Laundry Dryer Humidity-Based Process Control for Heat Pump Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in efficiently dividing drying operations into processes based on drying efficiency and energy efficiency, particularly in heat pump-type systems, where distinguishing drying sections using temperature changes is difficult, and establishing effective control strategies for driving apparatuses is hindered by limited real-time reflection of drying efficiency changes.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus that divides the drying operation into efficiency increasing, maintaining, and decreasing processes using a humidity sensor to measure evaporation and dehumidification characteristics, allowing independent control of the compressor, fan, and drum to optimize operating conditions and improve energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If temperature change of air is used to distinguish drying sections in exhaust-type dryers, then drying processes can be divided, but this method is difficult to apply to heat pump-type dryers with different drying mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from temperature to humidity. The controller measures humidity of air at different positions (inlet and outlet of drum) to calculate drying efficiency, replacing the temperature-based method that only works for exhaust-type dryers. This parameter change enables the distinction method to be universally applied to both exhaust-type and heat pump-type dryers with different drying mechanisms.
2Productivity
If drying operation is divided into multiple processes, then drying efficiency can be optimized, but real-time reflection of drying efficiency changes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously measures humidity at the drum inlet and outlet, calculates drying efficiency in real-time based on the humidity difference, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the drying process. The controller divides drying into multiple processes (first drying process with higher efficiency, second drying process with lower efficiency) based on real-time drying efficiency changes, enabling optimized control throughout the drying operation.
3Ease of operation
If compressor and fan operate at fixed speeds, then system is simple to control, but energy efficiency and drying efficiency cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the operating speeds of the compressor and fan dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the compressor speed and fan speed based on real-time drying efficiency measurements. During the first drying process with higher drying efficiency, the compressor and fan operate at higher speeds; during the second drying process with lower drying efficiency, they operate at lower speeds. This dynamic adjustment optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining effective drying control.
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 enables efficient and energy-efficient drying operations by dynamically adjusting the operating conditions of the apparatuses based on real-time humidity measurements, enhancing drying efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a humidity sensor to measure evaporation and dehumidification characteristics
Implementation Method 2
the air is heated through a fluid circulator including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
the moisture in the laundry is evaporated and removed from the laundry as the heated air passes through the laundry
Implementation Method 4
a fluid circulator including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, a drum, a fluid circulator, an air circulator including a humidity sensor, a driver, and a controller, wherein a drying operation includes an efficiency increasing process for increasing drying efficiency inside the drum, an efficiency maintaining process for maintaining the drying efficiency, and an efficiency decreasing process for reducing the drying efficiency, wherein the controller performs the drying operation while distinguishing the efficiency increasing process, the efficiency maintaining process, and the efficiency decreasing process from each other using a measured value of the humidity sensor.