EP2341178B1 - Tumble dryer including a condensation water tank supplying a cleaning device of a heat exchanger and a steam generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dryer machine, of the dryer or washer-dryer type for domestic use, equipped with an internal condensation water reserve for cleaning with the condensation water of at least one exchanger heat of a drying air circuit and the supply of condensation water of a steam generator introducing steam into a drying air circuit.

In general, the present invention relates to the field of cleaning heat exchangers related to the fouling of these heat exchangers by laundry fibers transported in the drying air circuit during the implementation of a cycle. ventilation drying and steam generation for smoothing laundry items contained in a drum.

There are known machines for drying condensation laundry equipped with a steam generator. The condensing dryer has a tray that supplies the steam generator with water by means of a pump. The tank is filled with condensation water or demineralized by the user. During a laundry program, the steam produced by the steam generator is introduced into a drum to moisten the laundry.

FR-A-2914326 shows a similar state of the art.

However, these tumble dryers have the disadvantage of manually filling the water supply tray of the steam generator to smooth the pieces of laundry contained in the drum by the introduction of steam.

In addition, these clothes drying machines are expensive since the water supply of the steam generator is carried out by means of a pump.

On the other hand, these clothes-drying machines have the disadvantage of manually cleaning the condenser of the drying air circuit which is clogged with linen fibers during the drying cycles using air circulation through the drying circuit. drying air.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a machine for drying the laundry to limit the cleaning stress of at least one heat exchanger by the user, to avoid the water filling stress by the user of a tray supplying water to a steam generator and reduce the cost of obtaining the dryer.

In this regard, the present invention is directed to a laundry drying machine comprising a body enclosing a drum, said drum being rotated by a motor and traversed by drying air from a drying air circuit, said drying air circuit comprising at least one fan, and said drum being an integral part of said drying air circuit; said laundry machine comprising at least one heat exchanger positioned in said drying air circuit, said at least one minus one heat exchanger being provided with a condensation water tank; said laundry machine comprising a steam generator introducing steam into said drying air circuit; said dryer machine comprising an internal condensation water supply supplied with condensation water by said condensation water tank of said at least one heat exchanger.

According to the invention, said internal condensation water supply feeds in condensation water on the one hand a cleaning device of said at least one heat exchanger and on the other hand said steam generator introducing steam inside of said drying air circuit, and said cleaning device of said at least one heat exchanger is supplied with condensation water from said internal condensation water supply by means of a weir, and said steam generator is supplied with condensation water from a low point of said internal condensation water supply.

Thus, the machine dryer according to the invention can limit the cleaning stress of said at least one heat exchanger by the user, to avoid the water filling constraint by the user of the reserve of internal condensation water supplying water to the steam generator and the cleaning device of said at least one heat exchanger, and to reduce the cost of obtaining said machine.

On the one hand, the cleaning of said at least one heat exchanger is thus implemented by means of the flow of condensation water between the condensation water tank and the at least one heat exchanger through the reserve. internal condensation water and cleaning device.

In this way, the cleaning of said at least one heat exchanger can be implemented automatically by means of control of the dryer machine and without user intervention.

On the other hand, the steam generation is thus implemented by means of the flow of condensation water between the condensation water tank and the steam generator through the internal condensation water supply.

In this way, the generation of steam necessary for the steaming of the laundry items contained in the drum can be implemented automatically by means of control of the dryer machine and without user intervention to fill the reserve internal condensation water supplying the steam generator with condensation water.

Moreover, the supply of condensation water from the steam generator from the internal condensation water supply makes it possible to avoid scaling of the steam generator during the generation of steam to be introduced into the drying air circuit. .

Said at least one heat exchanger is automatically cleaned by the discharge of the condensation water from the internal condensation water supply to the cleaning device by means of the weir as soon as the level of condensation water inside the internal condensation water reserve exceeds a predetermined level.

And the steam generator is supplied with condensation water automatically and by gravity from a low point of the internal condensation water reserve as soon as the internal condensation water supply is filled with condensation water from the water tank condensing said at least one heat exchanger.

Practically, said internal condensation water supply is supplied with condensation water from said condensation water tank of said at least one heat exchanger by means of a condensation water drain pump.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, said condensation water drain pump circulates the condensation water from said condensation water tank of said at least one heat exchanger to said condensation water supply. internally to a removable condensate collection tank outside said body of said machine by means of a water distribution member.

Thus, the condensation water can be circulated from the condensation water tank of the at least one heat exchanger to the internal condensation water supply supplying the cleaning device of the at least one heat exchanger and the steam generator is to a detachable condensate collection tank according to the phases of a drying cycle of the laundry employed by the dryer, and / or the filling level of said laundry reservoir; internal condensation water and / or said removable condensate collection tank.

