EP2620541A1

EP2620541A1 - Laundry drying machine

Info

Publication number: EP2620541A1
Application number: EP12152808.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcin Lorenc; Alessandro Vian; Diego Dal Ben; Marco Santarossa
Original assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Current assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Priority date: 2012-01-27
Filing date: 2012-01-27
Publication date: 2013-07-31

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry drying machine (1) comprising a casing (10), a laundry container (6) suitable for receiving the laundry to be dried, an air circulating device for circulating hot air through the laundry container (6), a condensing device for removing moisture of moist air coming from the laundry container (6), a water collecting housing (11) for the collection of condensation water formed by the condensing device, a water-removing unit (12;62;72) is associable to the water collecting housing (11) for the removal of water therein comprising a supporting body (21;121) suitable for receiving a pumping unit (22) and a water level sensing device (23;123), the supporting body (21;121) may comprise cover element (27) which is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body (21;121), the supporting body (21;121) may comprise at least a portion (150) of the water level sensing device (23;123) which is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body (21;121) and/or a seat (89) for receiving a pipe (41) therein and comprises a fastening device (80) which is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body (21;121) for fixing the pipe (41) in the seat (89).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns the technical field of laundry drying machines.
In particular, the present invention refers to laundry drying machines of the condenser type.

BACKGROUND ART

Nowadays the use of laundry drying machines, both "simple" laundry drying machines (i.e. laundry machines which can only dry laundry) and laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread.
In the present description the term "laundry drying machine" or "dryer" will refer to both simple laundry drying machines and laundry washing-drying machines. Dryers capable of carrying out a drying process on laundry generally comprise a casing that houses a laundry container, like a rotating drum, where laundry to be dried is received.
The dryer comprises an air circuit for carrying out drying operation by circulating hot air through the laundry container. Air circulating means and heating means are provided in the air circuit for circulating and heating drying air, respectively.
In condenser type dryers, condensing means are further provided in the air circuit for removing moisture from drying air passing through articles thereby allowing said air to be recirculated cyclically in the container through the air circuit. Condensing means of the known type are usually arranged in the lower part of the dryer. In known condenser type laundry dryers, said means for condensing the moist air coming from the laundry container are configured in many different ways. For example the condensing means may comprise an air-air heat exchanger arranged in a basement portion of the dryer. The moist air coming from the laundry container flows through the heat exchanger and condensation water is formed therein.
Other type of dryers belonging to the art may comprise a heat pump which both dehumidifies and heats the air. The heat pump typically comprises a closed circuit formed by an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor.
The heat pump is typically arranged in the basement portion of the dryer and the moist air coming from the laundry container passes the evaporator so that moisture of the moist air is removed. Like in the air-air heat exchanger, condensation water is formed therein.
Condensation water formed in said condensing means is typically collected in a collecting housing of said basement.
The water in the collecting housing is then conveyed to a moisture tank arranged on the upper side of the dryer so that it can be easily and periodically emptied by a user.
The moisture tank is preferably in the form of a drawer slidably arranged on said upper side of the dryer.
In order to convey the water from the collecting housing to the tank, a water-removing unit is provided at said collecting housing.
The water-removing unit preferably comprises pumping means which are advantageously activated on the base of the water level inside the collecting housing. For this purpose a level sensor is also provided at said collecting housing. Pumping means typically comprises an electric pump and a conveying pipe connecting the pump to the tank.
Furthermore, an overflow pipe is usually provided between the tank and the collecting housing which permits the water from the tank to be re-admit into the collecting housing when the tank is full.
However, the removing unit above described belonging to the known art poses some drawbacks.
A first drawback posed by this known technique is constituted by the fact that the removing unit is composed by a great number of pieces.
This determines a complex structural construction for the unit which increases the manufacturing costs of the unit and of the dryer.
A further drawback posed by this known technique is constituted by the high failure rate due to the complex structural construction.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the noted drawbacks and thus providing a dryer having an improved water-removing unit arrangement.
It is a first object of the invention to implement a dryer that makes it possible to reduce manufacturing time and costs.
It is a further object of the invention to implement a dryer that makes it possible to increase reliability of the dryer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dryer that lasts longer than dryers of known type.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dryer that makes it possible to simplify maintenance.
Advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description and drawings which follow and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The applicant has found that by providing a laundry drying machine comprising a laundry container suitable for receiving the laundry to be dried, an air circulating device for circulating hot air through the laundry container, a condensing device for removing moisture of moist air coming from the laundry container, a water collecting housing for the collection of condensation water formed by the condensing device and a water-removing unit associable to the water collecting housing for the removal of water therein comprising a supporting body suitable for receiving a pumping unit and a water level sensing device, wherein one or more elements are obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body it is possible to reduce manufacturing time and costs and increase reliability of the laundry drying machine itself.
The present invention relates, therefore, to a laundry drying machine comprising:

