UV-Permeable Laundry Drum for Low-Energy Clothes Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers consume a significant amount of energy, and consumers seek cost and time savings in laundry drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A clothes dryer design featuring a UV-permeable laundry receptacle and ultraviolet light assembly that directs UV light through the receptacle to dry laundry, optionally with a rotating drum, facilitating energy-efficient drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating methods are used to dry laundry, then the drying function is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal heating system with an ultraviolet light-based drying system. The UV light assembly emits ultraviolet radiation that directly interacts with moisture in the laundry, enabling drying without the need for high-temperature heating elements, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining drying effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the drying process from thermal energy (heat) to electromagnetic energy (ultraviolet light). By using UV radiation with specific wavelengths that resonate with water molecules, the system achieves efficient moisture removal at lower energy levels compared to conventional thermal drying methods
2Loss of time
If conventional drying methods are used, then laundry is dried, but drying time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light assembly operates in periodic cycles, alternating between UV emission and rest periods. This periodic operation allows cumulative drying effect over time while reducing peak energy demands, achieving fast drying results without continuous high energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary UV treatment on the laundry surface before complete drying occurs. This preliminary action prepares the moisture for faster evaporation by breaking molecular bonds and increasing surface area exposure, thereby reducing overall drying time
3Use of energy by moving object
If UV light is directed through the laundry receptacle, then energy consumption is reduced, but the receptacle structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry receptacle incorporates UV-permeable panels at specific locations where UV light transmission is most effective for moisture evaporation. Rather than making the entire receptacle UV-transparent, only critical areas are modified, maintaining structural integrity while enabling energy-efficient UV drying
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle uses composite construction combining UV-permeable materials with structurally strong materials. This allows the receptacle to maintain its mechanical strength and durability while having specific sections that transmit UV light effectively, resolving the conflict between structural requirements and UV transmission needs
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 solution reduces energy consumption and drying time, providing significant cost and time savings by utilizing UV light to dry laundry efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light assembly that is adapted to direct ultraviolet light through the ultraviolet permeable portion of the laundry receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for drying laundry with ultraviolet radiation is provided. One or more ultraviolet light sources emit ultraviolet radiation, which, in various embodiments, is transmitted through a UV-radiation permeable transparent drum containing the wet laundry and other wet articles to be dried. Also provided is a dryer having ultraviolet light sources centrally situated with respect to the drum, wherein the ultraviolet light sources emit ultraviolet radiation directed at laundry in the drum.