DE102015111452A1 - clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothes dryer (1), preferably a heat pump tumble dryer (1), with a laundry drum (15) for receiving laundry to be dried and a heat unit (23), preferably a heat pump unit (23) for generating heated process air for drying the laundry in the laundry drum (15), wherein the laundry drum (15) through an air return passage (21) with a process air inlet (29) of the heat unit (23) is connected to the process air of the heat humidified by the laundry Supply unit (23), wherein between the laundry drum (15) and the process air inlet (29) at least one filter (32, 34) is arranged for filtering the humidified process air. The tumble dryer (1) is characterized in that the air return duct (21) has a deflection region (31) in order to supply the process air deflected to the process air inlet (29), wherein the filter (32, 34) is arranged in the deflection region (31).

Description

The invention relates to a tumble dryer according to the preamble of claim 1 and a heat unit for use in such a tumble dryer according to claim 15.

For drying laundry laundry dryers are usually used. These include the heat pump tumble dryer. These have a closed heat pump cycle with a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and an expansion valve. Through this heat pump cycle the process air moisture is removed, which was previously removed from the laundry.

For this purpose, the previously heated by the heat pump cycle and dehumidified process air is passed through a fan through an air supply duct in a laundry drum of the clothes dryer. In the laundry drum, the laundry to be dried is usually moved by rotation, so that the process air can reach the laundry as completely and uniformly as possible. The process air absorbs moisture from the laundry and dries it. The moist process air then returns via an air return channel to the heat pump cycle. Here, the moisture extracted from the laundry is condensed from the process air and discharged in liquid form to the outside. The energy extracted from the process air is returned to the process air so that the process air, once heated, leaves the heat pump cycle in the direction of the laundry drum. The cycle of process air is closed in this way.

Due to the drying process of the laundry, lint is also transported by the laundry to be dried in the moist process air. These must be removed from the process air in front of the entrance to the heat pump cycle, so that the lint does not settle there and clog it in the long run. This would severely limit or disable the performance of the heat pump cycle.

For this reason, it is common, especially in the area of the backflow of the moist and lint-containing process air from the laundry drum such. in the air return channel filters such as e.g. To arrange sieves in order to remove the lint as completely as possible from the process air. In this way, the heat pump cycle itself can be protected from the lint. However, since the lint filtered out of the process air instead deposits on the filter, it must be cleaned regularly in order to prevent clogging of the filter and thus also a disturbance of the stream of process air.

The EP 2 642 018 A2 relates to a heat pump tumble dryer in which the heat pump cycle is arranged as a compact unit in itself removably disposed below the laundry drum, etc. The input and output of the process air into and out of the heat pump circuit is arranged at the top of the unit directly vertically oriented upward. The process air inlet of the heat pump cycle has a horizontally disposed filter to remove the lint from the process air. The assembly of the heat pump cycle can eg be removed in a horizontal direction from the heat pump tumble dryer or introduced into this.

A disadvantage of this heat pump tumble dryer that the assembly of the heat pump cycle must be largely removed from the heat pump tumble dryer completely to get to the filter so that it can be cleaned of the lint. This means a lot of effort. Furthermore, such measures should only be carried out by qualified personnel, since the removal of the unit of the heat pump cycle is a significant intervention in the heat pump tumble dryer. In this case, safety-related areas of the heat pump tumble dryer could be accessible to the user, which should be avoided. Furthermore, it is due to the direct vertical arrangement of the input and output of the process air into and out of the heat pump cycle and the resulting purely horizontal arrangement of the corresponding seals for sealing the closed process air cycle required, the inserted unit of the heat pump cycle after the horizontal insertion by an additional vertical movement eg To press by a specially provided for this lever mechanism against the seals in order to exercise their function. This represents a considerable additional expense in the production of such a heat pump tumble dryer and in the cleaning of the filter.

The DE 42 12 700 A1 relates to a heat pump tumble dryer, the heat pump cycle is also arranged as a compact unit below the laundry drum, etc. and removable in the horizontal or can be pulled out. The heat pump cycle is designed for this purpose as a drawer, which can be moved horizontally on slides. In this way, the maintenance of the heat pump cycle should be simplified.

