CN112760901A

CN112760901A - Domestic washing-drying machine

Info

Publication number: CN112760901A
Application number: CN202011108213.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·J·卡帕夫洛塞塞; I·奥特罗加西亚
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2019-10-21
Filing date: 2020-10-16
Publication date: 2021-05-07
Also published as: EP3812500A1

Abstract

A household washer-dryer (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F) comprising: a drum (6) for receiving laundry (5); an air inlet (13) for sucking in cold dry air (15) from an ambient environment (16) of the domestic washer-dryer (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F) during a drying cycle, wherein the air inlet (13) comprises heating means (18) for converting the cold dry air (15) into hot dry air (19) which is discharged into the drum (6) by means of the air inlet (13); and a water inlet/air outlet (24) for sucking in hot humid air (25) from the drum (6) during a drying cycle, wherein the water inlet/air outlet (24) comprises dehumidifying means (27), said dehumidifying means (27) being adapted to convert the hot humid air (25) into cold dry air (28) which is discharged into the surroundings (16) by means of the water inlet/air outlet (24).

Description

Domestic washing-drying machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a household washer-dryer.

Background

For combined washing and drying of laundry, a so-called home washer-dryer may be used. A home washer-dryer is an appliance that can subsequently wash and dry laundry. For drying laundry with a conventional dryer, the applicant is aware of several drying methods from his internal experience. The through-air dryer works by evacuating hot humid air outside a room or room. In this case, the drying of the wet laundry is carried out by applying an air flow blown by a fan, which, when flowing through the laundry, causes the extraction of the moisture contained in said laundry. The air applied to the laundry may be heated, for example by electrical resistance, and loaded with evaporated moisture. The humid air may then be discharged to the outside.

The air condensation dryer air-dries by a recirculation process and condenses water contained therein. The moisture in the air may be condensed to change the air carrying it into dry air, which may be circulated in a closed loop. The moisture in the humid air is thus recovered in the liquid state. Depending on the dehumidification approach, three different processes may be defined. First, dehumidification may be performed with fresh air. In this case, the dehumidification of the humid air can be carried out by means of an air-air heat exchanger, in which one of the exchange fluids is cold air from the environment, which is not in direct contact, but is subjected to heat exchange by means of such a heat exchanger, cooling the humid air stream and eliminating its humidity. This refrigerated air is extracted from the heated environment and, after passing through the exchanger, is again discharged into the environment, propelled by an additional fan.

Secondly, dehumidification may be performed with fresh water. In this case, the dehumidification of the humid air may be performed by directly contacting the humid air in a counter flow with the refrigeration water extracted from the supply water by cooling. Third, dehumidification may be accomplished by an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. In this case, dehumidification is accomplished by heat pump technology, which includes a heat pump circuit with a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. In these household appliances, the air flow applied to the laundry to be dried is generally heated by a heat pump condenser and propelled by a fan. Dehumidification is achieved by passing the moist air over the cold surface of the heat pump evaporator for cooling. The temperature difference between the condenser and the evaporator is due to the compression of the refrigerant medium in superheated gaseous state, which can be condensed by dry air cooling and then expanded and evaporated again by the humid air coming out of the drum.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved household washer-dryer.

Accordingly, a home washer-dryer is provided. The home washer-dryer includes: a drum for receiving laundry; an air inlet for receiving cold dry air from an ambient environment of the home washer-dryer during a drying cycle, wherein the air inlet includes heating means for converting the cold dry air into hot dry air for discharge into the drum through the air inlet; and a water inlet/air outlet for receiving hot humid air from the drum during the drying cycle, wherein the water inlet/air outlet comprises a dehumidifying means for converting the hot humid air into cold dry air which is discharged into the surroundings through the water inlet/air outlet.

Since the home washer-dryer uses an open cycle, which means that air is sucked from and discharged to the surroundings, rather than being circulated, the space required by the elements required for the drying cycle is smaller than in a home washer-dryer with a closed cycle. In this way, the size of the drum can be increased, and the size of the home washer-dryer can also be reduced.

A home washer-dryer is an open cycle home washer-dryer. In this case, "open circulation" means that the air used to dry the laundry is not circulated as in the closed-circulation home washer-dryer. In other words, air is taken from the surroundings and discharged back to the surroundings. The drum is rotatably supported in the tub. Preferably, the air inlet and the water inlet/air outlet are connected to the tub. The home washer-dryer can perform one washing cycle and then a drying cycle. This means that the term "domestic washer-dryer" must be understood as a domestic appliance which can both wash and dry clothes. In particular, the drying cycle is an open drying cycle. Preferably, the heating means is disposed within the air inlet. The air inlet may be a conduit communicating the ambient to the tub.

