Condenser Dryer Airflow Layout for Front Frame Condensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Condensation of moist air leaking between the drum and the front support frame in condensing type clothes dryers leads to dew condensation and potential mold growth, reducing dryer performance and increasing humidity inside the laundry room.

Innovation Solution

A clothes dryer design incorporating a blow fan and guide portion to direct outside air towards the gap between the drum and the front support frame, and a forced convection device to circulate air leaking from this gap, preventing condensation and maintaining ambient temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a condensing type dryer circulates air without discharging it to the outside, then energy efficiency is improved, but dew condensation occurs inside the dryer due to hot and humid air leaking from the drum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddew condensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful hot and humid air that leaks from the drum by providing a dedicated exhaust path through the exhaust duct connected to the rear support frame, separating this problematic air stream from the main circulation system to prevent condensation while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rear support frame serves as an intermediary structure that provides a controlled pathway for the leaked hot and humid air to be safely discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct, acting as a mediator between the drum interior and the external environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the drum is rotatably provided inside the cabinet with support frames, then ease of operation is improved, but air leakage between the drum and front support frame causes condensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum rotationVSAvoidair leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the leaked air that escapes through the gap between the drum and front support frame by providing a dedicated exhaust pathway through the rear support frame and exhaust duct, removing this harmful air stream before it can cause condensation on the front support frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses the air leakage problem by creating a three-dimensional exhaust pathway through the rear support frame structure, diverting the leaked air in a different spatial direction (rearward and outward) rather than attempting to seal the front gap, thus solving the problem through spatial routing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Effectively reduces condensation of moist air on the front support frame, prevents performance deterioration, and minimizes dew condensation and mold growth inside the laundry room by maintaining dry air circulation.

Implementation Method 1

a blow fan below the front support frame; and a guide portion behind the blow fan, and connected with the blow fan. The blow fan and the guide portion are configured so that the blow fan is operable to move outside air to inside of the cabinet, and the guide portion guides a first portion of the outside air moved inside of the cabinet by the blow fan toward a gap between the drum and the front support frame to dry air leaking from between the drum and the front support frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

the guide portion guides a second portion of the outside air moved inside of the cabinet by the blow fan to the PBA to cool the PBA

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection Cooling: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4177392B1Clothes dryer
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4177392B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4177392B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4177392B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clothes dryer according to the present invention comprises: a cabinet having a insertion opening and a base; a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet; a support frame including a front support frame, which has a laundry insertion opening corresponding to the insertion opening and is provided to rotatably support the front end of the drum, and a rear support frame provided to rotatably support the rear end of the drum; a blower fan provided at the lower part of the front support frame to introduce outside air into the cabinet; and a guide part provided at the rear of the blower fan so as to be connected to the blower fan, and thus provides outside air in between the drum and the front support frame so that the air leaking in between the drum and the front support frame is dried.