EP2467529B1 - Laundry appliance comprising a steam injection apparatus - Google Patents
Laundry appliance comprising a steam injection apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2467529B1 EP2467529B1 EP10739936A EP10739936A EP2467529B1 EP 2467529 B1 EP2467529 B1 EP 2467529B1 EP 10739936 A EP10739936 A EP 10739936A EP 10739936 A EP10739936 A EP 10739936A EP 2467529 B1 EP2467529 B1 EP 2467529B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nozzle
- steam
- laundry appliance
- bearing shield
- nozzle head
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000010793 Steam injection (oil industry) Methods 0.000 title claims description 29
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 54
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000000396 iron Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000010409 ironing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013020 steam cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/40—Steam generating arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/203—Laundry conditioning arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F73/00—Apparatus for smoothing or removing creases from garments or other textile articles by formers, cores, stretchers, or internal frames, with the application of heat or steam
- D06F73/02—Apparatus for smoothing or removing creases from garments or other textile articles by formers, cores, stretchers, or internal frames, with the application of heat or steam having one or more treatment chambers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically
Definitions
- the invention relates to a laundry appliance comprising a drum and a steam injection apparatus for introducing steam into the drum, wherein the steam injection apparatus comprises a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is a multi-component nozzle, wherein at least two of the components of the multi-component nozzle are detachably attached to each other, wherein the multi-component nozzle comprises at least a nozzle head, the nozzle head comprising a steam injection opening, and wherein the multi-component nozzle further comprises at least another component besides the nozzle head.
- a laundry appliance of this generic type is disclosed in DE 34 08 136 A1 .
- DE 34 08 136 A1 relates to a tumble dryer comprising a venturi-type mixing tube which is fed with steam via a gas feeding pipe and water via an inlet.
- a venturi-type mixing tube water is atomized due to the effect of the steam coming out of a nozzle, whereby a steam/water mist with extremely fine droplets is created.
- This mixture is sprayed into an inside of a drum as a mist cloud.
- textile material can be moistened and subsequently dried.
- U. S. Patent 1,646,299 discloses a laundry appliance comprising a drum and a multi-component nozzle, the nozzle comprising a nozzle head having steam injection openings, and the nozzle further comprising a cylindrical body with a threaded end.
- U. S. Patent 1,507,030 discloses a laundry appliance comprising a drum and a multi-component nozzle, the nozzle comprising a nozzle head having a steam injection opening, and the nozzle further comprising a flange unit and a guide unit.
- WO 1996/032607 A1 relates to a steam generator, in particular for housework, and concerns a method and a device for automatically carrying out a replenishment of a tank of the steam generator during normal operation thereof.
- a temperature detector by means of a temperature detector, a temperature is measured inside a cell box which is in communication with the tank.
- the temperature detector is surrounded by steam, the temperature of which is higher with respect to the temperature of the liquid, and enables liquid supply by means for feeding liquid to the cell box, thus replenishing the tank up to an operational level, when the liquid enters the cell box, it cools the temperature detector which disables the liquid feeding means, cutting off inflow of cold liquid to the cell box.
- EP 1 026 306 B1 relates to an automatic refill steam generator for use in conjunction with steam cleaning equipment, clothes irons, fan-assisted ironing boards with refill function, coffee and similar brewing machines.
- the automatic refill steam generator is provided with at least an electric heating element attached to the outside of the steam generator and equipped with a control thermostat, said steam generator being connected on one side to a water reservoir via a pump and at least a pipe, and being further connected on the other side to the steam using apparatus via a pipe.
- U. S. Patent 4,207,683 relates to a clothes dryer having a touch-up spray for removal of wrinkles from clothing and fabrics and permanent press clothing, in particular without removing possibly present factory set creases.
- the clothes dryer may include a water heating unit for spraying water of a selected temperature or steam. The steam is applied to remove undesired wrinkles or odours from the laundry being treated and thus provides refreshment to the laundry. Accordingly, this clothes dryer may be designated to be a "refresher dryer". It should be remarked that such nomination is not reserved to an appliance which is designed merely to dry laundry besides the refreshing function; instead, it will also be applied to a washer/dryer with a refreshing function.
- This object of the invention also includes specifying a laundry appliance meeting these requirements.
- the object is achieved by a steam injection apparatus for introducing steam into a drum of a laundry appliance, wherein the steam injection apparatus comprises a nozzle.
- the nozzle allows adjusting the direction of steam into the drum as well as a shape of the steam injection.
- the steam can be directed directly in the drum axis and onto the clothes. This improves the effectiveness of the refreshing and/or de-wrinkling function.
- the steam injection may generally comprise an injection of steam and /or a fine mist of water droplets.
- the nozzle is a multi-component nozzle.
- the nozzle can be assembled from two or more components. This facilitates attaching the nozzle to and removing the nozzle from the laundry appliance.
- the nozzle can be at least partly disassembled which facilitates its maintenance, in particular cleaning.
- the multi-component nozzle comprises at least a nozzle head, the nozzle head comprising a steam injection opening.
- the nozzle head represents the component that mostly determines the steam forming capability.
- the steam forming can thus easily be adjusted by using different nozzle heads. This allows an easy adaptation of the nozzle for different laundry appliances with only minimal design changes.
- At least the nozzle head is detachable from the other at least one component of the nozzle. This allows easy and thorough cleaning of the nozzle head and thus avoiding a degradation of the steam forming capability.
- the nozzle is connected to a steam separator via a hose, in particular a flexible hose.
- the hose allows a substantially free positioning of the nozzle, in particular at a bearing shield. Also, by respective dimensioning of the hose, a steam flow rate to the nozzle may be set. Additionally, the hose may produce a pressure within the steam separator wherein the pressure supports draining of water / condensate out of the steam separator.
- the multi-component nozzle is a two-component nozzle, wherein the two-component nozzle comprises the nozzle head and a nozzle support part, the nozzle support part adapted to be fitted to the hose.
