Drum Washing Machine Drying Duct Layout for Compact Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum type washing machines with drying devices have increased size due to the need for an inlet duct connected to a gasket between the cabinet and tub, leading to inefficient laundry drying as air is directly introduced into the tub without passing through the drum, reducing drying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A drum type washing machine design where the tub is directly fixed to the cabinet, eliminating the need for a gasket between the tub and drum, with a drying device that circulates air directly into the tub through a duct, utilizing a condensing device and blower to enhance air flow and drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an inlet duct connected to a gasket between the cabinet and tub is used in conventional drying devices, then the drying device can be installed, but the washing machine size increases and air flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket between the tub and drum is removed and replaced with a sealing device installed at the rear side of the tub. This extraction eliminates the need for the inlet duct to pass through the gasket, reducing the washing machine size while maintaining sealing functionality for effective air circulation during drying
Solution Approach 2:
A buffering-and-sealing device is introduced as an intermediary component at the rear side of the tub to seal the space between the rotation shaft and tub. This mediator enables the drying device to circulate air effectively through the drum without requiring the traditional gasket-based inlet duct configuration, thereby improving drying efficiency while minimizing size
2Device complexity
If air is directly introduced into the tub without passing through the drum, then the structure is simplified, but drying efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drying device is configured to circulate air through the drum before it enters the tub interior. This preliminary action ensures that air passes through the laundry-loaded drum, maximizing drying efficiency by directly contacting the wet laundry, while the drum gasket guides the air flow efficiently into the drum
3Volume of stationary object
If the tub is directly fixed to the cabinet eliminating the gasket, then the washing machine size is reduced, but sealing the rear side of the tub becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
A buffering-and-sealing device is installed at the rear side of the tub as an intermediary component to seal the space between the rotation shaft and tub. This sealing device enables direct fixation of the tub to the cabinet, reducing washing machine size while maintaining necessary sealing functionality for vibration buffering and air leakage prevention
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 reduces the size of the washing machine while improving laundry drying efficiency by maximizing air flow into the drum, allowing for effective drying without the size increase of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
a blower installed in the circulation duct to compulsorily circulate air
Implementation Method 2
a heater installed in the circulation duct to heat the circulated air
Implementation Method 3
a condensing device installed near the inlet of the circulation duct to condense humidity
Data Source
AI summary
A drum type washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub fixed in the cabinet, and a drum that performs a washing process. A motor rotates the drum, a supporting device that extends from a rotation shaft of the motor to the cabinet rotatably support the drum. A buffering-and-sealing device is provided at the rear side of the tub to buffer a space between the rotation shaft and the tub and to seal the rear side of the tub. A drying device extends from one side of the tub to the other side of the tub to circulate air in the drum and to dry laundry in the drum. Thus, the size of the washing machine is reduced, the washing capacity thereof is increased, and laundry is dried by the drying device.