Washing machines that improve drying efficiency

Abstract

This utility model relates to a washing machine that improves drying efficiency. It includes a washing machine drum, a dehumidifying impeller, an electric heater, and a heat exchanger. Outside air flows sequentially through the first flow path of the heat exchanger and the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller before entering the washing machine drum through an air inlet. Air inside the washing machine drum is discharged outside the washing machine through an air outlet. Air flowing out of the second flow path of the heat exchanger flows sequentially through the electric heater and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller before returning to the second flow path of the heat exchanger, thus forming a circulating air loop between the second flow path of the heat exchanger, the electric heater, and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the second flow path to the air flowing through the first flow path. This utility model reduces the load on the dehumidifying impeller, saves drying time and energy, and eliminates the need for tap water condensation, achieving zero water consumption during the drying process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a washing machine that improves drying efficiency. Background Technology

[0002] A washing machine with a drying function typically includes a washing drum, a dehumidifying impeller, a first electric heater, a second electric heater, and a heat exchanger. The dehumidifying impeller includes an adsorption zone and a desorption zone. The washing drum has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The heat exchanger includes a first flow path and a second flow path. Figure 1 As shown, the washing machine drum, the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller, and the first electric heater form the flow channel for the first circulating air. The first circulating air, heated to 70-80°C by the first electric heater, enters the washing machine drum through the air inlet and comes into contact with the wet clothes being washed, removing moisture from the clothes. It then leaves the washing machine drum through the air outlet. At this point, the temperature of the first circulating air drops to 45-55°C, while the humidity rises to >95%. The first circulating air then enters the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller, where its moisture is adsorbed by the impeller, leaving the impeller and flowing back to the first electric heater, thus forming a cycle.

[0003] The desorption zone of the dehumidifying rotor, the first flow path of the heat exchanger, and the second electric heater form the flow path for the second circulating air. The second circulating air, heated to >120°C by the second electric heater, flows through the desorption zone of the dehumidifying rotor to remove moisture from the rotor, thus regenerating it. After passing through the desorption zone, the temperature of the second circulating air drops to 60–70°C, while the humidity increases significantly, before entering the first flow path of the heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, the second flow path is typically connected to tap water. The heat from the second circulating air in the first flow path is transferred to the tap water in the second flow path, further reducing the temperature of the second circulating air to 20–30°C. This condenses and discharges the moisture in the second circulating air, reducing its moisture content. The second circulating air then returns to the second electric heater, forming another cycle.

[0004] Through the above process, the water on the clothes in the washing machine drum can be transferred to the heat exchanger and leave the washing machine in liquid water form through low-temperature drying.

[0005] However, this existing technology has the following drawbacks:

[0006] 1. The humidity and temperature of the first air cycle coming out of the washing machine drum are very high. If it flows directly to the dehumidifying wheel, it will increase the burden on the dehumidifying wheel, requiring longer drying time and higher energy consumption.

[0007] 2. The second circulating air loses most of its heat in the heat exchanger. To replenish this heat, it is necessary to increase the use of the second electric heater, resulting in increased energy consumption.

[0008] 3. The heat exchanger requires the use of tap water for condensation, which will increase water consumption. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a washing machine with improved drying efficiency, comprising a washing machine drum, a dehumidifying impeller, an electric heater, and a heat exchanger. The dehumidifying impeller includes an adsorption zone and a desorption zone. The washing machine drum has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The heat exchanger includes a first flow path and a second flow path. Outside air flows sequentially through the first flow path of the heat exchanger and the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller, and then enters the washing machine drum through the airflow inlet. The air inside the washing machine drum is discharged outside the washing machine through the airflow outlet. The air flowing out of the second flow path of the heat exchanger flows sequentially through the electric heater and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller, and then flows back to the second flow path of the heat exchanger, so that the second flow path of the heat exchanger, the electric heater, and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller form a loop of circulating air. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer the heat of the air flowing through the second flow path to the air flowing through the first flow path, thereby raising the temperature of the air flowing through the first flow path and lowering the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path.

[0010] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0011] 1. The dehumidifying impeller dehumidifies the outside air of the washing machine after it has been heated by the heat exchanger. Compared with the air discharged from the washing machine drum, the humidity and temperature are much lower, which reduces the burden on the dehumidifying impeller and saves drying time and energy.

[0012] 2. By using a heat exchanger, the moisture in the air in the second flow path is condensed and discharged, thereby reducing the moisture content in the air in the second flow path. At the same time, the heat of the air in the second flow path is transferred to the air in the first flow path, so that the thermal energy of the air in the second flow path can be utilized, which can reduce energy consumption compared with the existing technology.

