CN107109765B

CN107109765B - Laundry treatment apparatus with heat exchanger and condensate collector

Info

Publication number: CN107109765B
Application number: CN201480084032.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尼古拉·里德; 朱塞佩·罗西
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2014-12-16
Filing date: 2014-12-16
Publication date: 2020-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-16
Also published as: AU2014414434B2; WO2016095968A1; EP3234254A1; PL3234254T3; CN107109765A; AU2014414434A1; EP3234254B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a dryer or washer-dryer, comprising: an equipment cabinet; a laundry treating chamber for treating laundry using dry air; an air channel arranged to guide drying air from at least one outlet of the laundry treatment chamber to at least one inlet of the treatment chamber; a heat exchanger (10) arranged within the air channel and adapted to cool the drying air and condense moisture of the drying air; a base unit (40a) adapted to support the heat exchanger (10) and to receive at least a portion of the air channel; a condensate collector (30a) arranged in the base unit (40a) and adapted to collect condensate formed at the heat exchanger (10); and a collector cover (42a) arranged between the bottom side of the heat exchanger (10) and the condensate collector (30a) and covering at least a part of the condensate collector (30a), wherein the base unit (40a) comprises a plurality of support elements (44a-b) adapted to support the heat exchanger (10), and a gap (62) is provided between the bottom side of the heat exchanger (10) and a top surface of the collector cover (42 a).

Description

Laundry treatment apparatus with heat exchanger and condensate collector

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus having a heat exchanger.

US 8,495,822B 2 discloses a laundry drying unit comprising a heat pump unit. The water collection tank is disposed below the evaporator and the condenser of the heat pump unit, wherein the collection tank is covered by a collector cover arranged between the collection tank and the evaporator and the condenser. The collector cover includes a support portion for supporting the evaporator and the condenser such that the evaporator and the condenser rest in their operative positions on the collector cover. The filtering part below the evaporator blocks the fluff from entering the collecting box. The barrier holes prevent the condensate from flowing to the condenser.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved base structure for a laundry treating apparatus.

According to the present invention, a laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a clothes dryer or washer-dryer, is provided, comprising an apparatus cabinet or casing, a laundry treatment chamber for treating laundry with dry air, and an air channel arranged to guide dry air from at least one outlet of the treatment chamber to at least one inlet of the treatment chamber. A heat exchanger is arranged in the air channel and adapted to cool the drying air and condense moisture therein, i.e. an evaporator. For example, an evaporator dryer may be provided that includes only one heat exchanger (e.g., an air/air heat exchanger). Alternatively, a heat pump tumble dryer may be provided, which includes a heat pump unit with two heat exchangers (an evaporator and a condenser), wherein the above-mentioned heat exchanger is the evaporator of the heat pump unit.

The base unit or base section is adapted to support the heat exchanger and receive at least a portion of the air channel. A condensate collector is arranged in the base unit and adapted to collect condensate formed at the heat exchanger. The collector cover is arranged between the bottom side of the heat exchanger and the condensate collector. The collector cover covers at least a portion of the condensate collector. Preferably, the collector cover covers all open upper sides of the condensate collector (e.g. except for a pumping chamber of the condensate collector, in which a pump is mounted for draining condensate collected from the condensate collector). Thereby, the collector cover preferably likewise forms a separating element which separates the condensate collector from the air channel (for example, with the exception of a plurality of condensate discharge channels or openings of the air channel to the condensate collector).

The base unit comprises a plurality of support elements adapted to support the heat exchanger, wherein a gap or clearance is provided between the bottom side of the (supported) heat exchanger and the top surface of the collector cover when these components are in their operating position. The top surface of the collector cap may equally be denoted as the top side or upper surface of the collector cap. The top surface is the surface on which condensate flowing down from the heat exchanger is collected and preferably guided under the influence of gravity and the inclination of the top surface towards the condensate collector.

