WO2018103963A1

WO2018103963A1 - A laundry washing-drying machine with improved drying performance

Info

Publication number: WO2018103963A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/077936
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmet Burak TOP; Umit ARICI; Metin LALE
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-12-08
Filing date: 2017-11-01
Publication date: 2018-06-14
Also published as: TR201618076A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry washing-drying machine (1) comprising a cabin (2); a tub (3) that is disposed in the cabin (2) and wherein the washing and drying processes are performed; a circulation duct (4) that is connected to the tub (3) and wherein the drying air circulation is performed; a fan (5) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4) and that enables the drying air to be circulated; a condenser (9) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4), that has an air inlet (6) and an air outlet (7) that open into the circulation duct (4) and wherein at least one drying channel (8) in which the humid drying air is condensed is provided; and at least one nozzle (10) that is disposed on the condenser (9) and that enables the condenser (9) to be cooled by spraying water onto the drying channel (8).

Description

A LAUNDRY WASHING-DRYING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED DRYING PERFORMANCE

The present invention relates to a laundry washing-drying machine comprising a water-cooled condenser.

In laundry washing-drying machines, the dry and hot drying air delivered into the drum is sent towards the circulation duct after dehumidifying the laundry and leaves the moisture thereof by being passed over the condenser. In washing-drying machines comprising water-cooled condensers, a nozzle that enables cooling water to be sprayed onto the drying channels in the condenser is provided on the condenser. The cooling water is delivered generally perpendicularly to the air flow direction into the condenser and trickles down by gravity. However, in cases where the fan is operated at high speeds and the flow rate of the drying air is high, the cooling water may be swept by the drying air so as to leave the condenser, and reaches the laundry and reduces the drying performance.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20070075486, a washer-dryer wherein the drying air flows so as to form cyclones in the condenser. Thus, the cooling water is prevented from being swept by the drying air so as to leave the condenser.

In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP1657350, a washer-dryer is disclosed, comprising a barrier that is positioned above the nozzle spraying cooling water into the condenser and prevents the cooling water from flowing in reverse direction.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry washing-drying machine wherein the drying performance is improved in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The laundry washing-drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a cabin; a tub that is disposed in the cabin and wherein the washing and drying processes are performed; a circulation duct through which the drying air received from the tub is circulated and delivered back to the tub; at least one fan that is disposed on the circulation duct and that enables the air to be circulated in the tub; a condenser that is disposed on the circulation duct, that has an air inlet and an air outlet that open into the circulation duct and wherein at least one drying channel through which the drying air is passed is provided; and at least one nozzle that is disposed on the condenser and that enables water to be sprayed into the drying channel. The nozzle is opened at intervals so as to spray water onto the drying channels.

The laundry washing-drying machine of the present invention comprises a ventilation element that is positioned on the circulation duct so as to be between the nozzle and the fan, that has an opening that opens into the outer environment and that provides air circulation between the circulation duct and the outer environment in case of a sudden increase or decrease in the flow rate of the air in the circulation duct such that the deviation in the amount of air that reaches the fan is decreased. Thus, the air flow irregularities that occur when the water supply into the condenser by the nozzle is started and the water supply is interrupted are quickly compensated. Consequently, the drying performance is improved by eliminating operational flaws such as the cooling water being carried onto the laundry by being swept by the air flowing at high rates, the laundry in the tub suddenly heating up when the air flow rate decreases, the drying process being interrupted when the heater is turned off due to overheating, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation element is positioned on the condenser so as to be before the air outlet of the condenser and just above the nozzle. By positioning the ventilation element close to the nozzle, the amount of water droplets that reach the ventilation element by being swept by the air flowing at high rates when the water supply is interrupted is decreased. Thus, the amount of water droplets discharged from the condenser together with the air is increased and the amount of water that remains in the condenser after the cooling process is decreased. Consequently, the amount of water that evaporates in the condenser and mixes with the drying air is decreased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the cabin a hole is provided, that is positioned so as to almost completely align with the opening and that enables the ventilation element to be supplied with the air outside the cabin. Thus, a sufficient amount of air is enabled to reach the circulation duct during the suction of the air through the opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation element is in the form of a tube extending from the condenser towards the hole so that the distance between the opening and the hole is decreased. Thus, the humid air sent out through the opening is prevented from dispersing in the cabin and the moisture is prevented from corroding other elements in the cabin.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tube-shaped ventilation element extends with in an inclination so that the end thereof that faces the hole is at a higher level than the other end thereof that opens into the condenser. Thus, when the drying air is discharged through the opening, the water accumulated on the walls of the ventilation element is enabled to flow downwards and return into the condenser with the effect of gravity. Consequently, the water remaining in the ventilation element is prevented from leaking outside through the opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the water that drains through the drying channel is collected in a sump in the form of a cavity positioned at the bottom of the condenser at a lower level than the air inlet. At the base of the sump a discharge line is provided, that enables the cooling water to be transferred to a pump so as to be discharged out of the cabin. Thus, the cooling water accumulated in the condenser is always kept below the level of the air inlet of the condenser and is prevented from being sucked through the air inlet and reaching the tub due to the irregularities in the air flow.

