Washing Machine Hybrid Air Drying for Lower Energy and Water Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exhaust type drying systems in washing machines consume excessive energy and time for heating air, while circulating type systems require large quantities of cooling water, both of which are inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine design isolates the tub from the vibration system, allowing for a maximized tub capacity within a fixed cabinet volume by eliminating the need for clearance between the tub and cabinet, and incorporates an air circulating device that heats and recirculates air within the tub during drying cycles, reducing energy consumption and water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If exhaust type drying system is used, then drying function is provided, but energy consumption and time for heating air increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the exhaust type drying system with a circulating type drying system. The air circulating device recirculates air within the tub while the air discharge device selectively discharges high-humidity air. This combination allows the system to maintain the energy efficiency of circulating drying while achieving the effective moisture removal of exhaust drying, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and time without sacrificing drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and recirculates the majority of the air (about 70-80% of the air volume) back into the tub after it has passed through the laundry, while only discarding the portion with highest humidity concentration. This selective discarding and recovering approach minimizes energy loss while maintaining effective drying performance.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If circulating type drying system is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but large quantity of cooling water is required for condensing air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the high-humidity air portion (about 20-30% of air volume) from the circulating air stream before it can require condensation. By discharging this moisture-laden air directly to the exterior environment, the system eliminates the need for cooling water condensation that would otherwise be required in a pure circulating system, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and recirculates the drier air portion back into the tub, while discarding only the portion that has absorbed significant moisture. This selective recovery and discarding approach maintains the energy efficiency of circulating drying while minimizing the need for cooling water condensation.
3Volume of stationary object
If tub is coupled to vibration system, then structural support is provided, but clearance space is required between tub and cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the tub from the vibration system by providing separate vibration attenuation means (elastomeric material) between the tub and the vibration system. This separation allows the tub to be positioned closer to the cabinet interior surface without requiring structural clearance for vibration accommodation, thereby maximizing tub capacity while simplifying the overall structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary elastomeric material between the tub and the vibration system to absorb and attenuate vibrations. This intermediary component allows direct coupling of the tub to the cabinet structure without requiring additional clearance space, thus maximizing tub capacity while managing vibration through the elastomeric damping material.
4Productivity
If air discharge device is added to circulating duct, then drying efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air discharge device with the existing circulating duct structure, integrating the air discharge function into the already-present air circulation pathway. The air discharge device utilizes the same duct infrastructure for air intake and discharge, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component rather than adding completely separate systems, thereby improving drying efficiency while minimizing increases in overall device 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 minimizing energy and water usage, reducing interference between tub and cabinet, and preventing damage to components due to vibration, thus optimizing the use of interior space and improving drying performance without separate condensing means.
Implementation Method 1
an air circulating device for heating air discharged from the tub and supplying the heated air to an inside of the tub
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric material provided between the tub and the vibration system to attenuate vibration from the vibration system
Data Source
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 that circulates air through a tub of the washing machine and heats air for re-supply to the tub, and an air discharge device that discharges a portion of moist air from the tub to an outside of the tub.