Heat Pump Dryer Fan Fault Detection by Compressor Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In clothes dryers with heat pump systems, it is difficult for users to detect if the auxiliary fan is in an abnormal state, which can lead to overheating of the refrigerant, increased power consumption, and reduced energy efficiency, as the fan's operation is not easily accessible for visual inspection.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure the discharge side pressure of the compressor and compare it to a maximum allowable pressure to determine if the auxiliary fan is operating correctly, using pressure and temperature sensors to calculate the maximum allowable pressure based on the condenser's peripheral temperature, allowing for rapid and easy detection of fan abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an auxiliary fan is installed to supply air to the condenser in a heat pump system, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the complexity of detecting fan abnormality increases due to inaccessibility of the fan location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressure sensors as intermediary devices to detect fan abnormality indirectly. Instead of directly monitoring the auxiliary fan at its inaccessible location, pressure sensors are placed in accessible locations (air suction duct and air exhaustion duct) to measure pressure differentials that reflect the fan's operational state, thereby solving the detection difficulty while maintaining heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical observation of the fan with a pressure-based detection system. By measuring pressure differences in the air flow path using pressure sensors, the system substitutes direct mechanical inspection with a remote sensing mechanism that can detect fan abnormalities without requiring physical access to the fan location
2Reliability
If the auxiliary fan operates abnormally, then refrigerant overheating and increased power consumption occur, but direct monitoring of the fan is difficult due to its installed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pressure sensors continuously monitor the pressure differential across the auxiliary fan, and the controller receives this feedback to determine fan operational status. When abnormal pressure conditions are detected, the system can respond by stopping the heat pump cycle or activating the heater, thereby maintaining system reliability without requiring direct fan monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by using the pressure differential information to automatically detect fan abnormalities. The controller compares the measured pressure difference against predetermined thresholds and autonomously determines whether the fan is operating normally, eliminating the need for manual inspection and enabling the system to monitor itself
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 solution enables reliable and efficient operation of the clothes dryer by preventing abnormal states and enhancing energy efficiency by ensuring the auxiliary fan is functioning properly, without requiring direct access to the fan's location.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure difference between the air suction duct and the air exhaustion duct
Implementation Method 2
The heat pump system transmits thermal energy to a refrigerant through the evaporator, and transmits thermal energy of the refrigerant to air introduced into the drum through the condenser
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator disposed to cool air exhausted from the drum through the air exhaustion duct
Implementation Method 4
a condenser disposed to heat air sucked into the drum through the air suction duct
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating apparatus including a drum, an air suction duct forming a flow path of air introduced into the drum, an auxiliary fan introducing air into the air suction duct, an air exhaustion duct forming a flow path of air exhausted from the drum, a main fan exhausting air to the air exhaustion duct from the drum, a condenser heating air sucked into the drum through the air suction duct, an evaporator cooling air exhausted from the drum through the air exhaustion duct, and a compressor and an expander forming a heat pump together with the condenser and the evaporator. The method includes measuring a discharge side pressure of the compressor, and comparing the measured discharge side pressure with a maximum allowable pressure, and determining that the auxiliary fan does not operate when the discharge side pressure is more than the maximum allowable pressure.