A clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification

Abstract

The present invention discloses a clothes dryer that combines a heat pump and a rotary dehumidifier. The dryer comprises a drying circulation air circuit, which sequentially includes a drum, an evaporator, a heat exchanger, a generating area of ​​a dehumidifier rotor, a medium-pressure condenser, and a drum. High-temperature, dry air is blown into the drum by a fan (a), where it exchanges heat and moisture with the clothes, becoming high-temperature, humid air. The air is then cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator, heated by regenerated circulating air through the heat exchanger, heated and dehumidified by the generating area of ​​the dehumidifier rotor, and heated by the medium-pressure condenser to become high-temperature, dry air. The air is then blown into the drum by fan (a). The dryer also includes a heat pump system. By combining a heat pump and a rotary dehumidifier, the present invention achieves better clothes drying results and shorter drying times than heat pump dryers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of clothing processing equipment, and in particular to a clothes dryer combining a heat pump and a rotary dehumidification device. Background Art

[0002] The drum heat pump dryer blows dry hot air into the drum to evaporate the moisture in the clothes, reducing the moisture content of the clothes; the hot and humid air discharged from the drum is cooled through the evaporator to condense the water vapor and reduce the humidity; then it enters the condenser to heat up and is sent back into the drum; this cycle continues until the clothes are fully dried.

[0003] The evaporation efficiency of moisture from clothing is affected by the humidity and temperature of the air being blown; the lower the temperature and the higher the relative humidity, the lower the evaporation efficiency. However, to avoid damage to clothing, dryers must lower their drying temperatures. Improving the drying speed of heat pump dryers while maintaining low temperatures and gentle drying conditions is currently a key research area. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the drying speed of a clothes dryer is slow under low temperature and gentle drying conditions.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification, comprising:

[0007] The drying cycle air circuit includes, in sequence, the drum 1, the evaporator 3, the heat exchanger 4, the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, the medium-pressure condenser 7, and the drum 1. High-temperature, dry air is blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8, undergoes heat and moisture exchange with the clothes 2, and becomes high-temperature, humid air. The air is then cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3, heated by the regenerated circulating air through the heat exchanger 4, heated and dehumidified by the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, and heated by the medium-pressure condenser 7 to become high-temperature, dry air. The air is then blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8.

[0008] Heat pump system: The heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit B, which includes a compressor, a medium-pressure condenser, a capillary tube B, an evaporator, and a compressor in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit B is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into a medium-pressure liquid refrigerant through the medium-pressure condenser 7, throttled into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube b16, absorbed heat and evaporated into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into a medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14.

[0009] The aforementioned dryer is a hybrid of a heat pump and a rotary dehumidifier, wherein the dehumidification rotary wheel includes a generation zone and a regeneration zone. When low-temperature air of 10-20°C passes through the generation zone, water vapor in the air is absorbed by a solid desiccant; when high-temperature air of 60-80°C passes through the regeneration zone, moisture in the solid absorbent is desorbed, and the air carries water vapor out of the dehumidification rotary wheel.

[0010] In the aforementioned clothes dryer combining heat pump and dehumidification by a rotary wheel, the dehumidification rotary wheel is composed of a solid desiccant.

[0011] The aforementioned clothes dryer combining a heat pump and a rotary dehumidification device also includes a regeneration circulation system for restoring the moisture absorption characteristics of the rotary wheel. The regeneration circulation system sequentially includes a regeneration zone of the dehumidification rotary wheel 5, a heat exchanger 4, a high-pressure condenser 6, an electric heater 10, and a regeneration zone of the dehumidification rotary wheel 5. The high-temperature dry air is blown by the fan b11 to the regeneration zone of the dehumidification rotary wheel 5 to become high-temperature humid air, cooled and dehumidified by the heat exchanger 4, and then heated by the high-pressure condenser 6 or by the electric heater 10 according to the control system to become high-temperature dry air and blown to the regeneration zone of the dehumidification rotary wheel again.

[0012] The aforementioned clothes dryer combining a heat pump and a dehumidifying wheel also includes a control system for switching the regenerative cycle heating mode. During the heating process using the condenser 6, when the temperature of the air entering the dehumidifying wheel cannot reach the set temperature, the electric heating mode is enabled; otherwise, only the condenser heating mode is used.

[0013] The aforementioned clothes dryer combining a heat pump and a rotary dehumidification device has a set temperature of 70°C.

