Low pressure laundry treating appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vapor compression distillation systems for laundry water reclamation are inefficient, requiring high operating temperatures, significant energy input, and expensive materials, with long start-up times and waste due to continuous preheating, and produce distillate at unsuitable temperatures for immediate use.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating appliance with a drum assembly featuring an inner and outer drum with an interstitial space, utilizing a vacuum pump to create negative pressure for flash evaporation at or near ambient temperature, reducing the need for heat and allowing for water reclamation at room temperature, thus minimizing energy consumption and material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional vapor compression distillation is used for water reclamation, then water can be purified and reclaimed, but high operating temperatures and significant energy input are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature to low pressure conditions, enabling water reclamation at or near ambient temperature. By reducing pressure in the treating chamber, the boiling point of water is lowered, allowing evaporation and condensation to occur without significant heating, thus resolving the contradiction between water reclamation efficiency and energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor to liquid) through pressure control rather than temperature control. Water evaporates at low pressure and ambient temperature, then condenses when pressure is increased, enabling energy-efficient water reclamation without the high temperatures required by traditional distillation methods
2Loss of substance
If traditional vapor compression distillation is used, then water purification is achieved, but long start-up times are required due to preheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the primary control parameter from temperature to pressure. By using a vacuum pump to create low pressure conditions immediately, the system can begin water purification without the lengthy preheating phase required by traditional systems, reducing start-up time while maintaining purification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary pressure reduction before the purification process begins. The vacuum pump establishes low pressure conditions in advance, allowing the purification process to start immediately without waiting for thermal conditioning, thus eliminating the preheating wait time
3Productivity
If continuous preheating is implemented to maintain operating temperature, then water reclamation can proceed continuously, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating condition from temperature-maintained to pressure-controlled. By maintaining low pressure rather than high temperature, the system enables continuous water reclamation without the continuous energy input needed for heating, resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy consumption
4Loss of substance
If high operating temperatures are used for distillation, then water evaporation and purification are effective, but expensive materials and insulation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter from high temperature to low pressure, allowing water purification to occur at ambient temperature. This eliminates the need for expensive high-temperature resistant materials and thermal insulation, making the system easier and cheaper to manufacture while maintaining purification effectiveness
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
The solution enables rapid start-up, reduced energy usage, and efficient water reclamation at room temperature, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the laundry treating process while eliminating the need for high-temperature materials and insulation.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a vacuum pump to create negative pressure for flash evaporation at or near ambient temperature
Implementation Method 2
removing the gas from the treating chamber to compress and heat the gas with a compressor, releasing the compressed and heated gas into the interstitial space to produce condensate
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for a low pressure laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior, and a drum provided within the interior, the drum including at least an inner wall and an outer wall. Pressure differentiations and flash evaporation can enable drying without excess use of conventional heating methods.