Dryer Condensate Drawer Layout for Low-Vibration Stacked Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional condensation type dryers face challenges with space utilization and stability due to the placement of condensate discharge containers, which can make them difficult to access and increase vibration when filled, especially when stacked on top of drum washing machines.
Innovation Solution
The condensate discharge container is laterally disposed under the drum, minimizing the space required for its removal and lowering the center of gravity, allowing for easier access and reduced vibration by integrating it with a drawer system that pulls out from the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the condensate discharge container is disposed over the drum to enable easy lifting, then the user can easily access the container, but the center of gravity rises and the system becomes vulnerable to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate discharge container is inverted from the conventional position over the drum to a new position under the front of the drum. This inversion resolves the contradiction by placing the container where it does not interfere with drum rotation (reducing vibration) while still being accessible through the drawer mechanism at the front of the cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The container positioning is moved from the vertical dimension (over the drum at high position) to the horizontal dimension (under the drum at front position), accessible via drawer movement. This dimensional change allows the container to be low enough to reduce vibration while remaining accessible through front drawer extraction.
2Ease of operation
If the condensate discharge container is disposed in the front to back direction, then the container can be easily accessed, but the space required at the front of the washing machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container orientation is changed from front-to-back (horizontal depth direction) to left-to-right (horizontal width direction) under the drum. This allows the container to be accessed via drawer movement without requiring additional front space, as the drawer extracts horizontally from the front cabinet face.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the access mechanism for the condensate container while also defining the front boundary of the cabinet. The container is integrated into the drawer assembly, allowing single-point access that serves both storage and retrieval functions without requiring separate access paths.
3Area of stationary object
If the dryer is stacked on the upper side of the drum washing machine, then space utilization is improved, but the condensate discharge container placed above chest level becomes difficult to draw out
Solution Approach 1:
The container access is moved from the vertical dimension (above chest level when stacked) to the horizontal dimension (front drawer extraction at lower level). This allows the container to be positioned low in the stacked configuration while remaining accessible through front drawer movement, solving the accessibility problem in space-saving stacked installations.
4Area of stationary object
If the condensate discharge container is laterally disposed under the drum, then the space required for removal is minimized and center of gravity is lowered, but the container structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate discharge container is merged with the drawer assembly into a single integrated unit. The container forms part of the drawer structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity despite the changed positioning under the drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer mechanism serves dual purposes: it provides the access mechanism for the container while also serving as the mounting and support structure. The container is designed to be self-contained within the drawer assembly, requiring no additional support structures or complex mounting hardware.
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 minimizes the space needed for condensate discharge, enhances drum capacity, lowers the center of gravity, and reduces vibration, making it easier to handle the condensate discharge container and improving overall stability.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator disposed within the cabinet to remove moisture from air circulating through the drum by condensing the moisture
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer including a cabinet with an entry hole formed on a front surface therefore; a door installed in the entry hole; a drum disposed within the cabinet and rotatable therein, the drum holding received laundry; an evaporator disposed within the cabinet to remove moisture from air circulating through the drum by condensing the moisture; a condensate housing disposed within the cabinet, condensate from the evaporator being collected in the condensate housing; a drawer space disposed under the entry hole and depressed backward from the front surface of the cabinet; a drawer disposed in the drawer space to move relative the cabinet in such a way as to be pulled out from the drawer space; and a condensate discharge container to store the condensate moved from the condensate housing, the condensate discharge container detachably held in the drawer, and exposed to a user when the drawer is pulled out.