- the nozzle support part may be particularly designed to connect to the hose, e.g. from a different material than the nozzle head and may be attached to the laundry appliance in a different manner.
- the nozzle support part and the nozzle head may both be independently optimized for their respective functions. By using only two components, manufacture, assembly, and maintenance are facilitated.
- the nozzle support part is preferred to be irremovably attachable or only detachable with the help of tools.
- the attachment may be, for example, implemented using a screwing connection, a rivet, a welding connection etc.
- the support part may not be intended to be removed by a customer or user.
- At least the nozzle head is removably attachable to the laundry appliance. This allows easy removal for cleaning and at the same time a stable mount.
- the nozzle head may be fixed to the nozzle support part.
- At least the nozzle head is removably attachable to a bearing shield of the laundry appliance.
- a positioning at the bearing shield allows a mechanically rugged fixation or engagement as well as a position to direct the steam into the drum substantially without obstruction. It may be particularly advantageous to position the nozzle on an upper half of the bearing shield to be able to direct the steam flow downwards onto the clothes.
- the nozzle head comprises at least one engagement element, in particular clip, to removably attach the nozzle head.
- the at least one clip may be clipped onto the laundry appliance, in particular the bearing shield, by a pushing motion and / or by a rotational motion (e.g. by or similar to a bayonet coupling).
- the nozzle head may be removed without having to use tools.
- the nozzle head is attachable to an inside of a bearing shield and the nozzle support part is attachable to an outside of a bearing shield.
- both components can be attached to the bearing shield substantially without hindering each other.
- the nozzle may comprise at least one condensate drain channel.
- the condensate will flow down the condensate drain channel easily and to a defined location where it can be collected or drained without substantially wetting the clothes.
- the least one condensate drain channel comprises at least one groove in the vicinity of a steam injection opening of the nozzle.
- the use of a groove has the advantage that it is simple to realize, can be cleaned easily and has a wear-resistant shape.
- the object is also achieved by a laundry appliance comprising the steam injection apparatus according to the invention.
- the laundry appliance is a refresher dryer.
- Fig.1 shows a laundry appliance 1 that is a clothes dryer or refresher dryer that incorporates a clothes or laundry refreshing and de-wrinkling function by applying steam to the clothes.
- the laundry appliance 1 is shown without housing.
- the laundry appliance 1 is embodied as a tumble dryer comprising a rotatable drum 2 which holds the clothes to be dried and which may be operated by being rotated in reversing rotational directions.
- the drum 2 can be loaded and unloaded through an opening 3.
- the opening 3 is typically closed by a door (further described in Fig.2 and Fig.3 ).
- the operation of a tumble dryer as such is well-known.
- the laundry appliance 1 comprises a steam generator 4 which is located at a bottom of the laundry appliance 1 and mounted on top of a cover 5 of a heat exchanger 6 and of which a front side (see also Fig.2 ) is visible.
- the steam generator 4 is used to generate steam from water. Water is supplied to the steam generator 4 via a condensate container shell 7 through a flexible filling hose 8. The water supplied to the steam generator 4 is thus the condensate that is extracted from the damp clothes during the drying process.
- the condensate container shell 7 may additionally be filled by fresh water, e.g. at the beginning of a drying cycle, if there is not yet enough condensate to supply the steam generator 4.
- the output generated by the steam generator 4 usually contains a mixture of steam and hot water and is led to a steam separator 9.
- the steam separator separates the steam from the hot water.
- the steam is fed into the drum 2 via a hose 10 that leads to a nozzle 11.
- the nozzle 11 opens into the drum 2 and may inject the steam directly onto the clothes or laundry. To this end, the nozzle 11 may have a shape, e.g. angular shape that allows orientation of the steam flow.
- the hot water is returned to a T-connector 12 located in a dryer pump reservoir via a flexible hot water return hose.
- the steam separator 9 ensures that only steam with a low or very low liquid content is fed into the drum 2.
- the steam separator 9 and the nozzle 11 are attached to a bearing shield 22 of the laundry appliance 1.
- the steam generator 4 further comprises or is connected to a flexible de-aeration hose 13 that connects to a water tank (see fig.3 for further detail) of the steam generator 4.
- the steam generator 4 further comprises a siphon fixation 14 for holding or fixing a siphon 15.
- Fig.2 sketches a cross-sectional side view of the steam separator 9.
- Fig.3 sketches a cross-sectional front view of the steam separator.
- Fig.4 sketches a transparent top view of the steam separator.
- the steam separator 9 comprises a separator housing 16.
- the separator housing 16 may, for example, be box-shaped or cylinder-shaped.
- a water /steam inlet 17, a water outlet 18, and a steam outlet 19 lead or open into the separator housing 16.
- the water/steam inlet 17 is provided to feed a mixture of water and steam coming from the steam generator 4 of Fig.1 , as indicated by arrow W+S.
- the mixture of water and steam entering the separator housing 16 is separated in the housing, because the water W flows to the water outlet 18, leaving the separator housing 16 through the water outlet 18, while the steam rises up to the steam outlet 19, leaving the separator housing 16 through the steam outlet 19.
- the water/steam inlet 17 is connected to the water outlet 18 by an open drain channel 20.
- the open drain channel 20 is formed on an upper surface of a plate-like insert 21.
- the open drain channel 20 may, for example, have a cross-sectional shape resembling a half-pipe.
- the drain channel 20 is curved, in particular basically U-shaped, to achieve a high flow velocity.
- a height h between the water / steam inlet 17 and the water outlet 18 can be designed according to needs.
- the open drain channel 20 allows the water W to flow through the steam separator 9 without major disturbances or turbulences. This, in turn, suppresses an accumulation of water W within the steam separator 9 that could lead to part of this accumulated water leaving via the steam outlet 19. This water going through the steam outlet 19 would then drip into the drum 2 and impair a drying result.
- the steam outlet 19 is positioned directly above the drain channel 20. Thus, the steam S being injected into the separator housing 16 and/or being emitted from the hot water W can rise up uninhibited to the steam outlet 19.
- the inlet 17 and the water outlet 18 have at least roughly the same cross sectional area.
