Laundry treating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face inefficiencies and safety issues with heating methods, including energy wastage, structural limitations, and prolonged drying times due to indirect heating methods, and instability of induction heating modules during operation.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with an induction heating module that includes a coil wound around a drum, where the coil is securely fixed using a base housing with ribs and thermal-fusing lines to prevent detachment and ensure uniform heating, utilizing a magnetic field to directly heat the drum and improve efficiency and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating wire is installed inside the laundry treating apparatus, then the washing water temperature can be increased, but a separate flow path must be provided under the tub which creates structural limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing water temperatureVSAvoidflow path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional heating wire method with an induction heating module that uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat the drum. This eliminates the need for a separate flow path under the tub, as the heating occurs through electromagnetic induction rather than direct contact with a heating wire in water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The induction heating module acts as an intermediary between the power source and the washing water. Instead of heating the water directly through a heating wire, the module heats the drum which then transfers heat to the washing water, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If hot air drying method is used with heating wire, then laundry can be dried, but foreign substances such as scales may be accumulated on the heating wire and excessive energy may be consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heating wire-based hot air drying method with an induction heating module that uses electromagnetic fields to heat the drum. This eliminates scale accumulation on heating wires and reduces energy consumption by directly heating the drum rather than heating air indirectly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If indirect drying method using air is used, then laundry can be dried, but the drying time may be prolonged when the laundry is entangled or twisted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying functionVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect air-based drying with direct induction heating of the drum. The electromagnetic fields directly heat the drum surface that contacts the laundry, significantly reducing drying time regardless of laundry entanglement or twisting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Temperature

If induction heating module is used, then direct and uniform heating can be achieved, but the coil may be detached due to vibration during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidcoil stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive material to the base housing before installing the coil, creating a preliminary bond that prevents coil detachment during vibration. This preliminary action ensures the coil remains securely attached throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vibration and heat generated during operation to strengthen the adhesive bond between the coil and base housing. The harmful vibration that could detach the coil instead helps to press the adhesive material firmly, converting the harmful factor into a beneficial strengthening effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 direct and uniform heating of the drum, reducing washing-water heating and drying times, enhancing efficiency, and preventing coil detachment due to vibration, thus improving the overall performance and stability of the induction heating module.

Implementation Method 1

an induction module spaced apart from an outer circumferential face of the drum by a predetermined spacing, wherein the induction module has a coil formed by turns of a wire... wherein the induction module inductively heats the drum using a magnetic field generated by applying a current to the coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11136707B2Laundry treating apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a laundry care apparatus in which an induction module heats the drum uniformly using a magnetic field to dry laundry or heat wash-water, and center and front and rear regions of the drum are uniformly heated.