Flow path switching unit for dryer and dryer including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dryers face issues with poor ventilation and high humidity in laundry rooms, leading to potential corrosion and user discomfort, and separate dehumidifiers are inefficient in terms of cost and space.
Innovation Solution
A flow path switching unit for dryers that selectively provides two modes: a first flow path for drying clothes and a second flow path for dehumidifying outside air, using a body portion with a flow path guide that can be rearranged to direct air flow between the drum and a heat exchanger, and includes features like inlets, outlets, and airtight members for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dryer is installed in a laundry room or utility room, then the drying function is provided, but poor ventilation and high humidity occur leading to corrosion and user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer is designed with a flow path switching unit that enables it to perform both drying clothes and dehumidifying the installation space. By switching between a first flow path (for drying mode) and a second flow path (for dehumidifying mode), the dryer removes excess humidity from the laundry room or utility room, preventing corrosion and improving ventilation without requiring a separate dehumidifier
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate dehumidifier is installed in the laundry room, then humidity control is improved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer incorporates a flow path switching unit with inlet and outlet ports that can be configured to provide either a first flow path for drying clothes or a second flow path for dehumidifying the installation space. This integration eliminates the need for a separate dehumidifier, reducing both cost and space requirements while maintaining effective humidity control
Solution Approach 2:
The dehumidifying function is merged into the dryer by integrating the flow path switching unit within the dryer's structure. The switching unit shares the dryer's housing, heat exchanger, and other components, combining two functions into one device and avoiding the need for separate installations
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 effectively addresses humidity issues by allowing the dryer to operate in either drying or dehumidifying modes without the need for a separate dehumidifier, improving ventilation and reducing corrosion risks while optimizing space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
hot air is supplied inside the drum through a heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flow path switching unit of a dryer configured to dry a drying material. The flow path switching unit includes a body portion, and a flow path guide dividing an internal space of the body portion to selectively form one of a first flow path of air for drying the drying material and a second flow path of air for dehumidifying outside air, according to an arrangement position of the body portion, and at a first position, the path switching unit provides the first flow path to guide air from a drum of the dryer toward a heat exchanger of the dryer, and at a second position, the path switching unit provides the second flow path to guide the outside air introduced from an outside of the dryer.