In contrast to the above US 8,495,822B 2, the heat exchanger is not supported by the collector cover but by the base unit or the substrate itself. Thereby, the collector cover is prevented from being deformed by the weight of the heat exchanger. For example, the heat exchanger may be supported by a sidewall support arranged at the base unit. The gap between the heat exchanger and the collector cover allows the condensate water to flow freely under the heat exchanger, and particularly prevents the accumulation of condensate water between the fins of the heat exchanger. For example, the accumulated water will degrade the performance of the heater, thereby reducing the heat exchanger surface area exposed to the process air. Furthermore, a space is created on the collector cover by the elevated heat exchanger, which contributes to easier entry of condensate from the heat exchanger or evaporator into the condensate collector.

Preferably, the support element is or comprises one or more wall supports provided on or at the base unit. For example, such a base unit is a unitary element (of one-piece construction) and/or is integrally formed (e.g. injection moulded), wherein the one or more wall supports may be formed as a unitary element with the base unit, injection moulded and/or integrally formed with (at least a part of) the base unit.

The laundry treatment apparatus may further comprise a liquid washing unit comprising a nozzle with at least one liquid opening, wherein the nozzle is adapted to direct liquid to a component surface on which the thread ends delivered in the drying air are deposited. By means of the washing unit, the collected thread ends are washed or rinsed off from the respective component surface. Preferably, the condensate collected in the condensate collection tank is used for washing the respective component surface.

The base unit may further comprise a wash liquid collector, wherein the collector cover further covers at least a portion of the wash liquid collector. The washing liquid collector is adapted to collect (dirty rinsing) liquid after washing or rinsing of the component surface as described above. In this embodiment, two liquid collectors (or tanks) are provided in the base unit, one tank collecting the clean condensate water from the heat exchanger (e.g. evaporator or air/air heat exchanger) during the drying process and the other tank collecting the water after the washing/rinsing process. For example, the collector cover may have a form such that condensate from the heat exchanger is directed only towards one of the two tanks present in the base unit below the collector cover. The flow of liquid into the target tank can be set by positioning one or more holes or openings between the heat exchanger (evaporator) and the tank. For example, one or more holes/openings are arranged on a tank which collects condensate (clean water) which may be used to rinse the surface of the respective component. Thereby, only clean water is stored in the tank, which is accordingly sent to the washing unit or the nozzle. According to one embodiment, the collector cover is not arranged below the washing section, i.e. the section to be washed/rinsed.

Preferably, the collector cover is at least partially arranged below the component to be washed by the washing liquid, wherein a surface of the collector cover below the component to be washed is sloped towards at least one opening formed between a top surface of the collector cover and the washing liquid collector. Thereby, the washing water with the washed-off thread ends is reliably guided to the washing liquid collector. The ramp surface is, for example, an inclined surface (relative to the horizontal). In particular, the washing water is driven towards the washing liquid collector even if the treatment apparatus is not at an equal height or horizontal position. Additionally or alternatively, the surface area of the collector lid comprises liquid guiding means for guiding washing liquid into the washing liquid collector towards the opening. The liquid guiding means may be formed as ridges or walls or any other shape that allows liquid to be guided towards (to be open to) the washing liquid collector.

Preferably, when the base unit, the collector cover and the heat exchanger are in their respective operating positions, the collector cover does not support the heat exchanger and, in addition or alternatively, the heat exchanger rests or is only directly supported by the base unit. Additionally or alternatively, the collector cover is not in contact with the heat exchanger.

The collector cover includes a ramped top surface arranged below the heat exchanger and adapted to direct condensate to at least one opening for draining condensate from the collector cover to a condensate collector. As mentioned above, the ramp surface may refer to an inclined surface with respect to the washing liquid collector, wherein, additionally or alternatively, the surface area of the collector cover comprises liquid guiding means for guiding the condensate towards an opening through which liquid may enter the condensate collector. The liquid guiding means may be formed as ridges or walls or any other shape that allows guiding liquid towards (opening to) the condensate collector. The inclination of the surface of the collector cover ensures that the condensate water is directed towards the condensate collector, i.e. to the clean water tank.