a casing;
a laundry container suitable for receiving the laundry to be dried;
an air circulating device for circulating hot air through said laundry container;
a condensing device for removing moisture of moist air coming from said laundry container;
a water collecting housing for the collection of condensation water formed by said condensing device;
a water-removing unit associable to said water collecting housing for the removal of water therein comprising a supporting body suitable for receiving a pumping unit and a water level sensing device;

Preferably the cover element is hingedly connected to the supporting body by means of at least one hinge obtained in a single piece construction with the cover element and the supporting body in such a way that the cover element is at least moveable between an opened operating condition to a closed operating condition. Advantageously the hinge comprises at least a portion of reduced thickness suitable to enhance the flexibility of the hinge.
Preferably the cover element and the supporting body are made with a plastic material, preferably by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
More preferably the cover element, the supporting body and the hinge are obtained in a single piece construction.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of the water level sensing device comprises a housing element suitable to receive a floating element therein, the floating element being suitable to move according to the water level inside the collecting housing.
Opportunely the housing element and the supporting body are made with a plastic material, preferably by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water level sensing device comprises a detection unit suitable to detect the position of the floating element, wherein at least a portion of the detection unit is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body.
Advantageously the detection unit comprises a seat and an electronic board bearing electronic devices, the seat being the portion of the detection unit which is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening device comprises an outer portion and an inner portion defining a gap for receiving the pipe therein. Preferably the outer portion or the inner portion comprises at least one rib suitable to contact the pipe so as to enhance fixation of the pipe in the seat. Opportunely the portions are obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body.
Preferably the portions are made with a plastic material, preferably by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
Advantageously the portions are cylindrically shaped.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises a tank and the pipe is a pipe connecting the water-removing unit to the tank, the pipe being suitable to convey water from the collecting housing to the tank by means of the pumping unit or being suitable to convey over flow water from the tank to the collecting housing.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pipe is connected to an external waste water net.
Preferably the machine of the invention is a combined laundry washing and drying machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate possible embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

