Laundry treatment apparatus and method of controlling the same

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treatment apparatuses using induction heating face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to overheating issues, particularly in the drum's circumferential surface where the lifter is mounted, leading to energy loss and potential breakage, and lack specific solutions for enhancing efficiency and safety.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treatment apparatus with an induction module that heats the drum's circumferential surface using a magnetic field, a temperature sensor to monitor and control heat output, and a module controller to adjust heat based on temperature and lifter position, preventing overheating and optimizing energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If induction heating is applied to the drum's circumferential surface, then heating efficiency is improved, but overheating occurs in the lifter mounting portion causing energy loss and potential breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different heating control strategies to different regions of the drum. The circumferential surface portion is heated with high power for efficiency, while the lifter mounting portion is heated with reduced power to prevent overheating. This spatial differentiation of heating quality resolves the contradiction between overall heating efficiency and localized overheating prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the heating power based on the drum's rotational position. When the lifter mounting portion rotates into the heating zone, the power is automatically reduced. When other portions rotate into view, full power is restored. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain high average heating efficiency while preventing localized overheating during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If heating power is increased to improve drying efficiency, then drying performance is enhanced, but safety risks increase due to potential overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the drum's temperature and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the heating power to maintain safe operating temperatures while maximizing drying efficiency. This closed-loop control system resolves the contradiction between high productivity and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent proactively reduces heating power before dangerous overheating can occur by identifying the lifter mounting portion as a vulnerable area in advance. The control unit preemptively applies lower power to this region during rotation, preventing the safety issue before it arises while maintaining overall drying efficiency through alternative heating zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the drum structure is modified to prevent overheating, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddrum structure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the mechanical drum structure to prevent overheating, the patent substitutes a control-based solution. The heating power is dynamically adjusted through electronic control based on the drum's rotational position, eliminating the need for structural modifications. This resolves the contradiction by achieving safety through control rather than mechanical design changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 prevents overheating, reduces energy loss, and enhances safety by accurately controlling heat distribution, maintaining lifter stability and improving overall efficiency without altering the drum or lifter shapes.

Implementation Method 1

an induction module spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the drum and configured to heat the circumferential surface of the drum via a magnetic field that is generated when current is applied to a coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11060232B2Laundry treatment apparatus and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus, which directly heats a drum accommodating laundry and is enhanced in efficiency and safety. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub, a drum formed of a metal material and rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry, an induction module spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the drum to heat the circumferential surface of the drum via a magnetic field that is generated when current is applied to a coil, a lifter provided in the drum to move the laundry inside the drum when the drum rotates, a temperature sensor provided to sense a temperature of the drum, and a module controller configured to control an output of the induction module so as to control an amount of heat generated from the circumferential surface of the drum. The module controller controls the amount of heat based on the temperature sensed by the sensor.