Appliance Drying and Heating Control Under Power Supply Fluctuations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryers face challenges in achieving optimal air drying and liquid heating efficiency due to fluctuations in electrical power supply parameters, leading to potential overheating, energy inefficiency, and impaired operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
A control/monitoring device is implemented to detect deviations in electrical power supply parameters, generating control signals that adjust the fan speed and heating output of air drying and liquid heating devices to maintain desired thermal energy input, ensuring efficient and reliable operation within specified limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heating output of electrical components is increased to improve drying performance, then the thermal energy input increases, but the risk of overheating and energy inefficiency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control/monitoring device continuously monitors electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency) and adjusts the operation of heating elements and fan units in real-time. When parameter deviations are detected, the system automatically modifies heating output and airflow to maintain safe operating temperatures, preventing overheating while optimizing drying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of heating elements and fan units based on real-time electrical conditions. The fan speed and heating power are varied continuously according to detected parameter deviations, allowing the system to adapt to changing power supply conditions and maintain optimal thermal energy input without exceeding safety limits.
2Productivity
If the fan speed is increased to improve air circulation and drying efficiency, then the moisture removal rate increases, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control/monitoring device monitors electrical parameters and uses this information to optimally regulate fan unit operation. By detecting voltage, current, and frequency variations, the system adjusts fan speed to achieve the most efficient energy utilization, ensuring high drying performance only when electrical conditions support it, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the fan unit (speed, power consumption) based on detected electrical parameter deviations. When electrical conditions indicate lower available power, the fan speed is reduced accordingly, optimizing the balance between drying efficiency and energy consumption to match actual power supply capabilities.
3Reliability
If the heating duration is extended to ensure complete drying, then the drying thoroughness improves, but the operational time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control/monitoring device uses real-time electrical parameter feedback to dynamically adjust heating duration. By continuously monitoring voltage, current, and frequency, the system calculates the optimal heating time required to achieve complete drying under current electrical conditions, avoiding both insufficient drying and unnecessarily extended operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of electrical parameters before initiating the drying cycle and continuously monitors them throughout. Based on this advance knowledge of electrical conditions, the control device pre-calculates and implements the optimal heating duration, ensuring complete drying while minimizing operational time and energy consumption from the outset.
4Productivity
If the electrical components operate at higher power to reduce drying time, then the productivity increases, but the operational reliability decreases due to parameter fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The control/monitoring device continuously monitors electrical parameters and uses this feedback to maintain stable operation. When parameter deviations are detected that would compromise reliability, the system automatically adjusts heating power and fan operation to stay within safe operating ranges, ensuring consistent and reliable drying performance regardless of power supply fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential electrical parameter deviations by implementing protective control measures in advance. The control/monitoring device sets predetermined safe operating limits and continuously compares actual parameters against these limits, automatically adjusting operation to prevent reliability issues before they occur, thus cushioning against the effects of power supply fluctuations.
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 allows for precise control of thermal energy input, preventing overheating, optimizing energy usage, and ensuring consistent performance across varying power supply conditions, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of air drying and liquid heating processes.
Implementation Method 1
For regeneration, i.e. desorption of the sorption column, its reversibly dehydratable sorption drying material is heated to very high temperatures by means of an air heating device
Implementation Method 2
moist air from the washing container is continuously passed by means of a blower through the sorption column of the sorption drying device
Implementation Method 3
moisture being removed from the air passed through by condensation due to its reversibly dehydratable sorption drying material
Implementation Method 4
its reversibly dehydratable sorption drying material is heated to very high temperatures by means of an air heating device. As a result, water stored in this sorption drying material emerges as hot water vapor
Implementation Method 5
water stored in this sorption drying material emerges as hot water vapor and is guided into the washing container by an air flow generated by the blower
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance, particularly a household dishwasher (GS), washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like, that comprises one or more electrical components (LT, HZ1) of an air drying device (STE) and/or fluid heating device (DLE) that are connected to an electrical energy supply network (EN), wherein at least one control/monitoring unit (HE) is provided to detect a possible deviation (?U, ?f) of the respective actual value (UI, fI) of at least one characteristic (U, f) of the electrical energy supply network (EN) from a target value (UN; fN). Based on the respective detected deviation (?U, ?f) of the actual value (UI, fI), the control/monitoring unit produces at least one control signal (SS1) to adjust the respective electrical component (LT, HZ1).