EP2935686B1 - Verfahren zur steuerung eines wärmepumpensystems für einen wäschetrockner und entsprechender wäschetrockner - Google Patents

Verfahren zur steuerung eines wärmepumpensystems für einen wäschetrockner und entsprechender wäschetrockner Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2935686B1
EP2935686B1 EP13805891.2A EP13805891A EP2935686B1 EP 2935686 B1 EP2935686 B1 EP 2935686B1 EP 13805891 A EP13805891 A EP 13805891A EP 2935686 B1 EP2935686 B1 EP 2935686B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
load
amount
compressor
speed
laundry
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EP13805891.2A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2935686A1 (de
Inventor
Francesco Cavarretta
Stefano Zandona'
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Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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    • 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
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity
    • 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
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2101/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • 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
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2101/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2101/04—Quantity, e.g. weight
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/04—Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/08—Humidity
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/08—Humidity
    • D06F2103/10—Humidity expressed as capacitance or resistance
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/26—Imbalance; Noise level
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/28—Air properties
    • D06F2103/32—Temperature
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/38—Time, e.g. duration
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
    • D06F2103/46—Current or voltage of the motor driving the drum
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/50—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to heat pumps, e.g. pressure or flow rate
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/26—Heat pumps
    • 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 
    • D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns the field of laundry drying techniques.
  • the present invention refers to a laundry drying machine equipped with a heat pump system and, more in particular, a method for controlling such a heat pump system.
  • Laundry treating machines capable of carrying out a drying process on laundry hereinafter simply indicated as laundry dryers, generally comprise a casing that houses a laundry container, like a rotating drum, where laundry to be treated is received.
  • a closed air stream circuit carries out drying operation by circulating hot air through the laundry container containing the wet laundry.
  • the heat pump technology is the most efficient way to save energy during drying operation.
  • a drying air stream flows in a close loop.
  • the drying air stream is moved by a fan, passes the laundry drum and removes water from wet clothes. Then the drying air stream is cooled down and dehumidified and then heated up in a heat pump system and finally reinserted again into the laundry drum.
  • the heat pump system comprises a refrigerant flowing in a closed-loop refrigerant circuit constituted by a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator.
  • the condenser heats up the drying air while the evaporator cools and dehumidifies the drying air leaving the drum.
  • the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit where it is compressed by the compressor, condensed in the condenser, expanded in the expansion device and then vaporized in the evaporator.
  • the temperatures of the drying air stream and the refrigerant are strongly correlated to each other.
  • Laundry dryers of known type with a heat pump technology typically uses a fixed speed compressor for the refrigerant circuit.
  • the choice of the compressor is affected by space constraints. The size of the compressor and then the heating and cooling capacity are limited.
  • the heat pump system can be adapted to different kind of cycles or to different working conditions of the system that occur during the drying cycle: this type of compressor works in an on/off-mode, so that the operating parameters of said compressor and of the heat pump system cannot be controlled during the operation.
  • DE 10 2005 041 145 A1 discloses a laundry dryer with a heat pump system.
  • the refrigerant circuit of said heat pump system includes a compressor with a variable output power.
  • the output power of the compressor depends either on detected parameters or on a predetermined scheme.
  • US 2011/0289794 A1 relates to a method of controlling a heat-pump tumble dryer.
  • the heat-pump system is driven by a variable-speed compressor and depending on a driving condition of the dryer, the electric power supplied to the compressor via an inverter is varied for varying the speed.
  • Via an input panel the user can input a course selection including a 'quick driving course'.
  • the driving condition is controlled automatically based on the quantity of the drying objects. In case of the quantity of the drying objects to be less than a predetermined value, a quick driving course is executed.
  • EP 2 284 310 A1 discloses a weight sensor and suggests to decrease compressor speed with decreasing load.
  • a conductivity sensor is provided for measuring the laundry dryness.
  • the applicant has found that by providing a method for controlling a laundry drying machine with at least one heat pump system comprising an air stream circuit including at least one drum for receiving laundry to be dried, at least one refrigerant circuit including at least one compressor with a variable rotation speed, a first heat exchanger for a thermal coupling between the air stream circuit and the refrigerant circuit and a second heat exchanger for a further thermal coupling between the air stream circuit and the refrigerant circuit, wherein the average speed or the average power of said compressor in a drying cycle is controlled according to the amount of load, it is possible to save energy during the drying cycle.
  • the present invention relates, therefore, to a method for controlling a laundry drying machine of the type comprising a heat pump system having a refrigerant circuit for a refrigerant and comprising an air stream circuit including at least one laundry drum for receiving laundry to be dried, said refrigerant circuit comprising:
  • the step of determining the amount of load in the laundry drum includes detecting and/or estimating the amount of load in the laundry drum.
  • the step of detecting and/or estimating the amount of load in the laundry drum comprises the step of evaluating working parameters of the laundry drying machine.
  • the method comprises the step of estimating the amount of load inside the laundry drum by evaluating the noise and/or fluctuation of the detected electric resistance and/or conductivity.
  • the step of evaluating the noise and/or fluctuation of the detected electric resistance and/or conductivity comprises:
  • the conductometric system comprises at least two electrodes suitable to contact the laundry inside the laundry drum.
  • the step of determining the amount of load in the laundry drum is carried out within a predetermined time interval at the beginning of the drying cycle.
  • the step of determining the amount of load in the laundry drum is carried out before the activation of the compressor.
  • the step of determining the amount of load in the laundry drum is carried after the activation of the compressor.
  • the step of determining the amount of load in the laundry drum is carried out after said laundry drum starts to rotate.
  • At least one predetermined threshold value for the amount of load is defined, wherein above the threshold value the average speed or the average power of the compressor is set to the second operational value and below the threshold value the average speed or the average power of the compressor is set to the first operational value.
  • two or more ranges for the amount of load are defined and corresponding two or more operational values of the average speed or of the average power of the compressor are set, wherein if the amount of load is comprised in a first range which has smaller values than the values of a second range then the correspondent first operational value of the average speed or of the average power of the compressor is set at an operational value higher than the correspondent second operational value of the average speed or of the average power of the compressor.
  • the drying cycle is performed at a steady compressor speed or at a steady compressor power.
