Laundry treating device having an induction module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating devices with induction heaters face challenges in accurately measuring the temperature of rotating drums, which can lead to overheating and contamination of temperature sensors.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact infrared temperature sensor with a barrel lens and contamination prevention cap is installed at the tub to measure the drum's temperature accurately, preventing noise and contamination, and decontaminating the sensor effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a contact type temperature sensor is used to measure the drum temperature, then the temperature measurement is simple, but the sensor becomes contaminated and the measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the contact-type temperature sensor (mechanical contact system) with a non-contact-type temperature sensor that uses infrared radiation detection. This substitution eliminates the contamination problem while maintaining temperature measurement capability, as the sensor measures thermal radiation from the drum surface without physical contact.
2Reliability
If a non-contact temperature sensor is used to measure the drum temperature, then the sensor contamination is prevented, but the measurement accuracy is affected by thermal radiation from surrounding objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific optical path through the barrel lens structure that selectively allows thermal radiation from the drum to reach the sensor while blocking radiation from surrounding objects. The lens is positioned and shaped to focus only on the drum surface area, giving the measurement system a localized field of view that excludes unwanted thermal sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel lens acts as an intermediary element between the non-contact temperature sensor and the drum. It selectively transmits thermal radiation from the drum to the sensor while blocking thermal radiation from surrounding objects, thus mediating the measurement process to achieve both contamination prevention and accurate measurement.
3Productivity
If the induction heater is used to heat the drum, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the risk of drum overheating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the non-contact temperature sensor continuously monitors the drum temperature and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the induction heater's power output to maintain the drum temperature within the desired range, preventing overheating while maintaining efficient heating operation.
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 allows for precise temperature measurement of the drum, preventing overheating and contamination of the sensor, ensuring accurate and reliable operation of the laundry treating device.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heater configured to heat wash water or air using the principle of induction heating is proposed. The induction heater generates an induced current to heat a conductor.
Implementation Method 2
a non-contact type temperature sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor) installed at a tub to measure a temperature of a drum
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus. The present invention includes a cabinet (3), a tub (4) provided within the cabinet (3), a drum (5) provided within the tub (4) to receive laundry for treatment therein, the drum (5) made of metallic material, an induction module provided to the tub to heat the drum by induction, an infrared sensor (90) provided to the tub (4) to measure a temperature of the drum (5), and a barrel lens (100) connected to the infrared sensor (90) so that thermal radiation radiated from the drum (5) enters the barrel lens (100), wherein the barrel lens (100) includes a guide portion (112) guiding vertically incident thermal radiation to the infrared sensor (90) only.