EP2007940B1 - Modular dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dryer which is of modular construction and comprises a process air guide (15, 15′) into which a first air conducting element (161) for forming a condensation dryer (1) or a second air conducting element (16′) for forming a extraction air dryer (1′) may be installed. In the process air guide (15, 15′) is formed an insertion region (15d, 15d′) in which the first (161) or the second air conducting element (16′) is arranged, wherein the two air conducting elements (161, 16′) are designed compatibly in respect of their insertion in the insertion region (15d, 15d′), at least in certain regions.

Description

The invention relates to a tumble dryer, which has a modular construction and comprises a process air duct into which a first air guide element for forming a condensation dryer or a second air guide element for forming an exhaust air dryer can be installed.

The term "process air duct" encompasses both a closed process air cycle and an open process air duct. In the case of an exhaust air dryer, this process air duct is open and the process air is directed to the outside after contact with the laundry. In a condensation dryer or a recirculating air dryer, the process air supply is closed and the process air is guided in a closed process air cycle. In the following, the process air guide should in particular include all air ducts and components through which process air flows during operation.

From the DE 41 39 588 A1 a tumble dryer, which can be designed according to both basically known dryer principles, namely as a condensation dryer or as an exhaust air dryer. When realized as a condensation dryer, a heat exchanger is arranged in the lower region of the tumble dryer, and in the realization as an exhaust air dryer in the lower region an air duct is arranged, which dissipates process air through the back of the tumble dryer to the environment. The various configurations of this known tumble dryer are designed independently of each other and have, in particular in the heat exchanger for the condensation dryer and the air duct for the exhaust air dryer substantially different components, which differ in size and shape from each other. Thereby, it is also necessary that the other elements of the tumble dryer must be designed differently according to these different versions.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clothes dryer, which can be formed in a simple and low-effort manner either as a condensation dryer or as an exhaust air dryer.

This object is achieved by a tumble dryer, which has the features of claim 1.

A tumble dryer according to the invention has a modular design and comprises a process air guide, in which a first air guide element for forming a condensation dryer or a second air guide element for forming an exhaust air dryer can be used. In the process air guide, a common insertion region is formed, in which either the first or the second air guide element is arranged to realize the respective dryer principle. The two air guide elements are designed in their design such that they are formed at least partially compatible with regard to their installation in this intended installation area.

As a result, a tumble dryer can be provided, which can be designed simply and with little effort either as a condensation dryer or as an exhaust air dryer. For this purpose, essentially only a central element, the air guide, interchangeable, with the compatibility of these two air guide elements and a quick and easy replacement is achieved. Last but not least, a significantly lower development effort than required for two separate concepts can be achieved by means of this compatible modular design. In addition, the installation of an air guide element in the installation area is made possible practically with the same tools and the positioning and arrangement of the respective air guide element is substantially the same in both.

Preferably, the two air guide elements are each compatible at least at one end with respect to the insertion into the insertion region. Regardless of which air guide is thus used in the insertion, in particular installed, thus the insertion can remain unchanged. At least one end region of each of the two air guiding elements is therefore designed with such a similarity or equality that it can be mounted or attached to an unchanged region of the process air guide. The installation of the air guide elements can be made possible reduced component.

Preferably, the first air guide is designed as a heat exchanger, whereby then an implementation of the condensation dryer is achieved. Preferably, the of the Heat exchanger exiting process air via the process air duct to a process air fan conductive. The process air can then be directed into a drum or a container for receiving items of laundry via this process air ventilator.

Preferably, the second air guide element is designed as an exhaust air duct, whereby in this embodiment an exhaust air dryer can be realized. Preferably, the exhaust air duct is arranged so that it leads with one end directly into the environment of the tumble dryer or opens.

Preferably, the exhaust duct comprises a main channel and a secondary channel, wherein the secondary channel branches off from the main channel and open both channels in the vicinity of the tumble dryer. As a result, an improved removal of the process air from the tumble dryer can be achieved.

Preferably, the main channel and the secondary channel open on different sides of the tumble dryer into the environment. This makes it possible that virtually independent of the installation of the tumble dryer always a safe and reliable discharge of the process air can be achieved. Thus, it can preferably be provided that one of the two channels opens into the environment at a rear side of the tumble dryer and the second channel opens into the environment on a side wall of the tumble dryer. If, for example, the tumble dryer is then positioned relatively close to a wall with its rear wall, reliable discharge of the process air can be achieved via the channel which opens out into the environment from the side wall.

Preferably, the exhaust air duct is integrally formed. It may be provided that the exhaust air duct is formed at least partially made of plastic. In a complete training as a plastic part, this may preferably be provided as an injection molded part. As a result, a cost-effective production can be ensured.

Preferably, at least the main channel is formed tapered. The taper is preferably realized in such a way that the end of the exhaust air duct which opens into the environment has a smaller diameter than the end which is mounted in the installation area on corresponding elements of the process air duct.

Preferably, the respective situation-dependent built-in air guide element is arranged in a bottom group of the tumble dryer.