[0014] The aforementioned clothes dryer combining a heat pump and a rotary dehumidifier, wherein the heat pump system further comprises a refrigerant circuit a, which sequentially comprises a compressor, a high-pressure condenser, a capillary tube a, an evaporator, and a compressor. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit a is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges high-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant through the high-pressure condenser 6, throttled into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube a15, absorbed heat and evaporated into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14, completing the cycle.

[0015] In the aforementioned clothes dryer combining a heat pump and a rotary dehumidifier, the compressor discharges part of the refrigerant gas at medium pressure and discharges part of the refrigerant gas at high pressure.

[0016] The present invention achieves the following beneficial effects: The heat pump and rotary dehumidification hybrid dryer comprises a drying cycle air circuit and a heat pump system. The evaporator condenses water vapor, the medium-pressure condenser heats the air in the drying cycle, and the high-pressure condenser heats the air in the regeneration cycle. The heat exchanger utilizes the cold air passing through the evaporator to cool the hot and humid air passing through the regeneration zone of the dehumidification rotary wheel, thereby condensing and dehumidifying the hot and humid air. In the heat pump system, the compressor discharges medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into medium-pressure liquid refrigerant by the medium-pressure condenser. This gas is throttled through capillary tube b to become low-pressure liquid refrigerant. This gas is then evaporated through the evaporator to absorb heat and become low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This gaseous refrigerant is then compressed into medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant by the compressor. The present invention combines a heat pump dryer with a dehumidification rotary wheel structure, reducing the humidity of the hot air entering the drum, promoting the evaporation of moisture from clothing, and increasing the drying speed of the dryer.

[0017] At the same time, the clothes dryer of the present invention is a closed system, and no hot and humid air is discharged, so that the placement of the clothes dryer is more flexible and convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the overall system structure of the clothes dryer in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a drying cycle system diagram of the clothes dryer in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the regeneration cycle system of the dehumidification wheel of the clothes dryer in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the refrigerant circulation system of the clothes dryer in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0022] Markings in the figure: 1. Drum; 2. Clothes; 3. Evaporator; 4. Heat exchanger; 5. Dehumidification wheel; 6. High-pressure condenser; 7. Medium-pressure condenser; 8. Fan a; 9. Filter cover; 10. Electric heater; 11. Fan b; 12. Water tank a; 13. Water tank b; 14. Compressor; 15. Capillary tube a; 16. Capillary tube b. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be fully and clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a clothes dryer that combines a heat pump and a rotary dehumidification device, comprising:

[0026] The drum fully exposes the surface of the clothes by rotating;

[0027] The drying cycle air circuit includes, in sequence, the drum 1, the evaporator 3, the heat exchanger 4, the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, the medium-pressure condenser 7, and the drum 1. High-temperature, dry air is blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8, undergoes heat and moisture exchange with the clothes 2, and becomes high-temperature, humid air. The air is then cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3, heated by the regenerated circulating air through the heat exchanger 4, heated and dehumidified by the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, and heated by the medium-pressure condenser 7 to become high-temperature, dry air. The air is then blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8.

[0028] Heat pump systems, such as Figure 4 As shown, the heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit b, which includes a compressor, a medium-pressure condenser, a capillary tube b, an evaporator, and a compressor in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit b is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges the medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into a medium-pressure liquid refrigerant through the medium-pressure condenser 7, throttled into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube b16, absorbed heat and evaporated into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into a medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14.

[0029] The dehumidification wheel is composed of a solid desiccant, including a generation zone and a regeneration zone. When low-temperature air at 10-20°C passes through the generation zone, water vapor in the air is absorbed by the solid desiccant; when high-temperature air at 60-80°C passes through the regeneration zone, moisture in the solid absorbent will be desorbed, and the air carrying water vapor will be discharged from the dehumidification wheel.

[0030] The evaporator is used to condense water vapor; the medium-pressure condenser is used to heat the air in the drying cycle; the high-pressure condenser is used to heat the air in the regeneration cycle; the heat exchanger uses the cold air passing through the evaporator to cool the hot and humid air passing through the regeneration zone of the dehumidification wheel, so that the hot and humid air is condensed and dehumidified.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] A clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification, comprising:

[0033] The drying cycle air circuit includes, in sequence, the drum 1, the evaporator 3, the heat exchanger 4, the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, the medium-pressure condenser 7, and the drum 1. High-temperature, dry air is blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8, undergoes heat and moisture exchange with the clothes 2, and becomes high-temperature, humid air. The air is then cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3, heated by the regenerated circulating air through the heat exchanger 4, heated and dehumidified by the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, and heated by the medium-pressure condenser 7 to become high-temperature, dry air. The air is then blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8.

