Dryer Vent Booster Fan Using Motor Winding for Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes dryer vent booster fan systems require complex installations, including line voltage wiring and additional sensors, which can be difficult and costly, and do not efficiently manage airflow in ducts without adding moving parts or sensors.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a voltage sensor for the auxiliary winding of the booster fan motor to determine internal duct pressure without dedicated pressure sensors or hall effect sensors, and includes a simple clip-on current sensor and electronic controller to manage airflow and report status, eliminating the need for line voltage wiring and reducing installation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated pressure sensors or hall effect sensors are added to determine internal duct pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The booster fan motor's own auxiliary winding serves as the pressure sensing element. The motor self-provides the means to detect pressure conditions through its existing electrical components, eliminating the need for external dedicated pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary winding of the booster fan motor performs multiple functions: it aids in motor starting and simultaneously serves as a pressure sensing element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
2Reliability
If line voltage wiring is installed in the wall adjacent to the dryer for current sensing, then reliability of dryer operation detection is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer's own power cord and existing electrical connection serve as the sensing mechanism. The current sensor clips onto the power cord within the dryer's wiring compartment, allowing the dryer's existing electrical infrastructure to provide the sensing function without requiring external wall wiring modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the need for complex mechanical wall wiring installation with a simple electrical clipping mechanism. The current sensor attaches to the power cord through a simple electrical connection rather than requiring structural wall modifications.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors and wiring are added to the booster fan system, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The booster fan motor's auxiliary winding serves dual purposes: motor operation and pressure sensing. The electronic controller integrates multiple monitoring functions (pressure, airflow, dryer operation status) into a single control unit, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the pressure sensing function with the existing motor winding, combines multiple sensors into a single electronic controller, and integrates all monitoring functions into one unified system rather than using separate distributed components.
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 solution simplifies the installation of clothes dryer vent booster fan systems, enhances airflow management, and increases safety and utility by eliminating the need for additional sensors and wiring, while providing efficient airflow control and status reporting.
Implementation Method 1
a means for determining a difference in winding voltages; where the difference in winding voltages is representative of an internal duct air pressure characteristic
Implementation Method 2
a high static condition comparator; configured for comparing an output of said means for determining a difference in winding voltages and a high static set point
Implementation Method 3
a low static condition comparator; configured for comparing an output of said means for determining a difference in winding voltages and a low static set point
Implementation Method 4
use an internal to the dryer current sensor to sense operation of the dryer
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer exhaust duct power ventilator which is free of any dedicated internal air flow contacting devices for sensing air pressure or measuring fan RPMs and free of any hall effect sensor, but instead utilizes the auxiliary winding of a PSC motor on a centrifugal duct fan to measure the rotation of the motor and fan and thereby determine the pressure in the duct. A clip-on current sensor is located in the dryer power connection compartment and is used to detect operation of the dryer.