Laundry Dryer with Movable Wall System for Dual-Mode Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry drying appliances are inefficient due to the complexity of requiring two different adapters for switching between laundry drying and ambient air dehumidification modes, leading to increased user complexity and storage issues.
Innovation Solution
A laundry drying appliance with a movable wall system and filter seat that allows the air filter to be easily switched between positions, configuring the drying air flow system to circulate air either within a closed circuit for laundry drying or outside the appliance for ambient dehumidification, eliminating the need for dedicated adapters and simplifying mode switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two different adapters are used to switch between laundry drying and ambient air dehumidification modes, then mode switching capability is improved, but device complexity and user operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single adapter structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be configured to create either a closed air circuit for laundry drying mode or an open air circuit for ambient dehumidification mode. This eliminates the need for two separate adapters while maintaining both operational modes, directly resolving the technical contradiction between versatility and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter incorporates movable walls that can be positioned in different configurations to dynamically change the air circulation path. By moving the walls between closed and open positions, the system can switch between drying and dehumidification modes using a single static adapter component, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If two different adapters are required for mode switching, then operational versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to storage and selection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The single multi-functional adapter eliminates the need for users to store, select, and install different adapters for different modes. The user simply needs to position the movable walls within the single adapter to switch modes, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining both laundry drying and ambient dehumidification capabilities
3Productivity
If a closed air circuit is used for laundry drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but adaptability to ambient air dehumidification mode is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable walls within the adapter can be dynamically repositioned to transform the closed air circuit configuration into an open air circuit configuration. This allows the system to maintain high drying efficiency when needed while also being adaptable to ambient dehumidification mode, resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability
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
Enables efficient switching between laundry drying and ambient air dehumidification modes without the need for additional adapters, reducing user complexity and storage requirements, while maintaining effective air circulation and moisture management.
Implementation Method 1
an air demoisturizing unit configured to demoisturize air passing through the laundry chamber
Implementation Method 2
an air filter being movable from a first position wherein it is inserted into said filter seat to filter drying air leaving the laundry chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry drying appliance (100) comprising: - a cabinet (105); - a laundry chamber (206) rotatably enclosed within the cabinet for containing laundry to be dried; - a drying air flow system (204) for passing said air through the laundry chamber, said drying air flow system comprising an air demoisturizing unit (220) configured to demoisturize said air; - a filter seat (111) arranged within the drying flow system for removably receiving an air filter (112); - said air filter being movable from a first position wherein it is inserted into said filter seat to filter drying air leaving the laundry chamber, to a second position wherein it is removed from said filter seat and detached from the appliance and viceversa; - said laundry drying appliance being configured to operate in a laundry dryer mode when the air filter is in the first position, and in an ambient air dehumidification mode to dehumidify air in the ambient outside the cabinet when the air filter is said second position. The laundry drying appliance according to the invention is characterised in that the laundry drying appliance further comprises a movable wall system (260) arranged within said filter seat (111) and operable, by moving said air filter (112) from one to the other of said first and second positions, to configure the drying air flow system (204) such that: - when the air filter (112) is said first position, the drying air flow system is configured to circulate drying air in a substantially closed air circuit, through the laundry chamber and the air filter, and - when the filter (112) is said second position, the laundry chamber is put in fluid communication with the ambient outside the cabinet by means of an air introduction opening (IN(260)) and an air exhausting opening (OUT(260)) provided by the movable wall system in the filter seat. A worktop (109) for a laundry drying appliance, and a method to operate a laundry drying appliance (100) are also claimed.