Figure 1 shows a perspective rear view of a laundry drying machine with a water-removing unit mounted therein according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the laundry drying machine illustrated in Figure 1 with upright side walls and the upper side wall removed;
Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 1 with the water-removing unit in an opened operating condition;
Figure 4 shows a view of the basement of the laundry drying machine of Figure 2 with the water-removing unit removed and in its opened operating condition;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the water-removing unit of Figure 1 in its closed operating condition;
Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the water-removing unit of Figure 5 in its opened operating condition;
Figure 7 shows a detail of the water-removing unit of Figure 6 in its opened operating condition;
Figure 8 shows the detail of Figure 7 in its closed operating condition;
Figure 9 shows a sectional view taken along line IX- IX of Figure 7;
Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the water-removing unit of Figure 5 in its opened operating condition and with pipes connected therein;
Figure 11 shows a rear side plan view of Figure 10;
Figure 12 shows a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of Figure 11;
Figure 13 shows an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 12 with the pipe removed;
Figure 14 shows a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of Figure 13;
Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the water-removing unit according to the invention in its opened operating condition;
Figure 16 shows an exploded view of the water-removing unit of Figure 15;
Figure 17 shows a further embodiment of Figure 15;
Figure 18 shows an exploded view of Figure 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to laundry drying machines of the condenser type. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be usefully applied to all the machines requiring a drying phase for wetted clothes with a condensation phase, such as a combined laundry washing and drying machine.
In the present detailed description the term "laundry drying machine" or "dryer" will refer to both simple laundry drying machines and combined laundry washing and drying machines.
In Figures 1 and 2 a dryer 1 according to the invention is illustrated. The dryer 1 comprises a casing 10 formed by two couples of upright side walls 2a-2d arranged perpendicularly one another, i.e. on the front and the rear side and on the lateral sides of the dryer 1. An upper wall portion 2e and a bottom portion 4 close the ends of the box-like structure formed by the upright side walls 2a-2d. In Figure 2 the lateral side walls 2c and 2d have been removed for showing some of the dryer parts accommodated within casing 10.
A laundry container 6, preferably comprising a rotatably drum, is provided within the casing 10.
In case of a combined clothes washing and drying machines, the rotatable drum is opportunely contained in a washing tub.
A front door 8 pivotally coupled to the front upright side wall 2a is provided for allowing access to the drum interior region to place laundry to be dried therein. A user control interface 5 is preferably arranged on the top of the casing 10 for input of laundry drying programs and displaying machine working conditions. The dryer 1 further comprises an air circulating system adapted to circulate a flow of drying air into the drum 6. The air circulating system advantageously comprises a fan, not illustrated, which blows a flow of drying air through the drum 6. The air circulating system preferably comprises a heating device, not illustrated, adapted to heat up the air at a location upstream of the drum 6. Preferably the heating device comprises an electric heating element arranged upstream of the drum 6 along the air flow.
In further embodiments the heating device may be of different type, such as the condenser of the heat pump in a heat pump dryer.
Circulation of the drying air inside the drum 6 evaporates the moisture from the wetted laundry so as to form a moisture-laden hot air, or moist air.
The dryer 1 advantageously comprises a moist air outlet circuit.
The outlet circuit is preferably arranged at the front side of the dryer 1.
The moist air outlet circuit advantageously comprises an outlet conduit, not illustrated, arranged downstream of the drum 6 through which the moist air may flow.
The moist air is advantageously conveyed by the outlet conduit to a condensing device, not illustrated, which cool and dehumidifies the moist air.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention here described the condensing device comprises an air-air heat exchanger. The moist air passing through the condensing device is cooled by a separate air cooling flow passing through the condensing device itself. The cooled and dehumidified air is then conveyed again to the drum 6 through the air circulating system in a closed loop circuit. Therefore, the condensing device condenses the water vapour of the moist air and the water formed therein is collected in a housing 11, as illustrated in Figure 4. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the condensing device may comprise an evaporator of a heat pump. In this case moist air passes the evaporator and is cooled by the evaporator itself. The evaporator condenses the water vapour of the moist air and the water formed therein is collected in a housing, as for the above described embodiment.
