Method and apparatus for determining clothes drying

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining clothes drying accuracy are hindered by multiple temperature sensors, leading to increased costs and potential inaccuracies due to numerous factors affecting the determination process.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a single intake air temperature sensor at the drum's air inlet to calculate the change rate of intake air temperature, determining drying completion based on a preset temperature change rate, with heating control initiated or stopped at specific temperature thresholds (Th and T1) to simplify determination and reduce sensor requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are used to determine clothes drying, then the determination accuracy may be improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying determination accuracyVSAvoidnumber of temperature sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential temperature measurement function needed for drying determination, using a single temperature sensor to measure exhaust air temperature. By focusing on the most critical measurement point (exhaust air temperature) and removing unnecessary sensors, the system achieves reliable drying determination with reduced complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The single temperature sensor serves multiple purposes: it measures exhaust air temperature to determine drying status, monitors temperature changes to calculate drying progress, and provides data for both simple and complex determination algorithms. This multi-functional use of one sensor replaces the need for multiple specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are used to determine clothes drying, then the determination accuracy may be improved, but the cost of drying clothes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying determination accuracyVSAvoidcost of drying clothes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simple, low-cost temperature sensor that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than using multiple expensive sensors. This approach reduces the overall cost of the drying system while maintaining sufficient measurement accuracy for determining clothes dryness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are used to determine clothes drying, then the determination accuracy may be improved, but the number of factors affecting determination increases leading to potential wrong determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying determination accuracyVSAvoiddrying determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes extraneous temperature measurement points and keeps only the essential exhaust air temperature measurement. By eliminating unnecessary sensors and measurement factors, the system reduces the complexity of the determination process and minimizes the risk of wrong determination caused by too many variables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from using multiple temperature values to using temperature change rate (derivative of temperature with respect to time). This parameter transformation simplifies the determination logic and reduces the number of factors that need to be considered, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances drying accuracy, reduces costs by minimizing sensor usage, and ensures precise determination of clothes dryness while protecting the clothes from overheating.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of air exhausted from the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a burner configured to burn gas supplied by the linear valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a hot air supply device configured to supply hot air heated by the burner into the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

a control means configured to adjust the amount of gas supplied to the burner based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control:

Data Source

PatentEP3660205B1Method and apparatus for determining clothes drying
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WUHAN
  • EP3660205B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3660205B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3660205B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for determining drying of clothes. The method for determining drying of clothes includes: acquiring an intake air temperature at an air inlet of a drum; calculating a change rate of the intake air temperature at the air inlet of the drum; determining that drying of the clothes is completed when a relationship between the change rate of the intake air temperature and a preset temperature change rate ks satisfies a determination condition. According to the clothes drying determination method of the present disclosure, the determination factors affecting the drying of clothes are reduced, and the accuracy of determination of drying of clothes is improved and the cost of drying clothes is reduced.