Washing and drying machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum-type washing and drying machines with dehumidifiers face inefficiencies in heat exchange and drying time due to droplet scattering and increased space and water consumption, especially when air flow rates are increased.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a circulation duct system with multiple duct systems to enhance heat exchange area and efficiency, suppressing droplet scattering by reducing air velocity in each duct, thereby saving space and shortening drying time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air flow rate is increased to improve dehumidification capability, then the drying efficiency is improved, but droplets of coolant scatter and dehumidification performance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation duct is divided into multiple independent duct systems (first circulation duct and second circulation duct), each handling a portion of the air flow. This segmentation reduces the air velocity in each duct, preventing coolant droplet scattering while maintaining overall high drying efficiency through parallel dehumidification paths.
2Reliability
If the size of dehumidification duct is increased to improve dehumidification capability, then the dehumidification performance is improved, but the space occupied by dehumidifier is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The dehumidification function is segmented across multiple duct systems that can be arranged in a compact configuration. By distributing the dehumidification task across parallel ducts rather than using a single large duct, the overall space requirement is reduced while maintaining effective dehumidification performance.
3Reliability
If the amount of coolant is increased to improve dehumidification capability, then the dehumidification performance is improved, but the volume of water consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant distribution is segmented across multiple duct systems, allowing for more efficient utilization of coolant in each duct. This prevents excessive coolant consumption while achieving the same overall dehumidification effect through parallel processing of air streams.
4Productivity
If the air flow rate is increased to improve dehumidification capability, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the scattering of droplets of coolant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high air flow rate is segmented across multiple duct systems, reducing the velocity in each individual duct. This prevents coolant droplet scattering while maintaining the overall high drying efficiency through the combined capacity of all duct systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple circulation ducts are arranged in a nested or compact configuration within the washing and drying machine, allowing parallel air flow paths to coexist in a space-efficient manner. This nesting enables high total air flow while keeping individual duct velocities low enough to prevent droplet scattering.
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 configuration improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces droplet scattering, conserves space, and accelerates the drying process while maintaining effective dehumidification.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation duct (110) having a dehumidifier (110b) is arranged at a rear surface of the tub (102)... a heat exchange area is expanded, and heat exchange efficiency is improved
Implementation Method 2
dehumidifying liquid supply nozzles (132) are arranged... dehumidify air... dehumidification is performed by supplying coolant to an inside of a circulation duct
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A washing and drying machine according to an aspect can promote an Improvement in heat exchange efficiency, efficiently perform a heat exchange, save a space, and shorten drying time. The washing and drying machine includes a drum configured to rotate about a rotary shaft, a tub provided at an outside of the drum to accommodate the drum, a circulation flow path configured to circulate air into and out of the drum, a blowing device provided on the circulation flow path to circulate air, a circulation duct provided on the circulation flow path and having a fan connection and a plurality of independent duct systems that converge at an upstream side of the fan connection, a dehumidifier provided in one or more of the plurality of duct systems, a water supply device installed around the plurality of duct systems and having a valve provided to supply a dehumidifying coolant to the dehumidifier; and a controller configured to control the blowing device to adjust a flow of air flowing in the circulation flow path and control the water supply device to adjust the dehumidifying coolant supplied to the dehumidifier.