Dryer with Movable Electrode Unit for Uniform High-Frequency Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers face inefficiencies in drying time and non-uniform heating due to indirect heating methods and thermal runaway phenomena associated with hot air and microwave drying techniques, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A dryer with a movable electrode unit that adjusts positions based on object states, creating adjustable drying spaces and controlling intervals between objects and electrodes to optimize drying conditions, utilizing high-frequency electric fields for efficient and uniform drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If indirect heating method is used in hot air drying, then safety is improved, but drying efficiency deteriorates and drying time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal conduction-based indirect heating system with an electromagnetic field-based heating system. The electromagnetic wave generation unit creates a high-frequency electric field that directly heats the laundry through dielectric heating, eliminating the need for physical heat transfer through air and heating elements, thus dramatically improving drying efficiency while maintaining safety through non-contact heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction to electromagnetic radiation by introducing a high-frequency electric field. This parameter change in the heating method allows energy to be directly absorbed by the water molecules in the laundry, significantly reducing drying time and improving efficiency without compromising safety.
2Productivity
If microwave method is used for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but thermal runaway phenomenon occurs due to resonance and non-uniform heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a high-frequency electric field that selectively interacts with water molecules in the laundry. The electromagnetic wave generation unit and electrode unit work together to concentrate energy where needed, ensuring uniform heating across different parts of the laundry by adjusting the electric field distribution, thereby preventing thermal runaway and non-uniform heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action through high-frequency alternating electric fields to continuously and uniformly heat the laundry. The electromagnetic wave generation unit produces oscillating electric fields that periodically interact with water molecules, ensuring even energy distribution and preventing localized overheating or thermal runaway phenomena.
3Productivity
If multiple objects are accommodated in drying chamber, then productivity is improved, but drying uniformity deteriorates due to fixed electrode position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electrode unit movable along the conveying direction. This allows the electrode position to be dynamically adjusted according to the number, arrangement, and drying state of the laundry items. The control unit coordinates the movement of the electrode unit with the conveying unit to maintain optimal spacing and ensure uniform electric field distribution across all items, even when multiple objects are processed simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback control where the control unit monitors the position of laundry items and adjusts the electrode unit position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the electric field is uniformly distributed across all items in the batch, maintaining drying uniformity even when processing multiple objects simultaneously by continuously adapting to their actual positions.
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 approach enhances drying efficiency and uniformity by dynamically adjusting energy distribution based on object states, reducing drying time and preventing thermal runaway, thereby achieving optimal drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode unit provided inside the drying chamber and configured to form a high-frequency electric field in a drying space
Data Source
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AI summary
A dryer includes a main body, a drying chamber provided inside the main body and configured to accommodate objects to be dried, a conveying unit configured to convey the objects to be dried, a sensor unit configured to sense information on states of the objects to be dried, and a control unit configured to control the conveying unit to move the objects to be dried based on the information sensed by the sensor unit.