Dryer Duct Layout With Integrated Condensation and Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating apparatuses with drying functions face challenges in optimizing component arrangement for efficient moisture removal and heating, leading to restricted capacity and increased costs, while also dealing with foreign substance adhesion issues that affect performance.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with a duct assembly that includes a blower fan, a water-cooled heat exchanger, and a heater, where the heat exchanger is positioned between the blower fan and the heater, allowing for optimal air circulation and heat exchange without the need for a separate condensation space, and using cooling water from the washing process to enhance efficiency and reduce component complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate condensation space is provided for the condensation duct, then moisture removal efficiency is improved, but the tub size is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation duct is merged with the existing air circulation duct system. The duct that originally served only for air circulation is modified to include condensation functionality by positioning the condensation duct along the duct wall, allowing moisture removal without requiring a separate dedicated space
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation duct is given multiple functions: it continues to circulate air for drying while simultaneously serving as the pathway for the condensation duct to remove moisture. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate condensation space
2Productivity
If a separate condensation space is provided for the condensation duct, then moisture removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation duct is integrated into the existing air circulation duct structure. Instead of adding a separate condensation system, the invention utilizes the existing duct pathway, positioning the condensation duct along the duct wall to share the same spatial envelope
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation duct performs dual functions: air circulation for drying and moisture removal via the integrated condensation duct. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure
3Productivity
If the heat exchanger is positioned close to the blower fan, then air circulation efficiency is improved, but heat emissions may affect the fan and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct structure itself serves as an intermediary element between the heat exchanger and blower fan. The heat exchanger is positioned along the duct wall at a location that maintains efficient air circulation while the duct structure provides thermal isolation, preventing direct heat transfer to the fan
Solution Approach 2:
The duct wall at the heat exchanger location has different thermal properties compared to other parts. The local structure is designed to provide thermal insulation specifically at the heat exchanger-fan interface region, allowing heat exchange with the air stream while protecting the fan from heat emissions
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 enables a larger capacity, improved drying efficiency, reduced risk of foreign substance adhesion, and simplified heat exchange structure, while minimizing the impact of heat emissions on components and maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger positioned in the duct and configured to receive cooling water, the heat exchanger configured to cool air transferred along an inside of the duct
Implementation Method 2
a heater positioned in the duct and configured to heat the air transferred along the inside of the duct
Implementation Method 3
a blower fan positioned at the duct and configured to create airflow between the air-intake port and the air-inflow port
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus, which can perform a laundry drying function, includes a tub in which washing water is accommodated, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a duct installed on the tub and provided with an air-intake port and an air-inflow port for a flow of air, a blower fan installed in the duct to form the flow of air between the air-intake port and the air-inflow port, a heat exchanger installed in the duct so as to be supplied with cooling water and configured to perform heat exchange so as to cool the air transferred along an inside of the duct, and a heater installed in the duct to heat the air transferred along the inside of the duct.