Shared Dryer Housing Layout for Heat Pump and Condenser Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dryer manufacturing processes require significant resources and effort due to differences between condensation-type dryers with electric heaters and air-to-air heat exchangers, and those with heat pumps, limiting the use of shared components and resources in concurrent series production.
Innovation Solution
Designing two dryers with high structural similarity, where the first dryer uses an air-to-air heat exchanger and electric heater, and the second dryer uses a heat pump, allowing for the use of equal or similar components without compromising functional advantages, and optimizing component placement for reduced heat losses and improved air throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two different types of dryers (condensation-type with electric heater and air-to-air heat exchanger, and condensation-type with heat pump) are manufactured separately, then each dryer can be optimized for its specific function, but the manufacturing resources and effort increase significantly due to lack of shared components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a common housing structure that can accommodate different heating and heat exchange components. The housing includes a standardized back channel system with first and second holes that can work with either an electric heater and air-to-air heat exchanger combination, or a heat pump system, allowing the same basic dryer framework to serve multiple functional configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dryer into modular functional components: a common housing structure, a back channel system, and interchangeable heating/heat exchange modules. This segmentation allows the heating component (electric heater or heat pump) to be changed without affecting the overall housing structure, facilitating concurrent series production with shared resources.
2Volume of moving object
If the process air guide components are placed inside the drying chamber, then they occupy valuable space needed for articles to be dried, but if placed outside, then heat losses increase and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the process air guide components from the internal three-dimensional space of the drying chamber to the external surface of the back wall, utilizing the two-dimensional plane outside the drying chamber. The back channel projects through holes in the back wall, allowing air guidance functionality to be achieved outside the drying chamber volume while minimizing heat losses by keeping components close to the air flow path.
3Productivity
If the back channel is designed with multiple holes for air passage, then air throughput is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric hole placement where the first hole is positioned below the second hole with respect to a vertical axis. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the air flow path through the back channel while maintaining manufacturability. The specific vertical offset between holes creates an effective air throughput path without requiring excessive manufacturing precision, as the asymmetric design naturally guides air flow.
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
Enables concurrent series production with extensive use of shared resources and components, maintaining each dryer's specific functional advantages, and facilitating continuous availability and disposal of both dryers in commerce.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink and a heat source, said heat sink and said heat source belonging to a heat pump disposed within said respective housing
Implementation Method 2
said respective process air guide comprises a heat sink and a heat source, said heat sink and said heat source belonging to a heat pump
Implementation Method 3
said respective process air guide comprises a heat sink and a heat source, said heat sink and said heat source belonging to a heat pump
Implementation Method 4
an air-to-air heat exchanger disposed within said respective housing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a set having a first dryer 11 and a second dryer 31 for concurrent series production. Each dryer 11,31 comprises a respective housing 12,32 enclosing a respective interior 13,33. Each housing 12,32 comprises a respective front wall 14,34 and a respective back wall 15,35, a respective drying chamber 16,36 disposed within said housing 12,32, and a respective process air guide 17,37 for guiding process air through said respective drying chamber 16,36 for drying articles 18,38 disposed therein. Each process air guide 17,37 comprises a respective back channel 19,39 disposed on said respective back wall 15,35 outside said respective interior 13,33, each back channel 19,39 projecting into said respective interior 13,33 through a respective first hole 20,40 and a respective second hole 21,41 in said back wall 15,35. Each first hole 20,40 is placed below each respective second hole 21,41 with respect to a respective vertical axis 22,42. Each process air guide 17,37 is configured for guiding the process air through each respective back channel 19,39 from said respective first hole 20,40 to said respective second hole 21,41, and from said respective second hole 21,41 into said respective drying chamber 16,36. In said first dryer 11, said respective process air guide 17,37 comprises an air-to-air heat exchanger 1 disposed within said respective housing 12, and an electric heater 2 disposed within said respective back channel 19. In said second dryer 31, said respective process air guide 17,37 comprises a heat sink 3 and a heat source 4, said heat sink 3 and said heat source 4 belonging to a heat pump 3,4,5,6,7,9 disposed within said respective housing 32. In said first dryer 11, said respective second hole 21 is a single passage for said respective back channel 19 to project into said respective interior 13. In said second dryer 31, said respective back wall 35 has at least one third hole 8, with said respective back channel 39 projecting into said respective interior 33 through said at least one third hole 8 and said respective second hole 41 in parallel, and with said respective process air guide 37 being configured for guiding the process air from said respective first hole 40 to said respective second hole 41 and said at least one third hole 8.