Heat Pump Heating Device for Laundry Appliances to Reduce Energy Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment appliances, such as washing machines and washer-dryers, rely on electric heaters for heating, which is expensive and environmentally polluting due to high CO2 emissions from power plants, and lack efficient heat distribution systems that adapt to different operating states.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a heat pump that extracts heat from ambient air for washing and drying processes, with a distribution system that couples ambient air and process air interfaces to an evaporator depending on the appliance's operating state, allowing for efficient thermal energy transfer and reduced electrical energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric heaters are used to heat the laundry treatment appliance, then the heating function is provided, but the energy cost increases and environmental pollution worsens due to CO2 emissions from power plants
Solution Approach 1:
A heat pump system is introduced as an intermediary device between the ambient environment and the laundry treatment appliance. The heat pump extracts thermal energy from ambient air or water and transfers it to the laundry treatment space, replacing direct electric heating. This intermediary system uses refrigerant circulation through evaporators and condensers to achieve efficient heat transfer, reducing both energy cost and CO2 emissions compared to conventional electric heaters
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump system is used to extract heat from ambient air, then energy efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need for evaporators, condensers, and refrigerant circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides heating for the laundry treatment appliance, can dehumidify the ambient air through the evaporator, and recycles heat from the condenser back into the system. The same refrigerant circuit serves both heating and potential cooling/dehumidification functions, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced technology employed
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted. The evaporator captures heat from ambient air (which would naturally dissipate), and the condenser releases heat that is then recovered and reused for heating the laundry treatment space. This heat recovery approach improves energy efficiency while managing the complexity through intelligent thermal management
3Adaptability or versatility
If the evaporator is coupled to ambient air interface for washing, then heat is provided for washing, but for drying the evaporator needs to be coupled to process air interface to remove moisture, requiring distribution mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic switching mechanisms that adapt the evaporator coupling based on the operating state. During washing, the evaporator is dynamically connected to the ambient air interface to extract heat. During drying, it is dynamically switched to the process air interface to remove moisture. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single system to handle multiple functions without requiring permanently installed complex distribution infrastructure for each mode
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 reduces electrical energy consumption and environmental impact by harnessing ambient heat for laundry treatment, enhancing energy efficiency and lowering operational costs compared to purely electrically heated systems.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator which is designed to evaporate a liquid refrigerant using the ambient air and to provide it as a gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a condenser configured to heat the treatment fluid using the gaseous refrigerant and provide the heated treatment fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (102) for providing heating power for a laundry treatment appliance (100), in particular a washing machine or a washer-dryer. The device has an inlet-side ambient air interface (110) for supplying ambient air, an inlet-side treatment fluid interface (106) for supplying treatment fluid from a laundry treatment space (104) of the laundry treatment appliance (100), an evaporator (112) which is designed to use a liquid refrigerant to evaporate using the ambient air and to provide it as a gaseous refrigerant, a condenser (114), which is designed to heat the treatment fluid using the gaseous refrigerant and to provide it as heated treatment fluid, and an outlet-side treatment fluid interface (108) for discharging the heated treatment fluid the laundry treatment room (104).