Laundry apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry apparatuses face inefficiencies in heating and drying, including uneven air distribution, energy waste, and damage to laundry due to non-uniform heating, especially when dealing with large or entangled loads, and the need to heat both water and air separately.
Innovation Solution
A laundry apparatus incorporating an induction heater on the tub's outer surface to heat the drum through an electromagnetic field, allowing for efficient sterilization and drying without submerging laundry in water, and an air passage system for diagonal air flow to enhance drying efficiency, reducing energy consumption and maintaining tub stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wash water is supplied to submerge all laundry for heating and sterilization, then sterilization effect is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional water-based heating system with an induction heating system that uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat the drum. This substitution eliminates the need to supply large amounts of wash water for heating purposes, as the induction heater can raise the drum temperature directly through electromagnetic induction, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The drum serves as an intermediary medium between the induction heater and the laundry. The induction heater heats the drum, which then transfers heat to the laundry through contact and air circulation. This intermediary approach allows sterilization to occur through heated air and drum surface contact rather than requiring complete submersion in hot water, thus reducing water usage
2Productivity
If heated air is supplied to dry laundry, then drying efficiency is improved, but uniformity of heating deteriorates when laundry is large or entangled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces diagonal air flow paths that move air in three-dimensional space rather than simple horizontal or vertical flow. The air circulation system creates diagonal currents that penetrate deeper into entangled laundry loads, ensuring heated air reaches all areas uniformly. This multi-dimensional air movement pattern improves heating uniformity while maintaining high drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The drum rotation combined with diagonal air flow creates dynamic conditions for heat distribution. As the drum rotates, laundry items are continuously repositioned, exposing different surfaces to the diagonal air stream. This dynamic interaction ensures uniform heating throughout the laundry load, preventing localized overheating or underheating even when clothes are entangled
3Reliability
If heated air is supplied to completely dried laundry, then drying is maintained, but laundry damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a controller that monitors drying conditions and regulates the induction heater and air circulation system accordingly. When the laundry reaches appropriate dryness, the controller adjusts or stops the heating and air supply to prevent overheating and damage. This feedback control ensures complete drying is achieved while avoiding harmful effects from excessive heat exposure
4Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary heater is used to heat wash water indirectly, then energy efficiency is improved, but water supply is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the auxiliary heater system with direct induction heating of the drum. Instead of heating wash water indirectly through an auxiliary heater, the induction heater generates electromagnetic fields that directly induce currents in the conductive drum, heating it efficiently. This eliminates the need for water supply to the heating system while achieving better energy efficiency through direct heating
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 enables uniform drying and improved energy efficiency, reduces water and energy usage, and maintains tub stiffness by heating the drum directly and using diagonal air flow to maximize contact with laundry, while allowing for effective sterilization without submerging in water.
Implementation Method 1
an induction unit provided on the tub and heating the drum by generating an electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry apparatus includes a drum rotatable on a shaft and including at least one predetermined region made of metal; a tub surrounding the drum; an inductor provided on the tub and heating the drum by generating an electromagnetic field; and an air passage duct including a first duct provided as a passage for exhausting air outside the tub, a second duct provided as a passage for sucking air into the tub, and a fan for generating air flow, wherein the air drawn into the tub via the second duct is supplied to an internal space of the drum via a penetrating hole provided in a circumferential surface of the drum by the fan and then exhausted to the first duct after passing through a drum opening provided in a front portion of the drum.