Hybrid Dryer Heat Source Control for Compressor Load Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes dryers face inefficiencies in energy usage and drying time due to limitations in heat pump systems and the need for auxiliary heaters, which can lead to compressor overload and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A controlling method for a dryer that selectively uses a heat pump system and a heater as heat sources, where the heat pump system is turned on first, followed by the heater, and vice versa, with checks for compressor normal operation to prevent overload and ensure efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a heater is employed as the heating unit in a circulating type dryer, then thermal energy can be supplied as much as necessary, but thermal efficiency is lowered and energy consumption is increased due to heat exchange with the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heater and heat pump system into a hybrid heating configuration where both heat sources work together. The heater provides high-capacity thermal energy while the heat pump recovers and reuses thermal energy from exhaust air, merging their complementary strengths to achieve both sufficient power and improved thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system recovers thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded in the exhaust air of the circulating type dryer. By capturing and reusing this waste heat, the system reduces overall energy consumption and improves thermal efficiency while maintaining the necessary thermal energy supply.
2Productivity
If a heater is employed as the heating unit in an exhausting type dryer, then drying time is reduced by supplying thermal energy as required, but thermal efficiency is lowered and energy consumption is increased due to direct discharge of hot air
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system recovers thermal energy from the exhaust air that would otherwise be directly discharged. By capturing this waste heat and reusing it for preheating incoming air or supplementing the heater, the system reduces energy loss while maintaining the fast drying performance enabled by the heater's high thermal energy supply.
3Loss of energy
If a heat pump system is used to heat air supplied into the drum, then energy efficiency is enhanced, but drying time is increased due to capacity limitation of the heat pump system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat pump system with a heater to create a hybrid heating configuration. The heat pump provides energy-efficient heating while the heater supplements thermal energy output when needed, combining their advantages to achieve both improved energy efficiency and reduced drying time.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater provides partial or excessive thermal energy supplementation to the heat pump system. By adding extra heating capacity through the heater when the heat pump's capacity is insufficient, the system overcomes the drying time limitation while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of the heat pump during its normal operation.
4Loss of energy
If both the heat pump system and heater are used as heat sources, then energy efficiency and drying time are optimized, but compressor overload may occur reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the heater and heat pump system based on real-time operating conditions. The controller adjusts the operation of each heat source according to the dryer's thermal requirements, preventing excessive load on the compressor while optimizing energy efficiency and drying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor the operational status of the heat pump system and heater. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts the heating capacity and operates the heater and heat pump in a coordinated manner to prevent compressor overload while maintaining optimal energy efficiency.
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 method stabilizes drying operations, enhances energy efficiency, reduces drying time, and improves the reliability of the heat pump system by optimizing the use of both heat sources, thereby reducing energy consumption and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump system includes two heat exchangers, a compressor and an expander (expansion apparatus). With the configuration of the heat pump system, a refrigerant which circulates in the system recollects energy contained in hot air exhausted and the recollected energy is used to heat air supplied into the drum
Implementation Method 2
the heat pump system includes an evaporator at an exhaust side from the drum and a condenser at an inlet side of the drum. Accordingly, a refrigerant absorbs thermal energy through the evaporator and then is pressurized by a compressor
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant absorbs thermal energy through the evaporator and then is pressurized by a compressor to be a refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure
Implementation Method 4
the thermal energy contained in the refrigerant is transferred to air, which is introduced into the drum, through the condenser, which allows hot air to be generated by using the energy which is wasted
Implementation Method 5
The heating unit may be a type of heater, which uses electric resistance heat of high temperature generated by electrical resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling method for a dryer is applied to a dryer, in which at least one of a heat pump system and a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than that of the heater. The controlling method includes, when both the heat pump system and the heater are selected as the heat sources, turning the heat pump system on, turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on, turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed, and turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off.