Laundry apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines face inefficiencies in heating laundry without heating wash water, leading to energy and water waste, and struggle with uniform drying of large or entangled loads, resulting in reduced washing and drying efficiency and potential damage to laundry.
Innovation Solution
A laundry apparatus with a rotatable metal drum and induction unit that generates an electromagnetic field to heat the drum, combined with an air passage system for efficient air flow and heat exchange, allowing for effective sterilization and drying without submerging laundry in wash water, while maintaining tub stiffness and reducing energy and water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If wash water is heated to raise laundry temperature, then washing efficiency and sterilization effect are improved, but energy consumption and water usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the drum as an intermediary object between the heating source and the laundry. The drum is heated by the induction heater and then transfers heat to the laundry through contact and air circulation, rather than heating the wash water directly. This mediator approach allows efficient heat transfer while minimizing energy consumption and water usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal heating system (heating water) with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction heater generates an electromagnetic field that directly induces eddy currents in the metal drum, converting electromagnetic energy into thermal energy in the drum itself, which then heats the laundry. This substitution eliminates the need to heat large volumes of water.
2Productivity
If heated air is supplied to dry laundry, then drying efficiency is improved, but uniform drying of large or entangled loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes drum rotation to mechanically move and reposition the laundry continuously during the drying process. This rotation prevents laundry items from remaining in fixed positions where they might entangle or block air flow, ensuring that all surfaces of the laundry are periodically exposed to the heated air circulation, thereby achieving uniform drying even for large or entangled loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a controlled air circulation system using fans to generate forced convection of heated air throughout the drum. This pneumatic approach ensures that heated air is actively distributed to all regions of the laundry, penetrating through and around entangled items, which overcomes the limitation of passive air drying and achieves uniform drying efficiency.
3Productivity
If heater is used to heat air for drying, then drying function is achieved, but tub stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the metal drum as a thermal intermediary that is selectively heated by the induction heater. The drum absorbs and stores thermal energy from the induction heating, then gradually releases this heat to the laundry and air circulation system. This intermediary approach allows the heating function to be achieved while the tub itself remains relatively cool and maintains its structural stiffness, as the induction heater targets the drum specifically rather than heating the entire tub assembly.
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 efficient laundry sterilization and drying with reduced energy and water usage, maintaining tub stiffness and improving washing and drying efficiency, even for large or entangled loads, by heating the drum and utilizing air flow for effective heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
an induction unit provided at the tub for heating the drum by generating an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
laundry in the drum is dried by the air heat-exchanged with the drum that is heated by the induction unit
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a laundry apparatus comprising a drum (30) rotatable on a shaft and comprising at least predetermined region made of metal; a tub holding the drum (30); an induction unit (70) provided in the tub (20) and heating the drum (30) by generating an electromagnetic field; and an air passage unit (80) comprising a first duct (81) provided as a passage for exhausting air outside the tub (20), a second duct (82) provided as a passage for sucking air into the tub (20) and a fan (825) for generating air flow, wherein the air drawn into the tub (20) via the second duct (82) is supplied to an internal space of the drum (30) via a penetrating hole (811) provided in a circumferential surface of the drum (30) by the fan and (825) then exhausted to the first duct (81) after passing through a drum opening provided in a front portion of the drum (30).