Control method of clothes dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dryers with heat pump systems face reduced drying performance in low-temperature environments, leading to increased manufacturing costs and power consumption, and vibration and noise issues due to limited compressor size and capacity.
Innovation Solution
A control method for dryers that adjusts the operation mode of the heat pump system based on external and compressor temperatures, using a twin rotary compressor and varying the compressor frequency to maintain efficient drying performance while minimizing vibration and noise, by selecting from energy, standard, and speed modes, and switching to low-speed mode when overheating occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the compressor capacity is increased to improve heating performance in low-temperature environments, then the drying performance is improved, but vibration and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compressor speed variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the compressor operating speed based on detected temperature conditions, allowing the system to optimize between heating performance and vibration/noise generation dynamically during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the compressor by adjusting its speed according to temperature conditions. In low-temperature environments, the compressor operates at higher speeds to maintain heating performance, while in normal conditions it operates at lower speeds to reduce vibration and noise
2Power
If the compressor size is increased to improve refrigerant compression capacity, then the heating performance is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a larger compressor with fixed capacity, the patent employs a smaller compressor with variable speed capability. The control unit dynamically adjusts the compressor speed to achieve the required compression capacity only when needed, allowing a smaller physical device to perform the work of a larger one
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor is designed to serve multiple functions by operating at different speeds - it can provide high compression capacity when high heating performance is needed, and low compression capacity when minimal heating is required, making a single smaller compressor replace what would traditionally require multiple fixed-capacity units
3Temperature
If a heater is added to the heat pump system to improve drying performance in low-temperature environments, then the heating performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses itself to solve the heating problem in low-temperature environments. Instead of adding a separate heater, the control unit utilizes the existing heat pump system and adjusts the compressor speed to maximize its heating capability, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional heating components
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 control method enhances drying performance in low-temperature environments, reduces compressor load and vibration, and maintains user satisfaction by optimizing compressor frequency and operation modes, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing noise and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
the heat energy of the refrigerant is transferred to the air flowing into the drum through the condenser and thus hot air is generated
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant cannot be heated sufficiently, so that the sucked air cannot be heated sufficiently
Implementation Method 3
the heat energy is absorbed by the refrigerant through the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a heat pump system is provided as a heat source for heating air supplied to a drum includes selecting one of a plurality of operation modes in which initial driving frequencies are different from one another and inputting a drying start command to the dryer by a user; checking an outer temperature and comparing the outer temperature with a preset reference temperature T by a control unit; performing the operation mode selected by the user by the control unit, in a case where the outer temperature is equal to or more than the reference temperature T; performing an operation mode in which the initial driving frequency of the compressor is the highest of the plurality of operation modes, in a case where the outer temperature is less than the reference temperature T.