WO2017025117A1

WO2017025117A1 - Cleaning device for a lint filter of a laundry drying machine and laundry drying machine comprising said cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2017025117A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068294
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ismail SENGUN; Can Sar; Adem KAYTAZ; Erman Tutkak; Ahmet METIN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-08-07
Filing date: 2015-08-07
Publication date: 2017-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for a lint filter (2) of a laundry drying machine (100), comprising: • a plurality of nozzles (3) for injecting a washing liquid onto a lint filter (2) for removing lint trapped on it; and • a flow diverter valve (4) aimed to be connected to a source of pressurized washing liquid and hydraulically connected to the plurality of nozzles (3) for selectively addressing the pressurized washing liquid to one or some of the nozzles (3) at a time. The cleaning device (1) comprises further a support body (5) bearing the diverter valve (4) and the nozzles (3) and providing a rigid hydraulic connection between the nozzles (3) and the diverter valve (4). The present invention further relates to a laundry drying machine comprising the cleaning device above specified.

Description

CLEANING DEVICE FOR A LINT FILTER OF A LAUNDRY DRYING MACHINE AND LAUNDRY DRYING MACHINE COMPRISING SAID CLEANING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a lint filter of a laundry drying machine and, more in detail, to a cleaning device for a self-cleaning filter. The present invention further relates to a laundry drying machine comprising said cleaning device.

A laundry drying machine generally comprises a filter for removing lint and fluff from the process air. More in detail, the filter is usually arranged on the process air circuit downstream of the laundry treatment chamber in order to remove fluff carried by the process air flow after passing the laundry treatment chamber and before passing through the heat pump or the condenser.

This filter gets easily clogged and therefore it needs to be often cleaned. To this aim the filter can be removable so that the cleaning operation can be carried out manually by the user or can be self-cleaning so that the cleaning operation is carried out automatically by means of a cleaning device which generally applies a washing liquid at the face of the filter where the lint accumulates. The cleaning device usually comprises one or more nozzles for spraying the washing liquid onto the filter.

In particular, the nozzles can be arranged such that the washing liquid collides with a wide area of the face of the filter so as to more efficiently clean the whole filter.

For instance, the European patent n. EP 0648885B1 discloses a cleaning device for the lint filter of a laundry drying machine comprising a plurality of nozzles supplied with pressurized water and arranged spaced apart from each other and aligned along most of the width of the filter.

The patent application n. US 2011/277336A1 differently teaches to provide a cleaning device for the lint filter with a nozzle having a slit shaped spray port.

The main drawback of the filter cleaning devices disclosed in the above mentioned patent documents resides on the fact that the washing liquid, distributed among the plurality of nozzles or along the slit shaped spry port, does not reach the filter with a sufficient pressure to efficiently remove the lint trapped on it.

In order to overcome such drawback of the known filter cleaning devices, in recent years cleaning devices have been developed which comprise a pluralıty of nozzles and a flow diverter valve aimed to address the pressurized washing liquid only to one or few of the nozzles at a time so as to ensure a sufficient pressure of the washing liquid that impinges the filter and hence a more efficient removal of the lint therein entrapped.

More in detail, the flow diverter valve is arranged upstream of the nozzles and is connected to the latter by a plurality of hoses.

The installation of this cleaning device is however difficult to be performed. Moreover, due to the hose connection between the diverter valve and the nozzles, leakage or loss of pressure can occur in the cleaning device.

Primary object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for a lint filter of a laundry drying machine which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art being easy to be installed and operationally secure and efficient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry drying machine which is sturdy and which requires minimum maintenance interventions.

These objectives have been achieved respectively by the cleaning device as defined in claim 1 and by the laundry drying machine as defined in claim 14. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The cleaning device of the present invention comprises a support body on which both the diverter valve and the nozzles are placed and which provides a rigid hydraulic connection between the nozzles and the diverter valve. Therefore an optimal hydraulic connection between the nozzles and the diverter valve is constantly ensured.

According to an embodiment, the rigid hydraulic connection is provided by a plurality of internal channels in the support body, each of which connects the diverter valve with a respective nozzle.

In an embodiment the support body comprises a base and a cover fixed to each other and in a further embodiment the channels are engraved in the base.

In another embodiment the nozzles are arranged on the base, each at one end of a corresponding channel.