- the steam outlet 19 has a larger cross sectional area than the inlet 17.
- the steam outlet 19 is connected to the nozzle 11 via the flexible hose 10, as shown in Fig.1 , the nozzle 11 opening into the drum 2.
- Fig.5 and Fig.6 show the steam injection arrangement 9, 10, 11 for the laundry appliance 1 from different angles.
- the steam injection arrangement 9, 10, 11 comprises the steam separator 9, wherein its steam outlet 19 is connected to the nozzle 11 via the flexible silicone hose 10.
- the nozzle 11 opens into the drum 2 of the laundry appliance 1, i.e. comprises a steam injection opening 23 or window through which the steam S is injected into the drum 2, as indicated by the respective arrow.
- the steam separator 9 is fed with water and steam W + S through the water/steam inlet 17, and water W exits the steam separator 9 through the water outlet 18.
- the water outlet 18 is located at the lowest point of the steam separator and attached to a cone-shaped part 25 of the steam separator 9 to drain as much water as possible from the steam separator 9.
- the steam separator 9, at the outside of its housing 16, comprises only one fixation element or fixation point 26 to screw the steam separator 9 to the bearing shield 22.
- the bearing shield 22 comprises an opening (not shown) to insert the nozzle 11 and/or the hose 10.
- the nozzle 11 can be a two-part nozzle 11, with a nozzle head 11a comprising the clips 24 and a nozzle support part 11 b.
- the nozzle support part 11 b may be attached to an outside of the bearing shield 22, as described in Fig.7 to Fig.9 , to provide a fixed and immovable connection for the hose 10.
- the nozzle support part 11 b is thus adapted to attach the hose 10 thereon.
- the nozzle head 11 a may then be plugged together with the nozzle support part 11 b from the inside of the bearing shield 22 and be clipped to the bearing shield.
- cleaning of the nozzle 11 in particular includes cleaning of the nozzle head 11 a.
- the whole steam injection arrangement 9, 10, 11 can be fixed to the laundry appliance 1 by one screwing action to screw the steam separator 9 to the bearing shield 22 and one clipping action to clip the nozzle 11 to the bearing shield 22.
- the nozzle 11 is inclined with respect to the bearing shield 22, wherein the orientation of the bearing shield 22 is indicated by the dashed line.
- the inclination allows the steam S exiting from the nozzle 11 to be directed downwards to a lower region of the drum 2 and thus directly onto the clothes to be refreshed and/or dewrinkled.
- This arrangement implies that the nozzle 11 is positioned at an upper half of the bearing shield 22, in particular at a region of the bearing shield 22 surrounding an upper half of the opening 3.
- Fig.7 shows a sectional cut-out of a rear side 22r of the bearing shield 22 of the laundry appliance 1 comprising the steam injection arrangement 9, 10, 11.
- the steam separator 9 is screwed to the bearing shield 22 at its fixation point 26, and the nozzle 11 is also fixed to the bearing shield 22 with the hose 10 connecting the steam separator 9 and the nozzle 11.
- the nozzle support part 11b is visible which is mounted to the outside of the bearing shield 22.
- the hose 10 is put on the nozzle support part 11 b.
- Fig.8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the bearing shield 22.
- the nozzle 11 or nozzle head 11a is inclined downwards with respect to the inside of the bearing shield 22 to directly inject the steam onto the clothes.
- Fig.9 shows a sectional cut-out of a front side 22f (looking from inside the drum 2) of the bearing shield 22.
- the nozzle head 11 a is inserted into the respective opening 28 within the bearing shield 22.
- the engagement of the nozzle head 11a to the bearing shield by means of the clips may be effected by a pushing action and / or a rotating action.
- the nozzle head 11 a may be removed by a simple pulling action and/or (counter-) rotating action.
- grooves 29 on a face of the nozzle head 11a in order to achieve drainage of condensate water that may form during injection of the steam S.
- the grooves 29 drain and channel the condensate in the direction of the bearing shield and thus away from the steam injection opening 23. This suppresses the dripping or dragging of water drops onto the clothes.
- Fig. 10 shows a detailed cut-out of the front side 22f of the bearing shield 22 in the vicinity of the nozzle 11 with the nozzle 11 inserted.
- Fig. 11 shows a detailed cut-out of the rear side 22r of the bearing shield 22 in the vicinity of the nozzle 11 with the nozzle 11 inserted.
- Fig. 12 shows the cut-out of the front side 22f of Fig. 10 with the nozzle 11 in an exploded view.
- Fig. 13 shows the cut-out of the rear side 22r of Fig. 11 with the nozzle 11 in an exploded view.
- nozzle head 11a comprises a front disk 30 that in its center comprises the steam injection opening 23. From the rear side of the nozzle head 11a extends a tube socket 31 that is connected to the steam injection opening 23. The two clips 24 are extending sideways of the tube socket 31.
- the nozzle head 11a if looked upon from the side, is at least partially wedge-shaped with an additional rear plate 32 being inclined to the front disk 30. The wedge-shape ensures a desired inclination angle of the nozzle head 11 a into the drum 2.
- the nozzle head 11a is to be fitted into the opening 28 of the bearing shield 22 by inserting it into the opening 28 from the front side 22f.
- the bearing shield 22 comprises two small windows for hooks (not shown).
- the nozzle head 11 a can be pushed into the opening 28 for the clips 24 to snap or click with the hooks. If fitted into the opening 28, the tube socket 31 sticks out to the rear side 22r of the bearing shield 22.
- the nozzle support part 11 b comprises a tube socket 33, a front part of which is adapted to be plugged on or slipped on the tube socket 31 of the nozzle head 11a. A rear part of the tube socket 33 is adapted to be connected with the hose 10.
- the nozzle support part 11 b is screwed on the bearing shield 22.
- the nozzle support part 11 b further comprises a double-disk like lateral support region 34 that is adapted to contact a ring-like rim or base 35 of the opening.
- Two mounting links 36 are laterally extending from the support region 34.
