DE102008062434A1 - Lint filtering device for fitting into exhaust air flow of laundry dryer, has stripping device that is in contact with drum, so that surface of drum is freed from deposited lint by relative motion of drum and stripping device - Google Patents

Abstract

The filtering device (1) has a drum (2), where lint is present in an exhaust air flow (50) and depositable on a surface that extends in a rotational direction of the drum, so that the exhaust air flow is free from the lint after passing the drum. The drum is rotatably mounted on the filtering device. A stripping device i.e. plastic scraper, is mounted outside the drum, and is in contact with the drum, so that a surface of the drum is freed from the deposited lint by relative motion of the drum and the stripping device. The surface of the drum is provided with a filter.

Description

The The present invention relates to a lint cleaning apparatus for installation in an exhaust air flow of a tumble dryer.

At the Laundry drying process fall, mostly conditional due to the mechanical friction between the garments, depending on the material of the dried garments relatively many particles and fibers at. These particles and fibers often become fluff or lint or called garbage. Within the scope of this disclosure, such Abrasion products with the term "fluff" called. The lint incurred during the drying process become removed from the exhaust air stream by the exhaust air flow through a sieve passed through, on which the lint hang stay. The user of the tumble dryer must after each Drying process, remove the lint by hand from the sieve, otherwise the drying capacity of the clothes dryer is impaired. Because in practice very few users after each drying process clean the lint filter by hand, There are often problems with drying and users complain that drying consumes too much energy and / or takes too long. Moreover, some users feel one certain disgust at the manual lint cleaning.

For the reasons mentioned, various approaches are described in the patent literature to circumvent the manual cleaning of the lint filter. In the WO 2007/057260 A1 and EP 1 050 619 B1 a lint filter device and its cleaning will be described. The lint filter is guided over two deflecting elements and moved by opening and closing the dryer door and passed over a scraper, whereby the lint is stripped and transferred into a collecting container. This arrangement is generally very complicated and susceptible to closure, since the lint filter is guided over two pulleys and additionally guided past a scraper. In particular, maintaining a sufficient tension of the lint filter proved to be less practicable.

In the JP 2008/006044 and JP 2008/006045 discloses a drum-shaped lint filter, wherein fluff is accumulated in the interior of the drum. The interior of the drum is mechanically stripped by means of a helix, which is moved by rotation over the inner surface of the drum, thus removing the lint. This arrangement brings various problems. Thus, the structure is relatively large construction and can not be installed accordingly in the usual dryers. Furthermore, the internal spiral must be guided very accurately and must not tilt, otherwise damage to the filter fabric and / or incomplete cleaning threatens.

In the EP 1 788 142 A2 . EP 1 788 141 A2 and EP 1 788 140 A2 each arcuate lint filter are described with a squeegee device. Finally, the reveals DE 4403183 A1 a lint filter with a scraper, which is guided parallel to the lint filter. If the door is opened, the scraper is actuated by a drive rod and a corresponding gear transmission and strokes over the surface of the lint filter.

task The present invention is a lint cleaning apparatus to provide for a tumble dryer which easy and reliable to use.

These Task is solved by a Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of Dependent claims.

The Fluff cleaning device according to the invention is for installation in an exhaust air stream of a tumble dryer intended. It has a rotatably mounted drum. On a surface of the drum, in particular on a surface the drum extending in a direction of rotation of the drum, are located in the exhaust air fluff deposits, so that the exhaust air flow After passing through the drum is essentially freed from lint. By the term "essentially lint free" is meant that after passing the drum in the exhaust air flow no larger particles are contained more. A complete Particulate cleaning is therefore not practicable in practice, since such a small mesh size would have to be selected, that the lint filter would immediately clog and thus the Energy consumption would rise sharply. As a result, can the exhaust air leaving the dryer is not referred to as pure air but it's the bigger fluff and Particles removed from the exhaust air flow, whereas still quite contain individual small particles and in particular small particles could be.

According to one Most preferred embodiment is the intended goal the Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung, in particular by adjusting the Position of the wiper and by choice of materials and material properties of the stripper, not all particles clean up, so that a cover layer can be created in a controlled manner, which stabilizes the filtration performance, the particle flow rate refines and thereby improves the filtration.

