Drying system, laundry treatment apparatus and drying method

Abstract

A drying system, comprising: a first drying subsystem, which comprises an evaporator (10), a condenser (11), a throttling component (12) and a compressor (13) which are connected by means of a refrigerant flow path; and a second drying subsystem, which comprises a moisture absorption and dehumidification device (14) and a regeneration device, wherein the moisture absorption and dehumidification device (14) is configured to absorb water vapor in drying air, and the regeneration device is configured to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device (14) that has adsorbed the water vapor. Along a circulation path of the drying air, the evaporator (10), the moisture absorption and dehumidification device (14) and the condenser (11) are sequentially arranged, the regeneration device comprises a heating device (15), the heating device (15) is configured to heat regeneration air, the regeneration air is configured to desorb moisture adsorbed in the moisture absorption and dehumidification device (14), and the heating device (15) is at least connected to a heat output end of the compressor (13) by means of the refrigerant flow path.

Description

Drying systems, garment handling equipment and drying methods Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411737798.8, filed on November 29, 2024, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202422935109.6, filed on November 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of clothing processing technology, and in particular to a drying system, clothing processing equipment and drying method. Background Technology

[0003] Clothing processing equipment typically uses a heat pump system to dry the items. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first aspect of this application provides a drying system, comprising: a first drying subsystem including an evaporator, a condenser, a throttling component, and a compressor connected via a refrigerant flow path; and a second drying subsystem including a moisture absorption and dehumidification device and a regeneration device, wherein the moisture absorption and dehumidification device is used to absorb moisture from the drying air, and the regeneration device is used to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device that has absorbed moisture; the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, and the condenser are arranged sequentially along the circulation path of the drying air, and the regeneration device includes a heating device for heating the regeneration air, the regeneration air for desorbing the moisture absorbed by the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, and the heating device is connected to at least the heat output end of the compressor via the refrigerant flow path.

[0005] In some embodiments, the heating device is connected downstream of the compressor and upstream of the condenser along the refrigerant circulation path to exchange heat with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the regeneration air.

[0006] In some embodiments, the regeneration apparatus further includes a cooler for dehumidifying the regeneration air. The cooler is connected to the evaporator at least through the refrigerant flow path. The cooler, the heating device, and the dehumidification device are arranged sequentially along the circulation path of the regeneration air.

[0007] In some embodiments, the compressor, the heating device, the condenser, the throttling device, the evaporator, and the cooler are arranged sequentially along the refrigerant circulation path.

[0008] In some embodiments, the compressor, the heating device, the condenser, the throttling device, the cooler, and the evaporator are arranged sequentially along the refrigerant circulation path.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first drying subsystem further includes a first water receiving tray, which is located below the gravity direction of the evaporator and is used to collect condensate on the surface of the evaporator.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second drying subsystem further includes a second water receiving tray, which is located below the gravity direction of the cooler and is used to collect condensate on the surface of the cooler.

[0011] In some embodiments, the dehumidification device includes a rotating mechanism and a dehumidification component. The rotating mechanism is configured to drive the dehumidification component to rotate through a dehumidification zone and a regeneration zone. The dehumidification zone is located in the circulation path of the drying air, and the regeneration zone is located in the circulation path of the regeneration air.

[0012] In some embodiments, the moisture absorption and dehumidification component includes a breathable porous structure, wherein the breathable porous structure is made of zeolite, lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, or molecular sieve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the drying system further includes a drying cylinder for carrying the object to be dried. Along the circulation path of the drying air, the evaporator, the dehumidification device, the condenser, and the drying cylinder are arranged in sequence, wherein the evaporator is used to dehumidify the drying air, and the condenser is used to heat the dehumidified drying air.

[0014] In some embodiments, the drying system further includes a filter screen, and the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, the condenser, the drying cylinder, and the filter screen are arranged in sequence along the circulation path of the drying air.

[0015] In some embodiments, the drying system further includes a first fan located in the circulation path of the drying air, the first fan providing circulation power for the drying air; the drying system further includes a second fan located in the circulation path of the regeneration air, the second fan providing circulation power for the regeneration air.

[0016] The second aspect of this application provides a garment processing device, including the drying system provided in the first aspect above.

[0017] In some embodiments, the clothing processing equipment includes a dryer or a washer-dryer combo.

