Laundry appliance with capacitive laundry drying degree sensing function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry drying appliances lack precision in measuring laundry mass humidity due to unreliable electrical contact methods, leading to inefficient drying processes and excessive power consumption, especially when using resistivity sensing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensing method is employed to measure laundry mass humidity by using a capacitor with the laundry mass as dielectric, where an electronic circuit measures capacitance using a supply voltage and reference voltage, allowing for more accurate control of the drying process through parameters like power, drum speed, and drying time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrical contact methods (resistivity sensing) are used to measure laundry mass humidity, then the measurement system is simple in structure, but the measurement precision is poor due to unreliable electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical contact-based resistivity sensing system with a capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensor measures humidity through electrical field interaction with the laundry mass dielectric properties, eliminating the need for direct physical contact and thereby achieving both structural simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitive sensor as an intermediary measurement device that couples the measurement system to the laundry mass through electrical field interaction rather than direct contact. This intermediary approach allows accurate humidity measurement while maintaining system simplicity and avoiding contact-related reliability issues.
2Device complexity
If predetermined drying program duration is used, then the control system is simple, but the productivity is reduced due to excessive drying time and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the capacitive sensor continuously monitors laundry mass humidity during the drying process. The control system receives real-time humidity data and adjusts drying parameters accordingly, enabling the drying process to terminate as soon as the target humidity is reached, thereby improving productivity without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static predetermined drying program to a dynamic control system that continuously adapts drying parameters based on real-time humidity feedback. This dynamic approach optimizes drying time and energy consumption by adjusting the process duration to match the actual drying needs of each load.
3Ease of operation
If user sets drying program based on manufacturer recommendations, then the operation is simple, but the measurement precision of actual drying needs is poor leading to excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains simple user operation for program selection but adds automatic feedback control during the drying process. The capacitive sensor continuously monitors actual humidity levels and provides feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts the drying process to match the actual drying needs, eliminating the mismatch between recommended and actual drying times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the drying system to self-adjust and self-optimize during operation based on real-time sensor feedback. The system automatically determines when the drying process is complete based on actual humidity measurements, eliminating the need for users to precisely estimate drying time requirements while maintaining simple operation interfaces.
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 capacitive sensing method provides improved accuracy in determining laundry humidity, enabling more efficient and optimized drying processes by accurately estimating water content and adjusting control parameters, thus reducing energy consumption and enhancing drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a capacitance of the capacitor
Implementation Method 2
having, as part of the capacitor dielectric, the laundry mass
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring the humidity of a laundry mass contained in a laundry treatment chamber of a laundry appliance. The method includes: providing a capacitor in the laundry appliance, the capacitor having, as part of the capacitor dielectric, the laundry mass; measuring a capacitance of the capacitor by means of an electronic circuitry electrically supplied by a supply voltage and a reference voltage. Providing a capacitor comprises: providing in the laundry appliance at least one conductive plate which forms a plate of the capacitor, and exploiting, as a second plate of the capacitor, routing lines distributing inside the laundry drying appliance the reference voltage.