Furthermore, the lint cleaning device according to the invention has a stripping device. The scraper is outside the trom stored and can be brought into engagement with the drum in such a way that by relative movement of the drum and stripping the surface of the drum can be freed from deposited lint.

Different as in the described Japanese publications, the stripping device not stored inside the drum, but outside. By this measure, the assembly and disassembly of Fluff cleaning device according to the invention much easier. Also an exchange of individual components, For example, the drum or the stripping, is through this arrangement according to the invention easily possible. moreover decreases the susceptibility to wear and increases the Abreinigungsgenauigkeit.

According to one preferred embodiment, the deposition of the lint takes place the surface of the drum, which is covered with a sieve is. The mesh size of this sieve is dimensioned so that in the exhaust air flow located lint are retained and the exhaust air flow is only slightly affected. The mesh size may be in the range of 25-500 μm, especially preferably in a range of 50-200 μm. In practical tests showed itself, that by the arrangement according to the invention of a standard compared to the screens of the prior art Mesh sizes of 200 microns on a much smaller mesh size passed can be. In experimental arrangements, a mesh size turned out of 100 microns as excellent working out. This allows much smaller particles and Fluff be retained as this in the prior art is possible without the exhaust air flow has been hindered. The inventors assume that even smaller mesh sizes could be used.

According to one preferred embodiment, the drum is rotatable, whereby the Relative movement between the drum and stripping device is generated. The stripping device is mounted stationary in this embodiment and lies opposite the drum, so through the rotation the drum the surface of the drum on the stripping is passed so that deposited on its top Fluffs are mechanically stripped off.

Prefers become the retained and mechanically removed lint collected in a container, which then from time to time can be emptied by the tumble dryer user. By The user only needs to collect the stripped fluff Time to time empty the container. Especially preferred it is envisaged that the lint be compacted. This can be, for example done with a press screw or with a stamp. The lint collector As a result, it needs to be emptied even less frequently. The compaction also brings with it the advantage that a dust development no longer occurs or is much lower. The compacted fluff are no longer tangled and can thus be awarded be disposed of without being excessive Dust pollution occurs.

According to one preferred embodiment, the stripping device is a scraper, in particular a scraper made of a plastic material. Especially preferred is a two-part design of the scraper, the front end of the scraper being made of a different material as the back end of the scraper. With "front end" becomes at the stripper means that side which is the drum is facing, so you are directly opposite. The farther end is called the "rear end". The front end of the stripping device, in particular the scraper, preferably consists of a resilient material, in particular a foam or sponge rubber. The opposite End is preferably made of a stronger plastic material or from made of a metal. So this consists for example of a thermoplastic plastic material, in particular PVC (polyvinyl chloride). By using a slightly more forgiving material at the front End of the stripping device is achieved that the stripping on the one hand adapts well to the drum surface, from which the fluff should be removed, and secondly, an injury the drum surface avoided. The firmer material of the At the same time, the rear end causes sufficient rigidity the stripping device, combined with a high mechanical strength.

According to one Another preferred embodiment, the lint on the outer surface the drum, in particular the lateral surface of the drum, deposited. This will create a large surface provided, which for lint deposition available stands. At the same time, the surface can be by rotation of the drum completely on the stripper lead past.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a unit is provided, which includes the stripping device according to the invention. This unit is called a cassette. In the cassette thus drum and stripping means are included. The cassette can be used in a tumble dryer to connect it to the exhaust air stream and pass the exhaust air stream through it. According to a preferred embodiment, the cassette can be inserted into the door region of a tumble dryer. This design brings various advantages. It is the assembly much easier, as in the final assembly of a laundry Trockners only the cassette is used as a whole. Also, the replacement of worn items, such as the drum or the stripping, is easily made possible in this way. It only takes the cassette to be taken out and the decomposition into their parts can easily go on. Moreover, in this way it is easily possible to empty a preferably contained collecting container. Finally, by using the cassette according to the invention, otherwise difficult to access areas can be used in the tumble dryer.

After all is still a clothes dryer provided, which is an inventive Fluff cleaning device contains. And it's a tumble dryer provided, which is a cassette according to the invention contains.

following The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and described. Show it:

1 a three-dimensional view of a Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung invention;

2 a side view of the lint cleaning device according to 1 ;

3 a plan view of the lint cleaning device according to 1 ;

4 a bottom view of the lint cleaning device according to 1 ; and

5 a section (A) and a plan view (B) by a further embodiment of the invention.