[0018] A third aspect of this application provides a drying method for a garment processing device, the garment processing device including a drying system, the drying system including: a first drying subsystem including an evaporator, a condenser, a throttling component, and a compressor connected via a refrigerant flow path, the evaporator being used to dehumidify the drying air, and the condenser being used to heat the dehumidified drying air; a second drying subsystem including a moisture absorption and dehumidification device and a regeneration device, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device being used to absorb moisture from the drying air, and the regeneration device being used to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device that has absorbed moisture; the drying method including: passing the drying air sequentially through the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, and the condenser; and allowing the drying air that has passed through the condenser to enter a drying drum, the drying drum being used to hold the items to be dried.

[0019] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of this application are given below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a drying system provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a drying system provided in some other embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the drying method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0024] Reference numerals: 10. Evaporator; 11. Condenser; 12. Throttling component; 13. Compressor; 14. Moisture desiccant; 15. Heating device; 16. Cooler; 17. Drying drum; 18. Filter screen; 19. First fan; 20. Second fan. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0028] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be interpreted broadly, and can be direct contact, contact through an intermediate medium layer, contact between two contacting parties with substantially no interaction force, or contact between two contacting parties with interaction force.

[0032] Heat pump systems typically include an evaporator, condenser, compressor, and throttling components. The drying air passes sequentially through the evaporator and condenser. The evaporator dehumidifies the drying air, while the condenser heats it to provide high-temperature drying air to the clothes to be dried. However, clothing processing equipment using this technology still has relatively low drying efficiency. Improving drying efficiency is one of the key research topics in the industry.

[0033] This embodiment of the application adds a moisture absorption and dehumidification device to a traditional heat pump system, and draws out a portion of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device. The evaporator and the moisture absorption and dehumidification device work together to dehumidify, so that the humidity of the drying air can be lower, thereby improving drying efficiency and shortening drying time. Moreover, there is no need to set up an additional electric heating device for regenerating the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, which can reduce heat loss at the hot end of the compressor and avoid the heat generated by the electric heating device from affecting the heat pump system.

[0034] The following describes some embodiments of this application in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a drying system provided in some embodiments of this application; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a drying system provided in other embodiments of this application.

[0036] In a first aspect, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of this application provides a drying system, including: a first drying subsystem, including an evaporator 10, a condenser 11, a throttling component 12, and a compressor 13 connected via a refrigerant flow path; and a second drying subsystem, including a moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 and a regeneration device, wherein the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 is used to absorb moisture from the drying air, and the regeneration device is used to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 that has absorbed moisture; the evaporator 10, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14, and the condenser 11 are arranged sequentially along the circulation path of the drying air, and the regeneration device includes a heating device 15, which is used to heat the regeneration air, and the regeneration air is used to desorb the moisture absorbed in the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14, and the heating device 15 is connected to at least the heat output end of the compressor 13 via a refrigerant flow path.

[0037] The drying system continuously provides high-temperature drying air to the garment processing equipment, constantly removing moisture from the clothes. The garment processing equipment uses the drying air to pass over the surface of the clothes, heating them and removing evaporated moisture, thus drying them quickly.

[0038] The drying system includes a first drying subsystem and a second drying subsystem. The first drying subsystem is used for dehumidifying and heating the drying air, and the second drying subsystem is used for dehumidifying the drying air.

[0039] The first drying subsystem includes an evaporator 10, a condenser 11, a throttling device 12, and a compressor 13. The evaporator 10, condenser 11, throttling device 12, and compressor 13 are connected in series via a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flow path sequentially flows through the evaporator 10, compressor 13, condenser 11, and throttling device 12, and returns from the throttling device 12 to the evaporator 10, forming a circulating refrigerant flow path.

[0040] The refrigerant in the evaporator 10 can exchange heat with the drying air, cooling and condensing the air, thereby reducing the humidity in the drying air. The refrigerant in the condenser 11 can exchange heat with the drying air, raising its temperature.

[0041] The second drying subsystem includes a moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14. The moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 includes an adsorbent capable of absorbing moisture. In some embodiments, the adsorbent may be silica gel, alumina, zeolite molecular sieve, or carbon molecular sieve. The moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 absorbs moisture from the drying air using the adsorbent.