- the mounting links 36 are angled with respect to the support region 34 such that the support region 34 can be fitted with the inclination angle while the mounting links 36 can be fixed horizontally.
- the mounting links 36 are fitted over the respective fitting screw stubs 37.
- the screw stubs 37 are horizontally extending from the rear side 22r of the bearing shield 22. After slipping the mounting links 36 over the screw stubs 37, they can be screwed together by a respective screw (not shown).
- Fig.14 shows a sectional view of the bearing shield 22 and the assembled nozzle 11 of Fig.10 to Fig.13 .
- the tube socket 31 of the nozzle head 11 a and the tube socket 33 of the nozzle support part 11 b are slipped together to form a single channel 38 for guiding steam from a rear opening 39 of the tube socket 33 (the rear opening 39 opening into the hose 10) to the opening 23 of the nozzle head 11a.
- the invention is not restricted to the shown embodiment.
- the nozzle can be a single piece or a multi-component nozzle.
- the nozzle head can be fixed by other means than a snap connection e.g. by a screw connection.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
- Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to a laundry appliance comprising a drum and a steam injection apparatus for introducing steam into the drum, wherein the steam injection apparatus comprises a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is a multi-component nozzle, wherein at least two of the components of the multi-component nozzle are detachably attached to each other, wherein the multi-component nozzle comprises at least a nozzle head, the nozzle head comprising a steam injection opening, and wherein the multi-component nozzle further comprises at least another component besides the nozzle head.
- A laundry appliance of this generic type is disclosed in
DE 34 08 136 A1 -
DE 34 08 136 A1 -
U. S. Patent 1,646,299 discloses a laundry appliance comprising a drum and a multi-component nozzle, the nozzle comprising a nozzle head having steam injection openings, and the nozzle further comprising a cylindrical body with a threaded end. -
U. S. Patent 1,507,030 discloses a laundry appliance comprising a drum and a multi-component nozzle, the nozzle comprising a nozzle head having a steam injection opening, and the nozzle further comprising a flange unit and a guide unit. -
WO 1996/032607 A1 relates to a steam generator, in particular for housework, and concerns a method and a device for automatically carrying out a replenishment of a tank of the steam generator during normal operation thereof. In particular, it is disclosed that by means of a temperature detector, a temperature is measured inside a cell box which is in communication with the tank. When the level of liquid, e.g. water, inside the cell box reaches a minimum level, the temperature detector is surrounded by steam, the temperature of which is higher with respect to the temperature of the liquid, and enables liquid supply by means for feeding liquid to the cell box, thus replenishing the tank up to an operational level, when the liquid enters the cell box, it cools the temperature detector which disables the liquid feeding means, cutting off inflow of cold liquid to the cell box. -
EP 1 026 306 B1 relates to an automatic refill steam generator for use in conjunction with steam cleaning equipment, clothes irons, fan-assisted ironing boards with refill function, coffee and similar brewing machines. The automatic refill steam generator is provided with at least an electric heating element attached to the outside of the steam generator and equipped with a control thermostat, said steam generator being connected on one side to a water reservoir via a pump and at least a pipe, and being further connected on the other side to the steam using apparatus via a pipe. -
U. S. Patent 4,207,683 relates to a clothes dryer having a touch-up spray for removal of wrinkles from clothing and fabrics and permanent press clothing, in particular without removing possibly present factory set creases. The clothes dryer may include a water heating unit for spraying water of a selected temperature or steam. The steam is applied to remove undesired wrinkles or odours from the laundry being treated and thus provides refreshment to the laundry. Accordingly, this clothes dryer may be designated to be a "refresher dryer". It should be remarked that such nomination is not reserved to an appliance which is designed merely to dry laundry besides the refreshing function; instead, it will also be applied to a washer/dryer with a refreshing function. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for introducing steam into a drum of a laundry appliance that allows an effective refreshing and/or de-wrinkling while being easy to assemble and maintain. This object of the invention also includes specifying a laundry appliance meeting these requirements.
- The object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be derived, inter alia, from the dependent claims and from the subsequent disclosure.
- The object is achieved by a steam injection apparatus for introducing steam into a drum of a laundry appliance, wherein the steam injection apparatus comprises a nozzle.
- The nozzle allows adjusting the direction of steam into the drum as well as a shape of the steam injection. For example, the steam can be directed directly in the drum axis and onto the clothes. This improves the effectiveness of the refreshing and/or de-wrinkling function. The steam injection may generally comprise an injection of steam and /or a fine mist of water droplets.
- According to the invention, the nozzle is a multi-component nozzle. Thus, the nozzle can be assembled from two or more components. This facilitates attaching the nozzle to and removing the nozzle from the laundry appliance.
- Further according to the invention, at least two of the components of the multi-component nozzle are detachable from each other. Thereby, the nozzle can be at least partly disassembled which facilitates its maintenance, in particular cleaning.
- Further again according to the invention, the multi-component nozzle comprises at least a nozzle head, the nozzle head comprising a steam injection opening. The nozzle head represents the component that mostly determines the steam forming capability. The steam forming can thus easily be adjusted by using different nozzle heads. This allows an easy adaptation of the nozzle for different laundry appliances with only minimal design changes.
- Further even more according to the invention, at least the nozzle head is detachable from the other at least one component of the nozzle. This allows easy and thorough cleaning of the nozzle head and thus avoiding a degradation of the steam forming capability.
- It is a preferred embodiment that the nozzle is connected to a steam separator via a hose, in particular a flexible hose. The hose allows a substantially free positioning of the nozzle, in particular at a bearing shield. Also, by respective dimensioning of the hose, a steam flow rate to the nozzle may be set. Additionally, the hose may produce a pressure within the steam separator wherein the pressure supports draining of water / condensate out of the steam separator.
