Household appliance comprising a water/process air heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer-dryers face inefficiencies in drying processes, including high energy consumption, water usage, and voluminous designs, particularly in condensation using ambient air, fresh water, and heat pumps.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance with a closed-loop system incorporating a process air circuit and a water circuit, utilizing a water/process air heat exchanger and a heat pump, featuring a capillary tube mat for efficient heat transfer and a compact design, allowing for flexible integration into existing platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heat pump is used for condensation drying, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger and water reservoir into a single integrated water condensation component. The heat exchanger is positioned within the water reservoir, allowing the reservoir to serve dual purposes: storing water and facilitating heat exchange for condensation drying. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat exchanger housing and reduces overall device volume while maintaining heat pump energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is nested within the water reservoir space, with the heat exchanger channels formed inside or within the structural walls of the reservoir. This nesting arrangement allows the heat exchanger to utilize the water reservoir's internal volume, achieving compact integration without compromising the heat exchange surface area needed for effective condensation drying.
2Device complexity
If ambient air is used for condensation, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates and room temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary cooling medium between the humid process air and the heat exchanger. Instead of directly using ambient air for condensation, cool water circulates through the heat exchanger channels, absorbing heat from the humid air and condensing the moisture. This intermediary water cooling system prevents ambient air from being heated and maintains higher energy efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable.
3Loss of energy
If fresh water is used for condensation, then condensation effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop water circulation system where water is continuously pumped from the reservoir through the heat exchanger, used for condensation cooling, and then returned to the reservoir. The water is not discarded after single use but recovered and reused multiple times, significantly reducing water consumption while maintaining effective condensation drying performance.
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 enhances thermodynamic efficiency, reduces water consumption, and provides a compact design while enabling flexible drying modes, improving energy efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a water/process air heat exchanger adapted to cool down the process air flowing within the process air channel
Implementation Method 2
a heating device for heating the process air
Implementation Method 3
featuring a capillary tube mat for efficient heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A household appliance 1, 31, in particular washer-dryer 1, 31, comprises a process air circuit 10 for circulating process air P comprising a treatment chamber 2, 3 having an air inlet opening 5 and an air outlet opening 6 and a process air channel 9 connecting the openings 5, 6, a heating device 19, 19' for heating the process air P, and a water circuit 13 comprising: a water/process air heat exchanger 11 adapted to cool process air P flowing within the process air circuit 10 and a water circulation device 16 for circulating the water W in the water circuit 13. The invention is particularly useful for a laundry care apparatus, in particular for a clothes washer/dryer combination or washing machine with drying function ("washer-dryer"), in particular having a heat pump.