Laundry apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry apparatuses face inefficiencies in heating and drying, leading to energy waste, uneven heating, and potential damage to laundry due to the need to heat both water and air, as well as the challenge of uniformly drying large or entangled loads without wasting resources.
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 that maximizes contact with the heated drum for efficient drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wash water is supplied and heated to raise laundry temperature, then washing and sterilization efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water heating function from the drying system by introducing a separate induction heater that directly heats the drum. This allows the drum to be heated without heating the wash water, eliminating the energy waste associated with heating large volumes of water while maintaining effective laundry temperature for sterilization and washing
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heater acts as an intermediary device between the power source and the laundry. Instead of heating water to transfer heat to laundry, the induction heater directly induces eddy currents in the metal drum, which then transfers heat efficiently to the laundry through contact, achieving better energy utilization
2Productivity
If heated air is supplied to dry laundry, then drying function is achieved, but uniform heating of large or entangled laundry loads is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air circulation drying system with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction heater generates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the conductive drum, heating it uniformly. The heated drum then uniformly transfers heat to all laundry items through direct contact during rotation, ensuring even drying regardless of load size or entanglement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal convection (heated air) to electromagnetic induction (eddy currents in the drum). This parameter change allows for more uniform heat distribution because the electromagnetic field penetrates and heats the entire drum surface simultaneously, which then contacts all laundry items uniformly during rotation
3Productivity
If heated air is supplied to completely-dried laundry, then drying function continues, but laundry damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the controller monitors drying progress and adjusts or stops the induction heater operation accordingly. When the laundry reaches the desired dryness level, the controller automatically stops the heating process, preventing overheating and damage to the laundry while maintaining high drying efficiency
4Temperature
If auxiliary heater is provided to heat wash water, then laundry temperature is raised, but energy waste occurs due to heating large volume of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the water and applies it directly to the drum via induction heating. This eliminates the need to heat large volumes of wash water while still achieving the desired laundry temperature, significantly reducing energy waste associated with heating water that is not fully utilized
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 solution reduces energy consumption, maintains tub stiffness, and ensures uniform drying and washing efficiency, even for large or entangled loads, while eliminating the need to heat wash water or air excessively.
Implementation Method 1
an induction unit provided on the tub and heating the drum by generating an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
an air passage unit comprising 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
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.