  • the drying cycle is performed at a variable compressor speed or at a variable compressor power.
  • the drying cycle comprises a first phase at a higher compressor speed or at a higher compressor power than a successive phase.
  • the drying cycle comprises a final phase at a higher compressor speed or at a higher compressor power than a previous phase.
  • the drying cycle comprises a phase wherein the compressor speed or the compressor power increases.
  • the air stream circuit comprises an air conveyance device for conveying drying air in said laundry drum and the method further comprises the step of controlling the flow rate of drying air in a drying cycle according to the amount of load.
  • the air conveyance device comprises a fan and for a first amount of load the average speed or the average power of the fan is set to a first value and for a second amount of load the average speed or the average power of the fan is set to a second value, wherein the first amount of load is smaller than the second amount of load and the first value is higher than the second value.
  • the conveyance device comprises a fan and for a first amount of load the average speed or the average power of the fan is set to a first value and for a second amount of load the average speed or the average power of the fan is set to a second value, wherein said first amount of load is smaller than the second amount of load and the first value is smaller than the second value.
  • the air stream circuit comprises a cooling fan unit for cooling the compressor and the method further comprises the step of modifying or changing a predetermined fan unit on/off-time profile in response to the speed or the power of the compressor.
  • the central processing unit measures the electric current and/or the induced voltage of an electric motor associated to the laundry drum .
  • the conductometric system comprises at least two electrodes arranged inside the laundry drum.
  • the present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to a front-loading laundry dryer with a rotatable laundry container; however it is clear that the present invention can be applied as well to a top-loading laundry dryer. Furthermore, the present invention can be usefully applied to all the machines requiring a drying phase for wetted clothes, as for example a combined laundry washing and drying machine.
  • laundry drying machine will refer to both simple laundry drying machines and laundry washing-drying machines.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 illustrate a laundry drying machine 1, or laundry dryer, with a heat pump system 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the laundry dryer 1 preferably comprises, though not necessarily, a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer boxlike casing 2 which is preferably structured for resting on the floor.
  • a laundry container consisting of a rotatably drum 9 is provided within the casing 2.
  • a front door 8 pivotally coupled to the front upright side wall 2a, is provided for allowing access to the drum interior region to place laundry to be dried therein.
  • the drum 9 is advantageously rotated by a drum motor, preferably an electric motor, which preferably transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of the drum 9, advantageously by means of a belt/pulley system.
  • the drum motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum 9.
  • a user control interface 15 is preferably arranged on the top of the casing 2.
  • the user control interface 15 is preferably accessible to the user for the selection of the drying cycle and insertion of other parameters, for example the type of fabric of the load, the degree of dryness, etc..
  • the user control interface 15 preferably displays machine working conditions, such as the remaining cycle time, alarm signals, etc.
  • the user control interface 15 preferably comprises a display 13.
  • the user may selects and inserts other types of parameters, for example the washing temperature, the spinning speed, etc..
  • the user control interface may be differently realized, for example remotely arranged in case of a remote-control system.
  • the laundry dryer 1 is provided with an air stream circuit 10, as illustrated in Figure 2 , which is structured to circulate inside the drum 9 a stream of hot air.
  • the hot air circulates over and through the laundry located inside the drum 9 to dry the laundry.
  • the drum 9 itself is therefore part of the air stream circuit 10.
  • the air stream circuit 10 is also structured for drawing moist air from the drum 9, cooling down the moist air leaving the drum 9 so to extract and retain the surplus moisture.
  • the dehumidified air is then heated up to a predetermined temperature preferably higher than that of the moist air arriving from the drum 9. Finally the heated, dehumidified air is conveyed again into the drum 9, where it flows over and through the laundry stored inside the rotatable drum 9 to rapidly dry the laundry, as said above.
  • the air stream circuit 10 forms therefore a closed-loop for the air A, as schematically illustrated with dashed line in Figure 2 .
  • a fan 12 is preferably arranged along the circuit 10 for generating the air stream A, more preferably upstream of the drum 9.
  • the fan 12 is adapted and designed for circulating the air within the air stream circuit 10.
  • the air stream circuit 10 comprises a dehumidifying unit 23 arranged downstream of the drum 9 and a heater unit 21 arranged downstream of the dehumidifying unit 23 and upstream of the drum 9.
  • the terms "upstream” and “downstream” are referred to the flowing direction of the air, heated air and/or moist air, during the standard functioning of the laundry dryer; for example saying that the fan is arranged upstream of the drum means that in the standard functioning of the laundry dryer the air firstly passes through the fan and then flows into the drum; saying that the dehumidifying unit is arranged downstream of the drum means that in the standard functioning of the laundry dryer the air firstly circulates inside the drum and then passes through the dehumidifying unit.
  • the moist air cools down and condenses and the water generated therein is preferably collected in a removable container 14, visible in Figure 1 , arranged below the dehumidifying unit 23.
  • the dehumidifying unit 23 is the evaporator of the heat pump system 20 and the heating unit 21 is the condenser of said heat pump system 20.
  • the evaporator 23 dehumidifies the moist air coming from the drum 9 and then the condenser 21 heats up the dehumidified air coming from the evaporator 23. The heated air is then conveyed again into the drum 9.
  • the air stream circuit may not form a closed-loop.
  • the air stream may be conveyed to a condenser from outside, then conveyed into the drum, from the drum conveyed to the evaporator and finally expelled to the outside.
  • the air stream circuit 10 and the heat pump system 20 are thermally coupled by the condenser 21 and the evaporator 23.
  • the heat pump system 20 advantageously comprises a refrigerant circuit 30 forming a closed-loop circuit where a refrigerant flows.
  • the refrigerant circuit 30 comprises a compressor 24, a first heat exchanger 21, i.e. the condenser 21 in the preferred embodiment here described, an expansion device 22 and a second heat exchanger 23, i.e. the evaporator 23 in the preferred embodiment here described.
  • the compressor 24, the condenser 21, the expansion device 22 and the evaporator 23 are connected in series to form said closed-loop circuit.
  • the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit 30 wherein is compressed by the compressor 24, condensed in the condenser 21, expanded in the expansion device 22 and then vaporized in the evaporator 23.