The dehumidifying device is capable of removing water or moisture from the hot humid air leaving the drum. The hot and dry air absorbs moisture from the laundry and leaves the drum in the form of hot humid air. The dehumidification is accomplished by cooling the hot humid air. Thus, when the hot humid air from the laundry is cooled, the moisture is condensed. The dehumidifying means is preferably arranged within the water inlet/air outlet. The water inlet/air outlet may be a conduit that communicates the tub to the ambient environment. In this respect, the term "water inlet/air outlet" is meant to provide a dual function. In the washing cycle, water is discharged from the water inlet/air outlet into the tub. In the drying cycle, air is discharged from the tub to the water inlet/air outlet.

According to an embodiment, the air inlet comprises a fan which passes cold dry air through or past the heating means during the drying cycle.

The fan may be arranged upstream of the heating means. Alternatively, the fan may be arranged downstream of the heating device. The fan may be a ventilator.

According to a further embodiment, the heating means is a resistor placed in the air inlet.

A resistor is a passive, two-terminal electrical component that implements a resistance as a circuit element. The resistor may be a coil of wire.

According to a further embodiment, said dehumidification means comprise a sprinkler which generates a spray of fresh water which is counter-current to the hot humid air leaving the drum during the drying cycle.

In this case, "counter-flow" means that the flow direction of the spray is opposite to the flow direction of the hot humid air.

According to a further embodiment, the water inlet/air outlet comprises additional heating means for converting cold dry air into warm dry air which is discharged into the surroundings through the water inlet/air outlet.

In this way, the cool dry air may be heated prior to discharge to the ambient environment. The additional heating means may be an additional electrical resistor arranged in the water inlet/air outlet.

According to a further embodiment, said additional heating means are arranged downstream of the dehumidifying means.

In this case, "downstream" means that the additional heating means is disposed after the dehumidifying means in the flow direction of the air.

According to a further embodiment, the domestic washer-dryer further comprises a heat pump.

The heat pump includes a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, and a compressor.

According to a further embodiment, the heating device is a condenser of a heat pump, wherein the heating device is placed in the air inlet.

Thus, the term "heating device" may be substituted for "condenser". In particular, the condenser is a heat exchanger.

According to a further embodiment, the dehumidifying means is an evaporator of a heat pump, wherein the dehumidifying means is placed within the water inlet/air outlet.

Thus, the term "dehumidification device" may be replaced by "evaporator". In particular, the evaporator is a heat exchanger. In the drying cycle, a compressor compresses a refrigerant, and heats the refrigerant during the compression. In the heating element, the refrigerant condenses and transfers heat to the cool dry air drawn in from the surroundings. The condensed refrigerant is fed to an expansion valve that expands and cools the liquid refrigerant. The cooled refrigerant is provided to the dehumidification device where it evaporates and absorbs heat from the hot humid air leaving the drum. The hot humid air cools and the moisture condenses, so that only cold dry air is discharged to the surroundings.

According to a further embodiment, the heat pump comprises a heat exchanger for converting cold dry air into warm dry air, which is discharged into the environment through a water inlet/air outlet.

In this case, the heat pump has three heat exchangers, i.e., an evaporator, a condenser, and the above-described heat exchanger.

According to a further embodiment, the heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the dehumidifying device.

By means of the heat exchanger, the cold dry air can be heated before being discharged to the surroundings.

According to a further embodiment, the heat exchanger is arranged within the water inlet/air outlet.

This reduces the space requirement. The home washer-dryer can thus be designed more compact.

According to a further embodiment, the heat pump comprises an evaporator for cooling the fresh water sent to the dehumidification device.

In this case, the evaporator is not used to cool the hot humid air from the laundry. Instead, the evaporator is used to cool the water delivered to the dehumidification device. In this case, the dehumidifying apparatus is not an evaporator but the aforementioned sprinkler.

According to a further embodiment, the heat pump comprises a heat exchanger for converting cold dry air into warm dry air, which is discharged into the surroundings through a water inlet/air outlet.

In this case, the dehumidifying apparatus is a sprinkler. The heat pump comprises a condenser in the form of a heating device, a condenser for cooling the water for the dehumidification device and a heat exchanger.

The contact of water with the heat exchanger can be dispensed with in this way.

Other possible implementations or alternative solutions of the invention also include combinations of the features mentioned above or below in relation to the embodiments-not explicitly mentioned here. Those skilled in the art may also add individual or isolated aspects and features to the most basic form of the invention.