Another disadvantage of this heat pump tumble dryer that the assembly of the heat pump cycle for maintenance as far as possible removed from the heat pump tumble dryer must become. For this purpose, according to the DE 42 12 700 A1 at least a few steps required, which require, inter alia, the release or disconnection of the electrical connections of the functional components of the heat pump cycle. Thus, some effort is required to get to the filter and to clean it. Furthermore, the maintenance of this assembly by accessing the electrical connections of the heat pump cycle is a significant intervention in the function of the heat pump tumble dryer, which should be performed for safety reasons only by specialized personnel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clothes dryer of the type described above, so that filters for removing lint and the like from the process air stream can be easily and reliably cleaned. In particular, this should be done without removing the heat unit and components thereof. In particular, this should be done safely by the user instead of specialist personnel.

The object is achieved by a clothes dryer with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 and by a heat unit with the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments are described in the subclaims.

Thus, the present invention relates to a clothes dryer, preferably a heat pump tumble dryer, with a laundry drum for receiving laundry to be dried and a heat unit, preferably a heat pump unit, for generating heated process air for drying the laundry in the laundry drum, wherein the laundry drum an air return passage is connected to a process air inlet of the heat unit to supply the process air humidified by the laundry to the heat unit. At least one filter for filtering the humidified process air is arranged between the laundry drum and the process air inlet.

Such clothes dryers are known from the prior art and return the humidified process air directly vertically from above into the heat unit. The process air inlet of such known tumble dryer is thus aligned in the horizontal, i. on top of the heat unit. This applies to a corresponding filter in front of the process air inlet, which is also to be arranged horizontally on top of the heat unit and thus can only be cleaned from above.

The tumble dryer according to the invention is characterized in that the air return duct has a deflection region in order to supply the process air deflected to the process air inlet, wherein the filter is arranged in the deflection region. In other words, the process air inlet of a laundry drier according to the invention is not arranged horizontally on top of the heat unit but the process air inlet or the surface of its opening is inclined at an angle to the horizontal, so that the humidified process air from the laundry drum to the process air inlet the rectilinear flow direction is deflected. This deflection is preferably about 90 °. This area of the air return channel is referred to as the deflection area.

The invention is based on the recognition that by this deflection of the process air, a region of the air return channel can be created, which can be made easily accessible to the user, e.g. by opening the housing of the tumble dryer from the front. If at least one filter is arranged in this deflection region, this can also be easy, convenient and quickly accessible and clean for the user.

It is also advantageous here that the filter can be arranged in front of the process air inlet, so that the heat unit neither has to be removed nor changed in order to be able to carry out the cleaning of the filter. This can make cleaning the filter easier than with the known tumble dryers. Furthermore, this is not a specialist required but the cleaning of the filter can be made by the user. Safety risks for the user can also be reduced or avoided because the heat unit can remain untouched when cleaning the filter.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the deflection region is formed by the fact that the process air inlet of the heat unit to the front of the housing of the clothes dryer is arranged spaced. For this purpose, the heat unit to the front of the housing of the clothes dryer can be made shorter. As it were, an antechamber is created in front of the process air inlet inside the tumble dryer, which is e.g. by removing a cover of the front of the housing easy, convenient and quickly accessible without having to remove the heat unit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the housing front side of the tumble dryer has a removable cover, which can close the deflection at least partially. The deflection area can thus be formed by the two side walls and the bottom as fixed surfaces of the tumble dryer housing in combination with the front of the heat unit and the removable cover. Towards the top of the laundry drum, the deflection area can be open. The front of the heat unit has the process air inlet. By opening or removing the cover, the deflection area can be accessed from the front. As a result, the deflection area for cleaning the filter can be made easily, quickly and conveniently.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, at least one first filter is arranged at least partially in the deflection region and is particularly preferred with respect to the process air inlet at an angle α greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °, preferably at an angle α greater than approximately 30 ° and less than 90 ° at an angle α of about 60 °, aligned. The angle is measured by the area of the front of the heat unit around its upper edge.

By an angle α greater than 0 °, the first filter may slightly protrude toward the user or protrude from the surface of the front of the heat unit. Since the heat unit is usually arranged below the laundry drum, the first filter is thus arranged very close to the ground before the process air inlet. The angled projection of the first filter towards the user makes the first filter easier to access for the user, which makes it easier, faster and more convenient to clean. Furthermore, the first filter can be better brought into the stream of process air by the angling. Furthermore, there is room for another filter behind the first filter.

By choosing an angle α smaller than 90 °, the first filter can be arranged at least slightly sloping. As a result, the lint trapped from the process air may slip by itself toward the openable cover, making it easier for the user to remove. Also, a certain self-cleaning function may result from the fact that the higher area of the first filter, from which the lint can slip down, remains lint-free longer than with a horizontal orientation of the first filter.