By means of the present invention, the sudden fluctuations in the pressure of the air in the circulation duct are quickly compensated and the amount of cooling water being swept by the drying air onto the laundry is reduced. Thus, the drying process is performed in a rapid and efficient manner.

The laundry washing-drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the schematic view of the laundry washing-drying machine related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the view of the condenser related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the sideways view of the condenser related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the partial view of the laundry washing-drying machine related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Laundry washing-drying machine
Cabin
Tub
Circulation duct
Fan
Air inlet
Air outlet
Drying channel
Condenser
Nozzle
Opening
Ventilation element
Hole
Discharge line
Sump

The laundry treatment machine (1) comprises a cabin (2); a tub (3) that is disposed in the cabin (2) and wherein the washing and drying processes are performed; a circulation duct (4) that is connected to the tub (3) and wherein the drying air circulation is performed; a fan (5) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4) and that enables the drying air to be circulated; a condenser (9) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4), that has an air inlet (6) and an air outlet (7) that open into the circulation duct (4) and wherein at least one drying channel (8) in which the humid drying air is condensed is provided; and at least one nozzle (10) that is disposed on the condenser (9) and that enables the condenser (9) to be cooled by spraying water onto the drying channel (8). During the drying process, the condenser (9) gradually heats up and the moisture retaining capacity thereof decreases. Therefore, during the drying process, at intervals water is sprayed into the drying channel (8) by means of the nozzle (10) and the drying channel (8) is cooled by being wet.

The laundry washing-drying machine (1) of the present invention comprises at least one ventilation element (12) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4) so as to be between the nozzle (10) and the fan (5), that has an opening (11) that provides the air flow between the circulation duct (4) and the outer environment, and that provides air intake/discharge by means of the opening (11) in case of a sudden fluctuation in air pressure in the circulation duct (4) such that the pressure of the air reaching the fan (5) is balanced. During the drying process, when the nozzle (10) is opened and water is sent into the condenser (9), water particles disperse in the condenser (9) and form a barrier against the air flow, thus causing an instant decrease in the air pressure. The fan (5) that continues to operate even when the flow rate of the air drops suddenly enables the outer environment air to be sucked into the circulation duct (4) through the opening (11) by means of the ventilation element (12) disposed above the nozzle (10) without being affected by the presence of cooling water. Thus, at the beginning of the cooling process, the decrease in the amount of air that reaches the fan (5) is prevented, and the pressure is quickly balanced and the laundry is prevented from overheating due to insufficient air flow. When the cooling process is completed, the water sprayed by the nozzle (10) is stopped. When the water supply is interrupted, the resistance of the cooling water particles against the air flow disappears and the flow rate of the air in the drying channel (8) increases suddenly. In this case, by means of the ventilation element (12), a part of the drying air leaves the circulation duct (4) through the opening (11) before reaching the fan (5). Thus, the pressure of the drying air is decreased before reaching the fan (5) and the cooling water is prevented from being swept by the high pressure air and reaching the laundry.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation element (12) is positioned on the condenser (9) so as to be just above the nozzle (10). The ventilation element (12) is positioned on the circulation duct (4) so as to be just after the nozzle (10) in the flowing direction of the air. By decreasing the distance between the nozzle (10) and the ventilation element (12), the amount of cooling water carried together with the air discharged through the opening (11) when the water supply from the nozzle (10) is stopped is increased. Thus, the moisture retaining performance of the condenser (9) is improved by decreasing the amount of water remaining in the condenser (9) after the cooling process and the duration of the drying process is shortened.

