Laundry treatment apparatus and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to overheating issues in the lifter portion of the drum, particularly when using induction heating, which can lead to energy loss and potential breakage, and lack specific solutions for enhancing efficiency and safety while maintaining the basic functions of the lifter.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with an induction module that controls heat generation based on the position of the lifter, using a module controller to vary the output of the induction module, and employing a sensor system to detect the lifter's position and adjust heating accordingly, ensuring uniform heating and preventing overheating without altering the drum or lifter shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If induction heating is applied to the drum, then heating efficiency is improved, but overheating occurs in the lifter portion causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different heating control strategies to different regions of the drum. The controller identifies the lifter portion and reduces or stops induction heating when the drum rotates to bring the lifter into the heating zone, while maintaining normal heating in other regions. This localized differential heating approach prevents overheating of the lifter while preserving overall heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic interruption of induction heating based on drum rotation phases. The controller periodically stops or reduces heating power during specific rotation angles when the lifter is positioned in the heating zone, and resumes normal heating during other phases. This periodic control pattern prevents continuous overheating while maintaining effective heating during safe periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If induction heating is applied to the drum, then heating efficiency is improved, but energy loss increases due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by monitoring drum rotation position and using this information to dynamically adjust heating output. The controller receives feedback about the lifter's position through rotation sensors and modulates induction heating accordingly, preventing energy waste from heating the lifter portion while maintaining efficient heating of the drum body and laundry.
3Reliability
If the drum and lifter shapes are modified to prevent overheating, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/structural modifications with a control-based solution. Instead of changing the physical shapes of the drum or lifter components, the system uses an induction heating controller to dynamically regulate heating output based on detected lifter position. This substitution of control logic for structural modification maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving safety goals.
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 effectively prevents overheating, reduces energy loss, and enhances heating efficiency by controlling heat distribution, thereby improving the stability and safety of the apparatus while maintaining the basic functions of the lifter and minimizing structural changes.
Implementation Method 1
an induction module spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the drum and provided to heat the circumferential surface of the drum via a magnetic field that is generated when current is applied to a coil
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus, which directly heats a drum accommodating laundry therein, and which is enhanced in efficiency and safety. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a drum formed of a metal material and provided to accommodate laundry therein, an induction module spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the drum and provided to heat the circumferential surface of the drum via a magnetic field that is generated when current is applied to a coil, a lifter provided in the drum to move the laundry inside the drum when the drum rotates, and a module controller configured to control an output of the induction module so as to control an amount of heat generated from the circumferential surface of the drum. The module controller variably controls the amount of heat that is generated based on a change in a position of the lifter that occurs when the drum rotates.