Check valves for gravity drain fluid bottle mounted in basement of a heat pump dryer machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional laundry appliances face issues with energy consumption and fluid leakage due to inefficient drain pump systems, leading to customer complaints and space inefficiencies with hoses.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump dryer machine equipped with a gravity-fed fluid bottle and a check valve system, where a fluid level sensor pauses operations when a threshold is reached, and the check valve controls fluid flow between the sump and the bottle, preventing leaks and optimizing fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drain pump is used to pump fluids from the sump to the fluid bottle, then fluid transfer is achieved, but energy consumption increases and the pump may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses gravity to create a natural flow path from the sump to the fluid bottle by positioning the bottle at a lower elevation than the sump. This eliminates the need for mechanical pumping, achieving fluid transfer without energy consumption while maintaining reliable operation through the passive gravitational force
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid transfer system operates autonomously using gravity as the driving force. The condensate naturally flows from the sump through the gravity drain to the fluid bottle without requiring external power or active pump control, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating pump failure risks
2Ease of operation
If multiple hoses are used to carry fluids from the sump to the fluid bottle, then fluid transport is enabled, but fluid leakage occurs and packaging space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system consolidates multiple separate hoses into a single integrated gravity drain tube that carries fluid from the sump to the fluid bottle. This unified approach eliminates multiple connection points where leaks could occur, reduces the overall number of components, and optimizes packaging space while maintaining full fluid transport capability
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a check valve is added to control fluid flow, then fluid leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed as a passive, self-actuating component that automatically opens to allow fluid flow from the sump to the bottle and automatically closes to prevent backflow and leakage. The valve uses the fluid pressure differential itself to control its state, requiring no external actuation, power source, or complex control mechanism, thus preventing leakage while adding minimal 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 energy consumption, minimizes fluid leakage, and optimizes space by ensuring efficient fluid handling and management within the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is disposed in the cabinet and is configured to condense air flowing through the heat exchanger. A sump is disposed in the cabinet below the heat exchanger and is positioned to collect condensed water vapor falling from the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 2
A removable bottle that is slidingly received in the cabinet below the heat exchanger and is positioned in fluid communication with the sump. The bottle is configured to drain, via gravity, condensed water from the sump.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a cabinet, a drum, a heat exchanger, a sump, a removable, gravity-fed fluid bottle, and a fluid level sensor. The drum is rotatably supported within the cabinet and defines a laundry compartment therein. The heat exchanger is disposed in the cabinet. The sump is disposed in the cabinet below the heat exchanger and positioned to collect condensed water vapor falling from the heat exchanger. The removable, gravity-fed fluid bottle is slidingly received in the cabinet below the heat exchanger and is positioned in fluid communication with the sump. The fluid level sensor is positioned in the sump and configured to pause operation of the laundry appliance when a fluid level detected in the sump exceeds a threshold fluid level.