Washing machine, method for operating same, and industrial production line comprising same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines require high energy consumption for heating the washing liquid due to the use of electrical resistors in the detergent solution tank, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine equipped with a heat pump system that recovers heat from air in the washing chamber using a heat transfer fluid circulation loop, comprising an evaporator and condenser, to efficiently heat the detergent solution, and includes a control device to manage the heating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electrical resistor is used to heat the detergent solution in the washing machine, then the detergent solution can be heated effectively, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from the air in the washing chamber (which contains latent heat from detergent solution vapor) and converts it into useful heating energy for the detergent solution. The evaporator captures this waste heat and transfers it to the heat transfer fluid, which then passes through the condenser to heat the detergent solution, transforming previously wasted thermal energy into a beneficial resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system utilizes phase transitions of the heat transfer fluid (evaporation and condensation) to transfer heat efficiently. The evaporator causes the heat transfer fluid to evaporate by absorbing heat from the air, and the condenser causes it to condense while releasing heat to the detergent solution, leveraging the latent heat of phase change for efficient thermal energy transfer.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump system is implemented to recover heat from air, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system serves multiple functions: it heats the detergent solution during washing cycles, pre-heats detergent solution during priming phases, and recovers waste heat from the washing chamber air. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing energy savings across multiple operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the waste heat already present in the washing chamber air (containing latent heat from vapor) to heat the detergent solution, making the system self-sufficient by utilizing its own waste resources rather than requiring external energy inputs for heating.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pump circulates detergent solution through the heating line continuously, then temperature homogenization is improved, but detergent solution usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump continuously circulates detergent solution through the heating line during operation, ensuring continuous temperature homogenization and preventing thermal stratification in the tank. This continuous circulation maintains uniform temperature distribution throughout the detergent solution, improving system stability and washing consistency.
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 reduces energy consumption by utilizing latent heat from air and vapor, quickly homogenizes detergent solution temperature, and allows for efficient heating during operation and priming phases, while minimizing detergent solution usage and steam release.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator being configured to recover heat from heated air in the washing chamber and to transfer recovered heat to the heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer fluid circulation loop
Implementation Method 2
the condenser being configured to transmit heat from the heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer fluid circulation loop to the detergent solution circulating in the heating line, to heat said detergent solution
Implementation Method 3
It will be understood that a machine according to the invention is configured to recover heat from the air including latent heat from the detergent solution vapor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a washing chamber (11), a detergent solution tank (12), a spray bar (11a), a pump (13), and a collection tray (11c); characterized in that the machine (1) further comprises a heating line (14), a heat pump (15) configured to heat the detergent solution, the heat pump (15) being configured to recover heat from heated air in the washing chamber (11) and to transmit heat to the detergent solution circulating in the heating line (14), and a control device (16) configured to control the pump (13) and the heat pump (15). The invention also relates to a method of operating a washing machine, and to an industrial production line comprising a washing machine.