Condensation water from the collecting housing 11 is preferably conveyed to an extractable moisture tank 9 located at the upper portion of the dryer 1, as better described later.
The moisture tank 9 is preferably in the form of a drawer slidably arranged in a a box-shaped housing 61 on said upper portion of the dryer 1 so that it can be easily and periodically emptied by a user.
Condensation water from the collecting housing 11 is conveyed to the extractable moisture tank 9 by means of a water-removing unit 12 associated to the collecting housing 11.
The collecting housing 11 is preferably arranged in the lower part of the bottom portion 4 of the dryer 1.
More preferably the collecting housing 11 is arranged at the rear side of a basement 14 of the dryer 1, as illustrated in Figure 4. The collecting housing 11, therefore, may be easily inspected from the rear of the dryer 1 without removing any part of the dryer 1, in particular without removing the upright rear side wall 2b.
In Figure 4 the basement 14 is shown separated from all the rest. The basement 14 is preferably made by two portions, an upper shell 14a and a lower shell 14b, which are properly connected one to the other, preferably by means of screws. The air-air heat exchanger, or generally the condensing device, is opportunely received between the two shells 14a, 14b.
Furthermore, on the basement 14 are preferably arranged other operational devices, like air pumping means or electric motors. Advantageously, the basement 14 is opportunely shaped so as to create air paths wherein the air is opportunely conveyed, for example an air path for the moist air conveyed to the air-air heat exchanger or an air path for the cooling air to the air-air heat exchanger or an air path for the cooling air leaving the air-air heat exchanger. The water-removing unit 12 preferably comprises a supporting body 21, a pumping unit 22 and a water level sensing device 23.
The supporting body 21 comprises a first receiving seat 25 for the pumping unit 22 and a second receiving seat 26 for the sensing device 23.
The pumping unit 22 and the sensing device 23 are preferably associated to the first supporting body 21 in a removably way so that they can be easily mounted or removed during either manufacturing or maintenance.
A conveying pipe 40 connects the pumping unit 22 to the tank 9. The water is conveyed from the housing 11 to the tank 9 through the conveying pump 40.
Further, an overflow pipe 41 preferably connects the box-shaped housing 61 to the housing 11. When the tank 9 is full, the water flows from the tank 9 to the box-shaped housing 61 and from there to the housing 11 through the overflow pipe 41. A "full tank" warning alarm is then advantageously emitted for the user, for example an acoustic and/or a visual alarm.
In further embodiments, the water may be conveyed outside through a pipe connected to an external waste water net. In this case, only the conveying pipe is provided.
The pumping unit 22 preferably comprises a water sucking portion 45 suitable to be disposed in contact with the condensation water collected in the housing 11. The sucking portion 45 comprises an output connecting duct 46 which is connected to the conveying pipe 40. The output connecting duct 46 is preferably slidably received in a hole 47 of the supporting body 21.
The pumping unit 22 further comprises a motor unit 48 for the sucking portion 45. The motor unit 48 is advantageously received in the first receiving seat 25 of the supporting body 21 and comprises electrical connectors 49 for the connection to respective external power electrical wires, not illustrated.
The water level sensing device 23 preferably comprises a housing element 50 wherein a floating element 51 is slidably received. The housing element 50 and the floating element 51 are preferably cylindrically shaped.
The floating element 51 moves inside the housing element 50 according to the level of the water inside the collecting housing 11. The position and/or the entity of movement of the floating element 51 is advantageously detected by means of a detection unit 52 arranged at the top of the housing element 50.
The detection unit 52 may preferably comprise a reed switch which generates a detection signal when the floating element 51 reaches a predetermined level, which corresponds to a predetermined level of the water inside the collecting housing 11. The detected signal may be used by a central control unit for the actuation of the motor unit 48 of the pumping unit 22. The detection unit 52 preferably comprises a seat 52a for an electronic board 52b bearing electronic devices.
In further embodiments, the detection unit may be different, such as an analogue sensor which generates a linear output signal based on the position of the floating element 51. The linear output signal is then properly elaborated by the central control unit for the actuation of the motor unit 48 of the pumping unit 22.
The water level sensing device 23 is advantageously received in the second receiving seat 26 of the supporting body 21.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the water-removing unit 12 further comprises a cover element 27 which may be displaced between a first operating condition or closed operating condition, as illustrated in Figure 1 or 5, and a second operating condition or opened operating condition, as illustrated for example in Figure 3 or 4.
For this purpose the cover element 27 is hingedly connected to the supporting body 21 and may rotate around it.
