Clothes dryer and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clothes dryers with heat pump systems experience prolonged dry times during winter due to low ambient temperatures, leading to increased energy consumption and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A clothes dryer equipped with a heat pump system, a heater, temperature sensors, and a processor that controls the compressor and heater based on detected temperatures and dryness levels, optimizing operation to reduce dry time while minimizing energy use, including adjusting compressor frequency and reversing drum rotation for efficient drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the compressor RPM is increased to rapidly create high-temperature air, then the dry time duration is shortened, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is activated before the compressor starts operating to pre-heat the air in the drying space. This preliminary heating action reduces the time required for the compressor to reach optimal operating temperature, thereby shortening the overall dry time without requiring the compressor to run at maximum RPM throughout the entire drying cycle, thus reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system periodically adjusts the compressor RPM and heater operation based on real-time temperature feedback from temperature sensors. Instead of maintaining constant high-speed operation, the system cycles the compressor and heater on and off or at varying speeds to maintain the required temperature, reducing overall power consumption while achieving effective drying over time.
2Productivity
If the compressor RPM is increased to create high-temperature air quickly, then the drying performance is improved, but the energy consumed in drying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of the heat pump system and the heater to work协同ly. The heat pump provides base-level heating while the heater supplements additional heat when needed. This combination allows the system to achieve high drying performance during critical periods while consuming less energy during periods when lower temperatures are sufficient, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically changes operating parameters (compressor RPM, heater power level) based on the drying stage and ambient conditions. During initial heating or when rapid drying is needed, parameters are adjusted to maximize performance. During stable drying phases or when temperature thresholds are met, parameters are reduced to minimize energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between drying performance and energy loss.
3Reliability
If the heat pump system operates in low ambient temperature conditions, then the drying function is maintained, but the time required to create hot air increases
Solution Approach 1:
In low ambient temperature conditions, the heater is activated in advance before the heat pump system begins its heating cycle. This preliminary action compensates for the extended time the heat pump needs to generate hot air in cold environments, ensuring that the drying space reaches the required temperature faster and maintaining reliable drying function without excessive delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the ambient environment and the heat pump system's heating capability. In low ambient temperatures, the heater provides the initial heat input that the heat pump system alone would take too long to generate, thereby reducing the overall time to create hot air while maintaining the reliability of the drying function.
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 significantly reduces dry time and energy consumption by dynamically controlling the heat pump and heater operations in response to temperature and dryness conditions, ensuring efficient drying and preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a heater configured to heat air supplied to an interior of the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A clothes dryer is disclosed. The clothes dryer includes a rotatably disposed drum, a heat pump system including a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant and a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant, a heater configured to heat air supplied to the interior of the drum, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of air passing through the interior of the drum, a second temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the compressor, and a processor configured to control an operation of the compressor on the basis of the temperature of the air passing through the interior of the drum detected by the first temperature sensor and control an operation of the heater on the basis of the temperature of the compressor detected by the second temperature sensor.