In the 1 - 4 is a preferred embodiment of a Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung invention 1 shown. In a box 4 are a drum 2 and a stripping device 3 contain. The exhaust air flow, represented by the arrow 50 , enters via the exhaust air inlet 8th in the box 4 a, crosses the drum 2 from the lateral surface 14 out over openings 13 to the inside of the drum 15 and leaves the drum 2 and thus the Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung over the Abluftausströmöffnung 9 , The lateral surface 14 the drum 2 is with a sieve 12 overdrawn. The mesh size of the screen is for example 100 microns. When passing the exhaust air through the openings 13 the exhaust air passes through the sieve 12 , When entering the box 4 via the exhaust air inflow opening 8th the exhaust air is lint-laden. This lint load will pass through the screen 12 leave on the same, so that the exhaust air, which the Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung 1 via the exhaust air outlet opening 9 leaves, is essentially lint-free.

The cleaning of the lint on the lateral surface 14 , more precisely, the lint, which is on the on the lateral surface 14 arranged sieve 12 deposited by rotational movement of the drum 2 over the drum axis 10 as indicated by the arrow 51 in 2 , From the representation as a double arrow it becomes clear that in principle a rotation in both directions is possible. In practice, however, one direction may be preferred, depending on the setting of the wiper 3 , The rotation can, for example, via a drum shaft 11 respectively. The rotation itself can be effected both by hand, for example by a corresponding attack on the drum shaft 11 , Equally, however, an operation in a mechanical manner, for example by opening the door or by pressing a corresponding control button is also possible via appropriate deflections and actuators. Finally, the drive can also be done electrically. It is usually a 360 ° rotation, ie a full turn, the drum 2 suffice for the lateral surface 14 completely clean up. Of course, multiple turns are possible.

The stripping device 3 is designed in the style of a scraper. In the presentation of the 2 the scraper is mounted approximately centrally, represented by the reference numeral 16 , The angle of attack α of the stripping device 3 is in 2 indicated. With angle α is the angle meant by the wiper 3 in proportion to the lot that came from the camp 16 on the lateral surface 14 the drum is felled, takes. The angle of attack α is basically freely selectable, as long as a sufficient stripping effect is achieved. In principle, the angle of attack α can coincide with the perpendicular, ie amount to 0 °. Preferably, however, it will occupy an acute angle, for example between 10 ° and 45 °. In the preferred embodiment of 2 the angle of attack is α 22.5 °.

An advantage of the illustrated embodiment of the stripping device 3 and the central storage is that by adjusting the angle of attack α the distance between the front end 17 the stripping device 3 and the lateral surface 14 can be changed and thus adjusted. A smaller angle α, ie more in the direction of the solder, causes the stripping device to approach 3 , more precisely the front end 17 , to the lateral surface 14 whereas a larger angle α is a greater distance from the lateral surface 14 pulls. As has been generally explained above, the stripping device can be designed in two parts. The front end 17 is preferably made of a more compliant material, such as foam or sponge rubber, whereas the rear end 18 preferably of a solid material, in particular a fes th plastic material such as a thermoplastic material or consists of a metal.

Stripped fluff accumulate in the lint collecting locale 5 , About the lint removal opening 6 which has a slider 7 can be closed and opened, the lint are removed.

In 5 a further embodiment of a Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung invention is shown. It is with the reference number 100 characterized. The presentation of the 5 is schematic. In 5A is a section through the Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung 100 represented and in 56 a supervision.

The exhaust air stream, again characterized by the reference numeral 50 , enters the lint cleaning device 100 over the entrance pipe 130 , The exhaust air flow 50 then penetrates the surface 131 the drum 102 , enters through the drum 102 through and passes through the Abluftausströmöffnung (not shown) again from the Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung 100 out. The surface 131 extends in a direction of rotation of the drum 102 , where the direction of rotation is indicated by the arrow 51 is indicated.

