Laundry Dryer Conductivity Sensor for Removable Basket Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clothes dryers often fail to achieve the optimal residual moisture content in laundry, leading to over-drying or under-drying, which can damage clothes and waste energy, especially when using a removable drying apparatus like a basket, as existing sensors struggle to accurately determine the presence and impact of such apparatus during the drying cycle.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a laundry treating appliance with a rotatable drum and sensors, including conductivity sensors and thermistors, that differentiate between the presence and absence of a removable basket by analyzing data signals, allowing the controller to adjust the drying cycle accordingly to ensure proper moisture content within the treating chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a removable basket is used for drying items separately, then versatility of the drying apparatus is improved, but measurement precision of moisture content deteriorates due to sensor interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of drying apparatusVSAvoidmoisture content measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drying system is segmented into two independent drying paths: tumble drying in the main chamber and stationary drying in the removable basket. Each path has its own sensor configuration, allowing independent moisture monitoring without cross-interference. The basket can be removed or installed based on user needs, providing versatility while maintaining measurement accuracy for each drying mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary sensing elements that can detect the presence of the removable basket and adjust measurement parameters accordingly. When the basket is installed, the system switches to using sensors positioned to detect moisture through the basket structure or within the basket, ensuring accurate measurements regardless of the drying configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are positioned to detect laundry moisture, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to basket presence detection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaundry moisture detectionVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where the same sensors serve multiple purposes: detecting laundry moisture content, determining the presence of the removable basket, and monitoring drying progress. By programming the controller to interpret sensor signals in different contexts, the system achieves precise measurement without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the drying cycle is extended to accommodate the removable basket, then productivity is maintained, but loss of time increases due to additional drying duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying cycle completionVSAvoiddrying cycle duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback control where moisture sensors continuously monitor the drying progress in the removable basket and provide real-time data to the controller. The controller adjusts the drying cycle duration dynamically based on actual moisture content readings, extending the cycle only as long as necessary to achieve the target moisture level. This prevents unnecessary time extension while ensuring complete drying when the basket is used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures that laundry is dried to the desired moisture level, preventing over-drying or under-drying and optimizing energy use by accurately detecting the presence of a removable basket and adjusting the drying time, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the drying process.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor located at the front of the treating chamber and having a sensing field and emitting a data signal indicative of laundry within the sensing field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

Sensors can be utilized to determine the moisture content in a load of laundry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10738409B2Laundry treating appliance with a sensor

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An apparatus and method towards a laundry treating appliance for drying laundry comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber and having a front and a rear where at least one conductivity sensor is located within the treating chamber, and a motor rotating the drum tumbles laundry within the treating chamber to enable contact of the laundry with the conductivity sensor.