Appliance for drying laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryer and washer/dryer designs face challenges in minimizing the encumbrance of additional components required for drying air circulation, particularly in terms of space constraints within the existing washer cabinet.
Innovation Solution
A laundry drying appliance with a cabinet-mounted moisture condensing module that includes an air-air heat exchanger or heat pump, utilizing a drying air circulation system with a return and delivery duct, and a top panel with fluid passageways for air circulation, which allows for automatic positioning and centering, reducing the need for additional space within the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional components for drying air circulation are added to the existing washer cabinet, then the drying function is achieved, but the space constraints within the cabinet are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the moisture condensing module with the existing cabinet top, merging two separate functions (drying and cabinet structure) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate space allocation for the condensing system while maintaining the drying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet top is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the cabinet top structure and houses the moisture condensing module with fluid passageways. This multi-functionality allows the drying system to be implemented without encroaching on cabinet space.
2Volume of stationary object
If a moisture condensing module is integrated into the cabinet top, then the space encumbrance is reduced, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture condensing module is designed as a separate, self-contained unit that can be mounted to the cabinet top. This segmentation allows for simplified installation and maintenance while reducing the overall space requirements within the cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The module is designed as a ready-to-mount unit with pre-integrated fluid passageways and condensing components, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly and reducing mounting complexity.
3Productivity
If the drying air circulation system uses traditional components, then the drying efficiency is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the moisture condensing module with the cabinet top structure, creating an integrated system that achieves efficient drying while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 solution effectively dehumidifies and heats the drying air without increasing the cabinet's footprint, enabling efficient drying while maintaining the existing washer design's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a drying air inlet couplable to said outlet of the drying air return duct, a drying air outlet couplable to said inlet of the drying air delivery duct, fluid passageways defined inside the top from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated, and moisture condensing means arranged inside said fluid passageways
Implementation Method 2
Other known dryers and washers/dryers exploit a heat pump to dehydrate the drying air flow
Implementation Method 3
the dried air flow is heated up by means of a heating arrangement, like an electrical resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A laundry drying appliance (100) being a washer/dryer comprising a cabinet (110) having a top (119), a rotating drum (105) accommodated within a tub (303) housed in the cabinet, and a laundry drying air circulation system for circulating drying air. The drying air circulation system comprises a drying air return duct (305) through which drying air coming from drum flows, the drying air return duct having an outlet (310), and a drying air delivery duct (205,215) through which the drying air is sent back to the drum, the drying air delivery duct having an inlet (210). The top forms a ready-to-mount moisture condensing module ready to be mounted to the cabinet for dehydrating drying air used to dry laundry within the drying drum of the laundry drying appliance, the top having a drying air inlet (510) couplable to the outlet of the drying air return duct, a drying air outlet (515) couplable to the inlet of the drying air delivery duct, fluid passageways defined inside the top from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated, and moisture condensing means arranged inside the fluid passageways.