Air-Cooled Condenser Cleaning With Opposed Water Jets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fibers and lint accumulation in air-cooled condensers of laundry washing and drying machines reduces heat transfer efficiency, leading to increased drying time and energy consumption, as existing cleaning methods are ineffective for narrow air channels.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of tube-shaped spraying devices with nozzles into air channels of the condenser, where water jets are sprayed oppositely to collide and create a vortex, effectively cleansing fibers and lint from the surfaces, improving condenser efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water spraying devices are used to cleanse the condenser, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser cleanses itself by utilizing the drying process airflow to deliver water from the spray device directly onto accumulated fibers and lint, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning operations or complex disassembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a spray device that delivers water through the existing air circulation system of the dryer, using the airflow to transport water to the condenser surfaces where cleaning is needed, integrating the cleaning function into the existing pneumatic system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Area of stationary object

If traditional spraying devices are used, then the cleaning coverage is limited, but the device complexity remains low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray device is positioned to utilize the three-dimensional space within the condenser housing, directing water spray along the air channel surfaces and into hard-to-reach areas that traditional single-direction spraying cannot access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray device is designed to clean multiple surfaces and areas within the condenser through a single installation, utilizing the circulating airflow to distribute water to various locations including narrow air channels and distant surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution efficiently cleans fibers and lint from the condenser surfaces, enhancing heat transfer and reducing drying time while saving energy by maintaining condenser efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The condenser has air channels extending in the flow direction of the processing air... the processing air passing over the laundry and becomes humid is delivered to the condenser and is condensed by passing through the air channels in the condenser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The spraying devices receive water from a water dispenser placed at the condenser inlet or the condenser outlet and carry the water into the air channels... Nozzles branching off from the spraying devices oppositely extend in the opposite directions into the air channels and jets of water sprayed from the nozzles are collided against each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2898133B1A laundry washing and drying machine comprising a condenser
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2898133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2898133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2898133B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

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 circulation duct (4) wherein the processing air (PA) circulation, providing the drying of the laundry, is performed in the drying process after the washing process, a fan (5) that provides circulation of the processing air (PA) in the circulation duct (4), an air-cooled condenser (7) disposed onto the circulation duct (4), having at least one air channel (6) wherein the processing air (PA) passing therethrough is condensed, a condenser inlet (8) through which the processing air (PA) enters the condenser (7), a condenser outlet (9) through which the processing air (PA) leaves the condenser (7), and a spraying device (11) that provides the fibers and lint on the condenser (7) to be cleansed.