- It is another preferred embodiment that the multi-component nozzle is a two-component nozzle, wherein the two-component nozzle comprises the nozzle head and a nozzle support part, the nozzle support part adapted to be fitted to the hose. It is the advantage of this embodiment that the nozzle support part may be particularly designed to connect to the hose, e.g. from a different material than the nozzle head and may be attached to the laundry appliance in a different manner. Thus, the nozzle support part and the nozzle head may both be independently optimized for their respective functions. By using only two components, manufacture, assembly, and maintenance are facilitated.
- To allow a particularly rugged connection to the hose and prevent slipping off of the hose, the nozzle support part is preferred to be irremovably attachable or only detachable with the help of tools. The attachment may be, for example, implemented using a screwing connection, a rivet, a welding connection etc. The support part may not be intended to be removed by a customer or user.
- It is still another preferred embodiment that at least the nozzle head is removably attachable to the laundry appliance. This allows easy removal for cleaning and at the same time a stable mount. Alternatively, the nozzle head may be fixed to the nozzle support part.
- In yet another preferred embodiment, at least the nozzle head is removably attachable to a bearing shield of the laundry appliance. A positioning at the bearing shield allows a mechanically rugged fixation or engagement as well as a position to direct the steam into the drum substantially without obstruction. It may be particularly advantageous to position the nozzle on an upper half of the bearing shield to be able to direct the steam flow downwards onto the clothes.
- It is another preferred embodiment that the nozzle head comprises at least one engagement element, in particular clip, to removably attach the nozzle head. This allows a particularly easy attachment. The at least one clip may be clipped onto the laundry appliance, in particular the bearing shield, by a pushing motion and / or by a rotational motion (e.g. by or similar to a bayonet coupling). In particular, the nozzle head may be removed without having to use tools.
- It is even another preferred embodiment that the nozzle head is attachable to an inside of a bearing shield and the nozzle support part is attachable to an outside of a bearing shield. Thus, both components can be attached to the bearing shield substantially without hindering each other.
- To prevent condensate or water drops to be dragged along into the drum by the injected steam or mist, the nozzle may comprise at least one condensate drain channel. The condensate will flow down the condensate drain channel easily and to a defined location where it can be collected or drained without substantially wetting the clothes.
- It is a particularly preferred embodiment that the least one condensate drain channel comprises at least one groove in the vicinity of a steam injection opening of the nozzle. The use of a groove has the advantage that it is simple to realize, can be cleaned easily and has a wear-resistant shape.
- The object is also achieved by a laundry appliance comprising the steam injection apparatus according to the invention.
- In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the laundry appliance is a refresher dryer.
- Further, preferred embodiments of the invention are characterized by comprising one or more of the following features:
- A multi-component removable nozzle solution is applied in order to let a user or customer take it off and clean it if dirty.
- A simple rotation is needed to release at least part of the nozzle and take it off.
- Grooves are applied to a face of the nozzle in order to achieve drainage of condensed water.
- A particular shape is implemented for the nozzle to direct the steam flow directly along the drum axis.
- In the following disclosure, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail with reference to the Figures of the attached drawing. In the said drawing,
- Fig.1
- shows an oblique view onto a laundry appliance comprising a steam generator;
- Fig.2
- sketches a cross-sectional side view of the steam separator;
- Fig.3
- sketches a cross-sectional front view of the steam separator; and
- Fig.4
- sketches a transparent top view of the steam separator, further,
- Fig.5
- shows a steam injection arrangement comprising the steam separator in a first view;
- Fig.6
- shows the steam injection arrangement in a second view;
- Fig.7
- shows a rear side view from the outside of a section of a bearing shield of the laundry appliance comprising the steam injection arrangement;
- Fig.8
- shows a cross-sectional side view of the bearing shield section of
Fig.7 ; - Fig.9
- shows a front side view of the bearing shield section of
Fig.7 ; - Fig. 10
- shows the front side view of
Fig. 9 in greater detail; - Fig. 11
- shows a back side view of the section of
Fig. 10 ; - Fig. 12
- shows a view similar to
Fig. 10 with the nozzle decomposed; - Fig. 13
- shows a view similar to
Fig. 11 with the nozzle decomposed, and - Fig. 14
- shows a section of the nozzle mounted in the bearing shield.
-
Fig.1 shows a laundry appliance 1 that is a clothes dryer or refresher dryer that incorporates a clothes or laundry refreshing and de-wrinkling function by applying steam to the clothes. The laundry appliance 1 is shown without housing. In particular, the laundry appliance 1 is embodied as a tumble dryer comprising arotatable drum 2 which holds the clothes to be dried and which may be operated by being rotated in reversing rotational directions. Thedrum 2 can be loaded and unloaded through anopening 3. Theopening 3 is typically closed by a door (further described inFig.2 and Fig.3 ). The operation of a tumble dryer as such is well-known. - To implement the refreshing function, the laundry appliance 1 comprises a
steam generator 4 which is located at a bottom of the laundry appliance 1 and mounted on top of acover 5 of a heat exchanger 6 and of which a front side (see alsoFig.2 ) is visible. Thesteam generator 4 is used to generate steam from water. Water is supplied to thesteam generator 4 via acondensate container shell 7 through aflexible filling hose 8. The water supplied to thesteam generator 4 is thus the condensate that is extracted from the damp clothes during the drying process. Thecondensate container shell 7 may additionally be filled by fresh water, e.g. at the beginning of a drying cycle, if there is not yet enough condensate to supply thesteam generator 4. - The output generated by the
