WO2017211794A1 - A washer/dryer with improved drying performance - Google Patents

A washer/dryer with improved drying performance Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017211794A1
WO2017211794A1 PCT/EP2017/063670 EP2017063670W WO2017211794A1 WO 2017211794 A1 WO2017211794 A1 WO 2017211794A1 EP 2017063670 W EP2017063670 W EP 2017063670W WO 2017211794 A1 WO2017211794 A1 WO 2017211794A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
washer
dryer
condenser
tube
cooling water
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2017/063670
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mutlu IPEK
Vasi Kadir Ertis
Yusuf Koc
Sedat TOKGOZ
Original Assignee
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Publication of WO2017211794A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017211794A1/en

Links

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
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • 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 
    • D06F58/24—Condensing arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a washer / dryer wherein the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the section wherein the fan and the heater are disposed.
  • washers / dryers by the method of dehumidification, namely air-cooled and water-cooled.
  • the hot drying air delivered into the drum dehumidifies the wet laundry and then is sent by means of the fan to the condenser disposed at the rear of the tub.
  • the condenser cold water is sprayed on the hot and moist drying air.
  • the hot and moist drying air contacting the cold water cools down and reaches the saturation point, and then condenses and leaves its moisture.
  • the drying air is passed over the heater and sent back into the drum, thus completing the drying cycle. This cycle is repeated until the drying process is completed.
  • the dehumidification process is performed by spraying water on the moist drying air in the condenser.
  • the directions of flow of the moist drying air and of the sprayed cooling water are opposite to each other.
  • the droplets of cooling water sent to the condenser and sprayed are drifted to the fan and the heater by the drying air.
  • this affects the performance of the heater and hence adversely affects the drying performance and the drying time.
  • the aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer / dryer where the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the section wherein the heater and the fan are disposed.
  • the washer / dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a tank wherein a densifying material that is mixed with the cooling water before the cooling water enters the condenser and that enables the cooling water to be densified is loaded.
  • a densifying material that is mixed with the cooling water before the cooling water enters the condenser and that enables the cooling water to be densified is loaded.
  • the washer / dryer comprises an additional tube of which one end is connected to the tank and the other end to the tube.
  • the additional tube By means of the additional tube the densifying material is added to the cooling water passing through the tube and the densified cooling water is enabled to reach the condenser through the tube.
  • the tank is mounted to the tube between the condenser and the water source.
  • the tank divides the tube into two sections. In the first section, one end of the tube is connected to the condenser and the other end to the tank, while in the other section, one end of the tube is connected to the water source and the other end to the tank.
  • the washer / dryer comprises a loading port by means of which the densifying material is loaded into the tank.
  • the densifying material is loaded by the user or the service technician into the tank through the loading port.
  • the cooling water is densified and is prevented from being drifted by the moist drying air. Since the cooling water is prevented from being drifted by the moist air in the water-cooled washer / dryer, the performance of the heater is improved. Moreover, the cooling water is prevented from being drifted towards the laundry again. Thus, the drying performance is increased and the drying time is shortened.
  • Figure 1 - is the front perspective view of the washer / dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 - is the general view of the condenser, the tank and the tube related to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the washer / dryer comprising the tank, the additional tube and the condenser related to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the washer / dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the washer / dryer (1) comprises a tub (2); a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed; a fan (5) that enables the drying air to be directed into the tub (2); a heater (6) that enables the drying air to be heated; a condenser (4) that performs the condensation process; at least one tube (7) of which one end opens into the condenser (4) and that delivers the cooling water to the condenser (4), and at least one tank (9) that is disposed on the tube (7) and wherein the densifying material for densifying the cooling water is loaded (Figure 1).
  • the densifying material received from the tank (9) wherein the densifying material is loaded is added to the cooling water.
  • the density of the cooling water into which the densifying material is added increases and the cooling water enters through the tube (7) into the condenser (4). Since the density of the cooling water entering the condenser (4) is increased, the force of gravity acting on the water becomes greater than the drifting force applied by the drying air on the water in the opposite direction and the water is prevented from being drifted with the drying air.
  • the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the heater (6) and the fan (5) and the performance of the heater (6) and hence the drying performance are improved.
  • the densifying material is a chemical that dissolves in the water and does not have a negative effect on the washer / dryer (1).
  • the densifying material is salt. The densifying material mixes with the cooling water so as to dissolve in the cooling water, thus densifying the water. This in turn increases the force of gravity acting on the water and prevents the cooling water from being drifted by the drying air toward the fan (5) and the heater (6).
  • the washer / dryer (1) comprises an additional tube (8) of which one end is connected to the tank (9) and the other end to the tube (7).
  • the densifying material received from the tank (9) by means of the additional tube (8) connected to the outlet (11) directly passes to the tube (7) and mixes with the cooling water before entering the condenser (4).
  • the density of the cooling water into which the densifying material is added increases and the cooling water enters through the tube (7) into the condenser (4). Since the density of the cooling water entering the condenser (4) is increased, the force of gravity acting on the water becomes greater than the drifting force applied by the drying air on the water in the opposite direction and the water is prevented from being drifted with the drying air.
  • one end of the tube (7) opens to the condenser (4) and the other end is connected to the water source (13) ( Figure 2).
  • the washer / dryer (1) comprises a tank (9) that is disposed between the water source (13) and the condenser (4) and that has an inlet (10) through which the water coming from the water source (13) enters and an outlet (11) to which the other end of the tube (7) opening into the condenser (4) is connected.
  • the water coming from the water source (13) enters the tank (9) through the inlet (10) and mixes with the densifying material in the tank (9).
  • the densified cooling water passes through the outlet (11) and reaches the condenser (4) by means of the tube (7) of which one end is connected to the outlet (11).
  • the washer / dryer (1) comprises a loading port (12) that is disposed on the tank (9) and that enables the densifying material to be loaded into the tank (9).
  • the washer / dryer (1) comprises a warning mechanism that informs the user of the amount of the densifying material in the tank (9).
  • the warning mechanism alerts the user if the densifying material in the tank (9) is depleted.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer / dryer (1) comprising a tub (2); a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed; a fan (5) that enables the drying air to be directed into the tub (2); a heater (6) that enables the drying air to be heated; a condenser (4) that performs the condensation process, and at least one tube (7) of which one end opens into the condenser (4) and that delivers the cooling water to the condenser (4).

