Dryer Condensate Basin Temperature Sensing for Fill Level Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional household appliances for drying laundry face challenges in reliably and cost-effectively monitoring the temperature of process air and the liquid fill level in condensate collecting basins, often requiring multiple sensors and being limited to specific dryer types like those with heat pumps.
Innovation Solution
A single temperature sensor is used, positioned below a predetermined fill level in the condensate collecting basin, to monitor both the temperature of the process air and the liquid fill level, generating signals that indicate when the fill level reaches a predetermined point, allowing for dual functionality and cost savings by eliminating the need for separate sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to monitor temperature and liquid fill level separately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is designed to perform dual functions: measuring process air temperature and monitoring liquid fill level in the condensate collecting basin. The sensor is positioned to extend into the basin, allowing it to detect both air temperature during normal operation and liquid level when condensate accumulates, thereby eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the temperature measurement function and liquid level monitoring function into a single integrated sensor system. By merging these two monitoring functions into one sensor, the device achieves cost-effective operation while maintaining adequate measurement precision for both parameters
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is arranged in the air path for monitoring process air temperature, then temperature monitoring is improved, but lint deposits cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the direct air path where lint deposits accumulate and repositioned to monitor process air temperature indirectly. The sensor is placed in the condensate collecting basin area where it can still detect process air temperature changes without being directly exposed to lint-laden air flow, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of lint deposits on measurement accuracy
3Measurement precision
If conventional liquid level monitoring methods are used, then liquid fill level monitoring is achieved, but the solution is limited to specific dryer types with heat pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor positioned in the condensate collecting basin serves as a universal liquid level monitoring mechanism that can be applied to various dryer types including condensation dryers without heat pumps. The sensor detects liquid fill level through temperature changes when condensate contacts it, providing a versatile solution that adapts to different dryer configurations and heating systems
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 solution enables reliable and cost-effective monitoring of both process air temperature and condensate level, preventing overflow and optimizing appliance operation, and is applicable to a wider range of dryer types, including condensation dryers without heat pumps.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensor is set up and arranged to detect a temperature of process air used to dry laundry
Implementation Method 2
the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit is significantly reduced. If the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit falls below a predetermined temperature limit value, the existence of a maximum liquid level in the condensate collecting tank is inferred
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance 1 for drying laundry, having at least one condensate collecting basin 6, at least one temperature sensor 9, which is at least partially arranged below a predetermined filling level 10 of the condensate collecting basin 6, and at least one electronic control and/or electronic control and/or device connected to the temperature sensor 9 in terms of communication technology. or control unit 12, wherein the electronic control and/or regulation unit 12 is set up to determine from the temperature signals of the temperature sensor 9 whether a current liquid level in the condensate collecting basin 6 will reach or has reached the predetermined level 10. In this case, the temperature sensor 9 is set up and arranged to detect a temperature TP of a process air used for drying the laundry and to generate corresponding temperature signals. The invention also relates to a method for monitoring a liquid level in a condensate collecting tank 6 of such a household appliance 1.