steam generator 4 usually contains a mixture of steam and hot water and is led to asteam separator 9. The steam separator separates the steam from the hot water. The steam is fed into thedrum 2 via ahose 10 that leads to anozzle 11. Thenozzle 11 opens into thedrum 2 and may inject the steam directly onto the clothes or laundry. To this end, thenozzle 11 may have a shape, e.g. angular shape that allows orientation of the steam flow. The hot water is returned to a T-connector 12 located in a dryer pump reservoir via a flexible hot water return hose. Thus, thesteam separator 9 ensures that only steam with a low or very low liquid content is fed into thedrum 2. Thesteam separator 9 and thenozzle 11 are attached to abearing shield 22 of the laundry appliance 1. - The
steam generator 4 further comprises or is connected to aflexible de-aeration hose 13 that connects to a water tank (seefig.3 for further detail) of thesteam generator 4. Thesteam generator 4 further comprises a siphonfixation 14 for holding or fixing a siphon 15. -
Fig.2 sketches a cross-sectional side view of thesteam separator 9.Fig.3 sketches a cross-sectional front view of the steam separator.Fig.4 sketches a transparent top view of the steam separator. - Referring now to
Fig.2 to Fig.4 , thesteam separator 9 comprises aseparator housing 16. Theseparator housing 16 may, for example, be box-shaped or cylinder-shaped. A water /steam inlet 17, awater outlet 18, and asteam outlet 19 lead or open into theseparator housing 16. The water/steam inlet 17 is provided to feed a mixture of water and steam coming from thesteam generator 4 ofFig.1 , as indicated by arrow W+S. The mixture of water and steam entering theseparator housing 16 is separated in the housing, because the water W flows to thewater outlet 18, leaving theseparator housing 16 through thewater outlet 18, while the steam rises up to thesteam outlet 19, leaving theseparator housing 16 through thesteam outlet 19. - To provide a substantially disturbance-free flow of the water W through the
separator housing 16, the water/steam inlet 17 is connected to thewater outlet 18 by anopen drain channel 20. Theopen drain channel 20 is formed on an upper surface of a plate-like insert 21. Theopen drain channel 20 may, for example, have a cross-sectional shape resembling a half-pipe. Along its flow direction, thedrain channel 20 is curved, in particular basically U-shaped, to achieve a high flow velocity. A height h between the water /steam inlet 17 and thewater outlet 18 can be designed according to needs. - The
water outlet 18, which in general is located lower than the water/steam inlet 17, is preferably located at a bottom of thesteam separator 9 at the lowest point of theseparator housing 16. Therefore, thewater outlet 18 may also act as a drain for condensate formed on the walls of theseparator housing 16 by the steam S wherein the condensate trickles or drips down to thewater outlet 18. - The
open drain channel 20 allows the water W to flow through thesteam separator 9 without major disturbances or turbulences. This, in turn, suppresses an accumulation of water W within thesteam separator 9 that could lead to part of this accumulated water leaving via thesteam outlet 19. This water going through thesteam outlet 19 would then drip into thedrum 2 and impair a drying result. - The
steam outlet 19 is positioned directly above thedrain channel 20. Thus, the steam S being injected into theseparator housing 16 and/or being emitted from the hot water W can rise up uninhibited to thesteam outlet 19. - For a substantially turbulence-free flow of the water W, the
inlet 17 and thewater outlet 18 have at least roughly the same cross sectional area. For a high output of the steam S, thesteam outlet 19 has a larger cross sectional area than theinlet 17. - The
steam outlet 19 is connected to thenozzle 11 via theflexible hose 10, as shown inFig.1 , thenozzle 11 opening into thedrum 2. -
Fig.5 and Fig.6 show thesteam injection arrangement steam injection arrangement steam separator 9, wherein itssteam outlet 19 is connected to thenozzle 11 via theflexible silicone hose 10. The steam S leaving thesteam outlet 19, as indicated by the respective arrow S, flows through thehose 10 and to thenozzle 11. Thenozzle 11 opens into thedrum 2 of the laundry appliance 1, i.e. comprises a steam injection opening 23 or window through which the steam S is injected into thedrum 2, as indicated by the respective arrow. As described in greater detail inFig.2 to Fig.4 , thesteam separator 9 is fed with water and steam W + S through the water/steam inlet 17, and water W exits thesteam separator 9 through thewater outlet 18. - The
water outlet 18 is located at the lowest point of the steam separator and attached to a cone-shapedpart 25 of thesteam separator 9 to drain as much water as possible from thesteam separator 9. - The
steam separator 9, at the outside of itshousing 16, comprises only one fixation element orfixation point 26 to screw thesteam separator 9 to thebearing shield 22. - At the rear side of the
nozzle 11 that is facing the bearingshield 22 there are located several engagement means embodied asclips 24 to clip thenozzle 11 at thebearing shield 22. This ensures a secure fastening. On the other hand, thenozzle 11 can be taken off, e.g. for cleaning thenozzle 11. To this end, the bearingshield 22 comprises an opening (not shown) to insert thenozzle 11 and/or thehose 10. - In particular, the
nozzle 11 can be a two-part nozzle 11, with anozzle head 11a comprising theclips 24 and anozzle support part 11 b. Thenozzle support part 11 b may be attached to an outside of the bearingshield 22, as described inFig.7 to Fig.9 , to provide a fixed and immovable connection for thehose 10. Thenozzle support part 11 b is thus adapted to attach thehose 10 thereon. Thenozzle head 11 a may then be plugged together with thenozzle support part 11 b from the inside of the bearingshield 22 and be clipped to the bearing shield. In this case, cleaning of thenozzle 11 in particular includes cleaning of thenozzle head 11 a. - Thus, the whole
steam injection arrangement steam separator 9 to thebearing shield 22 and one clipping action to clip thenozzle 11 to thebearing shield 22. - As indicated in
Fig.6 , thenozzle 11 is inclined with respect to thebearing shield 22, wherein the orientation of the bearingshield 22 is indicated by the dashed line. The inclination allows the steam S exiting from thenozzle 11 to be directed downwards to a lower region of thedrum 2 and thus directly onto the clothes to be refreshed and/or dewrinkled. This arrangement implies that thenozzle 11 is positioned at an upper half of the bearingshield 22, in particular at a region of the bearingshield 22 surrounding an upper half of theopening 3. -
Fig.7 shows a sectional cut-out of arear side 22r of the bearingshield 22 of the laundry appliance 1 comprising thesteam injection arrangement steam separator 9 is screwed to thebearing shield 22 at itsfixation point 26, and thenozzle 11 is also fixed to thebearing shield 22 with thehose 10 connecting thesteam separator 9 and thenozzle 11. Of thenozzle 11, only thenozzle support part 11b is visible which is mounted to the outside of the bearingshield 22. Thehose 10 is put on thenozzle support part 11 b. -
