Washer dryer and method for operating a washer dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing washer-dryers using adsorption modules for drying require large adsorbent quantities, leading to space issues due to the need for extensive moisture removal, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage energy consumption across the washing and drying phases.
Innovation Solution
A washer-dryer design that optimizes the adsorption module by using it to absorb excess energy during the desorption process and integrating it with the washing phase, allowing for efficient energy reuse and minimizing the module's size, utilizing both open and closed adsorption systems to manage moisture and heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large adsorption module is used to remove all moisture from laundry during drying, then drying effectiveness is improved, but the device occupies excessive space in the household appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption module is designed to remove only a portion of the moisture from the laundry during the drying phase, rather than attempting to remove all moisture. This partial action approach allows the module to be compact while still providing beneficial drying assistance, with the understanding that additional moisture removal can be achieved through other means or in subsequent cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including the extent of moisture removal by the adsorption module, temperature settings, and cycle duration. By changing these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between drying effectiveness and module size, allowing a smaller module to achieve adequate drying results through coordinated operation with other system components.
2Reliability
If the adsorption module is designed to absorb all moisture during drying, then drying performance is improved, but energy consumption increases due to larger module operation
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption module performs partial moisture removal rather than complete drying, reducing the energy burden on this component. This approach lowers the energy consumption of the adsorption system while maintaining acceptable drying performance through complementary drying mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses thermal energy from the drying process to preheat air or water for subsequent washing cycles. This self-service energy recovery mechanism reduces overall energy consumption by utilizing waste heat from the drying phase to assist in the washing phase, creating an energy-efficient closed loop.
3Volume of stationary object
If a smaller adsorption module is used to reduce space, then device compactness is improved, but moisture removal capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption module is integrated into a multi-functional drying system that combines adsorption, condensation, and thermal drying mechanisms. This universal approach allows a compact adsorption module to contribute to moisture removal while other system components handle additional moisture extraction, achieving sufficient total capacity without requiring a large adsorption module alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates the adsorption module continuously or in coordinated cycles with other drying mechanisms, maintaining constant moisture removal activity. This continuous action ensures that even a smaller module achieves adequate total moisture removal over the course of the drying cycle through sustained operation rather than requiring peak capacity in a single component.
4Device complexity
If the adsorption module operates independently to dry laundry, then system simplicity is improved, but overall energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption drying system is merged with a heat recovery mechanism that captures thermal energy from the drying process and transfers it to the washing process. This combination maintains relative system simplicity while dramatically improving energy efficiency by eliminating waste heat and reducing the energy required for heating water in subsequent wash cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchange mechanism acts as an intermediary between the drying and washing processes, transferring thermal energy from the warmer drying air or water to the cooler washing water. This intermediary heat transfer component enables efficient energy utilization without significantly complicating the overall system architecture, bridging the two processes to achieve energy conservation.
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 energy consumption and space requirements by leveraging the adsorption module to enhance the drying process while ensuring the energy needed for washing is met without exceeding the required thermal energy by more than 20%, thus optimizing the adsorbent's capacity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the adsorption module is used to remove the residual moisture from the process air exiting the condenser
Implementation Method 2
the main proportion of moisture is extracted from the process air exiting the tub by means of the condenser
Implementation Method 3
a heating element, a fan and a condenser are provided which, together with the tub, provide a circuit through which a process air passes in a drying process
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a washer-dryer and a method for operating a washer-dryer. The washer-dryer has a tub (1) in which a laundry drum (11) for receiving laundry is rotatably mounted, an adsorption module (2) which contains an adsorbent for absorbing moisture, a blower (6) which is used to exchange process air between the tub (1) and the adsorption module (2), and a control device which is designed to direct dry process air from the adsorption module (2) into the tub (1) during a drying phase by means of the blower (6). that moisture from the laundry is released into the process air, and during a washing phase using the blower (6) to conduct moist process air from the adsorption module (2) into the tub (1) in such a way that moisture from the process air condenses on the laundry and the laundry is heated by means of condensation heat released in this condensation process. The adsorption module (2) contains a maximum of so much adsorbent that the total heat of condensation that can be given off to the laundry does not exceed the washing energy required for a normal washing process by more than 20%, 10% or 5%, with the total heat of condensation then being given off to the laundry if at fully loaded with moisture adsorbent, the total moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent is completely desorbed from the adsorbent and condensed on the laundry.