The cover element 27 is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body 21, as better shown in Figures from 7 to 9.
The supporting body 21 and the cover element 27 therefore define a completed, integral, unitary member.
A first edge 21a of the supporting body 21 and a first edge 27a of the cover element 27 are preferably joined together by two hinges 28, 29.
Each of the two hinges 28, 29 is defined by a portion of material which connects the edges 21a, 27a of the supporting body 21 and of the cover element 27.
The two hinges 28, 29 are advantageously obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body 21 and the cover element 27.
The shape and/or the type of the material of such hinges 28, 29 allow the cover element 27 to be easily moved from the opened operating condition to the closed operating condition, and vice versa. Preferably the material of such hinges 28, 29 is the same of the material of the cover element 27 and of the supporting body 21. As shown in the enlarged detail of Figure 9, each of the two hinges 28, 29 preferably comprises a central portion 28a, 29a of reduced thickness. Such a portion enhances the flexibility of the hinge 28, 29 itself.
It is clear that the hinges may take any desired shape that allows the described movements of the covers element 27 with respect to the supporting body 21 without departing from the intended scope of the invention.
In further embodiments the number of hinges may be different, for example more than two hinges or even only one hinge. In the latter, the hinge may advantageously extend for the entire length of the connecting edges of the supporting body and of the cover element.
The cover element 27 and the supporting body 21 are preferably made with a plastic material and are preferably obtained in a single step by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
The cover element 27 further preferably comprises a flexible hook member 30 which may be fully inserted in a seat 31 of the basement 14 when the water-removing unit 12 is positioned in the closed operating condition.
This advantageously guarantees a snap-in connection between the cover element 27 and the basement 14.
A more secure closure of the unit 12 may be optionally obtained by the use of a screw, not illustrated, which may be inserted in a hole 32 of the cover element 27 and opportunely fixed in a receiving hole 33 of the basement 14.
It is clear that any others equivalent fastening means may be provided between the cover element 27 and the basement 14, or the casing 10, assuring a secure closure of the unit 12 in its closed position.
According to the invention, the provision of a completed, integral, unitary member of the supporting body 21 and of the cover element 27 makes it possible to reduce manufacturing time and costs of the water-removing unit 12 and, eventually, of the dryer 1.
In fact during manufacturing of the dryer 1, the water-removing unit 12 with the pumping unit 22 and the water level sensing device 23 mounted thereon is inserted in the collecting housing 11.
During this phase, the cover element 27 is in its opened operating condition and advantageously connected to the supporting body 21. After the insertion of the water-removing unit 12 inside the collecting housing 11, the cover element 27 is moved into its closed operating condition by the worker.
Installation of the water-removing unit 12 with the cover element 27 integral with the supporting body 21 is therefore simplified with respect to the known art where the two elements, namely the cover element and the supporting body, are handled separately.
Also maintenance of the water-removing unit 12 is simplifies because of reduced handling of parts for the engineer.
Furthermore, the integral, unitary member of the water-removing unit 12 reduces risks of failure and increases reliability of the dryer 1.
It should to be noted that after the water-removing unit 12 has been placed inside the collecting housing 11 and the cover element 27 has been moved in the closed operating condition, the hinges may not provide any successive advantage, in particular if no subsequent maintenance occurs. It therefore follows that the integrity of the hinges 28, 29 between the cover element 27 and the supporting body 21 once the cover element 27 has been moved in the closed operating condition, is not necessary. After the installation, therefore, the hinges 28, 29 may be divided, or broken, without affecting the functionality of the water-removing unit 12.
The above mentioned advantages given by hinges 28, 29 during installation are however maintained.
According to another aspect of the invention, the connection between the overflow pipe 41 and the supporting body 21 is achieved by means of a fastening device 80 obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body 21, as better shown in Figures from 10 to 14.
The fastening device 80 is suitable to firmly block the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41 in a seat 89 of the supporting body 21.
The fastening device 80 preferably comprises an outer portion 81 having an inner surface 82 suitable to contact the outer surface of the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41. The inner surface 82 is preferably cylindrically shaped and adapted to fit with the cylindrically shaped outer surface of the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41.
However, the inner surface 82 of the outer portion 81 may take any desired shape, such as rectangular, elliptical, etc., without departing from the intended scope of the invention.
