Clothes Steamer Tank Level Sensing for Overflow-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes treatment apparatuses lack the ability to directly sense the water level in their tanks, leading to potential water deficiency or overflow issues during operation, which can disrupt the treatment process.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treatment apparatus equipped with a water supply tank and a drainage tank, each featuring a level sensor that uses a float and magnetic sensor system to monitor the water level, ensuring immediate detection of water deficiency or excess and preventing operational interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional water level sensing methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of water level is insufficient leading to delayed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional indirect mechanical water level sensing methods with direct level sensors that provide precise electrical signals for water level detection. This substitution enables accurate real-time monitoring while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through straightforward sensor integration into the water supply and drainage tanks.
2Reliability
If direct water level sensing is implemented, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves self-service operation through automatic control based on level sensor feedback. The control unit automatically activates the water supply pump when the water supply tank level is low and activates the drainage pump when the drainage tank level is high, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring reliable continuous operation without adding complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Direct level sensors in both tanks provide real-time feedback signals to the control unit, which automatically adjusts pump operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation by continuously monitoring water levels and responding immediately to prevent water deficiency or overflow conditions.
3Productivity
If water level is not monitored accurately, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time occurs due to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous operation by implementing automatic water level monitoring and control that prevents operational interruptions. The level sensors continuously detect water levels, and the control unit continuously manages pump operations to maintain appropriate water levels in both tanks, eliminating downtime and ensuring uninterrupted clothes treatment operations.
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
Enables direct and timely sensing of water levels, preventing water shortages during steam generation and overflow in the drainage tank, ensuring continuous and efficient operation by allowing users to check and manage water levels effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a water supply level sensor disposed in the water supply tank configured to directly sense the level of water stored in the water supply tank
Implementation Method 2
a float and magnetic sensor system to monitor the water level
Implementation Method 3
a drainage level sensor disposed in the drainage tank configured to directly sense the level of water stored in the drainage tank
Implementation Method 4
a float and magnetic sensor system to monitor the water level
Implementation Method 5
a steam unit disposed in the cycle chamber for supplying steam into the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 6
steam unit disposed in the cycle chamber for supplying steam
Implementation Method 7
for storing condensed water generated in at least one selected from between the treatment chamber and the heat pump unit
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A clothes treatment apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet partitioned into a treatment chamber for allowing clothes to be hung therein, a cycle chamber for allowing machinery to be installed therein, and a tank installation space for allowing a removable tank comprising a water supply and a drainage tank to be installed therein, a door for opening and closing the cabinet, a steam unit disposed in the cycle chamber for supplying steam into the treatment chamber, a heat pump unit disposed in the cycle chamber for circulating air in the treatment chamber and conditioning the air that is circulated, a water supply tank disposed in the tank installation space, such that the water supply tank is separably installed in the tank installation space and is connected to the steam unit, for supplying water to the steam unit, a drainage tank disposed in the tank installation space, such that the drainage tank is separably installed in the tank installation space, for storing condensed water generated in at least one selected from between the treatment chamber and the heat pump unit, a water supply level sensor disposed in the water supply tank configured to directly sense a level of water stored in the water supply tank, and a drainage level sensor disposed in the drainage tank configured to directly sense a level of water stored in the drainage tank. In the clothes treatment apparatus, the level of water stored in the water supply tank or the drainage tank is directly sensed. Consequently, it is possible to sense the level of water stored in the water supply tank or the drainage tank without delay and to secure a sufficient space to store to be supplied during one cycle or condensed water, thereby improving the reliability of operation of the clothes treatment apparatus.