The condensation collection tank is removable outside the body of the dryer to drain at least a portion of the condensed water collected during one or more drying cycles of the dryer. laundry outside said machine.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une première vue schématique en coupe d'une machine à sécher le linge à condensation conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une deuxième vue schématique en coupe d'une machine à sécher le linge à condensation conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;

• la figure 3 est une vue schématique partielle de dessus d'une machine à sécher le linge à condensation conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, où un tambour ayant été ôté ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une machine à sécher le linge à condensation conforme à un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une machine à sécher le linge à pompe à chaleur conforme à un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples:

• the figure 1 is a first schematic sectional view of a condensation dryer according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a second diagrammatic sectional view of a condensation drying machine according to a first embodiment of embodiment of the invention;

• the figure 3 is a partial schematic view from above of a condensation dryer according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein a drum has been removed;
• the figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a condensation dryer according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
• the figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a heat pump laundry dryer according to a third embodiment of the invention.

We will first describe with reference to Figures 1 to 5 a drying machine 1.

The dryer may be a domestic clothes dryer or a domestic-type condensate or heat pump washer-dryer.

Of course, the present invention applies to all types of machine for drying clothes, including front loading and loading from above the laundry.

This dryer 1 comprises a body 2 comprising an access opening (not shown) inside the bodywork.

An access door (not shown) is adapted to close this opening of the body 2 of the machine 1, especially during operation thereof.

In this embodiment, and in no way limiting, the access door is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation integral with the body 2 of the machine 1.

The body 2 of the machine 1 is adapted to accommodate a drum 3 which is particularly suitable for drying laundry by a hot air circulation. The drum is rotatable about an axis during the different phases of the drying cycles of the machine.

It should be noted that Figures 1 to 5 are schematic and that many organs necessary for the operation of the machine have been omitted and do not need to be described in detail here.

In order to allow the introduction and removal of laundry within the rotating drum 3, it comprises in a known manner a door.

A control panel is also provided in the upper part of the machine 1.

Of course, the machine dryer according to the invention comprises all the equipment and means necessary for the implementation of a process conventional drying in such a rotary drum machine.

The dryer 1 comprises a drying air circuit 4. The drying air circuit 4 comprises at least one drying air inlet pipe 5 and a drying air outlet pipe 6 The air inlet duct 5 is connected to an air inlet of the drum 3 and the air outlet duct 6 to an air outlet of the drum 3. The drum 3 of the drying machine 1 is an integral part of the drying air circuit 4.

The drying machine 1 also comprises at least one fan 7 for driving a drying air flow F entering through the air inlet of the drum 3, then through said drum 3 containing the pieces of laundry and exiting through the air outlet of said drum 3.

The drying of the laundry contained in the drum 3 is effected by the flow of air F passing through said drum 3 while said drum 3 can be rotated to stir and lift the laundry.

The rotation drive of the drum 3 is performed by a motor 8.

This rotation drive drum 3 can be achieved by an electric motor and by means of a transmission belt.

The fan 7 is mounted in the drying air circuit 4 to suck air and force it to flow through the air inlet duct 5 and the air outlet duct 6 of said air duct. drying air 4.

In one embodiment, a heating element 9 is mounted in the air inlet duct 5 to heat the drying air to a predetermined temperature controllable by control means (not shown) of the machine. to dry the laundry 1.

The drying air is introduced into the drum 3 through at least one air inlet opening formed in the drum 3. The drum 3 contains the items of laundry to be dried and causes them to rotate during a drying cycle. The drying cycle removes moisture from the laundry items with moisture-laden drying air. The moisture-laden drying air is discharged through at least one air outlet opening of the drum 3 and then through the air outlet duct 6.

In one embodiment, the laundry dryer 1 comprises at least one fluff filter 10 located downstream of the at least one drying air outlet opening of the drum 3.

The drying air circuit 4 is in a closed loop and the air can be heated by at least one heating element 9. The heated air passes through the laundry contained in the drum 3 and the heated air is charged with moisture contained by the linen and stuffed linen. During this phase, the air can be cooled from a temperature of the order of 110 ° C. to temperature of the order of 70 ° C.

The dryer 1 comprises at least one heat exchanger 11 positioned in the drying air circuit 4.

Of course, the number of heat exchangers is not limiting and can be one or more.

In the case of clothes drying machines 1 with condensation as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 these include two air circuits. A first air circuit is commonly called hot air circuit 4 and a second air circuit called cold air circuit 20, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .

The hot air circuit 4 is in closed loop and the air heated by at least one heating element 9. The heated air passes through the laundry contained in the drum 3 and the heated air is charged with the moisture contained by the laundry.

The heated moist air can pass through a filter 10 placed at a discharge outlet of the drum 3 to recover lint contained in said heated and moist air. A fan 7 circulates the warm moist air inside a condenser 11. The hot and humid air is cooled in condenser tubes 11 and the air humidity is condensed. The condenser 11 is cooled by heat exchange with ambient air. Then, the air is again heated by the at least one heating element 9.

The dryer 1 can also be provided with a plate condenser instead of a tube condenser.

The cold air circuit 20 is in an open circuit where ambient air is sucked by a fan 32 at the back of the dryer 1. The fan 32 propels the ambient air into the condenser 11 on the dryer. outside the tubes of said condenser 11 to cool it. The ambient air heated in the condenser 11 is discharged into a room where the dryer 1 is located by one side of the body 2 of the dryer 1.