Preferably, the processing device comprises a heat pump system comprising the above heat exchanger (evaporator) adapted to heat the refrigerant and a condenser adapted to cool the refrigerant and adapted to heat the drying air. In this embodiment, the collector cover may comprise a condensate collecting surface arranged below the heat exchanger and a containment wall designed to prevent condensate from flowing from the condensate collecting surface to the area below the condenser. The containment wall separates the collector cover surface in the evaporator region from the condenser region to prevent liquid from flowing in the air flow direction within the air passage and also prevents air from bypassing the heat exchanger by flowing through the gap between the heat exchanger and the collector cover. In particular, no water or liquid can reach the condenser (and the process air fan downstream of the condenser), for example in the case of a liquid overflow or a malfunction of the drain line.

Preferably, a gap is provided between the underside of the condenser and the top surface of the collector cover in order to avoid the condenser exerting a load or pressure on the collector cover (and ultimately providing for liquid to flow under the condenser towards the drain passage, thereby draining liquid into the condensate tank).

The collector cover comprises one or more air guiding elements adapted to guide or divert the drying air along an intended flow path within the air channel. Additionally or alternatively, the collector cover comprises one or more air blocking elements adapted to block or reduce the flow of drying air. The above air guiding elements may reduce turbulence and additionally or alternatively reduce the flow resistance of the process air flow. The air blocking element may prevent bypass or backflow and additionally or alternatively prevent turbulence of the process air flow. In particular, the aforementioned containment wall may form an air guiding and/or blocking element which avoids that air flows around the evaporator through the gap between the heat exchanger and the collector cover.

Reference is made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which show:

figure 1 is a schematic view of the components of a dryer,

figure 2a perspective view of a collector cover of a base unit of a dryer,

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lower shell of a base unit adapted to receive the collector cover of fig. 2, fig. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the lower shell of the base unit of fig. 3, with the collector cover and heat exchanger of fig. 2 in an operative position,

fig. 5a-c a sectional front view (fig. 5a) and two detailed views (fig. 5b-c) of the lower shell of the base unit, with the collector cover and heat exchanger of fig. 4,

figure 6 is a perspective view of a collector cap according to an alternative embodiment,

figure 7 is a perspective view of a lower shell of a base unit adapted to receive the collector cap of figure 6 according to an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a front-rear cross-sectional view of a substrate arrangement of another embodiment, an

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the circle indicated in fig. 8, showing the filter cleaning unit in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows a schematically depicted dryer 2, which is not drawn to scale and is provided for illustrative purposes. In the casing 3 or cabinet of the laundry dryer is arranged a heat pump system 4 comprising a closed refrigerant loop 6 comprising the following sequence of refrigerant flows B: a first heat exchanger 10 serving as an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant and cool the process air; a compressor 14; a second heat exchanger 12 serving as a condenser to cool the refrigerant and heat the process air; and an expansion device 16 from which the refrigerant returns to the first heat exchanger 10. Together with the refrigerant lines connecting the components of the heat pump system 4 in series, the heat pump system 4 forms a refrigerant loop 6 through which refrigerant is circulated by a compressor 14, as indicated by arrow B.

The flow of process air a inside the dryer 2 is directed through a laundry storage compartment 17 of the dryer 2, i.e. through a compartment for receiving the items to be processed, such as a drum 18. The items to be treated are textiles, clothing 19, clothes, shoes, etc. The process air flow is indicated by arrow a in fig. 1 and is driven by a process air blower 8. The process air channel 20 directs the process air flow a out of the drum 18 and comprises a plurality of different sections, including a section forming a bank channel 20a, in which the first and

second heat exchangers

10, 12 are arranged. The process air coming out of the second heat exchanger 12 flows into a rear channel 20b, in which the process air blower 8 is arranged. The air sent by the blower 8 is guided upward to the back of the drum 18 in the rising passage 20 c. The air leaving the drum 18 through the drum outlet may be filtered by a lint filter 22 arranged in or near the drum outlet in the passage 20. The optional lint filter 22 is arranged in a front channel 20d forming another section of the channel 20, which is arranged behind and adjacent to the front cover of the dryer 2.

