Clothes care apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes care apparatuses face inefficiencies in power consumption during the drying cycle, especially when moisture levels decrease, leading to poor drying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A clothes care apparatus with a chamber, dampers, a heat exchanger, blower fans, and sensors that control airflow and heat exchanger operation based on internal and external humidity levels, allowing for efficient use of outside air and minimizing compressor power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat pump operation is performed until the end of drying is identified, then the drying function is maintained, but the power consumption efficiency deteriorates when moisture amount is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two drying modes based on real-time humidity sensing. When internal humidity is high, the heat pump operates in closed-loop mode for reliable drying. When internal humidity drops below external humidity, the system transitions to natural convection mode with dampers opened, eliminating heat pump operation and significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining drying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors humidity parameters and changes the operating mode based on the relationship between internal and external humidity. When the humidity differential exceeds a threshold, the system changes from active heat pump drying to passive natural convection drying, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining adequate drying performance.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger is used for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases when external air is available with lower humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural humidity gradient between the drying chamber and external environment to drive moisture removal. When external air is drier than internal air, the opened dampers allow natural convection currents to carry moisture-laden air outward, enabling the system to perform drying work using environmental conditions rather than consuming electrical energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and utilizes the useful humidity differential between internal and external environments. By opening the dampers when external air is drier, the system captures the natural driving force for moisture transfer, converting an environmental condition into a useful drying mechanism without requiring heat pump operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the damper is closed to maintain internal air circulation, then drying consistency is improved, but the opportunity to use cooler outside air for cooling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system dynamically adjusts between closed and open states based on humidity conditions. During the main drying phase when internal humidity is high, dampers remain closed to maintain consistent drying conditions. When internal humidity drops and external humidity is lower, dampers open to allow cooler external air entry, providing passive cooling without disrupting the drying process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient power management and improved drying efficiency by optimizing the use of outside air and reducing compressor power usage when internal humidity is higher than external humidity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger provided with a compressor and configured to exchange heat with air in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
at least one blower fan configured to generate the air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes care apparatus includes a chamber, a first damper, a second damper, a heat exchanger, at least one blower fan, a sensor portion, and a controller. The first damper is configured to control an airflow from inside the chamber to outside the chamber. The second damper is configured to control the airflow into the chamber from the outside. The heat exchanger is provided with a compressor and configured to exchange heat with air in the chamber. The at least one blower fan is configured to generate the airflow. The sensor portion is configured to obtain a temperature and humidity inside and outside of the chamber. The controller is configured to start a drying cycle, control the first and second damper to be opened or closed, and control the heat exchanger and the at least one blower fan by comparing the internal humidity with the external humidity.