On the surface 131 the drum 102 Deposited lint are stripped off by rotating the drum and in the lint collection facility 105 collected. With the arrow 52 is hinted at, like that on the surface 131 the drum 102 accumulated lint with the help of Abstreifeinrichtung 103 be stripped off. Accumulated fluff is then removed with the help of a slider 132 pushed together, indicated by the arrow 53 , and compacted. By compacting is advantageously a relatively smaller lint collection location 105 sufficient, as compared with a device in which the lint are not compacted, and the user needs to take less frequently accumulated lint. The lint cleaning device 100 is in turn of a box, designated by the reference numeral 104 , surround. The drive of the slider 132 done with the help of a motor 133 ,

The lint cleaning device 100 is advantageously designed as a unit, which can be used as a whole in a tumble dryer, more precisely in the exhaust air flow of a tumble dryer can be used. Such a unit is also referred to as a cassette in the context of this disclosure.

1, 100

Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung

7, 102

drum

3, 103

stripping

4

box

5, 105

Flusensammelörtlichkeit

6

Flusenentnahmeöffnung

7

pusher

8th, 108

Ablufteinströmöffnung

9

Abluftausströmöffnung

10

drum axis

11 111

drum shaft

12

scree

13

openings

14

lateral surface

15

Drum inside

16

camp

17

front end of 3

18

rear end of 3

50

arrow (Air flow)

51

arrow

52

arrow

53

arrow

130

mouthpipe

131

surface

132

pusher

133

engine angle of attack

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2007/057260 A1 [0003]
• - EP 1050619 B1 [0003]
• - JP 2008/006044 [0004]
• - JP 2008/006045 [0004]
• - EP 1788142 A2 [0005]
• - EP 1788141 A2 [0005]
• - EP 1788140 A2 [0005]
• - DE 4403183 A1 [0005]

Claims (13)

Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) for installation in an exhaust air stream ( 50 ) of a tumble dryer, comprising a drum ( 2 . 102 ), which is mounted rotationally, wherein on a surface ( 131 ), in particular a surface extending in a direction of rotation of the drum ( 2 . 102 ), the drum ( 2 . 102 ) in the exhaust air stream ( 50 ) are laxable, so that the exhaust air flow ( 50 ) after passing the drum ( 2 . 102 ) is substantially freed from fluff, and comprising a stripping device ( 3 . 103 ), which are outside the drum ( 2 . 102 ) is mounted and is engageable with the same, so that by relative movement of drum ( 2 . 102 ) and scraper device ( 3 . 103 ) the surface of the drum ( 2 . 102 ) can be freed from deposited lint. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the drum ( 2 . 102 ) with a sieve ( 12 ) whose mesh size is such that it is in the exhaust air stream ( 50 ) holds back and simultaneously the exhaust air flow ( 50 ) only insignificantly impaired. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the mesh size is 25-500 microns, in particular 50-200 microns. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum ( 2 . 102 ) is rotatable to the relative movement between drum ( 2 . 102 ) and scraper device ( 3 . 103 ) to create. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that stripped fluff in one of the Flusenabreinigungsvorrichtung ( 1 . 100 ) downstream containers are collected. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that stripped fluff are compacted, in particular by a slide ( 132 ), a press screw or a punch. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stripping device ( 3 . 103 ) is a scraper, in particular a scraper made of a plastic material. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the scraper is in two parts, whereby the scraper ( 2 . 102 ) immediately opposite end of the scraper is made of a different material than that of the drum ( 2 . 102 ) further away, in particular that of the drum ( 2 . 102 ) immediately opposite end of a resilient material, in particular foam or sponge rubber, and the other end of a solid plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic material, in particular PVC. Fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface ( 131 ) of the drum ( 2 . 102 ) on which the fluff are deposited, an outer surface of the drum ( 2 . 102 ), in particular a lateral surface ( 14 ) of the drum ( 2 . 102 ). A cassette for use in a tumble dryer, which cassette is removable, the cassette comprising a housing, wherein a fluff cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, and in the exhaust air stream ( 50 ) can be used and connected to these, so that the exhaust air stream ( 50 ) is passed through the cassette. Cassette according to claim 10, characterized in that that the cassette in the door area of the tumble dryer can be used. Tumble dryer with a lint cleaning device ( 1 . 100 ) according to one of the claims 1-9. Tumble dryer with a cassette after one of the claims 10-11.