Cold-air dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fabric drying methods require significant time and energy, often necessitating venting and potentially damaging fabrics, while also being inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A closed, low-energy system using a 110V power source and a closed air and coolant loop with a heat exchanger to circulate air and remove moisture without venting, featuring a filtering mechanism and water collection and evaporation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heated dryers are used to remove moisture from fabrics, then drying effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and fabric damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation in the heat exchanger, and condensation back to liquid form for collection. This phase change mechanism enables moisture removal without requiring high-temperature heating throughout the drying chamber, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining drying effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary component that facilitates heat transfer between the air loop and coolant loop. This intermediary enables efficient moisture extraction through controlled condensation without directly heating the fabrics to high temperatures, thus reducing energy consumption and fabric damage while maintaining drying effectiveness.
2Productivity
If conventional heated dryers are used to remove moisture from fabrics, then drying effectiveness is improved, but fabric damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of moisture from liquid to vapor and back to liquid through controlled evaporation and condensation in the heat exchanger. This gentle phase change process removes moisture without subjecting fabrics to high-temperature damage, preserving fabric integrity while achieving effective drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger serves as an intermediary that indirectly removes moisture from fabrics through condensation of water vapor. This intermediary mechanism avoids direct high-temperature exposure of fabrics, preventing fabric damage while maintaining drying effectiveness.
3Productivity
If vented dryers are used to remove moisture-rich air, then moisture removal is improved, but installation complexity increases due to venting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the moisture removal function from the main drying chamber by using a separate heat exchanger system with coolant circulation. The heat exchanger condenses water vapor from the air loop, separating moisture removal from the drying process. This extraction eliminates the need for venting while maintaining effective moisture removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary system that handles moisture removal through condensation of water vapor. This intermediary mechanism captures and collects condensed water separately, eliminating the need for external venting infrastructure while maintaining effective moisture removal from the closed air loop.
4Power
If 220V power outlets are used for dryer operation, then power availability is improved, but installation flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the power consumption parameters of the dryer system by using a 110V power source instead of 220V, combined with a more energy-efficient heat exchanger-based moisture removal system. This parameter change in voltage and power consumption enables installation in locations with only 110V outlets, significantly improving installation flexibility while maintaining adequate drying performance.
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 approach reduces drying time, conserves energy, prevents fabric damage, and eliminates the need for venting, resulting in lower energy bills and improved fabric preservation.
Implementation Method 1
circulating the moist air passing through the heat exchanger to remove heat and thus moisture from the moist air
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger capable of cooling and drying air that is conveyed into the fabric drying drum
Implementation Method 3
the compressor capable of pressurizing and cooling a coolant in the coolant line to apply at the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
the water drain communicating water to an evaporating element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates drying clothes and other fabrics. The present invention further relates to a cold-air system for removing moisture from fabric. The present invention even further relates to a system for drying fabrics in a closed, non-exhausted system. The present invention even further relates to a free-standing, low energy appliance for drying fabrics.