[0013] 3. This utility model does not use tap water for condensation, achieving zero water consumption in the drying process. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the dehumidification principle of an existing washing machine.

[0015] Figure 2 The diagram illustrating the dehumidification principle of this invention is shown.

[0016] Icon labels:

[0017] 10 Washing machine drum; 20 Dehumidifying impeller; 30 Electric heater; 40 Heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrates the proposed solution.

[0019] like Figure 2 The washing machine shown is designed to improve drying efficiency. It includes a washing machine drum 10, a dehumidifying impeller 20, an electric heater 30, and a heat exchanger 40. The dehumidifying impeller 20 includes an adsorption zone and a desorption zone. The washing machine drum 10 has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The heat exchanger 40 includes a first flow path and a second flow path.

[0020] Outside air (i.e., ambient temperature air) flows sequentially through the first flow path of the heat exchanger 40 and the adsorption area of ​​the dehumidifying impeller 20, and then enters the washing machine drum 10 through the airflow inlet. In this embodiment, a fan (not shown in the figure) can be installed between the first flow path of the heat exchanger 40 and the adsorption area of ​​the dehumidifying impeller 20 or between the adsorption area of ​​the dehumidifying impeller 20 and the airflow inlet of the washing machine drum 10 to drive airflow.

[0021] The air inside the washing machine drum 10 is discharged outside the washing machine through the airflow outlet (i.e., venting).

[0022] The air flowing out of the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40 flows through the electric heater 30 and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 in sequence and then flows back to the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40, so that the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40, the electric heater 30 and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 form a loop of circulating air. In this embodiment, a fan (not shown in the figure) can be installed between the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40 and the electric heater 30, or between the electric heater 30 and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20, or between the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 and the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40 to drive the air flow.

[0023] The heat exchanger 40 is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the second flow path to the air flowing through the first flow path, thereby raising the temperature of the air flowing through the first flow path and lowering the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path. Condensate from the cooled circulating air flowing through the second flow path is discharged to the outside of the washing machine.

[0024] In this embodiment, the structure and working principle of the components not described in detail can be obtained using existing technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0025] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0026] During the clothes drying process, the temperature of outside air flowing through the first flow path of the heat exchanger 40 is raised for the first time. Then, as it flows through the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20, the humidity decreases, and the temperature rises a second time. This second temperature increase is due to the dehumidifying impeller 20 itself absorbing heat from the air flowing through its desorption zone. When the outside air, after passing through the heat exchanger 40, enters the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20, the heat from the impeller 20 is transferred to the air entering the adsorption zone. The humidity decreases because the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 absorbs moisture from the air. The air exiting the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20, after this second temperature rise, can reach 70°C, thus eliminating the need for the first electric heating step and saving energy compared to existing technologies. The air then enters the washing machine drum 10 through the air inlet, comes into contact with the wet clothes being washed, removes moisture from the clothes, and then exits the washing machine drum 10 through the air outlet and is discharged to the outside.

[0027] Desorption and regeneration of the dehumidifying rotor: The circulating air flowing out of the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40 is heated to above 120°C when it flows through the electric heater 3, and then enters the desorption zone of the dehumidifying rotor. After the dehumidifying rotor adsorbs moisture in its adsorption zone, it moves to the desorption zone and is carried away by the circulating air with a temperature greater than 120°C. This allows the dehumidifying rotor to be regenerated and run repeatedly.

[0028] After the circulating air flows through the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller, its temperature drops to about 70°C and its humidity increases significantly. Then it flows back to the second flow path of the heat exchanger 40. After heat exchange, the temperature of the circulating air in the second flow path drops (for example, to about 30°C), and the moisture in it condenses and is discharged outside the washing machine to reduce the moisture in the circulating air flowing through the second flow path.

Claims

1. A washing machine for improving drying efficiency, comprising a washing machine drum, a dehumidifying impeller, an electric heater, and a heat exchanger, wherein the dehumidifying impeller includes an adsorption zone and a desorption zone, the washing machine drum has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet, and the heat exchanger includes a first flow path and a second flow path, characterized in that: Outside air flows sequentially through the first flow path of the heat exchanger and the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller before being sent into the washing machine drum through the airflow inlet; Air inside the washing machine drum is expelled from the washing machine through the airflow outlet. The air flowing out of the second flow path of the heat exchanger flows through the desorption zone of the electric heater and the dehumidification wheel in sequence and then flows back to the second flow path of the heat exchanger, so that the second flow path of the heat exchanger, the electric heater and the desorption zone of the dehumidification wheel form a loop of circulating air; The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the second flow path to the air flowing through the first flow path, thereby warming the air flowing through the first flow path and cooling the air flowing through the second flow path.

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