Cabinet-Top Condensing Module for Space-Saving Laundry Dryers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryer and washer/dryer designs face challenges in minimizing the encumbrance of components necessary for drying air circulation, particularly in integrating these components within the existing washer cabinet without significant space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A laundry drying appliance with a cabinet-mounted moisture condensing module that includes an air-air heat exchanger or heat pump system, where the drying air circulation system features a return duct and delivery duct connected to the module, allowing for efficient dehydration and reheating of air within the appliance, while minimizing additional space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional drying components are integrated into the washer cabinet, then the drying function is added to the appliance, but the cabinet space becomes constrained and the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the moisture condensing module with the cabinet top structure, merging two separate functions (drying and cabinet housing) into a single integrated assembly. The condensing module includes an air-air heat exchanger that is structurally integrated with the cabinet top, eliminating the need for separate drying components within the limited cabinet space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet top serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural cabinet component and houses the moisture condensing module with heat exchanger. This multi-functional design allows the same structural element to provide both mechanical support and thermal processing functions, reducing overall component count and simplifying integration.
2Volume of stationary object
If a moisture condensing module with air-air heat exchanger is integrated into the cabinet top, then the spatial impact is reduced, but the manufacturing and assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture condensing module is designed as a separable unit that can be manufactured independently and then installed in the cabinet top. The air-air heat exchanger and condensing components are segmented into modular sections that can be assembled separately and then integrated into the cabinet structure, simplifying both manufacturing and installation processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drying air circulation system is added to the washer, then the laundry drying capability is enabled, but the appliance requires additional water and energy resources
Solution Approach 1:
The air-air heat exchanger recovers thermal energy from the moisture-laden air that is expelled from the drum, using it to pre-condition the incoming fresh air for the drying cycle. This energy recovery system reduces the overall energy consumption by reutilizing heat that would otherwise be wasted, thereby improving the efficiency of the laundry drying capability.
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 the spatial impact of drying components, allowing for seamless integration into existing washer designs, enhancing efficiency and reducing water and energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The top having a drying air inlet couplable to said outlet of the drying air return duct, a drying air outlet couplable to said inlet of the drying air delivery duct, fluid passageways defined inside the top from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated, and moisture condensing means arranged inside said fluid passageways
Implementation Method 2
moisture condensing means arranged inside said fluid passageways
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A laundry drying appliance (100) comprising a cabinet (110) having a top (119), a rotating drum (105) accommodated within a tub (303) housed in the cabinet, and a laundry drying air circulation system for circulating drying air. The drying air circulation system comprises a drying air return duct (305) through which drying air coming from drum flows, the drying air return duct having an outlet (310), and a drying air delivery duct (205,215) through which the drying air is sent back to the drum, the drying air delivery duct having an inlet (210). The top forms a ready-to-mount moisture condensing module ready to be mounted to the cabinet for dehydrating drying air used to dry laundry within the drying drum of the laundry drying appliance, the top having a drying air inlet (510) couplable to the outlet of the drying air return duct, a drying air outlet (515) couplable to the inlet of the drying air delivery duct, fluid passageways defined inside the top from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated, and moisture condensing means arranged inside the fluid passageways.