Fig.8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the bearingshield 22. Thenozzle 11 ornozzle head 11a is inclined downwards with respect to the inside of the bearingshield 22 to directly inject the steam onto the clothes. -
Fig.9 shows a sectional cut-out of afront side 22f (looking from inside the drum 2) of the bearingshield 22. Thenozzle head 11 a is inserted into therespective opening 28 within the bearingshield 22. The engagement of thenozzle head 11a to the bearing shield by means of the clips may be effected by a pushing action and / or a rotating action. Thus, thenozzle head 11 a may be removed by a simple pulling action and/or (counter-) rotating action. - There are
special grooves 29 on a face of thenozzle head 11a in order to achieve drainage of condensate water that may form during injection of the steam S. Thegrooves 29 drain and channel the condensate in the direction of the bearing shield and thus away from thesteam injection opening 23. This suppresses the dripping or dragging of water drops onto the clothes. -
Fig. 10 shows a detailed cut-out of thefront side 22f of the bearingshield 22 in the vicinity of thenozzle 11 with thenozzle 11 inserted.Fig. 11 shows a detailed cut-out of therear side 22r of the bearingshield 22 in the vicinity of thenozzle 11 with thenozzle 11 inserted.Fig. 12 shows the cut-out of thefront side 22f ofFig. 10 with thenozzle 11 in an exploded view.Fig. 13 shows the cut-out of therear side 22r ofFig. 11 with thenozzle 11 in an exploded view. - Referring now to
Figs. 10 to 13 ,nozzle head 11a comprises afront disk 30 that in its center comprises thesteam injection opening 23. From the rear side of thenozzle head 11a extends atube socket 31 that is connected to thesteam injection opening 23. The twoclips 24 are extending sideways of thetube socket 31. Thenozzle head 11a, if looked upon from the side, is at least partially wedge-shaped with an additionalrear plate 32 being inclined to thefront disk 30. The wedge-shape ensures a desired inclination angle of thenozzle head 11 a into thedrum 2. - The
nozzle head 11a is to be fitted into theopening 28 of the bearingshield 22 by inserting it into the opening 28 from thefront side 22f. The bearingshield 22 comprises two small windows for hooks (not shown). Thenozzle head 11 a can be pushed into theopening 28 for theclips 24 to snap or click with the hooks. If fitted into theopening 28, thetube socket 31 sticks out to therear side 22r of the bearingshield 22. - The
nozzle support part 11 b comprises atube socket 33, a front part of which is adapted to be plugged on or slipped on thetube socket 31 of thenozzle head 11a. A rear part of thetube socket 33 is adapted to be connected with thehose 10. Thenozzle support part 11 b is screwed on thebearing shield 22. To this effect, thenozzle support part 11 b further comprises a double-disk likelateral support region 34 that is adapted to contact a ring-like rim orbase 35 of the opening. Two mountinglinks 36 are laterally extending from thesupport region 34. The mountinglinks 36 are angled with respect to thesupport region 34 such that thesupport region 34 can be fitted with the inclination angle while the mountinglinks 36 can be fixed horizontally. - For fixing the
nozzle support part 11 b to therear side 22r of the bearingshield 22, the mountinglinks 36 are fitted over the respective fitting screw stubs 37. The screw stubs 37 are horizontally extending from therear side 22r of the bearingshield 22. After slipping the mountinglinks 36 over the screw stubs 37, they can be screwed together by a respective screw (not shown). -
Fig.14 shows a sectional view of the bearingshield 22 and the assemblednozzle 11 ofFig.10 to Fig.13 . Thetube socket 31 of thenozzle head 11 a and thetube socket 33 of thenozzle support part 11 b are slipped together to form asingle channel 38 for guiding steam from arear opening 39 of the tube socket 33 (therear opening 39 opening into the hose 10) to theopening 23 of thenozzle head 11a. - Of course, the invention is not restricted to the shown embodiment. Generally, the nozzle can be a single piece or a multi-component nozzle. Also, the nozzle head can be fixed by other means than a snap connection e.g. by a screw connection.
-
- 1
- laundry appliance
- 2
- drum
- 3
- opening
- 4
- steam generator
- 5
- cover
- 6
- heat exchanger
- 7
- condensate container shell
- 8
- filling hose
- 9
- steam separator
- 10
- hose
- 11
- nozzle
- 11a
- nozzle head
- 11b
- nozzle support part
- 12
- T-connector
- 13
- de-aeration hose
- 14
- siphon fixation
- 15
- siphon
- 16
- steam separator housing
- 17
- water / steam inlet
- 18
- water outlet
- 19
- steam outlet
- 20
- open drain channel
- 21
- insert
- 22
- bearing shield
- 22r
- rear side of the bearing shield
- 22f
- front side of the bearing shield
- 23
- steam injection opening
- 24
- clip
- 25
- cone-shaped part
- 26
- fixation point
- 28
- opening of the bearing shield
- 29
- groove
- 30
- front disk
- 31
- tube socket
- 32
- rear plate
- 33
- tube socket
- 34
- support region
- 35
- base
- 36
- mounting link
- 37
- screw stub
- 38
- channel
- 39
- rear opening
- W
- water
- S
- steam
Claims (11)
- A laundry appliance (1) comprising a drum (2) and a steam injection apparatus for introducing steam into the drum (2), wherein the steam injection apparatus comprises a nozzle (11), wherein the nozzle (11) is a multi-component nozzle (11a, 11b), wherein at least two of the components of the multi-component nozzle (11a, 11b) are detachably attached to each other, wherein the multi-component nozzle (11) comprises at least a nozzle head (11a), the nozzle head (11a) comprising a steam injection opening (23), and wherein the multi-component nozzle (11) further comprises at least another component (11b) besides the nozzle head (11a), characterized in that the nozzle head (11a) is detachably attached to the at least another component (11b).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to claim 1, further including a steam separator (9) and a hose (10), in particular a flexible hose (10), wherein the nozzle (11) is connected to the steam separator (9) via the hose (10).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein the multi-component nozzle is a two-component nozzle (11) and wherein the two-component nozzle (11) comprises the nozzle head (11a) and a nozzle support part (11b), the nozzle support part (11 b) adapted to be fitted to the hose (10).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle support part (11b) is irremovably attached to the laundry appliance (1) or only detachable from the laundry appliance (1) with help of tools.
