Energy-saving laundry machine with drying function

Abstract

This utility model relates to an energy-saving washing machine capable of drying clothes. It includes a washing machine drum, a dehumidifying impeller, a first electric heater, a second electric heater, and a heat exchanger. Outside air flows sequentially through the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller and the first electric heater before entering the washing machine drum through the airflow inlet. Air inside the washing machine drum flows through the first flow path of the heat exchanger through the airflow outlet and is then discharged outside the washing machine. Outside air flows sequentially through the second flow path of the heat exchanger, the second electric heater, and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller before being discharged outside the washing machine. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the first flow path to the air flowing through the second flow path. The dehumidifying impeller of this utility model dehumidifies outside air (i.e., ambient temperature air), which has significantly lower humidity and temperature compared to air discharged from the washing machine drum. This reduces the load on the dehumidifying impeller, saving drying time and energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an energy-saving washing machine that can dry clothes. 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 method of cooling and condensing the second circulating air through a heat exchanger to remove moisture is not very effective. Continuous circulation will affect the regeneration effect of the dehumidifying impeller and its water absorption effect.

[0009] 4. The heat exchanger requires the use of tap water for condensation, which will increase water consumption. Utility Model Content

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide an energy-saving washing machine capable of drying clothes, comprising a washing machine 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 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 adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller and the first electric heater before entering the washing machine drum through the airflow inlet. Air inside the washing machine drum flows from the airflow outlet through the first flow path of the heat exchanger and is then discharged outside the washing machine. Outside air flows sequentially through the second flow path of the heat exchanger, the second electric heater, and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller before being discharged outside the washing machine. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the first flow path to the air flowing through the second flow path, thereby raising the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path and lowering the temperature of the air flowing through the first flow path.

[0011] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0012] 1. The dehumidifying impeller dehumidifies the air outside the washing machine (i.e., normal temperature air). 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.

[0013] 2. The air discharged from the washing machine drum first undergoes heat exchange in a heat exchanger before being discharged to the outside, thus utilizing the heat energy of the air discharged from the washing machine drum and reducing energy consumption.

[0014] 3. This utility model does not use tap water for condensation, achieving zero water consumption in the drying process. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the dehumidification principle of an existing washing machine.

[0016] Figure 2 The diagram illustrating the dehumidification principle of this invention is shown.

[0017] Icon labels:

[0018] 10 Washing machine drum; 20 Dehumidifying rotor; 30 First electric heater; 40 Second electric heater; 50 Heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrates the proposed solution.

[0020] like Figure 2 An energy-saving washing machine capable of drying clothes is shown, comprising a washing machine drum 10, a dehumidifying impeller 20, a first electric heater 30, a second electric heater 40, and a heat exchanger 50. 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 50 includes a first flow path and a second flow path.

[0021] Outside air flows sequentially through the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 and the first electric heater 30 before being sent into the washing machine drum 10 through the airflow inlet. In this embodiment, a fan (not shown in the figure) can be installed between the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 and the first electric heater 30 or between the first electric heater 30 and the airflow inlet of the washing machine drum 10 to drive airflow.

[0022] The air inside the washing machine drum 10 flows from the air outlet through the first flow path of the heat exchanger 50 and is then discharged outside the washing machine (i.e., venting).

[0023] The air outside the washing machine flows through the second flow path of the heat exchanger 50, the second electric heater 40 and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying wheel 20 in sequence before being discharged outside the washing machine (i.e., venting). In this embodiment, a fan (not shown in the figure) can be installed between the second flow path 50 of the heat exchanger and the second electric heater 40 or between the second electric heater 40 and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying wheel 20 to drive the air flow.

[0024] The heat exchanger 50 is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the first flow path to the air flowing through the second flow path, thereby raising the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path and lowering the temperature of the air flowing through the first flow path. Condensation from the air flowing through the first flow path due to cooling is discharged to the outside of the washing machine.

[0025] The dehumidifying rotor 20 is a MOF rotor, which can be manufactured using existing technology. MOF is short for Metal-Organic Framework, a class of crystalline porous materials with a periodic network structure formed by the self-assembly of inorganic metal centers (metal ions or metal clusters) and bridging organic ligands. An MOF rotor refers to a dehumidifying rotor formed by using MOF material as an adsorbent.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0028] During the clothes drying process, when outside air (at room temperature) enters the adsorption zone of the MOF rotor, its temperature rises while its humidity decreases. The temperature increase is due to the MOF rotor itself absorbing heat from the air flowing through its desorption zone. When outside air enters the adsorption zone of the MOF rotor, the heat from the MOF rotor is transferred to the air entering the adsorption zone. The humidity decrease is due to the MOF rotor's adsorption zone absorbing moisture from the air.

[0029] After being heated to 70°C by the first electric heater 30, the air enters the washing machine drum 10 through the air inlet, coming into contact with the wet clothes being washed and removing moisture. The air then exits the washing machine drum 10 through the air outlet. At this point, the temperature of the air leaving the washing machine drum has dropped to approximately 50°C, while the humidity is >95%. The air leaving the washing machine drum then enters the first flow path of the heat exchanger 50, where it undergoes heat exchange, cooling to approximately 30°C before being directly discharged. During this heat exchange process, some of the moisture in the air passing through the first flow path is discharged as condensate.

[0030] In the desorption and regeneration process of the MOF rotor, outside air (i.e., ambient temperature air) enters the second flow path of the heat exchanger 50. After heat exchange, the temperature rises to 35 to 50°C and then enters the second electric heater 40. The air is then heated to approximately 60°C by the second electric heater 40 before entering the desorption zone of the MOF rotor. After adsorbing moisture in its adsorption zone, the MOF rotor moves to the desorption zone, where air at a temperature >60°C carries away the adsorbed moisture, thus enabling the MOF rotor to regenerate and repeat its operation.

[0031] After the air flows through the desorption zone of the MOF rotor, its temperature drops to about 30°C and its humidity increases significantly. Then it is directly discharged outside the washing machine (i.e., venting).

[0032] Through the above process, the water on the clothes in the washing machine drum can be transferred to the heat exchanger in the form of liquid water through low-temperature drying, or it can be directly discharged from the washing machine.

[0033] The heat exchanger can lower the temperature of the air flowing through the first flow path, making the air discharged from the washing machine safer, while recovering heat for the air flowing through the second flow path, thus saving energy.

Claims

1. An energy-saving washing machine capable of drying clothes, comprising a washing machine drum, a dehumidifying impeller, a first electric heater, a second 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 through the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller and the first electric heater in sequence before being sent into the washing machine drum through the airflow inlet; The air inside the washing machine drum flows through the air outlet, passes through the first flow path of the heat exchanger, and is then discharged outside the washing machine. Outside the washing machine, the air flows through the second flow path of the heat exchanger, the second electric heater, and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller before being discharged outside the washing machine. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the air flowing through the first flow path to the air flowing through the second flow path, thereby warming the air flowing through the second flow path and cooling the air flowing through the first flow path.

2. The energy-saving washing machine capable of drying clothes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dehumidifying impeller is a MOF impeller.

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