Washing Machine Hybrid Drying and Tub Isolation Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 combines the exhaust type drying system and circulating type drying system into a hybrid drying system. The hybrid drying system includes both an exhaust duct for discharging air and a circulating duct for recirculating air, allowing the washing machine to utilize both heating methods simultaneously or alternately to optimize energy consumption and drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The drying system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure. The drying unit can operate in exhaust mode, circulating mode, or hybrid mode, providing universal drying capability that adapts to different conditions while reducing overall energy consumption and time requirements
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 combines the exhaust type drying system and circulating type drying system into a hybrid drying system. The hybrid drying system includes both an exhaust duct for discharging air and a circulating duct for recirculating air, allowing the washing machine to utilize both heating methods simultaneously or alternately to optimize energy consumption and drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid drying system discards moisture-laden air through the exhaust duct while recovering and recirculating drier air through the circulating duct. This selective discarding and recovering of air reduces the need for cooling water condensation while maintaining low energy consumption
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 the tub from the vibration system by providing a vibration isolation structure between the tub and the cabinet. This isolation structure includes vibration isolation members that separate the tub's vibration from the cabinet, allowing the tub to be coupled to the vibration system while eliminating harmful vibration transmission and interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration isolation members as intermediary elements between the tub and the cabinet. These isolation members act as mediators that absorb and dampen vibrations, allowing the tub to maintain structural support while preventing vibration interference with the cabinet and other components
4Volume of stationary object
If clearance space is maintained between tub and cabinet, then vibration interference is reduced, but tub capacity is reduced within fixed cabinet volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tub from the vibration system by providing a vibration isolation structure between the tub and the cabinet. This isolation structure includes vibration isolation members that separate the tub's vibration from the cabinet, allowing the tub to be coupled to the vibration system while eliminating harmful vibration transmission and interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible vibration isolation members that can deform to absorb vibrations while maintaining minimal space. These flexible isolation structures allow the tub to be positioned closer to the cabinet walls without transmitting harmful vibrations, thereby maximizing tub capacity within the fixed cabinet volume
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 energy and water consumption, minimizing 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 circulating the air in the tub, and a heater in the circulating duct for heating the air introduced to the circulating duct
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.