Clothes processing device with drying function and drying control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothes processing device with a drying function and a drying control method. The clothes processing device includes a clothes processing drum having an air inlet and an air outlet; a heat pump system including a condenser and an evaporator; an air duct assembly including a drying duct connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the evaporator and the condenser are both disposed within the drying duct, a first air flow path being formed between the air outlet, the evaporator, the condenser, and the air inlet, and a second air flow path being formed between the air outlet, the evaporator, the condenser, and the air inlet; a damper mechanism disposed within the drying duct, the damper mechanism being configured to open one of the first and second air flow paths while closing the other; and a cooling mechanism disposed within the duct, the cooling mechanism being configured to cool the condenser when the second air flow path is open. The present invention can effectively shorten the cooling time for clothes while preventing moisture from returning to the clothes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of clothing processing equipment, and in particular to a clothing processing equipment with a drying function and a drying control method. Background Art

[0002] Clothes processing equipment with drying function usually uses a heat pump system to dry clothes. After drying, the temperature of the clothes in the clothes processing drum can reach as high as 60-70℃. If the user takes the clothes directly, there is a risk of burns. Therefore, the clothes need to be cooled down before the door is opened to take the clothes away.

[0003] In the related art, the purpose of cooling the clothes in the drum is achieved by stopping the compressor after the drying is completed and allowing the circulating fan to continue running for a period of time. However, this cooling method has the following problems: the closed heat pump system has almost no heat exchange with the outside world, the cooling speed is slow, and the time is long; there is still a lot of condensed water remaining in the evaporator, and long-term circulation ventilation will cause the clothes to become damp. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the problems of long cooling time and easy moisture return of clothes in the cooling method of the related art, the first aspect of the present invention provides a clothes processing device with a drying function, the clothes processing device comprising:

[0005] a clothes processing drum, the clothes processing drum being provided with an air inlet and an air outlet;

[0006] heat pump system, including condenser and evaporator;

[0007] an air duct assembly, comprising a drying air duct, the drying air duct connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, the evaporator and the condenser both being disposed within the drying air duct, a first air flow path being formed between the air outlet, the evaporator, the condenser, and the air inlet, and a second air flow path being formed between the air outlet, the evaporator, and the air inlet;

[0008] a damper mechanism disposed in the drying air duct, the damper mechanism being configured to open one of the first airflow path and the second airflow path while closing the other of the first airflow path and the second airflow path;

[0009] A cooling mechanism is provided in the air duct, and is used for cooling the condenser when the second air flow path is open.

[0010] In some embodiments, the drying air duct includes a first air duct, an intermediate air duct, a bypass air duct and a second air duct, the evaporator is arranged in the first air duct, the condenser is arranged in the second air duct, the intermediate air duct is located between the evaporator and the condenser, and the bypass air duct connects the intermediate air duct with the second air duct, the first air duct, the intermediate air duct and the second air duct form the air duct of the first air flow path, and the first air duct, the intermediate air duct, the bypass air duct and the second air duct form the air duct of the second air flow path.

[0011] In some embodiments, the bypass air duct is formed by a space between the air duct wall of the drying air duct and the condenser.

[0012] In some embodiments, the damper mechanism includes a movable baffle, and the position state of the baffle includes a first position state and a second position state. When the baffle is in the first position state, the baffle closes the passage between the intermediate air duct and the bypass air duct while opening the passage between the intermediate air duct and the condenser. When the baffle is in the second position state, the baffle opens the passage between the intermediate air duct and the bypass air duct while closing the passage between the intermediate air duct and the condenser.

[0013] In some embodiments, the damper mechanism further includes a drive motor connected to the baffle, and the drive mechanism is configured to drive the baffle to switch between the first position state and the second position state.

[0014] In some embodiments, the baffle is hinged to a side of the condenser close to the evaporator, and a hinged end of the baffle is disposed on a side of the condenser close to the bypass air duct.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cooling mechanism includes a spray device, and the spray device is used to spray and cool the condenser.

[0016] In some embodiments, the spray device is arranged above the condenser, and the clothing processing equipment also includes a chassis, the condenser and the evaporator are both arranged on the chassis, and the chassis can receive the spray water of the spray device and the condensed water of the evaporator.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention provides a drying control method, which is used to control any of the clothes processing devices with a drying function provided in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the drying process of the clothes processing device includes a drying stage and a cooling stage performed sequentially, and the drying control method includes:

[0018] In the drying stage, the first airflow path is controlled to be open and the second airflow path is controlled to be disconnected.

