A bearer and a washer-dryer using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer-dryers face challenges in accurately measuring the dryness and humidity of laundry items, particularly with tightly woven cotton fabrics, leading to inefficiencies in wrinkle removal and potential thermal damage due to fixed conductivity sensors that only measure contacting items, resulting in incomplete drying or over-drying.
Innovation Solution
A washer-dryer system with a rotating drum and a movable bearer equipped with electrodes and a communication unit that collects dryness data from all laundry items through contactless communication, allowing precise determination of dryness levels and controlled water spraying to achieve optimal dampness for wrinkle reduction and efficient drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed conductivity sensors are used to measure dryness, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because only contacting laundry items can be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed sensors into movable sensors that travel with the laundry items during drum rotation. The sensors are attached to the laundry items themselves or to components that move with them, enabling continuous measurement of all items throughout the drying cycle rather than only stationary contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based fixed sensors with a system where sensors move dynamically with the laundry. This substitution allows measurement of all laundry items regardless of their position or contact status with fixed sensor points, eliminating the limitation of only measuring contacting items.
2Ease of operation
If water spraying is performed with constant amount, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because it does not account for varying laundry types and amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where dryness measurements from movable sensors continuously inform the water spraying operation. The control unit receives real-time dryness data and adjusts spraying duration and amount accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual laundry conditions rather than using fixed predetermined settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes water spraying parameters (duration, amount, intensity) based on measured dryness levels. Instead of constant spraying, the system adjusts these parameters in real-time according to the actual state of the laundry, optimizing wrinkle removal while preventing over-saturation.
3Ease of operation
If drying process is terminated by timer, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because it cannot detect actual dryness levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces timer-based termination with sensor-based feedback termination. Movable sensors continuously measure dryness levels throughout the drying process, and the control unit terminates drying when predetermined dryness criteria are met, ensuring reliable completion based on actual conditions rather than fixed time schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical timer system with an electronic sensor-based detection system. This replacement enables the drying process to be terminated based on actual physical measurements of dryness rather than predetermined time intervals, significantly improving reliability.
4Device complexity
If electrodes are placed at front portion of drum, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because laundry distribution affects contact probability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves electrodes from fixed front-position mounting to dynamic positioning where they travel with the laundry items during drum rotation. This dynamic positioning ensures that all laundry items pass under the electrodes during each rotation cycle, guaranteeing measurement opportunities regardless of initial distribution or position.
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
Ensures accurate wrinkle reduction with minimal energy consumption by dynamically adjusting water spraying based on comprehensive dryness measurements, preventing over-spraying and under-spraying, and initiating drying only when optimal dampness is reached, thereby reducing wrinkles and thermal damage.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the dryness level of laundry items placed in the drum by contact of the electrodes with the laundry items
Implementation Method 2
a communication unit allowing transmitting the dryness level data
Implementation Method 3
enabling spraying water into the drum (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bearer (3) having at least two electrodes (4) enabling detecting the dryness level of the laundry items by contacting the laundry items, and a communication unit (5) allowing transmitting the dryness level data, a washer-dryer (1) operating in communication with said bearer (3), comprising a drum (2) rotated about a rotational axis, in which the laundry items to be dried and the bearer (3) are placed, a water spraying device (8) enabling spraying water into the drum (2) and the controlling method used to operate said washer-dryer (1).