WO2020078673A1 - Eliminating the freezing in the water intake line in a washing machine - Google Patents
Eliminating the freezing in the water intake line in a washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2020078673A1 WO2020078673A1 PCT/EP2019/075607 EP2019075607W WO2020078673A1 WO 2020078673 A1 WO2020078673 A1 WO 2020078673A1 EP 2019075607 W EP2019075607 W EP 2019075607W WO 2020078673 A1 WO2020078673 A1 WO 2020078673A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- water
- evaporator
- water tank
- washing machine
- tub
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 81
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000010257 thawing Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000008236 heating water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 108010053481 Antifreeze Proteins Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002528 anti-freeze Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008237 rinsing water Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/04—Heating arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the frozen part of the evaporator during the operation is thawed.
- heat pump systems which operate according to the vapor compression-based cooling cycle, are used for heating purposes
- heat is transferred to the environment with heating needs while heat is drawn from another environment. This is performed by an evaporator and a condenser in air conditioners or all devices with a heat pump system.
- the heat which is drawn from the evaporator is transferred by means of the condenser.
- the water used for washing purposes in washing machines is heated in order to improve the performance of the washing process.
- said heating function is performed by an electric heater.
- electric heaters consume too much electrical energy per unit heating capacity and therefore the use of electric heaters, which consume high amounts of energy, decreases day by day.
- the fast-moving heat pump technology is started to be used as an alternative solution to the electric heater systems in heating applications. Moreover, as such systems can be designed according to conditions and can be easily applied, the use thereof becomes quickly widespread.
- the heat pump systems are composed of four components which are compressor, condenser, evaporator, and throttle valve (capillary).
- a heat pump system is used for heating water in a washing machine.
- the condenser is used for heating water
- the evaporator draws heat from an environment.
- the evaporator is disposed in a water tank and heat is drawn from the cold mains water.
- the main problem in this embodiment is that the water used as a heat source for the evaporator may freeze as heat is drawn. Since the evaporator and the tank thereof are positioned on the water intake line, mains water cannot be taken from the evaporator tank for the rinsing step. This causes the failure of the machine to carry out rinsing and spin-drying steps.
- the aim of the present invention is to ensure that the machine takes water for the rinsing step and works without any problems in case freezing occurs in the evaporator tank.
- an ice thawing line is provided between the tub and the evaporator.
- the freezing point is checked and if the temperature of the evaporator falls below the freezing point, the valve disposed on this line is opened and the hot water thaws the ices in the evaporator.
- the freezing in the evaporator is prevented, and water can be taken for the rinsing step without any problems.
- the washing machines comprise
- a heat pump having a heater or an evaporator and a water tank, a temperature sensor, a condenser, a compressor, and a throttle valve, and
- an ice thawing line which provides the connection between the tub and the evaporator and which has an ice thawing line.
- the washing machine comprises the water intake valve which provides the intake of water from the mains and which is connected to the detergent dispenser, a tub which receives the water passing through the detergent dispenser thus creating a washing environment, a drum which rotates inside the tub thus providing mechanical movement, and a heater which heats the water collected in the tub.
- the water received from the mains is mixed with detergent in the detergent dispenser and then enters the tub, and the heater is operated to heat the water in the tub up to a temperature adjusted according to the selected program, and thus the washing process is realized.
- a heat pump is used in order to reach higher temperatures by using less energy.
- the evaporator and the water tank are disposed at the lower side of the machine and directly positioned on the water intake line of the machine by being directly connected to the water intake valve.
- the evaporator water tank In order for the water leaving the evaporator and the water tank to reach the detergent dispenser, the evaporator water tank must be completely filled. After the evaporator and the water tank are filled, the water leaving the same is directly sent to the detergent dispenser. From the detergent dispenser, the water together with detergent is delivered into the tub-drum structure.
- the heat pump system starts to operate in the main washing step, as the evaporator and the water tank are filled with water, the heat drawn therefrom is transferred to the water to be heated by the condenser.
- the water to be heated is sent to the condenser, which is composed of concentric tubes, by means of the jet pump, and then from here is delivered back into the tub-drum structure by means of the jet.
- an ice thawing line and an ice thawing line control valve are disposed between the tub-drum system and the evaporator and the water tank.
- a temperature sensor is provided in the evaporator and the water tank, and the temperature of the evaporator and the water tank is continuously measured.
- the ice thawing line control valve is opened and hot water in the tub is delivered to the evaporator and the water tank.