[0019] In the cooling stage, the first airflow path is controlled to be disconnected and the first airflow path is controlled to be connected, and the cooling mechanism is controlled to start cooling the condenser.

[0020] In some embodiments, during the cooling stage, the control method further comprises:

[0021] Obtaining the air inlet temperature of the evaporator;

[0022] When the inlet air temperature is lower than the set temperature for a set period of time, the first air flow path is controlled to be connected, the second air flow path is controlled to be disconnected, and the cooling mechanism is controlled to be closed.

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention may include the following beneficial effects: the clothing processing device with a drying function of the present invention forms a first airflow path and a second airflow path in the drying air duct. During the drying phase, the first airflow path can be opened and the second airflow path can be closed by a damper mechanism, and the hot airflow generated by the heat release of the condenser dries the clothing in the clothing processing drum. During the cooling phase, the second airflow path can be closed and the first airflow path can be opened by the damper mechanism, and the cold airflow generated by the evaporator can cool the clothing in the clothing processing drum. At the same time, the cooling mechanism cools the condenser to ensure the normal operation of the heat pump system. The clothing processing device of the present invention can effectively shorten the cooling time of clothing and prevent the clothing from getting damp again.

[0024] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a flow path diagram of an air flow in a clothes treating apparatus in a drying stage according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an airflow path diagram of a clothes treating apparatus in a cooling stage according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 The figure is a schematic diagram showing the installation of a heat pump system and a spray device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a clothes treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a drying control flow chart of a clothes processing device according to a specific example.

[0031] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0032] 1. Clothes processing drum; 2. Heat pump system; 21. Compressor; 22. Condenser; 23. Throttle device; 24. Evaporator; 3. Air duct assembly; 31. Drying air duct; 311. First air duct; 312. Intermediate air duct; 313. Second air duct; 314. Bypass air duct; 32. Drying fan; 5. Damper mechanism; 6. Cooling mechanism; 61. Spraying device; 301. First position; 302. Second position; 7. Chassis; 8. Second drive motor; 9. Temperature detection device; 10. Controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, like numbers in different figures represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0034] The present embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments and examples may be combined with each other unless there is any conflict.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1-Figure 3As shown, this embodiment proposes a clothing processing device with a drying function. The clothing processing device of this embodiment can be a clothing processing device with both washing and drying functions, or it can be a clothing processing device with only a drying function. The clothing processing device includes a clothing processing drum 1, a heat pump system 2, an air duct assembly 3, a damper mechanism 5, and a cooling mechanism 6. The clothing processing drum 1 can rotate when drying or washing clothes to achieve washing or drying of clothes. The clothing processing drum 1 includes a clothing loading port, which can be located at the top or the side of the clothing processing device. The clothing processing drum 1 is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The location of the air inlet and the air outlet can be designed according to the function of the clothing processing device. In one example, the clothing processing device has a washing function and a drying function. The air inlet is located at the door seal position of the clothing processing drum 1, and the air outlet is located at the top of the clothing processing drum 1. The heat pump system 2 includes a condenser 22 and an evaporator 24, as well as a compressor 21 and a throttling device 23. The compressor 21, condenser 22, throttling device 23, and evaporator 24 are sequentially connected to form a refrigerant circulation loop. The throttling device 23 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve or a capillary tube.

[0036] The air duct assembly 3 includes a drying air duct 31, which connects the air inlet and the air outlet. The evaporator 24 and the condenser 22 are both arranged in the drying air duct 31. A first air flow path is formed between the air outlet, the evaporator 24, the condenser 22 and the air inlet. A second air flow path is formed between the air outlet, the evaporator 24 and the air inlet. The first air flow path is connected to the second air flow path. The air duct assembly 3 also includes a drying fan 32. The drying fan 32 is used to provide power for the air flow in the drying air duct 31 to circulate in the first air flow path or the second air flow path. In one example, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The drying fan 32 is arranged on a side of the condenser 22 away from the evaporator 24 .

[0037] The damper mechanism 5 is disposed within the drying duct 31. The damper mechanism 5 is configured to open one of the first and second airflow paths while simultaneously closing the other. When the damper mechanism 5 opens the first airflow path and closes the second airflow path, the low-temperature airflow, which has undergone heat exchange with the evaporator 24, flows toward the condenser 22. After heat exchange with the condenser 22, the low-temperature airflow is converted into high-temperature airflow, which then flows through the air inlet into the laundry treatment drum 1 to dry the clothes therein. When the damper mechanism 5 closes the first airflow path and opens the second airflow path, the low-temperature airflow, which has undergone heat exchange with the evaporator 24, can flow directly through the air inlet into the laundry treatment drum 1 to cool the clothes therein.

