AU2014314509A1

AU2014314509A1 - A drying air filter for a laundry dryer and a laundry dryer

Info

Publication number: AU2014314509A1
Application number: AU2014314509A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrea Giovannetti; Marco Santarossa
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2013-08-28
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-30
Also published as: EP2843122B1; CN105492686A; AU2014314509B2; CN105492686B; PL2843122T3; EP2843122A1; WO2015028237A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drying air filter (10) for a laundry dryer (40). The drying air filter (10) comprises an outer shell (12) and an inner shell (14), wherein the outer shell (12) encloses the inner shell (14) in a closed state of the drying air filter (10). The outer shell (12) includes a first outer part (16) and a second outer part (18). The inner shell (14) includes a first inner part (20) and a second inner part (22). The first outer part (16) and the second outer part (18) are pivoted by an outer hinge (24) in order to open and close the outer shell (12). The first inner part (20) and the second inner part (22) are pivoted by an inner hinge (26) in order to open and close the inner shell (12). The inner hinge (26) is arranged inside the outer shell. At least one of the first outer part (16) and second outer part (18) includes cam surfaces (30, 32) for interacting with the first inner part (20) and/or the second inner part (22) of the inner shell (14), so that the first inner part (20) and/or the second inner part (22) are guided by the cam surfaces (30, 32), while the outer shell (12) is closed. Further, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer (40) with a drying air filter (10).

Description

WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 1 A DRYING AIR FILTER FOR A LAUNDRY DRYER AND A LAUNDRY DRYER DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a drying air filter for a laun dry dryer. Further, the present invention relates to a laundry 5 dryer with a drying air filter. In a laundry dryer of condense type, one removable drying air filter is placed in the drying air stream duct. In particular, the drying air filter is placed in a section of the drying air 10 stream duct, which faces the rotatable laundry drum. In this po sition, the drying air stream leaves the laundry drum and pro ceeds in the duct leading to an air moisture condensing unit. The drying air filter is accessible for removal by opening the 15 door. The fluff generated inside the laundry drum by laundry to be dried is collected by the drying air filter. However, due to its geometry, it is possible that the fluff by-passes the drying air filter and goes directly to the air moisture condensing unit. The fluff obstructs the drying air filter during the dry 20 ing cycles and reduces the overall performances of the laundry dryer. DE 84 37 357 Ul discloses a drying air filter having multiple filtering members nested one into the other in order to improve 25 filter efficiency. When the drying air filter with the multiple filtering members nested one into the other is used in a drying air stream duct, the handling of said drying air filter becomes complicated, especially when a user has to clean the drying air filter after the laundry drying process. Often, the inner fil 30 tering members, once opened for cleaning, are not appropriately repositioned in a closed configuration. Thereby the outer fil tering members are prevented to be repositioned in the right po sition for allowing the filter to be re-placed into its seat formed in the drying air stream duct. If the drying air filter 35 remains partly open its filtering efficiency is compromised, and WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 2 the overall performances of the laundry dryer are negatively af fected because of fluff deposition on components of the laundry dryer, in particular the air moisture condensing unit. 5 Furthermore, the insertion operation of the partly opened drying air filter inside its seat formed on the drying air stream duct may cause damages to the filter. This does not only compromise its filtering efficiency, but also requires a complete substitu tion of the drying air filter. It would be desirable to have a 10 drying air filter with simplified handling operations, so that the user is not requested to carry out difficult operations for opening and/or closing the drying air filter for cleaning. It would be also desirable to have a drying air filter, whose mul tiple filtering members can be moved without reciprocal inter 15 ference, which may cause damages to the filter components. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drying air filter for a laundry dryer, which overcomes the problems men tioned above. 20 The object of the present invention is achieved by the drying air filter according to claim 1. The present invention relates to a drying air filter for a laun 25 dry dryer, wherein: - the drying air filter comprises an outer shell and an inner shell, - the outer shell encloses the inner shell in a closed state of the drying air filter, 30 - the outer shell includes a first outer part and a second outer part, - the inner shell includes a first inner part and a second in ner part, - the first outer part and the second outer part are pivoted 35 by an outer hinge in order to open and close the outer shell, WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 3 - the first inner part and the second inner part are pivoted by an inner hinge in order to open and close the inner shell, - the inner hinge is arranged inside the outer shell, and 5 - at least one of the first outer part and second outer part includes cam surfaces for interacting with the first inner part and/or the second inner part of the inner shell, so that the first inner part and/or the second inner part are guided by the cam surfaces, while the outer shell is closed. 10 The main feature of the present invention is the arrangement of cam surfaces guiding the first inner part and/or the second in ner part, while the outer shell is closed, so that the first in ner part and/or the second inner part are positioned in a prede 15 termined way inside the outer shell. This contributes to a sealed drying air filter, so that the fluff in the drying air stream channel of the laundry dryer is reduced. Preferably, the drying air filter is formed in a book-like man 20 ner. The book-like manner allows an easy handling of the drying air filter. In particular, the first outer part, the second outer part, the first inner part and/or second inner part are formed as a frame 25 in each case, wherein the inner portion of said frame is covered or coverable by a filtering net. Further, the first outer part and/or the second outer part may include first cam surfaces and second cam surfaces, wherein the 30 first cam surfaces interact with the one of the first inner part and second inner part and the second cam surfaces interact with the other one of the first inner part and second inner part. Preferably, the cam surfaces are formed as slanted planes or 35 ramps.

WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 4 In particular, the first cam surfaces and the second cam surfac es are dimensioned in such a way, that a sealing between the first inner part, the second inner part and at least one of the one of the first outer part and second outer part is obtained. 5 Moreover, the first outer part or the second outer part, respec tively, and the cam surfaces are formed as a single-piece part. Furthermore, the cam surfaces are arranged at the first outer 10 part and/or second outer part opposite to the outer hinge. Additionally, the first outer part and/or second outer part may include a perforated grid arranged opposite to the outer hinge. 15 Preferably, the plane of the perforated grid extends perpendicu lar to the main plane of the drying air filter. Further, the drying air filter may include at least one connect ing device comprising a connecting embossment and a connecting 20 groove, wherein the connecting embossment and the connecting groove are formed complementary to each other. For example, the connecting embossment is formed on one of an outer part of the outer shell or an inner part of the inner 25 shell and the connecting groove is formed on the other one of the inner part of the inner shell or the outer part of the outer shell. In particular, the connecting embossment and the connecting 30 groove are arranged opposite to the outer hinge and inner hinge, respectively. Moreover, the drying air filter may include at least one rib for covering an element of the outer hinge and/or the inner hinge, 35 respectively. The rib protects the element of the hinge against fluff.

WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 5 Further, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer with at least one drying air filter mentioned above. Novel and inventive features believed to be the characteristic 5 of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which 10 FIG 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drying air filter for a laundry dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG 2 illustrates a further perspective view of the drying 15 air filter for the laundry dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG 3 illustrates a sectional side view of the drying air filter in an opened state according to the first embod 20 iment of the present invention, FIG 4 illustrates a sectional side view of the drying air filter in an intermediate state according to the first embodiment of the present invention, 25 FIG 5 illustrates a sectional side view of the drying air filter in a closed state according to the first embodi ment of the present invention, 30 FIG 6 illustrates a side view of the drying air filter in the closed state according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG 7 illustrates a partial sectional side view of the drying 35 air filter according to a second embodiment of the pre sent invention, WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 6 FIG 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of a first outer part of the drying air filter according to the second embodiment of the present invention, 5 FIG 9 illustrates a partial perspective view of a first inner part of the drying air filter according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG 10 illustrates a sectional side view of a laundry dryer 10 with the drying air filter according to the present in vention, FIG 11 illustrates a perspective view of a basement portion of the laundry dryer with the drying air filter according 15 to the present invention, and FIG 12 illustrates a perspective view of the laundry dryer with the drying air filter according to the present in vention. 20 FIG 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drying air filter 10 for a laundry dryer according to a first embodiment of the pre sent invention. The drying air filter 10 is in an open state. 25 The drying air filter 10 comprises an outer shell 12 and an in ner shell 14. The outer shell 12 includes a first outer part 16 and a second outer part 18. The inner shell 14 includes a first inner part 20 and a second inner part 22. The inner shell 14 is hinged inside the outer shell 12. Further, the first outer part 30 16 and the second outer part 18 of the outer shell 12 are hinged to each other. In a similar way, the first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 are hinged to each other. Moreover, the first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22 are hinged at the first outer part 16. The outer shell 35 12 and the inner shell 14 are separately openable. The inner shell 14 is removable from the outer shell 12.

WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 7 The drying air filter 10 is formed in a book-like manner. The first outer part 16 and the second outer part 18 of the outer shell 12 are ideally comparable with a book cover. The first in ner part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 5 are ideally comparable with book pages. The first outer part 16, the second outer part 18, the first in ner part 20 and the second inner part 22 are formed as frames. The inner portions of said frames are covered or coverable by a 10 filtering net in each case. The filtering nets are not explicit ly shown in FIG 1. Each of the filtering nets extends within one plane. The first outer part 16 and the second outer part 18 of the out 15 er shell 12 are connected by an outer hinge 24. The first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 are connected by an inner hinge 26, wherein said inner hinge 26 is arranged at the first outer part 16 and besides the outer hinge 24. 20 The drying air filter 10 includes a perforated grid 28. In this example, said perforated grid 28 includes two fragments. The one fragment of the perforated grid 28 is an integrated part of the first outer part 16, while the other fragment of the perforated 25 grid 28 is an integrated part of the second outer part 18. The fragments of the perforated grid 28 are arranged at the first and second outer parts 16 and 18, respectively, opposite to the outer hinge 24. In a closed state of the drying air filter 10, the plane of the perforated grid 28 extends perpendicular to the 30 main plane of the drying air filter 10. The drying air filter 10 is closable in the book-like manner. The second outer part 18 includes first cam surfaces 30 and sec ond cam surfaces 32. In this example, the second outer part 18 35 includes three first cam surfaces 30 and two second cam surfaces 32. The first cam surfaces 30 and the second cam surfaces 32 are formed as slanted planes. The cam surfaces 30 and 32 are ar- WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 8 ranged at the second outer part 18 opposite to the outer hinge 28. Further, two of the first cam surfaces 30 and both second cam surfaces 32 are arranged in frame corners of the second out er part 18. The third of the first cam surfaces 30 is arranged 5 at a T-piece besides a central sash bar of the second outer part 18. The second cam surfaces 32 are thicker slanted planes than the first cam surfaces 30. When a user closes the outer shell 12, then the first inner part 10 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 follow the movement independently of their actual positions. The first cam surfaces 30 guide the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14, so that the second inner part 22 is raised by said first cam surfaces 30. Then, the second inner part 22 is released over a 15 sealing edge 29 formed on an inner surface of the second outer part 18. By this way, a good sealing between the second inner part 22 and the second outer part 18 is obtained. The first inner part 20 of the inner shell 14 is guided by the 20 second cam surfaces 32. The first inner part 20 is raised by the second cam surfaces 32 and then released over the sealing edge 29 formed on the inner surface of the second outer part 18. This allows a sufficient sealing between the first inner part 20 and the second outer part 18. 25 FIG 2 illustrates a further perspective view of the drying air filter 10 for the laundry dryer according to the first embodi ment of the present invention. The drying air filter 10 is in the open state. FIG 2 clarifies the connections between the 30 first outer part 16, the second outer part 18, the first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22. The first outer part 16 and the second outer part 18 of the out er shell 12 are connected by the outer hinge 24. The first inner 35 part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 are connected by the inner hinge 26. The inner hinge 26 is arranged at the first outer part 16 and besides the outer hinge 24.

WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 9 Further, the outer hinge 24 comprises a rib 34 for each hinge element of said outer hinge 24. The rib 34 is arranged at the inner surface of the second outer part 18 of the outer shell 12. 5 The rib 34 covers a gap at the hinge elements of the outer hinge 24, when the outer shell 12 is in a closed state. Said gap is not covered by the filtering net. FIG 3 illustrates a sectional side view of the drying air filter 10 10 in an opened state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A detailed sectional side view A shows an en larged portion of FIG 3 including the outer hinge 24 and the in ner hinge 26. 15 The first outer part 16 and the second outer part 18 of the out er shell 12 are connected by the outer hinge 24. The first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 as well as the first outer part 16 of the outer shell 12 are con nected by the inner hinge 26. The inner hinge 26 is arranged at 20 the first outer part 16 and besides the outer hinge 24. FIG 4 illustrates a sectional side view of the drying air filter 10 in an intermediate state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A detailed sectional side view B shows an 25 enlarged portion of FIG 4 with the outer hinge 24 and the inner hinge 26. A further detailed sectional side view C shows another enlarged portion of FIG 4 with the first cam surfaces 30 and the second cam surfaces 32. 30 In the intermediate state of FIG 4 the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 14 rests against the first cam surfaces 30. Sub sequently, when the first outer part 16 and the second outer part 18 of the outer shell 12 are put together by the user, the first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner 35 shell 14 are also folded together. The second cam surfaces 32 acts on the first inner part 20 of the inner shell 14, so that the first inner part 20 is raised by the second cam surfaces 32 WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 10 and then released over the sealing edge 29 on the inner surface of the second outer part 18. This allows a sufficient sealing between the first inner part 20 and the second outer part 18. 5 FIG 5 illustrates a sectional side view of the drying air filter 10 in a closed state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A detailed sectional side view D shows an en larged portion of FIG 5 comprising the outer hinge 24 and the inner hinge 26. 10 The first outer part 16 and the second outer part 18 of the out er shell 12 have been folded together by the user. The sealing edge 29 on the inner surface of the second outer part 18 in cludes slanted planes, so that the sealing edge 29 is complemen 15 tary to the first cam surfaces 30 and/or the second cam surfaces 32. Further, a labyrinth coupling may be provided between the first inner part 20 and the second inner part 22 of the inner shell 20 14. Said labyrinth coupling avoids that drying air with fluff by-passes the drying air filter 10. FIG 6 illustrates a side view of the drying air filter 10 in the closed state according to the first embodiment of the present 25 invention. In this state the drying air filter 10 is prepared to be inserted into the laundry dryer. FIG 7 illustrates a partial sectional side view of the drying air filter 10 according to a second embodiment of the present 30 invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodi ment in an additional connecting device. A detailed sectional side view E shows an enlarged portion of FIG 7 with said con necting device. 35 The connecting device comprises a connecting embossment 36 and a connecting groove 38. The connecting embossment 36 is formed on the first outer part 16 of the outer shell 12. The connecting WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 11 groove 38 is formed in the first inner part 20 of the inner shell 14. The connecting embossment 36 on the first outer part 16 and the connecting groove 38 in the first inner part 20 are complementary to each other, so that the connecting embossment 5 36 engages with the connecting groove 38. Thus, the connecting embossment 36 and the connecting groove 38 form a snap-in mecha nism. The connecting device allows an improved closing of the drying 10 air filter 10 by the user. Alternatively, the positions of the connecting embossment 36 and connecting groove 38 may be re versed. FIG 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of a first outer 15 part of the drying air filter 10 according to the second embodi ment of the present invention. A detailed sectional side view F shows an enlarged portion of FIG 7 with the connecting emboss ment 36. 20 The connecting embossment 36 is formed on the first outer part 16 of the outer shell 12. In this example, the connecting em bossment 36 is arranged in the centre of the first outer part 16. 25 FIG 9 illustrates a partial perspective view of a first inner part of the drying air filter 10 according to the second embodi ment of the present invention. A detailed sectional side view G shows an enlarged portion of FIG 9 with the connecting groove 38. The connecting groove 38 is formed in the first inner part 30 20 of the inner shell 14. The connecting groove 38 and the con necting embossment 36 are complementary to each other and form a snap-in mechanism. FIG 10 illustrates a sectional side view of a laundry dryer 40 35 with the drying air filter 10 according to the present inven tion. The laundry dryer 40 includes a basement portion 42, a WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 12 laundry drum 44, a first heat exchanger 46, a second heat ex changer 48, a front door 50 and the drying air filter 10. The laundry drum 44 is arranged above the basement portion 42. 5 The first heat exchanger 46 and the second heat exchanger 48 are arranged in the basement portion 42. The front door 50 is ar ranged in front of the laundry drum 44. The drying air filter 10 is positioned in a lower portion of an intermediate space be tween the front door 50 and the laundry drum 44. The drying air 10 filter 10 is arranged inside a drying air stream channel between the laundry drum 44 and the heat exchangers 46 and 48. In this example, the laundry dryer 40 includes a heat pump sys tem. However, the drying air filter 10 is also suitable for a 15 laundry dryer of the condense type having an air-air type heat exchanger for removing moisture from drying air and an electric heater for increasing temperature of the drying air. FIG 11 illustrates a perspective view of the basement portion 42 20 of the laundry dryer 10 with the drying air filter 10 according to the present invention. A compressor 52 of the heat pump sys tem is arranged in the basement portion 42. The drying air fil ter 10 is arranged in the lower portion of the intermediate space between the front door 50 and the laundry drum 44, but it 25 is not explicitly shown in FIG 11. FIG 12 illustrates a perspective view of the laundry dryer 10 with the drying air filter 10 according to the present inven tion. FIG 12 shows the complete laundry dryer 10 of FIG 10 and 30 FIG 11. Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying draw ings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not 35 limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 13 claimed. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the ap pended claims.

WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 14 List of reference numerals 10 drying air filter 12 outer shell 5 14 inner shell 16 first outer part 18 second outer part 20 first inner part 22 second inner part 10 24 outer hinge 26 inner hinge 28 perforated grid 29 sealing edge 30 first cam surface 15 32 second cam surface 34 rib 36 connecting embossment 38 connecting groove 40 laundry dryer 20 42 basement portion 44 laundry drum 46 first heat exchanger 48 second heat exchanger 50 front door 25 52 compressor

Claims

1. A drying air filter (10) for a laundry dryer (40), wherein: - the drying air filter (10) comprises an outer shell 5 (12) and an inner shell (14), - the outer shell (12) encloses the inner shell (14) in a closed state of the drying air filter (10), - the outer shell (12) includes a first outer part (16) and a second outer part (18), 10 - the inner shell (14) includes a first inner part (20) and a second inner part (22), - the first outer part (16) and the second outer part (18) are pivoted by an outer hinge (24) in order to open and close the outer shell (12), 15 - the first inner part (20) and the second inner part (22) are pivoted by an inner hinge (26) in order to open and close the inner shell (12), - the inner hinge (26) is arranged inside the outer shell (12), and 20 - at least one of the first outer part (16) and second outer part (18) includes cam surfaces (30, 32) for in teracting with the first inner part (20) and/or the second inner part (22) of the inner shell (14), so that the first inner part (20) and/or the second inner part 25 (22) are guided by the cam surfaces (30, 32), while the outer shell (12) is closed.

2. The drying air filter according to claim 1, characterized in that 30 the drying air filter (10) is formed in a book-like manner.

3. The drying air filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first outer part (16), the second outer part (18), the 35 first inner part (20) and/or second inner part (22) are formed as a frame in each case, wherein the inner portion of said frame is covered or coverable by a filtering net. WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 16

4. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 5 the first outer part (16) and/or the second outer part (18) includes first cam surfaces (30) and second cam surfaces (32), wherein the first cam surfaces (30) interact with the one of the first inner part (20) and second inner part (22) and the second cam surfaces (32) interact with the other one 10 of the first inner part (20) and second inner part (22).

5. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 15 the cam surfaces (30, 32) are formed as slanted planes or ramps.

6. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, 20 characterized in that the first cam surfaces (30) and the second cam surfaces (32) are dimensioned in such a way, that a sealing between the first inner part (20), the second inner part (22) and at least one of the one of the first outer part (16) and second 25 outer part (18) is obtained.

7. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 30 the first outer part (16) or the second outer part (18), re spectively, and the cam surfaces (30, 32) are formed as a single-piece part.

8. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding 35 claims, characterized in that WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 17 the cam surfaces (30, 32) are arranged at the first outer part (16) and/or second outer part (18) opposite to the out er hinge (28). 5

9. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first outer part (16) and/or second outer part (18) in clude a perforated grid (28) arranged opposite to the outer 10 hinge (28).

10. The drying air filter according to claim 9, characterized in that the plane of the perforated grid (28) extends perpendicular 15 to the main plane of the drying air filter (10).

11. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 20 the drying air filter (10) includes at least one connecting device comprising a connecting embossment (36) and a con necting groove (38), wherein the connecting embossment (36) and the connecting groove (38) are formed complementary to each other. 25

12. The drying air filter according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting embossment (36) is formed on one of an outer part (16, 18) of the outer shell (12) or an inner part (20, 30 22) of the inner shell (14) and the connecting groove (38) is formed on the other one of the inner part (20, 22) of the inner shell (14) or the outer part (16, 18) of the outer shell (12). 35

13. The drying air filter according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that WO 2015/028237 PCT/EP2014/066394 18 the connecting embossment (36) and the connecting groove (38) are arranged opposite to the outer hinge (24) and inner hinge (26), respectively. 5

14. The drying air filter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying air filter (10) includes at least one rib (34) for covering an element of the outer hinge (24) and/or the 10 inner hinge (26), respectively.

15. A laundry dryer (40) comprising at least one drying air fil ter (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 14. 15