Drum Washer Tub Venting for Faster Humidity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum type washing machines take a long time to dry the interior of the water tub due to limited air inflow and outflow through a single vent hole, leading to increased relative humidity during the drying process.
Innovation Solution
A drum type washing machine with a water tub featuring a pair of vent holes at different heights, where one acts as a suction pipe and the other as a discharge pipe, creating a pressure difference to facilitate rapid air circulation and humidity reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single vent hole is used for air circulation, then the structure is simple, but the drying efficiency is low and relative humidity remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The single vent hole is segmented into multiple vent holes positioned at different heights (first vent hole at upper position, second vent hole at lower position). This segmentation allows separate functions for air intake and exhaust, improving air circulation efficiency and drying performance without requiring complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system transitions from a single-point (one vent hole) to a multi-point spatial distribution (multiple vent holes at different heights). This dimensional change in the ventilation architecture enables pressure difference-driven air flow, significantly enhancing drying efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If a single vent hole is used, then manufacturing is simple, but air circulation is insufficient leading to prolonged drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation function is segmented across multiple holes at different heights, with the lower vent hole serving as the primary air intake and the upper vent hole as the exhaust. This segmentation increases the total air circulation rate and reduces drying time while keeping the manufacturing process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes natural pneumatic principles by positioning vent holes at different heights to create pressure differences that drive air flow. The lower vent hole allows air to enter, and the upper vent hole allows moisture-laden air to escape, accelerating the drying process without mechanical assistance.
3Productivity
If vent holes are positioned at different heights, then air circulation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into functionally distinct holes at different heights. The lower vent hole is positioned to optimize air intake, while the upper vent hole is positioned to maximize exhaust efficiency. This functional segmentation achieves high ventilation efficiency with reasonable manufacturing precision requirements.
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 configuration enables effective and rapid lowering of relative humidity inside the water tub by introducing outside air and discharging interior air, significantly improving the drying efficiency compared to machines with a single vent hole.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the vent holes being positioned higher than the other vent hole... creating a pressure difference to facilitate rapid air circulation
Data Source
AI summary
A drum type washing machine includes a water tub adapted to contain wash water therein, and the water tub has first and second vent holes to circulate air to and from the water tub. The first vent hole is positioned higher than the second vent hole. Thereby, outside air is introduced into the water tub via the second vent hole, and interior air of the water tub is discharged to the outside of the water tub via the first vent hole, thereby allowing the relative humidity inside the water tub to be effectively lowered by virtue of air circulation.