WO2016019988A1

WO2016019988A1 - Laundry dryer having an improved condensate storage assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2016019988A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/066912
Authority: WO
Inventors: Levent Cinar; Erman Tutkak; Can Sar; Ahmet METIN
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-08-06
Filing date: 2014-08-06
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: EP3177763A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising a condensate storage assembly (1) comprising a condensate vessel, a tank (3) detachably attachable into a receptacle (2), detection means (4) for detecting the condensed water level within the tank (3) and a pump for conveying the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank (3) based on the detection result.

Description

LAUNDRY DRYER HAVING AN IMPROVED CONDENSATE STORAGE ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer, in particular a domestic laundry dryer in which the clothes are dried by conveying hot process air through a laundry drum. The present invention more particularly relates to a condensate storage assembly which stores the condensed water obtained from the hot process air.

Several techniques have been devised for drying wet laundry. In particular, ventless laundry dryers such as heat-pump type laundry dryers and condenser type laundry dryers are well known in the art. The heat-pump technology constitutes a relatively energy-efficient method of drying laundry. The heat pump type laundry dryer typically consists of a process air circuit and a refrigerant circuit which are arranged so as to mutually exchange heat. The process air circuit includes a duct for circulating process air through the laundry drum by means of a fan. The refrigerant circuit includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve such as a capillary in serial connection for circulating the refrigerant. The evaporator and the condenser are particularly arranged in heat exchange with the process air within the circulation duct for respectively dehumidifying and subsequently heating the process air. As the hot process air strikes the clothes inside the drum, the thermal energy of the process air is partly transferred to the wet clothes and in turn, the humidity in the clothes diffuses into the process air and is subsequently drawn out of the drum into the duct. The thermal energy in the humid process air is partly absorbed by the evaporator and partly transferred back to the process air by means of the condenser. Thereby, a drying performance of the laundry dryer is increased. As the thermal energy in the humid process air is partly absorbed by the evaporator, the humid process air is dehumidified by condensation.

Fig. 1 is a partial view of a prior art condensate storage assembly (1´) used in a conventional laundry dryer (not shown) to collect and store the condensed water obtained from the humid process air. The condensate storage assembly (1´) comprises: a condensate vessel (not shown) for collecting the condensed water, wherein the condensate vessel is close to the bottom of the conventional laundry dryer, a receptacle (2´), a tank (3´) which is detachably attachable into the receptacle (2´), wherein the tank (3´) is close to the top of the conventional laundry dryer, a control unit (not shown) which has a detection means (not shown) for detecting the level of the condensed water within the tank (3´), wherein the detection means is inside the condensate vessel and a pump (not shown) for conveying via a feed hose the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank (3´) based on the detection result. The tank (3´) comprises an overflow opening which is formed into its ceiling. The overflow opening opens into the receptacle (2´). The receptacle (2´) comprises a drainage opening which is arranged on its bottom. The drainage opening opens via a return hose into the condensate vessel. The condensate storage assembly (1´) comprises a cover which is detachably mountable onto the ceiling of the receptacle (2´). The cover has a feed opening which is fluidly connected to the feed hose and opens into the overflow opening.

In the subsequent, the method for controlling the prior art condensate storage assembly (1´) of the conventional laundry dryer will be explained. The control unit operates the pump so as to feed the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank (3´) via the feed hose. When the tank (3´) is completely filled, the condensed water flows into the receptacle (2´) via the overflow opening (17´) and returns to the condensate vessel via the drainage opening (19´) and the return hose. When the detection means inside the detection vessel detects the return of the condensed water, the pump is stopped.

A drawback of the prior art condensate storage assembly (1´) is that during the control process, the condensed water may reach critical interfaces and leak to an outside, in particular when it is circulated through the receptacle (2´) and the return hose. Therefore, the critical interfaces must be suffiently leak-tight and the water conducting parts such as the return hose and the like must be sufficiently fixed to withstand the thrust during the circulation. However, the seals and the fixtures increase the manufacturing costs both in labor and material.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a laundry dryer having a condensate storage assembly which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables a precise and secure detection of the condensed water level inside the tank.

