Heat Pump Dryer Condensate Pump Layout for Complete Water Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat pump dryers, the discharge of condensate water is hindered by the suction port sticking to the base, leading to incomplete water discharge and potential air pumping, along with the generation of bad odors due to water accumulation and bacterial formation.
Innovation Solution
A pump with supports that prevent the suction port from sticking, combined with a pumping chamber base positioned higher than the suction port, and optionally an inclined or semi-spherical base design to facilitate water flow and reduce accumulation, along with a cavity for water collection to enhance discharge efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is supported above the pumping chamber base, then the suction port does not stick to the base, but the water discharge becomes incomplete and air may be pumped
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with a cavity that extends vertically downward, creating a third dimension for water collection. This allows water to accumulate in the cavity below the pump level, ensuring complete discharge while maintaining the pump's elevated position to prevent suction port sticking.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary space between the pump suction port and the pumping chamber base. It collects water that would otherwise accumulate below the pump, facilitating complete water discharge while preventing the suction port from contacting the base.
2Ease of manufacture
If the base is flat and horizontal, then the structure is simple, but water accumulates on the base and causes bad odors
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with a curved, semi-spherical cavity instead of a flat surface. This curvature facilitates water flow toward the pump by eliminating flat accumulation zones, while the overall structure remains simple to manufacture using conventional forming processes.
3Productivity
If the pump is positioned lower to increase water pumping amount, then more water is discharged, but the suction port may stick to the base
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of lowering the pump in the vertical dimension, the solution creates a new vertical dimension by forming a cavity downward from the base. This allows the pump to remain elevated while providing a water collection space below it, simultaneously achieving complete water discharge and preventing suction port sticking.
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
Ensures nearly complete discharge of condensate water, preventing bad odors and bacterial formation, while maintaining the necessity of supports, thereby increasing drying efficiency and reducing water accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The humid air condensing on the evaporator fins trickles down as water droplets
Implementation Method 2
The humid air leaving the laundry leaves its moisture while passing over the evaporator that works as the condenser... The humid air condensing on the evaporator fins trickles down as water droplets due to the effect of the gravity
Implementation Method 3
a pump (10) that discharges the condensed water accumulating in the pumping chamber (8)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dryer (1) comprising a body (2), a tub (3) disposed within the body (2) and wherein the drying processes are performed, an air duct (4) wherein the process air cycle is realized, a fan (5) providing the circulation of the process air, an evaporator (6) that is placed into the air duct (4) and that condenses the humid process air, a condenser (7) that is placed into the air duct (4) and that heats the process air dehumidified at the evaporator (6), a pumping chamber (8) from which the water is discharged and that has a base (9), and a pump (10) that discharges the condensed water accumulating in the pumping chamber (8) and that has supports (11) seated on the base (9) and preventing the suction port from sticking to the base (9).