Laundry treating apparatus and method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face issues with maintaining a dry state for filter assemblies and collecting condensate water due to contaminants, leading to deteriorated drying performance and water accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that include a drying operation to reach a predefined dryness target, a dryness measurement operation using sensors, and a cleaning operation where water is supplied to the filter assembly only when the dryness exceeds a first reference dryness, minimizing water retention and contaminants, and a water discharge operation to prevent water accumulation when the dryness is higher than a second reference dryness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is continuously supplied to clean the filter assembly, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water accumulation in the filter assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning operation is executed periodically based on dryness levels rather than continuously. The controller supplies water to the water ejector only when the measured dryness exceeds the reference dryness, creating a periodic cleaning action that prevents both insufficient cleaning and water accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dryness sensor to continuously monitor the dryness of the filter assembly and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller intelligently controls the water ejector to supply water only when necessary (when dryness > reference dryness), achieving effective cleaning while preventing water accumulation.
2Reliability
If cleaning operation is frequently executed, then filter assembly cleanliness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dryness sensor provides continuous feedback on the filter assembly's dryness level. The controller uses this feedback to determine when cleaning is actually needed (when dryness exceeds reference dryness), avoiding unnecessary cleaning operations and reducing energy consumption while maintaining filter cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors its own state through the dryness sensor and autonomously decides when cleaning is required. This self-service mechanism ensures cleaning is performed only when the filter assembly actually needs it, optimizing both cleanliness and energy efficiency.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If water ejector supplies water to clean contaminants, then contaminant removal is improved, but water remains in filter assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The water ejector operates periodically based on dryness conditions rather than continuously. By supplying water only when dryness exceeds the reference threshold, the system removes contaminants effectively while allowing the filter assembly to dry between cleaning cycles, preventing water accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (water supply) based on the measured dryness parameter. When dryness exceeds reference dryness, water supply is activated to remove contaminants; when dryness is within acceptable range, water supply is stopped, allowing water to evaporate and preventing accumulation.
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
The solution effectively keeps the filter assembly dry, reduces water accumulation, and maintains efficient drying performance by controlling the cleaning and water discharge operations based on measured dryness and water levels.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger that cools air introduced into the duct from the drum to remove moisture included in the air
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger that heats air that has passed through the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a water ejector for ejecting water to the filter to clean the filter
Implementation Method 4
a fan that moves air passing through the second heat exchanger to the drum
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus including: a cabinet having a laundry inlet and a filter insertion hole defined in a front face thereof; a drum rotatably disposed inside the cabinet and having a laundry storage space defined therein communicating with the laundry inlet; a duct disposed inside the cabinet, wherein the duct defines a channel for supplying air discharged from the drum back to the drum; a fan to move air along the duct; a heat exchanger including a heat-absorber to remove moisture from air introduced into the duct and a heat-emitter disposed inside the duct to heat air passing through the heat-absorber; a water collector constructed to communicate with the duct and to store therein water discharged from the water passing through the heat-absorber; a filter assembly including: a filter assembly body attachable to or detachable from the duct and constructed to be extended from or retractable into the cabinet through the filter insertion hole; a first filter disposed in the filter assembly body to filter fluid moving to the heat-absorber; and a second filter disposed in the filter assembly body to filter fluid moving to the water collector, wherein the second filter is positioned below the first filter; a water discharger detachably disposed in the cabinet and having a water storage space defined therein; a water discharger supply pipe for supplying water stored in the water collector to the water discharger; a water ejector configured to eject water into the first filter; and a water ejector supply pipe for supplying water stored in the water collector to the water ejector. Further, a method for controlling the apparatus is disclosed.