The condensate formed at the first heat exchanger 10 is collected and directed to a condensate collector 30. The condensate collector 30 may be connected to an extractable condensate drawer 34 via a drain conduit 36, a drain pump 32, and a drawer duct 38. That is, the collected condensate may be pumped from the collector 30 to a drawer 36 arranged at an upper portion of the dryer 2, from where it may be easily removed and emptied by a user. The dryer 2 comprises a control unit for controlling and monitoring the overall operation of the dryer 2. For example, the control unit controls the drain pump 32. Furthermore, the control unit is capable of controlling other parts of the dryer 2 (like the heat pump unit 4, the fan 8, etc.).

The base or pedestal section 5 of the dryer 2 is formed by an upper shell (not depicted) and lower shells 40a and 40b (fig. 3 and 7) that contain or house, among other things, the

heat exchangers

10 and 12, the fan 8 and the drain pump 32. Specifically, the upper and lower cases 40a and 40b provide an airtight process air passage forming at least the bank passage 20 a. Since the base 5 is preferably and substantially formed by only two shell elements, it is easy and fast to assemble.

According to a first embodiment, fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a collector cover 42a adapted to be received in the lower shell 40a of the base section 5 as shown in fig. 3. The lower shell 40a includes support members 44a-d for supporting the

heat exchangers

10, 12. In this embodiment, the support elements 44a-d are shaped as raised or elevated wall portions of the lower shell 40 a. For example, lower shell 40a and support elements 44a-d may be unitarily formed or formed as one piece by injection molding.

A condensate collector 30a or a condensate tank is arranged below the

heat exchangers

10, 12. When these components are in their respective operating positions as depicted in fig. 4 and 5a-c, the collector cover 42a is arranged between the

heat exchanger

10, 12 and the condensate collector 30 a. Specifically, the collector cover 42a does not support the

heat exchangers

10, 12. The

heat exchangers

10, 12 are supported or carried only by the lower shell 40 a. Thereby, the collector cover 42a is prevented from being deformed by the weight of the

heat exchangers

10, 12.

As shown in fig. 2, the upper surface of the collector cover 42a includes a barrier wall 46a that divides the collector cover 42a into two regions: a front zone 64a on which at least a portion of the first heat exchanger 10 is arranged, and a rear zone 66a on which at least a portion of the second heat exchanger 12 is arranged (fig. 4). The front region 64a includes a plurality of drain holes 48 through which condensate generated at the first heat exchanger 10 is discharged into the condensate collector 30a below the collector cover 42 a. The collector cover 42a comprises two air guiding elements 60a-b arranged at the rear end of the collector cover 42a, i.e. downstream of the second heat exchanger 12, to guide the process air a towards the fan 8.

Alternatively, the laundry dryer may comprise a liquid washing unit for washing or rinsing the (front) surface of the first heat exchanger 10 and/or of a filter arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger 10. Fig. 8 and 9 show an embodiment of a washing unit 86 for washing the filter unit 70, and this embodiment is described below for a filter washing embodiment. This applies correspondingly to washing the front side of the first heat exchanger, for example if no filter is arranged closely in front of the first heat exchanger. The liquid washing unit correspondingly washes the front surface of such components arranged in the drying air channel, which faces upstream and is reached first by the process air after it has been discharged from the laundry treatment chamber 17. During operation of the dryer 2, lint generated during drying operation accumulates on this surface, which over time deteriorates the performance of the heat exchanger and/or blocks the air passage.

Returning to the embodiment shown in fig. 6 and 7, in which no filter is placed immediately upstream of the heat exchanger 10 for removing accumulated lint, the liquid wash unit comprises a nozzle with at least one liquid opening that directs the sprayed liquid to the heat exchanger (front) surface. The (dirty) washing liquid flows down from the heat exchanger 10 and is guided to and collected in the washing liquid collector 54 a. This applies correspondingly to the filter if the filter is arranged close to and in front of the first heat exchanger.

