Laundry Dryer Top Module With Heat Pump Air Condensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryer and washer/dryer designs face challenges in minimizing the encumbrance of components necessary for drying air circulation, particularly in terms of space constraints within the existing washer cabinet.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a moisture condensing system using a heat pump with an evaporator and condenser, where the heat pump is fluidly coupled to a compressor, and a top module that houses the moisture condensing means, including a defluff filter and condense water droplets separator, to efficiently dehydrate and reheat the drying air within the existing cabinet space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional moisture condensing systems (air-air heat exchanger or water spray condenser) are used, then the drying function can be achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the moisture condensing means, heating arrangement, and blower into a single integrated heat pump unit. The evaporator serves as the moisture condensing means, the condenser serves as the heating arrangement, and the compressor drives the entire system, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable drying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: the evaporator condenses moisture from drying air, the condenser heats the dried air, and the compressor provides the necessary pressure differential. This multi-functional integration replaces what would traditionally require separate moisture condensing systems, heating arrangements, and blowers, significantly reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components for drying function are added to existing washer cabinet, then laundry drying capability is achieved, but the space constraints within the cabinet are violated
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the moisture condensing means, heating arrangement, and blower into a single heat pump unit, the patent dramatically reduces the volume of components needed for drying functionality. This integration allows the drying system to fit within the existing washer cabinet without requiring significant additional space, enabling washer/dryer combination while preserving cabinet dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump unit is designed to be accommodated within the existing washer cabinet structure, with the evaporator, condenser, and compressor nested together in a compact arrangement. This nesting approach allows the drying components to be housed within the original washer volume, avoiding the need for larger cabinet dimensions.
3Temperature
If electrical resistor is used for heating drying air, then drying temperature can be maintained, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from the heat pump condenser and uses it to heat the drying air. Instead of discarding the heat generated by the heat pump operation, it is utilized to maintain drying air temperature, eliminating the need for additional electrical resistor heating and significantly reducing electrical energy consumption while maintaining the required drying temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted in the heat pump condensation process. The condenser releases heat that is captured and used to heat the drying air, converting what would be a discarded byproduct into a useful resource for maintaining drying temperature without additional electrical energy input.
4Reliability
If water spray condenser is used for cooling drying air, then moisture condensation is achieved, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat from the heat pump condenser into a useful heating source for the drying air, eliminating the need for water spray condensers that waste water. The system achieves moisture condensation through the evaporator's refrigeration cycle rather than water cooling, preventing water waste while maintaining reliable moisture removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the water spray condensation mechanism with a refrigeration-based condensation system using the heat pump evaporator. Instead of using water to cool and condense moisture from the drying air, the system uses controlled refrigeration to achieve condensation, eliminating water waste while maintaining effective moisture removal.
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 solution reduces the spatial requirements for drying air circulation components, allowing for the transformation of a washer into a washer/dryer without significant design changes, while also saving water and electrical energy by eliminating the need for an electrical resistor and minimizing water waste.
Implementation Method 1
the drying air flow is typically caused to pass through the drum, exiting therefrom from the front access opening, then it passes through a moisture condensing system, where the humid air is at least partially dehydrated
Implementation Method 2
The moisture condensing means comprises an evaporator of a heat pump
Implementation Method 3
the dried air flow is heated up by means of a heating arrangement
Implementation Method 4
A heat pump condenser may also be accommodated inside the fluid passageways downstream said evaporator
Implementation Method 5
The heat pump is fluidly coupled or couplable to a compressor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A top (119) adapted to match and close from above a cabinet (110) of a laundry drying appliance (100). The top is formed as a ready-to-mount part ready to be mounted to the cabinet and forms a moisture condensing module for dehydrating drying air used to dry laundry within a drying drum of the laundry drying appliance. The top has a drying air inlet (510), a drying air outlet (515), fluid passageways defined thereinside from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated and moisture condensing means arranged inside said fluid passageways.