By choosing an angle α between about 30 ° and less than 90 °, the effects described above can be enhanced. At an angle α of about 60 °, an optimal joint effect of accessibility of the lint on the first filter and its automatic sliding down can be achieved by the first filter. Also, then sufficient space can be created below the first filter for another filter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first filter is at least partially attached to the housing of the clothes dryer. The attachment of the first filter with respect to the housing preferably has a seal to ensure that the lint-containing humidified process air is passed completely through the first filter. The first filter thereby becomes a part of the tumble dryer housing, i. it is not attributable to the heat unit. Therefore, the first filter can also be removed, e.g. for cleaning, repair or replacement without having to change the heat unit. This may be safer for the user, so that the user may e.g. The replacement of a first filter can perform even without specialist staff, which can make this cheaper and easier for the user.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first filter has, at least in sections, a seal which can act sealingly against the cover. The first filter may protrude freely to the cover in the deflection area, which may have the advantage that the first filter can be easily and conveniently accessible from the top and bottom of the user for cleaning. So that the lint-containing humidified process air is nevertheless guided completely through the first filter, the edge of the first filter projecting toward the cover may have a seal which, in the closed state of the cover, can seal the first filter in this direction.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the tumble dryer has at least one second filter, which is arranged at least partially in the deflection region between the first filter and the process air inlet. In this way, a second filtering of the lint-containing moisturized process air can be provided in order to increase the overall filtering effect. Here, the same or different types of filters can be used to achieve the desired filter effect. Preferably, different filter finenesses can be selected so that the first filter can trap the larger lint and the second filter can filter out the finer lint from the process air due to its more dense filter pores that have passed through the first filter. This can keep each individual filter free of deposited fluff for a longer period of time so that even more process air can flow through it, as a result of which the cleaning of the filters must be carried out less frequently.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the second filter is opposite to Process air inlet at an angle β greater than 0 ° and smaller than the angle α of the first filter, preferably at an angle β greater than 0 ° and substantially smaller than the angle α of the first filter, particularly preferably at an angle β of about 10 ° , aligned. For the orientation of the angle β of the second filter greater than 0 °, the same reasons and advantages apply as previously described with reference to the angle α of the first filter.

The angle β of the second filter to be selected smaller than the angle α of the first filter can therefore be done to order the second filter between the process air inlet and the first filter can. Choosing the angle β of the second filter substantially smaller than the angle α of the first filter can ensure that sufficient distance can be created between the two filters so that the lint deposited on the second filter can not clog the first filter from the rear side thereof. Also, sufficient space for the user can be created in this way to be able to clean the second filter from the front. This applies in particular to the choice of the angle β of the second filter of about 10 °.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the second filter is fixedly attached to the heat unit in front of the process air inlet. Thus, the second filter is an integral part of the heat unit. As a result, the second filter can only be cleaned from the front or obliquely from above. At the same time, the process air inlet can be protected from the access of the user by the fixed mounting of the second filter, which can increase the safety of the clothes dryer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the clothes dryer has at least a third filter disposed within the heat unit between the process air inlet and a heat exchanger. In this way, a further measure can be taken to prevent the ingress of lint into the heat exchanger as best as possible. This third filter, due to its arrangement within the heat unit, can only be cleaned by qualified personnel, because for this purpose the heat unit must be removed from the tumble dryer in order to make the third filter accessible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the heat unit has on its underside at least one roller, preferably at least one roller pair, on which the heat unit can be rolled on the housing bottom of the clothes dryer in the longitudinal direction. This allows the insertion and removal of the heat unit, e.g. be facilitated as a modular and self-contained unit.

The roller or the roller pair is preferably located towards the back of the heat unit, so that when inserting the heat unit in the dryer equal contact with housing bottom can be recorded and the roller (s) can perform their function or can. For this purpose, the heat unit can be placed with the roller or rollers on the housing bottom of the clothes dryer and then slightly raised at its front, so that the heat unit can be pushed into position. This can facilitate the installation or in reverse order the expansion for the specialist, because the front of the dryer can be easily and conveniently accessible. In this case, the roller or the roller pair may preferably be embedded in the underside of the heat unit in order to increase the height of the heat unit as little as possible and thereby reduce the space required within the tumble dryer for the heat unit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the heat unit has at least one latch, preferably a latching mechanism, with which the heat unit introduced into the heat dryer can be secured at least in the longitudinal direction. The latch is preferably located at the leading edge of the heat unit because it can be easily accessed thereby, in particular for releasing the latch, e.g. to exchange the heat unit.

