Drum Washer Induction Heating Design to Prevent Lifter Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses using electric heaters or heat pumps face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to overheating issues, particularly with lifters in drum-based systems, and lack specific configurations for induction heating that enhance both efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus employing an induction module that heats the drum's circumferential surface via a magnetic field, with a module controller adjusting heat output based on the lifter's position to prevent overheating and optimize energy use, using sensors and embossing patterns to estimate lifter position and control heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an electric heater is used to heat wash water or air, then heating function is provided, but foreign substances accumulate on the heater and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric heater (thermal field system) with an induction heating system that uses electromagnetic induction to generate heat directly in the drum. The induction module generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the drum, heating the drum and its contents without direct contact between the heating element and the wash water or air, thereby eliminating scale accumulation and performance degradation.
2Loss of energy
If a heat pump is used to heat air for drying, then heating efficiency is improved, but the configuration becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex heat pump system (evaporator, condenser, expansion valve, compressor) from the laundry treatment apparatus. Instead, it uses a simplified induction heating system where the induction module directly heats the drum through electromagnetic induction, achieving energy efficiency without the complicated refrigeration cycle components.
3Power
If induction heating is applied to heat the drum, then heating efficiency is improved, but the lifter may overheat due to direct exposure to the magnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different heating zones within the drum. The induction module heats the drum circumferential surface locally, and the drum's thermal mass and rotation distribute this heat uniformly throughout. This localized heating approach achieves high heating efficiency while preventing localized overheating of components like the lifter through the drum's thermal buffering and rotational distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by rotating the drum during induction heating. The drum rotates to periodically bring different portions of its surface into proximity with the induction module, distributing the electromagnetic heating uniformly around the drum. This periodic rotation prevents any single location (including where the lifter is positioned) from being continuously exposed to intense localized heating, thereby preventing lifter overheating while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
4Power
If the drum surface is heated uniformly, then heating efficiency is improved, but energy loss increases due to heating the lifter mounting portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the heating process adaptive through drum rotation. Instead of static heating, the rotating drum dynamically distributes the heating zones, allowing the system to heat different portions of the drum surface at different times. This dynamic approach enables more efficient heat transfer to the laundry and water while reducing wasted energy on non-functional portions like the lifter mounting areas, as these portions are not continuously exposed to the induction field.
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 lifter overheating, reduces energy loss, and enhances heating efficiency by uniformly distributing heat, maintaining stability and safety while minimizing changes to the drum and lifter structures.
Implementation Method 1
an induction module spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the drum and configured to heat the circumferential surface of the drum via a magnetic field that is generated when current is applied to a coil
Implementation Method 2
an induction module spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the drum and configured 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 including 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, and a lifter formed of a metal material and provided in the drum to move the laundry inside the drum when the drum rotates. The lifter is provided so as to be recessed in a direction in which a distance between the induction module and the lifter, which face each other, increases.