Energy efficient laundry dryer with drying function

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of high-efficiency washing machines of clothes drying. Including washing machine drum, dehumidification runner, first electric heater, second electric heater and heat exchanger;The air outside washing machine flows through the adsorption area of dehumidification runner, the first flow path of heat exchanger and first electric heater in turn, and is sent into washing machine drum by airflow inlet;The air in washing machine drum is discharged from airflow outlet outside washing machine;The air flowing from the second flow path of heat exchanger flows through second electric heater and the desorption area of dehumidification runner in turn, and backflows to the second flow path of heat exchanger, to make the second flow path of heat exchanger, second electric heater and the desorption area of dehumidification runner form the loop of circulating air;The heat exchanger is arranged to transfer the heat of air flowing through second flow path to air flowing through first flow path.The utility model can reduce the burden of dehumidification runner, save drying time and energy consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a high-efficiency 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 the form of liquid water 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 high-efficiency 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, the first flow path of the heat exchanger, and the first electric heater, 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 second 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 second 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 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.

[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 illustrates the dehumidification principle of this invention.

[0016] Icon labels:

[0017] 10 Washing machine drum; 20 Dehumidifying rotor; 30 First electric heater; 40 Second electric heater; 50 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 a high-efficiency washing machine that can dry clothes, including 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.

[0020] Outside air flows sequentially through the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20, the first flow path of the heat exchanger 50, 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 flow path of the heat exchanger 50, or between the first flow path of the heat exchanger 50 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 the 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 50 flows through the second electric heater 40 and the desorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller 20 in sequence and then flows back to the second flow path of the heat exchanger 50, so that the second flow path of the heat exchanger 50, the second electric heater 40 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 50 and the second electric heater 40, or between the second electric heater 40 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 50 to drive the air flow.

[0023] The heat exchanger 50 is configured to transfer heat from the circulating 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 circulating air flowing through the second flow path. Condensate generated by the cooling of the circulating air flowing through the second flow path is discharged to the outside of the washing machine.

[0024] The dehumidifying rotor is a molecular sieve rotor. Existing technology can be used for the molecular sieve rotor. For example, Chinese Invention Patent Publication CN113457376A discloses a molecular sieve dehumidifying rotor and its preparation process.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0027] During the clothes drying process, outside air (at room temperature) enters the adsorption zone of the molecular sieve rotor, causing its temperature to rise and its humidity to decrease. The temperature increase is due to the molecular sieve rotor itself absorbing heat from the air flowing through its desorption zone. When outside air enters the adsorption zone of the molecular sieve rotor, the heat from the rotor is transferred to the air entering the adsorption zone. The humidity decrease is due to the adsorption zone of the molecular sieve rotor absorbing moisture from the air.

[0028] Then, as it flows through the first flow path of heat exchanger 50, its temperature rises further after heat exchange.

[0029] When the water flows through the first electric heater 30 and is heated to 70°C, it enters the washing machine drum 10 through the air inlet and comes into contact with the wet clothes after washing, taking away the moisture from the clothes. Then it leaves the washing machine drum 10 through the air outlet and is discharged to the outside.

[0030] Molecular sieve rotor desorption and regeneration: The circulating air flowing out of the second flow path of heat exchanger 50 is heated to above 120°C when it flows through the second electric heater, and then enters the desorption zone of the molecular sieve rotor. After the molecular sieve rotor adsorbs water in its adsorption zone, it moves to the desorption zone and is carried away by the circulating air with a temperature >120°C. This allows the molecular sieve rotor to be regenerated and run repeatedly.

[0031] After the circulating air flows through the desorption zone of the molecular sieve rotor, 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 50. After heat exchange, the temperature of the circulating air in the second flow path drops, 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 high-efficiency 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 sequentially through the adsorption zone of the dehumidifying impeller, the first flow path of the heat exchanger, and the first electric heater 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 second electric heater and the dehumidification rotor 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 second electric heater and the desorption zone of the dehumidification rotor 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.

2. The high-efficiency washing machine capable of drying clothes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dehumidification rotor is a molecular sieve rotor.

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