EP1441058A1 - Laundry dryer with an air circulation mode and process of treatment of laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry/washing drum (22) rotates on bearings and has an air inlet and outlet (28). A fan (24) feeds air into the drum. A device (36) switches over an air current through the drum between operations for circulating air and extracting air. Air drawn out of the drum is partly let out towards the outer side in one phase. An Independent claim is also included for a method for treating laundry/washing in a linen drier.

Description

The invention relates to a clothes dryer, in particular one Condensation dryer, with one generated by a fan Circulating air flow for drying laundry, as well as a process for treating laundry in a tumble dryer.

EP 0 676 497 B1 describes a method for perfuming of laundry, spraying the fragrance onto the inside Clothes stored in the dryer in the area of the filler cap he follows. The fragrance is made from a container by means of compressed air pressed to an atomizing nozzle, which in turn by means of Compressed air acts on the fragrance in the tumble dryer atomized.

DE 195 43 337 A1 also describes a tumble dryer a device for scenting the laundry, wherein the fragrance carrier from a storage vessel into the air flow or into the Drying room is metered added.

Both US 3,583,180 and US 3,002,288 are opposite to the outer circumference or to the side surface a washing drum arranged nozzles that a mechanical The device then operates a laundry treatment solution discharge towards the washing drum if the nozzle is opposite an inlet hole of the laundry drum past the nozzle becomes. Here, the mechanical effort is exact Loading the laundry with the solution is very time-consuming.

It is therefore an object of the invention to have a tumble dryer a spray device for spraying at least one additive and a method for loading the laundry with to provide an additive in which the in a laundry drum stored laundry evenly and efficiently with the least an additive can be applied.

It is therefore an object of the invention to have a tumble dryer a circulating air duct for drying the laundry by simple Means for further processes for treating the laundry, in particular for freshening up little worn or not washable Laundry, as well as a procedure for this.

This object is achieved with the features of claims 1 and 18, respectively solved. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to claim 1, a dryer has a rotatably mounted Laundry drum with at least one air inlet and at least an air outlet. Air gets in dry mode for laundry stored in the laundry drum by a variety of air intakes on the outer circumference and / or on the back the laundry drum and is advantageous through the loading hatch or opening omitted as air outlet. Through a An air flow through the laundry drum can be generated by the fan. In pure air recirculation mode, the one that is released from the air outlet Air through an air duct back to the air intakes guided, so that there is a closed air circuit. The laundry is made efficient by the constant air flow dried and the absorbed air humidity, for example in a condensation dryer in a condensation device excreted. Through a switching device is the air flow from the recirculation mode to an exhaust air mode switchable, in which at least part of the from Air outlet or the air outlets discharged from the air Dryer is led out.

In the extract air mode, for example, the laundry can be refreshed become, when little worn laundry is odor-laden and only the smell, such as body odor the laundry is to be removed. Additionally or alternatively a disinfection process, for example, during exhaust air operation be done with steam so that prevent an accumulation of water vapor in the laundry drum leaves, like this for example in pure air recirculation mode would be the case. Furthermore, during exhaust air operation Detergents, disinfectants, other fragrances or their residues from the laundry drum or the Air circulation system removed and blown off as exhaust air. By providing a switching device, a forced air dryer for others Use treatment methods of laundry, such as for refreshing the laundry or for dry cleaning Treat delicate laundry that is not in a washing machine can be cleaned.

The switchover device is particularly advantageous between a pure recirculation mode, in which no fresh air supplied or discharged exhaust air, a pure exhaust air operation, where the exhaust air discharged from the air outlet is completely discharged to the outside, as well as a mixed mode switchable, in which in an intermediate position only one Part of the exhaust air is released. This allows the operate individual processes in a time and energy optimized manner. For example will be in the initial stages during the refresh no or only a small part of the exhaust air is removed, so that the air passes through a heater in recirculation mode can be heated quickly while then heated Air that absorbs odors particularly well, the amount of exhaust air is gradually increased so that the amplified by the odorants in the laundry are efficiently removed become.

