DE102011007715A1 - Clothes dryer has drive unit that is provided with driven shaft to which compressor is connected, such that heat pump is connected to condenser through compressor - Google Patents

Abstract

The clothes dryer (1) has a drum (3) for receiving to be dried clothes. A drive unit (24) is provided with a driven shaft (25) to which a compressor (14) is connected. A heat pump (13) is connected to a condenser (15) through compressor. A condensate pump (26) is connected to the drive unit. A fan (19) is driven so as to dry the clothes stored in drum.

Description

The invention relates to a tumble dryer with a drum for objects to be dried and with a heat pump with an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser.

Tumble dryers, whose operation is based on the condensation of the evaporated by means of warm process air moisture of the laundry from the process air discharged from the laundry - so-called condensation dryer - need no hose to dissipate the moisture laden process air and are very popular because they are in indoor bathrooms or Laundry kitchens larger residential complexes can be used. This applies both to tumble dryers intended specifically for drying laundry and to so-called laundry dryers, namely appliances which can both wash and dry laundry. Any subsequent reference to a "tumble dryer" or "condenser dryer" therefore applies to both a drying and a washing and drying machine.

In a condensation dryer air (so-called process air) is passed through a fan via a heater in a wet laundry containing drum as a drying chamber. The hot air absorbs moisture from the laundry to be dried. After passing through the drum, the now moist process air is directed into a heat exchanger, which is usually preceded by a lint filter.

In a condensation dryer equipped with a heat pump, the cooling of the warm, moisture-laden process air essentially takes place in a first heat exchanger of the heat pump, in particular an evaporator, where the heat transferred is used to evaporate a refrigerant used in the heat pump. Such refrigerant vaporized due to the heating is supplied via a compressor to a second heat exchanger of the heat pump, in the present case and hereinafter called "condenser", where heat is released due to the condensation of the gaseous refrigerant. This is in turn used to heat a process air before entering the drum. The liquefied refrigerant passes through a throttle, which reduces its pressure, back to the evaporator to evaporate there, again in the absorption of heat from the process air. Common heat pumps are compressor units as described above. These usually work optimally in a certain temperature range.

From the EP 1 209 277 B1 a clothes dryer with a heat pump is known in which a motor is used to drive a drum of the tumble dryer, with which motor also a first fan is connected, which circulates a dry air, and a second fan is connected, which is to cool a compressor of the heat pump ,

The arranged in the refrigeration cycle of a heat pump compressor has the task to compress the gaseous refrigerant and pump through the circuit. In heat pumps currently used in tumble dryers, the compressor is hermetically enclosed in the refrigeration cycle. The designed as a lifting or rolling piston compressor is driven by its own electric motor. In conventional clothes dryers, therefore, the number of components is relatively high, since a plurality of components must be driven via their own motors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a clothes dryer in which the drive concept is configured reduced component.

This object is achieved by a tumble dryer having the features according to independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims or described below.

An inventive tumble dryer comprises a drying chamber or a drum for objects to be dried. In addition, the clothes dryer also includes a heat pump with an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser. The tumble dryer further comprises a motor drive unit with which both the compressor and at least one further unit to be driven are coupled to drive them.

According to the invention, therefore, only one drive unit is provided, with which a plurality of units to be driven, in particular the compressor and at least one further unit are coupled and by which the drive of these plurality of components is ensured via this one drive unit. It is thus provided a drive concept of the tumble dryer, which ensures a significantly reduced number of components and thus offers a lower manufacturing and assembly costs.

Preferably, the drum as a unit and / or a blower, with which process air can be guided into a process air duct of the tumble dryer and over the objects to be dried, is coupled as a unit to its drive.

In particular, it is provided that the one drive unit is provided for driving the compressor, the drum and the blower.

Preferably, therefore, the compressor, the drum and the fan are coupled to the drive shaft of the drive unit to ensure the corresponding drive. Preferably, it is thus provided that the drive unit, the compressor and the drum and / or the fan are coupled to a common drive shaft.

It is preferably provided that a pump of the tumble dryer is also coupled to the drive with this drive unit. The pump is in particular a condensate pump. With this example, the condensate collected in a floor group of the dried objects can be pumped out, for example in a condensate tank.

The compressor of the heat pump is designed in particular as a semi-hermetic embodiment. In such an embodiment, the drive unit is flanged to the housing of the compressor.

Especially in a compressor, which is integrated in a heat pump, is circulating process medium, namely the refrigerant, under pressure to the other environment. Since a part of the drive unit has a connection to the outside, the compressor, as already mentioned, designed as a semi-hermetic execution. It is essential that the under pressure and filled with the process medium interior space on the drive shaft, which leads to the outside, is well sealed accordingly.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the compressor and the drive unit are arranged in a common module and thus are virtually surrounded by a common housing. This housing has the supply line and the discharge of the circulating in the heat pump process medium.

