Appliance for drying laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryer and washer/dryer designs face challenges in integrating drying air circulation components without increasing the encumbrance within the existing washer cabinet, due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A modular top or panel is designed to house moisture condensing systems, including air-air heat exchangers or heat pumps, which dehydrate drying air and can be easily mounted onto the cabinet, reducing the need for additional space within the washer cabinet by integrating key components such as fans, condense water drainage systems, and water circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drying components are integrated into the existing washer cabinet, then the appliance can be converted from washer to washer/dryer, but the cabinet space becomes constrained and components become crowded
Solution Approach 1:
The top panel is designed as a three-dimensional structure that utilizes the vertical space above the cabinet interior. By integrating the heat exchanger, fan, and condensation drainage system into the top panel's thickness rather than placing them inside the cabinet, the invention converts a two-dimensional surface into a three-dimensional component housing, effectively adding volume in the vertical dimension without encroaching on the cabinet's internal working space.
Solution Approach 2:
The top panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural closure of the cabinet, houses the drying air circulation components (heat exchanger, fan), provides the condensation drainage system, and maintains the cabinet's aesthetic appearance. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate component housings that would consume additional cabinet volume.
2Reliability
If moisture condensing systems are placed inside the cabinet, then drying function is achieved, but the available space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the heat exchanger, fan, and condensation drainage system into a single integrated top panel assembly. Rather than distributing these components throughout the cabinet interior, they are combined into one unified structure that performs all drying functions while occupying a single location (the top panel), thereby simplifying the overall component arrangement and reducing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a modular top design is used, then installation is simplified and space is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top panel is designed as a separable module that can be installed or removed as a single unit from the cabinet. This segmentation allows the complex integrated components (heat exchanger, fan, drainage system) to be pre-assembled and tested independently, then installed as one module, simplifying both manufacturing processes and field installation while maintaining the integrated functionality.
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 allows for efficient drying air circulation and condensation within the existing washer cabinet design, minimizing space usage and enabling the conversion of a washer into a washer/dryer without substantial design changes, while also reducing water and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture condensing system, where the humid air is at least partially dehydrated
Implementation Method 2
The condensing system may be an air-air heat exchanger, exploiting air taken in from the outside
Implementation Method 3
the dried air flow is heated up by means of a heating arrangement, like an electrical resistance
Implementation Method 4
a blower for the drying process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A top (119) adapted to match and close from above a cabinet (110) of a laundry drying appliance (100), the top being formed as a ready-to-mount part ready to be mounted to the cabinet and forming a moisture condensing module for dehydrating drying air used to dry laundry within a drying drum of the laundry drying appliance. The top has a drying air inlet (510;2810) for receiving moisture-laden drying air, a drying air outlet (515;2815) for delivering demoisturized drying air, fluid passageways defined thereinside from the drying air inlet to the drying air outlet for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated and moisture condensing means arranged inside the fluid passageways. The top comprises, integrally formed therein, at least one structural part of the appliance, the at least one structural part of the appliance comprising at least among: a part of a housing (3010;3110) of a fan (205) operable for propelling the drying air; a drying air delivery duct (3125) connectable to a drying air inlet of the drying drum for delivering the drying air into the drying drum; a seat (3210) for a container of detergents/softener for washing laundry; condense water collecting means (905;2505;3225;3805) for collecting condense water released by the moisture-laden drying air; at least part of a condense water draining system (910,1005;2510,2605;3220,3425;3640;3740;3815); a support (3405) for at least one water inlet valve (3410a,3410b) for selectively allowing the intake of water from a water main; at least part of a water circuit for delivering water to wash the moisture condensing means.