DE102013222926A1 - Heat exchanger assembly and tumble dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement 10 and a tumble dryer 1 with a heat exchanger arrangement 10. In the heat exchanger arrangement 10 according to the invention, an upper reservoir 12 for condensed water is formed at least partially in a downpipe 40.

Description

• – einen Wärmetauscher, an welchem während des Betriebs Kondenswasser entsteht,
• – ein unteres Reservoir, welches unterhalb des Wärmetauschers zur Aufnahme des Kondenswassers angeordnet ist,
• – ein oberes Reservoir, welches oberhalb des Wärmetauschers angeordnet ist,
• – ein Ventil zum Ablassen von Kondenswasser aus dem oberen Reservoir, und
• – eine Pumpe zum Pumpen von Kondenswasser von dem unteren Reservoir in das obere Reservoir.

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly comprising:

• A heat exchanger on which condensate is produced during operation,
• A lower reservoir, which is arranged below the heat exchanger for receiving the condensed water,
• An upper reservoir, which is arranged above the heat exchanger,
• A valve for discharging condensation from the upper reservoir, and
• A pump for pumping condensed water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a clothes dryer with a laundry drum and further comprising a heat pump with a first and a second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger is a heat source for heating supply air to the laundry drum and the second heat exchanger is a heat sink for drying exhaust air of the laundry drum. The second heat exchanger is typically a heat exchanger of a generic heat exchanger arrangement.

Input-defined heat exchanger arrangements are used, for example, in tumble dryers, in which a heat exchanger serves as a heat sink, so that moisture from the process air flowing through a laundry drum can condense on the heat exchanger and accumulate as condensed water in the lower reservoir. By means of the pump, the condensed water can be pumped into the upper reservoir and drained therefrom by the valve as required, the condensed water is typically distributed over the heat exchanger to effect a cleaning of the heat exchanger, such as lint from the dried laundry.

In the context of the present invention, the term tumble dryer is to be understood as meaning both a device (only) for drying laundry and a so-called washer-dryer in which the functions of a washing machine and a tumble dryer are combined.

Exemplary generic heat exchanger arrangements can the documents DE 10 2009 001 610 A1 . EP 2 134 896 B1 and WO 2010/102892 A1 be removed. In each case, the upper reservoir is formed by a condensate container. Below the condensate tank is a flushing line ( DE 10 2009 001 610 A1 ) or a downpipe ( EP 2 134 896 B1 ), through the condensation at the opening of above the downpipe ( EP 2 134 896 B1 ) arranged valve passes from the upper reservoir to the heat exchanger.

A disadvantage of known embodiments is in particular that the condensate tank must be removable in order to allow a user to dispose there stored water condensation. For this purpose, a breakthrough in a front panel of a clothes dryer must be formed for the condensate tank, wherein the breakthrough limits the maximum height of the condensate tank and thus the maximum water column. The front panel is a design part, so that in their conception also aesthetic considerations are to be considered. In practice, condensate containers in tumble dryers may have a maximum height of the order of about 10 cm.

It should also be noted that the necessary construction of a condensate container with a valve is complex and therefore expensive.

In a generic tumble dryer, the same problems occur, which have already been explained with reference to the generic heat exchanger arrangement.

Against this background, an object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger assembly, which is subject to less restrictions in terms of the maximum height of the water column. It is a further object of the invention to provide a clothes dryer with an optimized heat exchanger assembly.

These objects are achieved by a heat exchanger assembly and by a tumble dryer with the features of the respective independent claim.

Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings and from the dependent claims, the features of which can be used individually and in any combination with each other.

According to the invention, it is therefore provided in a generic heat exchanger arrangement that the upper reservoir is at least partially formed in a downpipe, which is arranged above the heat exchanger.

This ensures that the water column of the upper reservoir can form at least partially in the drop tube, which can extend over a greater distance in the vertical direction. In particular, the downpipe is not limited by a breakthrough in a front panel given that the drop tube is typically located next to the front panel.

Preferably, the upper reservoir is completely formed in the drop tube. This achieves an easy-to-implement design.