This objective has been achieved by the laundry dyer as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the laundry dryer of the present invention, the condensate storage assembly comprises: a safety valve which is disposed on the tank and a communicating vessel which is fluidly connectable to the tank via the safety valve upon attachment of the tank. In the connected state the levels of the condensed water respectively inside the tank and the communicating vessel become equal in accordance with the principle of communicating vases. The safety valve opens/closes when the tank is attached to/detached from the receptacle respectively. In the laundry dryer of the present invention, the detection means is adapted to directly detect the level of the condensed water inside the communicating vessel and to output a detection signal indicative of the detected level.

With the present invention, the level of the condensed water inside the tank can be precisely and easily monitored by the detection means in accordance with the principle of communicating vases. In a method for controlling the condensate storage assembly according to the present invention, the level of the condensed water inside the communicating vessel is monitored by the detection means and the pump is operated based on the monitoring result so as to convey the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank. When the condensed water inside the communicating vessel reaches a target level, the pump is stopped. Thereby, the tank can be filled up to the same target level.

In an embodiment, the detection means comprises a couple of electrodes which are utilized to detect whether the condensed water inside the communicating vessel has reached the target level.

In an alternative embodiment, the detection means comprises a float and a switch which are utilized to detect whether the condensed water inside the communicating vessel has reached the target level.

In another embodiment, the safety valve is arranged in a supply opening of the tank, which leak-tightly engages with an inlet of the communicating vessel when the tank is detshacbly attached into the receptacle. The communicating vessel has a chimney-like shape with an air outlet which allows the air inside the communicating vessel to escape as the level of the condensed water therein rises until it becomes equal with the level of the condensed water inside the tank. The air outlet is above the target level.

With the present invention, particularly by virtue of the communication vessel and the detection means, the level of the condensed water inside the tank can be precisely monitored without the need of circulating the condensed water through the tank and the receptacle back into the condensate vessel. Thereby, the total operation time of the pump can be reduced and the risk of any leakage can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thus, with the present invention, the energy efficiency of the laundry dryer has also been improved. Moreover, the aforementioned additional measures for improving the leak-tightness of the critical surfaces and the water conducting parts can be dispensed with and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. In addition, as the detection means is disposed on the communication vessel, the user is protected from getting into contact with any electrical parts thereof when attaching/detaching the tank.

Additional advantages of the laundry dryer according to the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a prior art condensate storage assembly, wherein the condensate vessel, the detection means and the pump are omitted,

Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective view of a condensate storage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the condensate vessel, the pump, the feed hose and the return hose are omitted,

Figure 3 – is a schematic sectional view of the condensate storage assembly of Fig. 2, taken along the line A-A,

Figure 4 – is a schematic side view of the condensate storage assembly of Fig. 2, taken from the direction B.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Condensate storage assembly
Receptacle
Tank
Detection means
Safety valve
Communicating vessel

7a. Lower electrode
7b. Upper electrode

8a. Lower screw

8b. Upper crew
9. Supply opening
10. Shaft
11. Air outlet
12. Inlet
13. Pin
14. Passage
15. Aperture
16. Outer surface
17. Overflow opening
18. Ceiling
19. Drainage opening
20. Bottom
21. Cover
22. Feed opening
23. Mounting slot

The laundry dryer (not shown) comprises a condensate storage assembly (1) (Fig. 2 to 4).

The condensate storage assembly (1) comprises: a condensate vessel (not shown) for collecting condensed water, a receptacle (2), a tank (3) which is detachably attachable into the receptacle (2), a control unit (not shown) which has a detection means (4) for detecting the level of condensed water within the tank (3) and a pump (not shown) for conveying via a feed hose the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank (3) based on the detection result (Fig. 2 to 4).