In an embodiment, the diverter valve is fixed to the cover of the support body, so that the cover is interposed between the base and the diverter valve and it comprises a plurality of apertures for allowing the passage of the washing liquid from the diverter valve to the channels in particular provided on the base.

In a further embodiment, the support body comprises at least one outlet port intended to be hydraulically connected to at least a detached nozzle for cleaning further internal components of the laundry drying machine, such as for instance an evaporator of the heat pump.

In another embodiment, the outlet ports are arranged on the base of the support body and in a further embodiment a corresponding number of apertures of the cover communicate with the outlet ports for allowing the passage of the washing liquid from the diverter valve to the outlet ports.

The diverter valve, according to an illustrated embodiment, comprises a valve body defining an internal distribution chamber opened at the bottom and having a washing liquid inlet communicating with the distribution chamber. The diverter valve further comprises a motor and a distribution disk placed at the bottom of the distribution chamber for closing it and comprising a through hole. By its rotation imparted by the motor and hence by changing the position of its through hole with respect to the support body, the distribution disk allows the washing liquid contained in the distribution chamber to enter only in one or some selected channels to reach the correspondent nozzles.

In another embodiment the diverter valve further comprises a switch for activating and deactivating the motor and a timer disk actionable by the motor to rotate and designed to trigger the switch at selected intervals of time in order to stop the motor and hence the rotation of the distribution disk so as to allows the diverter valve to feed only selected channels at preset intervals of time.

In a further embodiment, the switch is operationally connected to a pump for the delivery of the pressurized washing liquid to the washing liquid inlet of the valve body when the motor is deactivated.

A laundry drying machine according to the present invention comprises a lint filter for removing lint from the process air and a cleaning device for the lint filter as above specified.

Additional advantages of the cleaning device and of the laundry drying machine of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a laundry machine according to the present invention, with some parts removed in order to show the internal arrangement of a cleaning device for a lint filter, object as well of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the cleaning device according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a cleaning device according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 and 4A show respectively a bottom view and an enlarged particular of a support body of the cleaning device according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view across a diverter valve of the cleaning device according to the invention.

The following numerals are assigned to different part numbers used in the detailed description:

Cleaning device
Lint filter
Nozzles
Diverter valve
Support body
Channels
Base
Cover
Apertures
Outlet ports
Detached nozzles
Valve body
Distribution chamber
Washing liquid inlet
Motor
Casing
Distribution disk
Through hole
Switch
Timer disk

100) Laundry drying machine

The present invention relates to a cleaning device 1 for a lint filter 2 of a laundry drying machine 100 and to a laundry drying machine 100 comprising the cleaning device 1.

The cleaning device 1 for a lint filter 2 comprises a plurality of nozzles 3, for injecting a washing liquid onto the lint filter 2 in order to remove lint trapped on it, and a flow diverter valve 4 aimed to be connected to a source of pressurized washing liquid and hydraulically connected to the plurality of nozzles 3 for selectively addressing the pressurized washing liquid to one or some of the nozzles at a time.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the plurality of nozzles 3 can be defined by independent nozzles, which in particular can be placed spaced apart from each other and aligned parallel to the width of the lint filter 2. Differently, the plurality of nozzles 3 can be defined on a single slit shaped spray port along which a plurality of spraying portions can be identified.

According to the present invention, the cleaning device further comprises a support body 5 bearing the diverter valve 4 and the nozzles 3 and providing a rigid hydraulic connection between the nozzles 3 and the diverter valve 4.

The support body 5, to which both the diverter valve 4 and the nozzles 3 are fixed and which provides the hydraulic connection between them, allows to render extremely easy the installation of the cleaning device 1 in the laundry drying machine 100, since it is sufficient to mount the support body 5 in the desired position in the drying machine 100 to contemporarily mount the nozzles 3 and the diverter valve 4. It will be then sufficient to connect the diverter valve 4 to a source of pressurized washing liquid for completing the installation of the whole cleaning device 1.

Moreover, since the support body 5 provides a rigid hydraulic connection between the diverter valve 4 and the nozzles 3, leakage and loss of pressure in the cleaning device, due to a non-accurate hydraulic connection between the diverter valve 4 and the nozzles 3, are avoided.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the rigid hydraulic connection is provided by a plurality of channels 6 defined within the support body 5, each of which connects the diverter valve 4 with a respective nozzle 3, or with a specific spray portion of the slit shaped spray port. This allows to avoid the use of flexible hose which, upon use, can detach and entail hence leakages.

