Laundry dryer having a temperature-activated air-flow blocking unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry dryers face challenges in preventing and extinguishing fires within the drum, particularly due to accumulation of lint or small plastic pieces that can ignite, and existing solutions require power supply or increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-activated air-flow blocking unit using expansion materials that expand at high temperatures to automatically close air lines, preventing fire escape and extinguishment without the need for power or mechanical actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active fire extinguishing systems using water or chemicals are implemented, then fire can be actively controlled and extinguished, but the system requires a functioning power supply and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The air line closing device operates autonomously using a temperature-activated expansion material that automatically expands when exposed to fire temperatures, closing the air line without requiring external power supply or control systems. The system serves itself by using the thermal energy from the fire to trigger the closure mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electrical fire extinguishing systems with a passive thermal-mechanical system. The expansion material undergoes thermal expansion due to heat, which mechanically closes the air line, substituting complex active systems with a simple thermal response mechanism.
2Reliability
If fire-resistant plastics or metals are used instead of readily combustible plastic parts, then fire escape can be prevented, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fire protection function from the structural components (drum and housing materials) and implements it separately through an active air line closing mechanism. This allows the use of standard, cost-effective materials for the drum and housing while adding fire protection through the temperature-activated closure system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of fire heat into a beneficial action by using the thermal energy to trigger the expansion material, which then closes the air line to prevent fire escape. The fire's own heat becomes the activating mechanism for fire protection.
3Reliability
If expansion material is used to close air lines automatically, then power-independent fire prevention is achieved, but the air line must be designed with space for expansion material
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion material is pre-positioned within the air line in a compact state. The air line is designed with sufficient space to accommodate the material's expanded form when activated by heat. This preliminary placement ensures immediate response capability without requiring additional activation mechanisms.
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 prevents fire escape and extinguishment within the drum, offering a cost-effective and power-independent mechanism, enhancing safety and reliability without external intervention.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion material that expands at a temperature such as those caused by a fire that has developed or is developing, to such an extent that the air line is closed thereby
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry dryer, in particular a domestic laundry dryer, which has a drum intended for laundry to be dried. The drum is provided with at least one air line for supplying air or discharging air. The laundry dryer is characterized in that the air line can be closed by means of a temperature-activated air-flow blocking unit, which contains an expansion material that expands at a temperature caused by a fire to such an extent that the air line is closed thereby.