WO2018103831A1

WO2018103831A1 - Laundry dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2018103831A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/079970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmet Burak TOP; Isil USLU; Hakan Tatar
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-12-07
Filing date: 2016-12-07
Publication date: 2018-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-07
Also published as: TR201715640A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer with a condensate water storage container. The present invention more particularly relates to a laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is placeable, an air duct (8) through which processing air is circulated by means of a fan (9), an air heater (3) providing the dehumidified processing air to be heated prior to be delivered into said drum (2).

Description

LAUNDRY DRYER

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer, i.e. to a simple laundry dryer machine or to a combo washing and drying machine.

In a laundry dryer, high-temperature air laden with moisture coming from the drum in which the laundry is treated can be directly exhausted out of the dryer. In a vented clothes dryer, air is typically drawn from the surrounding area, heated and blown through the clothes as the drum is rotated. Hot air then evaporates water in the fabrics, and the moisture-laden air is exhausted through a vent duct. In the condensing type dryer, on the other hand, the humid air is processed in the laundry dryer.

A condensing type dryer can be a heat-pump or an air-cooled condenser laundry dryer. A heat pump laundry dryer, i.e. a dryer having a condensing unit, typically has a closed cycle drying process. The heat pump used for drying the laundry is composed of the compressor that moves the refrigerant fluid and heat sinks named as evaporator and condenser.

The laundry-drying process is performed by passing hot and dry air over the laundry. The refrigerant condenser disposed in the heat pump functions as a heater and the refrigerant evaporator functions as a condenser. Humid air leaving the laundry leaves its moisture while passing over the refrigerant evaporator that works as a condenser and warms while passing over the refrigerant condenser that works as a heater. Therefore, the process air is heated while passing through the refrigerant condenser, delivered onto the laundry as being heated and after dehumidifying the laundry, leaves its humidity while passing over the refrigerant evaporator. In the cycle wherein the refrigerant circulates in flow tubes, the refrigerant that is delivered from the compressor to the condenser with increased pressure and temperature enters the evaporator by passing through the capillary tube, i.e. the expansion valve with decreased pressure.

On the other hand, laundry treatment machines with air-cooled condensers carry out the condensation process by using the ambient air in the drying process such that the thermal interaction between the cooling ambient air and the closed cycle air having separate cycles is in question. The cooling air is passed onto the condenser by means of a fan and thus, the moisture in the processing air is condensed by the condenser that is being cooled. In sum, air laden with moisture that comes from over the laundry passes through a processing air channel and is hereby condensed while the latter is being cooled by means of the outer environment air. Finally, after the closed cycle air is dehumidified on the condenser, it is heated by a heater and applied to the drum by being put again into the drying cycle with low relative humidity rate and at high temperature.

Irrespective of whether a heat-pump or air-cooled condenser laundry dryer is in question, the humid air leaving the laundry leaves its moisture while passing over the refrigerant evaporator or the air-cooled condenser. The condensate water is generally collected in a storage container until the capacity thereof is reached, upon which it overflows to a larger storage container housing from where it is transferred to a separate overflow storage container to be reconveyed back to the storage container when it is emptied.

Among others, a prior art publication in the technical field of the invention may be referred to as EP2455539, which discloses a water container for a clothes dryer that can be removed from its housing within the clothes dryer to be emptied.

The present invention provides a laundry dryer using an alternative method for cooling the air used for drying the laundry in the drum, during the operation of the laundry dryer.

The invention provides that at least one nozzle extends into an air duct portion following the drum in the flow direction of circulated air to deliver water into said air duct in the form of sprayed water jets whereby humidity of the processing air is condensed. Condensed water is stored in a water storage container to supply water to the nozzles. A further pump can be used to discharge water from said drum or water storage container. A further pump can be used to supply condensate water to the drum as washing water. A further pump can be used to transfer city water into water storage container.

The present invention provides a laundry dryer with an improved cooling capability of the air recirculating for the drying function, as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry dryer with a condensate water storage container and water recycling capability whereby condensate water collected during drying operations can be stored and reused during washing and drying operations and overall water consumption of the laundry dryer is reduced.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a laundry dryer, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the Claims, nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said Claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a side sectional view of a laundry dryer according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates a schematic view of a laundry dryer according to the present invention.

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

1) Laundry dryer

2) Drum

3) Air heater

4) Bellows

5) Base plate

6) Water storage container

7) Pump

8) Air duct

9) Fan

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer (1) such as a laundry washing/drying machine or a simple drying machine, comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is placed. Heated air is processed in a conventional manner such that it is circulated by means of a fan (9) through an air duct (8).

In the cycle wherein the heated air is circulated through said air duct (8), air with increased temperature delivered to the laundry within the drum (2) evaporates water in the fabrics dehumidifying the same and high-temperature air laden with moisture coming from the drum (2) then leaves its humidity using municipal water as will be delineated hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention, at least one nozzle (not shown) structurally extending into an air duct (8) portion following said drum (2) in the flow direction of circulated air is disposed in an orientation to spray water jets along a central spraying axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said air duct (8). Municipal water is utilized to condense the moisture in hot and humid air leaving the drum (2). Periodically throughout the drying operation, water is injected into the air channel from said at least one nozzle.

