Heat Pump Dryer Expander Control for Steady-State Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The heat pump system in clothes treating apparatuses, such as dryers, faces challenges in maintaining a steady state during the drying process, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and potential damage from excessive heat transmission.
Innovation Solution
The system controls the refrigerant flow by adjusting the open degree of a variable expander, monitoring temperature differences and humidity levels to optimize heat transfer and prevent overheating, thereby maintaining a stable state and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat pump system operates without continuous monitoring, then the system structure is simpler, but the system cannot maintain a steady state and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control unit that continuously monitors the heat pump system's operation state by detecting temperatures at various points (evaporator inlet/outlet, condenser inlet/outlet) and uses this feedback information to adjust the expander's open degree, thereby maintaining the system in a steady state and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with a control unit that uses temperature sensors and computational logic to detect system state and control the expander, simplifying the overall device complexity while achieving reliable steady state maintenance
2Reliability
If the expander open degree is not adjusted, then the control system is simpler, but excessive heat transmission damages the system
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors temperatures at the evaporator outlet and condenser inlet, and when the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating excessive heat transmission, it automatically adjusts the expander's open degree to reduce heat transmission and protect the system
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively detects temperature differences before excessive heat transmission causes damage, and preemptively adjusts the expander open degree to prevent harmful effects, embodying the preliminary anti-action principle
3Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigerant flow is not optimized, then the system operation is simpler, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors temperatures at the evaporator outlet and condenser inlet, calculates the temperature difference, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the expander's open degree, optimizing refrigerant flow and maximizing energy efficiency during the drying process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the expander's open degree based on real-time temperature differences, allowing the refrigerant flow to be continuously optimized according to the drying process requirements, thereby improving 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 approach allows for rapid detection and correction of abnormal states, improving system reliability and energy efficiency by adjusting the expander's open degree based on the drying process's progress and humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pump system transmits thermal energy to a refrigerant through the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
transmits thermal energy of the refrigerant to air introduced into the drum through the condenser, thereby generating hot blast
Implementation Method 3
capable of enhancing the energy efficiency by collecting energy of exhausted hot blast and by re-using the energy to heat air supplied into the drum
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method for operating a clothes treating apparatus comprising a drum (110) configured to accommodate therein an object to be dried; an air suction means (120) configured to form a flow path of air introduced into the drum; an air exhaustion means (140) configured to form a flow path of air exhausted from the drum; a condenser (130) disposed to heat air sucked into the drum through the air suction means; an evaporator (135) disposed to cool air exhausted from the drum through the air exhaustion means; a compressor (150)configured to compress a refrigerant introduced from the evaporator; and a variable expander (160) configured to expand a refrigerant introduced from the condenser, and having a variable open degree, the method comprising detecting a humidity of exhaust air exhausted from the drum; and changing an open degree of the variable expander according to the detected humidity of the exhaust air, wherein in the step of changing the open degree of the variable expander, an open degree change width is differently determined according to the detected humidity of the exhaust air.