Is the delivery rate of the fan to maintain the Air flow adjustable through the laundry drum, can be switched off or its conveying direction is reversible, for example while spraying hot steam for disinfection or a detergent for dry cleaning the airflow reduced or vice versa, so that on the one hand the detergent or the disinfectant as concentrated as possible held in the laundry drum or reversed of the air flow efficiently distributed within the laundry drum becomes. For example, during such an operation Drum can be driven independently of the fan, so can switched off fan the laundry drum continues to be driven to the detergent or disinfectant distribute evenly on the laundry.

The tumble dryer particularly advantageously has at least one Spray device with which an additive on the in the Washing drum stored laundry is sprayable. By encore a corresponding additive is disinfection, a Dry cleaning or perfuming of the laundry can be carried out. To optimize the action of the additive is used accordingly the desired effect of the recirculation mode, the Exhaust air mode or mixed mode set. additionally the air flow through the laundry drum as described above reduced, switched off or vice versa. A change between recirculated air and exhaust air or mixed operation and a setting the strength and / or direction of the air flow becomes advantageous also during the various phases of action Additive varies over time. For example, one The cleaning agent as an additive is initially the air flow stopped until the detergent completely on the laundry acted and then the exhaust air operation is started, so that residues of the cleaning agent as well as decomposition products be removed from the laundry.

With a condensation dryer, this can be advantageous Koridensatioriswasser be supplied to a spray device, which sprays the water into the drum as steam or mist. This allows others to be sprayed into the washing drum Additives are activated or the water is called superheated steam can be used for disinfection. Advantageously points out one or more of the spray devices a heater to heat the additive so that it is Heating activated or its effect is increased.

In the process of treating laundry in a clothes dryer according to claim 18 in a phase from Air out of the laundry drum at least partially to the outside left out of the dryer and in another Phase the laundry in the recirculation mode or with switched off Airflow treated with at least one additive. The two Phases can vary depending on the order the chosen treatment method for the laundry be used, or alternating depending on the current treatment phase. For example, when refreshing the laundry first worked in exhaust air mode while perfuming the laundry is done with the airflow switched off.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung der Luftführung durch eine Wäschetrommel eines Ablufttrockners,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer umschaltbaren Umluft-/Abluftführung durch eine Wäschetrommel und

Fig. 3

ein Umschaltventil mit einer Luftklappe.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic representation of the air flow through a laundry drum of an exhaust air dryer,

Fig. 2

is a schematic representation of a switchable air circulation / exhaust air through a laundry drum and

Fig. 3

a changeover valve with an air flap.

Fig. 1 shows schematically the arrangement of a part of the elements an exhaust air dryer 1. Store in a laundry drum 2 Laundry to dry or especially to refresh or for dry cleaning. The dry mode is based on conventional Way through a supply air duct 3 air to the inside of the Laundry drum 2 supplied, the supply air duct 3 the outer circumference (not shown) and the back of the laundry drum 2 encloses. The air penetrates a variety of Air holes on the outer circumference (not shown) and on the Back of the laundry drum in this one. In the supply air duct 3 A process fan 4 is arranged, which is driven by a motor 5 is driven and generates the supply air flow 7. Furthermore is in the supply air duct 3, a heater 6 is arranged to, if necessary To heat the supply air flow.

At the front of the laundry drum 2 there is a loading hatch 8 arranged, which also serves as an air outlet. At the air outlet 8, a filter can also be arranged for Catching the lint or other contaminants with the exhaust air 9 are carried out of the laundry drum 2. The laundry drum 2 is driven by a separate motor 10, so that the speeds of the laundry drum 2 and the Process fans 4 can be set independently of each other.

A spray device 11 sprays over a spray tube 12 which is only a few centimeters long, a cleaning agent 14 the upper front of the air outlet 8. From the nozzle a spray cloud spreads at the front of the spray tube 12 from the top front diagonally backwards down so that the laundry in the laundry drum 2 with the atomized detergent 14 is applied. The cleaning agent 14 the spray device 11 from a container 13 via a Lead 15 supplied. The spray device 11 comprises one electromagnetically excited or one using ultrasound excited atomizer that finely atomizes the detergent, so that a spatially concentrated drop of the Detergent 14 on the laundry is prevented. The length of the spray tube 12 is kept short, so that when the Atomizer 11 deposits little detergent 14 there.

