EP2072910A2 - Household device with exhaust gas exit - Google Patents

Abstract

The appliance has an exhaust air guide duct (10) connected downstream of an exhaust fan (4). An air state sensor detects a physical property of an exhaust air in response to an activation of an exhaust air test function. A controller receives a measured air state value from the air state sensor, where the controller determines an exhaust air flow state of an exhaust air guide based upon the measured air state value in response to the activation of the air test function. An exhaust air tumbler dryer (1) is operated after activating the exhaust air duct test function without heating.

Description

The invention relates to a domestic appliance with an exhaust air outlet, to which an exhaust air duct can be connected, in particular a laundry drying device and an extractor hood.

In conventional exhaust air generating domestic appliances, such. As an exhaust air dryer or a hood, must be connected to the device an exhaust air duct (exhaust hose, pipe, etc.). There are a variety of factors that cause the optimal exhaust air volume is below, for example: a variety of commercially available (eg in hardware stores) connectable, but not on the present device -. B. with regard to the cross sections and the materials - matched exhaust ducts; the one flow-unfavorable arrangement; and contamination over the life of the household appliance. Until now, an analysis of the state of an exhaust air duct is carried out by a service technician, in particular, if the exhaust air duct is poorly accessible, which usually evidently examines the exhaust air duct.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an easy feasible way to detect a state of exhaust air duct in household appliances equipped therewith.

This object is achieved by a domestic appliance with an exhaust outlet according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are in particular the dependent claims can be removed.

The domestic appliance according to the invention has an exhaust air outlet, to which an exhaust air duct can be connected. Furthermore, the domestic appliance has at least one air condition sensor for detecting a physical property, in particular flow property, of the exhaust air, in particular of a flow resistance. The air condition sensor is located behind the air outlet side (downstream) of an exhaust fan. The domestic appliance further has a control unit which is set up to receive at least one air condition measurement value (eg pressure or speed) of the at least one air condition sensor and to determine an exhaust air flow condition of the exhaust air guidance duct depending on the height of the measured value. For easy implementation, the domestic appliance also has an exhaust duct test function as a separate operating mode, when activated, the domestic appliance under load the at least one air condition measured value sensed and determined by means of the control unit, the exhaust air flow state of the exhaust air duct.

To reduce an influence of the domestic appliance on a pressure measurement, the air condition sensor is preferably arranged close to the mouth of the exhaust air outlet.

By means of the air condition sensor, the physical state (eg pressure, flow velocity) of the exhaust air duct (exhaust hose, pipe, shaft, etc.) can be determined. The lower the flow resistance of the exhaust air duct, the better is its structural or operational condition. Basically, the flow resistance can at least indirectly be deduced, for example, by means of the pressure level or a flow velocity in the internal exhaust air duct, in particular at the exhaust air outlet. The lower the pressure level and / or the higher the flow velocity, the lower the flow resistance and the better the state of the exhaust air duct. Ideally, the pressure level at the exhaust air outlet - which is approximately equal to the value at the beginning of the exhaust air duct - corresponds to the atmospheric pressure of the exhaust air duct (negligible flow resistance). The higher the pressure level, the worse the venting effect.

• einen ersten Zustandsbereich, bei dem der Luftzustandsmesswert ein Maß aufweist, das einen Betrieb des Hausgeräts ohne oder ohne wesentliche durch den Abluftführungskanal bedingte Leistungseinbußen ermöglicht; und
• einen weiteren Zustandsbereich, bei dem der Luftzustandsmesswert ein Maß aufweist, das einen Betrieb des Hausgeräts nur mit wesentlichen durch den Abluftführungskanal bedingten Leistungseinbußen ermöglicht.

In particular, a domestic appliance is preferred in which the exhaust air flow state has at least two state areas, namely

• a first state region in which the air condition measurement has a measure that allows operation of the domestic appliance with no or no significant performance degradation due to the exhaust air duct; and
• a further state area in which the air condition measured value has a degree that allows operation of the domestic appliance only with significant power losses due to the exhaust air duct.

Determining when there is a significant performance penalty is typically device-dependent and is most often predetermined and discontinued at the factory. For example, a substantial decrease in performance may occur when a drying time extension from the ideal or initial state of 15-25%, especially about 20%, or more occurs.

