Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face inefficiencies and structural limitations in heating systems, including high energy consumption, instability, and longer drying times due to indirect heating methods, and challenges in stabilizing induction heating modules during drum rotation.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with an induction module that includes a coil and a permanent magnet housing, where the permanent magnet is securely positioned between the base and cover housings, and supported by holders and connectors to ensure stability and uniform heating of the drum, reducing noise and detachment risks, and enhancing heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If indirect heating systems (hot wire, heat pump) are used to heat washing water or dry laundry, then heating function is provided, but energy consumption increases and drying time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect heating systems (hot wire, heat pump) with an induction heating system that uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat the drum. The induction module includes a coil that generates a magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the drum, converting electrical energy directly into thermal energy in the drum itself, eliminating the need for intermediate heat transfer media and significantly improving energy efficiency and drying speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the induction module as an intermediary between the power source and the drum, using electromagnetic fields as the medium to transfer energy. The coil generates a magnetic field that penetrates the drum wall and induces heating directly in the drum material, providing a more efficient energy transfer path compared to conventional indirect heating methods
2Temperature
If hot wire is used to heat washing water, then water temperature increases, but structural limitation occurs requiring separate path below tub
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hot wire heating system with an induction heating system. Instead of submerging a physical heating element in the water (which requires complex piping and structural modifications), the induction module uses electromagnetic fields to heat the drum, which in turn heats the water through thermal contact, simplifying the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heating function from the water treatment system and relocates it to the drum heating system. By heating the drum separately through induction, the water is heated indirectly through thermal contact with the drum, eliminating the need for complex water heating pathways and structural modifications to the tub
3Temperature
If gas heater or electric heater is used in hot-air drying system, then air heating is achieved, but stability decreases and exhaust gas or energy consumption issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional gas or electric heaters with an induction heating system. The induction module uses electromagnetic fields to heat the drum, which then heats the air through thermal radiation and convection. This eliminates combustion-related stability issues and exhaust gas problems, providing cleaner and more stable heating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of direct flame heating (exhaust gas, instability) into benefit by using electromagnetic induction. The induction system eliminates combustion byproducts and provides stable, controlled heating without the risks associated with gas heaters, turning a harmful heating method into a safe and reliable alternative
4Productivity
If induction module elements are arranged during drum rotation, then heating function is provided, but elements may detach due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the detachment problem by moving the induction module from a rotating configuration to a stationary configuration mounted on the external cabinet. The magnetic field generated by the stationary coil can still effectively penetrate the drum wall and induce heating, eliminating vibration-related detachment issues while maintaining heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the induction module from the rotating drum assembly and places it in the stationary external cabinet structure. This segmentation allows the heating function to be decoupled from the rotating components, enabling the induction module to remain stable and fixed while still effectively heating the drum through electromagnetic field penetration
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 provides stable and efficient heating, reducing drying time and energy consumption by directly heating the drum, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the drum's surface, and improving the durability and noise resistance of the heating system.
Implementation Method 1
an induction module provided at an outer surface of the tub and configured to heat a surface of the drum within the tub via induction
Implementation Method 2
a coil that comprises a wire through which an electric current is configured to pass so as to generate a magnetic field
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus (1) comprising an induction module is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus comprises a cabinet (1000), a drum (3000) provided inside the cabinet and formed of a metal material for accommodating a treatment target, and an induction module (5000) spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the drum at a predetermined interval, inducing and heating the drum, wherein the induction module includes a base housing (5100) for accommodating a coil (5150), a permanent magnet housing (5500) coupled with the base housing and provided with a holder (5510) in which a permanent magnet is accommodated, and a cover housing (5600) coupled with the permanent magnet housing, and the cover housing is coupled to the permanent magnet housing and therefore the permanent magnet is located between the permanent magnet housing and the cover housing. A joint force of the induction module may be enhanced to improve durability, and noise caused by vibration of a tub may be avoided.