Laundry treatment apparatus having an induction heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses face inefficiencies and safety concerns with conventional heating methods, such as electric heaters and heat pumps, and lack effective solutions for improving washing and drying performance while minimizing energy consumption and preventing coil damage.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus utilizing an induction heating module that heats a drum using an electromagnetic field, with a coil mounted on the outer surface of the tub, focusing the magnetic field to enhance heating efficiency and safety, and incorporating a ferromagnetic body to direct the magnetic field towards the drum for even heating and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heater is used to heat wash water, then washing performance is improved through increased water temperature, but foreign substances accumulate on the heater leading to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an induction heating module as an intermediary device that heats the drum indirectly through electromagnetic induction. The coil generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the conductive drum, which then self-heats without direct contact with wash water or foreign substances, eliminating scale accumulation while maintaining heating effectiveness
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump is used to heat air for drying, then energy efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes complicated with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the complex heat pump system and implements it separately through an induction heating module. This modular approach achieves efficient air heating for drying without requiring evaporators, condensers, expansion valves, and compressors, significantly simplifying the system structure while maintaining energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical heat pump system with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction module uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat the drum and surrounding air, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and phase change components, thereby reducing structural complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If the coil is positioned close to the drum for efficient heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but the coil is susceptible to external force and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating system into distinct functional components: the coil is mounted on a separate frame structure that is then attached to the drum exterior. This segmentation allows the coil to be positioned close to the drum for efficient heating while the frame structure provides mechanical support and protection against external forces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a frame structure as an intermediary between the coil and the drum. This frame serves as a protective mediator that shields the coil from external forces while maintaining the close proximity needed for efficient electromagnetic coupling and heating
4Productivity
If induction heating is used to heat the drum, then washing and drying efficiency is improved, but the coil may overheat and deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as a cooling intermediary that flows between the coil and drum. This air flow acts as a heat transfer mediator, carrying away excess heat from the coil while allowing the electromagnetic field to effectively heat the drum, thus preventing coil overheating without reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic cooling action through air flow that continuously removes heat from the coil during operation. This periodic heat dissipation prevents temperature accumulation in the coil, allowing sustained high-power induction heating without thermal damage
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 induction heating module improves washing and drying efficiency by heating the drum and laundry without direct water heating, reduces energy consumption, and prevents coil overheating and deformation, while ensuring stable operation and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heating module (70) configured to heat the drum (30)
Implementation Method 2
a coil (71), which receives electric energy to generate an alternating magnetic field so that an induced current is generated in the drum (30)
Implementation Method 3
the induced current flows along a winding direction of the coil (71) to heat the drum (30)
Implementation Method 4
a ferromagnetic body (75) arranged at a position facing the drum (30) with a predetermined interval therebetween
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus configured to directly heat via an induction module a drum containing laundry therein. The laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a tub (20); a drum (30) configured to rotate within the tub (20) and to contain laundry therein, the drum being formed of a metallic material; and an induction module (70) provided at an outer surface of the tub (20) and configured to heat the drum via induction using a magnetic field generated by applying current to a coil (71) formed by a wire (76) that is wound within the induction module (70), wherein the induction module comprises a base housing (74) configured to accommodate the coil (71) therein, the base housing (74) being mounted on the outer surface of the tub (20), and wherein the coil (71) is formed with the wire (76) being wound around within the base housing (74), and comprising straight portions and curved portions, with a first radius of curvature of an inner coil portion of the curved portion of the coil being the same as a second radius of curvature of an outer coil portion of the curved portion of the coil.