The fastening device 80 further comprises an inner portion 83 at least partially extending coaxially inside the outer portion 81. The inner portion 83 centrally defines an opening 84 through which the water coming from the overflow pipe 41 may flow.
The inner portion 83 has an outer surface 85 suitable to contact the inner surface of the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41. The outer surface 85 is preferably cylindrically shaped and adapted to fit with the cylindrically shaped inner surface of the free end 41 a of the overflow pipe 41.
However, the outer surface 85 of the inner portion 83 may take any desired shape, such as rectangular, elliptical, etc., without departing from the intended scope of the invention.
Therefore, a gap 86 between the inner surface 82 of the outer portion 81 and the outer surface 85 of the inner portion 83 is created. The width W of the gap 86 is preferably chosen as to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41.
The free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41 is advantageously pushed inside said gap 86 thus creating a strong and tight connection between the overflow pipe 41 and the supporting body 21.
At the inner surface 82 of the outer portion 81 circular ribs 87, in number of eight in the present embodiment, are preferably realized.
Such ribs 87 advantageously come into contact with the outer surface of the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41 thus enhancing the strong and tight connection between the overflow pipe 41 and the supporting body 21.
It is clear that in different embodiments the number of ribs and their shape may be different, without departing from the intended scope of the invention.
In a further embodiment ribs may be provided at the outer surface 85 of the inner portion 83. Such ribs advantageously come into contact with the inner surface of the free end 41a of the overflow pipe 41 thus further enhancing the strong and tight connection between the overflow pipe 41 and the supporting body 21.
The supporting body 21 and the fastening device 80 therefore define a completed, integral, unitary member.
According to the invention, the provision of a completed, integral, unitary member of the supporting body 21 and the fastening device 80 makes it possible to reduce manufacturing time and costs of the water-removing unit 12 and, eventually, of the dryer 1.
Furthermore, provision of such fastening device 80 makes it possible to avoid the use of any auxiliary clamping means, for example hose clamps.
Furthermore, the integral, unitary member of the water-removing unit 12 reduces risks of failure and increases reliability of the dryer 1.
Also, provision of a fastening device 80 integral with the supporting body 21 simplifies installation and maintenance of the water-removing unit 12 because of reduced handling of parts for the worker and/or the engineer.
It should to be noted that also the connection between the pumping device 22 and the conveying pipe 40 may also be advantageously realized with a fastening system of the type just described.
With reference to Figures 15 and 16 a construction variant of the water-removing unit 62 is described.
This water-removing unit 62 differs from the water-removing unit 12 previously described for the fact that the housing element 150 of the water level sensing device 123 is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body 121. The supporting body 121 and the housing element 150 therefore define a completed, integral, unitary member.
Furthermore, also the seat 152a of the detection unit 152 is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body 121.
The housing element 150 and the supporting body 121 are preferably made with a plastic material and are preferably obtained in a single step by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
According to the invention, provision of a completed, integral, unitary member of the supporting body 121 and of the housing element 150 makes it possible to reduce manufacturing time and costs of the water-removing unit 62 and, eventually, of the dryer 1.
Furthermore, the integral, unitary member of the water-removing unit 62 reduces risks of failure and increases reliability of the dryer 1.
Also, provision a housing element 150 integral with the supporting body 121 simplifies installation and maintenance of the water-removing unit 62 because of reduced handling of parts for the worker and/or the engineer.
With reference to Figures 17 and 18 a further construction variant of the water-removing unit 72 is described.
This water-removing unit 72 differs from the previous water-removing unit 62 described with reference to Figures 15 and 16 for the fact the cover element, not illustrated, is a separate element associable to the water-removing unit 72 itself.
In this embodiment, therefore, the housing element 150 of the water level sensing device 123 is obtained in a single piece construction with the supporting body 121, thus achieving the same advantages above described for the previous embodiment.
Conclusively it can be stated that a dryer according to the invention has an efficient construction for its water-removing unit.
It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it makes it possible to obtain a laundry drying machine with reduced manufacturing time and costs with respect to the known technique. While the dryer has been described with reference to a dryer of the condenser type provided with an air-air heat exchanger, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims

