power consumption.
2Power
If electric heaters are used to heat air, then heating capability is improved, but risk of ignition and damage to clothes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electric heating elements with a heat pump system that transfers heat through refrigerant circulation. The heat pump generates hot air through refrigerant condensation rather than direct electric resistance heating, reducing the risk of localized overheating and ignition while maintaining the required heating capability for clothes drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces refrigerant as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the heat pump to the air in the drying chamber. Instead of direct contact between heating elements and air, the refrigerant acts as a mediator that transfers thermal energy smoothly, preventing direct heat concentration that could cause ignition or damage to clothes.
3Reliability
If steam is supplied into the accommodating space, then freshening effect is improved, but condensate water may be ejected and interfere with clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the steam supply system into separate functional components: a steam generator that produces steam, a supply unit with dispersed openings that distribute steam, and a water collection part that captures condensate. This segmentation allows steam to be supplied effectively for freshening while the separate water collection mechanism prevents condensate from being ejected into the clothes space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful condensate water from the steam supply path by providing a dedicated water collection part that separates and collects condensed water. This extraction prevents condensate from being ejected along with steam into the accommodating space, while the steam itself continues to provide the freshening effect.
4Device complexity
If steam and condensate water paths are not separated, then device complexity is reduced, but condensate water interferes with steam supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid paths into distinct steam supply channels and condensate drainage channels within the supply unit. The steam generator connects to the steam supply hose that delivers steam through dispersed openings, while the water collection part provides a separate path for condensate removal. This segmentation ensures reliable steam supply without condensate interference, with the added benefit of a relatively simple integrated design.
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 solution reduces electric energy consumption, prevents condensate water from entering the clothes space, and enhances the freshening and drying efficiency of clothes while minimizing the risk of damage or ignition.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator adapted to generate steam to be supplied into the accommodating space
Implementation Method 2
a supply unit adapted to supply the steam into the accommodating space and to collect water condensed from the steam
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet in which an accommodating space for receiving clothes is defined, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the accommodating space, and a supply unit for supplying the steam, generated in the steam generator, into the receiving space and collecting water condensed from the steam.