  • the first heat exchanger may comprises a gas cooler (instead of the condenser) and the second heat exchanger may comprises a gas heater (instead of the evaporator).
  • the refrigerant is advantageously a gas, such as CO 2 , which maintains its gaseous state along all the closed-loop circuit, and in particular in the gas cooler and in the gas heater.
  • the gas temperature changes while passing through the gas cooler and the gas heater.
  • the first heat exchanger 21 defines a thermal coupling between the air stream circuit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 30 wherein the temperature of the air stream increases and the temperature of the refrigerant decreases.
  • the second heat exchanger 23 defines a further thermal coupling between the air stream circuit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 30 wherein the temperature of the air stream decreases and the temperature of the refrigerant increases.
  • the portion of the refrigerant circuit 30 comprised between the compressor outlet 24b and the expansion device inlet 22a defines a high-pressure side wherein the refrigerant is compressed at a high pressure (for example 20-30 bars when the refrigerant used is R407c).
  • the portion of the refrigerant circuit 30 comprised between the expansion device outlet 22b and the compressor inlet 24a defines a low-pressure side wherein the refrigerant is expanded at a low pressure (for example 8-10 bars when the refrigerant used is R407c).
  • a control unit 26 is also provided for controlling the compressor 24.
  • the control unit 26 is provided for controlling the rotation speed V of the compressor 24.
  • the control unit 26 for controlling the rotation speed V of the compressor 24 can be part of a central processing unit, not illustrated.
  • rotation speed V of the compressor 24 it is meant the rotation speed of a driving motor which is part of the compressor 24.
  • the laundry dryer 1 may comprise several kinds of sensor elements, which are not shown in the figures.
  • the sensor elements may be provided for detecting the temperature, the relative humidity and/or the electrical impedance at suitable positions of the laundry dryer 1.
  • the central processing unit above mentioned is advantageously connected to the various parts of the dryer 1, or peripheral units, in order to ensure its operation.
  • a first embodiment of the method for controlling the laundry dryer 1 according to the invention is described here below with reference to Figures from 3 to 6.
  • the laundry to be dried is first placed inside the drum 9 (step 100 of Figure 3 ).
  • the user selects the desired drying cycle (step 110) depending, for example, on the type of laundry textile to dry or on the dryness degree of the laundry which is expected at the end of the program, for example totally dried or with residual moisture for a best ironing.
  • the central processing unit sets the laundry drying machine 1 so that it starts the drying cycle.
  • the selection of the desired drying cycle (step 110) may be performed before placing the laundry into the drum 9 (step 100).
  • step 120 the amount of load W is determined.
  • Determining the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 includes detecting and/or estimating the amount of load W by evaluating predetermined working parameters of the laundry dryer, as will be better described later.
  • determining the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 includes receiving information about the amount of load W through a user selection of data.
  • a preferred way to determine the amount of load W by the user may include the provision of a button 17 on the user control interface 15 which permits the user to select the amount of load W.
  • the button 17 may comprise, for example, two positions corresponding to the choice of a "full-load condition” or a "half-load condition” which may depend on the quantity of laundry loaded into the drum 9 by the user.
  • the full-load condition or the half-load condition may be decided on the base of the weight of the load detected and/or estimated by the central processing unit, as will be better described later. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4 , if the weight of the detected load is less than 5kg then a "half-load condition" is set, while if the weight of the detected load is greater than 5kg then a "full-load condition" is set.
  • step 120 Once the amount of load W is determined (step 120), i.e. full-load condition or half-load condition, the proper drying cycle is chosen (step 130) according to the amount of load W previously determined (step 120).
  • the drying cycle is preferably defined, among other parameters, by the values of the rotation speed V of the compressor 24 during the drying process.
  • the drying cycle is preferably defined, among other parameters, by the values of the power P of compressor 24 during the drying process.
  • drum rotation speed or the speed of the fan 12.
  • the drum 9 is set rotating at favourable rotation speed.
  • the rotational direction of the rotation is preferably changed at intervals in a reversing rhythm.
  • Figure 5 represents the course of the compressor speed V in a possible drying cycle which may be performed in a full-load condition
  • Figure 6 represents the course of the compressor speed V in a possible drying cycle which may be performed in a half-load condition, according to the idea of the present invention.
  • course it is meant a trend over the time.
  • compressor speed V is merely indicative and not limitative. They refer, in fact, to a particular type of compressor motor utilized. Compressors with different displacements (i.e. internal volume of the compression chamber) are driven at different speed rotation. Generally, the higher the displacement, the lower the rotation speed level required to achieve the same effect.
  • the compressor 24 rotates at a steady speed V for the entire drying cycle, i.e. up to time t4, apart from the beginning of the cycle where the compressor speed V increase from 0 to the desired steady speed V, as indicated in the time interval from t0 to t0' in figures 5 and 6 .
  • the compressor speed V for example increases linearly at 200rpm/sec.
  • the compressor speed V in half-load condition is higher than the compressor speed V in full-load condition.
  • the compressor speed V during the drying cycle may not be constant but varying over the time.
  • the compressor 24 is rotated at different speed V over the time t.
  • the drying cycle may comprise an acceleration phase (from time t0 to time t0'), a first phase (from time t0' to time t1) at a steady speed V, a second phase (from time t1 to time t2) during which the speed V is decreased, a third phase (from time t2 to time t3) during which the compressor is driven at a steady speed V lower than in the first phase and a final phase (from time t3 to time t4) during which the speed V increases.
  • an acceleration phase from time t0 to time t0'
  • a first phase from time t0' to time t1
  • second phase from time t1 to time t2
  • a third phase from time t2 to time t3 during which the compressor is driven at a steady speed V lower than in the first phase
  • a final phase from time t3 to time t4 during which the speed V increases.
  • the choice of the times, in particular of t1, t2, t3 and t4, are advantageously pre-determined and selected, for example, according to the type of product (cotton, wool, delicate, etc.) to be dried and are preferably selected by the user.
  • the first phase (t0'-t1) may then, preferably, last a long period of time, for example 20-30 min, during which the temperatures of the drying air stream A and of the heat pump system 20, which are usually at the ambient temperature when the laundry dryer 1 starts to operate, increase up to desired levels.
