Dryer and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers face inefficiencies in drying time and non-uniform heating due to indirect heating methods and thermal runaway phenomena associated with electromagnetic wave drying, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A dryer with a movable electrode unit that adjusts positions based on object states, using a control method to optimize drying space size and energy distribution by sensing impedance, temperature, humidity, and weight, allowing for adjustable intervals between objects and electrodes to achieve optimal drying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If indirect heating method is used to dry laundry, then safety is improved, but drying efficiency deteriorates and drying time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical indirect heating system with an electromagnetic field-based drying system. The electrode unit generates an electromagnetic field that directly interacts with the laundry, eliminating the need for mechanical heat transfer through air or contact with heated surfaces, thereby improving both safety and efficiency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of energy transfer from thermal conduction/convection to electromagnetic field interaction. By applying electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies, the drying process achieves higher efficiency while maintaining safety through controlled energy delivery and real-time monitoring of temperature and moisture levels
2Productivity
If microwave method is used for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but thermal runaway phenomenon occurs due to resonance and non-uniform heating is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable electrode unit that can dynamically adjust its position based on the distribution of laundry items. This dynamic adjustment ensures uniform electromagnetic field distribution throughout the drying chamber, preventing localized overheating and thermal runaway while maintaining high drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor temperature, moisture content, and electromagnetic field distribution. This feedback system allows real-time adjustment of electrode position and operating parameters to prevent thermal runaway and ensure uniform heating, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and safety
3Device complexity
If electrode position is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but drying uniformity deteriorates when multiple objects are accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode unit is designed to be movable along the drying chamber, allowing it to adapt its position according to the quantity and distribution of laundry items. This dynamic positioning capability ensures uniform drying across multiple objects without requiring complex multi-electrode configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The single movable electrode unit serves multiple functions: it can position itself to dry single items, multiple items, or different types of laundry configurations. This universal design achieves uniform drying across various scenarios while maintaining relatively simple device structure
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 approach enhances drying efficiency and uniformity by minimizing parasitic electric fields, maximizing energy transfer, and preventing overheating, thereby improving overall drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor unit may sense at least one piece of state information among impedance information, temperature information, humidity level information, weight information, position information, and number information on the objects to be dried
Implementation Method 2
a dryer which dries objects to be dried... In a case of a clothes dryer which adopts the microwave method, a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs due to a resonance phenomenon of electromagnetic wave energy
Implementation Method 3
a conveying unit configured to convey the objects to be dried... a control unit configured to control the conveying unit to move the objects to be dried based on the information sensed by the sensor unit
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer includes a main body, a drying chamber provided inside the main body and configured to accommodate objects to be dried, a conveying unit configured to convey the objects to be dried, a sensor unit configured to sense information on states of the objects to be dried, and a control unit configured to control the conveying unit to move the objects to be dried based on the information sensed by the sensor unit.