Clothes Dryer Condensate Removal Using Absorbent and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothing treatment apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing condensate generated during the drying process, which can lead to blockages in the exhaust port and increased drying times due to changes in pressure within the drying space.
Innovation Solution
The proposed clothing treatment apparatus includes a drum with a circulation flow path, a heat exchanger, a condensate remover with an absorbent, and a regenerator that evaporates absorbed moisture. This system allows for the collection, removal, and regeneration of condensate, while also adjusting the pressure in the drying space to prevent exhaust port blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a separate tank is used to store condensate generated during dehumidification, then condensate can be collected and stored, but users must manually empty the tank and the system cannot automatically remove condensate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically removes condensate from the storage tank using a pump without requiring manual intervention. The control unit activates the pump to transfer condensate from the tank to the drainage location, enabling the system to serve itself by automatically handling condensate removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of emptying the tank is replaced by an automated pump system controlled by the control unit. The pump mechanically transfers condensate from the storage tank to the drainage location, substituting the need for manual tank emptying with an automated mechanical system.
2Productivity
If high-temperature dry air is supplied to clothes at high pressure to improve drying speed, then drying efficiency increases, but clothes may block the air outlet and increase drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure of supplied air based on real-time detection of air outlet conditions. When blockage is detected, the control unit reduces the pressure setting, allowing clothes to move freely and clear the blockage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high pressure for speed and preventing blockage for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pressure sensor provides feedback to the control unit about the actual pressure conditions in the drying chamber. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the air supply pressure to prevent blockage while maintaining efficient drying. The feedback loop enables the system to respond to changing conditions and resolve the contradiction between speed and reliability.
3Productivity
If the rotational speed of the drying drum is increased to improve clothes movement and reduce drying time, then drying performance improves, but the complexity of the motor control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the rotational speed parameter of the drying drum based on detected blockage conditions. When air outlet blockage is detected, the control unit adjusts the rotational speed to enhance clothes movement and clear the blockage. This parameter adjustment improves drying performance without requiring complex control mechanisms, as it simply modifies the speed parameter in response to sensor feedback.
4Device complexity
If the air outlet is positioned at the front of the drum, then the structure is simple, but clothes tend to accumulate and block the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of drum rotational speed to prevent static blockage at the front air outlet. By adjusting the speed and creating movement patterns, the system prevents clothes from accumulating at the outlet position, maintaining the simple front outlet structure while eliminating the blockage problem through dynamic operation.
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
The apparatus effectively collects and removes condensate, regenerates the absorbent, and adjusts pressure to prevent exhaust port blockages, thereby enhancing drying efficiency and reducing drying times.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent provided inside the storage body and configured to absorb moisture
Implementation Method 2
a regenerator configured to guide a portion of air passing through the heater to the storage body and remove the moisture absorbed by the absorbent
Implementation Method 3
a heat absorber configured to dehumidify air inside the circulation flow path
Implementation Method 4
a heater configured to heat air passing through the heat absorber
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a drum for providing a space in which objects to be dried are accommodated; circulation flow path parts, which have an exhaust path for guiding air inside the drum to the outside of the drum, and a supply path for guiding the air inside the exhaust path to the drum; a heat exchange part, which has a circulation fan for moving the air along the circulation flow path parts, a heat absorption part for dehumidifying the air inside the circulation flow path parts, and a heating part for heating the air having passed through the heat absorption part; a condensate water removal part, which has a storage body in which a space separated from the circulation flow path parts is provided, and a moisture absorbent provided inside the storage body so as to absorb moisture; and a water collection part, which has a water collection body in which condensate water discharged from the heat absorption part is stored, and a water collection body drain pipe for guiding the condensate water of the water collection body to the storage body.