Drum for drying laundry, and laundry drying machine provided with same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tumble dryers face challenges in improving air flow and moisture absorption and removal efficiency due to the limitations of traditional drum designs, which often result in increased flow resistance and reduced drying performance, especially when the drum is heavily loaded.
Innovation Solution
The drum features a cylindrical design with a hollow lattice structure carrier that is at least 50% open on its interior-facing surface, allowing for low flow resistance and efficient air flow, while also being strong enough to lift laundry items effectively, and can be made from materials like thermoplastic or expanded metal for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional solid drivers are used in the drum, then the structural strength is sufficient to lift laundry items, but the flow resistance for process air is high and drying efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is constructed as a hollow lattice structure with open surfaces, allowing process air to flow through it freely. This porous design reduces flow resistance while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the lattice geometry, directly resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver design transitions from a solid three-dimensional structure to a hollow lattice structure with significant open space. This dimensional change allows air to pass through the driver volume rather than around it, reducing flow resistance and improving drying efficiency while the lattice framework maintains structural integrity.
2Quantity of substance
If the drum is heavily loaded with laundry items, then the drying capacity is increased, but the air flow through the drum is restricted and moisture removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow lattice structure of the driver creates additional flow paths for process air through the driver itself, not just around it. This ensures that even when the drum is heavily loaded, air can still penetrate through the driver structure to reach and remove moisture from laundry items, maintaining drying efficiency at high load capacities.
3Productivity
If the driver surface is made more open to improve air flow, then the flow resistance is reduced, but the ability to lift laundry items may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow lattice structure provides an optimized balance where the open surfaces allow excellent air flow through the driver, while the remaining lattice framework maintains sufficient surface area and structural rigidity to effectively lift and tumble laundry items during drum rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver combines hollow structural elements forming a lattice pattern, creating a composite structure that integrates both flow-through capabilities and mechanical lifting functions within a single component design.
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 design enhances air flow and moisture absorption, leading to improved drying efficiency and even distribution of heat, allowing for quicker and more effective drying of laundry, and can also be beneficial in washing machines for improved washing liquid distribution and dirt removal.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier (8) also has a hollow lattice structure (11) open into an interior (10) of the drum, having an interior-facing surface (12) which is at least 50% open
Implementation Method 2
at least one carrier (8) for taking along items of laundry (2) when the drum (3) rotates about the cylinder axis (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a drum 3 for drying items of laundry 2 in a tumble dryer 1, having a cylinder axis 4, a casing 5 which is cylindrical with respect to the cylinder axis 4, a circular rear end face 6 which is aligned essentially perpendicularly with respect to the cylinder axis 4, and a substantially vertically oriented circular ring-like front end base 7 and at least one carrier 8 for carrying along items of laundry 2 when the drum 3 rotates about the cylinder axis 4, which is arranged on an inner side 9 of the casing 5 and at an acute angle to the cylinder axis 4. The carrier 8 has a hollow lattice structure 11 which is open into an interior space 10 of the drum 3 and has a surface 12 which faces the interior space 10 and which is at least 50% open. The invention also relates to a tumble dryer 1 with such a drum 3.