Drawings

Further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description and the dependent claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a domestic washer-dryer;

fig. 2 shows another embodiment of a domestic washer-dryer;

fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a domestic washer-dryer;

fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a domestic washer-dryer;

fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a home washer-dryer; and

fig. 6 shows another embodiment of a home washer-dryer.

Detailed Description

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally equivalent elements, unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a domestic washer-dryer 1A. The home washer-dryer 1A is a home appliance, and thus may be referred to as a home washer-dryer. In this case, a "washer-dryer" is to be understood as a device which is capable of subsequently washing and drying laundry. As will be explained later, the home washer-dryer 1A is an open-cycle home washer-dryer. Therefore, the home washer-dryer 1A may be referred to as an open-cycle home washer-dryer.

The home washer-dryer 1A has a casing 2, the casing 2 enclosing a tub 3. The tub 3 has a load opening 4 through which laundry 5 can be placed in a rotatable drum 6. The drum 6 is rotatably supported in the tub 3. A motor 7 is provided for rotating the drum 6. The motor 7 has a driving gear 8, and the drum 6 has a gear 9, the gear 9 being in mesh with the driving gear 8 via a chain 10. The motor 7 may be connected to the tub 3. A gap 11 is provided between the drum 6 and the tub 3.

The load opening 4 can be opened and closed by a door 12. The door 12 is hinged to the housing 2. The tub 3 has an air inlet 13. The air inlet 13 may be a duct that discharges into a bellows 14 connecting the tub 3 and the housing 2. The air inlet 13 is able to draw in fresh or cold dry air 15 from the ambient environment 16 of the domestic washer-dryer 1A. For this purpose, the air inlet 13 has a fan 17. The air inlet 13 also has a heating device 18 for heating the cool dry air 15. The heating device 18 is a resistor. The heating device 18 changes the cold dry air 15 into hot dry air 19.

The tub 3 has a water outlet 20 for draining process water 21 from the tub 3. In this case, "process water" means: fresh water comprising detergent and/or dirt separated from the laundry 5. The water outlet 20 may be a bellows attached to the tub 3. Viewed in the direction of gravity g, the water outlet 20 is arranged at the lowest point of the tub 3. The water outlet 20 is connected to a pump 22. The pump 22 discharges the process water 21 into the outlet pipe 23. The outlet pipe 23 may be connected to a sewer (not shown) or the like.

Furthermore, the tub 3 comprises a combined water inlet/air outlet 24. Through the water inlet/air outlet 24, hot humid air 25 may be discharged from the tub 3 and fresh water 26 may be discharged into the tub 3. The water inlet/air outlet 24 is provided with dehumidifying means 27 for dehumidifying the hot humid air 25. The dehumidifying means 27 are adapted to cool and dehumidify the hot humid air 25. In this way, the dehumidifier 27 may process the hot humid air 25 into cold dry air 28, which cold dry air 28 is discharged to the ambient environment 16. The dehumidification device 27 may comprise a spray or sprinkler 29, said sprinkler 29 spraying the fresh water 26, so as to produce a spray 30 of fresh water 26. The dehumidification device 27 also comprises a feed pipe 31 for the supply of fresh water 26 and a valve 32.

The washer-dryer 1A functions as follows. Laundry 5, which has to be washed, is placed in the drum 6, and the door 12 is closed. The combined wash-dry cycle is then started. The wash-dry cycle includes a wash cycle and a subsequent dry cycle. At the beginning of the wash cycle, fresh water 26 is discharged into tub 3 through water inlet/air outlet 24. This may be done by means of a dehumidifying device 27. Otherwise, the fresh water 26 may be discharged into the water inlet/air outlet 24 in any other manner. For example, a water supply pipe (not shown) may discharge the fresh water 26 to the tub 3 and/or the water inlet/air outlet 24.

The fresh water 26 dissolves detergent placed in the laundry 5 or in a dispenser (not shown). The motor 7 rotates the drum 6 and the process water 21 can be circulated by means of a pump 22. By the end of the washing cycle, the clean laundry 5 is centrifuged by the motor 7 and the process water 21 is discharged into the outlet pipe 23.

After the washing cycle is completed, the drying cycle is started. The air inlet 13 draws in cold dry air 15 from the surroundings 16 by means of a fan 17. The cold dry air 15 is processed by the heating device 18 into hot dry air 19. The hot dry air 19 is discharged into the rotary drum 6. The hot dry air 19 absorbs moisture from the wet laundry 5 and is discharged as hot humid air 25 through the water inlet/air outlet 24. The hot humid air 25 is counter current to the spray 30 of fresh water 26.

