Laundry treating appliance having sensors, and methods of operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances face challenges in accurately determining the remaining drying time and dryness level of laundry loads, as traditional methods rely on imprecise sensors like moisture strips that lose sensitivity below a certain moisture level, and adding precise sensors increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system with first and second air temperature sensors and at least one humidity sensor in the drying air circuit, which estimates air flow rate and calculates outlet air humidity to determine remaining drying time, allowing for precise estimation without the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional moisture strip sensors are used to determine dryness level, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates because they lose sensitivity below a certain moisture level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses air temperature and humidity sensors in the drying air circuit as intermediary measurements to indirectly determine the dryness level of laundry. Instead of placing sensors directly in the laundry, the system measures the humidity change of drying air as it passes through the laundry, providing continuous precision without direct contact sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical moisture strip sensors with an air-based measurement system using temperature and humidity sensors. This substitution allows for continuous, precise measurement of dryness level without the sensitivity limitations of moisture strips, while avoiding the complexity of direct laundry-contact sensors.
2Measurement precision
If precise sensors are added to improve measurement precision, then the dryness level measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing air temperature and humidity sensors in the drying air circuit serve multiple functions. These sensors not only monitor the drying air conditions but also enable calculation of remaining drying time and dryness level, eliminating the need for additional specialized sensors and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing air circulation and sensing infrastructure to provide self-service measurement capabilities. The drying air circuit's temperature and humidity sensors automatically provide data for calculating dryness level and remaining drying time without requiring separate measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If air flow rate is estimated and outlet air humidity is calculated to determine remaining drying time, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the controller continuously monitors air temperature and humidity, estimates air flow rate, calculates outlet air humidity, and uses this information to determine remaining drying time. This closed-loop feedback provides precise, real-time drying progress tracking through computational analysis of existing sensor data.
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 approach provides accurate and cost-effective estimation of remaining drying time and dryness level, improving precision over traditional methods and minimizing additional sensor requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a first air temperature sensor provided in the drying air circuit and outputting a first signal indicative of an inlet air temperature of drying air in the drying air circuit
Implementation Method 2
a second air temperature sensor provided in the drying air circuit and outputting a second signal indicative of an outlet air temperature of the drying air exiting the treating chamber air outlet
Implementation Method 3
at least a first humidity sensor provided in the drying air circuit and outputting a third signal indicative of an inlet air humidity value of the drying air entering the treating chamber air inlet
Implementation Method 4
the moisture-laden process air can pass through a condenser to remove the moisture from the process air
Implementation Method 5
a heater and a blower are provided in the drying air circuit to supply heated drying air through the treating chamber
Implementation Method 6
the blower can then move moisture-laden process air exiting the treating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining a cabinet interior. A drum is rotatable within the cabinet interior, and at least partially defines a treating chamber. The treating chamber has a treating chamber air inlet and a treating chamber air outlet. A drying air circuit is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber air inlet and to the treating chamber air outlet. The laundry treating appliance can include first and second air temperature sensors, at least a first humidity sensor, and a controller operably coupled with the sensors.