[0042] In the circulation path of the drying air, the evaporator 10, the dehumidification device 14, and the condenser 11 are arranged in sequence. The drying air first passes through the evaporator 10 and is dehumidified for the first time; then it passes through the dehumidification device 14 and is dehumidified for the second time; finally, it passes through the condenser 11 and is heated to a higher temperature, ultimately becoming dry, high-temperature drying air. The dry, high-temperature drying air returns to the evaporator 10 after passing through the material to be dried, thus realizing the circulation of the drying air.

[0043] The second drying subsystem also includes a regeneration device. The regeneration device provides regeneration air to the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14, which can remove the moisture absorbed by the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 from the drying air, thereby regenerating the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14.

[0044] The regeneration device includes a heating device 15, which is connected to the refrigerant flow path and communicates with the heat output terminal of the compressor 13. The refrigerant flow path sequentially passes through the evaporator 10, compressor 13, heating device 15, condenser 11, and throttling device 12, and returns from the throttling device 12 to the evaporator 10, forming a circulating refrigerant flow path. The heating device 15 is equipped with a refrigerant pipe for passing the refrigerant and a regeneration air duct for passing the regeneration air. The refrigerant pipe and the regeneration air duct are independent of each other, and they exchange heat within the heating device 15. The refrigerant is used to release heat to the regeneration air, thereby raising the temperature of the regeneration air.

[0045] In operation, a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the evaporator 10 to absorb heat from the drying air, causing it to cool and condense. The refrigerant absorbs heat and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas. This low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows into the compressor 13 and is compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant then flows into the heating device 15 to release heat to the regeneration air, raising its temperature. It then flows into the condenser 11 to release heat to the drying air, raising its temperature, and the refrigerant liquefies into a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid. This medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into the throttling device 12, where it is throttled and depressurized into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0046] Because the system includes an evaporator 10 and a dehumidification device 14, and the drying air passes through the evaporator 10 first and then the dehumidification device 14, the high-humidity drying air undergoes a first dehumidification process in the evaporator 10, reducing its humidity. Then, it undergoes a second dehumidification process in the dehumidification device 14, further reducing its humidity. This lower humidity allows the drying air to carry more moisture from the items being dried, thus increasing the drying speed. Furthermore, the dehumidification device 14 is suitable for dehumidifying low-humidity drying air, ensuring the drying system maintains good dehumidification performance even in later stages of use. Since the evaporator 10, dehumidification device 14, and condenser 11 are arranged sequentially along the air circulation path, a continuous supply of dry, high-temperature drying air can be provided. Because a heat exchange device, i.e., a heating device 15, is provided for heating the regenerated air, the regenerated air can remove moisture from the dehumidification device 14, maintaining its effective adsorption of moisture from the drying air. Since the heating device 15 is connected to the compressor 13 through the refrigerant flow path, there is no need to set up an additional electric heating device for regenerating the dehumidification device 14, which can reduce the heat loss at the hot end of the compressor 13 and save more energy; it can also avoid the electric heating device affecting the heat pump system.

[0047] In some embodiments, along the refrigerant circulation path, the heating device 15 is connected downstream of the compressor 13 and upstream of the condenser 11 to exchange heat with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 13 and the regeneration air.

[0048] As a result, the high-temperature refrigerant flowing out of the compressor 13 flows into the heating device 15, enabling the heating device 15 to exchange heat with the regeneration air, thereby raising the temperature of the regeneration air. This helps to improve the adsorption efficiency of the regeneration air on the moisture in the dehumidification device 14 and accelerates the regeneration of the dehumidification device 14.

[0049] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the regeneration device further includes a cooler 16 for dehumidifying the regeneration air. The cooler 16 is connected to the evaporator 10 at least through a refrigerant flow path. The cooler 16, the heating device 15, and the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 are arranged sequentially along the circulation path of the regeneration air.

[0050] The regeneration device also includes a cooler 16, which is connected to the refrigerant flow path and is at least connected to the evaporator 10 via the refrigerant flow path. The cooler 16 can be located in the refrigerant flow path between the evaporator 10 and the compressor 13, or it can be located in the refrigerant flow path between the evaporator 10 and the heating device 15. The cooler 16 contains a refrigerant pipe for the refrigerant and a regeneration air duct for the regeneration air. The refrigerant pipe and the regeneration air duct are independent of each other, and they exchange heat within the cooler 16. The refrigerant is used to absorb heat from the regeneration air, cooling it and causing condensation, thereby reducing the humidity of the regeneration air.