Description

A WASHER/DRYER WITH IMPROVED DRYING PERFORMANCE
The present invention relates to a washer / dryer wherein the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the section wherein the fan and the heater are disposed.
There are two types of washers / dryers by the method of dehumidification, namely air-cooled and water-cooled. The hot drying air delivered into the drum dehumidifies the wet laundry and then is sent by means of the fan to the condenser disposed at the rear of the tub. In the condenser, cold water is sprayed on the hot and moist drying air. The hot and moist drying air contacting the cold water cools down and reaches the saturation point, and then condenses and leaves its moisture. Afterward, the drying air is passed over the heater and sent back into the drum, thus completing the drying cycle. This cycle is repeated until the drying process is completed.
In the water-cooled washer / dryer, the dehumidification process is performed by spraying water on the moist drying air in the condenser. In the condenser, the directions of flow of the moist drying air and of the sprayed cooling water are opposite to each other. In this case, the droplets of cooling water sent to the condenser and sprayed are drifted to the fan and the heater by the drying air. However, this affects the performance of the heater and hence adversely affects the drying performance and the drying time.
In the state of the art European Patent Applications No. EP0340403 and EP0636732 and International Patent Application No. WO2005100676, condensers wherein the drying air is condensed by spraying water therein are disclosed.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer / dryer where the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the section wherein the heater and the fan are disposed.
The washer / dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a tank wherein a densifying material that is mixed with the cooling water before the cooling water enters the condenser and that enables the cooling water to be densified is loaded. By means of the present invention in a water-cooled washer / dryer, a solution to the problem of the cooling water being drifted is proposed. Thus, in particular, it is provided that the drying performance of the water-cooled washer / dryer is improved and that the drying time is shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer / dryer comprises an additional tube of which one end is connected to the tank and the other end to the tube. By means of the additional tube the densifying material is added to the cooling water passing through the tube and the densified cooling water is enabled to reach the condenser through the tube.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the tank is mounted to the tube between the condenser and the water source. In this embodiment, the tank divides the tube into two sections. In the first section, one end of the tube is connected to the condenser and the other end to the tank, while in the other section, one end of the tube is connected to the water source and the other end to the tank.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer / dryer comprises a loading port by means of which the densifying material is loaded into the tank. The densifying material is loaded by the user or the service technician into the tank through the loading port.
By means of the present invention, the cooling water is densified and is prevented from being drifted by the moist drying air. Since the cooling water is prevented from being drifted by the moist air in the water-cooled washer / dryer, the performance of the heater is improved. Moreover, the cooling water is prevented from being drifted towards the laundry again. Thus, the drying performance is increased and the drying time is shortened.
A washer / dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures where
Figure 1 - is the front perspective view of the washer / dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the general view of the condenser, the tank and the tube related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the washer / dryer comprising the tank, the additional tube and the condenser related to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the washer / dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
The elements in the figures are numbered as follows:
  1. Washer/dryer
  2. Tub
  3. Drum
  4. Condenser
  5. Fan
  6. Heater
  7. Tube
  8. Additional tube
  9. Tank
  10. Inlet
  11. Outlet
  12. Loading port
  13. Water source