The valve preferably defines a lowest point of the upper reservoir. Thus, the valve closes the upper reservoir downwards. When the valve opens, condensation can escape immediately.

The valve is preferably disposed within the downpipe. Thus, a simple fluid connection between the valve and the upper reservoir can be made in the downpipe.

More preferably, the valve is arranged at a lower end of the drop tube. Thus, the entire downpipe for the formation of the water column can be used, which advantageously allows a particularly high water column.

Preferably, a diffuser for distributing condensation water emerging from the upper reservoir through the valve is arranged below the downpipe and above the heat exchanger via the heat exchanger. Thus, a uniform distribution of the condensate used for cleaning via the heat exchanger can be achieved. This allows a cleaning effect over the entire horizontal extension of the heat exchanger.

According to a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger assembly further comprises a condensate container and the upper reservoir further comprises an overflow, which opens into the condensate container. Thus, excess condensed water, which can not be accommodated in the upper reservoir, be directed into the condensate tank. Uncontrolled overflow is thus prevented.

The condensate tank is preferably removable. As a result, the accumulated in the condensate tank condensate can be disposed of by the user. For this purpose, for example, an opening in a front panel of a tumble dryer may be formed, through which the condensate tank can be removed. Thus, although then the capacity of the condensate tank is dependent on the breakthrough through the front panel, but this does not affect the capacity or the water column of the upper reservoir due to the inventive design. The upper reservoir may, in contrast to previously known embodiments, also extend beyond the aperture.

More preferably, the condensate tank has an overflow, which opens into the lower reservoir. Thus, excess condensed water, which has overflowed, for example, from the upper reservoir into the condensate tank, can be discharged into the lower reservoir when the condensate tank has reached its maximum capacity. As a result, an uncontrolled overflow of the condensate tank can be avoided.

Between the lower reservoir and the pump and / or between the pump and the upper reservoir, a filter is preferably arranged. A filter between the lower reservoir may also be referred to as a pump protection filter. Such filters are known for example from dishwashers. In the present case, they can be used to prevent fouling of the pump and the upper reservoir with foreign matter in the condensed water, e.g. Fusulas, prevent.

According to the invention, a heat exchanger arrangement according to the invention is provided in a tumble dryer, the heat exchanger is the second heat exchanger of the tumble dryer. Thus, the advantages already described with respect to the heat exchanger assembly can also be realized for a tumble dryer.

For the clothes dryer according to the invention, all variants described with reference to the heat exchanger arrangement according to the invention can be used. Illustrated benefits apply accordingly.

A clothes dryer with a heat pump brings in particular an advantage in terms of energy consumption, since the energy required for heating the air to be conducted into a laundry drum is taken predominantly from the exhaust air, which should be cooled down anyway. By using a heat exchanger device according to the invention, this concept is optimized.

The heat exchanger arrangement is formed in a tumble dryer according to the invention preferably with a condensate tank as described above, wherein the clothes dryer further comprises a front panel, in which an opening is formed through which the condensate tank can be removed. In a tumble dryer according to the invention, the breakthrough can be selected so that the capacity of the condensate tank is sufficient as an overflow of the upper reservoir. It no longer needs to be chosen so that the water level of the upper reservoir is sufficient. Thus, the design of the front panel more design options are available.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings figuratively illustrated embodiments. Show it:

1 a heat exchanger arrangement according to a first embodiment,

2 a part of a heat exchanger assembly according to a second embodiment and

3 : a clothes dryer with a heat exchanger assembly according to a third embodiment.

1 shows a first embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 10 , The heat exchanger arrangement 10 has an upper reservoir 12 on, in which condensate is stored in a manner to be described below for cleaning purposes. It also has a lower reservoir 14 on, in which condensation can accumulate.

The heat exchanger arrangement 10 has a heat exchanger 20 on, which represents the heat sink of a heat pump. This can be done on the heat exchanger 20 Exhaust air (ie moisture-laden process air after leaving the laundry drum) are cooled from a laundry drum (not shown) of a clothes dryer, not shown, condensed condensed water.