- The laundry appliance (1) according to any of claims 3 and 4, wherein at least the nozzle head (11a) is removably attached to the laundry appliance (1).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least the nozzle head (11a) is removably attached to a bearing shield (22) of the laundry appliance (1).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to any of claims 5 and 6, wherein the nozzle head (11a) comprises at least one engagement element (24), in particular a clip, removably attaching the nozzle head (11a).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the nozzle head (11a) is attachable to an inside of a bearing shield (22) and the nozzle support part (11 b) is attachable to an outside of a bearing shield (22).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle (11) comprises at least one condensate drain channel (29).
- The laundry appliance (1) according to claim 9, wherein the least one condensate drain channel (29) comprises at least one groove (29) in a vicinity of a steam injection opening (23) of the nozzle (11).
- A laundry appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which is a refresher dryer (1).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP10739936A EP2467529B1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2010-08-05 | Laundry appliance comprising a steam injection apparatus |
PL10739936T PL2467529T3 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2010-08-05 | Laundry appliance comprising a steam injection apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09168027A EP2287388A1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2009-08-18 | Steam injection apparatus and laundry appliance comprising the steam injection apparatus |
PCT/EP2010/061382 WO2011020705A1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2010-08-05 | Steam injection apparatus and laundry appliance comprising the steam injection apparatus |
EP10739936A EP2467529B1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2010-08-05 | Laundry appliance comprising a steam injection apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2467529A1 EP2467529A1 (en) | 2012-06-27 |
EP2467529B1 true EP2467529B1 (en) | 2013-04-03 |
Family
ID=41528613
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09168027A Withdrawn EP2287388A1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2009-08-18 | Steam injection apparatus and laundry appliance comprising the steam injection apparatus |
EP10739936A Active EP2467529B1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2010-08-05 | Laundry appliance comprising a steam injection apparatus |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09168027A Withdrawn EP2287388A1 (en) | 2009-08-18 | 2009-08-18 | Steam injection apparatus and laundry appliance comprising the steam injection apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP2287388A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102482837B (en) |
PL (1) | PL2467529T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011020705A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR101597108B1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2016-02-24 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Fabric treating apparatus |
KR101708316B1 (en) | 2015-06-02 | 2017-02-20 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Clothes treating apparatus |
WO2017036553A1 (en) * | 2015-09-04 | 2017-03-09 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Laundry machine with improved steam-use efficiency |
DE102017221722A1 (en) * | 2017-12-01 | 2019-06-06 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Spray unit and laundry treatment device |
DE102018215122A1 (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2020-03-12 | Meiko Maschinenbau Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned and method for producing a cleaning device |
CN109385871B (en) * | 2018-10-16 | 2020-12-18 | 杭州良***能科技有限公司 | Jet-propelled revolution mechanic |
CN109099406B (en) * | 2018-10-17 | 2020-11-03 | 广东美的厨房电器制造有限公司 | Steam generating device and steam equipment |
CN111254673B (en) * | 2018-11-30 | 2022-09-09 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Steam injection mechanism for clothes care equipment |
CN112080911B (en) * | 2019-06-14 | 2023-12-19 | 夏普株式会社 | Blower fan |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB189726920A (en) * | 1897-11-17 | 1898-07-09 | William Lewy | Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Water Particles from Steam. |
US4207683A (en) | 1979-02-01 | 1980-06-17 | Horton Roberta J | Clothes dryer |
US4426857A (en) * | 1982-02-26 | 1984-01-24 | Epstein Marketing Corp. | Steaming apparatus |
DE3408136A1 (en) | 1984-03-06 | 1985-09-19 | Passat-Maschinenbau Gmbh, 7100 Heilbronn | Process and appliance for the treatment of textiles |
JP3580842B2 (en) * | 1993-12-10 | 2004-10-27 | 株式会社エスワイ精機 | Nozzle head of spray device for release agent etc. |
IT1281772B1 (en) | 1995-04-14 | 1998-03-03 | Futura Steam Srl | METHOD FOR CONTROL AND RESTORATION OF THE LIQUID LEVEL IN A STEAM GENERATOR, AND DEVICE THAT IMPLEMENTS THIS METHOD |
IT1311200B1 (en) * | 1999-02-01 | 2002-03-04 | Euro Star Srl | STEAM GENERATOR FOR CLEANING MACHINES, IRON, MACHINES FOR COFFEE AND SIMILAR. |
CA2502708C (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2009-04-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Fabric article treating device comprising more than one housing |
KR100808193B1 (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2008-02-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | multiple washing machine |
JP2008170319A (en) * | 2007-01-12 | 2008-07-24 | Toshiba Corp | Water supply sparger |
KR101435810B1 (en) * | 2007-11-16 | 2014-08-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry treating machine |
CN101462153A (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2009-06-24 | 苏州明志科技有限公司 | Nozzle structure on cold box core making machine |
-
2009
- 2009-08-18 EP EP09168027A patent/EP2287388A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2010
- 2010-08-05 CN CN201080036384.2A patent/CN102482837B/en active Active
- 2010-08-05 PL PL10739936T patent/PL2467529T3/en unknown
- 2010-08-05 WO PCT/EP2010/061382 patent/WO2011020705A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-08-05 EP EP10739936A patent/EP2467529B1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2467529A1 (en) | 2012-06-27 |
WO2011020705A1 (en) | 2011-02-24 |
CN102482837B (en) | 2015-08-26 |
EP2287388A1 (en) | 2011-02-23 |
CN102482837A (en) | 2012-05-30 |
PL2467529T3 (en) | 2013-08-30 |
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