Washing Machine Heat Pump Design for Efficient Wash Solution Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines require a large amount of energy to heat the detergent liquid using electric resistance, which is inefficient and consumes a lot of energy.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine equipped with a heat pump that uses a heat transfer fluid circulation loop with an evaporator and condenser to efficiently heat the wash solution by recovering heat from the air in the wash chamber and transferring it to the wash solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electric resistance is used to heat the detergent liquid, then the detergent liquid can be heated, but a large amount of energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers waste heat from the air in the washing chamber (which would otherwise be wasted during the drying phase) and uses it to preheat the detergent liquid. This converts a harmful waste product (excess heat in the washing chamber) into a beneficial resource (heated detergent liquid), significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective washing temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the heat energy from the air in the washing chamber that would normally be discarded during the drying cycle. The heat exchanger captures this waste heat and transfers it to the detergent liquid, preventing energy waste and reducing overall energy consumption of the washing machine
2Productivity
If heat is applied to the detergent liquid, then washing efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the waste heat from the washing chamber air into a useful resource for heating the detergent liquid. This maintains the thermal conditions necessary for effective washing while eliminating the need for additional energy input, thereby preserving washing efficiency without increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the detergent liquid by using waste heat from the washing chamber, achieving the optimal temperature range for effective washing. This parameter change is accomplished without additional energy input, as the heat is recovered from the existing thermal energy in the washing chamber air
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 heat pump system allows for efficient heating of the wash solution, reducing energy consumption and enabling rapid homogenization of the wash solution temperature, while also recovering wash solution vapor to reduce consumption and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator being configured to recover the heat coming from the air heated in the wash chamber and to transfer the recovered heat to the heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer fluid circulation loop
Implementation Method 2
the condenser being configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer fluid circulation loop to the wash solution circulating in the heating pipe, to heat said wash solution
Implementation Method 3
a heat pump configured to heat the wash solution, the heat pump comprising a heat transfer fluid circulation loop on which are arranged an evaporator and a condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine comprising a wash chamber, a wash solution tank, a spray bar, a pump, and a recovery tray; wherein the washing machine further comprises a heating pipe, a heat pump configured to heat the wash solution, the heat pump being configured to recover heat from air heated in the wash chamber and to transmit heat to the wash solution circulating in the heating pipe, and a control device configured to control the pump and the heat pump.