Laundry machine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines with drying functions have inefficient heat exchange due to the air-blowing fan being positioned before the heating duct, leading to reduced heat exchange efficiency and unnecessary water usage, even when cooling water is not desired.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine design with a heat pump system where the air-blowing fan is positioned between the heat exchanger and the discharge duct, allowing air to pass through the entire heat exchange section, and includes a drainage mechanism for condensed water, optimizing the air movement path and heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air-blowing fan is positioned before the heating duct, then the air can be discharged from the laundry accommodating part, but the heat exchange efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the air-blowing fan after the heating duct instead of before it. This reversal allows air to pass through the entire heat exchange section of the heating duct, maximizing heat absorption and exchange efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy loss.
2Reliability
If cooling water is supplied to the condensation duct, then moisture can be condensed from the air, but water is used unnecessarily when cooling is not desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cooling water supply dynamic by providing a controllable valve or pump system that adjusts or stops water flow based on actual cooling needs. This allows the system to maintain reliable moisture removal capability when needed while avoiding unnecessary water consumption, resolving the contradiction between reliability and substance loss.
3Productivity
If the heat exchanger structure is improved to increase heat exchange efficiency, then drying performance is enhanced, but the machine volume may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compact heat exchanger design where components are nested or integrated within each other. The heating duct and condensation duct are arranged in a space-efficient configuration, allowing improved heat exchange efficiency without significantly increasing the overall machine volume, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and volume.
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 enhances heat exchange efficiency, reduces the machine's volume, and allows for compact design while minimizing water usage, improving drying efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a connection duct (163) positioned between the suction duct (162) and the discharge duct (168), the connection duct being provided with a heat exchanger for heating of the air
Implementation Method 2
The humid air flows from the tub 20 into the condensation duct 51, and the moisture is removed from the air in the condensation duct 51
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laundry machine (100) is disclosed. The laundry machine (100) includes a cabinet (110) defining an exterior of the laundry machine (100), a tub(120) provided to the cabinet (110), a drum (150) rotatably provided in the tub (120), a suction duct (162) positioned on an outer circumferential surface of a rear portion of the tub (120) to suction air from the tub (120), a discharge duct (168) positioned at a front of the tub (120) to supply air to the tub (120), a connection duct (163) positioned between the suction duct (162) and the discharge duct (168), the connection duct (163) being provided with a heat exchanger (200, 300) for heating of the air, and a circulation fan (167) positioned between the connection duct (163) and the discharge duct (168) to circulate the air.