The distinction between these two state ranges, for example, by falling below or exceeding a threshold value by the air condition measurement or a derived state value. Thus, if a measured value is below the threshold value, then the first state region (eg "exhaust air flow in order") can be assumed and then, if the measured value is above the threshold, the further state region (eg "exhaust air ducting deficient "). The threshold value can be determined empirically, for example, and predefined at the factory.

A finer distinction and improved user information is made possible if the exhaust air flow state has at least three state regions, wherein the further state region is subdivided into a second state region and a third state region, wherein in the third state region the air state measured value has a measure which only limits operation of the domestic appliance Performance degradation than in the second state range allows. As a result, the user can be given a warning, for example, of the occurrence of considerable exhaust air performance losses. The second state area may then correspond to a warning area (eg "exhaust air duct deteriorated"), while the third state area corresponds to an already greater exhaust air power loss (eg "exhaust air duct deficient").

In the presence of the exhaust duct test function, it is particularly advantageous if the domestic appliance is a laundry drying device and after activation of the exhaust duct test function with motor, but is operated without heating; As a result, the state determination can be carried out particularly well reproducible.

In order to increase the efficiency of the domestic appliance, it is advantageous if the control unit is set up after a predetermined number of actuations (eg 230 drying runs in a tumble dryer or washer-dryer) and / or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a last activation Exhaust duct test function (eg after one year) to issue an exhaust air test request display. The exhaust air test request display indicates to a user that an exhaust air test (more precisely: a test of the state of the exhaust air duct) should be carried out. The exhaust test request display may include, for example, a display in a display unit or a lighting up of a lamp.

For this purpose, it is also advantageous if the control unit is set up to output an exhaust air test request display before a first activation of the exhaust air duct test function after connection of the domestic appliance. As a result, in particular a structurally conditioned state of the exhaust air duct can be analyzed.

Preferably, the air condition sensor comprises a pressure sensor. The air condition reading is then a pressure reading. This is z. B. a simple and inexpensive condition measurement possible.

Preferably, the pressure sensor comprises a differential pressure sensor for detecting a differential pressure between a pressure at the exhaust air outlet and an atmospheric pressure. The pressure reading is then a pressure differential reading. This z. B. compensates an influence of the atmospheric pressure at the installation on the pressure measurement.

Additionally or alternatively, however, the air condition sensor may also include a volumetric flow sensor, e.g. B. an impeller anemometer. The air condition reading is then an exhaust air velocity reading.

It may be preferred if the domestic appliance has a plurality of sensor passages, in particular static pressure bores, in particular annularly arranged.

It may also be preferred if the domestic appliance has a plurality of air condition sensors.

It may also be preferred if the domestic appliance has an exhaust air duct.

FIG 1

zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht einen Abluft-Wäschetrockner.

In the following, the invention will be described schematically with reference to an embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 1

shows a sectional view in side view of an exhaust air dryer.

FIG. 1 shows an exhaust air dryer 1 with selected components. The structure of exhaust air dryers is basically well known and typically includes a drum housing 2 for receiving a rotatably mounted laundry drum (not shown), an internal exhaust duct 3, the drum housing 2 via an exhaust fan 4 to a relative to the exhaust fan 4 downstream exhaust outlet 5 leads. At the exhaust air outlet 5, an exhaust air duct 10 can be connected. The tumble dryer 1 further has a control unit 6, by means of which various drying programs or operating modes selected and activated by a user on a control panel 7 can be controlled. The control panel typically has various operating and display means on, z. B. Rotary switch, button, an LCD or LED display and / or lights, and so on.

In contrast to the previously known devices, the tumble dryer 1 in addition to a differential pressure sensor 8, which is partially introduced by means of a static pressure bore in the exhaust duct 3 of the tumble dryer 1 near the exhaust outlet 5. This position corresponds to a position shortly before a start of the exhaust air duct 10, if one is connected. The differential pressure sensor 8 is connected by means of a signal line 9 to the control unit 6. As a result, the control unit 6 can receive sensed measured values (static pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure) from the pressure sensor 8.

At the control panel 7, the drying device 1 a basically known mode selector switch (not shown), which is now extended to the mode "exhaust check" o. Ä. In this mode, only the motor is running, no heating. The user should preferably have the exhaust duct 10 connected. It needs no laundry to be filled. A lint filter should preferably be removed or should be clean. The customer receives after activating this mode, eg. After about 15 seconds, a recommendation on a display unit (not shown) of the control panel 7.