The washer / dryer (1) comprises a tub (2); a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed; a fan (5) that enables the drying air to be directed into the tub (2); a heater (6) that enables the drying air to be heated; a condenser (4) that performs the condensation process; at least one tube (7) of which one end opens into the condenser (4) and that delivers the cooling water to the condenser (4), and at least one tank (9) that is disposed on the tube (7) and wherein the densifying material for densifying the cooling water is loaded (Figure 1).
While the water received from the water source (13) moves in the tube (7), the densifying material received from the tank (9) wherein the densifying material is loaded is added to the cooling water. The density of the cooling water into which the densifying material is added increases and the cooling water enters through the tube (7) into the condenser (4). Since the density of the cooling water entering the condenser (4) is increased, the force of gravity acting on the water becomes greater than the drifting force applied by the drying air on the water in the opposite direction and the water is prevented from being drifted with the drying air. By increasing the density of the cooling water, the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the heater (6) and the fan (5) and the performance of the heater (6) and hence the drying performance are improved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the densifying material is a chemical that dissolves in the water and does not have a negative effect on the washer / dryer (1). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the densifying material is salt. The densifying material mixes with the cooling water so as to dissolve in the cooling water, thus densifying the water. This in turn increases the force of gravity acting on the water and prevents the cooling water from being drifted by the drying air toward the fan (5) and the heater (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer / dryer (1) comprises an additional tube (8) of which one end is connected to the tank (9) and the other end to the tube (7). In this embodiment, the densifying material received from the tank (9) by means of the additional tube (8) connected to the outlet (11) directly passes to the tube (7) and mixes with the cooling water before entering the condenser (4). The density of the cooling water into which the densifying material is added increases and the cooling water enters through the tube (7) into the condenser (4). Since the density of the cooling water entering the condenser (4) is increased, the force of gravity acting on the water becomes greater than the drifting force applied by the drying air on the water in the opposite direction and the water is prevented from being drifted with the drying air. By increasing the density of the cooling water, the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the heater (6) and the fan (5) and the performance of the heater (6) and hence the drying performance are improved. In this embodiment, one end of the tube (7) opens to the condenser (4) and the other end is connected to the water source (13) (Figure 2).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer / dryer (1) comprises a tank (9) that is disposed between the water source (13) and the condenser (4) and that has an inlet (10) through which the water coming from the water source (13) enters and an outlet (11) to which the other end of the tube (7) opening into the condenser (4) is connected. In this embodiment, the water coming from the water source (13) enters the tank (9) through the inlet (10) and mixes with the densifying material in the tank (9). The densified cooling water passes through the outlet (11) and reaches the condenser (4) by means of the tube (7) of which one end is connected to the outlet (11). Since the density of the cooling water entering the condenser (4) is increased, the force of gravity acting on the water becomes greater than the drifting force applied by the drying air on the water in the opposite direction and the water is prevented from being drifted with the drying air. By increasing the density of the cooling water, the cooling water is prevented from being drifted to the heater (6) and the fan (5) and the performance of the heater (6) and hence the drying performance are improved (Figure 3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer / dryer (1) comprises a loading port (12) that is disposed on the tank (9) and that enables the densifying material to be loaded into the tank (9).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer / dryer (1) comprises a warning mechanism that informs the user of the amount of the densifying material in the tank (9). The warning mechanism alerts the user if the densifying material in the tank (9) is depleted.

