Induction Drum Heating Module With Coil Heat Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face inefficiencies and structural limitations in heating systems, including high energy consumption, complex structures, and longer drying times due to indirect heating methods, and lack detailed solutions for induction heating modules in washing and drying machines.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with an induction heating module that includes a coil housed in a base and cover housing, featuring a permanent magnet system for efficient heat discharge and uniform drum heating, addressing excessive coil temperature and structural stability issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a gas heater or electric heater is used to heat the hot wire in the hot-air drying system, then the air can be heated, but the gas heater has problems in stability and exhaust gas, and the electric heater has problems in that particles such as scales may be accumulated and too much energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric heater (mechanical heating system) with an induction heating module that uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat the hot wire. This substitution eliminates the inefficiencies of conventional electric heating, reduces energy consumption, and avoids scale accumulation while maintaining stable temperature control for air heating in the drying system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating method from resistive heating to induction heating, altering the physical parameter of heat generation. This parameter change enables more efficient energy transfer, reduces power consumption, and eliminates the formation of scale particles while achieving the same air heating effect.
2Temperature
If the heat pump is used to dry laundry by heating the air in the evaporator, then drying can be achieved, but it has a volume greater than that of the other hot-air supply structure, and has a more complicated structure and a higher production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the complex heat pump system and implements it through a dedicated induction heating module. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by removing unnecessary heat pump components (compressor, condenser, expansion valve) while retaining the essential air heating capability through electromagnetic induction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical heat pump system with an electromagnetic induction heating system. This substitution dramatically reduces structural complexity, volume, and production cost while maintaining the ability to heat air for the drying process.
3Productivity
If the hot-air drying system or low temperature dehumidification drying system is used, then drying can be performed, but if laundry is entangled or contains much water, a problem occurs in that a drying time may become longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating process into two stages: first, the induction heating module rapidly heats the air through electromagnetic induction; second, the heated air directly contacts and penetrates the laundry. This segmentation enables faster heating and more effective moisture removal from entangled or water-heavy laundry, reducing overall drying time.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heating module operates in periodic cycles, rapidly heating the air and then allowing heat distribution throughout the drying chamber. This periodic action maintains high drying efficiency while managing energy consumption, effectively handling various laundry conditions including entangled or water-heavy items.
4Power
If induction heating is used to heat the drum, then heating efficiency is improved, but the coil generates excessive heat that needs to be discharged actively to prevent degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful excessive heat generated by the induction coil into a beneficial cooling mechanism. By designing a heat discharge path that allows the coil to actively release excess heat to the surrounding air, the system prevents coil degradation while maintaining high heating efficiency for the drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium to transfer heat from the induction coil. The air flows through the coil housing, absorbing excess heat from the coil and carrying it away, thus preventing overheating while the coil continues to generate the electromagnetic fields needed for efficient drum heating.
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 enhances the durability and efficiency of the induction heating module, reduces drying time, and ensures uniform heating of the drum, preventing component detachment and noise during vibration, while reducing energy consumption and structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A coil is wound in an induction heating module provided in the laundry treating apparatus such as a washing machine and a drying machine, and heat may be transferred to a heating target (a drum of the washing machine) by an induced current generated by applying a current to the coil.
Implementation Method 2
A laundry treating apparatus with an induction heating module that includes a coil housed in a base and cover housing, featuring a permanent magnet system for efficient heat discharge and uniform drum heating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus comprising an induction module is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus comprises a cabinet, a drum provided inside the cabinet and formed of a metal material for accommodating a treatment target, and an induction module spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the drum at a predetermined interval, inducing and heating the drum, wherein the induction module includes a base housing for accommodating a coil, and a cover housing forming a moving space of heat generated from the coil, jointed to an upper portion of the base housing, the cover housing includes a through portion for discharging the heat by passing through the cover housing up and down, and the cover housing forms a section upwardly inclined toward the through portion to move the heat generated from the coil along the inclined section and discharge the heat to the through portion. It is possible to prevent a temperature of the coil from being excessively increased in the induction module, and enhance durability and efficiency of the induction module by making sure of a structure for active discharge of heat generated from the coil.