Washer Dryer Air Circulation Layout for Faster Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Condenser dryers in washer dryers have low dehumidification efficiency due to a limited condensing duct area, leading to increased power and water consumption and longer drying times, while vented dryers require a venting hose that can cause performance degradation if blocked.
Innovation Solution
A washer dryer design with a cooler fan that varies rotation speed based on temperature to control air circulation, using a cooler to exhaust air outside and improve air circulation, and a suction member to enhance air flow and dehumidification efficiency without the need for a condensing duct or venting hose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a condensing duct is used for dehumidification, then the dryer can remove humidity from air, but the limited condensing duct area results in low dehumidification efficiency and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dehumidification function from the traditional condensing duct system and relocates it to the drum surface. The drum's outer circumference serves as the condensing surface, eliminating the need for a separate condensing duct and significantly increasing the effective condensing area, thereby improving dehumidification efficiency while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear condensing duct to a two-dimensional drum surface for condensation. By utilizing the drum's outer circumference as the condensing surface, the system dramatically increases the condensing area from a narrow duct to a large cylindrical surface, resolving the contradiction between dehumidification efficiency and power consumption.
2Reliability
If a condensing duct is used for dehumidification, then the dryer can remove humidity from air, but the limited condensing duct area results in longer drying times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the drum's outer circumference as a two-dimensional condensing surface instead of a one-dimensional condensing duct. This dimensional transformation dramatically increases the condensing area, enabling faster moisture removal and significantly reducing drying time while maintaining effective dehumidification.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a venting hose is used to exhaust hot and humid air, then the dryer can dehumidify with low power consumption, but the venting hose can become blocked and degrade drying performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the exhaust function from the venting hose and integrates it directly into the drum structure. The drum's rotation and the suction member work together to exhaust hot and humid air directly through the drum surface, eliminating the venting hose and preventing blockage issues while maintaining low power consumption and reliable drying performance.
4Productivity
If high temperature air is circulated for drying, then the dryer can effectively dry laundry, but the temperature rise in the cabinet can cause overheating and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the drum as an intermediary thermal management device. The drum not only serves as the drying surface but also acts as a heat exchange medium, allowing controlled heat transfer between the hot air and the laundry while preventing excessive temperature rise in the cabinet, thus maintaining both drying performance and thermal safety.
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 enhances dehumidification efficiency, reduces drying time, and prevents overheating, maintaining performance and user satisfaction by effectively managing air circulation and temperature within the washer dryer.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler fan for exhausting air in the cabinet to the outside... driving the cooler fan to cool down air in the cabinet
Implementation Method 2
a heater and blower fan for producing hot air to dry the laundry
Implementation Method 3
a blower fan for producing hot air to dry the laundry... a drying duct for guiding the hot air into the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A washer dryer 1 and method for controlling the same may improve a structure of air circulation and increase dehumidification efficiency, thereby reducing drying time. A cooler fan 61 is operated to prevent overheating of a washer dryer 1 in the drying course, which reduces faults of the washer dryer 1 and thus reduces user inconvenience. Overheating of the washer dryer 1 may be prevented in advance in the washing course, which maintains washing performance and prevents delay of cooling time, leading to increased drying time accuracy and thus user satisfaction. The cooler fan 61 is disposed on the tub 20 to vent the air in the dryer (dry air) outside the cabinet 10 to allow high temperature and high humidity drying, thereby increasing drying performance. A hole 10e disposed on the bottom of the dryer sucks cool air into the inside of the dryer from the outside, and air circulation rate and dehumidification efficiency may be increased.