Claims (7)

  1. A washer / dryer (1) comprising a tub (2); a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed; a fan (5) that enables the drying air to be directed into the tub (2); a heater (6) that enables the drying air to be heated; a condenser (4) that performs the condensation process; at least one tube (7) of which one end opens into the condenser (4) and that delivers the cooling water to the condenser (4), characterized by at least one tank (9) that is disposed on the tube (7) and wherein the densifying material for densifying the cooling water is loaded.
  2. A washer / dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the densifying material that is a chemical that dissolves in the cooling water and does not have any negative effect on the washer / dryer (1).
  3. A washer / dryer (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the densifying material that is salt.
  4. A washer / dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an additional tube (8) of which one end is connected to the tank (9) and the other end to the tube (7).
  5. A washer / dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a tank (9) that is disposed between the water source (13) and the condenser (4) and that has an inlet (10) through which the water coming from the water source (13) enters and an outlet (11) to which the other end of the tube (7) opening into the condenser (4) is connected.
  6. A washer / dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a loading port (12) that is disposed on the tank (9) and that enables the densifying material to be loaded therein.
  7. A washer / dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a warning mechanism that informs the user of the amount of the densifying material in the tank (9).
PCT/EP2017/063670 2016-06-08 2017-06-06 A washer/dryer with improved drying performance WO2017211794A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR201607725 2016-06-08
TRA2016/07725 2016-06-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017211794A1 true WO2017211794A1 (en) 2017-12-14

Family

ID=59215708

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2017/063670 WO2017211794A1 (en) 2016-06-08 2017-06-06 A washer/dryer with improved drying performance

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2017211794A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0340403A2 (en) 1988-05-04 1989-11-08 A. MERLONI S.p.A. Cleaning device for an air circulating conduit, particularly for drying assemblies of washing and drying machines
EP0636732A1 (en) 1993-07-27 1995-02-01 Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH Washing machine equipped for drying
WO2005100676A1 (en) 2004-04-15 2005-10-27 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A washer / dryer
DE102012201763B3 (en) * 2012-02-07 2013-04-04 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Large household appliance e.g. dishwasher, has drying system comprising liquid container for solution i.e. common salt solution, where liquid container is separated from air to be dehumidified by membrane i.e. semipermeable membrane

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0340403A2 (en) 1988-05-04 1989-11-08 A. MERLONI S.p.A. Cleaning device for an air circulating conduit, particularly for drying assemblies of washing and drying machines
EP0636732A1 (en) 1993-07-27 1995-02-01 Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH Washing machine equipped for drying
WO2005100676A1 (en) 2004-04-15 2005-10-27 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A washer / dryer
DE102012201763B3 (en) * 2012-02-07 2013-04-04 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Large household appliance e.g. dishwasher, has drying system comprising liquid container for solution i.e. common salt solution, where liquid container is separated from air to be dehumidified by membrane i.e. semipermeable membrane

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3181751B1 (en) Laundry treating appliance and method of operation
EP3135805B1 (en) Laundry dryer
EP2723928B1 (en) Laundry washing and drying machine with air-cooled condenser
EP3015592B1 (en) Clothes treating apparatus comprising a heat-exchanging unit
KR20190010178A (en) Drum type washing and drying machine improved drying efficiency
WO2005090670A2 (en) A washer / dryer
EP3330432B1 (en) Laundry drying machine
US10738411B2 (en) Filterless air-handling system for a heat pump laundry appliance
CA2531591A1 (en) Clothes dryer with improved air flow
EP1852534A1 (en) Washer/dryer with additional condensing circuit
US10179967B2 (en) Heat pump dryer
US20150128439A1 (en) Convertible drying from venting to condensing in combination washer-dryer
WO2017211794A1 (en) A washer/dryer with improved drying performance
WO2015074836A1 (en) A laundry dryer
WO2019185257A1 (en) A laundry washer-dryer
EP3256635A1 (en) Clothes dryer and method for operating a clothes dryer
EP3874085B1 (en) A hybrid laundry dryer
WO2013182403A1 (en) Laundry dryer with air-cooled condenser
EP3214991B1 (en) Household appliance comprising desiccant material
WO2014086831A1 (en) A laundry dryer comprising a filter
WO2017194531A1 (en) A laundry washing-drying machine comprising a water-cooled condenser
EP3077587B1 (en) Household washing and drying appliance
WO2017137323A1 (en) A laundry washing and drying machine comprising an air-cooled condenser
WO2017005525A1 (en) A laundry washing and drying machine with improved washing performance
WO2014044531A1 (en) A laundry washing and drying machine comprising a condenser

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 17732779

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 17732779

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1