Laundry Machine Tub Condensing Surface for Reduced Cooling Water Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating machines face inefficiencies in moisture removal from hot air during drying due to limited condensing surface area and lint accumulation, leading to increased cooling water consumption and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates a tub with a cooling water supply system that forms a condensing surface for improved moisture removal and a filter cleaning device to manage lint, including a lint filter and a filter cleaning mechanism to prevent lint accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional condensing structure is used with limited condensing surface area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the condensing efficiency deteriorates leading to increased cooling water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the condensing surface from a conventional two-dimensional plate to a three-dimensional structure by forming a cooling water film on the inner surface of the tub. This dimensional change dramatically increases the condensing surface area, allowing moisture to condense more efficiently throughout the tub volume rather than on a limited plate surface, thereby reducing cooling water consumption while improving condensing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling water supply device creates a porous-like distribution of cooling water across the inner surface of the tub, forming numerous small droplets and film regions that increase the effective condensing surface area. This distributed porous structure allows moisture to condense at multiple locations simultaneously, enhancing condensing efficiency without requiring a single large condensing plate.
2Productivity
If no lint filter is installed, then the device complexity is reduced, but lint accumulation causes operational issues and reduces drying performance
Solution Approach 1:
The lint filter is designed to be self-cleaning through the washing machine's own washing operations. During the washing cycle, water and agitation automatically remove accumulated lint from the filter, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning operations. This self-service mechanism maintains drying performance while minimizing the complexity of dedicated filter cleaning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The lint filter cleaning occurs continuously during each washing cycle rather than requiring periodic maintenance interruptions. The filter is cleaned automatically as part of the normal washing operation, ensuring that lint removal is a continuous process that maintains optimal drying performance without adding separate maintenance steps or complex cleaning mechanisms.
3Productivity
If cooling water is sprayed to form a condensing surface on the tub inner surface, then condensing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional water supply components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling water supply device is integrated with the existing water supply system of the washing machine, allowing the same water supply infrastructure to serve multiple functions: providing water for washing, rinsing, and now cooling/condensing. This multi-functionality approach improves moisture removal efficiency while minimizing the addition of separate dedicated cooling water systems, thereby controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling water supply function with the existing water distribution system of the washing machine. The cooling water nozzles are integrated into the tub structure and share the common water supply line, combining multiple water-related functions into a unified system. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving improved condensing efficiency.
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 condensing efficiency, reduces cooling water waste, and ensures easy lint filter maintenance, improving overall drying performance and operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling water supply device to supply cooling water to an inner surface of the tub such that moisture contained in air is condensed at the inner surface of the tub
Implementation Method 2
a cooling water supply device to supply cooling water to an inner surface of the tub
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry machine, comprising: a tub (120) for receiving wash water; a drum (130) rotatably provided in the tub (120); an air supply device (160) provided at an upper part of the tub (120) for heating air discharged from the tub (120) and introducing the heated air into the tub (120); and a cooling water supply device (300) to supply cooling water to a rear inner surface of the tub (120) such that the rear inner surface of the tub (120) forms a condensing surface to generate condensed water.