In the tumble dryer according to the invention thus essentially only one component, the air guide, exchanged, and thereby realized a condensation dryer or a vented dryer. Starting from a condensation dryer in which the air guide element is designed as a heat exchanger, an exhaust air dryer can be realized by a simple replacement of this by the exhaust air duct. All other adjustments are made by omitting not longer required for the exhaust air dryer components, such as Kühlluftrad and condensate pump. All essential components, and in particular the bottom group, thus remain essentially unchanged.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Wäschetrockners, welcher als Kondensa- tionstrockner ausgebildet ist;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Wäschetrockners, welcher als Ablufttrock- ner ausgebildet ist;

Fig. 3

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kondensati- onstrockners; und

Fig. 4

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Ablufttrockners.

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

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a tumble dryer, which is designed as condensation dryer;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a clothes dryer, which is designed as Ablufttrock- ner;

Fig. 3

an exploded view of an embodiment of a Kondensati- onstrockners; and

Fig. 4

an exploded view of an embodiment of a vented dryer.

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

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a laundry dryer, which is designed as a condensation dryer 1. The condensation dryer 1 has a first side wall 11, a rear side 12, a second side wall 13 and a front side 14 on. In the condensation dryer 1, a process air guide 15 is arranged, which is designed as a process air circuit 15. Process air is thereby circulated and flows through a container (not shown) (according to common practice, a rotatable drum), in which laundry items are introduced for drying. The process air circuit 15 has a bearing plate 15 a, which is disposed adjacent to the front side 14 and according to common practice has a (not shown) front bearing for the designed as a rotatable drum container and also a channel-like part of the process air duct 15 for discharging the from the container with forms the process air flowing out of the laundry items. The process air flowing through the bearing plate 15a is introduced into a heat exchanger 161 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) of a heat exchange system 16, which is designed for dehumidifying the process air, passed. To guide the process air in a circuit, the heat exchanger 161 is connected to a further channel-like element 15b of the process air circuit 15, wherein a process air fan 15c is further arranged, through which the process air is in turn transported to the container. In the process air guide or the process air circuit 15, a mounting area 15d is formed, in which the heat exchanger 161 is used, in particular installed. In the realization of the condensation dryer 1, the heat exchange system 16, in particular the heat exchanger 161, coupled to a first end 16a for process air guidance with the bearing plate 15a and coupled to a second end 16b with the element 15b.

The in Fig. 1 schematically shown condensation dryer 1 can in a simple and low-effort manner in a vented dryer 1 ', as in Fig. 2 is shown schematically to be re-designed. As can be seen thereby, in the illustration shown, only designed as an air guide and exchangeable heat exchanger 161 is replaced by a second air guide, which is characterized by the exhaust duct 16 '. This schematically shown exhaust duct 16 'is also arranged in the substantially unchanged installation area 15d. The first air guide element in the form of the heat exchanger 161 and the second air guide element in the form of the exhaust air guide 16 'are designed such that they can be arranged in the one installation area 15d and are designed to be compatible with respect to their local installation. In particular, the first end 16a of the heat exchange system 16 and the first end 16a 'of the exhaust air duct 16' are designed such that they are substantially accurate with the unmodified Installation area 15b and in particular the unchanged bearing plate 15a can be joined together.

Due to the design as a vented dryer 1 ', the process air is discharged via the second end 16b' of the exhaust air duct 16 'to an environment of the exhaust air dryer 1'. This is indicated by the arrow P2. According to the arrow P1 is a supply of supply air to the exhaust air dryer 1 '. The process air duct 15 'of the exhaust air dryer 1' has inter alia also the bearing plate 15a, as well as the element 15b 'and the process air fan 15c.

In Fig. 3 an exploded view of the condensation dryer 1 is shown with the essential elements in view of the present explanation. In addition to the side walls 11 and 13, the front side 14 is shown with a loading door 14a. The front side 14 further includes a flap 14b and a drawer 14c. Via the flap 14b access to a lint filter, not shown, can be made possible.

The bearing plate 15 a comprises in the lower region an opening 151 a, through which the process air exiting the container, not shown, process air is passed to the heat exchanger system 16. This heat exchanger system 16 has the heat exchanger 161 and holding elements 162 and 163. The holding element 162 forms part of the first end 16a of the heat exchanger system 16 and is intended for installation on or for mechanical connection to the bearing plate 15a.

In addition, the heat exchange system 16 includes a condensate tank 164, further showing a first conduit 165 provided for pumping condensate into the condensate tank 164. Another line 166 is formed as a return line for a condensate. Furthermore, a condensate pump 167 is shown in the illustration. The condensation dryer 1 further comprises a floor assembly comprising, inter alia, a component 17 and the element 15b. In the component 17, a motor 151 c is arranged, which is designed to drive a fan wheel 18 a. The fan 18 a and the motor 151 c are covered by a cover 18 b.

In Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the exhaust dryer 1 'shown in a view from the rear. As can be seen, the heat exchange system 16 is replaced there by the exhaust air duct 16 ', which is positioned in the installation area 15d. The exhaust duct 16 'is formed in the embodiment as a one-piece element made of plastic. As can be seen, the first end 16a 'funnel-shaped and designed for mounting or installation in the installation area 15d. In this case, this first end 16a 'is formed such that it is compatible with the heat exchange system 16 and in particular to the holder 162 of the heat exchanger 161 and can be installed on the bearing plate 15a in the region of the opening 151 a. As can also be seen, the exhaust air duct 16 'has a main duct 16d' and a secondary duct 16c ', which branches off from the main duct 16d'. The main channel 16d 'and the secondary channel 16c' are designed such that their openings for discharging the process air to the environment of the exhaust air dryer 1 'on different sides of this exhaust air dryer 1' exit. In the exemplary embodiment, the exhaust air duct 16 'is designed and arranged in the installation area 15d such that process air can escape from the rear side 12 via the main duct 16d'. For this purpose, an opening 151b 'is formed in the element 15b'. On the side facing away from the component 17 of the element 15 b 'is an annular retaining element 152 b', arranged, which allows attachment to the rear wall 12 of the element 15 b '. The component 17 has a passage 17a, through which the main channel 16d 'is guided and thus the exhaust air duct 16' can be arranged and held with exact position.

The secondary channel 16c 'extends laterally and opens out of the side wall 11' in the vicinity of the exhaust air dryer 1 '. For this purpose, an opening 11a is formed in this side wall 11 '. If this discharge via the auxiliary channel 16c 'is not required, the opening 11a can be covered by a cover element 11b.

As further in Fig. 4 can be seen, the exhaust air duct 16 ', starting from the first end 16a' in particular in the region of the main channel 16d 'tapers to the second end 16b' is formed.

The exhaust air duct 16 'and the heat exchanger 161, in particular with its retaining elements 162 and 163, are designed such that they are compatible with regard to installation in the installation area 15d. This can be done by sharing the essential a central element, the heat exchanger 161 on the one hand and the exhaust duct 16 'on the other hand, a dependent thereon corresponding operating principle of the tumble dryer 1 or 1' can be achieved. Neither the attachment of these elements to the bearing plate 15a and the installation in the component 17 must be changed.

In Fig. 4 Furthermore, a worktop 19 is shown as the top cover.

In particular, the mechanical attachment of the first ends 16a 'and 16a of the components 16' and 16 can be accurately connected to the bearing plate 15a, in which case, for example, a releasable connection in the form of brackets can be provided. Likewise, however, may also be provided a screw or the like or a plug connection.

In comparison between the condensation dryer 1 and the exhaust air dryer 1 ', starting from the illustration in FIG Fig. 3 the parts 161 to 167 and the fan 18a for supplying cooling air to the heat exchanger 161 and the cover 18b are taken out. These parts are for the realization of the exhaust air dryer 1 'according to. Fig. 4 not necessary anymore. Instead of these parts mentioned in the exhaust dryer 1 'according to Fig. 4 the parts 16 ', 14b, 14c', 152b 'and optionally 11 b' are arranged. In particular, the parts 15b and 15b 'and the parts 151c and 11 or 11' are then provided depending on the respective realized variant in a modified embodiment.

Claims (9)

1. Laundry drier which is of modular construction and comprises a process air guide (15, 15'), into which a first air guide element (161) for forming a condensation drier (1) or a second air guide element (16') for forming an exhaust air drier (1') is insertable, wherein formed in the process air guide (15, 15') is an insert region (15d, 15d') in which the first air guide element (161) or the second air guide element (16') is arranged, wherein the two air guide elements (161, 16') are constructed to be compatible at least in regions with respect to the insertion thereof into the insert region (15d, 15'), characterised in that the second air guide element (16') is constructed as an exhaust air guide (16') for realisation of an exhaust air drier (1'), which exhaust air guide (16') comprises a main channel (16d') and an auxiliary channel (16c') branching off from the main channel (16d'), wherein the two channels (16c', 16d') open into the surroundings of the laundry drier (1').
2. Laundry drier according to claim 1, in which the two air guide elements (161, 16') each have at least one end (16a, 16a'), which ends are constructed to be compatible with respect to insertion into the insert region (15d, 15d').
3. Laundry drier according to claim 1 or 2, in which the first air guide element is constructed as a heat exchanger (161) for realisation of a condensation drier (1).
4. Laundry drier according to claim 3, in which the process air issuing from the heat exchanger (161) can be conducted by way of the process air guide (15) to a process air fan (15c).
5. Laundry drier according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the exhaust air guide (16') leads directly to the surroundings of the laundry drier (1, 1').
6. Laundry drier according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the main channel (16d') and the auxiliary channel (16c') open into the surroundings at different sides (11, 12) of the laundry drier (1').
7. Laundry drier according to claim 6, in which the exhaust air channel (16') is of integral construction.
8. Laundry drier according to claim 6 or 7, in which at least the main channel (16d') is constructed to narrow.
9. Laundry drier according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the respectively incorporated air guide element (161, 16') is arranged in a base group of the laundry drier (1, 1').

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