In an embodiment not shown here, the spray device immediately with a nozzle outlet at the air outlet 8 arranged. For this purpose, the spray device 11 is, for example integrated in the flap of the tumble dryer. In another version, several can Containers 13 can be provided, in which various additives be stocked, which can be opened and Closing valves of the spray device 11 are supplied. A cleaning agent, for example, is used as an additive used, which serves to support cleaning. Or a Fragrance that after drying and / or after cleaning the laundry is fed to the laundry drum to the laundry perfume.

To optimize the action of the additive (s) when spraying the speed of the process fan 4 in comparison significantly reduced to the speed in drying mode, for example at 20% of the nominal speed, the process fan 4 is stopped or even turns in the opposite direction. As a result, there is a reduced, nonexistent one or reverse supply air flow 7 through the supply air duct 3 one and the sprayed additive becomes only slight or not at all through the exhaust air flow 9 from the laundry drum 2 transported out. The reduction, cancellation or reversal the speed of the process fan 4 can be advantageous even after spraying in the additive for a given one Exposure time continues, so that the additive distributed within the drum 2 and there increased concentration on the laundry. After that you can the program sequence control of the control device the Pro Actuate the zeslüfter 4 so that it has a nominal speed and direction of rotation resumes operation around the Continue drying process and / or leftovers and waste products to remove the additive. For example after spraying in a cleaning agent by activation of the process fan 4 with the nominal speed the remainder of the Detergent or process residues are removed with the exhaust air 9 become. Or treating the laundry in the tumble dryer is with the spraying or the following contact time completed. For example, after spraying of a fragrance the process fan is not switched on again, so that the fragrance stays in the laundry and this can be scented sparingly.

During the spraying of the additive and if necessary the heating 6 be switched off. For example, the heater 6 is switched off, when the process fan 4 is stopped. Requires the Additive for optimal development of its effect heating up, the fan 4 the heater 6 can be turned on, so that the throttled Airflow heated. However, the Prözesalüfter 4 runs in the opposite direction, so by turning on the heater 6 residues or residues of the additive removed or be implemented. In a further embodiment, an alternative or in addition to controlling the heating power during spraying or during the exposure time of the additive the speed of the laundry drum 2 is reduced, so that on the one hand a distribution of the additive over that in the Laundry drum 2 laundry is done while by the reduced speed a gentle action, for example one Detergent is effected.

Fig. 2 shows schematically the arrangement of a part of the elements a condensation dryer 20. As with the dryer 1 of FIG. 1 is stored in a laundry drum 22 treating laundry and supply air via an air inlet duct 23 fed into the interior of the laundry drum 22. The supply air flow is generated by a process fan 24, which by a Motor 25 is driven. To heat the supply air is in the area of the supply air duct 23, a heater 26 is arranged. Next the process fan 24 is a radiator fan 27 with the motor 25 connected, the cooling air flow from the radiator fan 27 a Heat exchanger 29 cools. The heat exchanger 29 is in the circulating air circuit between the supply air duct 23 and an exhaust air duct 35 arranged and the heat exchanger is a condensation tank assigned to collect the condensate.

The supply air supplied to the laundry drum 22 emerges from a Air outlet 28 or a loading hatch of the laundry drum 22 as Exhaust air 38 into the exhaust air duct 35. At the exhaust duct 35 an exhaust air flap 36 and a fresh air flap 37 are arranged, in the pure recirculation mode, both the exhaust flap 36 and also the fresh air flap 37 are closed. In pure exhaust air operation the fresh air flap 37 closes the exhaust air duct 35 to the heat exchanger 39, while the exhaust flap 36 is open so that the exhaust air flow 38 is not in the air circuit circulated. In mixed operation, the flaps 36, 37 Intermediate positions, so that part of the exhaust air 38 from the exhaust flap 36 exits and another part on the partially opened fresh air flap 37 over to the heat exchanger 29 arrives. The amount of air discharged through the exhaust flap 36 is by flowing in at the fresh air flap 37 Fresh air replaced.

