Open-Cycle Washer-Dryer Air System to Reduce Appliance Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washer-dryers require larger spaces due to closed air circulation systems, limiting the size of the drum and overall appliance, and often inefficiently use energy and water resources.
Innovation Solution
An open-cycle household washer-dryer design that draws in cool dry air from the surroundings, heats it, and discharges it into the drum for drying, while using a dehumidifying device to condense moisture from the air, reducing the need for recirculation and allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a closed air circulation system is used in conventional washer-dryers, then air is recirculated efficiently, but the space required for drying elements increases and drum size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air circulation function from the system by using an open cycle design where air is taken from the surroundings and discharged back to the surroundings, eliminating the need for large internal recirculation ducts and allowing the drum volume to be maximized while maintaining effective drying capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a closed internal circulation system to an open system that interacts with the external environment, taking air in from and discharging air to the surroundings, thereby reducing internal space requirements while maintaining drying effectiveness
2Loss of energy
If a closed air circulation system is used in conventional washer-dryers, then air is recirculated efficiently, but the overall appliance size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex internal air recirculation infrastructure by adopting an open cycle design, extracting only the essential heating and dehumidification functions while eliminating the need for large internal ductwork, thereby reducing overall appliance size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts from internal air circulation to external air exchange, allowing the appliance to have a more compact internal structure while maintaining effective drying capacity through the open cycle design
3Productivity
If conventional drying methods are used, then drying capacity is achieved, but water and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor during evaporation from laundry, and then from vapor to liquid during condensation in the dehumidifier, enabling efficient moisture removal and recovery with minimal water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers moisture condensed from the air during the drying cycle and makes it available for use in subsequent washing cycles, thereby reducing fresh water consumption while maintaining high drying capacity
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 design reduces space requirements, enhances energy efficiency by recovering heat, and minimizes water consumption, enabling faster drying and flexibility in washing and drying cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the air inlet comprises a heating device for converting the cool dry air into hot dry air
Implementation Method 2
the water inlet/air outlet comprises a dehumidifying device for converting the hot moist air into cool dry air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A household washer-dryer (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F), comprising a drum (6) for receiving laundry (5), an air inlet (13) for taking in cool dry air (15) from a surroundings (16) of the household washer-dryer (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F) during a drying cycle, wherein the air inlet (13) comprises a heating device (18) for converting the cool dry air (15) into hot dry air (19) which is discharged into the drum (6) by means of the air inlet (13), and a water inlet/air outlet (24) for taking in hot moist air (25) from the drum (6) during the drying cycle, wherein the water inlet/air outlet (24) comprises a dehumidifying device (27) for converting the hot moist air (25) into cool dry air (28) which is discharged into the surroundings (16) by means of the water inlet/air outlet (24).