The latch may preferably be a longitudinally to the front of the housing of the tumble dryer outstanding sheet, which may be resilient in height. Such a sheet may optionally be resiliently bent up when inserting the heat unit into the tumble dryer and then behind e.g. engage a locking receptacle in the form of an edge on the housing bottom of the clothes dryer, so that a positive locking can be effected in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the latch has a fuse holder as a recess, e.g. in the form of a hole. Through the fuse holder, a fuse such as a screw are guided to the latch in the locked state on the housing bottom in a housing-side securing receptacle arranged there, for. screw in the form of a threaded hole. This can be done both a backup of the lock in the longitudinal direction and in addition a backup of the positioning of the heat unit in the transverse direction. Preferably, the recess is a slot, which is aligned in the transverse direction, so that a certain compensation of tolerances may be possible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the clothes dryer has a lower frame through which the heat unit can be inserted in the longitudinal direction, wherein the lower frame at least partially has a front edge at which a corresponding edge of the heat unit during insertion to Concern can be brought. For this purpose, the lower frame of the tumble drier can be U-shaped like a bridge, so that the laundry drum can be carried on the lower frame by means of an upper frame. At the same time can be created by the implementation of the lower frame a space below the laundry drum, in which the heat unit can be introduced, for example, as a modular and self-contained unit.

The front edge of the lower frame acts as a stop against the corresponding counterpart of the heat unit, which can be formed by a corresponding peripheral edge. The leading edge of the lower frame is limited by the abutment of the edge of the heat unit whose insertion through the lower frame therethrough. In this way, the adoption of the desired positioning of the heat unit can be easily and reliably achieved. In this position, a backup can be done by the lock described above. Preferably, at least one seal is provided between the two edges, which preferably adjusts to the edge of the heat unit and is oriented towards the front edge of the lower frame, since the mounting of the seal on the more easily accessible heat unit can be made easier and more convenient within the Housing of the tumble dryer.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the heat unit has an inlet of a desuperheater, through which air can be introduced into the housing of the tumble dryer, the inlet having a filter, which can preferably be held by a receptacle such that The filter is inserted from above into the receptacle. The desuperheater can remove heat from the heat unit to the outside, i. to the environment, serve. Therefore, the air of the desuperheater does not constitute process air of the closed circle of the heat unit but is on one side of the tumble dryer such as e.g. the front sucked and elsewhere such. the back of the clothes dryer returned to the environment.

For this purpose, the desuperheater takes the air from the environment by means of a blower, passing it in the interior of the heat unit to a heat exchanger as the actual desuperheater and then leads them back out of the housing again. The filter of the desuperheater is used to protect against the introduction of lint, dust, small parts, etc. in the dryer and can therefore be arranged completely outwards, preferably directly from the inside to the inside of the front of the housing or the cover, so that in this way a seal the air flow of the desuperheater against the closed process air circuit of the heat unit can be achieved. For this purpose, an additional seal may be provided. This type of mounting of this filter has the advantage that after removing the cover, the front of the filter of the desuperheater can be cleaned directly from the front. Inserting the desuperheater filter from above can make installation and replacement quick and easy. This can be done without user intervention in the heat unit, because the filter of the desuperheater can be placed outside the heat unit, which can increase safety.

The present invention also relates to a heat unit for use in a tumble dryer as described above. The heat unit can preferably be designed as a modular and self-contained structural unit, in particular compact. As a result, the heat unit can be manufactured separately or procured. Also, the same heat unit can be used for various embodiments of tumble dryers. Furthermore, the heat unit can be easily mounted and replaced.

An embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

1 a perspective schematic view of a clothes dryer with inserted heat unit from obliquely above in front with the right side of the housing omitted;

2 a perspective schematic view of a tumble dryer from above obliquely with closed housing;

3 a perspective schematic representation of a clothes dryer with inserted heat unit obliquely from above with the back of the housing omitted and omitted right side of the housing;

4 a perspective schematic representation of a heat unit obliquely from above in front;

5 a schematic plan view of a heat unit;

6 a schematic side view of a heat unit; and

7 a perspective schematic view of a tumble dryer without heat unit introduced from behind with omitted housing back.

