Method of conducting a drying cycle in a laundry treating machine, laundry treating machine and electronic controller unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry drying cycle control methods in machines are inefficient, inaccurate, and costly due to the reliance on expensive humidity sensors, and there is a need for a more effective way to automatically determine the end-point of drying cycles to achieve desired moisture levels.
Innovation Solution
The method uses the noise level of electrical and electro-mechanical operational parameters, such as the power consumption of the drum drive motor, to control the drying cycle by correlating changes in noise with humidity levels, allowing for accurate determination of the end-point without the need for direct humidity measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If humidity sensors are used to determine laundry moisture levels and stop the drying cycle at desired humidity levels, then the drying cycle can be automatically controlled to achieve desired moisture levels, but the cost and complexity of the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the motor as an intermediary element to indirectly measure laundry moisture levels. Instead of directly measuring humidity with sensors, the system monitors the motor's electrical parameters (current, power consumption) which change in response to moisture levels during the drying cycle. The motor serves as a mediator that translates moisture information into measurable electrical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing motor's electrical parameters for dual purposes: both for driving the dryer drum and for sensing moisture levels. The motor's own electrical characteristics during operation provide the measurement information needed to control the drying cycle, eliminating the need for separate sensing systems.
2Extent of automation
If humidity sensors are used to determine laundry moisture levels, then automatic control of drying cycles is achieved, but the cost of implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as the drive mechanism for the dryer drum and as the sensing element for moisture detection. By making the motor multi-functional, the system achieves automatic control without adding separate expensive sensing components, thereby reducing overall implementation cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing motor provides the sensing capability needed for automatic control. The motor's electrical parameters during operation naturally reflect moisture levels, allowing the system to use its own operational characteristics for control purposes without requiring additional dedicated sensing infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If electrical parameters of the motor are monitored to determine laundry load and control drying, then the system becomes more cost-effective, but the accuracy of moisture level determination must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the motor's electrical parameters throughout the drying cycle and uses this feedback information to determine when the desired moisture level is reached. The control unit processes the electrical parameter data in real-time, comparing it against expected patterns to accurately assess moisture levels and automatically adjust or terminate the drying cycle accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical or physical moisture sensing with electrical parameter monitoring. Instead of using traditional humidity sensors that directly contact or measure moisture, the system substitutes electrical measurements of the motor's operational characteristics, which indirectly but accurately reflect moisture levels through the relationship between load and electrical consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application in particular relates to a method of conducting a drying cycle for drying wet laundry (7) in a tumble drum (5) of a laundry treating machine (1). The method comprises controlling the operation of the drying cycle in dependence of at least one of an electrical and electromechanical operational parameter of the laundry treating machine, changing together with laundry humidity of laundry (3) during the drying cycle.