In an embodiment of the present invention, on the cabin (2) at least one hole (13) is arranged, that provides water intake/discharge into/from the cabin (2) and that is positioned so as to almost completely face the opening (11). The hole (13) enables the air outside the cabin (2) to be received into the circulation duct (4) when the air is sucked through the opening (11) and enables the humid air to be discharged from the cabin (2) when the air is blown through the opening (11). Thus, air communication between the outer environment and the circulation duct (4) is improved and during the balancing of the air pressure, the formation of vacuum and pressure in the cabin (2) which is a closed structure is prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation element (12) is in the form of a tube that extends towards the hole (13), with one end thereof opening into the circulation duct (4) and the other end forming the opening (11). The ventilation element (12) extends between the condenser (9) and the cabin (2) so that the distance between the opening (11) and the hole (13) is shortened. In a preferred version of this embodiment, the end of the ventilation element (12) is inserted into the hole (13). Thus, the water carried by the air discharged through the opening (11) is prevented from reaching the interior of the cabin (2) and causing safety risks by reaching the electronic components in the cabin (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation element (12) extends in an inclined manner with respect to the horizontal plane so that the opening (11) is positioned so as to at least partially face upwards. The ventilation element (12) extends in an inclined manner so that the end thereof opening into the drying channel (8) is at a lower level than the opening (11). When the air is discharged from the circulation duct (4), a part of the water carried by the air stays in the ventilation element (12) after hitting the ventilation element (12) walls. By means of the inclination of the ventilation element (12), the water accumulated on the inner wall of the ventilation element (12) is enabled to flow downwards with the effect of the gravity and to return back into the condenser (9). Thus, the water remaining in the ventilation element (12) is prevented from leaking out through the opening (11).

In another embodiment of the present invention, at the base of the condenser (9) a sump (15) wherein the water that drains through the drying channel (8) is collected is provided at a lower level than the air inlet (6). The sump (15) is in the form of a cavity wherein the cooling water that drains downwards from the drying channels (8) is collected. By positioning the sump (15) at a lower level than the air inlet (6), in case of formation of vacuum in the circulation duct (4), the water remaining at the base of the condenser (9) is prevented from passing through the air inlet (6) and reaching the tub (3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry washing-drying machine (1) comprises a pump (not shown in figures) and a discharge line (14) that is positioned on the sump (15) and that enables the water collected in the sump (15) to be sent to the pump and discharged. The discharge line (14) enables the water filling into the sump (15) through the drying channels (8) to be directed towards the pump for discharging. By means of the discharge line (14), the cooling water can be discharged without being sent to the tub (3) and the water in the sump (15) is prevented from reaching the air inlet (6) by being discharged periodically.

By means of the present invention, the moisture retaining performance of the condenser (9) is improved and operational flaws such as the cooling water reaching the laundry and the laundry overheating due to the irregularities in the air flow in the circulation duct (4) are eliminated. Thus, a laundry washing-drying machine (1) wherein the drying process is performed quickly and effectively is realized.

Claims

A laundry washing-drying machine (1) comprising a cabin (2); a tub (3) that is disposed in the cabin (2) and wherein the washing and drying processes are performed; a circulation duct (4) that is connected to the tub (3) and wherein the drying air circulation is performed; a fan (5) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4) and that enables the drying air to be circulated; a condenser (9) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4), that has an air inlet (6) and an air outlet (7) that open into the circulation duct (4) and wherein at least one drying channel (8) in which the humid drying air is condensed is provided; and at least one nozzle (10) that is disposed on the condenser (9) and that enables the condenser (9) to be cooled by spraying water onto the drying channel (8), characterized by at least one ventilation element (12) that is disposed on the circulation duct (4) so as to be between the nozzle (10) and the fan (5), that has an opening (11) that provides the air flow between the circulation duct (4) and the outer environment, and that provides air intake/discharge by means of the opening (11) in case of a sudden fluctuation in air pressure in the circulation duct (4) such that the pressure of the air reaching the fan (5) is balanced.
A laundry washing-drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the ventilation element (12) that is positioned on the condenser (9) so as to be just above the nozzle (10).
A laundry washing-drying machine (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by at least one hole (13) that is arranged on the cabin (2), that provides water intake/discharge to/from the cabin (2) and that is positioned so as to be almost completely align with the opening (11).
A laundry washing-drying machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the ventilation element (12) that is in the form of a tube extending towards the hole (13) with one end thereof opening into the circulation duct (4) and the other end forming the opening (11).
A laundry washing-drying machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the ventilation element (12) that extends in an inclined manner with respect to the horizontal plane so that the opening (11) is positioned so as to at least partially face upwards.
A laundry washing-drying machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a sump (15) that is positioned at the base of the condenser (9) so as to be below the air inlet (6) and wherein the water draining through the drying channel (8) is collected.
A laundry washing-drying machine (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by a pump and a discharge line (14) that is positioned on the sump (15) and that enables the water filling into the sump (15) to be sent to the pump and discharged.