Steam Swirler Drum Drying for Clothes Crease Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying machines fail to completely eliminate wrinkles or creases from clothes during the drying process, necessitating additional ironing, and there is a need for a method to efficiently remove creases from stored or worn clothing.
Innovation Solution
A drying machine with a selectively rotatable drum and a steam supply system that includes a swirler for guiding steam flow, combined with intermittent tumbling and controlled hot air and steam supply, to effectively eliminate creases without the need for ironing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional drying machines are used to dry completely washed laundry, then the drying function is achieved, but creases and wrinkles remain that require additional ironing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying function and de-wrinkling function into a single integrated system. The steam supply member delivers steam that simultaneously achieves drying and crease elimination, while the drum rotation mechanism performs both drying tumbling and ironing-like pressing actions, eliminating the need for separate ironing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change of water from liquid to steam to create high-temperature steam that penetrates fabric creases. The steam temperature and pressure parameters are controlled to effectively relax and eliminate wrinkles while drying the laundry
2Manufacturing precision
If additional ironing is performed to eliminate creases from dried clothes, then surface smoothness is improved, but time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies de-wrinkling action during the drying process itself rather than as a separate post-drying step. The steam supply and drum rotation create pressing and smoothing effects while the laundry is being dried, eliminating creases before the drying cycle completes, thus avoiding additional ironing time
3Manufacturing precision
If steam is supplied directly into the drum without swirling, then the structure is simple, but crease elimination effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a swirler component that introduces rotational motion to the steam flow, creating a swirling pattern as steam enters the drum. This curved, rotational steam delivery enhances penetration into fabric creases and improves de-wrinkling effectiveness without requiring complex mechanical structures
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 method efficiently prevents and eliminates wrinkles in dried clothes, providing a cost-effective solution that eliminates the need for ironing and enhances drying efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator adapted to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
a swirler installed in the steam supply member at a predetermined position for swirling steam flowing through the steam supply member
Implementation Method 3
a selectively rotatable drum receiving an object to be dried
Implementation Method 4
supplying hot air into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A drying machine is disclosed. The drying machine includes a selectively rotatable drum receiving an object to be dried, a steam supply member having one side connected to a steam generator and the other side connected to the drum, and a swirler installed in the steam supply member at a predetermined position for swirling steam flowing through the steam supply member. A method for controlling the drying machine includes heating a drum, supplying steam generated in a steam generator into the drum, and supplying hot air into the drum. The drying machine having the above described configuration can efficiently eliminate creases of clothes.