  • This phase may also be called warm-up phase.
  • determination of the amount of load W is preferably carried out before the compressor is activated, i.e. before time t0.
  • the choice of the proper drying cycle (step 130) according to the invention corresponds to a choice of one cycle between the full-load condition cycle and the half-load condition cycle of the compressor speed V over the time t.
  • the compressor speed Vh, more particularly the average compressor speed Vh, in half-load condition is higher than the compressor speed Vf, more particularly the average compressor speed Vf, in full-load condition, as it results by comparing the two cycles in the graph of Figure 7 .
  • the function representing the full-load condition cycle substantially corresponds to function representing the half-load condition cycle shifted downwardly, i.e. towards lower values of speed V.
  • the average compressor speed Vh in half-load condition is higher than the average compressor speed Vf' in full-load condition.
  • the average compressor speed Vf' is set lower than the average compressor speed Vf of the previous embodiment illustrated in figure 7 .
  • Figure 7B shows a further embodiment of the invention.
  • the compressor speed V in half-load condition and in full-load are the same during the acceleration phase (t0-t0') and the first phase (t0'-t1).
  • the average compressor speed Vh in half-load condition is higher than the average compressor speed Vf" in full-load condition.
  • the average compressor speed Vf" is set higher than the average compressor speed Vf of the previous embodiment illustrated in figure 7 .
  • the determination of the amount of load W may still be preferably carried out before the compressor is activated, i.e. before time t0.
  • the determination of the amount of load W may be preferably carried out during the acceleration phase (t0-t0') or even better during the first phase (t0'-t1) of the drying cycle or, in other words, after the compressor 24 has been activated.
  • the first phase (warm-up phase) may last a lot, for example 20min, so that the determination of the amount of load W may be carried out without wasting of time during this warm-up phase.
  • Figure 7C shows a further embodiment of the invention.
  • This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment illustrated in figure 7 for the different course of the cycle in full-load condition.
  • the average compressor speed Vh in half-load condition is higher than the average compressor speed Vf" in full-load condition.
  • the average compressor speed Vf" is set lower than the average compressor speed Vf of the previous embodiment illustrated in figure 7 .
  • Figure 7D shows a further embodiment of the invention.
  • This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment illustrated in figure 7 for the different course of the cycle in full-load condition.
  • the compressor speed V at some instants in full-load condition may be higher than the compressor speed V of the corresponding instants in half-load condition.
  • the average compressor speed Vh in half-load condition is higher than the average compressor speed Vf"" in full-load condition.
  • the average compressor speed Vf"" is set higher than the average compressor speed Vf of the previous embodiment illustrated in figure 7 .
  • All the drying cycles above described may be advantageously pre-determined and selected, for example, according to the type of product (cotton, wool, delicate, etc.) to be dried and are preferably selected by the user.
  • the idea of the present invention is therefore to set the average rotation speed V of the compressor 24 according to the amount of load W of laundry to be dried.
  • the upper average rotation speed V for the compressor 24 is activated.
  • the lower average rotation speed V for the compressor 24 is activated.
  • the threshold value advantageously correspond with the half of the maximum load in the laundry drum 9 (a threshold value of 5Kg for a maximum load of 10Kg).
  • the average compressor speed V is high.
  • the idea of the invention derives from the fact that the amount of load W in the drum 9 affects the air flow stream inside the drum 9 itself.
  • the load in fact, introduces a certain pressure drop in the air flow stream. This causes the air flow rate moved by the fan 12 to decrease.
  • the idea consists in driving the compressor 24 to adapt the working conditions of the heat pump system 20 to the air flow rate of said air flow stream.
  • the air flow rate is high: therefore the compressor 24 is driven at high speed level to exploit the high air flow.
  • the high air flow enhances the drying effect of the air stream on the laundry, thus reducing the drying cycle time required to dry the laundry.
  • the high compressor speed V therefore, allows saving a substantial amount of energy and optimizes the removal of moisture from the laundry when the amount of load W is low.
  • the air flow rate is low: reducing the speed V of compressor 24 for reducing the refrigerant flow rate in the refrigerant circuit moved by the compressor itself allows matching the refrigerant flow rate to a lower air flow rate.
  • a low compressor speed instead, advantageously does not reduce the drying efficiency and saves a substantial amount of energy.
  • air flow stream inside the drum 9 is moved by the fan 12, preferably rotated at a steady speed.
  • the fan speed may be varied during the drying cycle according to a desired course over the time.
  • the compressor speed V is set according to two values of the load, i.e. half or full-load.
  • the correlation between the compressor speed V and the amount of load W is therefore simple.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a second example of a correlation between the average compressor speed V and the amount of load W according to the present invention.
  • the average compressor speed V is set at different values, actually five values, corresponding to five ranges for the amount of load W.
  • Amount of load W (Average) compressor speed V: less than 2kg 2700 rpm 2-4 kg 2500 rpm 4-6 kg 2300 rpm 6-8 kg 2100 rpm 8-10 kg 1900 rpm
  • the optimal average compressor speed V is set according to the table above and/or the diagram of Figure 8 .
  • the correlation between the average compressor speed V and the amount of load W inside the laundry drum 9 is stored as a function or as a table in a memory of the control unit 26 and/or of the central processing unit. According to this function or table, every amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 is related to an ideal average speed V of the compressor 24.
  • the rotation speed V of the compressor 24 is set according to the amount of load W being dried.
  • the compressor speed V is set at different values, actually five values, corresponding to five ranges of amount of load W.
  • determining the amount of load W preferably includes detecting and/or estimating the amount of load W by evaluating predetermined working parameters of the laundry dryer, as will be better described later. Further, determining the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 includes receiving information about the amount of load W through a user selection of data.
  • the selection may include the provision of a selector 18 on the user control interface 15 which permits the user to select a desired range corresponding to the amount of load W.
  • the selector 18 may comprise, for example, five positions corresponding to said ranges.
  • the compressor speed V during the drying cycle may not be constant but varying over the time.
  • the compressor 24 may therefore rotate at different speed V over the time t.
  • the speed V of the compressor 24 during the drying cycle for the different amount of loads W is represented.