A tumble dryer 1 has a heat unit 23 in the form of a heat pump unit 23 on, which generate the heat required for drying the wet laundry or can extract the moisture extracted from the process air from the laundry. The laundry dryer 1 has a housing 10 on, which in the longitudinal direction X and in the depth X to the front, ie towards the user, a front of the housing 11 which, at the height Z in the lower area by a removable cover 12 is formed. The housing 10 also has one of the front of the housing 11 in the longitudinal direction X opposite housing back 13 on, both on a caseback 14 are set up. This also applies to a left side of the housing 52 and a right side of the case 53 which are arranged opposite each other in the transverse direction Y. The cover 12 is rectangular, can with its lower edge in the height Z, for example by means of a projection behind a corresponding paragraph in the housing bottom 14 grab (not shown) and then fold up to the closed position where the cover is 12 opposite the front of the housing 11 through a rotating latch 50 can be kept safe (see eg 1 and 2 ). This will be a grid 51 positioned directly in front of the entrance of a desuperheater so that air from the environment can be supplied to the desuperheater (cf. 1 . 2 and 4 ).

Inside the case 10 is on the case back 14 a U-shaped lower frame 19 arranged, which due to its shape as a frame bridge 19 can be designated. On the rack bridge 19 is an upper frame 16 arranged, which is a laundry drum 15 wearing. Further, a motor 49 the laundry drum 15 from the upper frame 16 worn (cf., eg 1 and 3 ). The motor 49 is above the laundry drum 15 arranged to below the laundry drum 15 Space for the heat unit 23 to accomplish.

Between housing front 11 and upper frame 16 is a coarse filter 22 arranged, which is formed by a cylindrical cage through whose openings air can pass. The coarse filter 22 represents an extension of the laundry drum 15 in the longitudinal direction X and serves to catch the laundry itself as well as small objects such as coins or other objects, so that they do not penetrate into the interior of the tumble dryer 1 can reach (see eg 1 ). Radially outside the coarse filter 22 and especially below the coarse filter 22 becomes an air return channel 21 through the front of the case 11 , the upper frame 16 as well as the two sides of the housing 52 . 53 formed, which is aligned in the height Z.

On this way the air return channel 21 can the humidified process air from the laundry drum 15 via a process air input 29 in the heat unit 23 be guided. There, the humidified process air can remove the moisture and the dry process air back into the laundry drum 15 to be led back. This happens from the heat unit 23 via a process air outlet 30 out the air to an air supply duct 17 the tumble dryer 1 feeds, which in turn from the middle in the middle of the laundry drum 15 ends (see eg 1 and 3 ). The moisture removed from the humidified process air can flow in liquid form via a condensate drain 44 from the tumble dryer 1 be removed out (see, eg 3 and 5 ).

The heat unit 23 is designed as a modular and self-contained unit, as a whole in the tumble dryer 1 can be installed or removed from this (see, eg 1 and 4 ). The heat unit 23 in turn has a housing 24 on, which is formed thermally insulating to the heat of the process cycle as well as possible within the heat unit 23 to be able to hold. The heat unit 23 has a top 25 , a bottom 26 , a right side 27 , a left side 28 as well as a front side 54 on. In the back area of the top 25 is the process air outlet 30 arranged, in the installed state in contact with the air supply duct 17 stands.

The front 54 the heat unit 23 is in the longitudinal direction X opposite the front of the housing 11 or the cover 12 set back, creating an empty vestibule 31 between the sides of the housing 52 . 53 , the case back 14 , the cover 12 and the front 54 the heat unit 23 arises (cf., eg 1 ). This area 31 is the air return channel 21 because it is its straight down-oriented area to the process air inlet 29 the heat unit 23 extended. At the same time, the process air is passing through this area 31 deflected by 90 °, which is why this area 31 as a deflection area 31 of the air return channel 17 is to be designated. In this way, the humidified process air exits the laundry drum 15 through the coarse filter 22 through in the air return duct 17 and is about the deflection area 31 at the bottom of the tumble dryer 1 directly above the caseback 14 90 ° deflected to the process air inlet 29 the heat unit 23 fed.

The deflection area 31 offers the advantage of having it by removing the cover 12 from the front of the housing 11 of the tumble dryer 1 can be made directly and easily accessible to a user. For this reason, a first filter 32 in the deflection area 31 arranged (see, eg 1 and 4 ) to filter lint out of the humidified process air and to remove the lint from the heat unit in this way 23 keep. The first filter 32 is with its rear edge on the upper frame 16 as well as on the insides of the two housing sides 52 . 53 fixed and sealed arranged. The first filter protrudes forward 32 in the deflection area 31 into it and pushes there against the inside of the built-in cover 12 , opposite to the first filter 32 with a seal 33 is sealed to the humidified process air completely through the first filter 32 respectively.

