Laundry Condenser Tube Layout for Better Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face inefficiencies in dehumidification and heat exchange performance, leading to increased dew condensation and moisture retention, which can be attributed to the design of heat exchange systems within these devices.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a laundry treatment apparatus with inclined heat exchange tubes arranged to have gaps between them, a housing for cooling water, and a control method that intermittently supplies cooling water to enhance condensation and heat exchange efficiency, increasing the time moisture is condensed and the contact surface area for dew formation suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat exchange systems are used in laundry treatment apparatuses, then the structure is simple, but the dehumidification and heat exchange performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange system is segmented into multiple heat exchange tubes arranged in parallel within the housing. This segmentation increases the total heat exchange surface area and improves dehumidification performance while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each tube acts as an independent heat exchange element that can be easily manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange tubes are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the housing, utilizing vertical and horizontal spacing to maximize heat exchange surface area. This spatial arrangement improves heat exchange performance without significantly increasing the footprint of the apparatus.
2Reliability
If continuous cooling water supply is used, then heat exchange efficiency is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling water supply is implemented as an intermittent periodic action rather than continuous flow. Cooling water is supplied at specific intervals to the heat exchange tubes, which maintains adequate heat exchange efficiency while significantly reducing overall water consumption. The periodic supply allows the system to operate effectively with less water input.
3Area of stationary object
If heat exchange tubes are arranged closely together, then heat exchange surface area increases, but manufacturing and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange system is divided into multiple separate tubes rather than a single complex structure. This segmentation allows each tube to be manufactured using standard processes and easily assembled within the housing, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving adequate heat exchange surface area through the multiplicity of tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange tubes are positioned at specific locations within the housing to optimize heat exchange surface area in critical regions. This localized arrangement ensures adequate heat exchange performance while maintaining easy access for manufacturing and maintenance operations.
4Productivity
If the apparatus operates in humid environments, then laundry drying function is achieved, but dew condensation increases around the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of moisture in the air into a beneficial outcome by using the heat exchange tubes to condense moisture from the exhaust air. The condensation that would otherwise be wasted is now captured and can be utilized, while simultaneously reducing dew condensation around the apparatus by removing excess moisture from the air stream.
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 design increases the time moisture is condensed before being exhausted, enhances dehumidification and heat exchange performance, reduces dew condensation around the apparatus, and allows for easier manufacturing and maintenance of the condensation device, using various materials and configurations to prevent corrosion and facilitate condensed water collection.
Implementation Method 1
cooling water which has undergone heat exchange with air inside the heat exchange tube housing
Implementation Method 2
moisture is condensed prior to being exhausted
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus that includes: a cabinet; an outer tub that is disposed inside the cabinet; a plurality of heat exchange tubes through which air discharged from the outer tub moves, the plurality of heat exchange tubes being arranged to have a gap between adjacent heat exchange tubes; a heat exchange tube housing that is configured to accommodate the plurality of heat exchange tubes and that defines an interior area configured to store cooling water; a cooling water introduction passage that is coupled to a lower portion of the heat exchange tube housing and through which cooling water is provided to the heat exchange tube housing; and a cooling water discharge passage that is coupled to a upper portion of the heat exchange tube housing and through which cooling water stored in the heat exchange tube housing is discharged is disclosed.