  • the choice of the proper drying cycle corresponds to a choice of one cycle between five different cycles over the time t.
  • determining of the amount of load W preferably takes place at the beginning of the drying cycle. Preferably, this takes place during the first few minutes of the drying cycle, for example during the first five minutes, depending on the estimation criteria utilized.
  • the step of determining of the amount of load W is carried out before the compressor 24 is activated.
  • the drying cycle then will continue according to the pre-determined course chosen.
  • the step of determining of the amount of load W may be also carried out during any phase of the drying cycle, in particular during the warm-up phase.
  • the step of determining of the amount of load W is therefore carried out after the activation of the compressor 24.
  • the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 may be directly detected by a weight sensor associated to the drum 9.
  • the amount of load W may be determined by measuring the electrical parameters of the electric drum motor, like the electric current and/or the induced voltage.
  • the electrical current through the electric drum motor is at least approximately proportional to the torque of the electric drum motor. For example, the electric current measured gives a measure of the torque of the electric drum motor and from the torque the amount of load W is determined.
  • the torque of the electric drum motor may be detected and/or calculated differently, for example by means of a torque sensor associated to the drum motor.
  • the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 may be further detected by the temperature difference of the air stream between an inlet and outlet of the laundry drum 9.
  • the temperature difference of the inlet and outlet of the laundry drum 9 is related to the amount of water extracted from the laundry and decreases in the case of a small heat exchange between the air stream and the laundry.
  • the temperature of the air stream at the outlet of the laundry drum 9 can be used alone for estimating the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9.
  • the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 may be further detected by the temperature difference of the air stream between an inlet and outlet of the evaporator 23.
  • the amount of load W may be estimated by measuring the electric resistance and/or conductivity of the wet laundry.
  • the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9 may be detected by using two electrodes associated to the laundry drum 9.
  • the electrodes are advantageously parts of a conductimetric system.
  • Said conductimetric system may be provided for detecting both the dryness degree of the laundry inside the drum and for estimating the amount of load W in the laundry drum 9.
  • a level of electrical noise and/or fluctuation during the first minutes of a drying cycle is used.
  • the wet load can connect electrically the first electrode to the second electrode, when a part of the wet load touches simultaneously the first electrode and the second electrode. If the wet load in the laundry drum 9 does not touch simultaneously the first electrode and the second electrode, then a peak is detected by the conductimetric system.
  • the present invention allows the set object to be achieved.
  • it makes it possible to obtain a drying cycle which allow an additional saving of energy compared to machines of known type.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a more detailed schematic diagram of the laundry drying machine of figure 1 .
  • the schematic diagram represented in figure 12 differs from the schematic diagram of figure 2 only in that it explicitly shows the fan control unit 46.
  • a fan 12 is preferably arranged along the air stream circuit 10.
  • the fan 12, and more generally an air conveyance device 12, generates drying air A, previously indicated also as air stream A.
  • the fan control unit 46 is provided for controlling the fan 12.
  • the fan control unit 46 is provided for controlling the fan speed Fs of the fan 12.
  • the fan control unit 46 for controlling the rotation speed Fs of the fan 12 can be part of the central processing unit.
  • the central processing unit advantageously manages and controls data from/for the fan control unit 46.
  • the fan 12 comprises an electric motor and the control unit 46 preferably comprises an inverter.
  • the control of the fan 12 may be carried out by controlling the power of such a motor, instead of controlling the speed.
  • the fan control unit 46 is advantageously provided for varying the rotation speed Fs of the fan 12 between at least two different values, a low rotation speed Fls and a high rotation speed Fhs, or for varying at any desired value the rotation speed Fs of the fan 12, as will be better described below.
  • the air conveyance device 12 is preferably arranged upstream of the drum 9, as said above. In different embodiments, nevertheless, the air conveyance device 12 may be arranged in any place along the air stream circuit 10.
  • the laundry to be dried is first placed inside the drum 9.
  • the user selects the desired drying cycle depending, for example, on the type of laundry textile to dry or on the dryness degree of the laundry which is expected at the end of the program, for example totally dry or with residual moisture for a best ironing.
  • the central processing unit sets the laundry drying machine 1 so that it starts the drying cycle.
  • the amount of load W is determined, as exhaustively explained above.
  • the drying air A in the air stream circuit 10 is controlled on the base of the amount of load W
  • the flow rate of the drying air A is associated to the fan speed Fs.
  • the proper fan speed cycle is chosen according to the amount of load W previously determined.
  • Figure 13 represents the course of the fan speed Fs in a possible drying cycle which may be performed in a full-load condition and in a half-load condition, according to the present aspect of the invention.
  • the fan 12 is rotated at low speed Fsl, for example 2500rpm.
  • Fsl low speed
  • Fsh high speed
  • the fan 12 rotates at a steady speed for the entire drying cycle, i.e. up to time t4, apart from the beginning of the cycle where the fan speed increase from 0 to the desired steady speed, as indicated in the time interval from t0 to t0' in figure 13 .
  • the fan speed for example increases linearly at about 200rpm/sec.
  • the fan speed Fsh in half-load condition is higher than the fan speed Fsl in full-load condition.
  • the fan speed Fs during the drying cycle may not be constant but varying over the time.
  • the fan 12 is rotated at different speed Fs over the time t.
  • the cycle may comprise an acceleration phase (from time t0 to time t0'), a first phase (from time t0' to time t1) at a steady speed, a second phase (from time t1 to time t2) during which the speed is decreased, a third phase (from time t2 to time t3) during which the fan 12 is driven at a steady speed lower than in the first phase and a final phase (from time t3 to time t4) during which the speed increases.
  • an acceleration phase from time t0 to time t0'
  • a first phase from time t0' to time t1
  • second phase from time t1 to time t2
  • a third phase from time t2 to time t3 during which the fan 12 is driven at a steady speed lower than in the first phase
  • a final phase from time t3 to time t4 during which the speed increases.
  • the fan speed Fsh (2900rpm), more particularly the average fan speed Fsh, in half-load condition is higher than the fan speed Fsl (2500rpm), more particularly the average fan speed Fsl, in full-load condition, as it results by comparing the two cycles in the graph of Figure 14 .
