Air-Cooled Condenser Cleaning in Washer-Dryers Under Low Water Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air-cooled condensers in laundry washing and drying machines accumulate fibers and lint, leading to clogging and reduced efficiency, especially when low water pressure limits effective cleaning with minimal water usage.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing and drying machine design that utilizes two valves connected to the water supply to deliver water through a detergent dispenser and directly onto the condenser, ensuring thorough cleaning of fibers and lint during the initial water intake of the washing program, without requiring a separate condenser washing process, even with low water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a small amount of water (3-4 liters) is used to wash the condenser, then water consumption is reduced, but the condenser cannot be properly cleansed when water pressure is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs condenser cleaning at the beginning of the washing program before the drum is filled with water. By opening the second valve during the water intake phase, water flows through the condenser at this preliminary stage when the drum is still empty, ensuring the condenser is cleaned before the main washing operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the water pressure from the water supply system to force water through the condenser. By routing water through the condenser during the water intake phase, the system leverages the existing water pressure to effectively flush out accumulated fibers and lint from the condenser passages without requiring additional pressure mechanisms.
2Reliability
If water is delivered directly onto the condenser during water intake, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the water supply system must be managed with multiple valves
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into two separate pathways controlled by two distinct valves. The first valve directs water to the drum through the detergent dispenser, while the second valve directs water through the air ventilation duct and condenser. This segmentation allows independent control of water flow to different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply system serves multiple functions: it fills the drum for washing, cleans the detergent dispenser, and cleans the condenser. By opening the second valve during water intake, the same water supply infrastructure is used to perform condenser cleaning as part of the overall water filling operation, making the system multi-functional.
3Device complexity
If condenser cleaning is integrated into the water intake phase, then a separate cleaning program is eliminated, but water must be diverted from the drum filling process
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser cleaning is performed as a preliminary action during the water intake phase before the drum is filled. By opening the second valve while water is being taken from the water supply, the system cleans the condenser first, then fills the drum with the remaining water, eliminating the need for a separate cleaning cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser cleaning operation is merged with the water intake operation. Instead of being separate processes, they are combined into a single water intake phase where water is simultaneously used to clean the condenser (through the second valve) and fill the drum (through the first valve), reducing overall process 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
Effectively cleans the condenser with ample water, maintaining efficiency and reducing total water consumption by integrating condenser cleaning into the standard washing program, regardless of water pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an air-cooled condenser (7) condensing the processing air
Implementation Method 2
an air-cooled condenser (7) condensing the processing air
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry washing and drying machine (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed, a tub (3) wherein the drum (2) moves, a detergent dispenser (4) wherein the chemical cleaning agents to be used in the laundry washing process are placed, an air ventilation duct (5) wherein the processing air circulation providing the laundry to be dried at the drying process after the washing process is realized, an air-cooled condenser (7) condensing the processing air, a control unit (10) controlling the washing-drying programs, a first valve (11) providing water to be taken from the water supply (S) at the beginning of the laundry washing program and to be sent to the tub (3) through the detergent dispenser (4) and a second valve (12) providing water to be taken from the water supply (S) to be sent to the air ventilation duct (5) and the condenser (7) in order that laundry fibers and lint that are carried with the processing air and that adhere to the air ventilation duct (5) and the condenser (7) are removed.