For example, this recommendation may read as follows:

1. i) optimal, Gerät arbeitet optimal;
2. ii) nicht optimal, Gerät arbeitet nicht optimal; oder
3. iii) schlecht, bitte unbedingt optimieren und / oder säubern (Gerät läuft sonst nur mit reduzierter Leistung)

The exhaust air duct is:

1. i) optimal, device works optimally;
2. ii) not optimal, device does not work optimally; or
3. iii) bad, please be sure to optimize and / or clean (device runs only with reduced power)

These three state regions i) to iii) are distinguished here by way of differential pressure ranges, where state range i) corresponds to a lowest differential pressure range, eg. For example, [0; 150 - 200] Pa, state range ii) corresponds to a mean differential pressure range which follows the maximum value of the lowest differential pressure range, e.g. B.] 150-200; 250] Pa, and state area iii) corresponds to a highest differential pressure range which follows the maximum value of the mean differential pressure range, e.g. B.] 250 ... ∞] Pa.

The user should preferably this exhaust air duct measurement before a first operation (after connection of the device) and z. B. once a year and / or perform after 230 drying. This can be stored in the control unit 6. The user is made aware of the occurrence of the above conditions by a corresponding exhaust air test request display appears, for example, a message in the display unit (eg, analogously "Please carry out exhaust air control check") is displayed or a corresponding light (eg an LED) lights.

The user is given the opportunity to operate the household appliance 1 with optimal exhaust air power and thus also the best possible total power by analyzing the exhaust air management state. For this purpose, the user is given a particular opportunity to test its exhaust air duct and to improve it structurally. This improves the performance of the domestic appliance, in particular reduces energy consumption. The user also gets the opportunity to detect creeping contamination of the exhaust air duct.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

So the home appliance can also be a cooker hood.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Exhaust Dryer

2

drum housing

3

internal exhaust duct

4

exhaust fan

5

exhaust air outlet

6

control unit

7

control panel

8th

pressure sensor

9

signal line

10

Exhaust duct

Claims (12)

Domestic appliance (1) with an exhaust air outlet (5), to which an exhaust air duct (10) can be connected, wherein the domestic appliance (1) downstream of an exhaust fan (4) at least one air condition sensor (8) for detecting a physical property of the exhaust air and also has a A control unit (6) adapted to receive at least one air condition measurement of the at least one air condition sensor (8) and to determine an exhaust air flow condition of the exhaust air duct (10) depending on the height of the air condition measurement, characterized in that
the household appliance (1) has an exhaust air duct test function, when activated, the domestic appliance (1) senses the at least one air condition measured value and determines the exhaust air flow state of the exhaust air duct (10) by means of the control unit. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the domestic appliance (1) identifies the air condition sensor (8) in the region of the exhaust air outlet (5). Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the exhaust air flow state has at least two state areas, namely a first state area, in which the air state measured value has a measure which makes it possible to operate the domestic appliance (1) without or without substantial losses of power due to the exhaust air duct (10); and - Another state area in which the air condition measured value has a level that allows operation of the domestic appliance (1) only with significant by the exhaust air duct (10) caused performance degradation. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the exhaust air flow state has at least three state areas, wherein the further state area is subdivided into a second state area and a third state area, wherein in the third state area the air state measured value has a measure that an operation of the domestic appliance ( 1) only with greater power losses than in the second state range allows. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the domestic appliance (1) is a laundry drying apparatus and is operated without heating after activation of the exhaust duct test function. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (6) is adapted to output after a predetermined number of operations and / or after a predetermined period of time since activation of the Abluftkanaltestfunktion an exhaust air test request display. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (6) is adapted to output before a first activation of the exhaust air duct test function after connection of the domestic appliance (1) an exhaust air test request display. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air condition sensor has a pressure sensor (8). Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure sensor is a differential pressure sensor (8) for detecting a differential pressure between a pressure at the exhaust air outlet (5) and an atmospheric pressure. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air condition sensor comprises a volumetric flow sensor. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of, in particular annularly arranged, pressure feedthroughs. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the domestic appliance (1) has an exhaust air duct (10).

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