Dryer Absolute Humidity Difference Sensor for Overdrying Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer/dryers lack accurate humidity detection, leading to overdrying or insufficient drying due to indirect humidity detection methods and limited space for mounting humidity sensors, resulting in damaged clothing and inefficient drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A dryer equipped with an absolute humidity difference sensor that includes two humidity detection sensors collectively installed at one place, allowing for direct detection of humidity differences between supply and exhaust air, reducing installation labor and space requirements, and enabling accurate determination of drying states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If indirect humidity detection using temperature sensor and correspondence table is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the indirect mechanical/electrical system (temperature sensor + correspondence table) with a direct sensing system (humidity detection sensor) that measures humidity physically, eliminating the need for temperature-based calculations and improving measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a humidity detection sensor as an intermediary device that directly interfaces with the air environment to measure humidity, replacing the indirect method that relied on temperature correlations and providing accurate real-time humidity data
2Measurement precision
If separate humidity sensors are mounted in supply path and discharge path, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate humidity detection sensors (supply path sensor and discharge path sensor) into a single integrated humidity difference sensor unit, maintaining the ability to measure humidity difference while simplifying the mounting structure and reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal humidity difference sensor that can simultaneously detect humidity in both supply and discharge paths through a single mounting location, making the sensor adaptable to multiple measurement functions without requiring separate installations
3Measurement precision
If separate humidity sensors are mounted in supply path and discharge path, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the installation of two separate sensors into a single mounting operation by providing both humidity detection sensors within one integrated unit, significantly improving ease of installation and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the humidity difference measurement function into two independent sensing elements within a single mountable unit, allowing precise measurement while maintaining simple installation through unified mounting structure
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 ensures accurate determination of drying states, preventing overdrying and insufficient drying, while simplifying sensor installation and reducing space requirements, allowing for efficient operation with either heat pump or heater systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first humidity detection sensor configured to detect first humidity as humidity of the supply air
Implementation Method 2
a second humidity detection sensor configured to detect second humidity as humidity of the exhaust air
Implementation Method 3
The differential humidity between the absolute humidity of exhaust air and the absolute humidity of intake air is detected by the non-equilibrium potential of a bridge circuit including both the heat sensitive elements
Implementation Method 4
a heating section generating heated air
Implementation Method 5
The air discharged from the drying drum is fed to a cooling pipe section (cooling section) through a discharge path. As a result, dew condensation occurs and the moisture is removed from the air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a dryer in which detection accuracy is improved by directly detecting the humidity inside the dryer, which is free from overdrying and underdrying, and which enables easy installation of a humidity sensor. In the dryer 100 according to the present invention, the humidity of supply air on a supply path of a heat pump dryer unit 30 is directly detected by a first humidity detection sensor S1, while the humidity of exhaust air on an exhaust path is directly detected by a second humidity detection sensor S2. The first humidity detection sensor S1 and the second humidity detection sensor S2 are collectively disposed at one place, and are respectively provided with a first conduit line or a second conduit line for leading the supply air or the exhaust air to the corresponding sensor position. The sensors may be disposed collectively at one place on the supply path or the exhaust path, whereby installation work is made easy while reducing space required for installation. Further, the environmental temperatures of the two humidity sensors can be deemed equal; thus, when relative humidity sensors are to be used, temperature detection for the purpose of conversion into absolute humidity needs to be performed only at one place.