[0051] In the circulation path of the regenerated air, the dehumidification device 14, the cooler 16, and the heating device 15 are arranged sequentially. The regenerated air first passes through the dehumidification device 14, which carries away the water inside; then it passes through the cooler 16 and is dehumidified; finally, it passes through the heating device 15 and is heated to become dry, high-temperature regenerated air. The regenerated air is then circulated through the dehumidification device 14 to achieve the circulation of the regenerated air.

[0052] Therefore, the cooler 16 can condense the water vapor in the regeneration air and continuously provide the dehumidification device 14 with low humidity regeneration air, so that the dehumidification device 14 can regenerate stably and help maintain the dehumidification capacity and efficiency of the dehumidification device 14.

[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the compressor 13, heating device 15, condenser 11, throttling device 12, evaporator 10 and cooler 16 are arranged in sequence along the refrigerant circulation path.

[0054] The cooler 16 is located in the refrigerant flow path between the evaporator 10 and the compressor 13. The refrigerant flow path flows sequentially through the compressor 13, the heating device 15, the condenser 11, the throttling device 12, the evaporator 10, and the cooler 16, and returns from the cooler 16 to the compressor 13 to form a circulating refrigerant flow path.

[0055] The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the throttling device 12 first flows through the evaporator 10 to provide cooling for the drying air, and then flows through the cooler 16 to provide cooling for the regeneration air. The refrigerant itself absorbs heat and vaporizes into low-temperature, low-pressure gas step by step.

[0056] Since the refrigerant passes through the evaporator 10 first and then the cooler 16, the condensation effect of the evaporator 10 can be improved, which is beneficial to improving the drying capacity of the first drying system. The first drying system can be used as the main drying system and the second drying system as the auxiliary drying system.

[0057] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1, the compressor 13, heating device 15, condenser 11, throttling device 12, cooler 16 and evaporator 10 are arranged in sequence along the refrigerant circulation path.

[0058] The cooler 16 is located in the refrigerant flow path between the throttling device 12 and the evaporator 10. The refrigerant flow path flows sequentially through the compressor 13, the heating device 15, the condenser 11, the throttling device 12, the cooler 16, and the evaporator 10, and returns from the evaporator 10 to the compressor 13 to form a circulating refrigerant flow path.

[0059] The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the throttling device 12 first flows through the cooler 16 to provide cooling for the regeneration air, and then flows through the evaporator 10 to provide cooling for the regeneration air. The refrigerant itself absorbs heat and vaporizes into low-temperature, low-pressure gas step by step.

[0060] Since the refrigerant passes through the cooler 16 first and then the evaporator 10, the condensation effect of the cooler 16 can be improved, which is beneficial to improving the drying capacity of the second drying system. The second drying system can be used as the main drying system and the first drying system as the auxiliary drying system.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first drying subsystem further includes a first water receiving tray, which is located below the gravity direction of the evaporator 10 and is used to collect condensate water that condenses on the surface of the evaporator 10.

[0062] The first drying subsystem also includes a first water receiving tray. The first water receiving tray is located below the direction of gravity of the evaporator 10. The condensate that condenses on the surface of the evaporator 10 drips into the first water receiving tray, where it is collected and stored.

[0063] Furthermore, a drain pipe can be installed to connect to the first water collection tray. One end of the drain pipe is connected to the first water collection tray, and the other end can be connected to a water storage box to store the condensate. A drain pump can be installed in the drain pipe or the water storage box to provide the power for draining the condensate.

[0064] Therefore, the first drip tray collects the condensate that condenses on the evaporator 10, which helps to centrally treat the condensate in the subsequent process.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second drying subsystem further includes a second water receiving tray, which is located below the gravity direction of the cooler 16 and is used to collect condensate water that condenses on the surface of the cooler 16.

[0066] The second drying subsystem also includes a second water receiving tray. The second water receiving tray is located below the direction of gravity of the cooler 16. The condensate that condenses on the surface of the cooler 16 drips into the second water receiving tray, where it is collected and stored.

[0067] Furthermore, a drain pipe can be installed to connect to a second water collection tray. One end of the drain pipe is connected to the second water collection tray, and the other end can be connected to a water storage box to store the condensate. Two drain pipes can be installed, one connecting to the first water collection tray and the other to the second water collection tray, and both drain pipes are connected to the same water storage box, to collect the condensate on the evaporator 10 and the cooler 16 together. A drain pump can be installed in at least one drain pipe or water storage box to provide the power for draining the condensate.