[0038] Cooling mechanism 6 is disposed within the air duct and is used to cool condenser 22 when the second airflow path is open. Since the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange with evaporator 24 does not pass through condenser 22 when the second airflow path is open, it enters laundry processing drum 1 directly through the air inlet. During this time, condenser 22 remains in operation and releases heat. If condenser 22 is not cooled, its temperature will gradually rise, ultimately causing compressor 21 to malfunction. Therefore, by providing cooling mechanism 6 to cool condenser 22 when the second airflow path is open, the proper operation of heat pump system 2 is ensured.

[0039] In some embodiments, the drying air duct 31 includes a first air duct 311, an intermediate air duct 312, a bypass air duct 314 and a second air duct 313. The evaporator 24 is arranged in the first air duct 311, the condenser 22 is arranged in the second air duct 313, the intermediate air duct 312 is located between the evaporator 24 and the condenser 22, and the bypass air duct 314 connects the intermediate air duct 312 with the second air duct 313. The first air duct 311, the intermediate air duct 312 and the second air duct 313 form an air duct of the first air flow path, and the first air duct 311, the intermediate air duct 312, the bypass air duct 314 and the second air duct 313 form an air duct of the second air flow path. In one example (not shown in the figure), the first air duct 311 includes a first air duct component and a second air duct component. The first air duct 311, the intermediate air duct 312 and the second air duct 313 are located in the first air duct component, and the bypass air duct 314 is located in the second air duct component. The air inlet of the bypass air duct 314 is connected to the intermediate air duct 312, and the air outlet is connected to the second air duct 313. In another example, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first air duct 311, the middle air duct 312, the bypass air duct 314 and the second air duct 313 are all located in the same drying air duct 31. There is a certain space between the condenser 22 and the air duct wall of the drying air duct 31. The space between the air duct wall of the drying air duct 31 and the condenser 22 forms the bypass air duct 314.

[0040] The damper mechanism 5 of this embodiment can have various structures. In one example (not shown in the figure), the damper mechanism 5 includes a first baffle and a second baffle. The first baffle is used to open and close the airflow path between the intermediate air duct 312 and the condenser 22, and the second baffle is used to open and close the airflow path between the intermediate air duct 312 and the bypass air duct 314. The first baffle and the second baffle cooperate with each other. That is, when the first baffle opens the airflow path between the intermediate air duct 312 and the condenser 22, the second baffle closes the airflow path between the intermediate air duct 312 and the bypass air duct 314. When the first baffle closes the airflow path between the intermediate air duct 312 and the condenser 22, the second baffle opens the airflow path between the intermediate air duct 312 and the bypass air duct 314.

[0041] In another example, the damper mechanism 5 includes a movable baffle, and the position states of the baffle include a first position state and a second position state. When the baffle is in the first position state, the baffle closes the passage between the intermediate air duct 312 and the bypass air duct 314 while opening the passage between the intermediate air duct 312 and the condenser 22. When the baffle is in the second position state, the baffle opens the passage between the intermediate air duct 312 and the bypass air duct 314 while closing the passage between the intermediate air duct 312 and the condenser 22. In this embodiment, the baffle can be movable in a manner that it moves along the side of the condenser 22 away from the evaporator 24, referring to FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the orientation shown, when the baffle is in the first position, the baffle moves upward to the first position 301, and the first position 301 is located at a position on the duct wall opposite to the top of the condenser 22. When the baffle is in the second position, the baffle moves downward to the second position 302, and the second position 302 is located at a position on the duct wall opposite to the bottom of the condenser 22. Alternatively, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The baffle is hinged on a side of the condenser 22 near the evaporator 24, and the hinged end of the baffle is disposed on a side of the condenser 22 near the bypass air duct 314. When the baffle is in a first position, the baffle can rotate to a first position 301, where the first position 301 is located on the air duct wall near the evaporator 24. When the baffle is in a second position, the baffle can rotate to a second position 302, where the second position 302 is located on the air duct wall opposite the bottom of the condenser 22. In a preferred embodiment, the damper mechanism 5 further includes a first drive motor connected to the baffle, and the first drive mechanism is configured to drive the baffle to switch between the first position and the second position.