[0034] Heat pump systems, such as Figure 4As shown, the heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit b, which includes a compressor, a medium-pressure condenser, a capillary tube b, an evaporator, and a compressor in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit b is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges the medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into a medium-pressure liquid refrigerant through the medium-pressure condenser 7, throttled into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube b16, absorbed heat and evaporated into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into a medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14.

[0035] It also includes a regeneration cycle system to restore the hygroscopic properties of the rotor, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the regeneration cycle system includes the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel 5, the heat exchanger 4, the high-pressure condenser 6, the electric heater 10, and the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel 5 in sequence; the high-temperature dry air is blown to the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel 5 by the fan b11 to become high-temperature humid air, cooled and dehumidified by the heat exchanger 4, and then heated by the high-pressure condenser 6 or the electric heater 10 according to the control system to become high-temperature dry air and blown to the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel again.

[0036] The electric heater is used to heat the air that will enter the regeneration zone of the dehumidification wheel when the heat provided by the high-pressure condenser is insufficient, so that the air temperature is sufficient to remove moisture from the dehumidification wheel.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] A clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification, comprising:

[0039] The drying cycle air circuit includes, in sequence, the drum 1, the evaporator 3, the heat exchanger 4, the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, the medium-pressure condenser 7, and the drum 1. High-temperature, dry air is blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8, undergoes heat and moisture exchange with the clothes 2, and becomes high-temperature, humid air. The air is then cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3, heated by the regenerated circulating air through the heat exchanger 4, heated and dehumidified by the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, and heated by the medium-pressure condenser 7 to become high-temperature, dry air. The air is then blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8.

[0040] Heat pump systems, such as Figure 4 As shown, the heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit b, which includes a compressor, a medium-pressure condenser, a capillary tube b, an evaporator, and a compressor in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit b is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges the medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into a medium-pressure liquid refrigerant through the medium-pressure condenser 7, throttled into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube b16, absorbed heat and evaporated into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into a medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14.

[0041] It also includes a regeneration cycle system to restore the hygroscopic properties of the rotor, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the regeneration cycle system includes the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel 5, the heat exchanger 4, the high-pressure condenser 6, the electric heater 10, and the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel 5 in sequence; the high-temperature dry air is blown to the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel 5 by the fan b11 to become high-temperature humid air, cooled and dehumidified by the heat exchanger 4, and then heated by the high-pressure condenser 6 or the electric heater 10 according to the control system to become high-temperature dry air and blown to the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel again.

[0042] It also includes a control system for switching the regeneration cycle heating mode. During the heating process using the condenser 6, when the air temperature entering the dehumidification wheel cannot reach the set temperature, such as the set temperature is 70°C, the electric heating mode is enabled, otherwise, only the condenser heating mode is used.

[0043] The electric heating mode is used in the early stage of the dryer operation. When the condenser cannot provide enough heat to allow the air in the regeneration cycle to remove moisture from the dehumidification wheel 5, the electric heater 10 is used to heat the air in the regeneration cycle to a set temperature so that the dehumidification wheel 5 can be regenerated.

[0044] The condenser heating mode is used in the later stage of the dryer operation. When the heat provided by the condenser exceeds the heat required for drying clothes, the compressor's stepped exhaust is used to allow the medium-pressure condenser 7 to continue heating the air for the drying cycle, and the high-pressure condenser 6 to heat the air for the regeneration cycle, while the electric heater 10 is turned off.

[0045] Example 4

[0046] A clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification, comprising:

[0047] The drying cycle air circuit includes, in sequence, the drum 1, the evaporator 3, the heat exchanger 4, the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, the medium-pressure condenser 7, and the drum 1. High-temperature, dry air is blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8, undergoes heat and moisture exchange with the clothes 2, and becomes high-temperature, humid air. The air is then cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3, heated by the regenerated circulating air through the heat exchanger 4, heated and dehumidified by the generating area of ​​the dehumidification rotor 5, and heated by the medium-pressure condenser 7 to become high-temperature, dry air. The air is then blown into the drum 1 by the fan a8.

