Clothes treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers with heat pump systems face a problem where condensate water generated from the evaporator scatters to the condenser due to high air flow shear stress, leading to reduced drying efficiency and extended drying times.
Innovation Solution
A condensate water separating unit is introduced between the evaporator and condenser, featuring a separation body with an inlet and air outlet configuration that separates and collects condensate water, preventing it from scattering to the condenser and enhancing air flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the evaporator and condenser are spaced from each other with a predetermined gap in a heat exchanger cover, and air discharged from the drum passes through the evaporator with a large air volume, then the heat pump cycle efficiency is improved, but condensate water generated from the evaporator scatters to the condenser due to shear stress by air flow, lowering the temperature of the condenser and reducing drying function
Solution Approach 1:
A condensate water separating unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the evaporator and condenser. This unit includes a separating chamber with inlet and outlet openings, and a condensate water separating protrusion that extends into the air flow path. The protrusion creates a separation effect that divides the air flow into upper and lower paths, allowing condensate water to be collected and removed while maintaining the heat pump cycle efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow path between evaporator and condenser is segmented into multiple paths by the condensate water separating protrusion. The protrusion divides the single air flow into upper and lower flows, creating separate channels that allow condensate water to be extracted without disrupting the overall air circulation and heat exchange efficiency
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 solution effectively collects condensate water, preventing scattering and improving drying performance, thereby shortening drying times and maintaining the dryer's efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
air of high temperature and high humidity, discharged from a clothes accommodation unit such as a drum, passes through an evaporator and a condenser. Then, the clothes drier absorbs heat from the air of high temperature and high humidity
Implementation Method 2
a heat pump system for heating air using a heat pump cycle which circulates a refrigerant to a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating apparatus includes: a heat pump cycle having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve, and configured to apply heat to air which circulates a clothes accommodation unit; a water cover configured to support the evaporator and the condenser on an upper surface thereof, and having therein a condensate water collection unit; and a condensate water separating unit protruding from the water cover to a space between the evaporator and the condenser, and configured to prevent scattering of condensate water to the condenser from the evaporator due to an air flow.