Dryer Air Temperature Sensing Layout Against Condensation Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the drying degree due to conditions such as condensation affecting airflow, water splashing, and unstable air movement, which interfere with temperature sensor measurements.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a heat exchange device and a branch passage for hot and humid air, where a temperature sensor is positioned to avoid condensation effects and water splashing, and a thermal insulation layer is used to maintain accurate temperature measurement, ensuring stable air movement and preventing water from reaching the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is disposed close to the air inlet or air outlet of the condenser, then the temperature detection can be performed, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to condensation affecting airflow, water splashing, and unstable air movement
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the condenser environment and relocated to a position upstream of the condenser where hot and humid air flows before entering the heat exchange device. This separation removes the sensor from harmful condensation and water splashing zones while maintaining its temperature detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated temperature detection passage is introduced as an intermediary channel between the drum and the condenser. This passage serves as a protected pathway that allows the sensor to measure air temperature without being exposed to the harmful environment of the condenser where condensation and water splashing occur.
2Reliability
If the temperature sensor is placed in the condenser, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but the reliability deteriorates due to condensed water flowing back and wetting the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the condenser region where condensed water accumulates and flows back. By positioning the sensor upstream in the temperature detection passage, it is completely removed from the zone where condensation occurs and water flows back, eliminating the reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor performs its measurement function preliminarily, before the air enters the condenser and condensation occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures the sensor always measures the original hot and humid air temperature without being affected by subsequent condensation and water flow back events.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is disposed in the condenser, then temperature measurement is possible, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to air movement being unstable and less than certain speed
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the condenser where air movement becomes unstable after heat exchange. By positioning it upstream in the temperature detection passage, the sensor measures air temperature when air flow is still stable and moving at sufficient speed, ensuring accurate measurements.
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
The solution allows for precise detection of temperature changes in hot and humid air, enabling accurate determination of laundry drying degree without environmental interference, ensuring reliable and accurate temperature measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange device conducted and connected to the tub through a main pipe, and used for cooling hot and humid air that enters the heat exchange device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus 10, including a tub 4; a drum 6, used for containing laundry and disposed in the tub 4; and a heat exchange device 20, conducted and connected to the tub 4 through a main pipe 21, and used for cooling hot and humid air that enters the heat exchange device 20, where a branch passage 22 through which hot and humid air flows into the heat exchange device 20 from the tub 4 is further disposed between the tub 4 and the heat exchange device 20, and a temperature sensor 30 is disposed in the branch passage 22. The branch passage 22 is disposed on a position next to the main pipe 21 of the heat exchange device 20, so that the hot and humid air from the tub 4 is not affected by the heat exchange process in the heat exchange device 20 when passing through the branch passage 22, for example, the hot and humid air is not affected by condensed water or a water-air mixture in the condensation process. In this way, the temperature sensor 30 disposed in the branch passage 22 can accurately detect the original temperature of the hot and humid air from the tub 4.