Multi-Compressor Heat-Pump Drying for Reliable Power Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat-pump clothes drying machines require complex and unreliable variable-speed compressor systems, which complicate manufacturing and reduce overall reliability, necessitating a simpler and more reliable solution for optimizing energy usage across different operating cycles.

Innovation Solution

A multi-compressor heat-pump arrangement with separate fixed-speed compressors and thermodynamic cycles, allowing for independent optimization of each cycle and eliminating the need for electronic driving systems, enabling flexible power adjustment based on specific drying requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a variable-speed compressor system is used to optimize power input for different drying cycles, then energy usage is optimized, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to electronic driving devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy usageVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single compressor system into multiple independent fixed-speed compressors (first compressor and second compressor). Each compressor can be independently controlled to operate or remain idle based on drying cycle requirements, eliminating the need for variable-speed electronic driving devices while maintaining energy optimization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts power input by selectively activating different numbers of compressors based on drying cycle requirements. For high-power cycles, both compressors operate; for low-power cycles, only one compressor operates. This provides variable power output using simple fixed-speed components rather than complex variable-speed mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a variable-speed compressor system is used to adjust output quantity according to cycle requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to electronic inverter and filtering circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the compression system into multiple independent fixed-speed compressors that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different power requirements by controlling which compressors run, replacing the need for complex electronic inverters and variable-speed control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple copies of simple fixed-speed compressors rather than one complex variable-speed compressor. Each compressor is a standardized, simple unit that can be independently controlled, providing adaptability through quantity rather than through complex control electronics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple fixed-speed compressors are used instead of variable-speed compressor, then reliability and simplicity are improved, but adaptability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the compression system into multiple independent fixed-speed compressors with separate thermodynamic cycles. This allows selective operation of compressors to match different power requirements while maintaining the simplicity and reliability of fixed-speed mechanical components without electronic driving devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 ensures greater reliability, simplicity, and tailored energy usage by allowing fixed-speed compressors to operate independently or in combination, optimizing thermodynamic yield for various drying cycles without the need for complex control systems.

Implementation Method 1

The compressor causes the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant medium to increase to thereby force it into the condenser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

part of the heat taken up from the evaporator and resulting from the mechanical work of the same compressor is released to the outside of the closed-loop circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat release: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the refrigerant medium takes up an amount of heat from the outside of the closed-loop circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Heating

Implementation Method 4

The passage of the refrigerant medium into and through the evaporator takes place by virtue of the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of the throttle valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2122040B1Heat-pump clothes drying machine
Publication Date: 2013.05.01 IMAT SPA
  • EP2122040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2122040B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2122040B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heat-pump clothes drying machine, in particular a heat-pump arrangement for removing moisture from and heating up the drying air; said heat-pump arrangement comprises a plurality of separate closed-loop circuits, each one of said separate closed-loop circuits comprising at least one compressor (20, 30; 220, 230; 320, 330), at least one evaporator (22, 32; 222, 232; 322, 332), at least one expansion valve (24, 34; 224, 234; 334, 324), and at least one condenser (26, 36; 226, 236; 336, 326).