This allows a particularly compact and space-saving design can be achieved. Such a module can be provided already prefabricated and further assembly with the dryer can be guaranteed. As a result, corresponding assembly times can be reduced.

In a related embodiment, it is preferably provided that the drive unit is cooled by a gaseous process medium, the refrigerant, generated in the heat pump. As already explained above, this refrigerant is converted into the gas phase on the basis of the principle of action of the heat pump and in this state a cooling effect on the drive unit can take place due to the thermodynamic relationships.

An additional cooling device is therefore not required in such a configuration. This also contributes significantly to the component reduction.

It is advantageous that this module is arranged via bearings vibration decoupled to a bottom group of a dryer. Occurring vibrations are therefore not transferred to other components. As a result, a very low-wear operation of the clothes dryer can be achieved. If it is provided that the drive unit and the compressor are arranged in a common module, then the pipes of the heat pump, which lead to the compressor and thus also to the common housing of the module, are connected thereto. As a result, this entire module or this entire unit can not be mounted rotatably. An existing belt, which is connected to the drive shaft of the drive unit and is also connected to the other components in the form of the drum and / or the blower and / or pump for driving them, is therefore to be clamped individually. In such a specific embodiment, therefore, a belt tensioner separate from the module is formed.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the schematic figures of the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of a tumble dryer;

2 a schematic sectional view through a first embodiment of the tumble dryer in the region of the compressor, the drive unit and a fan; and

3 a sectional view through another schematically drawn embodiment of the tumble dryer in the compressor components, drive unit and blower.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 a vertically sectioned dryer is shown, which is designed as a condensation dryer. The dryer shown here has a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis 3 on, which is designed as a drying chamber. Inside the drum 3 are takers 4 attached to move laundry during a drum rotation. Process air is generated by means of a first blower 19 over a heater 18 through the drum 3 , an air-to-air heat exchanger 11 . 12 , as well as a heat pump 13 . 14 . 15 in an air duct 2 guided in a closed circuit (process air circuit 2 ). After passing through the drum 3 The moist, warm process air is cooled down and reheated after condensation of the moisture contained in the process air. It is from the heater 18 , which can be single-stage or multi-stage, heated air from behind, that is from a door 5 opposite side of the drum 3 through their perforated bottom into the drum 3 directed. From there, this process air comes into contact with the laundry to be dried and flows through the filling opening of the drum 3 to a lint filter 6 door closing inside the filling opening 5 ,

Subsequently, the air flow in the door 5 deflected downwards and from the air duct 2 to the heat exchanger 11 . 12 directed. As a result of their cooling condenses the moisture absorbed by the process air from the laundry and is in an in 1 dashed drawn condensate tank 21 collected from which it can be disposed of.

Then the slightly cooled process air becomes an evaporator 13 the heat pump 13 . 14 . 15 where it is cooled down further. This in the evaporator 13 vaporized refrigerant of this heat pump 13 . 14 . 15 is via a compressor 14 to a liquefier 15 directed. In the liquefier 15 the refrigerant liquefies with heat being released to the process air. The now in liquid form refrigerant then becomes a throttle valve 17 guided and over this throttle valve 17 back to the evaporator 13 passed, whereby the refrigerant circuit is closed. The cooling air is taken from the room air and after passing through the heat exchanger 11 . 12 returned to the room air. The air circulation through the heat exchanger 11 . 12 is through a second blower 20 generated.

The drum 3 is in the in 1 shown embodiment at the bottom by means of a pivot bearing and in the form of a bearing plate 7 stored, with the drum 3 with a brim on a sliding strip 8th on the bearing plate 7 rests and is held at the front end. The control. of the tumble dryer 1 via a control device 10 by the user via a control unit 9 can be regulated.

In addition, in 1 shown that the drum 3 at least in the lower part on wheels 16 is stored, which are assigned to a roller bearing.

The second fan 20 is arranged so that one of the blower 20 generated cooling air flow for both the heat exchanger 11 . 12 as well as for the compressor 14 is usable and thus a cooling of the heat exchanger 11 . 12 as well as the compressor 14 is guaranteed.

The second blower 20 is to an intake 22 as well as a Ausblastrakt or Auslasstrakt 23 assigned. This embodiment is as optional as the blower 20 and the heat exchanger 11 . 12 ,

The laundry dryer 1 includes a motor drive unit 24 having an electric motor. The drive unit 24 includes a drive shaft 25 , With this drive shaft 25 is the compressor 14 as well as the drum 3 as well as the fan 19 coupled to their respective drive. It is therefore intended that only one drive unit 24 is provided, with its drive shaft 25 several components, namely the said compressor 14 , the drum 3 and that at least first blower 19 are connected.

In addition, it can be provided that the tumble dryer 1 a pump 26 having. This is provided in particular as a condensate pump and preferably also with the drive unit 24 connected. The pump 26 is thus also with the drive shaft 25 coupled.

