Laundry Drum Wireless Power Transmission for In-Drum Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in transmitting electrical energy from non-rotatable parts to the rotatable drum, limiting the installation of electrically powered devices within the drum, which restricts effective laundry treatment options.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wireless power receiver unit in the drum, powered by a wireless power transmitter unit mounted in the cabinet, allows for the installation of electromechanical actuators that can perform localized and specific mechanical actions, such as washing, rinsing, and drying, by wirelessly receiving electrical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drum is made rotatable for laundry treatment, then the laundry treatment capability is improved, but the ability to transmit electrical energy to the drum is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical connection system with a wireless power transmission system. Instead of using complex sliding contacts or flexible cables to transmit electricity to the rotating drum, the invention uses a wireless power transmitter mounted on the stationary cabinet and a wireless power receiver mounted on the rotating drum, transmitting power through electromagnetic fields without physical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer energy between the stationary cabinet and the rotating drum. The wireless power transmitter converts electrical energy to electromagnetic energy, which is then received and converted back to electrical energy by the wireless power receiver on the drum, enabling power transmission without direct electrical connection.
2Productivity
If electromechanical actuators are mounted in the drum for localized laundry treatment, then the laundry treatment effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by mounting electromechanical actuators at specific locations on the drum surface rather than using a single centralized system. These actuators can be positioned to target specific areas of the laundry load, providing localized mechanical actions such as punching, pressing, or agitating at different zones within the drum to improve treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the drum rotatable while carrying the actuators, allowing the treatment zones to move with the drum rotation. The actuators can be activated at different rotational positions to treat different portions of the laundry load sequentially, creating a dynamic treatment process that adapts to the laundry distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless power receiver unit is added to the drum, then the adaptability for powered devices is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the wireless power receiver unit to serve multiple functions: it receives wireless power for the electromechanical actuators, provides structural mounting support for these actuators on the drum, and enables the drum to function as a powered rotating component. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate power transmission mechanisms.
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 enables more effective and dedicated laundry treatment by allowing the use of electromechanical actuators within the drum, enhancing washing, rinsing, and drying processes, and enabling uniform drying through air stream generation.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power transmitter unit associated to said cabinet separately from said drum and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit mounted in/on said drum
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus having a cabinet, a drum rotatably housed inside the cabinet, a wireless power transmitter unit associated to the cabinet separately from the drum and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit mounted in/on the drum, and one or more electromechanical actuators mounted in/on the drum and power supplied by the wireless power receiver unit.