The lower shell 40a comprises a wash liquid collector 54a or tank arranged below the front part of the first heat exchanger 10. The wash liquid may be removed from the wash liquid collector 54a by the drain pump 32. The liquid washing unit or the spray nozzle may be supplied with condensate generated during the drying operation, which has been collected in the condensate collector 30 a. As shown in fig. 4, the lower surface or bottom of the condensate collector 30a is sloped to assist the flow of condensate toward the rear end of the lower shell 40a from which condensate may be pumped to the condensate drawer 34 and additionally or alternatively to the spray nozzles of the wash unit as described above.

Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of the lower shell 40a of fig. 2 and 3 assembled with the collector cover 42a, with the first and

second heat exchangers

10, 12 in their operating positions. The front edge of the collector cover 42 terminates at a front side blocking wall 43, which separates the condensate collector 30a from the wash liquid collector 54 a.

As described above, the first heat exchanger 10 is supported by the wall support elements 44a-b (fig. 4, 5a-c) and the second heat exchanger 12 is supported by the arm support elements 44 c-d. The support elements 44a-d are arranged such that a gap 62 (fig. 5b and 5c) is provided between the lower surface of the

heat exchanger

10, 12 and the upper surface of the collector cover 42 a. The gap 62 provides for free flow of condensate generated at the first heat exchanger 10 toward the drain hole 48 and into the condensate collector 30 a. Specifically, the collector cover surface in front region 64a may be sloped toward drain hole 48 to assist in the flow of condensate into condensate collector 30 a. The aforementioned containment wall 46a prevents condensate from reaching the second heat exchanger 12 and the fan 8 arranged downstream of the heat exchanger 12, for example due to condensate overflow or a drain line failure. Further, the containment wall 46a prevents the process air from bypassing the second heat exchanger 12 by flowing through the gap 62 between the heat exchanger 12 and the collector cover 42 a.

Fig. 5a shows a cross-sectional front view of the first heat exchanger 10 from the front side, from which the drying air flow enters, to show how the

heat exchangers

10, 12 are supported by the lower shell 40a by the support elements 44 a-d. Fig. 5b shows the left side of fig. 5 in an enlarged detail and fig. 5c shows the right side in an enlarged detail, wherein the heat exchanger 10 is supported by support elements 44a-b (the position of the detail is indicated by corresponding circles in fig. 5 a).

As shown in fig. 5b and 5c, the

side walls

52a and 52b or outer side walls of the heat exchanger 10 rest on and are supported by the wall support elements 44a-b such that the

heat exchanger fins

50a, 50b of the heat exchanger 10 are raised above the collector cover 42a, i.e. a gap 62 is provided between the heat exchanger 10 and the cover 42 a. The second heat exchanger 12 is supported by the support members 44c and 44d, respectively. The area where the heat exchanger 10 is supported by or rests on the lower shell 40a is indicated by a circle in fig. 5b, 5 c. No part of the

heat exchangers

10, 12 is supported by the collector cover 42a, i.e. the entire weight of the

heat exchangers

10, 12 rests on the lower shell 40a and no load is imposed on the cover 42a from or by heat exchange.

Fig. 6 and 7 show perspective views of the collector cover 42b and the lower shell 40b according to an alternative embodiment of the base section 5 for the dryer 2. The above-described features and functions of the collector cover 42a and the lower case 40a according to the first embodiment correspond to those of the collector cover 42b and the lower case 40b of the alternative embodiment described below, unless otherwise mentioned. Like reference numerals are used for like elements.

In contrast to the above-described lower shell 40a of the first embodiment, the lower shell 40b shown in fig. 7 comprises two collecting tanks 30b, 54b arranged below the

heat exchangers

10, 12 and below the front and

rear regions

64b, 66b of the collector cover 42b, respectively. The condensate collector 30b is arranged adjacent to or side by side with the scrubbing liquid collector 54b, as viewed in the direction of the process air flow. In order to provide that the generated condensate is collected only in the condensate collector 30b, as shown in fig. 6, the collector cover 42b comprises drain holes 48 only in the region above the condensate collector 30 b.