[0048] Heat pump systems, such as Figure 4 As shown, the heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit b, which includes a compressor, a medium-pressure condenser, a capillary tube b, an evaporator, and a compressor in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit b is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges the medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into a medium-pressure liquid refrigerant through the medium-pressure condenser 7, throttled into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube b16, absorbed heat and evaporated into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into a medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14.

[0049] like Figure 4As shown, the heat pump system also includes a refrigerant circuit a, including a compressor, a high-pressure condenser, a capillary tube a, an evaporator, and a compressor. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit a is as follows: the compressor 14 discharges high-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into high-pressure liquid refrigerant through the high-pressure condenser 6, throttled into low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube a15, absorbed heat and evaporated into low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator 3, and compressed into high-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor 14 to complete the cycle.

[0050] The compressor can discharge part of the refrigerant gas at medium pressure, where the medium pressure condensation temperature is 60-70°C, and discharge part of the refrigerant gas at high pressure, where the high pressure condensation temperature is 80-85°C.

[0051] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles used therein, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the concept of the present invention, it can also include more other equivalent embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification, characterized in that: include: Drying cycle air circuit: includes the drum (1), evaporator (3), heat exchanger (4), the generating area of ​​the dehumidification wheel (5), the medium-pressure condenser (7), and the drum (1) in sequence; the high-temperature dry air is blown into the drum (1) by the fan a (8), exchanges heat and moisture with the clothes (2) to become high-temperature humid air, passes through the evaporator (3) for cooling and dehumidification, passes through the heat exchanger (4) to be heated by the regenerated circulating air, passes through the generating area of ​​the dehumidification wheel (5) for heating and dehumidification, passes through the medium-pressure condenser (7) to become high-temperature dry air, and is then blown into the drum (1) by the fan a (8); Heat pump system: The heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit b, which includes a compressor (14), a medium-pressure condenser (7), a capillary tube b (16), an evaporator (3), and a compressor (14) in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit b is as follows: the compressor (14) discharges medium-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into medium-pressure liquid refrigerant through the medium-pressure condenser (7), throttled into low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube b (16), absorbed heat and evaporated into low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator (3), and compressed into medium-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor (14). The invention also includes a regeneration circulation system for restoring the moisture absorption characteristics of the wheel, wherein the regeneration circulation system includes the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel (5), the heat exchanger (4), the high-pressure condenser (6), the electric heater (10), and the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel (5) in sequence; the high-temperature dry air is blown to the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel (5) by the fan b (11) to become high-temperature humid air, cooled and dehumidified by the heat exchanger (4), and then heated by the high-pressure condenser (6) or the electric heater (10) according to the control system to become high-temperature dry air and blown to the regeneration area of ​​the dehumidification wheel (5) again.

2. The heat pump and rotary dehumidification hybrid clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dehumidification wheel (5) comprises a generation zone and a regeneration zone. When low-temperature air at 10-20°C passes through the generation zone, water vapor in the air is absorbed by the solid moisture absorber. When high-temperature air at 60-80°C passes through the regeneration zone, moisture in the solid absorber is desorbed, and the air carries water vapor and is discharged from the dehumidification wheel (5).

3. The clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dehumidification wheel (5) is composed of a solid moisture absorbent.

4. The heat pump and rotary dehumidification hybrid clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes a control system for switching the regeneration cycle heating mode. When the temperature of the air entering the dehumidification wheel (5) cannot reach the set temperature during the heating process using the high-pressure condenser (6), the electric heating mode is enabled. Otherwise, only the high-pressure condenser (6) heating mode is used.

5. The heat pump and rotary dehumidification hybrid clothes dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The set temperature is 70°C.

6. The heat pump and rotary dehumidification hybrid clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat pump system further comprises a refrigerant circuit a, which comprises a compressor (14), a high-pressure condenser (6), a capillary tube a (15), an evaporator (3), and a compressor (14) in sequence. The refrigerant flow of the refrigerant circuit a is as follows: the compressor (14) discharges high-pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled and condensed into high-pressure liquid refrigerant through the high-pressure condenser (6), throttled into low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the capillary tube a (15), absorbed heat and evaporated into low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the evaporator (3), and compressed into high-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the compressor (14), thus completing the cycle.

7. The clothes dryer combining heat pump and rotary dehumidification according to claim 6, characterized in that: The compressor (14) discharges part of the refrigerant gas at medium pressure and discharges part of the refrigerant gas at high pressure.

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