Clothes Dryer Venting Layout to Prevent Condensate Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In circulation type clothes dryers, condensation water backflows into the air circulation passage due to negative pressure, disrupting the drying process, especially when high air volume blowing devices are used, and existing solutions like water level sensors and pumps are ineffective under these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A clothes dryer design that includes a drum, air circulation passage, cooling and heating devices, a base plate for condensation water collection, a pump chamber, and ventilation holes to manage pressure and prevent backflow, along with a control unit to adjust air blowing device rotations and pump operation based on detected water levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high air volume blowing device is used to enhance operation efficiency, then productivity is improved, but pressure in air circulation passage is further lowered causing condensation water backflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the condensation water collection system into separate functional components: a base plate for initial collection, a pump chamber for active pumping, and a ventilation hole system for pressure management. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the backflow problem while maintaining high air volume operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pump chamber as an intermediary between the base plate and the air circulation passage. This intermediary chamber, equipped with a pump and ventilation holes, acts as a buffer zone that prevents direct backflow into the air circulation passage while managing condensation water removal independently of the main air flow.
2Reliability
If water level sensor and pump are used to prevent backflow, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to negative pressure affecting water level detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water level detection function from the main air circulation system by placing it in a separate pump chamber that is vented to atmospheric pressure. This extraction isolates the measurement environment from the negative pressure conditions of the air circulation passage, allowing accurate water level detection independent of the main system's pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential (atmospheric pressure) environment in the pump chamber through ventilation holes, equalizing the pressure conditions for water level detection with atmospheric pressure. This eliminates the pressure differential that causes measurement errors, allowing the water level sensor to function accurately regardless of the negative pressure in the air circulation passage.
3Measurement precision
If pump chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure, then measurement precision is improved for water level detection, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pump chamber to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a condensation water collection reservoir, a pump housing, a water level detection chamber, and a pressure equalization chamber through the ventilation holes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving accurate water level detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the condensation water collection function (base plate), the active pumping function (pump chamber), and the water level detection function (sensor in pump chamber) into an integrated system. The ventilation holes are incorporated into the pump chamber structure itself, combining pressure management with the other functions in a single integrated component rather than adding separate systems.
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
Effectively prevents condensation water backflow and dispersal, ensuring efficient drying even with high air volume blowing devices by managing pressure and water level detection for optimal operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device configured to cool and dehumidify air in the air circulation passage... moisture contained in the circulation air may be condensed on a surface of the cooling device
Implementation Method 2
a pump chamber configured to accommodate a pump configured to transfer the condensation water... a water circulation passage connecting the base plate to communicate with the pump chamber
Implementation Method 3
a first ventilation hole provided between the heating device and the air blowing device and configured to provide a first air passage between the air circulation passage and the pump chamber; and a second ventilation hole provided between the cooling device and the heating device and configured to provide a second air passage between the air circulation passage and the base plate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a clothes dryer including: a drum; an air circulation passage connected to the drum; a cooling device configured to cool and dehumidify air; a heating device configured to heat the air; an air blowing device configured to circulate air; a base plate configured to collect condensation water generated from the cooling device; a pump chamber accommodating a pump; a water circulation passage connecting the base plate to communicate with the pump chamber; a communication passage provided between the air circulation passage and the base plate and configured to guide the condensation water generated at the cooling device to the base plate; a first ventilation hole configured to provide a first air passage between the air circulation passage and the pump chamber; and a second ventilation hole configured to provide a second air passage between the air circulation passage and the base plate.