Heat Pump Dryer Base Heat Exchanger for Overheat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laundry treatment apparatuses with heat pump systems, excess energy must be removed to prevent over-temperature and maintain optimal operation, but existing solutions are not compactly integrated, leading to inefficiencies and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary heat exchanger is integrated into the base section of the apparatus, external to the main components, to efficiently remove excess energy from the refrigerant loop by transferring heat to ambient air, allowing for a compact design and improved internal space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an auxiliary heat exchanger is added to remove excess energy from the heat pump system, then the system can maintain optimal operation in steady state, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heat exchanger is merged with the base section structure of the laundry treatment apparatus. The base section serves dual purposes: supporting the heat pump system components and functioning as the auxiliary heat exchanger itself, thereby removing excess energy without adding separate complex structures
Solution Approach 2:
The base section is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the compressor, evaporator, and condenser while also serving as the auxiliary heat exchanger for removing excess energy. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate auxiliary heat exchanger structures
2Volume of moving object
If all heat pump system components are arranged internally in the cabinet, then the design appears compact, but the auxiliary heat exchanger cannot be efficiently integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heat exchanger functionality is extended to the external base section rather than being confined to the internal cabinet space. This dimensional extension allows efficient heat exchange with ambient air while maintaining a compact overall apparatus footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary heat exchanger function is extracted from the internal cabinet space and placed in the external base section. This extraction resolves the conflict between maintaining compact internal arrangements and efficiently integrating the auxiliary heat exchanger for excess energy removal
3Device complexity
If the auxiliary heat exchanger is placed externally in the base section, then compact integration is achieved, but access for maintenance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heat exchanger is nested within the base section structure, which itself is part of the overall apparatus. This nested arrangement achieves compact integration while maintaining accessibility through the base section design
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 effectively manages excess energy, preventing overheating while enabling a more compact and efficient layout, potentially allowing for larger drum diameters and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the auxiliary heat exchanger is provided which removes heat from the refrigerant circulated in the refrigerant loop... the heat is transferred from the refrigerant to ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a dryer (2a) or washing machine having a drying function, includes a cabinet having a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a base section. The base section has an internal side facing the interior of the cabinet and an external side exposed to the outside of the cabinet. A laundry storing chamber for treating laundry using process air (A), a process air loop for circulating the process air through the laundry storing chamber, and a heat pump system for dehumidifying and heating the process air are also provided. The heat pump system has a refrigerant loop comprising: a first heat exchanger (10) for heating a refrigerant and cooling the process air (A), a second heat exchanger (12) for cooling the refrigerant and heating the process air, a refrigerant expansion device, a compressor, and an auxiliary heat exchanger (13). The auxiliary heat exchanger (13) is arranged at the external side of the base section.