Dryer RF Lifter Electrode Design for Uniform Laundry Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying methods for laundry using drum rotation and heaters in dryers cause damage such as abrasion and shrinkage, and RF signal methods result in non-uniform drying and arc generation due to narrow electric fields.
Innovation Solution
A dryer design featuring lifters protruding from the drum with anodes disposed between them to output RF signals, controlled by a controller to adjust power levels, and a ground electrode for uniform drying, reducing arc generation and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drum rotation and heater methods are used, then drying function is provided, but laundry damage such as abrasion and shrinkage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drum rotation system with an RF electromagnetic field-based drying system. The RF signal generator generates radio frequency signals that create electromagnetic fields to heat and dry laundry directly without mechanical drum rotation, thereby eliminating mechanical abrasion and shrinkage damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the drying mechanism from thermal convection (heater and fan) to RF electromagnetic heating. By adjusting RF signal parameters such as frequency and power, the system achieves effective drying while maintaining laundry integrity, avoiding the harmful effects of conventional high-temperature heating.
2Reliability
If RF signal method with intersected anode and cathode like teeth is used, then drying function is provided, but non-uniform drying occurs due to narrow electric field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drying chamber into multiple sections with multiple anodes and cathodes positioned at different locations. This segmentation creates multiple electric fields that collectively cover the entire drying chamber uniformly, preventing the narrow electric field problem of single-point RF applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional narrow electric field (intersected anode-cathode like teeth) to a three-dimensional distributed electric field configuration. By positioning multiple RF electrodes throughout the drying chamber volume, the system achieves uniform electromagnetic field distribution across all spatial dimensions.
3Productivity
If RF signal method is used, then drying time is reduced, but arc generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dielectric materials as intermediaries between the RF electrodes and the laundry. These dielectric materials serve as mediators that couple the RF electromagnetic energy to the laundry effectively while preventing direct electrical discharge and arc generation between electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes RF signal parameters including frequency selection and power level control to operate within safe limits that prevent arc generation. By carefully adjusting these parameters and using pulsed RF application, the system maintains high drying speed while avoiding harmful electrical discharges.
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
Uniform drying of laundry is achieved with reduced drying time and power consumption, while minimizing damage and arc generation, using RF signals effectively.
Implementation Method 1
anode disposed in the lifter to output a RF signal
Implementation Method 2
drying the laundry while reducing the damage to the laundry has been continued. Meanwhile, according to US Patent Publication No. US2016/01307437, a method of drying laundry using an RF signal is disclosed.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a drier. A drier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a drum, at least one lifter formed to protrude from an inner peripheral surface of the drum, an anode disposed in the lifter to output a RF signal, and a RF output device configured to output the RF signal. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly dry laundry in the drum.