Self-Charging Sensor Module for Rotating Tub State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult to detect the washing state or cleanliness state of laundry in a home appliance with a rotation tub structure, such as a washing machine or dryer, due to the challenge of securing power or control signals for sensors inside the rotating tubs.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module with an energy harvester is integrated into the appliance, featuring a stator fixed inside the housing and a rotor on the rotating body, generating an induced current to power a sensor that detects internal environmental and operational information without separate wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is disposed inside a rotation body to detect washing state or cleanliness state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for separate electric wiring and power supply inside the rotating structure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the stationary housing and mounted on the rotating body itself, allowing it to move with the rotation. This eliminates the need for complex rotating wiring connections while maintaining detection capability inside the rotation body.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module generates its own power through the energy harvester that utilizes the rotational motion of the body to generate electricity, eliminating the need for external power wiring. The rotation that would otherwise require complex power transmission now serves to power the sensor itself.
2Reliability
If separate electric wiring is installed to provide power and control signals to sensors inside rotation bodies, then reliability of power supply is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvester converts the mechanical energy of rotation into electrical energy, allowing the sensor to be self-powered without external wiring. This eliminates installation complexity while ensuring continuous power supply as long as the rotation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The power generation system is designed to dynamically convert the rotational motion into electrical energy, adapting to the operational conditions of the rotating body. This dynamic approach replaces static wiring with a flexible energy conversion system.
3Ease of operation
If an energy harvester is integrated with the sensor to enable self-charging, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating separate power wiring, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvester and sensor are merged into a single integrated module that moves together with the rotating body. This combination eliminates the need for separate power wiring and control signal lines, simplifying the overall system despite adding the energy harvesting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body serves multiple functions: it is both the operational component of the device and the power generation source for the sensor. The rotation that performs the primary function also generates electrical energy to power the sensor, reducing the need for additional dedicated power components.
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 sensor module enables real-time detection of internal conditions, allowing the appliance to adjust operating modes based on the detected information, enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor may be configured to, as the rotation body rotates, generate an induced current and supply the induced current to the sensor, while rotating with respect to the stator.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module may be mounted in an electronic device including a rotating body rotatably arranged inside a housing. The sensor module may include a stator fixed in the housing; an energy harvester including a rotor mounted in the rotating body, at a position to at least partially face the stator; and a sensor arranged inside the rotating body together with the rotor, wherein, as the rotating body rotates, the rotor may be configured to rotate about the stator and generate an induced current and supply same to the sensor. The sensor may be configured to detect, using power based on the induced current, environmental information of the inside of the rotating body or operating state information of the rotating body.