Combination washer/dryer cycle for a recreational vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles face challenges with space and water efficiency due to the need for separate tanks for fresh, grey, and black water, making full-size washer/dryer pairs impractical, and existing combination washer and dryer appliances do not adequately address water conservation.
Innovation Solution
A combination washer and dryer appliance with a recirculating process air flow system, dehumidification, and heating sections, along with a controller that initiates a conservation mode to reduce water consumption by modifying laundry profiles and utilizing condensate water in subsequent wash cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a full-size washer and dryer pair is used, then washing and drying capacity is improved, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a washer and dryer into a single integrated appliance with a unified tub structure. The washer portion and dryer portion share the same physical space, allowing both functions to be performed in one device rather than requiring separate appliances. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining both washing and drying capacities while reducing the total space occupied.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance performs multiple functions within a single device: it can wash laundry, dry laundry, and even accommodate RV-specific needs like using condensate water for subsequent wash cycles. The unified tub serves both washing and drying operations, making the device universal and adaptable to different laundry needs while conserving space.
2Reliability
If separate tanks for fresh water, grey water, and black water are carried in RVs, then water management is improved, but weight and space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers condensate water produced during the drying cycle and redirects it to the sump for use in subsequent washing cycles. This recovery process eliminates the need to discard water after use, allowing the same water to be reused. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable water management through recovery and reuse, while reducing the overall water consumption and the weight/space requirements for carrying multiple separate water tanks.
3Area of stationary object
If existing combination washer and dryer appliances are used, then space savings are achieved, but water conservation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures condensate water that would otherwise be discarded during the drying cycle and redirects it to the sump for reuse in washing cycles. This recovery mechanism significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional combination appliances that discharge all water after use. The principle directly addresses water conservation while maintaining the space-saving combination design.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance serves itself by using the condensate produced during drying to pre-fill or supplement the water supply for subsequent washing cycles. This self-service water management reduces external water input requirements and minimizes overall water consumption without requiring additional external water sources or complex external systems.
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 appliance effectively conserves water by reducing consumption through modified laundry profiles and utilizing condensate water, making it suitable for RVs and water-scarce environments while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a recirculating process air flow system provides fluid communication between the chamber and the conditioning system
Implementation Method 2
a conditioning system comprising a dehumidification section
Implementation Method 3
a conditioning system comprising a dehumidification section and a heating section
Data Source
AI summary
A combination washer/dryer laundry appliance includes a recirculating process air flow system in fluid communication with a conditioning system for dehumidification and heating of the process air. The laundry appliance may be adaptable for use in a recreational vehicle with a water conservation mode setting for one or more laundry cycles. In the conservation mode, condensate water from a prior drying cycle is stored in a sump for use in a subsequent wash cycle.