  • the function representing the full-load condition cycle substantially corresponds to function representing the half-load condition cycle shifted downwardly, i.e. towards lower values of speed Fs.
  • the fan speed Fs is set according to two values of the load, i.e. half or full-load.
  • the correlation between the fan speed Fs and the amount of load W is therefore simple.
  • the correlation between the average fan speed Fs and the amount of load W may be different, for example provides for various ranges for the amount of load W.
  • the fan speed Fs may be rotated at different values according to said ranges.
  • higher amount of load W corresponds to lower average fan speed Fs.
  • higher amount of load W corresponds to lower average compressor speed V is (or average compressor power P).
  • the idea is to match the proper flow rate of the drying air A with the compressor 24 working condition.
  • the flow rate of the drying air A, or the fan speed Fs also has a high value.
  • a high refrigerant flow rate is moved by the compressor 24 inside the refrigerant circuit 30.
  • a high flow rate of the drying air A allows the heat pump 30 working in more favourable conditions.
  • the drying air A circulates in the air stream circuit 10 and exchanges thermal energy with the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit 30 through the condenser 21 and the evaporator 23. In such condition, therefore, the thermal exchanges in the condenser 21 and in the evaporator 23 are optimized. This allows reduction of the drying cycle duration.
  • a high flow rate of the drying air A allows condensation of all, or substantially all, the refrigerant in the condenser 21.
  • a high flow rate of the drying air A allows evaporation of all, or substantially all, the refrigerant in the evaporator 23. This further optimizes the heat pump performance and further allows reduction of the drying cycle duration.
  • the proper fan speed cycle is chosen according to the amount of load W previously determined.
  • Figure 15 represents the course of the fan speed Fs in a possible drying cycle which may be performed in a full-load condition and in a half-load condition, according to this further aspect of the invention.
  • the fan 12 is rotated at high speed Fsh, for example 2900rpm.
  • Fsh high speed
  • Fsl low speed
  • the fan 12 rotates at a steady speed for the entire drying cycle, i.e. up to time t4, apart from the beginning of the cycle where the fan speed increase from 0 to the desired steady speed, as indicated in the time interval from t0 to t0' in figure 15 .
  • the fan speed Fs for example increases linearly at about 200rpm/sec.
  • the fan speed Fsl in half-load condition is lower than the fan speed Fsh in full-load condition.
  • the fan speed Fs during the drying cycle may not be constant but varying over the time.
  • the fan 12 is rotated at different speed Fs over the time t.
  • the cycle may comprise an acceleration phase (from time t0 to time t0'), a first phase (from time t0' to time t1) at a steady speed, a second phase (from time t1 to time t2) during which the speed is decreased, a third phase (from time t2 to time t3) during which the fan 12 is driven at a steady speed lower than in the first phase and a final phase (from time t3 to time t4) during which the speed increases.
  • an acceleration phase from time t0 to time t0'
  • a first phase from time t0' to time t1
  • second phase from time t1 to time t2
  • a third phase from time t2 to time t3 during which the fan 12 is driven at a steady speed lower than in the first phase
  • a final phase from time t3 to time t4 during which the speed increases.
  • the fan speed Fsl more particularly the average fan speed Fsl, in half-load condition is lower than the fan speed Fsh, more particularly the average fan speed Fsh, in full-load condition, as it results by comparing the two cycles in the graph of Figure 16 .
  • the function representing the full-load condition cycle substantially corresponds to function representing the half-load condition cycle shifted upwardly, i.e. towards higher values of speed Fs.
  • the fan speed Fs is set according to two values of the load, i.e. half or full-load.
  • the correlation between the fan speed Fs and the amount of load W is therefore simple.
  • the correlation between the average fan speed Fs and the amount of load W may be different, for example provides for various ranges for the amount of load W.
  • the fan speed Fs may be rotated at different values according to said ranges.
  • lower amount of load W corresponds to lower average fan speed Fs.
  • the idea here is to adapt the flow rate value for drying air A to the amount of load W.
  • the idea is maintaining substantially the same flow rate for the drying air A for different amounts of load W.
  • the flow rate of the drying air A may be maintained at a proper value by means of a corresponding low value for the fan speed Fsl. In fact, when the amount of load W is low the drying air A encounters a low resistance.
  • the flow rate of the drying air A may be maintained at the same value in half-load condition by increasing the value of the fan speed Fs.
  • the drying air A encounters a higher resistance and its flow rate is reduced.
  • Increasing of the value of the fan speed Fs compensates this flow rate reduction.
  • a low value for the fan speed Fs in half-load condition reduces power consumption for driving the fan 12 with respect to a full-load condition.
  • a low speed Fs when the amount of load W is low, maintains the noise level caused by the fan 26 at low level.
  • control interface 15 may comprise a "silent cycle" button.
  • Figure 17 illustrates a more detailed schematic diagram of the laundry drying machine of figure 1 .
  • the schematic diagram represented in figure 17 differs from the schematic diagram of figure 2 only in that it shows a cooling fan unit 34.
  • the cooling fan unit 34 comprises a blower or fan 36.
  • a fan control unit 35 is provided for controlling the fan 36.
  • the fan control unit 35 for controlling the fan 36 can be part of the central processing unit.
  • the fan control unit 35 is advantageously provided for switching-on and switching-off the fan 36.
  • the compressor control unit 26 and the fan control unit 35 communicates one to the other. More preferably, both the compressor control unit 26 and the fan control unit 35 are part of said central processing unit.
  • the central processing unit advantageously manages and controls data from/for said units.
  • the fan 36 is driven by a fan motor.
  • the fan motor preferably comprises an on/off electric motor.
  • the cooling fan unit 34 or blower unit is arranged close to the compressor 24 to remove heat from the compressor 24, i.e. from the heat pump system 20, during the drying cycle.
  • the cooling air flow which is preferably an ambient air flow, is actively driven by the cooling fan unit 34 and removes heat from (the surface of) the compressor 24.
  • thermodynamic balance is achieved between the closed loops of the drying air A loop and refrigerant loop.
  • the electrical power consumed by the compressor 24 and which is not transformed to work power by compressing the refrigerant is removed from the heat pump system 20, i.e. heat power of the compressor is balanced in the - under ideal consideration - closed loops of refrigerant and drying air A.