This is the first filter 32 clearly from the front, so that between the process air inlet 29 or the front 54 the heat unit 23 and the first filter 32 an angle α of about 60 ° is included (cf., eg 6 ). This can cause lint, which is on top of the first filter 32 ie on the coarse filter 22 facing side of the first filter 32 , accumulate, to the front edge, ie to the cover 12 , slide down so that the first filter 32 to a certain extent can clean automatically. The first filter 32 is this way in the deflection area 31 arranged that by removing the cover 12 the top of the first filter 32 is easily accessible to the user, so that the accumulated lint can be removed easily, quickly and conveniently.

Between the process air input 29 and the first filter 32 is also a second filter 34 arranged, which opposite the process air inlet 29 or the front 54 the heat unit 23 an angle β of about 10 ° (see, eg 4 and 6 ). This will provide a sufficient distance between the two filters 32 . 34 created, so that too the top of the second filter 34 is easily accessible to the user and easy to clean quickly and easily from lint. Due to the very acute angle, the lint accumulated there can even largely autonomously by their weight from the top of the second filter 34 down to the caseback 14 slip, causing the second filter 34 very rarely can be cleaned. The second filter 34 is firmly on the front 54 the heat unit 23 mounted, eliminating the heat unit 23 closed and made inaccessible to the user for safety reasons. The second filter 34 is opposite to the heat unit 23 with a seal 35 sealed at this point, the process air completely through the second filter 34 respectively.

Inside the heat unit 23 is between the second filter 34 and a heat exchanger of the heat unit 23 arranged a third filter (not shown), which as a further filter stage previously not filtered from the process air lint and the like can keep away from the heat exchanger. This third filter is just by opening the heat unit 23 For cleaning etc. accessible by qualified personnel.

The rack bridge 19 points in the longitudinal direction X to the front of the housing 11 towards a front edge 20 on, which is U-shaped. The heat unit 23 has a corresponding circumferential edge 36 on which at the top 25 , the right side 27 and the left side 28 the heat unit 23 is arranged (see, eg 1 and 4 to 6 ). This circumferential edge 36 protrudes in each case in the transverse direction Y and in the height Z so far out that the peripheral edge 36 from the front against the front edge 20 the rack bridge 19 can fit form-fitting. That way, the heat unit can 23 from the front through the rack bridge 19 through to the bottom of the tumble dryer 1 on the case back 14 inserted and positioned in its final position safely and easily by the heat unit 23 until it is pushed in with its peripheral edge 36 against the front edge 20 the rack bridge 19 is applied and further insertion in the longitudinal direction X is blocked.

Around the air return channel 21 airtight to close at this point, has the peripheral edge 36 a seal 37 on, which to the leading edge 20 the rack bridge 19 is aligned and when the edges 20 . 36 is compressed to each other such that a secure seal the process air flow can be achieved at this point. The circumferential edge 36 is for this reason as the leading edge 20 the rack bridge 19 formed bent sheet metal, so that the seal 37 as a plug-on seal 37 realized and on the bent circumferential edge 36 simply in the longitudinal direction X can be attached from behind (see, eg 5 ).

In the fully inserted final operating position, the heat unit can 23 be secured. This is at the bottom edge of the front 54 the heat unit 23 a lock 46 in the form of an excellent sheet 46 arranged, which protrudes flat to the front (see, eg 1 and 4 ). On top of the case bottom 14 is a corresponding locking receptacle 47 in the form of two screws 47 arranged there in the case back 14 are screwed in (see, eg 7 ). Will now be the heat unit 23 in the tumble dryer 1 inserted, so at the end of the insertion movement, the sheet metal 46 over the screws 47 guided and possibly resiliently bent from these upwards. Bump the edges 20 . 36 together and thus becomes the Insertion movement blocked, the sheet snaps 46 behind the screws 47 one, allowing a movement of the heat unit 23 is blocked to the front. Thus, there is a locking in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. By bending up the sheet 46 Again, this latch can be easily lifted to the heat unit 23 again from the tumble dryer 1 to be able to remove.

