Laundry treatment apparatus and controlling method for the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the drying level of clothes, leading to potential over-drying and inefficiencies, as well as inconveniences when clothes are not sufficiently dried.
Innovation Solution
The use of an infrared sensor to measure the temperature of clothes, combined with an electrode sensor, to calculate temperature amplitudes and ratios, ensuring accurate classification of clothes as dry or wet, and determining the drying level by combining these measurements to prevent over-drying and ensure proper drying completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electrode sensor is used to determine drying level, then the drying level can be determined, but the measurement accuracy is insufficient due to variation depending on clothes contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrode sensor (mechanical contact-based measurement) with an infrared sensor that measures temperature remotely without contact. This substitution eliminates the variability caused by different contact conditions between the sensor and clothes, providing consistent and accurate drying level measurements through non-contact thermal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical impedance (electrode sensor) to temperature (infrared sensor). By measuring the temperature of clothes during drying and comparing it to reference values, the system achieves more reliable and contact-independent drying level determination.
2Productivity
If drying continues until electrode sensor indicates completion, then drying cycle ends, but clothes may be excessively dried or not sufficiently dried due to inaccurate measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based electrode sensing with non-contact infrared temperature measurement to determine drying completion. This provides more accurate real-time monitoring of the actual drying state, preventing both over-drying and under-drying while optimizing the drying cycle efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously measuring clothes temperature with the infrared sensor during the drying cycle and comparing it to reference temperature values. Based on this feedback, the drying process is adjusted to achieve precise drying completion, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If infrared sensor is used to measure temperature, then drying level can be accurately determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex contact-based electrode sensor system with a simpler non-contact infrared sensor. Although infrared sensors are technologically different, they eliminate the need for physical contact mechanisms, wiring connections, and contact pressure control, ultimately simplifying the overall system architecture while improving measurement precision.
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
This method provides accurate measurement of drying levels, preventing clothes from being excessively dried, conserving energy, and ensuring clothes are properly dried, thus enhancing energy efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a drying level may be determined by measuring a temperature (by detecting heat) using an infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum that is rotatably provided inside the cabinet, a support panel provided on a front surface of the drum, and an infrared sensor installed on the support drum, provided in a direction facing the drum, and configured to receive heat inside the drum. The infrared sensor measures a temperature inside the drum, is disposed at a center based on right and left sides of the drum, and is disposed at an upper end of the support panel.