[0042] The cooling mechanism 6 of this embodiment has multiple cooling methods. In one example (not shown in the example figure), an exhaust fan is set in the air duct to cool the condenser 22. In another example (not shown in the example figure), the condenser 22 is thermally coupled to the heat exchange pipeline, the heat exchange pipeline is connected to the water inlet pipeline, and the water inlet pipeline is connected to the municipal water supply pipeline. After the cold water in the water inlet pipeline enters the heat exchange pipeline, it exchanges heat with the condenser 22 to produce hot water, thereby cooling the condenser 22. In addition, the hot water produced by the heat exchange pipeline can also be used for domestic water use by residents. In another example, referring to Figure 3, the cooling mechanism 6 includes a spray device 61, and the spray device 61 is used to spray and cool the condenser 22. Specifically, the spray device 61 includes a spray pipe and a nozzle connected to the spray pipe, the spray pipe is connected to the water inlet pipe, and the water inlet pipe is connected to the municipal water supply pipeline. When the spray device 61 is started, the water in the water inlet pipe flows into the spray pipe and is finally sprayed out from the spray pipe. The cold water sprayed by the nozzle flows through the fins of the condenser 22 for heat exchange. Since the temperature of tap water is relatively low and it is liquid convection heat exchange, it can maintain a lower condensation temperature, and then maintain a lower evaporation temperature, providing a guarantee for the rapid cooling of the clothes in the clothing treatment drum 1. In a preferred embodiment, referring to Figure 3 The spray device 61 is disposed above the condenser 22. The clothing processing apparatus further includes a chassis 7. The condenser 22 and the evaporator 24 are both disposed on the chassis 7. The chassis 7 is capable of receiving spray water from the spray device 61 and condensed water from the evaporator 24. The chassis 7 also supports the condenser 22 and the evaporator 24. The chassis 7 is connected to a drain pipe, and the condensed water flowing into the chassis 7 and the spray water after heat exchange with the condenser 22 are discharged through the drain pipe.

[0043] In some embodiments, the clothing processing equipment includes a temperature detection device 9, which is arranged on the air inlet side of the evaporator 24. When the second air flow path is open, the temperature detected by the temperature detection device 9 can be used to determine the temperature reduction of the clothes in the clothing processing drum 1, thereby determining the closing timing of the second air flow path and the cooling mechanism 6.

[0044] In some embodiments, as Figure 4As shown, the laundry processing device includes a controller 10, which is signal-connected to the cooling mechanism 6, the temperature detection device 9, the compressor 21, the drying fan 32, the damper mechanism 5, and the second drive motor 8 for driving the laundry processing drum 1 to rotate. During the drying phase, the controller 10 controls the second drive motor 8 to start, and the second drive motor 8 drives the laundry processing drum 1 to rotate. At the same time, the controller 10 also controls the drying fan 32 and the compressor 21 to start, and controls the damper mechanism 5 to open the first airflow path and disconnect the second airflow path, so that the hot air generated by the condenser 22 enters the laundry processing drum 1 to dry the clothes. During the cooling phase, the drying fan 32 and the second drive motor 8 are kept in operation. At the same time, the controller 10 controls the damper mechanism 5 to open the second airflow path and disconnect the first airflow path, so that the cold air generated by the evaporator 24 enters the laundry processing drum 1 to cool the clothes. At the same time, the controller 10 controls the cooling mechanism 6 to start to cool the condenser 22, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the heat pump system 2. During the cooling stage, the controller 10 also obtains the inlet air temperature of the evaporator 24 detected by the temperature detection device 9, and when the inlet air temperature is lower than the set temperature, it indicates that the temperature of the clothes in the clothing processing drum 1 has dropped to the ideal state. At this time, the controller 10 controls the damper mechanism 5 to open the first air flow path, disconnect the second air flow path, and control the drying fan 32 and the second drive motor 8 to stop running.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, a drying control method is provided. This drying control method is used to control any of the laundry processing devices with a drying function provided in the aforementioned embodiments. The drying process of the laundry processing device includes a drying phase and a cooling phase, which are performed sequentially. The drying phase dries the laundry in the laundry processing drum 1, and the cooling phase cools the laundry in the laundry processing drum 1.

[0046] The drying control method includes: in the drying stage, controlling the first airflow path to be connected and the second airflow path to be disconnected; in the cooling stage, controlling the first airflow path to be disconnected and the first airflow path to be connected, and controlling the cooling mechanism 6 to start cooling the condenser 22.

[0047] In some embodiments, during the cooling phase, the control method further includes obtaining the air inlet temperature of the evaporator 24. If the air inlet temperature remains below a set temperature for a continuous set period of time, the first airflow path is opened, the second airflow path is disconnected, and the cooling mechanism 6 is closed. The set period of time may be, for example, 2 minutes to 20 minutes, and the set temperature may be, for example, 20°C to 40°C.