To accommodate the condensate is just below the heat exchanger 20 the lower reservoir 14 in the form of a tub 30 educated. In the tub 30 collects on the heat exchanger 20 initially formed condensation water.

Above the heat exchanger 20 is the upper reservoir 12 in the form of a downpipe 40 educated. The downpipe 40 is a vertically extending tube into which condensate can be pumped in a manner to be described below. Thus, the condensed water collects in the downpipe 40 at, which can form a comparatively high water column, which extends over a considerable part of the vertical extent of the heat exchanger assembly 10 extends.

At the bottom of the downpipe 40 is in the downpipe 40 a valve 42 arranged. This valve 42 Used for the controlled discharge of condensation on the downpipe 40 , As long as it is closed, condensate collects, which in the downpipe 40 is pumped in the downpipe 40 at. When it is opened, the condensation suddenly comes down from the downpipe 40 out.

Between the downpipe 40 and the heat exchanger 20 is a diffuser 44 arranged. The diffuser 44 distributes condensed water, which from the downpipe 40 through the valve 42 leaked, over the heat exchanger 20 , Thus, the heat exchanger 20 be cleaned by the leaking condensation, for example, from fuselages or other impurities.

The downcomer has an overflow near its upper end 46 on. Through the overflow 46 will excess condensation, which is in the downpipe 40 is pumped, but from the downpipe 40 can no longer be recorded, delivered, as explained in more detail below.

For pumping condensation from the tub 30 in the downpipe 40 is a riser 50 intended. In the riser 50 is a pump 52 arranged, which in operation condensate from the tub 30 sucks and pumps up.

Above the pump 52 is a filter 54 provided, which cleans the condensation, before it rises further. This can be used to remove contaminants such as fluff or other foreign matter.

At its upper end, the riser 50 an exhaust manifold 56 on which into the downpipe 40 empties. This will get condensation from the pump 52 sucked in and over the filter 54 through the riser 50 further pumped up into the downpipe 40 directed where it is collected, as long as the valve 42 shot.

The heat exchanger arrangement 10 also has a condensate tank 60 on, in the overflow 46 empties. Thus, in the condensate tank 60 accumulate excess condensate, which in the downpipe 40 is pumped but can not be absorbed by this.

The condensate tank 60 is removable, so that a user has the opportunity to dispose of the condensation located therein. It will be with reference to below 3 will be explained in more detail how this can be done.

The condensate tank 60 has an overflow 62 on which into the tub 30 empties. This can excess condensation, which from the downpipe 40 in the condensate tank 60 runs, but also can no longer be absorbed by this, derived in a controlled manner. An uncontrolled overflow of the condensate tank 60 is thus prevented.

The inventive construction allows the heat exchanger assembly 10 a significantly higher water column than in prior art heat exchanger assemblies. This in particular, is the use of the downpipe 40 as upper reservoir 12 , At the same time, as usual, disposal of the condensate water by removing the condensate tank 60 possible. In addition, the heat exchanger assembly 10 in an advantageous manner against overflow of the downpipe 40 and the condensate tank 60 protected.

2 shows an upper portion of a heat exchanger assembly 10 according to a second, compared to the first slightly modified embodiment. It will be discussed below only the differences from the first embodiment.

As in 2 it can be seen, it is the riser 50 the heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the second embodiment is not a continuous pipe. Rather, this is divided into two, in a lower section 50a and an upper section 50b , Also the overflow 62 of the condensate tank 60 is divided into two, in a lower section 62a and an upper section 62b , By the two-part versions is a decrease in the upper part of the heat exchanger assembly 10 made possible according to the second embodiment.

In addition, the heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the second embodiment, an upper cover plate 58 on, which at the same time an upper limit of the bend 56 forms. This prevents the ingress of dirt or debris from the top of the downpipe 40 ,

3 shows a schematic sectional view through a clothes dryer 1 with a heat exchanger arrangement 10 according to a third embodiment. The laundry dryer 1 has a washing drum indicated only schematically 2 on, which is carried out in a known manner. Process air (exhaust air) from the laundry drum 2 is through the heat exchanger 20 the heat exchanger assembly 10 cooled, whereby it is deprived of moisture. The heat exchanger 20 is part of a heat pump, which also has another heat exchanger 25 for heating supply air to the laundry drum 2 having.