  • the heat pump system 20 After starting the laundry drying machine 1 from a cold or ambient state the heat pump system 20 runs through a warm-up phase before reaching the steady state (i.e. normal mode after the warm-up period). As the heat pump system operation status changes (depending mainly on the refrigerant temperature) in the warm-up phase, optimizing cooling requirement over time changes.
  • the present invention provides a solution for optimizing cooling over time.
  • switching-on and switching-off of the fan 36 is set depending on the rotation speed V, or the power P, of the compressor 24.
  • switching-on and switching-off of the fan 36 correspond to switching-on temperature and switching-off temperature of the heat pump system temperature or refrigerant temperature.
  • the motor fan switch-on and the switch-off temperatures are set depending on the rotation speed V, or the power P, of the compressor 24.
  • Table 1 Specific example Rotation speed V of compressor fan unit On/ Off temperature Speed ⁇ 2500 rpm 58°C/ 56°C 2500 rpm ⁇ speed ⁇ 3000 rpm 54°C/ 53°C Speed > 3000 rpm 51°C/ 50°C
  • the applied fan unit On/Off temperature (in column 2) is selected in dependency of the rotation speed V, or the power P, of the compressor 24 (in column 1) - i.e. the higher the rotation speed V, or the power P, of the compressor 24 the lower the On/Off switching temperature to respond in time to a faster temperature rise of the compressor at higher rotation speed V, or the power P , of the compressor 24.
  • the temperatures in Table 1 are, in particular, temperatures at the condenser exit 21b detected by a temperature sensor.
  • Fig. 18 shows a flow chart of the operation parameter settings as described above in the example of Table 1.
  • a related fan unit On/ Off temperature set is selected.
  • This parameter set defines the temperatures at which the fan unit 24 is switched-on and switched-off, respectively, while the temperature of the refrigerant at the condenser exit is detected or monitored repeatedly, e.g. every second.
  • the operation parameter can be adapted continuously to the requirements of the presently executed drying cycle.
  • Fig. 19 depicts a diagram illustrating the modification of fan unit parameter settings over time in dependency of the rotation speed V, or the power P, of the compressor 24.
  • said temperatures may be detected by a temperature sensor placed in a different point of the heat pump system 20.
  • This detection may preferably furnish a value of temperature of the refrigerant, in particular the refrigerant temperature at one of the heat exchangers, at the compressor outlet or at the condenser outlet.
  • said temperatures may be also an estimated value.
  • a look-up table e.g. like shown in the example of Table 1, is implemented in the control unit and the operation parameter set to be selected is retrieved from the look-up table in dependency of the respective value or value range of the rotation speed V, or the power P, of the compressor 24.
  • the switch-on and the switch-off temperatures may be determined in dependency of a function.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
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Claims (12)

  1. Verfahren zum Steuern eines Wäschetrockners (1) von der Art, die ein Wärmepumpensystem (20) umfasst, das einen Kältekreis (30) für ein Kältemittel aufweist, sowie einen Luftstromkreis (10) umfasst, beinhaltend mindestens eine Wäschetrommel (9) zum Aufnehmen von zu trocknender Wäsche, wobei der Kältekreis (30) Folgendes umfasst:
    - einen Kompressor (24) mit variabler Drehzahl (V);
    - einen ersten Wärmetauscher (21) zur thermischen Kopplung zwischen dem Luftstromkreis (10) und dem Kältekreis (30), wobei die Temperatur des Luftstroms ansteigt und die Temperatur des Kältemittels sinkt; und
    - einen zweiten Wärmetauscher (23) zur weiteren thermischen Kopplung zwischen dem Luftstromkreis (10) und dem Kältekreis (30), wobei die Temperatur des Luftstroms sinkt und die Temperatur des Kältemittels ansteigt;
    wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
    - Bestimmen der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9); und
    - Steuern der durchschnittlichen Drehzahl (V) oder der durchschnittlichen Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) in einem Trocknungszyklus gemäß der Beladungsmenge (W), sodass im Fall einer ersten Beladungsmenge (W) die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (V) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) auf einen ersten Betriebswert (Vh) eingestellt wird und im Fall einer zweiten Beladungsmenge (W) die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (V) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) auf einen zweiten Betriebswert (Vf; Vf'; V''; Vf'''; Vf'''') eingestellt wird,
    wobei die erste Beladungsmenge (W) kleiner als die zweite Beladungsmenge (W) ist und der erste Betriebswert (Vh) größer als der zweite Betriebswert (Vf; Vf'; Vf''; Vf'''; Vf'''') ist;
    wobei der Schritt des Bestimmens der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) innerhalb eines vorbestimmten Zeitintervalls zu Beginn des Trocknungszyklus und/oder nachdem die Wäschetrommel (9) sich zu drehen begonnen hat durchgeführt wird; und
    wobei der Schritt des Bestimmens der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) Detektieren und/oder Schätzen der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) beinhaltet, wobei der Schritt des Detektierens und/oder Schätzens der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) den Schritt des Bewertens von Arbeitsparametern des Wäschetrockners (1) umfasst, der Folgendes umfasst:
    (a) den Schritt des Detektierens des Gewichts der Ladung mittels eines Gewichtssensors, welcher der Wäschetrommel (9) zugeordnet ist, oder
    (b) den Schritt des Messens der elektrischen und/oder mechanischen Parameter eines Elektro-Trommelmotors, wobei der Schritt des Messens der elektrischen und/oder mechanischen Parameter eines Elektro-Trommelmotors den Schritt des Messens des elektrischen Stroms und/oder der induzierten Spannung und/oder des Drehmoments des Elektro-Trommelmotors umfasst, oder
    (c) den Schritt des Detektierens der Temperatur des Luftstroms an einem Einlass und/oder an einem Auslass der Wäschetrommel (9) oder des Detektierens der Temperatur des Luftstroms an einem Einlass und/oder an einem Auslass des zweiten Wärmetauschers (23) oder
    (d) den Schritt des Detektierens des elektrischen Widerstands und/oder der Leitfähigkeit von nasser Wäsche mittels eines Systems zur Leitfähigkeitsmessung.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass (d) der Schritt des Detektierens des elektrischen Widerstands und/oder der Leitfähigkeit nasser Wäsche mittels eines Systems zur Leitfähigkeitsmessung den Schritt des Schätzens der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) durch Bewerten des Geräuschs und/oder der Schwankung des detektierten elektrischen Widerstands und/oder der Leitfähigkeit umfasst.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Bewertens des Geräuschs und/oder der Schwankung des detektierten elektrischen Widerstands und/oder der Leitfähigkeit Folgendes umfasst:
    - Messen des Werts von Spitzenwerten eines elektrischen Signals, das dem detektierten elektrischen Widerstand und/oder der Leitfähigkeit entspricht, und/oder
    - Messen der Anzahl von Spitzenwerten innerhalb einer Zeitspanne eines elektrischen Signals, das dem detektierten elektrischen Widerstand und/oder der Leitfähigkeit entspricht, und/oder
    - Messen des Bereichs, der unterhalb der Spitzenwerte eines elektrischen Signals liegt, das dem detektierten elektrischen Widerstand und/oder der Leitfähigkeit entspricht.
