Clothes Dryer Condensate Venting to Prevent Air Passage Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In circulation type clothes dryers, condensation water can flow back into the air circulation passage due to negative pressure, disrupting the drying process, especially when high air volume is used, and existing solutions like water level sensors may not function properly under these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A clothes dryer design that includes a drum, air circulation passage, cooling and heating devices, a base plate for condensation water collection, a pump chamber, and ventilation passages to manage pressure and prevent backflow, along with a control unit to adjust air blowing device rotations and pump operation based on water level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air blowing device is installed at a downstream side of the heat exchanger to circulate air, then the drying operation can be performed, but the pressure in the air circulation passage becomes lower than the pressure in the condensation water container, causing condensation water to flow back into the air circulation passage
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way valve is installed between the condensation water container and the air circulation passage to act as an intermediary that allows condensation water to flow into the container but prevents it from flowing back into the air circulation passage, thus resolving the backflow problem while maintaining the drying operation
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure difference that causes backflow is counteracted by the one-way valve mechanism, which creates a directional flow restriction that balances the pressure imbalance between the condensation water container and the air circulation passage
2Productivity
If the air volume is increased using the air blowing device to enhance operation efficiency, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the pressure in the air circulation passage is further lowered, worsening the backflow problem of condensation water
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way valve serves as a mediator that decouples the pressure relationship between the air circulation passage and condensation water container, allowing the air blowing device to operate at high volume for improved efficiency while the valve prevents backflow regardless of pressure differences
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve provides dynamic flow control that adapts to varying pressure conditions caused by different air blowing device operating speeds, automatically preventing backflow whether the system operates at low or high air volume
3Ease of operation
If a water level sensor is installed at the condensation water container to detect water level, then the pump can be operated to discharge condensation water, but the condensation water may not be collected properly due to negative pressure, and the water level may not be normally detected
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way valve acts as an intermediary that isolates the condensation water container from negative pressure in the air circulation passage, allowing the water level sensor to reliably detect water levels and control pump operation without interference from pressure fluctuations
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 prevents condensation water backflow and dispersal, ensuring efficient drying even with high air volume operation by managing pressure and using a control system to optimize water removal.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device configured to cool and dehumidify air in the air circulation passage... moisture contained in the circulation air may be condensed on a surface of the cooling device
Implementation Method 2
a heating device configured to heat the air passing through the cooling device
Implementation Method 3
a pump configured to transfer the condensation water from the base plate to the water storage tank
Implementation Method 4
an air blowing device configured to circulate air along the air circulation passage
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is a clothes dryer (D) including: a drum (4); an air circulation passage (8) connected to the drum (4); a cooling device (9a) configured to cool and dehumidify air; a heating device (9b) configured to heat the air; an air blowing device (10) configured to circulate air; a base plate (11) configured to collect condensation water (W) generated from the cooling device (9a); a pump chamber (16) accommodating a pump (19); a water circulation passage (12) connecting the base plate (11) to communicate with the pump chamber (16); a communication passage (6b, 6d, 6e) provided between the air circulation passage (8) and the base plate (11) and configured to guide the condensation water (W) generated at the cooling device (9a) to the base plate (11); a first ventilation hole (17) configured to provide a first air passage between the air circulation passage (8) and the pump chamber (16); and a second ventilation hole (6f) configured to provide a second air passage between the air circulation passage (8) and the base plate (9).