Heat Pump Dryer Base Layout for Balanced Weight and Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses have an unbalanced and compact arrangement of drive and heat pump components, which limits space for a large laundry drum and complicates accessibility and weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
The components of the heat pump system, including the first and second heat exchangers and compressor, are arranged in a base section with a process air duct section in the middle region, dividing the base area into two side regions, allowing for a more balanced weight distribution and improved accessibility, while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If drive components and heat pump components are arranged in a compact base section, then the apparatus achieves a compact design, but the weight distribution becomes unbalanced and accessibility for maintenance is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The base section is segmented into a first region and a second region, with different types of components distributed between them. The heat pump components are placed in the first region while drive components are placed in the second region, creating functional zones that improve both accessibility and weight distribution within the compact base section.
2Volume of moving object
If drive components and heat pump components are arranged in a compact base section, then the apparatus achieves a compact design, but the weight distribution becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The arrangement of components creates an asymmetric distribution pattern where heat pump components and drive components are placed in different regions of the base section. This asymmetric layout, combined with the segmentation principle, allows for optimized weight distribution that balances the overall apparatus while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the process air duct section houses the heat exchangers in the middle region, then the base area is divided into two side regions improving layout, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base section is divided into distinct regions: a first region for heat pump components, a second region for drive components, and a middle region containing the process air duct section with heat exchangers. This segmentation creates clear functional zones that simplify maintenance accessibility while the integrated design of the process air duct housing the heat exchangers avoids excessive complexity.
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 arrangement reduces the installation depth of the apparatus, enhances accessibility for maintenance, and achieves a more homogeneous weight distribution, facilitating easier storage, transportation, and positioning, while also improving the efficiency of the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger for cooling and dehumidifying the process air
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger for heating the process air
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~4
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, in particular to a dryer or washing machine having drying function, comprising: a laundry storing chamber for treating laundry using process air, a process air loop for circulating the process air through the laundry storing chamber, a motor (60) for driving the rotatably supported laundry storing chamber and/or for driving a process air blower (58) arranged in the process air loop, and a heat pump system for dehumidifying and heating the process air, the heat pump system having a refrigerant loop comprising: a first heat exchanger (46) for heating a refrigerant and cooling the process air, a second heat exchanger (48) for cooling the refrigerant and heating the process air, a refrigerant expansion device arranged in the refrigerant loop, and a compressor (62) arranged in the refrigerant loop, wherein the first and second heat exchangers (46, 48) are arranged in a process air duct section (50) of the process air loop which is located in a base section (42) of the apparatus. According to the invention the process air duct section (50) is arranged in a middle region (I) of the base section (42), a first region (II/III) of the base area of the base section (42) is at a first side of or with respect to the process air duct section (50), and a second region (III/II) of the base area of the base section (42) is at a second side of or with respect to the process air duct section (50), such that the process air duct section (50) is between the first and second region (II, III).