The sheet 46 has a fuse holder 48 in the form of an aligned in the transverse direction Y long hole 48 on. Through the slot 48 can make a backup 55 in the form of a screw 55 (cf., eg 4 ) and in a corresponding fuse holder 56 of the case bottom 14 in the form of a threaded hole 56 (cf., eg 7 ) by screwing in and secured. This allows the sheet 46 additionally secured in its locked position in the longitudinal direction X. Further, a fuse can secure the position of the heat unit 23 take place in the transverse direction Y, passing through the slot 48 certain tolerances can be compensated.

To the heat unit 23 easier in the tumble dryer 1 to introduce, has the heat unit 23 at its bottom 26 a pair of rollers 43 on which at the rear of the heat unit 23 ie the back of the case 13 facing, is arranged (see, eg 6 ). That way, the heat unit can 23 with its rear area with the pair of rollers 43 in the front area, ie the front of the housing 11 facing area of the housing bottom 14 put on and then rolling in their final position through the rack bridge 19 be pushed through in the longitudinal direction X. Here are the rollers 43 in the bottom 26 the heat unit 23 let in to the height of the heat unit 23 keep as flat as possible.

In its rear area, the heat unit points 23 at its top 25 the process air outlet 30 on. To this also airtight with the air supply duct 17 to connect, rejects the heat unit 23 at its top 25 a trapezoidal indentation 38 on (see eg 4 and 5 ). The trapezoid runs towards the front, so that the indentation 38 to the back of the case 13 is formed broader. The indentation 38 is also the case back 13 formed open. The air supply duct 17 has a lower outer edge 18 on, which in height Z so far protrudes downwards, so that the heat unit 23 in the fully inserted operating state with the three flanks of the trapezoidal indentation 38 in the longitudinal direction X and in the transverse direction Y against the lower outer edge 18 of the air supply channel 17 is applied. At the same time, the lower outer edge protrudes 18 in the height Z about to through the indentation 38 formed top 25 the heat unit 23 , so that the closest possible arrangement between process air outlet 30 and air supply duct 17 can be created.

For complete airtight sealing, the lower outer edge 18 of the air supply channel 17 a horizontal seal 39 on. This is comparable to the seal 37 the circumferential edge 36 the heat unit 23 , on the horizontally bent edge of the lower outer edge 18 as a plug-on seal 39 plugged, so by inserting the heat unit 23 in the longitudinal direction X, the flanks of the trapezoidal recess 38 as vertical as possible to the horizontal seal 39 the lower outer edge 18 be pressed.

To dissipate heat from the heat unit 23 this has in its interior a desuperheater (not shown). From the outside, air can pass through the grid 51 the front of the case 11 by means of a blower (not shown) parallel to the closed cycle of the process air in the tumble dryer 1 be sucked in. This outside air is after the grid 51 through a filter 41 an entrance 40 supplied to the desuperheater. The filter 41 is used to filter dust and the like from the outside air, which could otherwise be deposited in the desuperheater or behind it. The filter 41 is through a recording 42 in front of the entrance 40 the desuperheater fan. The recording 42 is designed as a sheet open at the top, so that the filter 41 can be easily and quickly removed by the user for cleaning or replacement and reinserted.

The heat unit 23 has a control unit 45 on which outside of the thermally insulating housing 24 the heat unit 23 is arranged (see, eg 4 and 5 ). The required electrical connections of the control unit 45 be through openings of the housing 24 guided. In this way, the heat of the heat unit 23 from the control unit 45 keep them away, which is why they must be designed less thermally resistant, which can make the production cheaper. Also, this can increase the life of the control unit 45 increase.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

