Washer-Dryer Heat Pump Pair With Shared Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional appliance systems, such as washer and dryer pairs, face inefficiencies in thermal energy usage, leading to increased energy consumption and waste heat venting, which can strain building heating and cooling systems and affect fabric care quality.
Innovation Solution
A system integrating a heat pump and thermal storage unit that shares thermal energy between appliances, utilizing a heat pump to generate, store, and redistribute thermal energy via fluid transfer, allowing for efficient energy use and reuse between a washer and dryer, and incorporating phase change materials for enhanced storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional separate heating systems are used for washer and dryer, then each appliance can be heated independently, but energy consumption increases and waste heat is vented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal energy systems of the washer and dryer into a single integrated heat pump system. The heat pump serves both appliances simultaneously, allowing thermal energy to be shared between them. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating systems, reduces waste heat venting, and improves overall energy efficiency while managing the complexity through unified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed to perform multiple functions: heating the washer, heating the dryer, and recovering waste heat from both appliances. This multi-functional approach allows a single thermal energy generator to serve various purposes, reducing total energy consumption and eliminating the need for multiple dedicated heating systems.
2Productivity
If high temperature drying is used in conventional dryers, then drying speed increases, but fabric damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the drying process by utilizing waste heat recovery and heat pump technology. Instead of using high-temperature heating elements, the system recovers waste heat from the washer and uses it for dryer operation, maintaining lower temperatures that prevent fabric damage while achieving effective drying through optimized heat transfer and moisture removal processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the waste heat that would otherwise be vented into a useful resource for drying. By recovering thermal energy from the washer and other sources, the patent creates a beneficial low-temperature drying environment that protects fabric while maintaining productivity through efficient heat utilization rather than brute-force high-temperature heating.
3Use of energy by moving object
If thermal energy is generated continuously by heat pump, then thermal energy availability increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous thermal energy recovery and utilization through the heat pump system. The heat pump operates continuously to recover waste heat from the washer and dryer, storing and redistributing thermal energy as needed. This continuous operation ensures thermal energy availability while improving overall efficiency by capturing and reusing energy that would otherwise be wasted, rather than generating all thermal energy de novo.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where thermal energy recovered from appliance operation is fed back into the system for reuse. The heat pump monitors and responds to thermal energy demands and availability, adjusting operation to optimize energy efficiency. This feedback loop ensures thermal energy is available when needed while minimizing unnecessary heat pump energy consumption by utilizing recovered heat whenever possible.
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 reduces energy consumption by up to two-thirds, minimizes fabric damage through low-temperature drying, and recycles waste heat, reducing the cooling and heating loads on buildings while maintaining fabric quality.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal energy generator, according to an embodiment of the present invention heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid, typically a liquid or gas
Implementation Method 2
incorporating phase change materials for enhanced storage
Implementation Method 3
The thermal energy bearing fluids typically transfer thermal energy between the thermal energy generator and the first and second appliances
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids.