Induction Module Coil Design for Drum Heating in Laundry Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses using conventional heating methods, such as electric heaters and heat pumps, face inefficiencies and safety concerns, particularly with the accumulation of scale on electric heaters and the complexity and high costs of heat pump systems, while induction heating technologies lack concrete implementations for improving efficiency and safety in laundry treatment.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus utilizing an induction module with a coil wound on the outer surface of a tub, where the coil is sectioned into front, rear, and intermediate portions, and a magnetic field is focused towards the drum using strategically arranged magnets, enhancing heating efficiency and safety by preventing coil overheating and disengagement, and ensuring even heating of the drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heater is used to heat wash water, then heating function is provided, but scale accumulates on the heater leading to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the wash water environment by placing the heater in a separate water tank that is thermally coupled to the wash water tub through a heat exchanger. This separation prevents scale accumulation on the heater while still providing heating capability through thermal transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary component between the heater and the wash water. The heater heats the water in the tank, and the heat exchanger transfers this thermal energy to the wash water without direct contact between the heater and the wash water, thereby preventing scale deposition.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump system is used to heat air for drying, then heating efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical heat pump system with a simpler thermal conduction-based heating system. Instead of using a heat pump cycle with compressors and heat exchangers, the system uses a heater in a water tank that thermally couples to the tub, leveraging natural heat transfer processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank serves multiple functions: it stores water, acts as a heat transfer medium, and provides thermal mass for consistent heating. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall system architecture compared to dedicated heat pump components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If induction heating is used to heat the drum, then heating efficiency is improved, but coil overheating and disengagement may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The induction coil is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section independently controllable. This segmentation allows selective activation of coil sections based on heating requirements, preventing overheating in any single region and enabling better thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heating system operates with periodic duty cycles, alternating between heating phases and cooling phases. During cooling phases, the coil is allowed to dissipate heat, preventing cumulative overheating and extending coil life while maintaining heating effectiveness.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the coil is positioned closer to the drum, then heating efficiency increases, but risk of overheating and disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil positioning system is made dynamic, allowing the coil to be adjusted in and out of position relative to the drum. During heating operations, the coil can be positioned closer for maximum efficiency, while during cooling or idle periods, it can be retracted to prevent overheating and disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that monitor coil and drum temperatures in real-time. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of heating power and coil positioning to maintain optimal heating efficiency while preventing overheating conditions.
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 improves heating efficiency, prevents coil overheating and disengagement, and ensures even drying of laundry, addressing inefficiencies and safety concerns of conventional heating methods while maintaining a stable and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an induction module provided at an outer surface of the tub and configured to heat the drum via induction using a magnetic field generated by applying current to a coil formed by a wire that is wound within the induction module
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus includes: a tub; a drum configured to rotate within the tub and to receive laundry therein; and an induction module provided at an outer surface of the tub and configured to heat the drum via induction using a magnetic field generated by applying current to a coil formed by a wire that is wound within the induction module. The induction module includes a base housing configured to accommodate the coil, the base housing being mounted on the outer surface of the tub. The coil is formed with the wire being wound around within the base housing, and includes a straight portion and a curved portion, 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.