Laundry Dryer Dual-Mode Control for Energy Compliance and Dry Boost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern laundry dryers consume excessive energy and resources due to reliance on supplemental drying mechanisms, and existing control systems lack user intuitiveness and optimal energy consumption characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling laundry dryers that includes a default low-energy cycle with a Dry Boost option, utilizing a predetermined schedule for supplemental drying and feedback-controlled operations to achieve desired dryness levels while maintaining energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If supplemental drying mechanisms are used to accelerate the drying process, then drying speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by cycling the supplemental drying mechanism between active and inactive states based on real-time humidity sensing. The system activates the supplemental dryer only when the humidity sensor detects moisture levels above a threshold, and deactivates it when the threshold is met, creating a periodic on-off pattern that accelerates drying only when necessary rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control through a humidity sensor that continuously monitors the drying chamber environment and feeds this information back to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust supplemental drying mechanism operation based on actual moisture conditions, activating only when needed and stopping when the desired dry state is achieved, thereby optimizing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the dryer operates at low-energy settings to meet E-Star regulations, then energy consumption is reduced, but drying time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drying system adaptable and changeable based on conditions. The control system can dynamically switch between different operational modes: primarily relying on natural convection for energy efficiency, but automatically activating supplemental heating when the humidity sensor detects that drying is stalled or taking too long, thus dynamically adjusting the drying strategy to balance energy use and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by implementing intermittent supplemental heating cycles. Rather than continuous high-energy operation, the supplemental heater activates in periodic bursts when the humidity sensor indicates moisture levels are still high, then pauses when thresholds are met, creating a rhythm of energy-intensive and energy-saving phases that overall reduces consumption while maintaining reasonable drying time.
3Productivity
If multiple control variables are adjusted to optimize drying performance, then drying efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic control based on sensor feedback. The humidity sensor automatically detects moisture levels and triggers appropriate responses without user intervention. The system self-regulates by activating or deactivating the supplemental drying mechanism based on pre-programmed humidity thresholds, eliminating the need for complex manual control interfaces or multiple user-adjustable variables while maintaining optimized drying efficiency.
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
Provides improved drying performance with enhanced user intuitiveness and adherence to energy-saving guidelines, ensuring consistent energy consumption within regulatory limits.
Implementation Method 1
most dryers have a supplemental drying mechanism, such as an electric heating element, a gas heating element, and/or a heat pump dehumidifier, to accelerate evaporation
Implementation Method 2
directing a flow of air over the rotating laundry to remove moisture by evaporation
Implementation Method 3
an electric heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry dryer control method comprising: setting the dryer to a default drying operation; performing the default drying operation when a user selects the default setting and does not select a dry boost setting; and performing a non-default drying operation when a user selects the default setting and does select a dry boost setting. In default operation, the dryer operates the drum and fan, and operates supplemental drying mechanism according to a predetermined schedule of “on” cycles and “off” cycles. If dry boost is selected, or if another non-default cycle is selected, the dryer operates the drum, fan and supplemental drying mechanism using a temperature feedback control loop, and operates until the laundry reaches a first dryness threshold.