Dryer and operation method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryers lack an efficient method to optimize drying time based on data from the washing process, leading to potential damage to laundry and suboptimal drying performance.
Innovation Solution
A dryer operation method that interacts with a washing machine, using sensors to detect laundry and obtain data from the washing process, determining if the laundry corresponds to previously washed items, and adjusting drying settings based on weight, moisture content, and fabric characteristics to optimize drying time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dryer uses a fixed drying time based on measured laundry weight, then the drying process is simple to operate, but the drying time is not optimized and may cause damage to laundry or energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer receives washing process data (weight before washing, weight after washing, moisture content, washing mode) from the washing machine through communication protocols. This feedback loop allows the dryer to automatically adjust drying time and settings based on the actual laundry characteristics, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and drying time optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The dryer obtains washing process data before the drying process begins. By having this information in advance (weight, moisture content, fabric type), the dryer can pre-calculate the optimal drying time and settings, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments while achieving optimized drying performance.
2Productivity
If the dryer obtains and processes washing process data to optimize drying time, then drying performance is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer acts as an intermediary that receives pre-processed washing data from the washing machine's control system. The communication interface and data processing unit serve as intermediaries that translate washing machine data into drying process parameters, allowing optimization without requiring complex integration between machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The dryer's control unit performs multiple functions: it receives communication data from the washing machine, processes the washing process information, determines laundry weight and moisture content, and adjusts drying parameters. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single device rather than requiring separate systems.
3Measurement precision
If the dryer uses washing process data to determine target dry weight, then drying accuracy is improved, but the measurement and detection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer combines multiple data sources (washing machine communication data including weight before/after washing, moisture content, with internal sensor measurements) to determine target dry weight. This merging of information sources improves measurement accuracy without requiring any single detection system to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex physical measurement systems with data processing. Instead of using sophisticated sensors to directly measure moisture content and weight changes, the dryer uses washing process data (weight before washing, weight after washing, moisture content) obtained through communication protocols to calculate target dry weight, substituting mechanical measurement with information processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an operation method of a dryer, and a dryer performing the operation method. The operation method includes detecting, by using one or more sensors, first laundry that is loaded into the dryer; obtaining data related to a washing process with respect to second laundry that was loaded into the washing machine before the first laundry is loaded into the dryer; determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry; based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, determining a weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight; and outputting information about a drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.