Steam Generator Water Supply Control in Laundry Dryers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment devices face challenges in maintaining concentricity between the rotor and drum during vibration, and in efficiently controlling the water supply for steam generation, leading to suboptimal drying performance and water management.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that includes a steam generator with a water supply system capable of self-determination between a water supply tank and a water supply source, and a control mechanism to maintain concentricity by decelerating and transferring rotation speed, using a water level sensor and valve control to manage water supply effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the stator is fixed to the tub instead of being directly fixed to the decelerator, then the structure allows for easier assembly and disassembly, but the concentricity between the input shaft and output shaft cannot be maintained during vibration
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration isolation component is introduced between the stator and the tub to act as an intermediary element. This component absorbs and isolates vibrations, preventing them from affecting the concentricity between the input shaft and output shaft, while still allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of the stator.
Solution Approach 2:
Vibration isolation elements are pre-installed between the stator and the tub to cushion against vibrations before they can cause misalignment. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the concentricity is maintained during operation without compromising the ease of assembly.
2Device complexity
If a belt connection is used between the motor pulley and drying drum, then the structure is simpler and easier to assemble, but the RPM and rotation direction of the drying drum cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The belt connection is replaced with a direct mechanical connection through a decelerator mechanism. This substitution eliminates the belt while providing precise control over the drying drum's RPM and rotation direction through gear-based deceleration and reversal mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the water supply system uses a detachable water supply tank, then the system is more flexible and adaptable to different installation environments, but the water supply stability and pressure may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable water supply tank system is merged with a water supply pump and pressure regulation mechanism. This combination maintains the flexibility of the detachable tank while ensuring stable water supply and adequate pressure through the integrated pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
A water supply pump is introduced as an intermediary element between the detachable tank and the steam generator. This pump ensures consistent water flow and pressure regardless of the tank's position or orientation, maintaining reliability while preserving installation flexibility.
4Reliability
If the steam generator is supplied with water directly from a water supply source, then the water supply pressure and flow are more stable, but the installation location is restricted and adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A detachable water supply tank with an integrated pump system is used as an intermediary water supply solution. This intermediary system provides stable water supply and pressure comparable to direct connection, while eliminating the restriction on installation location and enhancing adaptability.
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 enhances the concentricity between the rotor and drum, improves drying performance by controlling rotation speed, and optimizes water supply management, ensuring efficient steam generation and water usage.
Implementation Method 1
a water level sensor sensing a water level inside the steam generator
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator generating steam
Implementation Method 3
a water supply pump, a connection pipe connecting the water supply pump and the steam generator
Data Source
AI summary
In regard to a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a laundry accommodating unit which provides a space for accommodating laundry; a steam generator which generates steam; a steam flow path which supplies steam discharged from the steam generator, to the laundry accommodating unit; a water supply pump; a water supply tank which stores water and is detachably coupled to the water supply pump; a connection pipe which connects the steam generator to the water supply pump; a water level sensor which senses a water level inside the steam generator; a water supply pipe which connects the steam generator to a water supply source; and a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply pipe, the present application relates to a control method for the laundry treatment apparatus, the control method comprising: a pump control step of operating the water supply pump for a preset first reference time period; a first water level sensing step in which the water level sensor detects the water level inside the steam generator during the pump control step; and a water supply mode setting step of setting the water supply through the water supply tank to a default water supply mode when the water level inside the steam generator is changed during the pump control step.