Condensate Reservoir Coupling for Pump-Driven Dryer Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryers lack an efficient mechanism for cleaning components like heat exchangers and filters, relying on gravity-driven condensate flow which is inefficient and unstable, leading to incomplete cleaning and potential overflow risks.
Innovation Solution
A laundry dryer with a removable condensate reservoir and a pump-driven supply line that maintains a siphon effect to ensure consistent water flow for effective cleaning, allowing adjustable flow rates and preventing unintentional draining, while incorporating a filter system to maintain cleanliness and prevent overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity-driven condensate flow is used for cleaning components, then the system structure is simple, but the cleaning efficiency is low and flow rate is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-driven mechanical system with a pump-driven system. The pump actively conveys condensate through the supply line to the heat exchanger, providing controlled and stable flow rates that significantly improve cleaning efficiency compared to passive gravity flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by employing a pump to create pressurized liquid flow through the cleaning system. The pump-driven supply line delivers condensate at controlled pressure and flow rates to the heat exchanger surfaces, enabling effective cleaning that overcomes the limitations of gravity-driven flow.
2Use of energy by moving object
If gravity-driven condensate flow is used, then energy consumption is low, but the flow rate is unstable and cleaning is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the passive gravity-based flow mechanism with an active pump-driven system. This replacement provides stable and controllable flow rates, ensuring reliable and complete cleaning of heat exchanger components while accepting increased energy consumption as a necessary trade-off for improved reliability.
3Productivity
If a pump-driven supply line is used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pump-driven supply line system that replaces gravity-driven flow. This substitution introduces a pump and associated control mechanisms, increasing device complexity but delivering significant improvements in cleaning efficiency through controlled and stable condensate delivery to heat exchanger surfaces.
4Reliability
If the supply line is located above maximum condensate liquid level, then unintentional draining is prevented, but additional pressure is required to start flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the supply line above the maximum condensate liquid level in the reservoir, creating a configuration where the hydrostatic pressure alone is insufficient to overcome the elevation difference. This prevents unintentional draining by ensuring that liquid cannot flow through the siphon structure without additional pressure from the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by requiring the pump to generate sufficient pressure to overcome the elevation head and initiate flow through the supply line. The pump-driven system provides the necessary pressure to start and maintain flow while the elevated supply line configuration prevents passive draining through hydrostatic pressure alone.
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
The pump-driven system ensures efficient and stable cleaning of components by maintaining a consistent flow rate, preventing overflow, and allowing for effective filtration, thus improving the overall cleaning process and reducing the risk of component damage.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the supply line is located above a maximum condensate liquid level of the condensate reservoir, e.g. a siphon-structure is used such that an unintentional draining of the condensate reservoir by means of gravity is prevented.
Implementation Method 2
A pump is adapted to convey condensed water from the supply line inlet to the supply line outlet.
Implementation Method 3
the filter element is an air filter for filtering fluff from the process air
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry dryer (2) has a casing (3), a laundry storing compartment (18) arranged within the casing (3) for receiving laundry (19) to be dried by passing process air through the laundry storing compartment, a heat exchanger (10) for dehumidifying the process air after passing the laundry storing compartment (18), and a removable condensate reservoir (28) for storing condensed water formed at the heat exchanger (10). The reservoir (28) has a reservoir outlet for draining condensate liquid stored therein and a closing element for closing the reservoir outlet when the condensate reservoir is extracted from a reservoir compartment (30). The reservoir compartment (30) is associated to the casing (3) for receiving and housing the removable condensate reservoir (28), wherein the removable condensate reservoir (28) can be extracted from and inserted into the reservoir compartment (30). A supply line (32) for cleaning a component of the dryer and including a supply line inlet fluidly connected to the reservoir outlet (29) when the removable condensate reservoir (28) is inserted in the reservoir compartment (30), a supply line outlet for delivering condensed water to the component to be cleaned, and a pump (44) for conveying condensed water from the supply line inlet to the supply line outlet. A coupling arrangement associated to the reservoir outlet (29) and/or the supply line inlet and adapted to actuate the closing element. The coupling arrangement is adapted to maintain the closing element in an open state when the condensate reservoir (28) is inserted into the reservoir compartment (30), such that condensate liquid can freely flow from the reservoir outlet to the supply line (32); and wherein the a portion of the supply line (32) is located above a maximum condensate liquid level of the condensate reservoir (28).