Air-Cooled Condenser Layout for Laundry Drying Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-cooled condensers in laundry washing and drying machines experience efficiency losses due to curved cooling air ducts, which lead to increased friction, pressure, and flow rate losses, resulting in reduced laundry drying efficiency when the machines are installed under counters or in cabinets, where cooling air cycle efficiency is compromised.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal and straight cooling air duct design from the inlet opening at the upper front wall to the condenser and outlet opening at the upper rear wall, minimizing the distance and bends traversed by cooling air, along with an extension to prevent component obstruction and a bend to conceal the fan, ensuring effective cooling and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cooling air duct is designed with curved configuration to accommodate the tub, motor and other components, then the machine can be compactly arranged, but the friction in the cooling air duct increases and loss in pressure and flow rate occurs, thereby laundry drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the condenser horizontally at the upper side of the washing tub rather than vertically at the rear side, changing the spatial dimension of condenser placement. This horizontal positioning allows the cooling air duct to be arranged more directly, reducing the number of bends and improving airflow efficiency while still accommodating other machine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling air duct is designed to receive cooling air directly from the front inlet opening before the air enters the machine body, creating a pre-cooled air path. This preliminary arrangement ensures that cooling air is delivered to the condenser with minimal heating and pressure loss, improving condensation efficiency before the air circulation process begins.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the condenser is placed vertically at the rear side, then water and foam are not collected therein during washing, but the cooling air path becomes long and curved, causing heating and pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the condenser placement from vertical rear-side positioning to horizontal upper-side positioning. This dimensional change allows the condenser to remain above the washing tub (preventing water/foam collection) while enabling a shorter, more direct cooling air duct path that reduces heating and pressure loss.
3Volume of moving object
If the machine is placed under the counter or inside a cabinet, then space is saved, but the fronts of the air inlets and outlets are closed and realizing the cooling air cycle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air inlet opening is positioned at the front wall of the machine body, allowing cooling air to be drawn from the front direction even when the machine is installed under a counter or in a cabinet. This preliminary inlet positioning ensures the cooling air cycle can be realized without requiring front access, facilitating compact installation while maintaining proper airflow.
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 design enhances condensation efficiency by maintaining cooling air flow and pressure, reducing heating and flow rate losses, thus shortening drying duration and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling air fan is situated just behind the inlet opening, the cooling air duct extends from the fan to the condenser and from the condenser to the outlet opening horizontally and straightly without making turns
Implementation Method 2
the use of air-cooled condensers which realize the condensation process by being cooled with the outside environment air is known. The humid air that comes from over the laundry and passes through the processing air duct is condensed in the condenser cooled by means of the outside environment air
Implementation Method 3
A horizontal and straight cooling air duct design from the inlet opening at the upper front wall to the condenser and outlet opening at the upper rear wall, minimizing the distance and bends traversed by cooling air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry washing and drying machine (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed, a tub (4) wherein the drum (3) moves, a control panel (5) whereon buttons are displays are arranged, an upper plate (6) that covers the top side of the body (2), a loading door (7) situated on the body (2) front wall, that is opened/closed for loading/unloading the laundry into the drum (3), an air-cooled condenser (8) disposed at the upper side of the tub (4), a fan (9) that delivers the cooling air (CA) sucked from the outside environment to the condenser (8), an inlet opening (10) situated on the body (2) that provides entry of cooling air (CA) to the condenser (8) from the outside environment, an outlet opening (11) that provides the cooling air (CA) leaving the condenser (8) to be discharged to the outside environment and a cooling air duct (12) that provides the cooling air (CA) to be directed from the inlet opening (10) to the condenser (8) and from the condenser (8) to the outlet opening (11).