Heat Pump Dryer Condensate Tank Layout for Fewer Pump Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryers with heat pump cycles face challenges in efficiently discharging condensed water to higher positions without frequent and high-power operation of the drain pump, leading to reduced storage volume, increased noise, and shorter pump lifespan due to frequent cycling.
Innovation Solution
The dryer employs a dual-tank system with a small first water storage tank for initial condensate collection and a larger second tank for storage, using a delivery pump to transfer water to the second tank when full, and a drain pump to discharge from the second tank to a higher position, with a control unit managing pump operations to minimize cycles and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single water storage tank is used to store condensed water at a lower portion, then the tank volume is limited by the available space, but the drain pump must operate frequently with high power to raise the condensed water to a higher discharge position
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage tank is divided into a first water storage tank for initial condensate collection and a second water storage tank for bulk storage. The first tank is positioned to receive condensed water directly from the evaporator by gravity, while the second tank stores larger volumes. This segmentation allows the drain pump to operate less frequently since it only needs to pump from the second tank when it is full, reducing power consumption and operational wear.
2Quantity of substance
If the water storage tank volume is increased to reduce drain pump operation frequency, then the storage capacity improves, but the tank cannot be installed at a lower portion due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into two tanks with different functions and positions. The first tank is small and positioned at the lower portion near the evaporator for easy installation and gravity-based condensate collection. The second tank is larger and positioned higher to serve as the main storage reservoir. This segmentation resolves the conflict between storage capacity and installation feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The first water storage tank acts as an intermediary between the evaporator and the second water storage tank. It collects condensed water from the evaporator and transfers it to the second tank, enabling the system to achieve both easy installation (first tank at lower position) and large storage capacity (second tank with larger volume).
3Volume of stationary object
If the drain pump operates frequently to empty the water storage tank, then the storage tank can be kept small, but the pump lifespan is reduced and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage into two tanks, the system allows the second tank to accumulate larger volumes of condensed water before the drain pump needs to operate. This reduces the frequency of pump operations, extending its lifespan and reducing noise, while the combined capacity of both tanks provides sufficient total storage volume.
4Ease of manufacture
If the water storage tank is positioned at a lower portion for gravity drainage, then installation is simplified, but the available volume for storage is reduced due to drum height constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into two tanks positioned at different heights. The first tank is positioned at the lower portion for easy installation and gravity-based condensate collection from the evaporator. The second tank is positioned higher to provide additional storage volume that would not be available if a single tank were constrained to the lower position. This segmentation simultaneously achieves installation ease and maximizes total storage volume.
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 configuration reduces the frequency of drain pump operation, extends its lifespan, and effectively discharges condensed water to higher positions while minimizing noise and increasing storage capacity, allowing for efficient condensate management despite space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a first water storage tank (3) configured to collect the condensed water (W) generated from the evaporator (13) by gravity
Implementation Method 2
a delivery pump (4) configured to transfer the condensed water (W) to a second water storage tank (5) when the condensed water (W) reaches the predetermined level in the first water storage tank (3)
Implementation Method 3
a drain pump (6) configured to discharge the condensed water (W) stored in the second water storage tank (5) to a higher position
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer (100) capable of reducing the number of the frequencies of raising condensed water (W) to a high position while reducing the malfunction or noise of a drain pump (6), the dryer (100) provided with a heat pump cycle (1) having a compressor (11), a condenser (12) and an evaporator (13); and a blower passage (2) to allow an air stream to pass in an order of the condenser (12), a drum (14) to accommodate clothes to be dried, and the evaporator (13), the dryer including a first water storage tank (3) configured to store condensed water (W) generated as the air stream passes through the evaporator (13), a second water storage tank (5) connected to the first water storage tank (3), having a capacity larger than a capacity of the first water storage tank (3), and configured to store the condensed water (W) transferred from the first water storage tank (3), a drain pipe (7) having one end opening at a position higher than the second water storage tank (5), and a drain pump (6) connected to the second water storage tank (5) and the other end of the drain pipe (7), and configured to discharge the condensed water (W)stored in the second water storage tank (5) from the one end of the drain pipe (7) to an outside.