Dryer Moisture Sensor Partitioning Against Lint Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothing dryers face challenges in precisely detecting the dryness of laundry due to foreign substances interfering with moisture sensors, leading to inaccurate readings and potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a clothing dryer design featuring a sensor partition wall and a filter member with moisture detecting sensor units, which includes a bent fixing part and a terminal connecting part to prevent foreign substances from accumulating between sensors, ensuring accurate dryness detection and enhanced efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple moisture detecting sensor units are provided to detect moisture of laundry, then the measurement precision of dryness detection is improved, but foreign substances may accumulate in between the sensors causing inaccurate readings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedryness detection accuracyVSAvoidforeign substance accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sensor partition wall that divides the space between multiple moisture detecting sensor units. This segmentation prevents foreign substances like wet dust from accumulating in the gaps between sensors, while still allowing moisture vapor to reach all sensor surfaces for accurate detection. The partition wall creates individual sensing zones that maintain measurement precision without the harmful effect of foreign substance accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the moisture detecting sensor units and the laundry environment. It selectively blocks foreign substances from reaching the sensor surfaces while permitting moisture vapor to pass through and be detected. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by filtering out harmful factors without interfering with the intended measurement function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sensor partition wall is introduced to prevent foreign substance accumulation, then reliability of sensor operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operation reliabilityVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor partition wall is designed as a thin, simple structure that provides effective separation without adding significant complexity to the device. This thin film approach maintains sensor operation reliability by preventing foreign substance accumulation while minimizing the increase in device complexity. The partition wall can be easily integrated into the existing sensor assembly without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If filter member is provided to filter foreign substances, then reliability of the drying system is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying system reliabilityVSAvoidfilter member manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter member is merged with the existing duct structure in the drying system. By integrating the filtration function into the existing air flow path components, the patent improves drying system reliability through effective foreign substance filtering without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity. The filter member is positioned to utilize the existing duct geometry, eliminating the need for separate complex filtering assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances the accuracy of dryness detection, prevents malfunctions, and improves the overall efficiency of the drying process by ensuring precise moisture sensing and effective air filtration.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of moisture detecting sensor units may be provided at an inside the drying tub to detect moisture of laundry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoisture detection:

Implementation Method 2

a filter member provided in between the drying tub and a duct communicating with the drying tub and through which air passed through an inside the drying tub is discharged, to filter a foreign substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9435070B2Clothing dryer

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A clothing dryer includes a cabinet, a drying tub positioned at an inner side of the cabinet and configured to accommodate laundry, a plurality of moisture detecting sensor units provided at an inside the drying tub to detect moisture of laundry, and a sensor partition wall provided in between the plurality of moisture detecting sensor units to prevent a foreign substance from being stuck in between the plurality of moisture detecting sensor units. Through the structure as such, the accuracy in detecting dryness of laundry is enhanced, and an optimal controlling of the clothing dryer may be possible.