Dryer and method for controlling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dryers using dielectric heating face inefficiencies due to fixed electric field generation and potential damage from high-temperature air, and moving objects may not be effectively heated.
Innovation Solution
A dryer system that adjusts electric field concentration areas based on object distribution, movement, and eccentricity within a rotating drum, using a controller to generate multi-phase voltages through electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hot air is supplied into the drum to dry the object, then the object can be dried, but heat transfer efficiency is low and the object may be damaged by high temperature air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal convection drying system with a dielectric heating system using radio frequency electromagnetic fields. This substitution allows direct heating of water molecules through dipole rotation, achieving efficient drying without requiring high-temperature air that could damage the object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of water under dielectric heating, where radio frequency energy directly converts to thermal energy in water molecules, causing rapid heating and evaporation without needing to heat the surrounding air to high temperatures.
2Productivity
If an electric field is generated in only one direction using flat electrodes, then the structure is simple, but moving objects cannot be effectively heated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into multiple segments arranged circumferentially around the drum. Instead of using a single pair of flat electrodes, multiple electrode pairs are distributed around the drum's circumference, allowing the electric field to cover the entire drum surface and effectively heat objects at any position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic voltage control where the phase and amplitude of voltages applied to each electrode are adjusted based on the detected position and distribution of objects in the drum. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous effective heating as objects move during the drying process.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism using vibration sensors to detect object distribution and position in the drum. This information is used to adjust the electric field configuration in real-time, ensuring optimal heating effectiveness throughout the drying process.
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
Improves drying efficiency by dynamically adapting electric field concentration to the changing distribution and movement of objects within the drum.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency (RF) power supply 120 configured to apply a voltage to the plurality of electrodes; and a controller 200 configured to control the RF power supply to generate, via the plurality of electrodes, an electric field for dielectric heating of an object to be dried in the drum
Implementation Method 2
The controller may be configured to obtain distribution information of the object in the drum based on at least one from among a vibration pattern of the drum and magnitudes of voltages detected at each of the plurality of electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
A dryer may include a cabinet; a drum configured to rotate in the cabinet; a plurality of electrodes, between the drum and the cabinet, spaced apart from each other along a circumference of the drum; a radio frequency (RF) power supply configured to apply a voltage to the plurality of electrodes; and a controller configured to control the RF power supply to generate, via the plurality of electrodes, an electric field for dielectric heating of an object to be dried in the drum.