In the laundry dryer of the present invention, the condensate storage assembly (1) further comprises: a safety valve (5) which is disposed on the tank (3) and a communicating vessel (6) which is fluidly connectable to the tank (3) via the safety valve (5) when the tank (3) is attached to the receptacle (2). The safety valve (5) opens or closes when the tank (3) is attached to or detached from the receptacle (2) respectively. In the connected state the levels of the condensed water respectively inside the tank (3) and the communicating vessel (6) become equal. The detection means (4) is adapted to directly detect the level of the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) and to output a detection signal indicative of the detected level (Fig. 2 to 4).

In an embodiment, the detection means (4) comprises two electrodes (7a,7b) which are arranged to electrically contact the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6). The two electrodes (7a,7b) are separated by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction such that the lower electrode (7a) is below a target level (L) and the upper electrode (7b) is at the target level (L). The detection means (4) is adapted to monitor the electrical current between the electrodes (7a,7b) and to output the detection signal so as to indicate whether the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) has reached the target level (L) or not (Fig. 2 to 4).

In a version of this embodiment, the detection means (4) comprises two electrically conductive screws (8a,8b) which penetrate into the communicating vessel (6). The two electrodes (7a,7b) are fixed to the two screws (8a,8b) respectively (Fig. 2 to 4).

In another alternative embodiment, the detection means (4) comprises a float (not shown) and a switch (not shown). The float is arranged inside the communicating vessel (6) so as to move up and down. The switch is arranged at the target level (L). The switch is turned on or off by the float when the float is at the target level (L) or below the target level (L) respectively. The detection means (4) is adapted to monitor the on/off state of the switch and to output the detection signal so as to indicate whether the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) has reached the target level (L) or not.

In a version of this embodiment, the float comprises a magnetic member and the switch is a reed switch.

In another embodiment, the tank (3) comprises a supply opening (9). The safety valve (5) is arranged in the supply opening (9). The safety valve (5) has a spring loaded shaft (10). In this embodiment, the communicating vessel (6) comprises an air outlet (11), an inlet (12) and a pin (13). The air outlet (11) is at the upper end of the communicating vessel (6) and opens into the atmosphere. The air outlet (11) is above the target level (L). Herein the marginal inclination of the laundry dryer for the installation is to be taken into account. The inlet (12) leak-tightly and detachably engages with said supply opening (9) when the tank (3) is attached into the receptacle (2). The pin (13) pushes the spring loaded shaft (10) so as to open the safety valve (5) when the tank (3) is attached into the receptacle (2) (Fig. 2 to 4).

In another embodiment, the communicating vessel (6) has a condensed water passage (14) which leak-tightly penetrates through an aperture (15) formed into the receptacle (2). The inlet (12) is formed at the forward end of the condensed water passage (14). The pin (13) is formed inside the condensed water passage (14). In this embodiment, the communication vessel (6) is fixed onto the outer surface (16) of the receptacle (2) (Fig. 2 to 4).

In another embodiment, the tank (3) comprises an overflow opening (17) which is formed into its ceiling (18). The overflow opening (17) opens into the receptacle (2). In this embodiment, the receptacle (2) comprises a drainage opening (19) which is arranged on its bottom (20). The drainage opening (19) opens via a return hose into the condensate vessel. In this embodiment, the condensate storage assembly (1) comprises a cover (21) which is detachably mountable onto the ceiling (18) of the receptacle (2). The cover (21) has a feed opening (22) which is fluidly connected to the feed hose and opens into the overflow opening (17) (Fig. 2 to 4). In a version of this embodiment, the target level (L) is below the overflow opening (17) (Fig. 2 to 4).

In another embodiment, the communicating vessel (6) vertically penetrates through a mounting slot (23) formed on the cover (21) (Fig. 2 to 4).

In the subsequent, a method for controlling the condensate storage assembly (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be shortly explained. The level of the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) is monitored by the detection means (4) and the pump is activated based on the monitoring result to convey the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank (3). When the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) reaches the target level (L), the pump is deactivated. In a version of this embodiment, the control unit is further adapted to inform the user via a user interface (not shown) to empty the tank (3) when it is filled up to the same target level (L).

