Multi-Outlet Drying Duct Layout for Uniform Laundry Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing and drying machines experience increased flow resistance, drying time, and power consumption due to the length of the drying duct, which also leads to non-uniform drying and potential damage to laundry.
Innovation Solution
The washing and drying machine incorporates a drying duct with multiple outlet ends and an inlet end connected to the tub's circumferential surface, along with a blocking wall to prevent air leakage, ensuring uniform air distribution and minimizing flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the drying duct is made long to connect diagonally opposite ends of the tub, then air circulation coverage is improved, but flow resistance increases and drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying duct is divided into multiple separate ducts, each connecting to different locations on the tub. Instead of one long duct spanning diagonally opposite ends, multiple shorter ducts are distributed around the tub perimeter, reducing individual duct lengths and flow resistance while maintaining comprehensive air circulation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct arrangement transitions from a single linear diagonal path to a distributed multi-dimensional configuration around the tub. Ducts are positioned at various locations (front, rear, left, right sides) creating a three-dimensional air circulation pattern that improves coverage without requiring long duct runs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the drying duct is made long to achieve uniform air distribution, then drying uniformity is improved, but drying time increases due to reduced air flow
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple shorter ducts are used instead of one long duct, allowing hot air to be delivered to multiple locations simultaneously with sufficient velocity. This maintains drying uniformity across the drum while reducing the time required for complete drying due to improved overall air flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented duct system enables continuous and simultaneous air distribution to multiple drum regions, ensuring uninterrupted drying action across the entire laundry load, which reduces total drying time compared to sequential or single-point delivery.
3Area of stationary object
If the drying duct is made long to cover the entire drum, then drying coverage is improved, but power consumption increases due to higher flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system uses multiple shorter ducts distributed around the tub instead of one long duct. This segmentation reduces the total length and flow resistance of the ducting system, lowering the power required by the blower while maintaining comprehensive drying coverage across the drum.
Solution Approach 2:
Hot air is delivered to specific local regions of the drum through strategically positioned duct outlets rather than attempting to deliver air uniformly through a single long duct. This local quality approach optimizes air distribution efficiency and reduces the energy required to overcome flow resistance in long duct runs.
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 reduces drying time and power consumption while ensuring uniform drying and preventing damage to laundry, with improved air flow and extended gasket service life.
Implementation Method 1
a drying heater and a blowing fan mounted in the drying duct for heating air and blowing the heated air into the drum
Implementation Method 2
a drying heater and a blowing fan mounted in the drying duct for heating air and blowing the heated air into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A washing and drying machine includes a drying duct having at least one inlet end and at least two outlet ends. Consequently, air flow is increased, and drying time and power consumption are reduced. The inlet end is connected to the center portion of the circumferential surface of a tub, and the outlet ends include a front outlet end connected to the front side of the tub and a rear outlet end connected to the rear side of the tub. Consequently, the laundry is uniformly dried even when the laundry is placed in the drum at the front and/or the rear sides of the drum, and therefore, damage to the laundry is prevented. Flow resistance is minimized, and drying time and power consumption are reduced.