Integrated Heat Pump Laundry Machine With Vibration-Isolated Drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines with integrated heat pump systems face space constraints and oscillation issues due to the tub and drum's movement during spinning, which complicates the installation and stability of the heat pump components.
Innovation Solution
The tub is made stationary with respect to the cabinet during operation, with the heat pump system components supported by the cabinet and/or tub, allowing for a compact and stable integration of the heat pump system, and the drum is resiliently supported using a vibration damping system to prevent oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the heat pump system components are arranged above the tub, then the space utilization is improved, but the oscillation of the tub and drum during spinning causes instability of the heat pump system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into two independent parts: the tub support system and the heat pump system support structure. The heat pump components are mounted on a separate framework that is rigidly connected to the cabinet, while the tub is supported independently via resilient elements. This segmentation isolates the heat pump system from tub oscillations, maintaining stability while allowing flexible spatial arrangement above the tub.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs resilient support elements (springs or dampers) between the tub and the cabinet to counteract the oscillating forces generated during drum rotation. These elements act as counterbalancing mechanisms that absorb and dampen vibrations, preventing them from affecting the heat pump system mounted above, thus maintaining stability while utilizing vertical space efficiently.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tub is made stationary with respect to the cabinet, then the heat pump system installation is simplified, but the drum rotation causes vibrations that need to be damped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration damping function from the heat pump system mounting structure and places it in a dedicated vibration damping system between the drum and the cabinet. This allows the heat pump components to be installed on a stable, stationary framework while the drum and its supporting elements are designed separately with integrated damping capabilities, simplifying heat pump installation while addressing vibrations independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates vibration damping elements (springs, dampers, or elastic materials) in advance within the drum support structure and between the tub and cabinet. These cushioning elements are pre-installed to absorb and mitigate vibrations before they can affect the heat pump system, ensuring stable operation without complicating the heat pump installation process.
3Strength
If the drum is directly connected to the cabinet, then the structural rigidity is improved, but the oscillations during rotation are amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the connection between the drum and cabinet by introducing resilient support elements with specific damping characteristics. Instead of a rigid direct connection, the system uses springs or dampers with optimized stiffness and damping coefficients that allow structural rigidity to be maintained while effectively filtering out rotation-induced oscillations, reducing harmful vibrations without sacrificing overall structural integrity.
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 configuration enables a simple and efficient installation of the heat pump system, reduces vibrations, and maintains the tub's stability, allowing for a compact and robust design that prevents oscillations and enhances the machine's operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration damping system (16) is connected to the bearing housing (44) and to the cabinet (10) so that the drum (14) is resiliently supported at the cabinet (10)
Implementation Method 2
The air stream circuit and the refrigerant circuit are coupled by at least two heat exchangers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry machine with an integrated heat pump system. The laundry machine comprises a cabinet 10. A tub 12 is associated to the cabinet 10. An air line is fluidly connected to the tub and to the heat pump system for air recirculation. A rotatable drum 14 is arranged within the tub 12 and resiliently supported at the cabinet 10 and/or at the tub 12 so that the tub 12 is stationary with respect to the cabinet 10 during operation of the machine, in particular during rotation of the drum 14. At least a part of the components of the heat pump system is supported by the cabinet 10 and/or the tub 12.