Tumble Dryer Vent Covering for Compressor Cooling and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Condenser tumble dryers with heat pumps generate excessive noise due to openings for cooling components, particularly compressors, which increases noise levels compared to appliances without such openings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of covering means, including immovable and movable cover elements made from air-permeable and sound-absorbing materials, to at least partially cover the openings for cooling, allowing for adjustable airflow and noise reduction, with optional electromechanical drive systems for automated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If openings are provided in the housing for cooling the compressor, then the component cooling is improved, but the noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous or perforated cover elements that allow air to pass through while reducing noise. The cover element includes numerous holes or pores that enable airflow for compressor cooling while the porous structure absorbs and attenuates noise, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element acts as an intermediary between the opening and the external environment. It partially covers the opening to reduce noise while still permitting airflow, serving as a mediator that balances the conflicting requirements of cooling and noise reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cover elements are used to reduce noise through openings, then the noise level is reduced, but the airflow for cooling is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed with porous or perforated structure that allows sufficient airflow through the material while the porous nature provides noise absorption. The distribution and size of holes are optimized to maintain adequate cooling airflow while achieving noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the size, distribution, and total area of holes in the cover element to optimize the balance between airflow quantity and noise reduction. By changing these parameters, the system achieves both noise reduction and sufficient cooling airflow.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If fixed cover elements are used to reduce noise, then the noise level is reduced, but the cooling performance cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable cover element that can be adjusted between different positions, transforming a static noise reduction solution into a dynamic system. The cover element can be moved to change the degree of opening coverage, allowing adaptation of cooling performance while maintaining noise reduction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element is designed as a separate, movable component that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the cover to be moved to different positions along the opening, enabling flexible adjustment of the balance between noise reduction and cooling performance.
4Quantity of substance
If the cover element is made air-permeable for cooling, then the cooling airflow is maintained, but the noise absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous materials with optimized pore structure that simultaneously provide airflow permeability and noise absorption. The porous structure allows air to pass through for cooling while the tortuous path within pores creates friction and absorbs noise energy, achieving both functions concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element employs composite material structure combining air-permeable properties with sound-absorbing characteristics. The composite design integrates materials or structures that provide both airflow channels and noise absorption mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between maintaining airflow and absorbing noise.
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
Significantly reduces noise emissions while maintaining adequate component cooling, enhancing operating comfort and convenience by allowing for customizable noise reduction and cooling settings through various drying programs.
Implementation Method 1
covering means, which are used to at least partially cover the at least one opening... made from air-permeable and sound-absorbing materials
Implementation Method 2
made from air-permeable and sound-absorbing materials... allowing for adjustable airflow
Data Source
AI summary
The operating comfort of a domestic appliance 1, in particular a tumble dryer 1, in particular a domestic appliance 1 with a heat pump 11, is to be further increased. A household appliance 1 is provided, which has a housing 2 and a component 14 arranged in the housing 2 , at least one opening 30 , 31 , 35 for the flow of air 34 for cooling the component 14 being formed in the housing 2 . Covering means 37 are provided for at least partially covering up the at least one opening 30, 31, 35. The top means 37 comprise a movable cover element 38, 44 which, between a top position, in which the cover element (38, 44) at least predominantly covers the at least one opening (30, 31, 35), and a release position, in which the cover element (38 , 44) which releases at least one opening (30, 31, 35), is movable. Electromechanical drive means (43, 46) are provided for moving the cover element (38, 44) from the top position to the release position and back, as well as a control device (23) for actuating the drive means (43, 46), which is designed to depending on the position of the cover (38, 44) to control a duration of a working process of the household appliance (1).