Dryer appliance with adaptive cycle parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryer appliances often over or under dry loads due to variations in installation conditions and user preferences, leading to damage or excess moisture, as sensor-based operations are based on assumed conditions and fail to adapt to individual user needs.
Innovation Solution
A dryer appliance that detects user interactions during a first cycle, infers unsatisfactory drying performance, and adjusts cycle parameters to a second set based on these interactions, using a controller to modify heating and timing settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensor-based operations are used with standardized cycle parameters, then the dryer can operate automatically, but the drying performance becomes unsatisfactory across variations in installation conditions and user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces feedback by detecting user interactions (such as door opening/closing patterns, cycle selection changes, or manual interruptions) during and after the drying cycle. This feedback is used to infer whether the drying performance was satisfactory and to automatically adjust cycle parameters for subsequent loads, enabling the system to adapt to user preferences and installation conditions while maintaining automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes cycle parameters dynamic by allowing them to change based on detected user interactions. Instead of using fixed standardized parameters, the system adjusts heating intensity, cycle duration, and other parameters in real-time or between cycles based on inferred user satisfaction, thereby achieving both automation and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized sensor operations are performed, then the dryer can be used universally, but over drying or under drying occurs in some installation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user interactions during the first sensor cycle to infer drying performance satisfaction before finalizing parameters for subsequent cycles. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-adjust parameters based on initial performance assessment, preventing over-drying or under-drying in future cycles while maintaining universal usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as heating power, cycle time, drum speed) based on inferred user satisfaction from the first cycle. By dynamically adjusting these parameters for the second sensor dry cycle, the system achieves more precise drying performance across different installation conditions while maintaining universal applicability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cycle parameters are adjusted based on user feedback, then drying performance becomes more satisfactory, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting user interactions and inferring satisfaction without requiring explicit user input or complex intervention. The controller autonomously analyzes interaction patterns, determines whether drying was satisfactory, and adjusts parameters accordingly, thereby improving performance while minimizing the complexity burden on the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple feedback mechanisms (detecting basic user interactions like door operations or cycle selections) to infer satisfaction and trigger parameter adjustments. This feedback-based approach achieves adaptive performance improvement while keeping the detection and control logic relatively simple, avoiding excessive system complexity.
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
Adapting cycle parameters in response to user feedback ensures more satisfactory drying performance, reducing damage and excess moisture by aligning with specific user conditions and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
One or more heating elements, for example electric heating elements, heat air prior to the air entering the drum
Implementation Method 2
the warm air is circulated through the drum as the clothes are tumbled to remove moisture from laundry articles in the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a dryer appliance includes performing a first sensor cycle of the dryer appliance. The first sensor cycle includes rotating a drum of the dryer appliance and activating a heating system of the dryer appliance according to a first set of cycle parameters. The method also includes detecting one or more user interactions with the dryer appliance and inferring from the one or more detected user interactions that the dry performance of the first sensor cycle was unsatisfactory. The method further includes defining a second set of cycle parameters in response to the one or more detected user interactions. The method also includes performing a second sensor dry cycle of the dryer appliance according to the second set of cycle parameters after the first sensor dry cycle.