The dehumidifying device 27 cools down the hot humid air 25, and then the humid air in the hot humid air 25 is condensed and returned to the tub 3 together with the fresh water 26. From the tub 3, the moisture and fresh water 26 for producing the spray 30 are discharged as process water 21 through the pump 22 into the outlet pipe 23. In this way, the hot humid air 25 is processed into cold dry air 28, and the cold dry air 28 is discharged to the ambient environment 16. The drying cycle is performed until the laundry 5 has a desired dryness. The required dryness may be detected by a sensor (not shown). The drying cycle is stopped and the laundry 5 may be taken out of the drum 6.

As previously mentioned, during the drying cycle, the home washer-dryer 1A draws in cold dry air 15 from the ambient environment 16 and discharges cold dry air 28 to the ambient environment 16. In other words, the air does not circulate in a closed circuit. Therefore, the home washer-dryer 1A may be named an open-cycle home washer-dryer.

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the washer-dryer 1B. The washer-dryer 1B differs from the washer-dryer 1A only in that the water inlet/air outlet 24 comprises additional heating means 33 for heating the cold dry air 28 downstream of the dehumidifying means 27. For example, the heating device 33 heats the cool dry air 28 to room temperature. The heating device 33 converts the cool dry air 28 into warm dry air 34, and the warm dry air 34 is discharged into the ambient environment 16.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the washer-dryer 1C. The washer-dryer 1C differs from the washer-dryer 1A only in that the heating means 18 of the air inlet 13 is a condenser of the heat pump 35, while the dehumidifying means 27 of the water inlet/air outlet 24 is an evaporator of the heat pump 35. In addition to the heating device 18 and the dehumidifying device 27, the heat pump 35 comprises an expansion valve 36 and a compressor 37. The heating device 18 is connected to the dehumidifying device 27 by a first conduit 38. The first conduit 38 has an expansion valve 36. The dehumidifying device 27 is connected to the heating device 18 via a second conduit 39. The second conduit 39 has a compressor 37.

During the drying cycle, the compressor 37 compresses the refrigerant, and heats the refrigerant during the compression. In the heating device 18, the refrigerant condenses and transfers heat to the cool dry air 15 drawn in from the surroundings 16. The condensed refrigerant is supplied to the expansion valve 36, and the liquid refrigerant is expanded and cooled down in the expansion valve 36. The cooled refrigerant is supplied to a dehumidifying device 27 where it evaporates and absorbs heat from the hot humid air 25 leaving the tub 3. The hot humid air 25 cools and the moisture condenses, so that only the cool dry air 28 is discharged to the ambient environment 16.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a home washer-dryer 1D. The washer-dryer 1D is different from the washer-dryer 1C only in that: the heat pump 35 comprises an additional heat exchanger 40. The dehumidifying means 27 is connected to the heating means 18 by a second conduit 39 comprising a compressor 37. Said heat exchanger 40 is connected to the dehumidification device 27 through a third conduit 41 comprising an expansion valve 36. The heating device 18 is connected to the heat exchanger 40 via a fourth conduit 42. During the drying cycle, the heat exchanger 40 is used to heat the cool dry air 28, and the cool dry air 28 is then discharged to the ambient environment 16. In this way, the heat exchanger 40 processes the cold dry air 28 into warm dry air 34 exiting the washer-dryer 1D.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a home washer-dryer 1E. The washer-dryer 1E differs from the washer-dryer 1A only in that the heating device 18 of the air inlet 13 is a condenser of the heat pump 35. In addition to the heating device 18, the heat pump 35 also comprises an evaporator 43. The heating device 18 is connected to an evaporator 43 via a first conduit 38 with an expansion valve 36. The evaporator 43 is connected to the heating device 18 through a second conduit 39 comprising a compressor 37. During the drying cycle, the evaporator 43 is used to cool the fresh water 26, which is then sprayed by the dehumidifying device 27. In addition, the process water 21 generated in the drying cycle may be delivered to the evaporator 43 through the outlet pipe 23 and cooled again before being sprayed by the sprayer 29. A water circulation can be established. In this way, the consumption of fresh water 26 can be reduced.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the washer-dryer 1F. The washer-dryer 1F differs from the washer-dryer 1E only in that the heat pump 35 comprises an additional heat exchanger 40. The evaporator 43 is connected to the heating device 18 through a second conduit 39 comprising a compressor 37. The heat exchanger 40 is connected to an evaporator 43 via a third conduit 41 comprising an expansion valve 36. The heating device 18 is connected to the heat exchanger 40 via a fourth conduit 42. During the drying cycle, the heat exchanger 40 is used to heat the cool dry air 28, and the cool dry air 28 is then discharged to the ambient environment 16. In this way, the heat exchanger 40 processes the cold dry air 28 into warm dry air 34, the warm dry air 34 exiting the washer-dryer 1F.