As water consumption is an important parameter for laundry dryers (1), water consumption must be high enough to ensure proper de-humidification and cooling of the recirculating air and hence proper drying of laundry and low enough to ensure efficiency and be environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is critical to optimize water consumption of laundry dryers based on these factors. In accordance with the present invention, as water is delivered into the air duct (8) in the form of sprayed water jets to dehumidify the circulated air, adequate surface area with effective heat exchange is ensured while avoiding use of an excessive amount of cooling water.

In an embodiment, a water storage container (6) within said laundry dryer (1) stores both condensed water and water sprayed from said at least one nozzle. Therefore, while the water storage container (6) assumes the role of feeding water to said at least one nozzle, it also receives back sprayed water from the air duct (8).

In a variation of this embodiment, a level sensor in electric connection with an electronic control unit continuously monitors the water level in said water storage container (6) and the electronic control unit operates a pump (7) to discharge the container once the water level reaches a threshold value. In a further variation, said pump (7) is also driven to empty the washing area, i.e. in particular the drum (2).

In another embodiment the laundry dryer is a combo washer/dryer and a pump (7) supplies the water collected during drying operation to the washing area at any point during the next washing operation.

A temperature sensor also in communication with said electronic control unit provides that the temperature difference between the cooling water and drum air remains constant. Therefore, in case the temperature difference between the cooling water and the drum air decrease below a threshold value, a water intake pump is operated to input cold water from the mains into the water storage container (6) to decrease the temperature of the water stored therein.

To this end, the present invention provides a laundry dryer (1) with a condensate water storage container (6) and water recycling capability so that condensate water stored in the storage container is used in order to cool hot and humid air leaving the drum (2) to reduce overall water consumption of the laundry dryer (1).

Fig. 2 demonstrating an exemplary pump configuration, each of said spray pump (7) feeding water to the nozzles, the discharge pump (7) discharging water from said drum (2) or water storage container (6), the supply pump (7) supplying condensate water to the drum (2) as washing water, the water intake pump (7) transferring city water into water storage container (6) can be separate pump units. Likewise, said spray pump (7), discharge pump (7), supply pump (7) or water intake pump (7) functions can be performed by a lesser number of pumps.

In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is placeable, an air duct (8) through which processing air is circulated by means of a fan (9), an air heater (3) providing the dehumidified processing air to be heated prior to be delivered into said drum (2). Fig. 1 further illustrates the appliance with the bellows (4) and a base plate (5).

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one nozzle structurally extending into an air duct (8) portion following said drum (2) in the flow direction of circulated air is disposed in an orientation to deliver water into said air duct (8) in the form of sprayed water jets.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, water is periodically injected into the said air duct (8) portion from said at least one nozzle throughout the drying operation along a central spraying axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said air duct (8).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a water storage container (6) is disposed within said laundry dryer (1) to store condensed water, water to be sprayed from said at least one nozzle and sprayed water returning thereto.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a spray pump (7) is provided between said water storage container (6) and said at least one nozzle to feed water thereto.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a condensate and spray water transfer line (not shown) is provided between said air duct (8) portion where water jets are sprayed and said water storage container (6).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a level sensor continuously monitors the water level in the water storage container (6) and a discharge pump (7) is operated to discharge said water storage container (6) once the water level reaches a threshold value.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, said discharge pump (7) is also driven to discharge water in the drum (2).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a supply pump (7) supplies the water collected during drying operation to the washing area at any point during the next washing operation.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor provides that the temperature difference between the sprayed water and drum air remains constant.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a water intake pump (7) is operated to receive municipal water to the condensate water container (6) to decrease temperature of the water stored therein.

Therefore, a laundry dryer (1) and particularly a laundry drier or a combo washing/drying machine is proposed, comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be processed is placed and a circulation fan (9) circulating the processing air. The processing air leaving the drum (2) is sprayed with water jets by which its moisture is driven off and the condensate water is stored in the water storage container (6) for cooling of humid air as well as washing purposes. The condensate water’s temperature is regularly monitored to maintain efficiency of the heat exchange between humid air and sprayed water.

Claims

A laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is placeable, an air duct (8) through which processing air is circulated by means of a fan (9), an air heater (3) providing the dehumidified processing air to be heated prior to be delivered into said drum (2) characterized in that;

at least one nozzle structurally extending into an air duct (8) portion following said drum (2) in the flow direction of circulated air is disposed in an orientation to deliver water into said air duct (8) in the form of sprayed water jets.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that, water is periodically injected into the said air duct (8) portion from said at least one nozzle throughout the drying operation along a central spraying axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said air duct (8).
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a water storage container (6) is disposed within said laundry dryer (1) to store condensed water, water to be sprayed from said at least one nozzle and sprayed water returning thereto.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that, a spray pump (7) is provided between said water storage container (6) and said at least one nozzle to feed water thereto.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that, a condensate and spray water transfer line is provided between said air duct (8) portion where water jets are sprayed and said water storage container (6).
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that, a level sensor continuously monitors the water level in the water storage container (6) and a discharge pump (7) is operated to discharge said water storage container (6) once the water level reaches a threshold value.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 6, characterized in that, said discharge pump (7) is also driven to discharge water in the drum (2).
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that, a supply pump (7) supplies the water collected during drying operation to the drum (2) at any point during the next washing operation.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that, a temperature sensor provides that the temperature difference between the sprayed water and drum (2) air remains constant.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that, a water intake pump (7) is operated to receive municipal water to the condensate water container (6) to decrease temperature of the water stored therein.