Dryer and drying method thereof
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dryers inaccurately detect the dryness of bulky objects due to their rotation with the drum, leading to incorrect drying times and potential over-drying or under-drying.
Innovation Solution
A dryer that adjusts the rotation direction of the drum based on the dry state of the object, using sensors to monitor dryness and air temperature, allowing for adaptive control of the drying cycle duration and frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the drum rotates continuously in one direction during drying, then the drying process is simple and efficient, but the dryness detection becomes inaccurate for bulky objects
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation direction is periodically changed during the drying cycle. The controller reverses the drum rotation at specific intervals to allow bulky objects to be repositioned, ensuring different portions of the object contact the sensor for accurate dryness detection throughout the drying process.
2Reliability
If the drying cycle is extended to ensure complete drying of bulky objects, then drying completeness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously detects the dryness state of the bulky object and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this real-time feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts the drying cycle duration and drum rotation patterns, extending drying only when necessary to achieve complete drying while minimizing energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the drum rotation speed is increased to reduce drying time, then productivity improves, but detection accuracy of dry state decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation speed and direction are periodically adjusted during the drying process. At detection phases, the drum rotates slowly or reverses to allow proper sensor contact with the object surface. During active drying phases, the drum rotates at higher speeds to improve air circulation and drying efficiency, thus balancing productivity and detection accuracy.
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 approach ensures more accurate drying, preventing damage from over-drying and energy inefficiency by dynamically adjusting the drying process based on real-time sensor data.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for sensing a dry state of the dry object
Implementation Method 2
another sensor for sensing a temperature of air discharged from the drum
Implementation Method 3
a heater for heating air supplied into the drum
Implementation Method 4
The heater may include a compressor configured to heat air supplied into the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A dryer includes a drum receiving an object to be dried, a first sensor configured to sense a dry state of the object to be dried contained in the drum, a heater configured to heat air supplied into the drum, a blower including a fan forming a flow of air passing through the inside of the drum, a second sensor configured to sense a temperature of air discharged from the drum, and a processor configured to control, when a user input selecting a specific course is received, the drum, the heater, and the blower to perform a dry cycle, to control a rotation direction of the drum on the basis of a dry state of the dry object sensed by the first sensor when the dry cycle is started, and to control termination of the dry cycle on the basis of the temperature of air sensed by the second sensor.