A laundry dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry dryers cause mechanical wear and prolong drying time due to continuous drum rotation and air flow, which can damage delicate items and increase noise, and insufficient air flow leads to prolonged drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A second fan is introduced in the air circulation duct, operated independently by an auxiliary motor, to continue air circulation when the drum and primary fan are deactivated, positioned at the outlet of the condenser in heat pump dryers and heater in conventional dryers, minimizing energy inefficiency and mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum and first fan are operated continuously to maintain sufficient air flow for heating and dehumidification, then the drying process can proceed, but the noise increases and delicate laundry is worn down due to mechanical effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air circulation function into two separate systems: the drum-driven first fan and the independently controlled second fan. This segmentation allows the second fan to maintain air circulation when the drum is stopped, eliminating mechanical wear on laundry while preserving drying functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the second fan operates independently based on drying conditions. The control unit activates the second fan when the drum is stopped to maintain air flow, and deactivates it when the drum operates, optimizing both laundry care and drying efficiency throughout the cycle.
2Productivity
If the drum rotates continuously to provide air flow, then sufficient air circulation is maintained, but the delicate laundry is worn down due to mechanical effect caused by rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the air circulation function from the drum rotation function by introducing a second fan that can operate independently. This allows air circulation to be maintained without continuous drum rotation, protecting delicate laundry from mechanical wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The second fan acts as an intermediary device that takes over the air circulation function when the drum is stopped. This intermediary maintains the necessary air flow for the heat pump system while eliminating the harmful mechanical effect of continuous drum rotation on delicate laundry.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drum and first fan are deactivated to reduce noise and mechanical wear, then laundry is protected, but air flow becomes insufficient and drying process is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air circulation duty between the first fan (drum-driven) and the second fan (independently controlled). When the drum stops to protect laundry, the second fan maintains sufficient air flow, preventing drying time extension while protecting delicate items.
Solution Approach 2:
The second fan ensures continuous air circulation even when the drum is stopped. This continuity of useful air flow maintains the drying process efficiency without requiring continuous drum rotation, thus preventing drying time extension while protecting laundry.
4Device complexity
If a single motor drives both the drum and fan, then device complexity is reduced, but the fan cannot operate independently to maintain air flow when drum is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into a main motor for the drum and a separate auxiliary motor for the second fan. This segmentation enables independent operation of the fan from the drum, providing the flexibility to maintain air circulation when the drum is stopped, despite increased device complexity.
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 solution reduces mechanical wear on delicate items, shortens drying time, decreases noise, and optimizes energy consumption by maintaining air flow without continuous drum rotation, enhancing drying performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator which enables the process air to be dehumidified
Implementation Method 2
a condenser which enables the process air to be heated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is placed, an air circulation duct (3) which enables the process air to be passed over the laundry in the drum (2), a first fan (4) which is disposed in the air circulation duct (3) and which moves the process air, a compressor (5) which performs the refrigerant cycle, an evaporator (6) which enables the process air to be dehumidified, a condenser (7) which enables the process air to be heated, a main motor (8) which operates the drum (2) and the first fan (4) at the same time, and a control unit (11) which regulates the drying process.