- Continuous monitoring of the temperature of the evaporator allows intervention in case of freezing. After the temperature falls below freezing point, the valve on the ice thawing line is opened, and the hot water in the tub is taken into the evaporator, thus thawing the ice therein. Thus, the operation of the washing machine is not hindered and the intake of the rinsing water is performed.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a washing machine in which a heat pump is used in order to reach higher temperatures by using less energy, wherein said heat pump comprises an evaporator disposed within a water tank and, whereby the water in the water tank is prevented from freezing.
Description
The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the frozen part of the evaporator during the operation is thawed.
When heat pump systems, which operate according to the vapor compression-based cooling cycle, are used for heating purposes, heat is transferred to the environment with heating needs while heat is drawn from another environment. This is performed by an evaporator and a condenser in air conditioners or all devices with a heat pump system. In short, the heat which is drawn from the evaporator is transferred by means of the condenser.
The water used for washing purposes in washing machines is heated in order to improve the performance of the washing process. Nowadays, said heating function is performed by an electric heater. However, electric heaters consume too much electrical energy per unit heating capacity and therefore the use of electric heaters, which consume high amounts of energy, decreases day by day.
The fast-moving heat pump technology is started to be used as an alternative solution to the electric heater systems in heating applications. Moreover, as such systems can be designed according to conditions and can be easily applied, the use thereof becomes quickly widespread.
In the heat pump systems, more thermal energy can be generated than the consumed unit energy.
The heat pump systems are composed of four components which are compressor, condenser, evaporator, and throttle valve (capillary). In the present invention, instead of an electric heater, a heat pump system is used for heating water in a washing machine. In the proposed system, while the condenser is used for heating water, the evaporator draws heat from an environment. The evaporator is disposed in a water tank and heat is drawn from the cold mains water.
The main problem in this embodiment is that the water used as a heat source for the evaporator may freeze as heat is drawn. Since the evaporator and the tank thereof are positioned on the water intake line, mains water cannot be taken from the evaporator tank for the rinsing step. This causes the failure of the machine to carry out rinsing and spin-drying steps.
In the state of the European Patent Document No. EP2206824 and Danish Patent Document No. DK2206824, additional of anti-freeze is disclosed.
The aim of the present invention is to ensure that the machine takes water for the rinsing step and works without any problems in case freezing occurs in the evaporator tank.
In the washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims, an ice thawing line is provided between the tub and the evaporator. By continuously monitoring the temperature in the evaporator, the freezing point is checked and if the temperature of the evaporator falls below the freezing point, the valve disposed on this line is opened and the hot water thaws the ices in the evaporator. Thus, the freezing in the evaporator is prevented, and water can be taken for the rinsing step without any problems.
The washing machines comprise
- a tub and a drum wherein the washing process is performed and wherein the laundry to be washed is loaded,
- a detergent dispenser wherein the detergent is loaded,
- a water intake valve which provides the intake of water from the mains,
- a jet and a jet pump for circulating the water,
- a heat pump having a heater or an evaporator and a water tank, a temperature sensor, a condenser, a compressor, and a throttle valve, and
- an ice thawing line which provides the connection between the tub and the evaporator and which has an ice thawing line.
The washing machine comprises the water intake valve which provides the intake of water from the mains and which is connected to the detergent dispenser, a tub which receives the water passing through the detergent dispenser thus creating a washing environment, a drum which rotates inside the tub thus providing mechanical movement, and a heater which heats the water collected in the tub.
The water received from the mains is mixed with detergent in the detergent dispenser and then enters the tub, and the heater is operated to heat the water in the tub up to a temperature adjusted according to the selected program, and thus the washing process is realized.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a heat pump is used in order to reach higher temperatures by using less energy. The evaporator and the water tank are disposed at the lower side of the machine and directly positioned on the water intake line of the machine by being directly connected to the water intake valve. In order for the water leaving the evaporator and the water tank to reach the detergent dispenser, the evaporator water tank must be completely filled. After the evaporator and the water tank are filled, the water leaving the same is directly sent to the detergent dispenser. From the detergent dispenser, the water together with detergent is delivered into the tub-drum structure.
After this step, when the heat pump system starts to operate in the main washing step, as the evaporator and the water tank are filled with water, the heat drawn therefrom is transferred to the water to be heated by the condenser. The water to be heated is sent to the condenser, which is composed of concentric tubes, by means of the jet pump, and then from here is delivered back into the tub-drum structure by means of the jet.
As heat is continuously drawn from the water in the evaporator and the water tank, said water may freeze. For the rinsing step, the washing machines take water from the mains again after the main washing step. As the frozen evaporator and water tank are disposed on the water intake line, it may become impossible to take water for the rinsing step, and the machine cannot start the rinsing step until the freezing problem is eliminated. This may adversely affect the operation of the machine and forcing water into the frozen evaporator and water tank may damage the evaporator and the water tank.