In the case of 1 heat pump clothes drying machines as illustrated in figure 5 these include a drying air circuit 4 and a refrigeration circuit 33.

The refrigeration circuit 33 comprises at least: a compressor 34, a condenser 35, an expansion element 36 and an evaporator 37.

The expansion element 36 of the refrigeration circuit 33 may be an expansion valve or an expansion capillary.

The drying air circuit 4 is in a closed loop and the air is heated by at least the condenser 35 of the refrigeration circuit 33 and optionally by a heating element 9. The heated air passes through the laundry contained in the drum 3 and the heated air takes care of the moisture contained in the laundry.

The heated moist air can pass through a filter 10 placed at a discharge outlet of the drum 3 to recover lint contained in said heated and moist air. A fan 7 circulates the hot and humid air first inside an evaporator 37 and then in a second time inside a condenser 35.

The hot moist air is cooled in evaporator tubes 37 so as to condense the moisture of the drying air and then reheated in condenser tubes 35. Then, the drying air can also be heated by said at least one heating element 9 located upstream of the drum 3 before crossing again the drum 3 containing the pieces of laundry.

The laundry dryer 1 may also be provided with a condenser 35 and / or a plate evaporator 37 in place of a condenser 35 and / or a tube evaporator 37.

Such circulation of a drying air flow F is established in the drying air circuit 4 by means of at least one fan 7.

Of course, the number of fans of the drying air circuit is not limiting and can be one or more.

The fan 7 is preferably located upstream of the condenser 35 of the refrigeration circuit 33 and downstream of the drum 3 of the dryer 1 in the direction of flow of the drying airflow F.

The refrigeration circuit 33 is also in a closed loop.

The refrigerant of the refrigeration circuit 33 passes from the refrigerant outlet of the pressurized compressor 34 to the refrigerant inlet of the condenser 35. The refrigerant outlet of the condenser 35 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator 37 through of the detent element 36.

The expansion element 36 acts as a separating element between the refrigerant pressure levels in the part of the refrigeration circuit 33 situated upstream of said expansion element 36 and in the part of the refrigeration circuit 33 situated downstream of said refrigeration element. relaxation 36.

The refrigerant outlet of the evaporator 37 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the compressor 34.

Said at least one heat exchanger 11 of the dryer 1, condensing or heat pump, is provided with a condensation water tank 12 and a cleaning device using water 13 .

The dryer 1 comprises a steam generator 15 introducing steam into the drying air circuit 4.

The dryer 1 comprises an internal condensation water reservoir 14 supplied with condensation water by the condensation water tank 12 of said at least one heat exchanger 11, and said reserve of internal condensation water 14 supplies condensation water on the one hand with the cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 and on the other hand with the steam generator Introducing steam into the drying air circuit 4.

Thus, the dryer 1 can limit the cleaning stress of said at least one heat exchanger 11 by the user, to avoid the water filling constraint by the user of the condensation water supply internal 14 supplying water to the steam generator 15 and the cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11, and to reduce the cost of obtaining said machine 1.

On the one hand, the cleaning of said at least one heat exchanger 11 is thus implemented by means of the circulation of condensation water between the condensation water tank 12 and the said at least one heat exchanger 11 through of the internal condensation water reserve 14 and the cleaning device 13.

In this way, the cleaning of said at least one heat exchanger 11 can be implemented automatically by control means (not shown) of the dryer 1 and without user intervention.

The cleaning steps of said at least one heat exchanger 11 by means of the condensation water and the condensation water discharge from the condensation water tank 12 are implemented according to the water level of the water. condensation in said condensation water tank 12.

During a laundry drying step, a condensate drain pump 19 is stopped so that the level of condensation water in the condensation water tank 12 increases to at least one level. water threshold for the operation thereof to clean said at least one heat exchanger 11.

When the level of condensation water in the condensation water tank 12 reaches at least the minimum threshold water level, the condensation water drain pump 19 is put into operation and a water distribution element 21 is placed in a cleaning position of said at least one heat exchanger 11 during a cleaning step of said at least one heat exchanger 11 by means of the condensation water.

In one embodiment, the condensation water discharge pump 19 is put into operation during the cleaning step of said at least one heat exchanger 11 by means of the condensation water for a predetermined period of time and then the condensation water is discharged to a removable condensate collection tank 20 by means of said condensation water drain pump 19 and the water distribution element 21 placed in a draining position of the condensation reservoir. 'water condensation 12.

In the case where the removable condensate collection tank 20 is filled with condensation water, an overflow device 22 is provided between the removable condensate collection tank 20 and the condensation water tank 20. 12 so as to avoid an overflow of said removable condensate collection tank 20, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

The overflow device 22 may comprise at least one condensation water return pipe 26 extending between the removable condensation water collection tank 20 and the condensation water tank 12.