[0068] Therefore, the second water collection tray collects the condensate that condenses on the cooler 16, which helps to centrally treat the condensate in the later stage.

[0069] In some embodiments, the dehumidification device 14 includes a rotating mechanism and a dehumidification component. The rotating mechanism is configured to drive the dehumidification component to rotate through a dehumidification zone and a regeneration zone. The dehumidification zone is located in the circulation path of the drying air, and the regeneration zone is located in the circulation path of the regeneration air.

[0070] The moisture absorption zone is located in the circulation path of the drying air. In the moisture absorption zone, the moisture absorption and dehumidification components can absorb moisture from the drying air. The regeneration zone is located in the circulation path of the regeneration air. In the regeneration zone, the moisture in the moisture absorption and dehumidification components can be desorbed by the regeneration air.

[0071] Along the circulation path of the drying air, the moisture absorption zone can be located between the evaporator 10 and the condenser 11. Along the circulation path of the regeneration air, the regeneration zone is located downstream of the heating device 15.

[0072] In some embodiments, the desiccant assembly can be a desiccant disc, which can be a honeycomb or corrugated disc carrying a desiccant, capable of adsorbing and desorbing absorbed water vapor to achieve repeated desorption and regeneration. In some embodiments, the desiccant disc can include an inorganic / organic fiber carrier (such as ceramics, glass fibers, MOFs, COFs, cordierite, etc.), with a desiccant such as a molecular sieve coated on the fiber carrier. The desiccant is evenly distributed between the fibers and on the surface of the fibers to achieve adsorption of moisture in the airflow. In some embodiments, the desiccant can be zeolite, modified / synthetic zeolite, molecular sieves (including but not limited to single-crystal molecular sieves or mixed-crystal molecular sieves such as A-type molecular sieves, X / Y-type molecular sieves, ZSM molecular sieves, Beta molecular sieves, etc.), polymeric desiccant, alkali metal aluminosilicates (13X molecular sieves), lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, activated alumina, and other materials with hygroscopic properties.

[0073] Regarding the rotating mechanism, in some embodiments, the rotating mechanism may include a rotary motor and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is connected to the output end of the rotary motor and to the moisture absorption and dehumidification assembly (in some embodiments, the rotating shaft is connected to the center of the dehumidification turntable), and drives the moisture absorption and dehumidification assembly to rotate around the rotating shaft.

[0074] Therefore, by rotating the moisture-absorbing and dehumidifying component, repeated moisture absorption and regeneration of the component can be achieved. Moreover, dehumidification and regeneration are carried out in two separate areas, allowing the regeneration air and drying air to circulate independently. This enables the moisture-absorbing and dehumidifying component to be regenerated while clothes are being dried, which helps to improve the drying speed.

[0075] In some embodiments, the moisture absorption and dehumidification component includes a breathable porous structure, the material of which is zeolite, lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, or molecular sieve.

[0076] Therefore, moisture adsorption and desorption can be achieved easily and effectively. The moisture absorption and dehumidification components are reusable and have low cost.

[0077] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drying system further includes a drying cylinder 17, which is used to carry the object to be dried. Along the circulation path of the drying air, the evaporator 10, the dehumidification device 14, the condenser 11, and the drying cylinder 17 are arranged in sequence. The evaporator 10 is used to dehumidify the drying air, and the condenser 11 is used to heat the dehumidified drying air.

[0078] The drying air passes through the condenser 11 and enters the drying cylinder 17. It passes through the material to be dried in the drying cylinder 17, leaves the drying cylinder 17 and goes to the evaporator 10. Then, starting from the evaporator 10, it passes through the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 and the condenser 11 in sequence, and finally returns to the drying cylinder 17 to continue the cycle.

[0079] This provides a place to store the items to be dried, and the drying air passes through the drying cylinder 17 to dry the items.

[0080] In some embodiments, continuing to refer to Figures 1 and 2, the drying system further includes a filter 18, and the evaporator 10, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14, the condenser 11, the drying cylinder 17, and the filter 18 are arranged in sequence along the circulation path of the drying air.

