Induction-Heated Laundry Drum Motion for Uniform Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses with hot-air drying functions suffer from inefficiencies such as drying imbalance, mechanical stress leading to shrinkage or deformation, and inadequate drying of large or bulky loads, particularly due to limited heat transfer and drum motion patterns.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus utilizing an induction heater with a processor-controlled drum motion cycle that includes multiple RPM settings for different motions like space securing, rearrangement, and conductive accelerating, allowing for optimized laundry spreading, mixing, and drying, minimizing mechanical stress and ensuring uniform drying across the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hot air drying is used with conventional drum motion, then drying function is added to the washing apparatus, but heat transfer efficiency is low and drying imbalance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The drum motion is changed from conventional tumbling to a dynamic motion pattern with multiple RPM settings (space securing motion at high RPM, rearrangement motion at low RPM, conductive accelerating motion at intermediate RPM). This dynamic motion optimization improves heat transfer efficiency by ensuring better contact between laundry and heated drum surface while maintaining drying functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the drum (rotation speed, motion patterns) to optimize heat transfer. By adjusting RPM across different motion phases and controlling the induction heater power, the system achieves improved heat transfer efficiency and uniform drying without losing the drying function.
2Productivity
If tumbling operation is performed to dry laundry, then drying is achieved, but mechanical stress causes shrinkage or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The drum motion is optimized to reduce mechanical stress through controlled RPM variations. The space securing motion at high RPM minimizes laundry movement and friction, while the conductive accelerating motion provides gentle tumbling. This dynamic motion control maintains drying efficiency while reducing shrinkage and deformation caused by excessive mechanical stress.
3Productivity
If conventional drum motion is used, then drying is performed, but large or bulky loads are not dried uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs dynamic drum motion with three distinct RPM phases to achieve uniform drying. The space securing motion (high RPM) presses bulky loads against the drum surface for direct heat contact, the conductive accelerating motion (intermediate RPM) gently tumbles laundry for even heat distribution, and the rearrangement motion (low RPM) redistributes loads. This multi-phase dynamic motion ensures uniform drying of large or bulky loads while maintaining high drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process uses periodic alternation between different drum motion phases (space securing, conductive accelerating, rearrangement motions). This periodic action ensures that all parts of bulky loads receive adequate heat exposure and movement, achieving uniform drying across the entire load while maintaining overall drying efficiency.
4Power
If induction heater is used to heat drum, then heating efficiency is improved, but complex drum motion control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic drum motion control with multiple RPM settings to optimize the interaction between the induction-heated drum and the laundry. The processor controls the motor to adjust drum speed according to the heating phase, ensuring efficient heat transfer while managing the complexity through automated motion sequences that coordinate with the induction heater operation.
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 effectively addresses drying imbalances and mechanical stress issues, achieving uniform and efficient drying of large or bulky loads by using a combination of controlled drum motions and induction heating, reducing shrinkage and deformation while improving overall drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heater disposed on the tub and configured to heat an outer circumferential face of the drum contacting the heater
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an object treating apparatus, and more particularly, an object treating apparatus for heating a drum using an induction heater and a control method thereof. The object treating apparatus includes a tub; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and accommodating an object therein; an induction heater disposed on the tub and configured to heat an outer circumferential face of the drum contacting the heater; a motor to rotate the drum; and a processor configured to control an operation of the induction heater to dry the object, wherein the processor is configured to control revolution per minute (RPM) of the drum to perform at least three drum motions having at least three different target RPMs respectively when drying the object.