A laundry drying machine (1) comprising:
- a casing (10);

- a laundry container (6) suitable for receiving the laundry to be dried;

- an air circulating device for circulating hot air through said laundry container (6);

- a condensing device for removing moisture of moist air coming from said laundry container (6);

- a water collecting housing (11) for the collection of condensation water formed by said condensing device;

- a water-removing unit (12; 62; 72) associable to said water collecting housing (11) for the removal of water therein comprising a supporting body (21; 121) suitable for receiving a pumping unit (22) and a water level sensing device (23; 123);
characterized in that said supporting body (21; 121) comprises a cover element (27) which is obtained in a single piece construction with said supporting body (21; 121) and/or said supporting body (21; 121) comprises at least a portion (150) of said water level sensing device (123) which is obtained in a single piece construction with said supporting body (121) and/or said supporting body (21; 121) comprises a seat (89) for receiving a pipe (40, 41) therein and comprises a fastening device (80) which is obtained in a single piece construction with said supporting body (21; 121) for fixing said pipe (40, 41) in said seat (89).
A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover element (27) is hingedly connected to said supporting body (21; 121) by means of at least one hinge (28, 29) obtained in a single piece construction with said cover element (27) and said supporting body (21; 121) in such a way that said cover element (27) is at least moveable between an opened operating condition to a closed operating condition.
A machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one hinge (28, 29) comprises at least a portion (28a, 29a) of reduced thickness suitable to enhance the flexibility of said at least one hinge (28, 29).
A machine (1) according to any preceding claim , characterized in that said cover element (27) and said supporting body (21; 121) are made with a plastic material, preferably by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
A machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said cover element (27), said supporting body (21; 121) and said at least one hinge (28, 29) are obtained in a single piece construction.
A machine (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said portion of said water level sensing device (23; 123) comprises a housing element (150) suitable to receive a floating element (51) therein, said floating element (51) being suitable to move according to the water level inside said collecting housing (11).
A machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said housing element (150) and said supporting body (121) are made with a plastic material, preferably by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
A machine (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said water level sensing device (123) comprises a detection unit (152) suitable to detect the position of said floating element (51), wherein at least a portion (152a) of said detection unit (152) is obtained in a single piece construction with said supporting body (121).
A machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said detection unit (152) comprises a seat (152a) and an electronic board (52b) bearing electronic devices, said seat (152a) being said at least a portion (152a) of said detection unit (152) which is obtained in a single piece construction with said supporting body (121).
A machine (1) according to any preceding claim , characterized in that said fastening device (80) comprises an outer portion (81) and an inner portion (83) defining a gap (86) for receiving said pipe (41) therein.
A machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said outer portion (81) or said inner portion (83) comprises at least one rib (87) suitable to contact said pipe (41) so as to enhance fixation of said pipe (41) in said seat (89).
A machine (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said portions (81, 83) are obtained in a single piece construction with said supporting body (21; 121).
A machine (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said portions (81, 83) are made with a plastic material, preferably by moulding, more preferably by injection moulding.
A machine (1) according to any claim from 10 to 13, characterized in that said portions (81, 83) are cylindrically shaped.
A machine (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a tank (9) and said pipe (40, 41) is a pipe (40, 41) connecting said water-removing unit (12; 62; 72) to said tank (9), said pipe (40, 41) being suitable to convey water from said collecting housing (11) to said tank (9) by means of said pumping unit (22) or being suitable to convey over flow water from said tank (9) to said collecting housing (11).
A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said pipe is connected to an external waste water net.
A machine (1) according to any preceding, characterized in that said machine is a combined laundry washing and drying machine.