Dryer Drum Moisture Sensing With NFC Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes dryers with sensors positioned on non-rotating components have less frequent contact with clothing, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate moisture readings, particularly for smaller or larger loads, where optimal sensor placement is crucial for accurate drying control.
Innovation Solution
A clothes dryer design featuring sensors positioned within the rotating drum, with a near-field communication (NFC) tag and reader system that allows for concurrent rotation with the drum, enabling more frequent and accurate moisture sensing and data transfer to the controller for precise drying control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned on non-rotating components of the dryer, then the sensor placement is simple and stable, but the contact frequency with clothes is low leading to inaccurate moisture readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from static sensor placement on non-rotating components to dynamic sensor placement on rotating components within the drum. The sensors are mounted on the drum interior surface or on rotating carriers that move with the drum, ensuring continuous contact with clothes during rotation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through frequent contact while accepting the increased complexity of positioning sensors on moving parts.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on rotating components, then contact frequency with clothes increases improving measurement accuracy, but the complexity of providing power and data transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing traditional mechanical connections (slip rings, brushes, rotary connectors) with wireless communication technology. Sensors mounted on rotating components transmit moisture data and receive power wirelessly through the drum wall, eliminating the need for complex mechanical interfaces between rotating and stationary parts. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high measurement precision while significantly reducing the complexity of power and data transfer systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical contact connections are used for sensors, then the system is simple and reliable, but the sensors cannot be positioned on rotating surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing physical contact connections with wireless communication technology. Electromagnetic fields penetrate the drum wall to transmit power and data between stationary external sources and sensors on rotating components, eliminating wear and contact issues. This resolves the contradiction by enabling versatile sensor placement on rotating surfaces while maintaining reliable communication and power transfer without mechanical contact.
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 provides improved accuracy in moisture sensing, ensuring consistent and efficient drying operations by maintaining frequent contact between sensors and clothing, enhancing control over the drying process, especially for smaller and larger loads.
Implementation Method 1
a near field communication system including components such as tag, reader, filtering, and processing components
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes dryer with improved moisture sensing and wireless data transfer is provided. An example drying appliance includes a plurality of sensors positioned inside a drum of the drying appliance. The plurality of sensors are wired together to provide a combined output signal indicative of one or more parameters of clothing inside the drum. The drying appliance includes a near field communication (NFC) tag mounted on an exterior surface of the drum. The NFC tag receives the combined output signal from the plurality of sensors. The drying appliance includes an NFC reader positioned on a stationary member of the drying appliance and receiving external utility power. The NFC reader receives sensor data from the NFC tag and provides the sensor data to a controller, such that the controller can control the drying appliance based on the one or more parameters of the clothing inside the drum.