In an embodiment, the support body 5 comprises a base 7 and a cover 8 fixed to each other, for instance screwed or welded to each other. In particular the base 7 and the cover 8 can be made of metal or, preferably, of a rigid polymeric material. This allows to reduce the production costs of the support body 5. For instance the base 7 and the cover 8 of the support body 5 could be easily obtained by means of a molding process.

In a further embodiment, the channels 6 are engraved only in the base 7. This allows to further simplify the production process of the support body 5.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the nozzles 3 are arranged on the base 7.

In particular, in a further embodiment, the nozzles 3 are placed along a distribution line and, once the cleaning device 1 is mounted in the drying machine 100, they are intended to be positioned above the lint filter 2, parallel to the width extension of the latter so as to impinge with the sprayed washing liquid substantially the entire width of the lint filter 2.

In an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the nozzles 3 are arranged on the base 7 so that the direction of spraying of the washing liquid is substantially orthogonal to the plane along which the channels 6 extend. This allows to mount the cleaning device 1 in the drying machine 100 in a relatively small volume above the lint filter 2 and below the drum of the drying machine.

According to an embodiment, the cover 8 is interposed between the base 7 and the diverter valve 4 and it comprises a plurality of apertures 9 for allowing the passage of the washing liquid from the diverter valve 4 to the channels 6. More in detail, the cover 8 comprise at least the same number of apertures 9 as the number of channels 6, each aperture 9 being associated to a correspondent channel 6. The fact that the cover 8 is interposed between the base 7 and the diverter valve 4 ensures a better seal of the channels 6.

In an embodiment, the support body 5 comprises one or more outlet ports 10 intended to be hydraulically connected to one or more detached nozzles 11 for cleaning further internal components of the laundry drying machine 100. This allows to exploit the pressurized washing liquid source and the diverter valve 4 for cleaning not only the lint filter 2 but also further components of the drying machine 100. The outlet ports 10 might be connected to the detached nozzles 11 for instance by means of flexible hoses.

In particular, according to a further embodiment, the one or more detached nozzles 11 are aimed to clean an evaporator of the laundry drying machine 100.

In a further embodiment, the one or more outlet ports 10 are arranged on the base 7 of the support body 5, so that the hydraulic connection of the outlet ports 10 with the diverter valve 4 can be realized substantially in the same manner as the hydraulic connection of the latter with the channels 6.

In an embodiment, one or more of the plurality of apertures 9 of the cover 8 communicate with one or more of the outlet ports 10 for allowing the passage of the washing liquid from the diverter valve 4 to the outlet ports 10.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the diverter valve 4 comprises a valve body 12 having a distribution chamber 13 opened at the bottom and a washing liquid inlet 14 communicating with the distribution chamber 13. The diverter valve further comprises a motor 15, which is in particular placed in a casing 16 fixed to the valve body 12.

A distribution disk 17 of the diverter valve 4 is placed at the bottom of the distribution chamber 13 for closing it and it comprises one or more through holes 18 and preferably only one through hole 18 as illustrated.

The distribution disk 17 is actionable by the motor 15 to rotate in order to bring the through hole 18 to communicate with selected one or some of the channels 6 (or with one or some of the outlet ports 10), and preferably with just one selected channel 6 or outlet port 10, thus allowing the washing liquid contained in the distribution chamber 13 to enter in the correspondent channel 6 and to reach the correspondent nozzle 3 or to enter in the correspondent outlet port 10 and to reach the correspondent detached nozzle 11. This allows to direct the pressurized washing liquid entering in the distribution chamber 13 of the diverter valve 4 only to one or few of the channels 6 or one or few of the outlet ports 10 at a time, thus ensuring an adequate pressure of the washing liquid sprayed by the nozzles 3 or by the detached nozzles 11 and hence a better cleaning efficiency of the lint filter 2 or of the other internal components of the drying machine 100.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the diverter valve 4 further comprises a switch 19 for activating and deactivating the motor 15 and a timer disk 20 actionable by the motor 15 to rotate and designed to trigger the switch 19 in order to stop the motor 15 and hence the rotation of the distribution disk 17.

In a further embodiment the switch 19 is operationally connected to a pump for the delivery of the pressurized washing liquid to the washing liquid inlet 14 of the valve body 12 when the motor 15 is deactivated.

