Laundry Dryer Air Duct Layout for Full Heat Exchanger Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines with drying functions suffer from inefficient heat exchange and unnecessary water usage due to the positioning of the air-blowing fan relative to the heating duct, leading to reduced drying efficiency and increased volume.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine design featuring a heat pump-based air supply unit with a heat exchanger positioned between the suction and discharge ducts, where the air-blowing fan is placed between the heat exchanger and the discharge duct to generate negative pressure, improving air flow through the entire heat exchange section and reducing the machine's volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air-blowing fan is positioned before the heating duct in the air flow direction, then the air can be discharged from the laundry accommodating part, but the air flow does not pass through the entire heat exchange section of the heater, reducing heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional positioning of the air-blowing fan relative to the heating duct. Instead of placing the fan before the heater, the fan is positioned after the heating duct in the air flow direction. This inversion ensures that air is drawn through the entire heat exchange section of the heater, maximizing heat exchange efficiency while maintaining the drying function.
2Reliability
If a conventional circulation type laundry machine is used with separate cooling water supply, then moisture can be removed from air, but unnecessary water is continuously supplied even when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the control unit automatically detects whether moisture removal is needed and activates the cooling water supply only when necessary. The system monitors the drying process and intelligently controls the cooling water supply to the heat exchanger, eliminating unnecessary water consumption while maintaining effective moisture removal functionality.
3Device complexity
If the air-blowing fan is positioned before the heating duct, then the machine structure is simple, but the air flow concentrates only in a part of the heater section, reducing heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by repositioning the air-blowing fan from before to after the heating duct in the air flow direction. This structural adjustment, while maintaining overall system simplicity, ensures that air flows through the entire heat exchange section of the heater, distributing the air flow uniformly and maximizing heat exchange efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 enhances heat exchange efficiency, reduces the machine's size, and improves drying efficiency by ensuring consistent air flow through the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for continuous water supply during drying.
Implementation Method 1
a connection duct positioned between the suction duct and the discharge duct, the connection duct being provided with a heat exchanger for heating of the air
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger is a heat pump to dehumidify and heat the air
Implementation Method 3
a circulation fan positioned between the connection duct and the discharge duct to circulate the air
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry machine (100) is disclosed. The laundry machine (100) includes a cabinet (110) defining an exterior of the laundry machine (100), a tub (120) provided to the cabinet (110), a drum (150) rotatably provided in the tub (120), a suction duct (162) positioned on an outer circumferential surface of a rear portion of the tub (120) to suction air from the tub (120), a discharge duct (168) positioned at a front of the tub (120) to supply air to the tub (120), a connection duct (163) positioned between the suction duct (162) and the discharge duct (168), the connection duct (163) being provided with a heat exchanger (200, 300) for heating of the air, and a circulation fan (167) positioned between the connection duct (163) and the discharge duct (168) to circulate the air.