Dryer Base Air Channel and Water Collector for Lint Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face issues with foreign substances accumulating in the water collector and inefficient drying due to misalignment of the speed reducer and motor components, leading to vibration and noise, and the inability to rapidly change the rotating direction of the drum.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a water collector with a pump and a connective channel that allows water to flow tangentially, an inclined air circulating channel to secure water flow, and a direct-drive system for the drum rotation, ensuring all foreign substances are collected and removed, and enhancing drying efficiency by maintaining component alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a speed reducer is provided to increase torque while reducing RPM, then the drum rotation speed is reduced, but the response speed for changing rotation direction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the speed reducer from the drum driving unit, extracting the component that was limiting response speed. The motor directly drives the drum without intermediate speed reduction mechanisms, enabling rapid rotation direction changes while maintaining sufficient torque through direct drive capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical speed reduction system with a direct-drive electromagnetic system. The motor's electromagnetic torque directly drives the drum without mechanical gear reduction, eliminating the inertia and response delay associated with mechanical speed reducers while maintaining the necessary torque output
2Device complexity
If the driving unit is fixed to the rear surface of the cabinet, then the structure is simplified, but the rear panel becomes deformed or vibrated due to receiving load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the driving unit from the rear surface (2D plane) to the bottom surface (different spatial dimension) of the cabinet. This dimensional relocation allows the driving unit to be positioned on a more stable base that can better support the load and reduce panel deformation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a driving unit configuration similar to washers, copying the proven design where the driving unit is positioned on the bottom surface rather than the rear surface. This copying of the washer configuration resolves the structural stability issue while maintaining the simplified design approach
3Quantity of substance
If water flows into the water collector, then condensed water is collected, but foreign substances accumulate in the water collector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes accumulated foreign substances from the water collector through the pump system. The pump not only circulates water but also actively removes lint and foreign substances that would otherwise accumulate and hinder water flow and heat exchanger performance
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system performs dual functions: collecting and circulating condensed water while simultaneously removing foreign substances. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate filtration systems by integrating the cleaning function into the water collection and circulation process
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
Prevents foreign substance accumulation, ensures effective removal of substances during pumping, and improves drying efficiency by maintaining component alignment and allowing rapid drum rotation control.
Implementation Method 1
a pump mounted in the water collector so as to supply the water to the water storage tank or to the heat exchange assembly
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger assembly including an evaporator disposed inside the air circulating channel so as to condense moisture contained in the air
Implementation Method 3
An inclination angle of the first inclination and an inclination angle of the second inclination may be greater than an inclination angle of the third inclination
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, a drum for accommodating laundry therein, a base disposed beneath the drum and providing a space where air in the drum circulates or moisture contained in the air is condensed, a motor for providing power to rotate the drum, and a heat exchanger assembly including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a compressor, wherein the base includes an air circulating channel through which air in the drum circulates, a compressor installation portion defined to be spaced apart from the air circulating channel and in which the compressor is seated, and a water collector spaced apart from the compressor installation portion and in communication with the air circulating channel to collect water condensed in the air circulating channel, wherein foreign substances are prevented from accumulating in the water collector.