Hybrid Washer Dryer Airflow for Low-Humidity Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machine drying systems, such as the circulating type and exhaust type, face inefficiencies and energy consumption issues, particularly with the exhaust type requiring significant energy for heating low-temperature external air and the circulating type needing large amounts of cooling water for condensation.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design that includes an air circulating device with a heater and an air discharge system, where a portion of the wet air discharged from the tub after heat exchange with laundry is expelled outside, reducing the humidity of the remaining air and improving drying efficiency without separate condensing means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an exhaust type drying system is used to heat and supply air from outside the tub, then the drying function is provided, but much energy and time are consumed for heating the air when the outside air temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulating type drying system and exhaust type drying system into a single hybrid system. The air circulation device circulates air through the tub while the air discharge device selectively discharges a portion of the air to the outside, merging the advantages of both systems to reduce energy consumption while maintaining effective drying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge device is configured to discharge only a portion of the air from the tub to the outside, rather than all air. This partial discharge allows the system to remove excess moisture and heat while retaining enough circulated air to maintain energy efficiency, applying the principle of partial action to optimize performance.
2Quantity of substance
If a circulating type drying system is used to condense and heat air discharged from the tub, then the air is supplied back through the tub, but a large quantity of cooling water is required for condensing the air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the condensation function from the circulating type drying system by introducing an air discharge device that discharges a portion of the air to the outside. This extraction eliminates the need for a separate condensation system and large quantities of cooling water, while maintaining the drying function through selective air discharge.
3Productivity
If an air discharge device discharges a portion of wet air from the tub to the outside, then the humidity of the remaining air is reduced and drying efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation device is designed to perform multiple functions: it circulates air through the tub for drying, and works in conjunction with the air discharge device to selectively discharge a portion of the air to the outside. This multi-functionality improves drying efficiency by reducing humidity while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
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 drying efficiency by reducing the humidity of the air within the tub, allowing for effective drying without the need for additional condensing systems and minimizing energy consumption, while also addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided in the circulating duct to heat air flowing through the circulating duct
Implementation Method 2
an air discharge device in communication with the tub, wherein the air discharge device discharges a portion of the air from the inside of the tub to an outside of the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A washing machine including a drying function for drying laundry items received therein is provided. The washing machine may include an air circulating device (160) that circulates air through a tub (120) of the washing machine and heats air for re-supply to the tub, and an air discharge device (180) that discharges a portion of moist air from the tub to an outside of the tub.