Composite Foam Seal for Clothes Dryer Drum Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothes dryers face challenges in maintaining an effective seal between the rotating drum and the bulkhead to prevent air leakage, which affects energy efficiency and moisture removal efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A composite seal is introduced, comprising a memory foam layer with low compression resistance and a low-friction layer with a kinetic friction coefficient less than 0.3, which is bonded to the bulkhead and contacts the rotating drum's edge, providing a more efficient seal while minimizing energy loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional foam seal with high compression is used against the drum edge, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seal combines memory foam material with low compression resistance and a low-friction layer (coefficient of kinetic friction less than 0.3) to create a composite structure that simultaneously achieves effective sealing and reduced frictional energy loss during drum rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compression resistance parameter of the foam to be low rather than high, and specifies a kinetic friction coefficient less than 0.3 for the low-friction layer, optimizing the balance between sealing effectiveness and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a seal with high compression resistance is used, then air leakage prevention is improved, but friction against the rotating drum increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair leakage preventionVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The composite seal structure integrates a memory foam layer with low compression resistance and a separate low-friction layer, achieving both effective air leakage prevention and reduced frictional force against the rotating drum surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the seal have different properties: the memory foam provides compliance and sealing contact, while the low-friction layer specifically reduces friction where it contacts the drum edge, with the kinetic friction coefficient kept less than 0.3

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 composite seal enhances energy efficiency by reducing air leakage and maintaining an effective seal, allowing for better moisture removal and reduced operational energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a foam layer with low compression resistance and formed of memory foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMemory foam: Memory Foam

Implementation Method 2

a low-friction layer having a coefficient of kinetic friction less than .3, with the low friction layer confronting the first edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3421656B1Clothes dryer with a foam seal

Publication Date: 2020.11.25 WHIRLPOOL CORP

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AI summary

A clothes dryer (10) with a first bulkhead (30) having an access opening (60) and a first edge (80) defining a front opening confronting the access opening (60). The clothes dryer (10) has a composite seal (70) located between the first bulkhead (30) and the first edge (80) which has a foam layer (84) comprising memory foam and a low-friction layer (86) having a coefficient of kinetic friction less than .3, with the low friction layer (86) confronting the first edge (80).