The embodiments of the washer-

dryer

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F described above may have the following advantages. Since an open cycle is provided, a quick drying function can be provided in the washer-

dryer

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F having a standard size. A high degree of simplicity in integrating the system into existing washer-dryer configurations can be achieved. The water can be reused. This means a lower fresh water consumption in the wash cycle. Heat may be recovered from the water used in the dehumidification process. Flexibility and adaptability of design may be provided. Different washing and drying speeds and efficiencies can be designed.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in all embodiments.

List of reference numerals

1A washing-drying machine

1B washing-drying machine

1C washing-drying machine

1D washing-drying machine

1E washing-drying machine

1F washing-drying machine

2 casing

3 barrel

4 load port

5 clothes

6 roller

7 electric machine

8 drive gear

9 Gear

10 chain

11 gap

12 door

13 air inlet

14 corrugated pipe

15 air (air)

16 surroundings

17 Fan

18 heating device

19 air (9)

20 water outlet

21 water

22 pump

23 outlet pipe

24 water inlet/air outlet

25 air (air)

26 Water

27 dehumidifying device

28 air

29 Sprinkler

30 spraying of

31 feeding pipe

32 valve

33 heating device

34 air (air)

35 Heat pump

36 expansion valve

37 compressor

38 pipeline

39 pipeline

40 heat exchanger

41 pipeline

42 pipeline

43 evaporator

g direction of gravity

Claims

1. A household washer-dryer (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F) comprising: a drum (6) for receiving laundry (5); an air inlet (13) for sucking in cold dry air (15) from an ambient environment (16) of the domestic washer-dryer (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F) during a drying cycle, wherein the air inlet (13) comprises heating means (18) for converting the cold dry air (15) into hot dry air (19) which is discharged into the drum (6) by means of the air inlet (13); and a water inlet/air outlet (24) for sucking in hot humid air (25) from the drum (6) during a drying cycle, wherein the water inlet/air outlet (24) comprises dehumidifying means (27), said dehumidifying means (27) being adapted to convert the hot humid air (25) into cold dry air (28) which is discharged into the surroundings (16) by means of the water inlet/air outlet (24).

2. A domestic washer-dryer according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet (13) comprises a fan (17) forcing cold dry air (15) through or past the heating means (18) during a drying cycle.

3. A household washer-dryer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said heating means (18) is an electric resistor placed inside said air inlet (13).

4. A household washer-dryer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said dehumidifying means (27) comprises a sprinkler (29), said sprinkler (29) generating a spray (30) of fresh water (26), said spray (30) being in counter-flow with the hot humid air (25) leaving the drum (6) during the drying cycle.

5. A domestic washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the water inlet/air outlet (24) comprises additional heating means (33) for converting cold dry air (28) into warm dry air (34), the warm dry air (34) being discharged to the surroundings (16) through the water inlet/air outlet (24).

6. A household washer-dryer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said additional heating means (33) are arranged downstream of the dehumidifying means (27).

7. A domestic washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the domestic washer-dryer further comprises a heat pump (35).

8. Household washer-dryer according to claim 7, wherein said heating means (18) is a condenser of a heat pump (35), said heating means (18) being placed inside the air inlet (13).

9. Household washer-dryer according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the dehumidifying means (27) is an evaporator of a heat pump (35), wherein the dehumidifying means (27) is placed inside the water inlet/air outlet (24).

10. Household washer-dryer according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein the heat pump (35) comprises a heat exchanger (40), said heat exchanger (40) being adapted to convert cold dry air (28) into warm dry air (34) which is discharged to the surroundings (16) through the water inlet/air outlet (24).

11. A household washer-dryer as claimed in claim 10, wherein said heat exchanger (40) is arranged downstream of the dehumidifying means (27).

12. A household washer-dryer as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein a heat exchanger (40) is provided in the water inlet/air outlet (24).

13. A household washer-dryer according to any one of claims 7-12, wherein the heat pump (35) comprises an evaporator (43) for cooling the fresh water (26) delivered to the dehumidifying means (27).

14. A domestic washer-dryer according to claim 13, wherein the heat pump (35) comprises a heat exchanger (40), the heat exchanger (40) being adapted to convert cold dry air (28) into warm dry air (34) which is discharged to the surroundings (16) through the water inlet/air outlet (24).

15. A household washer-dryer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said heat exchanger (40) is arranged downstream of the dehumidifying means (27).