With the present invention, the level of the condensed water inside the tank (3) can be precisely and easily monitored. With the present invention, the operability and the energy efficiency of the laundry dryer has been improved and the manufacturing costs have been reduced. Thereby, a customer satisfaction can be increased.

Claims

A laundry dryer comprising a condensate storage assembly (1) which comprises: a condensate vessel for collecting condensed water, a receptacle (2), a tank (3) which is detachably attachable into the receptacle (2), a control unit which has a detection means (4) for detecting the level of condensed water within the tank (3) and a pump for conveying via a feed hose the condensed water from the condensate vessel into the tank (3) based on the detection result,

characterized in that

- a safety valve (5) which is disposed on the tank (3) and

- a communicating vessel (6) which is fluidly connectable to the tank (3) via the safety valve (5) when the tank (3) is attached to the receptacle (2), wherein the safety valve (5) opens or closes when the tank (3) is attached to or detached from the receptacle (2) respectively, wherein in the connected state the levels of the condensed water respectively inside the tank (3) and the communicating vessel (6) become equal and wherein the detection means (4) is adapted to directly detect the level of the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) and to output a detection signal indicative of the detected level.
The laundry dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection means (4) comprises two electrodes (7a,7b) which are arranged to electrically contact the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6), wherein the two electrodes (7a,7b) are separated by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction such that the lower electrode (7a) is below a target level (L) and the upper electrode (7b) is at the target level (L) and wherein the detection means (4) is adapted to monitor the electrical current between the electrodes (7a,7b) and to output the detection signal so as to indicate whether the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) has reached the target level (L) or not.
The laundry dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection means (4) comprises two electrically conductive screws (8a,8b) which penetrate into the communicating vessel (6), wherein the two electrodes (7a, 7b) are fixed to the two screws (8a, 8b) respectively.
The laundry dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection means (4) comprising a float which is arranged inside the communicating vessel (6) so as to move up and down and a switch which is arranged at a target level (L), wherein the switch is turned on or off by the float when the float is at the target level (L) or below the target level (L) respectively and wherein the detection means (4) is adapted to monitor the on/off state of the switch and to output the detection signal so as to indicate whether the condensed water inside the communicating vessel (6) has reached the target level (L) or not.
The laundry dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that the float comprises a magnetic member and the switch is a reed switch.
The laundry dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

- the tank (3) comprising a supply opening (9), wherein the safety valve (5) is arranged in the supply opening (9) and wherein the safety valve (5) has a spring loaded shaft (10) and

- the communicating vessel (6) comprising at its upper end an air outlet (11) which opens into the atmosphere, wherein the air outlet (11) is above a target level (L), an inlet (12) which leak-tightly and detachably engages with said supply opening (9) of the tank (3) when the tank (3) is attached into the receptacle (2) and a pin (13) which is adapted to push the spring loaded shaft (10) so as to open the safety valve (5) when the tank (3) is attached into the receptacle (2).
The laundry dryer according to claim 6, characterized in that the communicating vessel (6) has a condensed water passage (14) which leak-tightly penetrates through an aperture (15) formed into the receptacle (2), wherein the inlet (12) is formed at the forward end of the condensed water passage (14) and the pin (13) is formed inside the condensed water passage (14) and the communication vessel (6) is fixed on the outer surface (16) of the receptacle (2).
The laundry dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

- the tank (3) comprising an overflow opening (17) which is formed into a ceiling (18) thereof, wherein the overflow opening (17) opens into the receptacle (2),

- the receptacle (2) comprising a drainage opening (19) which is arranged on a bottom (20) thereof, wherein the drainage opening (19) opens via a return hose into the condensate vessel and

- the condensate storage assembly (1) comprising a cover (21) which is detachably mountable onto the ceiling (18) of the receptacle (2), wherein the cover (21) has a feed opening (22) which is fluidly connected to the feed hose and opens into the overflow opening (17).
The laundry dryer according to claim 8, the communication vessel (6) vertically penetrates through a mounting slot (23) formed on the cover (21).