Induction-Heated Laundry Drum With Vibration-Stable Coil Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face inefficiencies and safety issues with heating methods, including energy wastage, structural complexities, and prolonged drying times, particularly with induction heating systems where the coil can be dislodged due to vibration.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with an induction heating module featuring a coil securely mounted on a base housing with thermal-fusing ribs and a permanent magnet to concentrate the magnetic field, ensuring uniform heating and stability of the drum, thereby preventing coil detachment and enhancing efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating wire is installed inside the laundry treating apparatus, then the washing water temperature can be increased, but a separate flow path must be provided under the tub which increases structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the water flow path system and relocates it to the drum structure. The heating wire is installed on the drum surface rather than in the water flow path, eliminating the need for separate flow paths under the tub while still achieving water heating through thermal conduction from the drum to the water.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a coil is wound around the induction heating module, then heating efficiency is improved, but the coil can be removed due to vibration during drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-heating the ribs of the base housing to a temperature where they become soft and pliable. This thermal softening allows the ribs to deform and securely grip the coil during the heating process, preventing coil removal due to vibration. After cooling, the ribs harden and maintain the securing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the rib material from rigid at room temperature to soft and pliable at elevated temperatures. This parameter change allows the ribs to adapt their mechanical properties: soft during coil installation and heating to accommodate and secure the coil, then rigid during operation to maintain secure holding against vibration forces.
3Ease of operation
If hot air drying method is used, then laundry can be dried by heating circulating air, but drying time is prolonged when laundry is entangled or contains large amount of water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the air circulation system and relocates it directly to the drum surface that contacts the laundry. By installing the heating wire on the drum, heat is transferred directly to the laundry through contact, eliminating the intermediate air heating step and significantly reducing drying time even for entangled or water-heavy laundry.
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 allows for direct and uniform heating of the drum, reducing washing-water heating and drying times, improving efficiency, and ensuring the coil's stability against vibration, thus addressing the inefficiencies and safety concerns of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the induction module has a coil formed by turns of a wire... the induction module inductively heats the drum using a magnetic field generated by applying a current to the coil
Implementation Method 2
the induction module includes a permanent magnet disposed on a top face of the coil
Implementation Method 3
a thermal-fusing line for thermally fusing the ribs is defined in each of the corner sections... the coil is secured to the base housing through thermal fusion of the ribs
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry care apparatus in which an induction module heats the drum uniformly using a magnetic field to dry laundry or heat wash-water, and center and front and rear regions of the drum are uniformly heated.