Operationally, the motor 15 is activated in order to command in rotation the timer disk 20 and the distribution disk 17, thus bringing the through hole 18 of the latter to rotate with respect to the base 7 and hence with respect to the channels 6. Once the timer disk 20 triggers the switch 19, the motor 15 is deactivated so that the rotation of both the timer disk 20 and the distribution disk 17 is stopped. At this time the through hole 18 of the distribution disk 17 is aligned to a specific channel 6 or to one of the outlet ports 10. The pump for the delivery of the pressurized washing liquid to the diverter valve 4 is hence activated, so that washing liquid is addressed first to the distribution chamber 13 of the diverter valve 4 through the inlet 14 and from the chamber 13 to a selected channel 6 or outlet port 10 through the through hole 18 in the distribution disk 17.

It is an object of the present invention also a laundry drying machine 100 comprising a lint filter 2 for removing lint from the process air and a cleaning device 1 for the lint filter 2 as above described.

With the present invention, a cleaning device for a lint filter of a laundry drying machine has been provided which is easy to be installed and which ensures an optimal cleaning efficiency.

Moreover a laundry drying machine comprising a cleaning device as above specified has been provided which is sturdy and requires minimum maintenance interventions due to the optimal and stable hydraulic connection between the diverter valve and the nozzles provided in the cleaning device.

Claims

A cleaning device (1) for a lint filter (2) of a laundry drying machine (100), comprising:

- a plurality of nozzles (3) for injecting a washing liquid onto a lint filter (2) for removing lint trapped on it;

- a flow diverter valve (4) aimed to be connected to a source of pressurized washing liquid and hydraulically connected to the plurality of nozzles (3) for selectively addressing the pressurized washing liquid to one or some of the nozzles (3) at a time;

characterized by further comprising a support body (5) bearing the diverter valve (4) and the nozzles (3) and providing a rigid hydraulic connection between the nozzles (3) and the diverter valve (4).
A cleaning device as in Claim 1, characterized in that the rigid hydraulic connection is provided by a plurality of channels (6) defined within the support body (5), each of which connects the diverter valve (4) with a respective nozzle (3).
A cleaning device as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support body (5) comprises a base (7) and a cover (8) fixed to each other.
A cleaning device as in Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the channels (6) are engraved in the base (7).
A cleaning device as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the nozzles (3) are arranged on the base (7).
A cleaning device as in any of the Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the cover (8) is interposed between the base (7) and the diverter valve (4) and it comprises a plurality of apertures (9) for allowing the passage of the washing liquid from the diverter valve (4) to the channels (6).
A cleaning device as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support body (5) comprises at least one outlet port (10) intended to be hydraulically connected to at least an detached nozzle (11) for cleaning further internal components of the laundry drying machine (100).
A cleaning device as in Claim 3 and 7, characterized in that the at least one outlet port (10) is arranged on the base (7) of the support body (5).
A cleaning device as in Claim 6 and 8, characterized in that at least one of said plurality of apertures (9) communicate with the at least one outlet port (10) for allowing the passage of the washing liquid from the diverter valve (4) to the at least one outlet port (10).
A cleaning device as in any of the Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the at least one detached nozzle (11) is aimed to clean an evaporator of the laundry drying machine (100).
A cleaning device as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diverter valve (4) comprises:

- a valve body (12) having a distribution chamber (13) opened at the bottom and a washing liquid inlet (14) communicating with the distribution chamber (13);

- a motor (15);

- a distribution disk (17) placed at the bottom of the distribution chamber (13) for closing it and comprising a through hole (18);

the distribution disk (17) being actionable by the motor (15) to rotate in order to bring the through hole (18) to communicate with selected one or some of the channels (6) thus allowing the washing liquid contained in the distribution chamber (13) to enter in the channel (6) and reach the correspondent one or more nozzles (3).
A cleaning device as in Claim 11, characterized in that the diverter valve (4) further comprises a switch (19) for activating and deactivating the motor (15) and a timer disk (20) actionable by the motor (15) to rotate and designed to trigger the switch (19) in order to stop the motor and hence the rotation of the distribution disk (17).
A cleaning device as in Claim 12, characterized in that the switch (19) is operationally connected to a pump for the delivery of the pressurized washing liquid to the washing liquid inlet (14) of the valve body (12) when the motor (15) is deactivated.
A laundry drying machine (100) comprising a lint filter (2) for removing lint from the process air, characterized in that it further comprises a cleaning device (1) for the lint filter (2) according to any of the preceding claims.