Laundry Dryer Blower Casing With Flap Gate for Bi-Directional Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry dryers with blowers in helical casings are optimized for uni-directional rotation, leading to reduced air flow efficiency and turbulence when rotating in the opposite direction, resulting in inconsistent drying and suboptimal energy utilization during bi-directional drum rotation.
Innovation Solution
A flap gate is integrated into the helical casing near the blower, which is constantly pressed against the casing by gravitational force when not in use, allowing unobstructed air flow into the drum during bi-directional rotation by opening and closing with the air flow direction, ensuring efficient air supply regardless of rotation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the blower casing is optimized for uni-directional rotation to achieve optimal air flow efficiency, then air flow efficiency in the designed direction is improved, but air flow efficiency in the opposite direction deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flap gate is designed to dynamically adjust its position based on the direction of air flow. When the blower rotates in the optimized direction, the flap remains closed. When the blower rotates in the opposite direction, the flap automatically opens to allow air flow, thus adapting the casing behavior to different operational conditions and enabling bi-directional rotation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blower rotates in the opposite direction to the optimized direction, then bi-directional drying capability is achieved, but air turbulence and flow reduction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flap gate acts as an intermediary element between the blower and the air flow path. It mediates the air flow by opening or closing based on rotation direction, thereby eliminating the direct harmful interaction between the air flow and the optimized casing geometry that would cause turbulence and flow reduction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flap gate is added to enable bi-directional air flow, then adaptability to bi-directional rotation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flap gate is designed to operate automatically based on the air flow direction and gravitational force, without requiring external control mechanisms, actuators, or complex control systems. The flap's own weight and the air pressure differential serve as the control mechanisms, thus achieving bi-directional capability with minimal added 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 solution enhances consistent drying and energy utilization in laundry dryers with bi-directional drum rotation by maintaining efficient air flow and reducing turbulence, resulting in improved drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
said flap gate being constantly pressed against said casing due to the gravitational force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a laundry dryer comprising a bi-directionally rotating drum to accommodate laundry to be dried, a generator of hot air circulating inside said drum, and a blower to supply said hot air into said drum. It is provided for according to the invention that a channel (12) is attached to a helical casing (21) in which a blower (11) is arranged, said blower (11) supplying an air flow (T3) into a drum (2). A swingable flap gate (22) is formed on the outer perimeter of said helical casing (21) and in the area thereof being close to said blower (11), said flap gate (22) being always pressed against said casing (21) by the gravitational force.