As with the above embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 was, is by an injector or a spray device 31 one or more additives via a spray tube 32 sprayed into the laundry drum 22. The configurations the spray device 31 correspond to the above Spray device 11 described. In addition, there is a steam generator 33 provided, via a supply line 34 with condensation water from the condensation tank of the heat exchanger 29 is supplied. One version is the steam generator 33 in the front upper part of the dryer in arranged near the air outlet 28. In this case a fog from the water supplied through an atomizer generated and fed into the interior of the laundry drum 22. additionally the steam generator 33 can have a heating device, which heats the atomized water or the water before the atomizing heated, so that instead of the fog one Vapor forms, which acts as an activating additive in the interior of the drum is fed. In another version the steam generator 33 is arranged next to the condensation container and via an atomizer / pump device Water atomized and via a line 39 in the laundry drum 22 fed. In addition to or instead of atomization the water can evaporate through the heater and thus are fed as superheated steam into the inside of the drum. On such steam generator 33 or water atomizer is straightforward can also be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the steam generator 33 the water through a separate water reservoir is fed.

Through various possible combinations of spraying of additives by the spray device 31 and / or the Steam generator 33 and by the positions of the flaps 36, 37 (exhaust air mode, recirculation mode, mixed mode) are different Process modes of the tumble dryer enabled. are the flaps 36, 37 closed and will not be an additive sprayed by the spray device 31 or the steam generator 33, this is how the dryer works as a conventional condensation dryer and the laundry in the laundry drum 22 dried. Should only be used to refresh little worn laundry are opened by opening the flaps 36, 37 Exhaust mode switched so that the odor-laden exhaust air 38 removed and the laundry is supplied with fresh air. In addition, with the flaps 36, 37 open, in the exhaust air mode the same process steps as above with respect to the Exhaust air dryer system described in Fig. 1 are performed. That for maximum use and influence of the sprayed Additive is the process fan 24 at reduced Speed operated, turned off or in reverse Direction operated. Is with closed flaps 36, 37 sprayed in, this also prevents the process fan from being switched off 24 or the reduction of its speed the removal of the additive and optionally a condensation of the additive in the heat exchanger 29 Carryover of additives in the circulatory system (supply air duct 23 and exhaust duct 35) restricted. Operation of the Heater 26 and motor 30 for rotating the laundry drum 22 can correspond to the heater 6 and the motor 10 in FIG. 1 respectively. By the spray device 31 or possibly several such spray devices can be additives such as fragrances, Disinfectants, cleaning agents or the like spray into the laundry drum 22. A dosage of the additives is done by timing a metering valve in the case of liquid additives or a conveyor between the storage container and the spray device in the Trap solid additives.

The dry cleaning process in particular allows textiles or clothing intended for washing in one Household washing machine or by hand wash not suitable are refreshed in the tumble dryer and / or on gentle Way to be cleaned. The effectiveness of the cleaning or Refreshing process can be optimized by optimizing the Speed of the blower and the laundry drum with regard to the sequence of movements and set air flow independently. For further optimization of cleaning or refreshing can additionally in the laundry drums 2, 22 of Fig. 1 and 2 internals can be provided inside the drum. For example lining the drum with dirt-absorbing Materials such as a cleaning fleece, the provision of brushes on the inside ribs of the drum and / or one special surface condition of a coarse sieve that the air outlets 8, 28 is arranged. These effect the Cleaning and refreshing by "gentle" action on the Laundry.

The tumble dryer designs described above enable thus a program run "drying", a program run "Cleaning", a program run "disinfection" (if necessary together with the cleaning program) and a program run "refresh". The program runs can be combined with each other in any order and optimizable e.g. with regard to spray quantity, exposure time, amount of circulating air and direction, amount of fresh air supplied and other program parameters.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the exhaust air / recirculation with a condensation dryer like her can be used for example in the arrangement of FIG. 2. The laundry drum 41 of the condenser dryer 40 is about a supply air duct 42 is supplied with supply air. This leaves as exhaust air the laundry drum 41 in the exhaust duct 43. Through an outlet duct 44 can be a function of the valve position Changeover valve 48 the exhaust air from the laundry drum 41st completely, partially or not at all. A corresponding one Part of the exhausted air is fresh air replaced from a fresh air duct 45. In the changeover valve 48, a rotary flap 47 is pivotally mounted, this with intermediate positions between a first position I and a second position II can be transferred. In position I the clothes dryer 40 works as an exhaust air dryer, the Exhaust air completely from the exhaust air duct 43 into the outlet duct 44 is diverted, while in the supply air duct 42 only fresh air comes out of the fresh air duct 45. In the second end position II, the tumble dryer 40 works exclusively in a circulating air process, the exhaust air from the exhaust air duct 43 completely flows into the supply air duct 42. Corresponding to Fig. 2nd are a heating device in the supply air duct, a process fan and optionally a heat exchanger 29 is arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

