Ultrasonic Drum Drying for Low-Heat Fabric Moisture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry appliances are inefficient in removing moisture from fabrics without heat, leading to prolonged drying times and potential fabric shrinkage.
Innovation Solution
A laundry appliance incorporating ultrasonic transducers that generate ultrasonic resonance to disrupt and evaporate water within fabrics, combined with an air handling system to remove humidified air, allowing for efficient moisture removal without heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional drying methods are used without heat, then energy consumption is reduced, but drying efficiency is poor and drying time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal drying system with an ultrasonic vibration system. Transducers generate ultrasonic waves that mechanically vibrate the fabric at molecular levels, directly disrupting water bonds and accelerating evaporation without requiring external heat sources, thus resolving the contradiction between low energy consumption and high drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic vibration energy directly facilitates the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor state within the fabric fibers. The mechanical energy from ultrasonic waves breaks hydrogen bonds in water molecules, enabling phase change at ambient temperatures, thereby achieving efficient drying without thermal energy input
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional drying methods are used without heat, then fabric damage is minimized, but drying time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
By substituting thermal energy with ultrasonic mechanical vibration, the patent eliminates the harmful thermal effects that cause fabric shrinkage and damage. The ultrasonic waves directly agitate water molecules within fibers, enabling moisture removal through mechanical vibration rather than heat, thus reducing drying time while protecting fabric integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ultrasonic mechanical vibration at frequencies above human hearing to agitate water molecules trapped in fabric fibers. This high-frequency vibration disrupts water bonds and accelerates evaporation rates significantly, achieving fast drying without the fabric damage associated with conventional thermal methods
3Productivity
If ultrasonic resonance is applied to evaporate water, then drying efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal management systems (heating elements, temperature control mechanisms, insulation) with relatively simple ultrasonic transducers. The transducers convert electrical energy directly to ultrasonic mechanical vibration, achieving efficient drying through a simpler device architecture that eliminates the need for complex thermal control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from thermal energy to ultrasonic vibration frequency. By operating transducers at specific resonant frequencies that match fabric-water system characteristics, the patent achieves maximum drying efficiency with minimal device complexity, as the system naturally amplifies the vibration effects at resonance
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 appliance effectively converts trapped water in fabrics into a gaseous form, reducing drying time and minimizing fabric shrinkage, while maintaining energy efficiency and fabric quality.
Implementation Method 1
At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form
Implementation Method 3
The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form
Implementation Method 4
An air handling system operates cooperatively with the transducers to remove at least humidified air from the fabric treating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.