Heat Pump Dryer Air Duct Layout for Stronger Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clothes dryers with heat pump cycles face inefficiencies due to limited dehumidifying capability and unstable refrigerant cycles, leading to energy loss and prolonged drying times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of heat exchangers at both the front and rear stages of the evaporator in a clothes treating apparatus, enhancing dehumidification capability and stabilizing the refrigerant cycle by actively managing heat and pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump cycle is used in clothes treating apparatus, then energy efficiency is improved, but dehumidifying capability is limited and cycle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger into multiple sections: a first heat exchanger section and a second heat exchanger section, with the evaporator positioned between them. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different functional zones - the first section handles heat absorption while the second section manages heat release, improving both dehumidifying capability and cycle stability without compromising energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator acts as an intermediary component positioned between the first and second heat exchanger sections. It mediates the heat transfer process by absorbing heat from the air passing through it, thereby enhancing dehumidifying capability while maintaining the balance between heat absorption and release, which stabilizes the refrigerant cycle
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat pump cycle is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but dehumidifying capability remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into distinct functional sections with the evaporator positioned between them. This allows the evaporator to specifically target heat absorption for dehumidification purposes, while the surrounding heat exchanger sections handle overall heat transfer, thereby enhancing dehumidifying capability without disrupting the energy-efficient heat pump cycle
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the heat exchanger are assigned different local functions: the evaporator section is optimized for heat absorption and dehumidification, while the first and second heat exchanger sections are optimized for heat release. This local quality differentiation enables the system to simultaneously achieve high dehumidifying capability and maintain 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 solution directly enhances dehumidifying performance, shortens drying time, and maintains reliable operation by managing evaporation and condensing pressures, thereby improving energy efficiency and cycle stability.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator and a condenser disposed to be spaced apart from one another within the circulation duct, to absorb heat of air released from the drum through the evaporator and transmit the absorbed heat to air introduced to the drum through the condenser
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator... to absorb heat of air released from the drum
Implementation Method 3
transmit the absorbed heat to air introduced to the drum through the condenser
Implementation Method 4
by using a working fluid circulating by way of the evaporator and the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating apparatus that includes a heat pump cycle and a dehumidifying device is provided herein. The clothes treating apparatus may include a case and a drum installed within the case and configured to accommodate an item for drying. A circulation duct may be provided to form an air circulation flow channel that allows air to circulate through the drum. The heat pump cycle may include an evaporator and a condenser disposed to be spaced apart from one another within the circulation duct, the heat pump cycle being configured to absorb heat of air released from the drum through the evaporator and transmit the absorbed heat to air introduced to the drum through the condenser, by using a working fluid that circulates by way of the evaporator and the condenser. Moreover, the dehumidification device may be provided to dehumidify air passing through the evaporator in the circulation duct.