As described above, a washing unit may be provided to wash the front surface of the first heat exchanger 10. As shown in fig. 7, the wash liquid collector 54b extends to an area in front of the first heat exchanger 10. A wash liquid inlet 58 is provided above a portion of the wash liquid collector 54b, which is arranged below the collector cover 42b, so that wash liquid flowing through the front portion of the heat exchanger enters the collector 54b through the inlet 58. The inlet 58 is an open top side of a front portion of the wash liquid collector 54b, which is located in front of the heat exchanger and in front of the collector cover 42b (the latter being correspondingly and preferably applicable to all embodiments herein).

The bottom surfaces of the condensate collector 30b and the wash liquid collector 54b are inclined toward the rear end of the lower case 40b such that the liquid in the collectors 30b and 54b flows toward the rear end of the case 40b, respectively. From the rear end of the housing 40b, the condensate may be pumped to the condensate drawer 34 and/or to the wash unit and wash liquor may be drained from the dryer 2.

When the

heat exchanger

10, 12 and the collector cover 42b are in their operating positions (corresponding to fig. 5a to 5c of the first embodiment), the

heat exchanger

10, 12 is supported by the wall support elements 44a-d and the gap 62 is provided between the

heat exchanger

10, 12 and the collector cover 42b as described above with respect to the first embodiment. Further, the collector cover 42b comprises a containment wall 46b and

air guiding elements

60a, 60b having the same function as described with respect to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the base arrangement taken from the front side (right side in the figure) to the rear side (left side in the figure) in a plane in which the bank channels 20a direct the drying air through the first and

second heat exchangers

10, 12 from front to rear. In this embodiment, the filter unit 70 is arranged before the first heat exchanger, i.e. upstream of the heat exchanger with regard to the air flow direction a.

The filter unit 70 comprises a first thread filter 72 for filtering a major fluff load of the drying air traffic and a second thread filter 74 arranged behind the first filter 72 and provided for filtering fluff and fine particles passing through the first thread filter. The filter unit 70 is provided as a removable component that can be removed by taking it out of the front passage 20d having the opening 80. The opening 80 forms an opening formed in the lower shell 40c of the base unit 5, wherein the lower shell 40c in turn forms a portion of the front channel 20 d. The access cover 76 for closing the opening 80 is part of the filter unit 70. An access cover 76 is releasably secured to the lower housing 40a and serves as a handle for a user to remove and insert the filter unit from and into the front access 20 d.

The filter unit 70 further comprises an air guiding element 78 which diverts the drying air a from the drum 18 towards the horizontal, first through the first and

second filter

72, 74 of the filter unit and then through the

heat exchangers

10, 12.

This embodiment shows a washing unit 86 for washing away the lint on the front surface of the first filter 72. As mentioned above, such a washing unit 86 may be applied accordingly to wash the front surface of the first heat exchanger, for example, if no filter unit 70 is provided. The washing unit 86 comprises a supply line 8 for supplying washing liquid to nozzles 90 of the washing unit, from which washing liquid flows or is sprayed through at least one nozzle outlet 92 towards the front side of the first filter 72. The washing liquid can be pumped by means of a pump (not shown) from a condensate collector (see e.g. 30a, 30b, 30) through a supply line 88 formed between the upper side of the upper casing 41 of the base unit 5 and a line closing element 89.

During the wash cycle, the spray nozzles 90 direct a flow of wash liquor C (fig. 9) toward the front side of the first filter 72, with the liquor and washed fluff flowing downward and exiting through the wash liquor inlet 58 and into the wash liquor collector 54C. A liquid guiding element 82 is arranged at the outlet 92, which is part of the filter unit 70 and helps the nozzle 90 to guide the liquid towards the front side of the first filter 72.

In these embodiments, elements and components of the dryer having the same function and/or the same effect and/or the same are indicated by identical or similar reference numerals. Unless otherwise indicated, what is described for one embodiment applies to the other embodiments.