In 2 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the tumble dryer 1 in the field of components compressor 14 , Drive unit 24 and blowers 19 shown. The compressor 14 , which is designed in particular as a rolling piston compressor, and a rolling piston 27 has, is with the drive unit 24 which is a rotor 28 and a stator 29 includes, in a common housing 30 arranged. It is thus a common module 31 formed the compressor 14 and the drive unit 24 integral.

The housing 30 has an inlet 32 for introducing the circulating refrigerant as well as an outlet 33 for discharging the refrigerant in the heat pump 13 . 14 . 15 on. Based on these Flange the pipes of the heat pump 13 . 14 . 15 is the module 31 stationarily positioned and not rotatably mounted.

Because thus inside the housing 31 the circulating refrigerant is located, it is essential that the drive shaft 25 is sealed according to the outside. This is a particularly suitable seal 34 provided at the point where the drive shaft 24 out of the case 30 is led out.

The housing 30 is beyond stock 35 and 36 vibration decoupled to a floor group 37 of the tumble dryer 1 stored.

As shown in 2 It can be seen, is on the drive shaft 25 also the fan 19 arranged. In addition, a belt 38 provided, which is the coupling of the drive shaft 25 with the drum 3 guaranteed.

Since in this embodiment, as already mentioned above, the module 31 is stationarily positioned, is for tensioning the belt 38 a separate device as a belt tensioner 39 educated.

At the in 2 this version is used in the heat pump 13 . 14 . 15 partially vaporized and thus gaseous refrigerant as the process medium, which is a cooling of the drive unit 24 allows.

In 3 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the tumble dryer 1 in the field of components compressor 14 , Drive unit 24 and blowers 19 shown. In contrast to the design in 2 here is provided that the compressor 14 in a separate housing 40 is arranged. This in turn has the inlet 32 and the outlet 33 on. Again, in a specific embodiment, the drive shaft 25 at the exit from the housing 40 through a special seal 34 sealed.

The drive unit 24 in the form of the electric motor shown here is outside the housing 40 arranged. The drive unit 24 is here relative to the housing 40 and thus to the compressor 14 rotatably mounted. For tensioning the belt 38 Here is one on the drive unit 24 directly arranged belt tensioner 41 educated. In the embodiment in 3 is thus the compressor 14 encapsulated to the drive unit 24 arranged.

For cooling the drive unit 24 here ambient air is used, in particular by the blower 19 is produced.

In the embodiments, it is provided in particular that the compressor 14 designed as a semi-hermetic execution.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

clothes dryer

2

Process air circuit

3

drum

4

takeaway

5

door

6

lint

7

end shield

8th

lubricating strip

9

operating unit

10

control unit

11, 12

heat exchangers

13

Evaporator

14

compressor

15

condenser

16

rolling bearings

17

throttle valve

18

heater

19

first blower

20

second blower

21

Condensate container

22

intake system

23

outlet zone

24

drive unit

25

drive shaft

26

pump

27

rolling piston

28

rotor

29

stator

30

casing

31

module

32

inlet

33

outlet

34

poetry

35, 36

camp

37

underbody

38

belt

39

tensioner

40

casing

41

tensioner

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1209277 B1 [0005]

Claims (13)

Tumble dryer ( 1 ) with a drum ( 3 ) for items to be dried, and with a heat pump ( 13 . 14 . 15 ) with an evaporator ( 13 ), a compressor ( 14 ) and a liquefier ( 15 ), characterized by a drive unit ( 24 ), with which the compressor ( 14 ) and at least one further unit to be driven ( 3 . 19 . 26 ) are coupled to the drive. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit ( 24 ), the compressor ( 14 ) and the unit ( 3 . 19 . 26 ) to a common drive shaft ( 25 ) are coupled. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drum ( 3 ) as a unit and / or a blower ( 19 ), with which process air in a process air duct ( 2 ) and on the objects to be dried, as a unit, and / or a pump ( 26 ), in particular a condensate pump, as a unit with the drive unit ( 24 ) is coupled or are. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor ( 14 ) is designed as a semi-hermetic embodiment. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor ( 14 ) and the drive unit ( 24 ) in a module ( 31 ) are arranged integrated. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive unit ( 24 ) by a in the heat pump ( 13 . 14 . 15 ) is cooled gaseous refrigerant. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the module ( 31 ) about bearings ( 35 . 36 ) vibration-decoupled to a floor group ( 37 ) of the dryer ( 1 ) is arranged. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a drive belt ( 38 ) of the drive unit ( 24 ) with one to the fixed module ( 31 ) separately arranged belt tensioner ( 39 ) is tensionable. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the compressor ( 14 ) with the drive shaft ( 25 ) of the drive unit ( 24 ) and of the other components ( 28 . 29 ) of the drive unit ( 24 ) is arranged encapsulated. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive unit ( 24 ) is cooled by ambient air. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the drive unit ( 24 ) an integrated belt tensioner ( 41 ) and for tensioning the belt ( 38 ) is rotatably mounted. Scrubber dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor ( 14 ) is a rotary piston compressor. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit ( 14 ) has an electric motor.

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