Bedding-Dusting Drying Apparatus for Foreign Substance Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drying apparatuses struggle to effectively remove foreign substances like dead mite bodies and dust from large volume bedding items, such as blankets, due to limited drum movement and space constraints, which leads to incomplete cleaning and remaining contaminants.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine with a drying apparatus that incorporates a bedding-dusting operation using high-temperature hot air and controlled drum rotation to remove foreign substances before and after the washing cycle, with specific motor driving profiles and operation rates for effective dusting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drum is fully filled with bedding to maximize space utilization, then the drying capacity is improved, but the drum rotates with little movement and bedding is not widely spread out so that foreign substances cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying capacityVSAvoidforeign substances removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic drum rotation speed changes during the drying cycle. The drum rotates at different speeds at different stages: initially at a higher speed to spread bedding and remove foreign substances, then adjusts to optimize drying efficiency. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining full drum load and achieving effective bedding movement for contaminant removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic pauses during the drying cycle where the drum rotation is temporarily stopped or slowed, allowing bedding to settle and redistribute. This periodic action enhances the separation of foreign substances from bedding while maintaining high space utilization, resolving the contradiction between drying capacity and contaminant removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Volume of stationary object

If bedding is washed with folded parts to save space, then the drum space utilization is improved, but foreign substances agglomerate in folded parts and remain until washing is completed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum space utilizationVSAvoidforeign substances removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs a preliminary drying operation before the main washing cycle to remove foreign substances from bedding. This preliminary action addresses agglomerated contaminants in folded parts by exposing them to hot air and drum movement before washing, thereby maintaining space-efficient folded loading while ensuring thorough contaminant removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical washing action with thermal drying action for foreign substance removal. By using hot air circulation and controlled drum rotation during the drying phase, the system effectively removes agglomerated contaminants without requiring mechanical agitation that would unfold bedding, thus maintaining space utilization while achieving thorough cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a bedding-dusting operation is performed before and after washing to remove foreign substances, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the washing time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substances removalVSAvoidwashing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the bedding-dusting operation with the existing drying phase of the washing cycle. Instead of adding separate pre-wash and post-wash dusting steps, the system utilizes the mandatory drying phase that occurs after washing to perform the foreign substance removal function. This integration maintains thorough cleaning effectiveness while avoiding additional time consumption from separate dusting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the drying apparatus serve multiple functions: it not only dries bedding after washing but also performs the bedding-dusting operation for foreign substance removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated dusting equipment and additional time cycles, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and washing time by making the existing drying system do double duty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures thorough removal of dead mite bodies and dust from bedding, enhancing cleaning efficiency and eliminating the need for manual dusting after the cycle, thereby improving the overall washing performance.

Implementation Method 1

a drying apparatus that supplies high-temperature air (hot air) heated by a hot air heater into a drum so as to dry laundry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

drying laundry using high-temperature hot air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

blows 'slow speed' hot air and 'high speed' hot air at laundry to dry the laundry and to remove any debris from the laundry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerodynamic Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2857576B1Drying apparatus and method of controlling the drying apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2857576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2857576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drying apparatus that is capable of effectively removing foreign substances, such as dead mite bodies and dust adhered to bedding, a washing machine having the drying apparatus, and a method of controlling the drying apparatus. When bedding having a large volume, such as a blanket or a cover, is washed, a bedding-dusting operation using rotation of a drum and high-temperature hot air is performed before and after a bedding washing course is performed, so that foreign substances, such as dead mite bodies or dust, are dusted off bedding and the effects of washing bedding can be improved. In addition, a section in which the bedding-dusting operation is to be performed, is automatically or manually selected as before bedding washing or after bedding washing so that various operations can be performed and the effects of washing bedding can be improved.