1

vented dryer

2

washing drum

3

supply air duct

4

process ventilators

5

engine

6

heater

7

supply air

8th

air outlet

9

exhaust

10

engine

11

spraying

12

lance

13

container

14

cleaning supplies

15

supply

16

Spray pattern

20

condensation dryer

22

washing drum

23

supply air duct

24

process ventilators

25

engine

26

heater

27

radiator fan

28

air outlet

29

heat exchangers

30

engine

31

injector

32

lance

33

steam generator

34

supply

35

exhaust duct

36

exhaust flap

37

Fresh air flap

38

exhaust

39

management

40

clothes dryer

41

washing drum

42

supply air duct

43

exhaust duct

44

exhaust port

45

Fresh air duct

46

switching valve

47

butterfly valve

Claims (24)

Laundry dryer, in particular condensation dryer, with a rotatably mounted laundry drum (2, 22), which has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet (8, 28), and a fan (4, 24) for supplying air to the laundry drum, characterized by a Switching device (35, 36; 46) for switching the air flow through the laundry drum between circulating air and exhaust air mode. Clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching device (35, 36; 46) has at least one intermediate stage between the recirculating air and the exhaust air mode. Clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching device (35, 36; 46) has at least one air guide valve or an air guide flap. Clothes dryer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the switching device (35, 36; 46) has a fresh air flap (36) and an exhaust air flap (35). Clothes dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that the fresh air flap (36) and / or the exhaust air flap (35) is adjustable in one or more positions between an open and closed position. Clothes dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying capacity of the fan (4, 24) is adjustable and / or the conveying direction is reversible. Laundry dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry drum (2, 22) and the fan (4, 24) can be driven independently of one another. Laundry dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (35, 36; 46) is arranged in the circulating air circuit between the at least one air outlet (8, 28) of the laundry drum (2, 22) and the fan (4, 24). Laundry dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one spray device (11, 31, 33) for spraying an additive (14) onto the laundry stored in the laundry drum (2, 22). Laundry dryer according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one spray device is arranged on the air outlet (8, 28) and / or on the loading opening of the laundry drum (2, 22). Laundry dryer according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the spray device (11, 31, 33) or an outlet of the spray device is arranged in the upper region on the front 'of the laundry drum (2, 22). Clothes dryer according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that an additive is or contains a cleaning agent, disinfectant and / or fragrance. Clothes dryer according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that an additive is water. Clothes dryer according to claim 13, characterized in that the clothes dryer is a condensation clothes dryer (20, 40) and at least one spray device (33) is connected to a condensation water container for supplying condensation water to the spray device. Laundry dryer according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the or the spray devices (11, 31, 33) is assigned a heating device for heating the additive or additives. Clothes dryer according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized by a metering device for adjusting the amount of the additive to be sprayed by the first and / or further spraying device. Clothes dryer according to one of Claims 9 to 16, characterized in that at least one spray device (11, 31, 33) has an atomizer which is excited electromagnetically or by means of ultrasound. Process for treating laundry in a tumble dryer, being at least in a first phase air that is led out of the laundry drum at least partially left out to the outside of the dryer and through Fresh air is replaced and at least in a second Phase the laundry in the recirculation mode, or when switched off Airflow dried and / or with at least one additive is treated. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the additive is or contains a cleaning agent, a fragrance or water. A method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the at least one additive can be sprayed into the washing drum from at least one spray device and reduces the flow rate of the air through the washing drum, the air flow through the washing drum is switched off or the air flow is reduced during the spraying of the at least one additive is reversed by the laundry drum. A method according to claim 18, 19 or 20, characterized in that the laundry drum rotates at a reduced speed during the spraying process. Method according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that at least one of the additives is heated for spraying. A method according to claim 22, characterized in that an additive is water which can be sprayed in vapor form. Method according to one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that the clothes dryer is designed according to one of claims 1 to 17.

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