Therefore, an ice thawing line and an ice thawing line control valve are disposed between the tub-drum system and the evaporator and the water tank. Moreover, a temperature sensor is provided in the evaporator and the water tank, and the temperature of the evaporator and the water tank is continuously measured. In case the temperature sensor detects freezing during the main washing step or after the main washing step, the ice thawing line control valve is opened and hot water in the tub is delivered to the evaporator and the water tank. Thus, the frozen water in the evaporator and the water tank is quickly thawed, and the rinsing step is started without any problems.
Continuous monitoring of the temperature of the evaporator allows intervention in case of freezing. After the temperature falls below freezing point, the valve on the ice thawing line is opened, and the hot water in the tub is taken into the evaporator, thus thawing the ice therein. Thus, the operation of the washing machine is not hindered and the intake of the rinsing water is performed.
Claims (7)
- A washing machine comprising a tub and a drum wherein the washing process is performed and wherein the laundry to be washed is loaded, a detergent dispenser wherein the detergent is loaded, a water intake valve which provides the intake of water from the mains, a jet and a jet pump for circulating the water, a heat pump having a heater or an evaporator and a water tank, a temperature sensor, a condenser, a compressor, and a throttle valve, and an ice thawing line valve, characterized by an ice thawing line which provides the connection between the tub and the evaporator.
- A washing machine as in Claim 1, characterized by the heat pump which is used in order to reach higher temperatures by using less energy and by the evaporator and the water tank which are disposed at the lower side of the machine and which are directly positioned on the water intake line of the machine by being directly connected to the water intake valve.
- A washing machine as in Claim 2, characterized by the evaporator water tank which must be completely filled in order for the water leaving the evaporator and the water tank to reach the detergent dispenser and characterized in that after the evaporator water tank is completely filled, the water is directly sent to the detergent dispenser and that the water leaving the same together with detergent is delivered into the tub-drum structure.
- A washing machine as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the condenser which draws the heat transferred to the water to be heated when the heat pump system starts to operate in the main washing step and when the evaporator and the water tank are filled with water and by the jet pump which delivers the water to be heated, entering the tub-drum structure by means of the jet, to the condenser, which is composed of concentric tubes.
- A washing machine as in any one of the above claims, characterized by an ice thawing line and an ice thawing line control valve which are disposed between the tub-drum system and the evaporator and the water tank such that the evaporator and the water tank can take water for the rinsing step and the ice in the frozen evaporator and water tank is thawed.
- A washing machine as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a temperature sensor which continuously measures the temperature of the evaporator and the water tank.
- A washing machine as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the ice thawing line control valve which, in case the temperature sensor detects freezing during the main washing step or after the main washing step, is opened and delivers the hot water in the tub to the evaporator and the water tank such that the frozen water in the evaporator and the water tank is quickly thawed, and the rinsing step is started without any problems.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| TR2018/15543 | 2018-10-19 | ||
| TR201815543 | 2018-10-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2020078673A1 true WO2020078673A1 (en) | 2020-04-23 |
Family
ID=68069758
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/075607 WO2020078673A1 (en) | 2018-10-19 | 2019-09-24 | Eliminating the freezing in the water intake line in a washing machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2020078673A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2206824A2 (en) | 2010-02-16 | 2010-07-14 | V-Zug AG | Household device with barrel, heat pump and tank |
| EP2224049A1 (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2010-09-01 | V-Zug AG | Cleaning device with waste water tank and heat pump |
| EP2594185A2 (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2013-05-22 | V-Zug AG | Cleaning device with tub, waste water tank and connecting line |
| WO2014127799A1 (en) * | 2013-02-19 | 2014-08-28 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Washing machine |
| WO2014198300A1 (en) * | 2013-06-11 | 2014-12-18 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Washing machine |
-
2019
- 2019-09-24 WO PCT/EP2019/075607 patent/WO2020078673A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2206824A2 (en) | 2010-02-16 | 2010-07-14 | V-Zug AG | Household device with barrel, heat pump and tank |
| DK2206824T3 (en) | 2010-02-16 | 2013-10-07 | V Zug Ag | Household appliance with tub, heat pump and tank |
| EP2224049A1 (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2010-09-01 | V-Zug AG | Cleaning device with waste water tank and heat pump |
| EP2594185A2 (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2013-05-22 | V-Zug AG | Cleaning device with tub, waste water tank and connecting line |
| WO2014127799A1 (en) * | 2013-02-19 | 2014-08-28 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Washing machine |
| WO2014198300A1 (en) * | 2013-06-11 | 2014-12-18 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Washing machine |
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