  4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das System zur Leitfähigkeitsmessung mindestens zwei Elektroden umfasst, die geeignet sind, die Wäsche in der Wäschetrommel (9) zu berühren.
  5. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Bestimmens der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) vor der Betätigung des Kompressors (24) durchgeführt wird.
  6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Bestimmens der Beladungsmenge (W) in der Wäschetrommel (9) nach der Betätigung des Kompressors (24) durchgeführt wird.
  7. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein vorbestimmter Schwellenwert für die Beladungsmenge (W) definiert wird, wobei oberhalb des Schwellenwerts die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (V) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) auf den zweiten Betriebswert (Vf; Vf'; Vf''; Vf'''; Vf'''') eingestellt wird und unterhalb des Schwellenwerts die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (V) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) auf den ersten Betriebswert (Vh) eingestellt wird.
  8. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zwei oder mehrere Bereiche für die Beladungsmenge (W) definiert werden und entsprechende zwei oder mehrere Betriebswerte der durchschnittlichen Drehzahl (V) oder der durchschnittlichen Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) eingestellt werden, wobei dann, wenn die Beladungsmenge (W) in einem ersten Bereich umfasst ist, welcher kleinere Werte als die Werte eines zweiten Bereichs aufweist, der entsprechende erste Betriebswert der durchschnittlichen Drehzahl (V) oder der durchschnittlichen Leistung des Kompressors (24) bei einem Betriebswert eingestellt wird, der größer als der entsprechende zweite Betriebswert der durchschnittlichen Drehzahl (V) oder der durchschnittlichen Leistung des Kompressors (24) ist.
  9. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftstromkreis (10) eine Luftzufuhrvorrichtung (12) umfasst, um Trockenluft (A) in die Wäschetrommel (9) zuzuführen, und das Verfahren ferner den Schritt des Steuerns der Durchflussmenge der Trockenluft (A) in einem Trocknungszyklus gemäß der Beladungsmenge (W) umfasst.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Luftzufuhrvorrichtung (12) ein Gebläse (12) umfasst und dadurch, dass
    für eine erste Beladungsmenge (W) die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (Fs) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung des Gebläses (12) auf einen ersten Wert (Fsh) eingestellt wird und für eine zweite Beladungsmenge (W) die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (Fs) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung des Gebläses (12) auf einen zweiten Wert (Fsl) eingestellt wird, wobei die erste Beladungsmenge (W) kleiner als die zweite Beladungsmenge (W) ist und der erste Wert (Fsh) größer als der zweite Wert (Fsl) ist.
  11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Luftzufuhrvorrichtung (12) ein Gebläse (12) umfasst und dadurch, dass
    für eine erste Beladungsmenge (W) die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (Fs) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung des Gebläses (12) auf einen ersten Wert (Fsl) eingestellt wird und für eine zweite Beladungsmenge (W) die durchschnittliche Drehzahl (Fs) oder die durchschnittliche Leistung des Gebläses (12) auf einen zweiten Wert (Fsh) eingestellt wird, wobei die erste Beladungsmenge (W) kleiner als die zweite Beladungsmenge (W) ist und der erste Wert (Fsl) kleiner als der zweite Wert (Fsh) ist.
  12. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftstromkreis (10) eine Kühlgebläseeinheit (34) zum Kühlen des Kompressors (24) umfasst und das Verfahren ferner den Schritt des Modifizierens oder Änderns eines vorbestimmten Ein-/Ausschaltprofils der Gebläseeinheit in Reaktion auf die Drehzahl (V) oder die Leistung (P) des Kompressors (24) umfasst.
EP13805891.2A 2012-12-18 2013-12-17 Verfahren zur steuerung eines wärmepumpensystems für einen wäschetrockner und entsprechender wäschetrockner Active EP2935686B1 (de)

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EP13805891.2A EP2935686B1 (de) 2012-12-18 2013-12-17 Verfahren zur steuerung eines wärmepumpensystems für einen wäschetrockner und entsprechender wäschetrockner

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EP12197800.1A EP2746457A1 (de) 2012-12-18 2012-12-18 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Wärmepumpensystems für einen Wäschetrockner und entsprechender Wäschetrockner
EP13805891.2A EP2935686B1 (de) 2012-12-18 2013-12-17 Verfahren zur steuerung eines wärmepumpensystems für einen wäschetrockner und entsprechender wäschetrockner
PCT/EP2013/076809 WO2014095790A1 (en) 2012-12-18 2013-12-17 A method for controlling a heat pump system for a laundry drying machine and a corresponding laundry drying machine

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EP2935686A1 EP2935686A1 (de) 2015-10-28
EP2935686B1 true EP2935686B1 (de) 2020-08-12

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EP13805891.2A Active EP2935686B1 (de) 2012-12-18 2013-12-17 Verfahren zur steuerung eines wärmepumpensystems für einen wäschetrockner und entsprechender wäschetrockner

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WO2014095554A1 (en) 2014-06-26
EP2935686A1 (de) 2015-10-28
WO2014095790A1 (en) 2014-06-26
EP2746457A1 (de) 2014-06-25

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