In one embodiment, if a maximum threshold level N of condensation water is reached in the condensation water tank 12 following the evacuation of condensation water from said condensation water tank 12 to the reservoir detachable condensation water collection 20, the dryer 1 is stopped and control means of said machine 1, such as for example a control unit and a display unit, indicate that said collection tank removable condensate water is full.

In the case of a dryer 1 with a heat pump, the cleaning of the at least one heat exchanger 11 by the circulation of the condensation water is carried out by stopping the fan 7 of the air circuit drying 4 so as to avoid sending drops of water on the condenser 35 of the refrigeration circuit 33 causing a decrease in the energy performance of said machine 1.

In the case of a condensing dryer 1, the cleaning of said at least one heat exchanger 11 by the circulation of the condensation water is carried out either by reducing the air flow of the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 or by stopping said fan 7 so as to limit or prevent the sending of drops of water on the condenser 11 of the drying air circuit 4 causing a decrease in the energy performance of said machine 1.

The reduction of the air flow in the drying air circuit 4 can be obtained by reversing the direction of rotation of the fan 7 of said drying air circuit 4.

In one embodiment, the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 is a centrifugal fan comprising blades bent forwardly. This fan configuration provides a variable air flow depending on the direction of rotation of the drive motor of this fan. A normal air flow is produced in a direction of rotation, said positive direction of rotation, adapted to the fan and a reduced air flow is produced in an inverted direction of rotation, said negative direction of rotation.

The ratio of reduction of the air flow rate of the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 may be of the order of three between the positive direction of rotation and the negative direction of rotation of the drive motor of said fan 7.

Of course, the value of reducing the air flow of the fan of the drying air circuit between the positive direction of rotation and the negative direction of rotation of the drive motor of said fan is in no way limiting and may be different.

In the case of the condensing dryer 1, the fan 32 of the cold air circuit 20 may be a fan of the same type as the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 having a normal air flow rate. and a reduced air flow depending on the direction of rotation of the drive motor.

Thus, during a cleaning step of said at least one heat exchanger 11 by the circulation of the condensation water, the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 and the fan 32 of the air circuit cold 20 can operate with a reduced air flow so as to limit or prevent the sending of drops of water on the condenser 11 of the drying air circuit 4 causing a decrease in the energy performance of the machine to dry the linen 1.

In one embodiment, the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 and the fan 32 of the cold air circuit 20 are driven by the same motor 8.

Furthermore, in the case of a condensing dryer 1, the cleaning of the at least one heat exchanger 11 by the circulation of the condensation water can be carried out by stopping an electric heating element 9 of the drying air circuit 4 so as to avoid throwing water on the latter and cause an electrical malfunction of said machine 1.

On the other hand, the steam generation is thus implemented by means of the flow of condensation water between the condensation water tank 12 and the steam generator 15 through the internal condensation water reserve. 14.

In this way, the generation of steam required for the steaming of the laundry items contained in the drum 3 can be implemented automatically by means of control (not shown) of the dryer 1 and without the intervention of the machine. user to fill the internal condensation water supply 14 supplying the steam generator 15 with condensation water.

Furthermore, the supply of condensation water from the steam generator 15 from the internal condensation water supply 14 makes it possible to avoid scaling of said steam generator 15 during the generation of steam to be introduced into the heating circuit. drying air 4.

Here and in no way limiting, the control means of the dryer machine 1 for supplying the condenser water 13 of the said at least one heat exchanger 11 and to produce steam by the generator of Steam 15 may be in particular at least one microcontroller.

In one embodiment, the cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 may comprise at least one nozzle (not shown) directing a flow of condensation water A to said at least one heat exchanger 11. Said less a nozzle of the cleaning device 13 is supplied with water by the internal condensation water reserve 14 located upstream of said at least one nozzle.

The cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 may comprise one or more nozzles for increasing the pressure of the condensation water flow A so as to more easily disconnect the laundry fibers from said at least one heat exchanger 11.

In another embodiment, said at least one nozzle of the cleaning device 13 may be replaced by at least one slot in the cleaning device 13 directing a flow of condensation water A to said at least one heat exchanger 11 Said at least one slot of the cleaning device 13 is supplied with water by the internal condensation water reserve 14 located upstream of said at least one slot.

The cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 may comprise one or more nozzles or one or more slots so as to diffuse a flow of condensed water A on an inlet section of said at least one heat exchanger 11 in contact with the drying air flow F loaded with linen fibers.

In this way, the condensation water flow A entrains the laundry fibers deposited on the inlet section of said at least one heat exchanger 11 in the condensation water tank 12 so as to eliminate them from the heating circuit. drying air 4 and said at least one heat exchanger 11.

The condensation water used by the cleaning device 13 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 is returned to the condensation water tank 12 so as to create a circulation of condensation water in a loop.

The steam generated by the steam generator 15 is introduced into the drying air circuit 4, and in particular the steam can be introduced into the drum 3 or into the air inlet duct 5 of the drying air circuit. 4.

