Washer-Dryer Heat Pump Layout to Reduce Compressor Cooling Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer-dryer systems require additional cooling fans and control units to manage compressor heat, increasing costs and complexity due to the need for multiple components and assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A washer-dryer design incorporating an air supplement port, heat exchangers, and a fan to circulate hot air around the compressor, enhancing heat exchange efficiency and utilizing compressor heat for drying, eliminating the need for a separate cooling fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling fan is added to cool the compressor, then the compressor can be effectively cooled and prevented from shutting down, but the product requires additional components and control units, resulting in high cost and more assembling processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressor cooling function with the existing drying air circulation system. The air outlet of the drying system is positioned to face the compressor, allowing drying air to naturally cool the compressor during the drying operation, eliminating the need for a separate cooling fan and control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying air circulation system is given a dual function: it not only circulates air for drying clothes but also serves as a cooling system for the compressor. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated cooling components while effectively managing compressor temperature.
2Temperature
If heat around the compressor is dissipated, then the compressor is cooled, but the heat is wasted and not utilized for the drying process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the heat generated by the compressor, which would normally be waste heat to be dissipated, into a useful resource for the drying process. By positioning the air outlet to face the compressor and circulating this heated air back into the drying chamber, the system utilizes compressor heat to enhance drying efficiency, turning a potential harmful effect into a beneficial one.
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
The design achieves high heat exchange and drying efficiency with a simple, compact structure, reducing component count and assembly complexity while effectively cooling the compressor and optimizing heat utilization for drying.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, in which the first heat exchanger has a first end communicating with a first end of the compressor and a second end communicating with a first end of the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the first heat exchanger and an internal wall face of the cabinet define a condensation channel therebetween, the second heat exchanger and the internal wall face of the cabinet define a hot air channel therebetween
Implementation Method 3
a fan disposed in the cabinet to blow hot air in the hot air channel and around the compressor into the containing chamber
Implementation Method 4
air entering from the air supplement port can take heat surrounding the compressor away by disposing the air supplement port in the cabinet, thus reducing a temperature of the air around the compressor, cooling the compressor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a washer-dryer. The washer-dryer includes a cabinet (10) having an air supplement port (11); an inner drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet (10), defining a containing chamber therein, and having an air outlet (52) communicating with the containing chamber; a heat pump (20, 2) disposed to the cabinet (10) and close to the air supplement port (11); a first heat exchanger (30) and a second heat exchanger (40), wherein the first heat exchanger (30) has a first end communicating with a first end of the heat pump (20, 2) and a second end communicating with a first end of the second heat exchanger (40), and a second end of the second heat exchanger (40) communicates with a second end of the heat pump (20, 2), the first heat exchanger (30) and an internal wall face of the cabinet (10) define a condensation channel therebetween, the second heat exchanger (40) and the internal wall face of the cabinet (10) define a hot air channel therebetween, and the condensation channel communicates with the air outlet (52) and the hot air channel;and a fan (50) disposed in the cabinet (10) to blow hot air in the hot air channel and around the heat pump (20, 2) into the containing chamber. In the washer-dryer according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a temperature of air around the heat pump (20, 2) can be reduced to dissipate heat, and a temperature of supplemented air can be raised to further raise a drying efficiency of the washer-dryer.