Clothes dryer having speed sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers face issues with inefficient drum rotation due to broken or slipping belts, leading to poor drying performance and potential overheating, which existing centrifugal switch systems fail to address effectively, resulting in mechanical complexity and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A speed sensor system that senses the movement of drum assembly components, such as the drum, belt, or idler, and provides a variable output signal to control the motor and heater, ensuring proper rotation speed and preventing overheating by actuating indicators for belt issues and adjusting power inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centrifugal switch system is used to detect drum rotation, then the system can provide basic speed detection, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugal switch system with an electronic speed sensor that detects drum rotation speed electronically. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and failure points while providing more reliable and accurate speed detection, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If belt drive system is used to rotate the drum, then the structure is simpler, but the system reliability decreases due to broken or slipping belts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the speed sensor continuously monitors drum rotation speed and provides feedback to the control circuit. When the belt slips or breaks causing speed deviation, the control circuit detects this through the speed feedback signal and activates warning indicators, enabling real-time monitoring and response to maintain reliable operation.
3Device complexity
If the heater operates without speed monitoring, then the system is simpler, but harmful factors increase due to potential overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing speed monitoring and control before overheating can occur. The speed sensor continuously monitors drum rotation, and the control circuit uses this information to prevent heater operation when speed is insufficient, thereby preemptively eliminating the overheating hazard before it can manifest.
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 speed sensor system improves reliability, reduces complexity, and enhances drying performance by accurately monitoring drum assembly movement, preventing overheating, and eliminating the need for separate mechanical switches, thus improving overall dryer function and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the speed sensor is preferably selected from the group consisting of a solid-state sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and a mechanical sensor
Implementation Method 2
the speed sensor is preferably selected from the group consisting of a solid-state sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and a mechanical sensor
Implementation Method 3
a motor, wherein the motor is constructed and arranged to rotate the drum
Implementation Method 4
a heater; wherein the control circuit is constructed and arranged to: sense movement of a portion of the drum assembly
Implementation Method 5
the heater is preferably selected from the group consisting of an electrical resistance heater and a combustion heater
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes dryer having a control circuit including a speed sensor, wherein the control circuit can sense movement of a portion of a drum assembly. The control circuit uses sensed speed information to control the motor, the heater, or other portion of the clothes dryer. While conventional components can provide a simple speed-triggered on-off switch for the motor or the heater, the present speed sensor approach can provide additional functions by discriminating between varying speeds. The speed sensor can also provide improved accommodation of a broken or slipping drive belt or other drive system problems by sensing the speed of a portion of the drum assembly rather than the motor speed. The speed sensor can replace the functions of multiple conventional components, simplifying the construction and reducing cost. The speed sensor can incorporate a solid state component which has lower cost and improved reliability over standard approaches.