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Solution Overview

Problem

Heat pump type dryers face challenges in maintaining an appropriate quantity of radiation by the auxiliary heat exchanger, leading to overheating and overpressure issues, and increasing manufacturing costs due to the need for complex control systems and components like switching valves or separate cooling fans.

Innovation Solution

The auxiliary heat exchanger is connected in series to the condenser, allowing refrigerant to radiate heat before passing through the condenser, and the cooling apparatus is used to adjust the refrigerant flow, eliminating the need for switching valves and reducing manufacturing costs by simplifying the control system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an auxiliary heat exchanger is connected in parallel to the condenser with a switching valve to control refrigerant flow, then overheating and overpressure of refrigerant can be prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of refrigerant overheating and overpressureVSAvoidcomplexity of control system with switching valve
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the switching valve and control system from the refrigerant flow control mechanism. Instead of using a switching valve to direct refrigerant flow between parallel heat exchangers, the system uses a single auxiliary heat exchanger connected in series to the condenser, eliminating the need for complex flow control mechanisms while maintaining the ability to prevent refrigerant overheating and overpressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the auxiliary heat exchanger with the condenser by connecting them in series, creating a unified heat rejection path. This integration eliminates the need for separate flow control mechanisms and switching valves, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective refrigerant temperature and pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a cooling fan is installed outside the ventilation path to cool the auxiliary heat exchanger, then refrigerant radiation can be controlled, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of refrigerant radiationVSAvoidcomplexity of control system with separate cooling fan
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the auxiliary heat exchanger serve multiple functions: it acts as both a refrigerant cooling device and a heat rejection component integrated with the condenser. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling fans and control systems, as the heat exchanger naturally performs both cooling and radiation control functions through its series connection to the condenser.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary heat exchanger cools the refrigerant through its own heat radiation capability without requiring external cooling fans or complex control systems. The series connection to the condenser allows the refrigerant to be naturally cooled as it passes through the heat exchanger, making the system self-regulating and eliminating additional active cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If the fan is installed in the immediately downstream side of the heat exchanger, then the structure is compact, but ventilation resistance increases and airflow quantity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompactness of dryer structureVSAvoidairflow quantity of air for drying
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the airflow path and heat exchanger positioning to optimize both compactness and airflow performance. By strategically positioning the auxiliary heat exchanger in series with the condenser and carefully designing the ventilation path, the system achieves compact structure while maintaining sufficient airflow quantity through proper spatial arrangement and path optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 maintains an appropriate quantity of radiation, preventing overheating and overpressure while reducing manufacturing costs and improving the dryer's performance by simplifying the control system and reducing the load on the compressor.

Implementation Method 1

The refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary heat exchanger contacts air outside the ventilation path to thereby radiate heat naturally and be cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

Refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary heat exchanger disclosed in Patent Document 2 radiates heat forcibly by blowing from a cooling fan installed outside the ventilation path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

a condenser (53) for heating air in the ventilation path with discharged refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

an evaporator (51) for cooling and dehumidifying air in the ventilation path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3199690B1dryer
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3199690B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3199690B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3199690B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a heat pump type dryer for reducing the manufacturing cost thereof and maintaining an appropriate quantity of radiation by auxiliary heat exchanger. The clothes dryer D includes housing 1; drum portion 2 installed in the housing 1 and configured to accommodate clothes; a circulation ventilation path 3 configured to pass through the drum portion 2; a heat pump apparatus 5 having a compressor 52, a condenser 53, a throttling device 54, and an evaporator 51, connected to form a flow path through which refrigerant circulates; an auxiliary heat exchanger 55 installed outside the ventilation path, and connected in series to a flow path in the condenser 53 or in parallel to the condenser 53; and a cooling apparatus 6 configured to cool the auxiliary heat exchanger 55.