Drying system, integrated washing and drying machine, and control method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing and drying integrated machines have high manufacturing costs and occupy large space due to the need for separate drying systems for each drum, limiting their drying capacity and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A double-drum washing and drying integrated machine design where a shared drying system with an air duct assembly and fan assembly allows airflow to be directed to either or both drums, enhancing drying capacity while reducing costs and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate drying system is provided for each drum in a double-drum washing and drying integrated machine, then the drying function for each drum is ensured, but the manufacturing cost increases and the space occupied by the machine becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying systems of two drums into a single shared system. One drying system includes a drying drum, heater, and airflow control mechanism that serves both the first and second drums. The airflow control device can direct heated air to either drum or both simultaneously, enabling one set of drying components to fulfill the drying function for multiple drums, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying system is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes. The single drying system can selectively dry clothes in the first drum, the second drum, or both drums at the same time by adjusting the airflow control device. This universal design allows one drying system to replace what would traditionally require two separate systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable drying functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a washing and drying integrated machine is designed with a small drying capacity (50%-60% of washing capacity), then washing functions are accommodated, but the user has to divide clothes into two or more times for drying when washing large loads
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the drying capacity of both drums into a single integrated drying system, the total drying capacity of the machine is maximized. The airflow control device can distribute heated air to both drums simultaneously, enabling the machine to dry large loads in a single cycle rather than requiring multiple separate drying cycles, thus improving productivity while maintaining adaptability for different washing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow control device provides dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing the drying system to adaptively allocate heated air to different drums based on the drying load requirements. This dynamic control enables the system to handle varying drying capacities flexibly, whether drying small loads in one drum or large loads across both drums simultaneously, thereby enhancing both adaptability and productivity.
3Device complexity
If a single drying model is used in a clothes drying device, then the device structure is simple, but the drying capacity is limited and the user needs to buy two different machines to meet different drying needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal drying system that can serve multiple drying needs through a single device. The airflow control mechanism enables one drying system to selectively dry clothes in either the first drum or the second drum or both simultaneously, providing versatile drying capacity comparable to having two separate drying machines, while maintaining relatively simple device structure through shared components.
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
The solution increases drying capacity, reduces manufacturing costs, and saves user time by allowing simultaneous drying of larger loads without the need for separate machines, while maintaining a compact footprint.
Implementation Method 1
the first air returning duct and/or the second air returning duct is configured to introduce cooling water, the cooling water is used to cool the wet and hot air from the first air returning duct and/or the second air returning duct, to convert the wet and hot air into dry air and condensed water
Implementation Method 2
the fan assembly is configured to generate an airflow, so as to feed heat generated by the drying assembly into at least one of the first drum and the second drum via the air duct assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a drying system, a washing and drying integrated machine and a control method thereof. The drying system is applied to a washing and drying integrated machine including a first drum and a second drum disposed in parallel. The drying system includes an air duct assembly, and an air duct control device is disposed in the air duct assembly to conduct or cut off at least one of communication between the air duct assembly and the first drum and communication between the air duct assembly and the second drum, so that a drying airflow is fed into the first drum or the second drum alone, or simultaneously fed into the first drum and the second drum. The drying system provided by embodiments of the present invention can be shared by two drums of a double-drum washing and drying integrated machine, which can increase drying capacity of a single washing and drying integrated machine, and reduce manufacturing costs and space occupation of the washing and drying integrated machine.