Dryer with a heat pump and a water container comprising an electrode and process for its operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dryers with heat pumps lack effective control over the drying process, particularly in assessing the water content and humidity changes in laundry items.
Innovation Solution
A dryer with a heat pump and a water container equipped with electrodes and an electric pump, where the control unit measures and analyzes time periods during which the pump is not running to determine the humidity state of the laundry, and stops the drying process when a preset time period is met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors (temperature, humidity, electrical resistance) are used to detect drying end, then the system can provide basic drying control, but the measurement precision and reliability for assessing water content in laundry items is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrical sensors with a microwave-based detection system. The microwave sensor measures the dielectric properties of laundry items, which directly correlate with water content. This substitution provides more precise and reliable measurement because microwave radiation penetrates fabric and directly interacts with water molecules, offering superior measurement precision compared to surface-level electrical resistance or humidity sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention monitors changes in microwave absorption and reflection parameters over time to assess drying progress. By tracking how these electromagnetic parameters evolve during the drying cycle, the system can precisely determine when the laundry has reached the desired dryness level, significantly improving measurement precision and control reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump is used to reduce energy loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system lacks effective control mechanisms to optimize the drying process based on actual humidity state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the microwave sensor continuously monitors the humidity state of laundry items and provides real-time information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts heat pump operation parameters (temperature, airflow rate) to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining effective drying control. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling intelligent adaptation to actual drying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters based on real-time humidity measurements. The control unit modifies heating power, airflow rate, and pump operation timing according to the actual moisture content detected by the microwave sensor, transforming the static heat pump system into a dynamic, adaptive drying process that optimizes energy efficiency throughout the cycle.
3Reliability
If the electric pump operates continuously to remove condensed water, then water removal is ensured, but energy consumption increases and the system cannot accurately assess drying progress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pumping action controlled by a timer unit that operates the electric pump at specific intervals during the drying cycle, rather than continuously. The microwave-based humidity detection system identifies optimal pumping moments when condensed water accumulation affects drying efficiency. This periodic operation maintains reliable water removal while significantly reducing pump energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses preliminary microwave detection to assess when condensed water removal is needed before actually activating the pump. By monitoring humidity parameters and predicting when water removal will benefit the drying process, the control unit triggers pump operation only when necessary, ensuring reliable water removal while minimizing energy waste from unnecessary pumping cycles.
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 allows for precise control of the drying process, enabling better assessment of water content and humidity changes, which leads to more efficient energy use and improved drying results.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling of the warm humid process air is effected mainly in the evaporator of the heat pump, where the heat energy transferred is used for evaporating the refrigerant utilized in the heat pump circuit
Implementation Method 2
where the heat energy transferred is used for evaporating the refrigerant utilized in the heat pump circuit
Implementation Method 3
The refrigerant of the heat pump which evaporated due to the heating is led through a compressor to the condenser of the heat pump
Implementation Method 4
where heat energy is set free on account of the condensation of the gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
an electric pump for pumping water out of the water container, wherein the electric pump is adapted to start pumping when at least one of the electrodes senses its contact with water in the water container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a dryer 1 with a drum 2 for laundry items to be dried; a process air circuit 3, wherein heated process air is moved by means of a blower 12 above and through the laundry items to be dried; a heat pump circuit 8, 9, 11 comprising an evaporator 8, a compressor 11 and a condenser 9; a water container 5 for the collection of water 31 condensed at the evaporator 8, the water container 5 being in contact with at least one electrode 7 and an electric pump 6 for pumping water 22 out of the water container 5, wherein the electric pump 6 is adapted to start pumping when at least one of the electrodes 7 senses its contact with water 22 in the water container 5; and a control unit 4 comprising a clock 19 for measuring the time elapsed during a drying process; and wherein the control unit 4 is adapted to measure and register time periods Δti, wherein i is an integer from 1 to n, during the drying process in which the electric pump 6 is not running between pumping steps of a preset duration Δtop and to analyze the measured time periods Δti with respect to the development of the drying process. The invention also relates to a process for the operation of this dryer.