List of reference numerals

2 dryer 41 base unit upper case

3 case 42a-c collector cover

4 heat pump system 43 partition wall

5 base sections 44a-d support elements/walls

6 refrigerant loop 46a-b containment wall

8 blower 48 condensate drain

10 first heat exchanger 50a-b heat exchanger fins

12 second heat exchanger 52a-b Heat exchanger side walls

14 compressor 54a-c wash liquid collector

16 expansion device 58 wash liquid inlet

17 garment storage compartments 60a-b air directing elements

18 cylinder 62 gap

Front region of 19 garments 64a-b

20 rear area of process air channel 66a-b

20a row channel 70 filter unit

20b rear channel 72 first line head filter

20c ascending channel 74 second line head filter

20d front passage 76 passage cover

22 fluff filter element 78 air routing

30. 30a-b condensate collector 80 lower shell opening

32 Drain Pump 82 liquid directing element

34 condensate drawer 86 wash unit

36 drain conduit 88 supply line

38 drawer duct 89 line closure element

Lower shell 90 nozzle of 40a-c base unit

92 nozzle outlet

A treating an air stream

Flow of refrigerant B

C washing liquid stream

Claims

1. Laundry treatment apparatus (2), in particular dryer or washer-dryer, comprising:

an equipment cabinet (3),

a laundry treatment chamber (17) for treating laundry using dry air,

an air channel (20) arranged to guide drying air from at least one outlet of the laundry treatment chamber (17) to at least one inlet of the treatment chamber (17),

a heat exchanger (10) arranged within the air channel (20) and adapted to cool the drying air and condense moisture of the drying air,

a base unit (40a-b) adapted to support the heat exchanger (10) and to receive or provide at least a portion of the air channel (20),

a condensate collector (30a-b) arranged in the base unit (40a-b) and adapted to collect condensate formed at the heat exchanger (10), and

a collector cover (42a-b) arranged between the underside of the heat exchanger (10) and the condensate collector (30a-b), wherein the collector cover covers at least a part of the condensate collector (30a-b),

it is characterized in that

The base unit (40a-b) comprises a plurality of support elements (44a-d) adapted to support the heat exchanger (10), wherein a gap (62) is provided between the bottom side of the heat exchanger (10) and the top surface of the collector cover (42 a-b).

2. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support elements (44a-d) are or comprise one or more wall supports provided on or at the base unit (40 a-b).

3. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a liquid washing unit (86) comprising a nozzle (90) having at least one liquid opening (92), wherein the nozzle is adapted to direct liquid to a surface of a component on which a thread head conveyed in the drying air is deposited.

4. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base unit (40a-b) further comprises a washing liquid collector (54a-b) and the collector cover (42a-b) further covers at least a portion of the washing liquid collector (54 a-b).

5. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the collector cover (42a-b) is arranged at least partially below the component to be washed by washing liquid, and wherein the collector cover surface below the component to be washed is sloped towards at least one opening formed between the collector cover top surface and the washing liquid collector.

6. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the base unit, the collector cover and the heat exchanger are in their respective operating positions, the collector cover does not support the heat exchanger or the heat exchanger rests on the base unit or is only directly supported by the base unit or the collector cover is not in contact with the heat exchanger.

7. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collector cover (42a-b) comprises a ramped top surface arranged below the heat exchanger (10) and adapted to guide the condensate to at least one opening (48) for draining the condensate from the collector cover (42a-b) to the condensate collector (30 a-b).

8. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a heat pump system (4) comprising the heat exchanger (10) adapted to heat a refrigerant and a condenser (12) adapted to cool the refrigerant and heat the drying air.

9. Laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the collector cover (42a-b) comprises a condensate collecting surface (64a-b) arranged below the heat exchanger (10) and a containment wall (46a-b) designed to prevent the condensate from flowing from the condensate collecting surface (64a-b) to an area (66a-b) below the condenser (12).

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a gap (62) between a bottom side of the condenser (12) and a top surface of the collector cover (42 a-b).

11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the collector cover (42a-b) comprises one or more air guiding elements adapted to guide or divert the drying air flowing along the air channel, or

Wherein the collector cover (42a-b) comprises one or more air blocking elements adapted to block or reduce a flow of drying air.