Clothes Dryer Humidity-Based Air Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers consume high energy and risk damaging fabrics due to excessive heat, requiring a lengthy cooling period after the drying cycle, as they maintain high air temperatures to ensure moisture removal.
Innovation Solution
Control the air temperature within the dryer as a function of the laundry's humidity level, adjusting the heating device's power supply to maintain optimal thermodynamic conditions, reducing energy consumption and preventing fabric damage by lowering end-cycle temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high air temperature is maintained throughout the drying cycle to ensure effective moisture removal, then drying effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and fabric damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air temperature variable throughout the drying cycle rather than constant. The temperature is adjusted dynamically based on the drying phase: higher temperatures during the main drying phase for effective moisture removal, and lower temperatures during the final phase when laundry approaches dryness. This dynamic temperature adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining drying effectiveness when needed while reducing energy consumption when full heating power is no longer necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the drying cycle into distinct phases with different temperature regimes. The first phase uses elevated temperatures for rapid moisture evaporation, while the second phase reduces temperatures as the laundry approaches the desired humidity level. This periodic temperature variation allows the system to achieve effective drying during the high-temperature phase while minimizing energy consumption during the low-temperature phase.
2Productivity
If high air temperature is maintained throughout the drying cycle to ensure effective moisture removal, then drying effectiveness is improved, but fabric damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air temperature variable throughout the drying cycle rather than constant. The temperature is adjusted dynamically based on the drying phase: higher temperatures during the main drying phase for effective moisture removal, and lower temperatures during the final phase when laundry approaches dryness. This dynamic temperature adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining drying effectiveness when needed while minimizing fabric damage risk when full heating power is no longer necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the drying cycle into distinct phases with different temperature regimes. The first phase uses elevated temperatures for rapid moisture evaporation, while the second phase reduces temperatures as the laundry approaches the desired humidity level. This periodic temperature variation allows the system to achieve effective drying during the high-temperature phase while minimizing fabric damage risk during the low-temperature phase.
3Productivity
If high air temperature is maintained at the end of the drying cycle, then drying effectiveness is preserved, but cooling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reducing the air temperature during the final phase of the drying cycle, before the drying process is completely finished. By anticipating the end of the drying cycle and lowering temperatures in advance, the system prepares for the cooling phase, thereby minimizing the time required for the laundry to cool down after drying is complete. This preliminary temperature reduction resolves the contradiction by ensuring drying effectiveness is achieved while minimizing subsequent cooling time.
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 method reduces energy consumption, prevents fabric damage, eliminates or shortens the cooling step, and decreases the total treatment time by maintaining lower end-cycle temperatures, typically below 47°C, while ensuring effective drying throughout the cycle.
Implementation Method 1
electric resistors adapted to heat the air flow which is then directed towards the laundry in order to subtract moisture therefrom
Implementation Method 2
air flow heated by electric resistors...directed towards the laundry in order to subtract moisture therefrom
Implementation Method 3
ventilation means are turned on during said cooling step in order to promote forced convection to cool the laundry
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for drying laundry in a drum of a clothes dryer comprising the step of controlling the temperature of the air circulating within the machine as a function of a parameter indicating the degree of humidity of the laundry placed in the drum.