Advantageously, the dryer 1 is of the condensation type where the at least one heat exchanger 11 is a condenser or heat pump where the at least one heat exchanger 11 is an evaporator 37 and / or a condenser 35.

The dryer machine 1 being of the condensing or heat pump type comprises at least one heat exchanger 11 for condensing the moisture of the laundry, and wherein laundry fibers are retained at the inlet of said at least one heat exchanger 11 during the implementation of the step of drying the laundry by circulating air in the drying air circuit 4.

Said at least one heat exchanger 11 of a heat pump type dryer machine 1 may comprise sharp-edged fins where the laundry fibers are retained at the input thereof during the implementation of the drying step of the laundry by circulation of air in the drying air circuit 4.

Said at least one heat exchanger 11 of a condensation type dryer 1 may comprise a smooth surface where the laundry fibers are retained at the inlet thereof during the implementation of the step of laundry drying by circulating air in the drying air circuit 4.

The collection of the linen fibers at the inlet of the at least one heat exchanger 11 of a condensation type dryer 1 can be improved by arranging a gate at the input of the at least one heat exchanger 11.

The cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 is fed with condensation water from the internal condensation water reservoir 14 by means of a weir 16, and the steam generator 15 is supplied with water of condensation by gravity from a low point 17 of the internal condensation water supply 14.

Thus, said at least one heat exchanger 11 is cleaned automatically by the discharge of the condensation water from the internal condensation water supply 14 to the cleaning device 13 by means of the weir 16 as soon as the water level condensation within the internal condensation water reservoir 14 exceeds a predetermined level H.

And the steam generator 15 is supplied with condensation water automatically and by gravity from a low point 17 of the internal condensation water reserve 14 as soon as the internal condensation water reserve 14 is filled with condensation water from the condensation water tank 12 of said at least one heat exchanger 11.

The spillway 16 of the internal condensed water reserve 14 may be, for example, an opening through which the overflow of condensation water flows from the internal condensation water supply 14.

Preferably, the weir 16 supplying condensation water to the cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 is positioned at a maximum threshold level H of the internal condensation water reserve 14.

In this way, the positioning of the weir 16 at a maximum threshold level H of the internal condensation water reserve 14 makes it possible to use the maximum condensing water capacity of said internal condensation water reserve 14 so as to to implement steam generation phases by the steam generator 15 may be in maximum number and / or in maximum duration between two cycles of operation implemented by the dryer 1.

The low point 17 of the internal condensation water reservoir 14 is connected to a water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15 by means of a condensed water supply line 18.

The low point 17 of the internal condensation water reservoir 14 comprises a condensation water outlet opening and the water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15 comprises a condensation water inlet opening, where said two openings are connected by the water supply line 18.

The flow of condensation water B is effected from the low point 17 of the internal condensation water supply 14 to the water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15 by means of the water supply line condensation 18.

This flow of condensation water B for supplying the condensation water of the steam generator 15 is thus carried out by gravity and without having to use a pump.

Preferably, the condensed water supply line 18 connected on the one hand to the low point 17 of the internal condensed water reserve 14 and on the other hand to the water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15 has a U shape.

Advantageously, the water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15 connected to the low point 17 of the internal condensation water reserve 14 is situated below said low point 17 of said internal condensation water reserve 14, such that illustrated at figures 1 , 4 and 5 .

In this way, the positioning of the water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15 below the low point 17 of the internal condensation water reserve 14 makes it possible to guarantee the generation of steam in the said steam generator 15, although the level of condensation water in said internal condensation water supply 14 is low.

In one embodiment, a minimum threshold level of condensation water in the internal condensation water reserve 14 is detected by a regulation thermostat 29 of the steam generator 15. This regulation thermostat 29 is positioned in the upper part of the heating tube 15b and above a safety thermostat 30.

In this way, the regulation thermostat 29 makes it possible to detect a height of the water column situated below the water inlet 15a of the steam generator 15.

Practically, the internal condensation water supply 14 is supplied with condensation water from the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 by means of a condensation water discharge pump 19.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in figures 1 , 2 , 4 and 5 , the The condensate drain pump 19 is located in the lower part of the dryer 1 and inside the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11.

Thus, the condensation water drain pump 19 is located close to the at least one heat exchanger 11 generally located in the lower part of a dryer 1.

The condensation water discharge pump 19 circulates the condensed water from the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 either to the internal condensation water reservoir 14 or to a reservoir detachable condensation water collection system 20 outside the body 2 of the machine 1 by means of a water distribution element 21, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

Thus, the condensation water can be circulated from the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 to the internal condensation water supply 14 supplying the cleaning device 13 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 and the steam generator 15 to a removable condensation collection tank 20 according to the phases of a drying cycle of the laundry implemented by the dryer 1, and / or the filling level of said internal condensation water reservoir 14 and / or of said removable condensate collection tank 20.

The removable condensate collection tank 20 is not shown in FIGS. figures 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 to make it easier to read these figures.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in figures 1 , 2 , 4 and 5 , the condensation water discharge pump 19 is located inside the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 so as to circulate the condensation water either for the draining of the condensate. outside of the condensation water contained in said condensation water tank 12 either for filling the internal condensation water reserve 14 for supplying condensation water or the cleaning device 13 for said at least one exchanger heat 11 is the steam generator 15.

