Tumble dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumble dryers face challenges in quickly removable and easily maintainable lint filters, which can lead to improper positioning, causing airflow issues and safety risks due to complex designs and dedicated circuits required for filter positioning control.
Innovation Solution
A tumble dryer design with a lint filter assembly and humidity sensor system where electrodes are integrated into the filter assembly, allowing for easy maintenance and positioning verification through an electrical connector that only connects to the control unit when the filter is correctly positioned, preventing operation if improperly positioned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lint filter is made quickly removable for easy maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of improper positioning increases which compromises reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector provides feedback about the filter's positioning status to the control unit. When the filter is not properly installed, the connector remains open and the control unit receives a signal indicating improper installation, preventing the dryer from operating until the filter is correctly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly itself carries the electrical connector, making the positioning verification system integrated into the removable component. This eliminates the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms while ensuring the filter must be properly installed for electrical connection to occur.
2Reliability
If a dedicated circuit is added to control filter positioning, then reliability of filter positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning verification function is extracted from the main control circuit and implemented through a simple electrical connector on the filter assembly itself. This separates the positioning indication function from the complex control system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector serves multiple functions: it provides power to the filter assembly, carries the positioning verification signal, and can potentially transmit other status information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the electrodes are positioned next to the exhaust air opening to face the drum interior, then measurement precision is improved, but the complexity of the bulkhead assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are merged with the filter assembly rather than being separate components mounted on the bulkhead. This integration simplifies the bulkhead assembly structure while maintaining the electrodes' optimal positioning for moisture detection through the filter media.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly acts as an intermediary structure that holds the electrodes in the correct position relative to the drum interior. This intermediary approach allows the electrodes to face the drum for accurate measurement while the filter assembly provides the necessary structural support and positioning.
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
Simplifies the dryer's geometry and maintenance, ensures proper filter positioning, and prevents operation when the filter is not correctly positioned, reducing airflow issues and safety risks while maintaining efficient drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical resistance (or inductance) measured between the electrodes is indicative of the moisture level of the clothes bridging the electrodes. A high electrical resistance between the electrodes is indicative that the clothes are dry. A low electrical resistance between the electrodes is indicative of wet clothes bridging the electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A tumble dryer (100) is provided having: a laundry drum (102) rotatably supported in a casing (110) and suitable to receive laundry to be dried. A lint filter assembly (1) can be housed in a housing (105) provided in the casing (110) so that, when the lint filter assembly (1) is placed in the housing (105), it intercepts a flow of air exiting the laundry drum (102). A humidity sensor system retrieves information about the actual humidity of the laundry in the drum (102) and has at least a pair of electrodes (20) positioned such that the laundry in the drum (102) can come into contact with the electrodes (20). A control unit (150) controls the operations of the tumble dryer; and an electric circuit (21, 22, 23) transmits a signal obtained from the electrodes (20) to the control unit (150). The electric circuit (21, 22, 23) has at least one electrical connector (22, 23) arranged in such a way to electrically connect the electrodes (20) to the control unit (150) when the filter assembly (1) is correctly positioned in the housing (105) and not to connect the electrodes (20) to the control unit (150) when the filter assembly (1) is not positioned or not correctly positioned in the housing (105).