Tumble dryer and method for drying laundry using a tumble dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumble dryers often inefficiently dry laundry, as they maintain constant heat and air flow, failing to adapt to the moisture levels and fiber content of the laundry, leading to prolonged drying times and energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
A tumble dryer with a control arrangement that adjusts temperature and air stream intensity based on real-time moisture and temperature detection, using inductive heating for the fan and separate fan drive, allowing for optimized drying programs that reduce air temperature and increase air flow towards the end of the cycle to efficiently dry laundry gently and quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If constant heat and air flow are maintained throughout the drying cycle, then the drying process is simple to control, but energy consumption increases and drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static constant parameters to dynamic adjustable parameters. The heating element and fan are controlled to vary temperature and air flow rates throughout the drying cycle based on detected moisture levels, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining effective drying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using moisture detection means to monitor the drying state and automatically adjusting the heating power and air flow rates. This closed-loop system reduces energy consumption by adapting parameters to actual drying needs rather than maintaining constant high-level settings.
2Productivity
If high temperature air is used throughout the drying cycle, then moisture removal is accelerated, but laundry is damaged and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using high temperature air flow at the beginning of the drying cycle to rapidly remove free water from laundry surfaces. Once the laundry reaches a certain dryness level detected by moisture sensors, the temperature is reduced to prevent damage, thus achieving fast drying without harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between high-temperature phases for rapid moisture removal and lower-temperature phases for gentle finishing. This periodic variation in temperature ensures high productivity during critical drying phases while protecting laundry during sensitive phases.
3Measurement precision
If moisture detection is performed continuously, then drying precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the existing air flow system to transport moisture-laden air from the drum to the detection means. The moisture in this air serves as an indirect indicator of laundry moisture content, allowing the system to monitor drying progress without requiring direct contact sensors inside the drum.
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 reduces energy consumption by lowering air temperature and increasing air flow, ensuring effective moisture removal while treating laundry gently, resulting in faster and more efficient drying with minimal energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
A fan is provided in order to generate an air stream in order to move the air stream into the drum through the air supply
Implementation Method 2
heating means for heating the air stream are provided, this being essential for the drying function
Implementation Method 3
heating means for heating the air stream are provided
Implementation Method 4
Moisture detection means are also provided in order correspondingly to detect moisture in the air which is supplied to the drum and/or the air which is discharged from the drum
Implementation Method 5
Temperature detection means are provided in order to detect the temperature of the air which is supplied to the drum or, as an alternative, the air which is discharged from the drum
Implementation Method 6
a drum in order to hold laundry which is to be dried, and also has a drive motor for the drum
Implementation Method 7
The fan has a dedicated fan drive which, in principle, can be of a very general nature
Data Source
AI summary
A tumble dryer has a drum for laundry, a drive motor for the drum, an air supply to the drum and an air discharge from the drum, a fan, including a fan drive, for generating an air stream to the drum through the air supply and away from the drum through the air discharge, and also heating means for heating the air stream. The temperature of and the moisture in the air which is discharged from the drum are detected. The profile of said temperature and moisture is compared with prespecification curves, which are stored in a memory, for the profile of said temperature and moisture by means of calculation means depending on the drying phase of the laundry. The operating point of the prespecification curve at which the drying program is located is determined in this way. The control arrangement influences the further drying program, on the basis of the operating point, by way of adjusting the temperature and/or the intensity of the air stream.