The condensation water drain pump 19 can be positioned in a first zone of the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 which is separated from a second zone of the condensation water tank 12 by via a siphon device 38.

Thus, the condensation water drain pump 19 can thus evacuate the condensation water from the first zone of the condensation water tank 12 either towards the internal condensation water reservoir 14 or towards the collection reservoir. removable condensate 20.

The second zone of the condensation water tank 12 may comprise the filtering device 27 and thus filter the condensation water coming from the at least one heat exchanger 11 during the suction of condensation water by the drain pump condensation water 19 from the second zone to the first zone of the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11.

The siphon device 38 is provided between a first zone of the condensation water reservoir 12 and a second zone of the condensation water reservoir 12 so as to create a seal with a water stopper to prevent evacuation. moist air outside said condensation water tank 12.

In one embodiment as illustrated in figures 4 and 5 the internal condensation water supply 14 comprises a sensing element 39 of laundry fibers that can be discharged by the condensation water discharge pump 19 so as to prevent these laundry fibers from entering the steam generator 15 .

The sensing element 39 of linen fibers can be for example a filter located at the water inlet of the internal condensation water supply 14 or at the low point of said reserve 14, or a wall internal of the internal condensation water reserve 14 formed downstream of the low point 17 of said reserve 14 in the direction of water flow of said reserve 14 to the steam generator 15.

The condensation collection tank 20 is removable outside the body 2 of the dryer 1 so as to drain at least a portion of the condensed water collected during one or more cycles. drying the laundry outside said machine 1.

The water distribution element 21 may be a multi-way valve, for example three in number.

Of course, the type of water distribution element is not limiting and may be different.

The condensation water discharge pump 19 makes it possible to circulate the condensation water from the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 to the water distribution element 21, such as 'illustrated by the arrows C.

• soit vers la réserve d'eau de condensation interne 14, tel qu'illustré par les flèches D, pour alimenter en eau de condensation :
  • o soit le dispositif de nettoyage 13 dudit au moins un échangeur de chaleur 11 dès que le niveau d'eau atteint le déversoir 16,
  • o soit le générateur de vapeur 15 en vue d'une phase de défroissage du linge par l'introduction de vapeur dans le circuit d'air de séchage 4;
• soit vers le réservoir de collecte d'eau de condensation amovible 20, tel qu'illustré par les flèches E, pour permettre de vidanger l'eau de condensation à l'extérieur de la machine à sécher le linge 1.

Then, the condensation water can be directed:

• either to the internal condensation water reserve 14, as illustrated by the arrows D, to supply condensation water:
  • o is the cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 as soon as the water level reaches the weir 16,
  • o is the steam generator 15 for a phase of unwinding the laundry by introducing steam into the drying air circuit 4;
• or to the removable condensate collection tank 20, as illustrated by the arrows E, to allow drainage of the condensation water outside the dryer 1.

The condensate drain pump 19 is connected to the water distribution element 21 by a water circulation pipe 23.

And the water distribution element 21 is connected on the one hand to the internal condensation water reserve 14 by a water circulation pipe 24 and on the other hand to the removable condensate collection tank. 20 by a water circulation pipe 25.

In one embodiment of the invention, the removable condensate collection tank 20 comprises an overflow device 22 opening into the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11, such as illustrated at figure 2 .

The overflow device 22 of the removable condensation water tank 20 comprises a condensation water return line 26 to the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11.

The overflow device 22 formed between the removable condensation collection tank 20 and the condensation water tank 12 allows the return of condensation water raised by the condensation water discharge pump 19 towards the condensation water tank 12 when the removable condensation collection tank 20 is not present, poorly positioned or full.

In one embodiment, if a maximum threshold level N of condensation water is reached in the condensation water tank 12 following the evacuation of condensation water from said condensation water tank 12 to the reservoir detachable condensation water collection 20, the dryer 1 is stopped and control means of said machine 1, such as for example a control unit and a display unit, indicate that said collection tank removable condensate water is full.

Preferably, a filtering device 27 is located upstream of the condensation water drain pump 19 and downstream of the at least one heat exchanger 11.

When the condensate drain pump 19 draws the condensation water from the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11, the condensation water passes through the filter device 27 so as to recover the linen fibers removed by the cleaning device 13 of said at least one heat exchanger 11.

The filtering device 27 is for example a filter that can be removed from the drying machine 1 to be cleaned by the user.

Preferably, the steam generator 15 comprises a vertical heating tube 15b having a steam outlet 15c located above a maximum threshold level H of condensation water in the internal condensation water reserve 14.

Thus, the position of the steam outlet 15c of the steam generator 15 above the maximum threshold level H of condensation water in the internal condensation water reserve 14 makes it possible to guarantee a level of condensation water in the tube vertical heater 15b of the steam generator sufficient for the production of steam.