[0081] The filter 18 is disposed on the circulation path of the drying air between the drying cylinder 17 and the evaporator 10. The filter 18 may be disposed in the channel through which the drying air leaves the drying cylinder 17, or at the connection interface between the drying cylinder 17 and the channel through which the drying air flows. In some embodiments, the filter 18 is detachable.

[0082] Therefore, the drying air leaving the drying cylinder 17 is filtered by the filter screen 18 before entering the circulation path starting with the evaporator 10, which helps to reduce the probability of debris clogging the circulation path.

[0083] In some embodiments, the drying system further includes a first fan 19 located in the circulation path of the drying air, the first fan 19 providing circulation power for the drying air; the drying system further includes a second fan 20 located in the circulation path of the regeneration air, the second fan 20 providing circulation power for the regeneration air.

[0084] Thus, the drying air can circulate under the drive of the first fan 19, and the regeneration air can circulate under the drive of the second fan 20, thereby enabling rapid and effective drying and desorption.

[0085] The second aspect of this application provides a garment processing device, including the drying system provided in the first aspect above.

[0086] Because the garment processing equipment includes a drying system that provides drying air with low humidity, it can quickly and efficiently dry the items to be dried, reducing user waiting time and improving the user experience.

[0087] In some embodiments, the clothing handling equipment includes a dryer or a washer-dryer combo.

[0088] Therefore, it can quickly and efficiently dry clothes after washing, allowing users to use them immediately after washing and improving the user experience.

[0089] The drying method of this application embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0090] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the drying method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0091] A third aspect of this application provides a drying method, as shown in Figure 3, for use in a garment processing device. The garment processing device includes a drying system, which comprises: a first drying subsystem, including an evaporator 10, a condenser 11, a throttling component 12, and a compressor 13 connected via a refrigerant flow path; the evaporator 10 is used to dehumidify the drying air, and the condenser 11 is used to heat the dehumidified drying air; a second drying subsystem includes a moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 and a regeneration device; the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 is used to absorb moisture from the drying air, and the regeneration device is used to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device 14 that has absorbed moisture; the drying method includes: passing the drying air sequentially through the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, and the condenser; and allowing the drying air that has passed through the condenser to enter a drying drum, which is used to hold the items to be dried.

[0092] As shown in Figure 3, the drying method includes the following steps.

[0093] S1. The drying air passes sequentially through the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, and the condenser;

[0094] S2. The drying air that has passed through the condenser enters the drying cylinder, which is used to hold the items to be dried.

[0095] The drying air is first dehumidified by the evaporator 10, then dehumidified a second time by the desiccant 14, and then heated by the condenser 11. The drying air enters the drying cylinder 17 in a high-temperature and dry state to dehumidify the items to be dried inside the drying cylinder 17.

[0096] The drying method also includes the step S3, returning the drying air that has passed through the drying cylinder to the evaporator.

[0097] After the drying process is completed, the air carries the moisture back to the evaporator 10 for the next cycle.

[0098] Because the system includes an evaporator 10 and a dehumidification device 14, and the drying air passes through the evaporator 10 first and then the dehumidification device 14, the high-humidity drying air undergoes a first dehumidification process in the evaporator 10, reducing its humidity. It then undergoes a second dehumidification process in the dehumidification device 14, further reducing its humidity. This lower humidity allows the drying air to carry more moisture from the items being dried, thus increasing the drying speed. Furthermore, the dehumidification device 14 is suitable for dehumidifying low-humidity drying air, ensuring the drying system maintains good dehumidification performance even in later stages of use. Since the drying air passes sequentially through the evaporator 10, the dehumidification device 14, the condenser 11, and the drying drum 17, it continuously provides dry, high-temperature drying air to the drying drum 17.

[0099] Because it is equipped with an evaporator and a dehumidification device, and the drying air first passes through the evaporator and then the dehumidification device, the high-humidity drying air undergoes a first dehumidification process in the evaporator, reducing its humidity. Then, it undergoes a second dehumidification process in the dehumidification device, further reducing its humidity. This lower humidity allows the drying air to carry more moisture from the items being dried, thus increasing the drying speed. Furthermore, the dehumidification device is suitable for dehumidifying drying air with lower humidity, ensuring good dehumidification performance even in later stages of use. Since the evaporator, dehumidification device, and condenser are arranged sequentially along the circulation path of the drying air, a continuous supply of dry, high-temperature drying air can be provided. Because a heating device is included to heat the regenerated air, the regenerated air can remove moisture from the dehumidification device, maintaining its effective adsorption of moisture from the drying air. Since the heating device is connected to the compressor through the refrigerant flow path, there is no need to install an additional electric heating device for regenerating the dehumidification device. This reduces heat loss at the compressor's hot end, making it more energy-efficient, and also avoids the heat generated by the electric heating device affecting the heat pump system.

