Dryer Blower Speed Profiles for Compressor Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laundry treatment apparatuses, especially those using heat pump systems, high ambient temperatures can cause the compressor to reach critical working ranges quickly, leading to inefficient drying cycles and prolonged operation due to the need for compressor shutdowns, particularly at low process air flow rates and high ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses temperature sensors to detect ambient and internal temperatures, allowing for the selection and application of predetermined speed profiles for the laundry treatment chamber and process air blower, optimizing agitation and heat transfer by adjusting motor speeds based on detected temperature signals, thereby regulating the heat transfer and preventing compressor overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the process air flow rate is reduced to save energy, then the energy consumption decreases, but the compressor temperature rises too quickly reaching critical working range
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit detects ambient temperature before the drying cycle starts and preliminarily selects an appropriate speed profile. When ambient temperature is high, a speed profile that maintains higher process air flow rate is selected in advance, preventing compressor temperature from rising too quickly during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic speed profiles that can be adjusted based on operating conditions. The motor speed is not fixed but varies according to the selected profile, allowing the system to adapt process air flow rate to match ambient temperature conditions and maintain compressor reliability.
2Temperature
If the compressor is switched off to let temperature decrease, then the compressor temperature decreases to normal working range, but the drying cycle lengthens considerably
Solution Approach 1:
By detecting ambient temperature in advance and selecting appropriate speed profiles before the drying cycle starts, the system prevents compressor temperature from reaching critical levels, eliminating the need for shutdowns and avoiding drying cycle extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors temperature signals and uses this feedback to maintain optimal operating conditions throughout the drying cycle, adjusting motor speed as needed to keep compressor temperature within safe ranges without shutdowns.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the process air blower runs at high speed to maintain heat transfer efficiency, then the heat transfer efficiency improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment of the process air blower based on ambient temperature conditions. Instead of running at constant high speed, the motor speed varies according to the selected speed profile, optimizing the balance between heat transfer efficiency and energy consumption for each operating condition.
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
This approach enhances drying performance by optimizing operation conditions according to ambient temperatures, reducing the length of drying cycles and maintaining efficient heat transfer, thus improving energy efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
detecting by the at least one temperature sensor at least one temperature signal indicative of the ambient temperature of the laundry treatment apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the heat pump system comprises a first heat exchanger (evaporator) for heating a refrigerator fluid, a second heat exchanger (condenser) for cooling the refrigerant fluid
Implementation Method 3
regulating the heat transfer between the process air and the heating device (refrigerant condenser in a heat pump system or an electric heater)
Implementation Method 4
A compressor is provided which is adapted to operate for circulating the refrigerant fluid through the refrigerant loop
Implementation Method 5
an expansion device and a refrigerant loop, in which the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the first and second heat exchangers and the expansion device
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a dryer or a washing machine having a dryer function, and a method for operating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laundry treatment chamber (18) for treating laundry using process air (A), a blower (8) for circulating the process air (A) within the laundry treatment chamber (18); and at least one temperature sensor (27, 28, 29). The method includes: detecting by said at least one temperature sensor (27, 28, 29) at least one temperature signal indicative of the ambient temperature of the laundry treatment apparatus, selecting a predetermined speed profile for operating the laundry treatment chamber (18) or the blower (8) in dependency of the at least one temperature signal detected by said at least one temperature sensor (27, 28, 29), and starting to operate the laundry treatment chamber (18) or the blower (8) in a laundry drying cycle by applying or executing the selected predetermined speed profile to the laundry treatment chamber (18) or to the blower (8) during the drying cycle in dependency of the at least one detected temperature signal.