Advantageously, the steam outlet 15c of the heating tube 15b of the steam generator 15 is connected to the drying air circuit 4 through a high point 28 formed between the said steam generator 15 and the said drying air circuit 4 .

Thus, the high point 28 formed between the steam generator 15 and the drying air circuit 4 makes it possible to prevent the passage of condensation water from the internal condensation water supply 14 to the air circuit of the drying 4 through the steam generator 15 and / or splashing of non-vaporized water from the steam generator 15 into the drying air circuit 4.

The high point 28 formed between said steam generator 15 and the drying air circuit can be realized by means of a steam supply pipe 31.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in figures 1 , 4 and 5 , the steam generator 15 comprises a control thermostat 29 placed in the upper part of the heating tube 15b and below a safety thermostat 30 so as to allow the detection of the internal water reserve of condensation 14 empty.

The control means of the clothes drying machine 1, such as for example a microcontroller, are adapted to detect the internal condensation water reserve 14 empty by means of the safety thermostat 30 placed on the vertical heating tube 15b of the generator Steam 15.

The detection of the internal condensation water reserve 14 empty can be obtained if the opening time of the safety thermostat 30 is greater than a predetermined duration L.

This predetermined duration L of detection of the internal condensation water reserve 14 empty can be for example of the order of one minute.

Of course, the predetermined duration of detection of the empty internal condensation water reserve is in no way limiting and may be different.

A method of controlling the operation of a laundry drying machine according to the invention will be described.

The operating control method of the laundry dryer 1 comprises, during a laundry drying cycle, a step of detecting a level maximum threshold N of condensation water reached in the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11.

The detection of the maximum threshold level N of condensation water reached in the condensation water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 can be achieved for example by means of a float sensor device. This float sensor device is adapted to communicate with the control means of the dryer 1, and for example a microcontroller.

Of course, the means for detecting the maximum threshold level of condensation water reached in the condensation water tank of the at least one heat exchanger is in no way limiting and may be different.

This detection of the maximum threshold level N of condensation water in the condensed water tank 12 of the at least one heat exchanger 11 may make it possible to start the operation of the condensation water discharge pump 19.

• soit remplir en eau de condensation la réserve d'eau de condensation interne 14 en dirigeant un flux d'eau de condensation C, D vers ladite réserve d'eau de condensation interne 14 au moyen de l'élément de distribution d'eau 21 ;
• soit remplir en eau de condensation le réservoir de collecte d'eau de condensation amovible 20 en dirigeant un flux d'eau de condensation C, E vers ledit réservoir d'eau de condensation amovible 20 au moyen de l'élément de distribution d'eau 21.

Thus, the condensation water discharge pump 19 can:

• filling the internal condensation water reservoir 14 with condensation water by directing a stream of condensation water C, D towards said internal condensation water reserve 14 by means of the water distribution element 21;
• the condensation water collecting tank 20 is filled with condensation water by directing a flow of condensation water C, E towards said removable condensation water tank 20 by means of the water distribution element 21.

• soit permettre de remplir uniquement cette dernière si le niveau d'eau de condensation à l'intérieur de ladite réserve 14 est inférieure au niveau prédéterminé de positionnement du déversoir 16 ;
• soit permettre de nettoyer ledit au moins un échangeur de chaleur 11 par le déversement d'eau de condensation sur ledit au moins un échangeur de chaleur 11 au moyen du déversoir 16 et du dispositif de nettoyage 13 si le niveau d'eau de condensation à l'intérieur de la réserve d'eau de condensation interne 14 est supérieur ou égal au niveau prédéterminé de positionnement du déversoir 16.

The condensation water filling of the condensation water reservoir 14 by the condensation water discharge pump 19 can:

• either to fill only the latter if the level of condensation water inside said reserve 14 is lower than the predetermined level of positioning of the weir 16;
• or allow said at least one heat exchanger 11 to be cleaned by the discharge of condensation water on said at least one heat exchanger 11 by means of the weir 16 and the cleaning device 13 if the level of condensation water at the The interior of the internal condensation water reservoir 14 is greater than or equal to the predetermined level of positioning of the weir 16.

In another embodiment, the condensation water drain pump 19 can be put into operation before detecting the maximum threshold level N of condensation water in the condensation water tank 12 if a water level of condensation in said tank 12 is sufficient for the operation of the pump of drainage of condensation water 19 and detected by means of detecting a water level.

The detection of a water level level sufficient to operate the condensation water discharge pump 19 can be implemented by the same means of detecting a water level as for the level detection. maximum threshold N of condensation water.

In one embodiment, the condensation water filling of the removable condensate collection tank 20 by the condensate drain pump 19 can be carried out for a predetermined duration T.

This predetermined condensation water filling time T of the removable condensation water tank 20 can be controlled by control means of the dryer 1, such as for example a microcontroller.

The predetermined condensation water filling time T of the removable condensation water tank 20 may be of the order of one minute.

Of course, the predetermined duration of condensation water filling of the removable condensate water tank is in no way limiting and may be different.

