Combination Washer-Dryer Spin Cycle with Concurrent Heated Air Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combination washer/dryer appliances often have inefficient spin cycles that leave high moisture content in laundry articles, leading to longer cycle times and increased energy consumption, and are prone to interruptions due to load unbalance.

Innovation Solution

A combination washer/dryer appliance with a controller that executes a spin cycle up to a wash cycle maximum speed and operates the dryer system to provide heated air during the spin cycle, reducing moisture content and addressing load unbalance by pausing and restarting the cycle as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the spin cycle runs at high speed to remove moisture, then moisture content is reduced, but load unbalance causes cycle interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture contentVSAvoidcycle continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dryer system is activated before the spin cycle completes to preemptively address moisture content. This preliminary drying action prevents load unbalance from developing during the spin cycle, thereby maintaining cycle continuity while effectively reducing moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dryer system acts as an intermediary between the spin cycle and the drying cycle. By introducing heated air during the spin cycle, it mediates the moisture removal process, allowing the spin cycle to maintain high speed without causing load unbalance interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the spin cycle runs longer to remove moisture, then moisture content is reduced, but cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture contentVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the spin cycle and drying cycle by operating the dryer system during the spin cycle. This combination allows moisture removal to occur simultaneously with spinning, reducing the need for extended spin times and subsequent drying times, thereby decreasing overall cycle time while effectively reducing moisture content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dryer system operates continuously during the spin cycle rather than waiting for the spin cycle to complete. This continuous useful action ensures moisture is removed throughout the entire process, eliminating the need for longer separate drying cycles and reducing total cycle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If the dryer system operates during the spin cycle, then moisture content is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture contentVSAvoidsystem integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dryer system is designed to serve multiple functions: it operates during the spin cycle to reduce moisture content, and continues operation after the spin cycle to complete the drying process. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle both moisture removal phases, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems and managing complexity through versatile design.

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

This approach reduces moisture content, shortens drying times, and decreases energy consumption by integrating the dryer system into the spin cycle, enhancing overall efficiency and performance.

Implementation Method 1

operating the dryer system prior to completion of performing the spin cycle to provide heated air to the chamber at the laundry basket during the spin cycle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The dryer system is configured to receive a flow of fluid from the chamber and remove moisture from the flow of fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS12571147B2Combination laundry appliance and method for spin assisted drying cycle

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A combination washer/dryer laundry appliance is provided, including a cabinet defining an interior volume, a tub mounted within the interior volume of the cabinet, a laundry basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the laundry basket defining a chamber for the receipt of laundry articles, and a dryer system coupled to the tub. The dryer system is in fluid communication with the chamber and configured to receive a flow of fluid from the chamber and remove moisture from the flow of fluid and provide dried air to the chamber. The laundry appliance configured to perform, at the laundry basket, a spin cycle, and operate the dryer system prior to completion of performing the spin cycle.