[0048] Regarding the control method in the above embodiment, the specific manner of performing the operations in each step has been described in detail in the embodiment of the relevant device and will not be elaborated here.

[0049] Figure 5 It is a drying control flow chart according to a specific example, combined with Figure 5 The drying control method includes: during the drying process, determining whether the cooling phase has been reached. If so, maintaining the current state, i.e., maintaining the compressor 21 and the drying fan 32 in the activated state, maintaining the rotation of the laundry drum 1, and maintaining the damper in the first position, and activating the spray device 61. If not, maintaining the compressor 21 and the drying fan 32 in the activated state, maintaining the rotation of the laundry drum 1, controlling the damper in the second position, controlling the spray device 61 to open to spray the condenser 22, and continuously monitoring the inlet air temperature of the evaporator 24. When the inlet air temperature of the evaporator 24 is less than or equal to M°C for a consecutive period of a minutes, controlling the compressor 21 and the drying fan 32 to stop, controlling the rotation of the laundry drum 1, controlling the damper to return to the first position 301, and controlling the spray device 61 to close, thus ending the cooling phase. The value of a ranges from 2 to 20 minutes, and the value of M ranges from 20 to 40°C.

[0050] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the embodiments disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow from the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0051] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothes processing device with a drying function, characterized in that: The laundry processing device comprises: a clothes processing drum, the clothes processing drum being provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; heat pump system, including condenser and evaporator; an air duct assembly, comprising a drying air duct, the drying air duct connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, the evaporator and the condenser both being disposed within the drying air duct, a first air flow path being formed between the air outlet, the evaporator, the condenser, and the air inlet, and a second air flow path being formed between the air outlet, the evaporator, and the air inlet; a damper mechanism disposed in the drying air duct, the damper mechanism being configured to open one of the first airflow path and the second airflow path while closing the other of the first airflow path and the second airflow path; A cooling mechanism is provided in the drying air duct, and is used for cooling the condenser when the second air flow path is open.

2. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drying air duct includes a first air duct, an intermediate air duct, a bypass air duct and a second air duct. The evaporator is arranged in the first air duct, the condenser is arranged in the second air duct, the intermediate air duct is located between the evaporator and the condenser, and the bypass air duct connects the intermediate air duct with the second air duct. The first air duct, the intermediate air duct and the second air duct form the air duct of the first air flow path, and the first air duct, the intermediate air duct, the bypass air duct and the second air duct form the air duct of the second air flow path.

3. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The space between the air duct wall of the drying air duct and the condenser forms the bypass air duct.

4. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The damper mechanism includes a movable baffle, and the position states of the baffle include a first position state and a second position state. When the baffle is in the first position state, the baffle closes the passage between the intermediate air duct and the bypass air duct while opening the passage between the intermediate air duct and the condenser. When the baffle is in the second position state, the baffle opens the passage between the intermediate air duct and the bypass air duct while closing the passage between the intermediate air duct and the condenser.

5. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The damper mechanism further includes a drive motor connected to the baffle, and the drive motor is used to drive the baffle to switch between the first position state and the second position state.

6. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The baffle is hinged on a side of the condenser close to the evaporator, and a hinged end of the baffle is arranged on a side of the condenser close to the bypass air duct.

7. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling mechanism includes a spray device, which is used to spray and cool the condenser.

8. The clothes processing device with drying function according to claim 7, characterized in that: The spray device is arranged above the condenser. The clothes processing equipment further comprises a chassis. The condenser and the evaporator are both arranged on the chassis. The chassis can receive the spray water of the spray device and the condensed water of the evaporator.

9. A drying control method, characterized in that: The drying control method is used to control the clothes processing device with a drying function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drying process of the clothes processing device includes a drying stage and a cooling stage performed in sequence, and the drying control method includes: In the drying stage, the first airflow path is controlled to be open and the second airflow path is controlled to be disconnected. In the cooling stage, the first airflow path is controlled to be disconnected and the second airflow path is controlled to be connected, and the cooling mechanism is controlled to start cooling the condenser.

10. The drying control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: During the cooling stage, the control method further includes: Obtaining the air inlet temperature of the evaporator; When the inlet air temperature is lower than the set temperature for a set period of time, the first air flow path is controlled to be connected, the second air flow path is controlled to be disconnected, and the cooling mechanism is controlled to be closed.

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