Dryer Door Condensate Container Mounting for Space and Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryer machines have bulky condensate collection containers that obstruct space and hinder heat transfer from condensed water to the drying cavity, and their attachment mechanisms are not secure or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A compact condensate collection container system with two separate engagement seats on the door, allowing for secure and space-efficient mounting, and a cam mechanism to ensure proper engagement, enabling heat transfer and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the condensate collection container is mounted to the door with a bulky seat structure, then the container can be securely attached, but the useful space in the drying cavity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into two separate engagement seats (first and second seats) positioned at different locations on the door, rather than using a single bulky seat. This distributes the attachment function across multiple points, securing the container reliably while minimizing the volume occupied in the drying cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement seats are positioned at different vertical levels (different dimensions) on the door - the first seat at a lower level and the second seat at a higher level. This dimensional arrangement allows the container to be securely attached without requiring a large single-seat structure, thus preserving useful space in the drying cavity.
2Strength
If a wall barrier is used to separate the container from the drum interior, then structural integrity is maintained, but heat transfer from condensed water to drying air is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The container is extracted from the traditional interior mounting position and relocated to the door exterior. This removes the heat transfer barrier (the door wall) between the condensed water and the drying air, allowing residual heat to be released directly into the drying cavity while the door structure itself provides the necessary separation and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door acts as an intermediary structure that mounts the container externally. Instead of placing the container inside the drum where a wall barrier would block heat transfer, the door serves as the mounting surface, allowing the container to be positioned where it can release heat directly into the drying air while the door provides structural support.
3Device complexity
If a simple attachment mechanism is used, then the structure is simpler and cheaper, but the attachment may not be secure or reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The container includes self-aligning features where the engagement portions automatically fit into the corresponding seats when the container is positioned on the door. The cam means and positioning geometry enable the attachment mechanism to self-adjust and self-lock, providing secure attachment without complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with a simplified geometry-based engagement system. The cam means and shaped engagement portions work together through pure geometric interference and mechanical leverage, eliminating the need for screws, clips, or complex locking mechanisms while maintaining high reliability.
4Reliability
If the engagement seats have full vertical extension to secure the container, then attachment reliability is improved, but the space in the drying cavity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is segmented into two separate engagement seats positioned at different vertical levels, rather than using a single continuous vertical seat. This allows each seat to be compact while collectively providing reliable attachment, preserving space in the drying cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement seats utilize the vertical dimension strategically by positioning them at different heights on the door. This dimensional distribution allows the container to be securely attached through spatial separation rather than through a single tall structure, maximizing the usable volume in the drying cavity.
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 solution increases the usable space in the dryer cavity, facilitates heat exchange, and ensures reliable and secure attachment of the container, even by careless users, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure.
Implementation Method 1
cam means, designed to lift the container when the door is closed, so that the upper engagement portion is engaged in its seat on the door
Implementation Method 2
the inner wall of the container may be exposed toward the drying cavity, thereby facilitating heat exchange between condensed water (which is relatively warm) and air in the drying chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention concerns a laundry dryer machine comprising a rotary drum that has a laundry drying cavity, a loading/unloading opening for access to said drying cavity, a door (22) for closing/opening said loading/unloading opening, means for extracting water from the laundry contained in the drying cavity, a collection container (18) defining an inner volume in which the water extracted from the laundry is received, said collection container (18) being adapted to be removably mounted to said door (22), said door comprising a seat (30, 31) for engagingly receiving an engagement portion (24) of the container when the latter is mounted to the door. Said seat extends vertically along less than half the vertical extension of the collection container (18).