[0100] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and all should be covered within the scope of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way.

Claims

1. A drying system, characterized in that, include: A first drying subsystem, comprising an evaporator, a condenser, a throttling component, and a compressor connected via a refrigerant flow path; and The second drying subsystem includes a moisture absorption and dehumidification device and a regeneration device. The moisture absorption and dehumidification device is used to absorb moisture from the drying air, and the regeneration device is used to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device that has absorbed moisture. The evaporator, the dehumidification device, and the condenser are arranged in sequence along the circulation path of the drying air. The regeneration device includes a heating device for heating the regeneration air, which is used to desorb the moisture adsorbed in the dehumidification device. The heating device is connected to at least the heat output end of the compressor through the refrigerant flow path.

2. The drying system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the refrigerant circulation path, the heating device is connected downstream of the compressor and upstream of the condenser to exchange heat with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the regeneration air.

3. The drying system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The regeneration device further includes a cooler for dehumidifying the regeneration air, and the cooler is connected to at least the evaporator via the refrigerant flow path. The cooler, the heating device, and the dehumidification device are arranged in sequence along the circulation path of the regenerated air.

4. The drying system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the refrigerant circulation path, the compressor, the heating device, the condenser, the throttling device, the evaporator, and the cooler are arranged in sequence.

5. The drying system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the refrigerant circulation path, the compressor, the heating device, the condenser, the throttling device, the cooler, and the evaporator are arranged in sequence.

6. The drying system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first drying subsystem also includes a first water receiving tray, which is located below the gravity direction of the evaporator and is used to collect condensate on the surface of the evaporator.

7. The drying system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The second drying subsystem also includes a second water receiving tray, which is located below the gravity direction of the cooler and is used to collect condensate on the surface of the cooler.

8. The drying system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The moisture absorption and dehumidification device includes a rotating mechanism and a moisture absorption and dehumidification component. The rotating mechanism is configured to drive the moisture absorption and dehumidification component to rotate through the moisture absorption area and the regeneration area. The moisture absorption area is located in the circulation path of the drying air, and the regeneration area is located in the circulation path of the regeneration air.

9. The drying system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The moisture absorption and dehumidification component includes a breathable porous structure, and the material of the breathable porous structure is zeolite, lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, or molecular sieve.

10. The drying system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The drying system also includes a drying cylinder, which carries the items to be dried. Along the circulation path of the drying air, the evaporator, the dehumidification device, the condenser, and the drying cylinder are arranged in sequence. The evaporator is used to dehumidify the drying air, and the condenser is used to heat the dehumidified drying air.

11. The drying system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The drying system also includes a filter screen, and the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, the condenser, the drying cylinder, and the filter screen are arranged in sequence along the circulation path of the drying air.

12. The drying system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The drying system also includes a first fan located in the circulation path of the drying air, the first fan providing the circulation power for the drying air; The drying system also includes a second fan located in the circulation path of the regeneration air, the second fan providing the circulation power for the regeneration air.

13. A garment processing device, characterized in that, The drying system included in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The garment processing equipment according to claim 13, characterized in that, The clothing processing equipment includes dryers and washing and drying combos.

15. A drying method for use in clothing processing equipment, characterized in that, The garment processing equipment includes a drying system, which comprises: A first drying subsystem includes an evaporator, a condenser, a throttling device, and a compressor connected via a refrigerant flow path. The evaporator is used to dehumidify the drying air, and the condenser is used to heat the dehumidified drying air. The second drying subsystem includes a moisture absorption and dehumidification device and a regeneration device. The moisture absorption and dehumidification device is used to absorb moisture from the drying air, and the regeneration device is used to regenerate the moisture absorption and dehumidification device that has absorbed moisture. The drying method includes: The drying air passes sequentially through the evaporator, the moisture absorption and dehumidification device, and the condenser; and The drying air that has passed through the condenser is introduced into the drying cylinder, which is used to hold the items to be dried.

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