Washer Tub Drying Control Using Dryer Heat Pump Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clothes treating systems, particularly washing machines, face issues with moisture retention leading to mold and bacteria growth within the tub and drum, and the discharge of water vapor into indoor spaces, causing hygiene problems and bad odors.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating system incorporating a duct structure with a heat pump and fan to perform a tub drying cycle, where a humidity sensor detects moisture levels and controls the system to direct heated air into the tub to absorb moisture, which is then directed to a dryer, preventing immediate discharge and promoting cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a washing machine performs washing cycles, then laundry is cleaned effectively, but moisture remains in the tub and drum leading to mold and bacteria growth
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a tub drying cycle after washing to remove moisture from the tub and drum before they are stored, preventing the conditions necessary for mold and bacteria growth. The controller automatically initiates this drying process based on detected humidity levels, ensuring the tub is dried promptly after washing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A humidity sensor continuously monitors moisture levels in the tub and provides feedback to the controller. When humidity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller activates the tub drying cycle, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual moisture conditions to prevent harmful growth.
2Productivity
If water vapor is discharged immediately after washing, then the washing cycle completes quickly, but indoor spaces are contaminated with moisture causing hygiene problems
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer acts as an intermediary system that receives water vapor from the washing machine tub through a duct connection. Instead of discharging moisture directly into the indoor space, the dryer captures and processes the vapor, using its heating and drying mechanisms to evaporate and circulate air to remove moisture safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine and dryer are integrated into a combined clothes treating system with shared control and connected ductwork. This merging allows the dryer to function as an extension of the washing machine, processing tub moisture through the same air circulation and heating systems used for laundry drying.
3Reliability
If a duct structure is added to remove moisture from the tub, then mold and bacteria growth is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing dryer's heating element, fan, and air circulation system are utilized for dual purposes: drying laundry and drying the tub. The same heat pump and blower that serve the drying function are redirected through ducts to perform tub drying, eliminating the need for separate heating and airflow generation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing resources—the dryer's heat and air circulation capabilities—to perform the tub drying function. Rather than requiring external or dedicated tub drying components, the washing machine leverages the integrated dryer's self-capabilities to maintain tub hygiene, making the system self-sufficient.
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
Effectively removes water vapor and moisture from the tub and drum, suppressing mold and bacteria growth, maintaining cleanliness and preventing indoor moisture-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
operate the heat pump to heat air, and operate the fan to move the heated air through the first flow path, so that the heated air flows into the tub
Implementation Method 2
operate the fan to move the heated air through the first flow path, so that the heated air flows into the tub through the first flow path and the moisture from inside the tub is absorbed by the heated air
Implementation Method 3
a humidity sensor to detect humidity inside the tub; and a controller configured to: determine whether to perform a tub drying cycle to remove the moisture from the tub, based on the detected humidity
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating system may include a washing machine including a tub; a dryer including a heat pump and a fan; a first flow path; a damper to open and close the first flow path; a second flow path; a humidity sensor to detect humidity inside the tub; and a controller configured to: determine whether to perform a tub drying cycle, based on the detected humidity, and based on determining to perform the tub drying cycle, open the first flow path with the damper, operate the heat pump to heat air, and operate the fan to move the heated air through the first flow path, so that air flows into the tub through the first flow path and moisture from the tub is absorbed by the air and flows into the dryer through the second flow path.