The heat exchanger arrangement 10 according to the third embodiment, which in the tumble dryer 1 is installed, is substantially identical to the heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the first embodiment, which is in 1 is shown. One difference is that the filter 54 not downstream, but upstream of the pump 52 is arranged. This affects the filter 54 Also as a pump protection filter, since it already dirt in front of the pump 52 away.

The laundry dryer 1 has a front panel 3 which is typically a user of the tumble dryer 1 is facing. In this front panel 3 is a breakthrough 4 formed, through which the condensate tank 60 similar to a drawer can be removed. This allows the user to dispose of in the condensate tank 60 accumulated condensation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 clothes dryer

2

 washing drum

3

 front panel

4

 breakthrough

10

 The heat exchanger assembly

12

 upper reservoir

14

 lower reservoir

20

 heat exchangers

25

 another heat exchanger

30

 tub

40

 downspout

42

 Valve

44

 diffuser

46

 overflow

50

 riser

50a

 lower section

50b

 upper section

52

 pump

54

 filter

56

 elbow

58

 cover

60

 condensate tank

62

 overflow

62a

 lower section

62b

 upper section

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

• DE 102009001610 A1 [0005, 0005]
• EP 2134896 B1 [0005, 0005, 0005]
• WO 2010/102892 A1 [0005]

Claims (12)

Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ), comprising - a heat exchanger ( 20 ), at which condensation occurs during operation, - a lower reservoir ( 14 ), which below the heat exchanger ( 20 ) is arranged for receiving the condensed water, - an upper reservoir ( 12 ), which above the heat exchanger ( 20 ), - a valve ( 42 ) for draining condensation from the upper reservoir ( 12 ), and - a pump ( 52 ) for pumping condensed water from the lower reservoir ( 14 ) into the upper reservoir ( 12 ), characterized in that the upper reservoir ( 12 ) at least partially in a downpipe ( 40 ) is formed, which above the heat exchanger ( 20 ) is arranged. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper reservoir ( 12 ) completely in the downpipe ( 40 ) is trained. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve ( 42 ) a lowest point of the upper reservoir ( 12 ) Are defined. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve ( 42 ) within the downpipe ( 40 ) is arranged. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve ( 42 ) at a lower end of the downpipe ( 40 ) is arranged. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that below the downpipe ( 40 ) and above the heat exchanger ( 20 ) a diffuser ( 44 ) for distributing from the upper reservoir ( 12 ) through the valve ( 42 ) leaking condensation over the heat exchanger ( 20 ) is arranged. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) a condensate container ( 60 ) and the upper reservoir ( 12 ) an overflow ( 46 ), which in the condensate tank ( 60 ) opens. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the condensate container ( 60 ) is removable. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to at least one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the condensate container has an overflow ( 62 ), which into the lower reservoir ( 14 ) opens. Heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the lower reservoir ( 14 ) and the pump ( 52 ) and / or between the pump ( 52 ) and the upper reservoir ( 12 ) a filter ( 54 ) is arranged. Tumble dryer ( 1 ), comprising - a laundry drum ( 2 ) and a heat pump with a first and a second heat exchanger ( 25 . 20 ), wherein the first heat exchanger ( 25 ) a heat source for heating supply air to the laundry drum ( 2 ) and the second heat exchanger ( 20 ) a heat sink for drying exhaust air of the laundry drum ( 2 ), characterized by a heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, whose heat exchanger ( 20 ) the second heat exchanger ( 20 ) of the tumble dryer ( 1 ). Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) is formed according to at least one of claims 7 to 9 and the tumble dryer ( 1 ) Furthermore, a front panel ( 3 ), in which a breakthrough ( 4 ) is formed, through which the condensate tank ( 60 ) is removable.

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