Drum Dryer Control Using Electric Fields and Heated Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryers are inefficient in drying objects using high frequency electric fields and heated air, as they often result in reduced drying efficiency due to the lack of effective control over the electric field and air supply, leading to increased moisture content and potential wrinkling of items.
Innovation Solution
A dryer system that includes a drum with an electrode part to produce a high frequency electric field and a controller to manage the power supply, drum rotation, and air heating, allowing for controlled use of heated air and electric fields based on the object's moisture content, with separate air inlets for non-rotating and rotating states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high frequency electric fields and heated air are used simultaneously for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases leading to reduced effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between electric field drying and heated air drying modes. The controller alternates between activating the electrode part for electric field drying and activating the air heater with drum rotation for heated air drying, creating a cyclic drying process that combines both methods while maintaining manageable control complexity through structured temporal separation of functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts drying parameters based on real-time moisture detection. The controller modifies drum rotation speed, air supply flow rate, and heater power output according to moisture sensor feedback, enabling adaptive control that optimizes drying efficiency while preventing excessive complexity through rule-based adjustment strategies
2Use of energy by moving object
If heated air is supplied without drum rotation, then energy consumption is reduced, but drying uniformity deteriorates causing wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different drying strategies to different drying stages. During initial high-moisture phases, heated air is supplied without drum rotation to minimize energy consumption. As drying progresses and uniformity becomes critical, the controller activates drum rotation to redistribute items and ensure uniform drying, preventing wrinkles while maintaining overall energy efficiency through stage-specific optimization
3Manufacturing precision
If drum rotation is activated continuously, then drying uniformity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic drum rotation rather than continuous operation. The controller activates drum rotation during specific intervals when drying uniformity is critical, then pauses rotation during phases where energy conservation is prioritized. This periodic approach maintains sufficient drying uniformity while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the drying process itself to determine when rotation is necessary. Moisture sensors detect local moisture distribution and trigger drum rotation only when non-uniform drying is detected, allowing the system to self-regulate rotation based on actual drying needs rather than following a fixed schedule, thereby optimizing the balance between uniformity and energy consumption
4Productivity
If electric field is applied at high voltage, then moisture evaporation is accelerated, but risk of damage to objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high voltage electric fields in periodic pulses rather than continuous application. The controller activates the electrode part at high voltage for short intervals to accelerate moisture evaporation, then deactivates it to allow objects to rest and prevent cumulative damage. This pulsed high-voltage approach maintains high evaporation rates during active phases while reducing overall damage risk through temporal separation of high-stress and recovery periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates moisture sensors that provide real-time feedback to the controller about drying progress and object condition. When sensors detect that drying is approaching completion or that objects show signs of stress, the controller automatically reduces electric field voltage or extends rest intervals, preventing damage while maintaining high evaporation efficiency during optimal drying phases through closed-loop control
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 system enhances drying efficiency by optimizing the use of high frequency electric fields and heated air, reducing moisture content and minimizing wrinkling by adaptive control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode part configured to produce an electric field inside the drum
Implementation Method 2
an air heater configured to heat air, a blower configured to supply heated air into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a dryer and method for controlling the same, which may appropriately and efficiently dry objects thrown into a receiving space by using high frequency electric fields and heated air. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure a dryer includes a main body, a drum rotationally placed inside the main body, a driver provides rotational force to the drum, an electrode part produces an electric field inside the drum, a power supplier supplies power to the electrode part, an air heater heats air, a blower supplies heated air into the drum and a controller controls the power supplier to block power supplied to the electrode part depending on a dried state of an object contained in the drum, controls the driver to rotate the drum, and controls the air heater and the blower to supply heated air into the drum.