α

Angle between first filter 32 and process air input 29

β

Angle between second filter 34 and process air input 29

X

 Longitudinal direction, depth

Y

 Transverse direction, width

Z

 height

1

 (Heat pump) tumble

10

 Housing of the tumble dryer

11

 Housing front

12

 cover

13

 Case back

14

 caseback

15

 washing drum

16

 upper frame

17

 Air supply channel

18

lower outer edge of the air supply duct 17

19

 lower frame, frame bridge

20

Front edge of the lower frame 21

21

Air return duct of laundry drum 15

22

Coarse filter of the laundry drum 15

23

 Heat unit, heat pump unit

24

Housing of the heat unit 23

25

Top of the heat unit 23

26

Bottom of the heat unit 23

27

right side of the heat unit 23

28

left side of the heat unit 23

29

 Process air input

30

 Process air output

31

Deflection region of the air return channel 17

32

 first filter

33

Seal of the first filter 32

34

 second filter

35

Seal of the second filter 34

36

(circumferential) edge of the heat unit 23

37

Seal the edge 36

38

trapezoidal indentation of the top 25

39

horizontal seal of the lower outer edge 18 of the air supply channel 17

40

 Entrance of the desuperheater

41

Filter the input 40

42

Recording the filter 41

43

 Roller, pair of rollers

44

 condensate drain

45

 control unit

46

Locking the heat unit 23 , excellent sheet metal

47

 Lock receptacle, screws

48

Fuse holder of the lock 46 , Long hole

49

Motor of the laundry drum 15

50

rotatable latch of the cover 12

51

Grid of the cover 12 before the dehumidifier

52

 left side of the housing

53

 right side of the housing

54

Front of the heat unit 23

55

Securing the lock 46 , Screw

56

Fuse holder of the housing bottom 14

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 2642018 A2 [0006]
• DE 4212700 A1 [0008, 0009]

Claims (15)

Tumble dryer ( 1 ), preferably heat pump tumble dryer ( 1 ), with a laundry drum ( 15 ) for receiving laundry to be dried, and a heat unit ( 23 ), preferably a heat pump unit ( 23 ), for generating heated process air for drying the laundry in the laundry drum ( 15 ), whereby the laundry drum ( 15 ) through an air return channel ( 21 ) with a process air input ( 29 ) of the heat unit ( 23 ) is connected to the process air humidified by the laundry of the heat unit ( 23 ), wherein between the laundry drum ( 15 ) and the process air input ( 29 ) at least one filter ( 32 . 34 ) is arranged for filtering the humidified process air, characterized in that the air return channel ( 21 ) a deflection area ( 31 ) to the process air deflected the process air inlet ( 29 ), the filter ( 32 . 34 ) in the deflection area ( 31 ) is arranged. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the deflection region ( 31 ) is formed by the process air input ( 29 ) of the heat unit ( 21 ) to the front of the housing ( 11 ) of the tumble dryer ( 1 ) is arranged at a distance. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front of the housing ( 11 ) of the tumble dryer ( 1 ) a removable cover ( 12 ), which the deflection area ( 31 ) can at least partially close. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a first filter ( 32 ) at least partially in the deflection area ( 31 ) and opposite the process air inlet ( 29 ) is oriented at an angle (α) greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °, preferably at an angle (α) greater than approximately 30 ° and less than 90 °, particularly preferably at an angle (α) of approximately 60 °. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the first filter ( 32 ) at least partially on the housing ( 10 ) of the tumble dryer ( 1 ) is attached. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first filter ( 32 ) at least in sections a seal ( 33 ) facing the cover ( 12 ) can act sealing. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising at least one second filter ( 34 ), which at least partially in the deflection area ( 31 ) between the first filter ( 32 ) and the process air input ( 29 ) is arranged. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the second filter ( 34 ) opposite the process air inlet ( 29 ) at an angle (β) greater than 0 ° and smaller than the angle (α) of the first filter ( 32 ), preferably at an angle (β) greater than 0 ° and substantially smaller than the angle (α) of the first filter ( 32 ), particularly preferably at an angle (β) of about 10 °, is aligned. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second filter ( 34 ) fixed to the heat unit ( 23 ) before the process air inlet ( 29 ) is arranged. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising at least a third filter, which within the heat unit ( 23 ) between the process air inlet ( 29 ) and a heat exchanger is arranged. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat unit ( 23 ) on its underside ( 26 ) at least one roller ( 43 ), preferably at least one roller pair ( 43 ), on which the heat unit ( 23 ) on the caseback ( 14 ) of the tumble dryer ( 1 ) in the longitudinal direction (X) can be rolled. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat unit ( 23 ) at least one interlock ( 46 ), preferably a latching mechanism ( 46 ), with which in the heat drier ( 1 ) introduced heat unit ( 23 ) can be secured at least in the longitudinal direction (X). Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lower frame ( 19 ) through which the heat unit ( 23 ) can be inserted in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein the lower frame ( 19 ) at least in sections a leading edge ( 20 ), on which a corresponding edge ( 36 ) of the heat unit ( 23 ) can be brought to the concern during insertion. Tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat unit ( 23 ) an entrance ( 40 ) of a desuperheater, through which air into the housing ( 10 ) of the tumble dryer ( 1 ), the input ( 40 ) a filter ( 41 ), which preferably by a receptacle ( 42 ) can be held so that the filter ( 41 ) from above into the receptacle ( 42 ) can be inserted. Heat unit ( 23 ) for use in a tumble dryer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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