Household apparatus and method for said household apparatus with automatic material recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances for drying objects, such as textiles and kitchen utensils, often fail to achieve optimal drying results, either leading to incomplete drying or damage from prolonged exposure to drying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance equipped with sensors to detect physical variables like absolute water load, air temperature, and air pressure, which are evaluated to adjust drying conditions specifically for the type of object being dried, using a control unit to regulate the drying process and ensure gentle and effective drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If objects are dried for longer duration or under more intensive conditions to achieve complete drying, then drying completeness is improved, but object damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes drying parameters (temperature, air flow, time) based on detected object properties. Sensors detect physical variables like water content, temperature, and material type, then the control unit adjusts drying parameters dynamically to achieve complete drying without damaging the object
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor drying progress and object state, feeding this information back to the control unit which adjusts drying conditions in real-time. This closed-loop control prevents over-drying and damage while ensuring complete drying is achieved
2Productivity
If drying conditions are intensified to reduce drying time, then productivity is improved, but object damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system transitions from static fixed conditions to dynamic adjustable conditions. The control unit continuously adapts drying parameters based on real-time sensor data about object water content, material type, and environmental conditions, optimizing drying speed while preventing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes temperature, air flow rate, and drying duration parameters based on detected object properties. Different materials trigger different parameter sets to achieve rapid yet safe drying
3Device complexity
If a single drying program is used for all objects, then device complexity is reduced, but drying effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects object type and water content using sensors, then self-selects the appropriate drying program without user input. The control unit processes sensor data and autonomously configures optimal drying parameters, eliminating the need for manual program selection while ensuring effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The drying system incorporates multiple sensing capabilities (water content detection, temperature sensing, material identification) within a single integrated device. This multi-functional approach allows one system to handle diverse object types effectively without requiring separate specialized programs for each material
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 appliance effectively recognizes the type of object being dried and adjusts conditions to prevent damage while achieving satisfactory drying results, ensuring objects are dried optimally and gently.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor (32) for detecting at least two physical variables, in particular for simultaneously detecting physical variables such as an absolute water load x, an air temperature T, an air pressure
Implementation Method 2
the at least one sensor is configured to detect the at least two physical variables simultaneously, in particular to simultaneously detect physical variables such as an absolute water load x, an air temperature T, an air pressure
Implementation Method 3
A stream of air flows through the air line and through the container
Implementation Method 4
WO 2014/085329 A1 discloses an energy-efficient dryer system which absorbs thermal energy from the exhaust air by means of a heat exchanger and a heat pump and transfers this thermal energy to the air inlet of the tumble dryer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance (10) for drying objects (20) to be dried which can be arranged in the domestic appliance (10) in a regulated manner. The domestic appliance (10) has the following: a container (14) for receiving the objects (20) to be dried and at least one air line (36) which is fluidically connected to the container (14), wherein an airflow (30) flows through the air line (36) and through the container (14), and at least one sensor (32) is arranged in the airflow (30) in order to detect at least two physical variables selected from the group consisting of an absolute water load x, an air temperature T, an air pressure, or another physical variable which is connected to the regulated drying process. The at least one sensor (32) is connected to an analysis unit (24, 24') which is configured to receive and analyze the at least two physical variables from the at least one sensor (32) and transmit the physical variables and/or the analyzed physical variables to a control unit (22) in order to carry out the drying process in a regulated manner. The invention additionally relates to a method for drying objects (20) in a domestic appliance (10) in a regulated manner.