Laundry Dryer Heat Pump Duct Layout for Smoother Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat pump systems in laundry dryers suffer from inefficiencies due to suboptimal air flow within the basement, leading to increased energy consumption and noise, primarily caused by sharp turns and angles in the process air duct which disrupt airflow and create turbulences.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of the evaporator and condenser within the basement, maintaining a threshold distance of at least 12 cm between the heat exchangers and the main fan, allows for a more aerodynamically shaped process air duct, reducing turbulences and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and air circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the evaporator and condenser are arranged in parallel in a straight basement process air duct with sharp turns, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the air flow efficiency deteriorates due to pressure drops and turbulences increasing energy consumption and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing sharp 90° turns with rounded bends in the basement process air duct. The duct is designed with smooth curved transitions that guide air flow from the evaporator and condenser to the main fan without abrupt directional changes. This curved geometry reduces turbulence and pressure drops, improving air flow efficiency and reducing energy consumption while maintaining the parallel arrangement of heat exchangers for manufacturing simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If sharp turns and angles are used in the basement process air duct, then the device complexity is reduced and installation is easier, but noise increases due to air flow turbulences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces noise by designing the basement process air duct with smooth curved bends instead of sharp angular turns. These curved transitions minimize air flow separation and turbulence, which are the primary sources of noise generation in duct systems. The curved geometry allows air to change direction gradually, reducing turbulent eddies and associated noise while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard duct bending processes
3Use of energy by moving object
If the basement process air duct is designed with aerodynamically optimized smooth curves, then energy consumption is reduced and air flow efficiency is improved, but the heat exchangers require re-positioning increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves aerodynamically optimized air flow by designing the basement process air duct with smooth curved bends that guide air efficiently from the heat exchangers to the main fan. The curved duct geometry minimizes turbulence and pressure drops, reducing energy consumption. The heat exchangers are positioned to accommodate this curved flow path, with the evaporator and condenser arranged parallel to each other along the curved duct trajectory, optimizing both aerodynamic performance and spatial utilization
4Length of stationary object
If sharp turns are used in the basement process air duct, then the duct length is reduced simplifying installation, but pressure drops increase reducing air flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between duct length and air flow efficiency by designing the basement process air duct with optimized curved bends. While curved paths are inherently longer than straight lines, the patent optimizes the radius and angle of curvature to minimize unnecessary length addition. The curved transitions are designed with appropriate radii that balance the increased path length against the reduction in turbulence and pressure drops, achieving net improvement in air flow efficiency while maintaining reasonable duct dimensions
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 improves the overall efficiency of the heat pump system, reduces energy consumption, and decreases noise levels by ensuring a smoother air flow and larger heat exchange surface area, while minimizing the dimensions of the heat exchangers.
Implementation Method 1
the process air stream is cooled down and dehumidified in an evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the process air stream is cooled down and dehumidified in an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
heated up in a condenser
Implementation Method 4
The refrigerant is compressed by a compressor, condensed in the condenser
Implementation Method 5
The refrigerant is compressed by a compressor
Implementation Method 6
expanded in an expansion device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry dryer including: - a casing (2) rotatably supporting a drum (3), said casing (2) including a basement (24) defining a basement plane (X,Y) and in which a first longitudinal half (24 first half) and a second longitudinal half (24 second half) of the basement are identifiable by means of a first plane (P1) perpendicular to said basement plane (X,Y) and passing through a rotational axis (R) of the drum (3); - A heat pump system (30) including a first heat exchanger (31), and a second heat exchanger (32); said first and/or second heat exchanger being arranged in a process air conduit (18) within said first longitudinal half (24 first half) of said basement (24) for the majority of their respective volumes; - Said process air conduit including a basement process air duct formed in said basement, comprising a basement process air duct portion (28) channeling said process air between a process air exit (28in) where process air exits from said first heat exchanger (31) and a basement process air outlet (19) where process air exits said basement; - A main fan (12) including an impeller (12a), said main fan (12) being located in proximity of the basement process air outlet (19) and having an impeller process air inlet, wherein a impeller inlet plane (Pimp) is defined; - Wherein a distance (Dcond) between any point of the first heat exchanger (31) and said impeller inlet plane (Pimp) is longer or equal to 12cm.