In one embodiment, if the maximum threshold level N of condensation water in the condensation water tank 12 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 is detected again following a condensation water filling step of the reservoir detachable condensation water 20 by the condensation water discharge pump 19 whose duration S between said condensation water filling stage of the removable condensate collection tank 20 and said new stage of level detection maximum threshold N of condensation water reached in the condensation water tank 12 of said at least one heat exchanger 11 is less than a predetermined value, then the dryer 1 is stopped.

Thus, the control means of the dryer 1 detect that the removable condensation collection tank 20 is full and can indicate this state to the user to empty the removable condensate water tank 20.

The operating control method of the laundry drying machine 1 comprises, during a steam stripping cycle with the use of steam, a step of circulating drying air in the drying air circuit. 4, which can be at reduced airflow, simultaneously with a step of supplying electrical energy to the steam generator 15.

In one embodiment, during a steam stripping cycle using steam, the air flow rate in the drying air circuit 4 is reduced relative to the air flow rate in the air circuit of the dryer. drying 4 of a conventional laundry drying cycle.

The reduction of the air flow in the drying air circuit 4 can be obtained by reversing the direction of rotation of the fan 7 of said drying air circuit 4, as previously described.

In the case where the dryer 1 is of the condensing type, the fan 32 of the cold air circuit 20 may be a fan of the same type as the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 having a flow rate of normal air and a reduced air flow depending on the direction of rotation of the drive motor.

Thus, during a steam introduction phase in the drying air circuit 4, the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 and the fan 32 of the cold air circuit 20 can operate with a flow rate of reduced air so as to avoid condensing the steam introduced into the drying air circuit 4 at the condenser 11.

In one embodiment, the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 and the fan 32 of the cold air circuit 20 are driven by the same motor 8.

Of course, the reduction of the air flow rate in the drying air circuit 4 by reversing the direction of rotation of the fan 7 of said drying air circuit 4 may be implemented in a dryer 1 of the dryer. condensing type or heat pump type.

In one embodiment, the reduction of the air flow rate in the drying air circuit 4 may be implemented by reversing the direction of rotation of the fan 7 of said drying air circuit 4 during a majority period of time. a laundry cycle with the use of steam.

In this way, the reduction of the air flow rate in the drying air circuit 4 during a steam stripping cycle with the use of steam also makes it possible to limit the noise level of the dryer 1.

During the step of circulating drying air in the drying air circuit 4, the production of steam generated by the steam generator 15 is introduced into the drying air circuit 4 so that moisten the pieces of laundry contained in the drum 3 and remove the folds of these items of laundry.

During the implementation of a steam-freeing cycle with the use of steam, the steam generator 15 is supplied with condensation water coming from the internal condensation water reservoir 14 filled with condensation water during at least one drying cycle of the preceding laundry.

Preferably, a laundry cycle using the steam used by the dryer 1 is carried out by a succession of one or more stages of drying the laundry by circulating air in the air circuit. drying 4 and one or more steam introduction phases in the drying air circuit 4.

• où le tambour 3 contenant des pièces de linge est entraîné en rotation ;
• où le ventilateur 7 du circuit d'air de séchage 4 est mis en fonctionnement soit avec un débit d'air normal soit avec un débit d'air réduit en fonction du sens de rotation de son moteur d'entraînement ;
• où l'air de séchage est chauffé par l'élément chauffant 9 et/ou par le condenseur 35 du circuit de réfrigération 33.

The drying stage (s) of the laundry by air circulation in the drying air circuit 4 can be implemented according to a program of operation by the control means of the dryer 1:

• wherein the drum 3 containing pieces of laundry is rotated;
• wherein the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 is operated with either a normal air flow rate or with a reduced air flow rate depending on the direction of rotation of its drive motor;
• where the drying air is heated by the heating element 9 and / or by the condenser 35 of the refrigeration circuit 33.

• où le tambour 3 contenant des pièces de linge est entraîné en rotation ;
• où le ventilateur 7 du circuit d'air de séchage 4 est mis en fonctionnement avec un débit d'air réduit ;
• où le générateur de vapeur 15 produit de la vapeur, la vapeur étant introduite dans le circuit d'air de séchage 4.

The one or more vapor introduction phases in the drying air circuit 4 can be implemented according to an operating program by the control means of the dryer 1:

• wherein the drum 3 containing pieces of laundry is rotated;
• where the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4 is operated with a reduced air flow rate;
• where the steam generator 15 produces steam, the steam being introduced into the drying air circuit 4.

The dryer 1 comprises control means consisting of at least one electronic card (not shown). This electronic card comprises a control unit able to put into operation the dryer machine according to the invention. Thus, the control unit controls in particular the motor 8 for rotating the drum 3, the fan 7 of the drying air circuit 4, the steam generator 15, the condensation water discharge pump 19 of the so as to clean at least one heat exchanger 11 and to supply condensation water to said steam generator 15, as previously described.

Thanks to the present invention, the stress of regular cleaning of the at least one heat exchanger by the user is avoided. The water filling constraint by the user of the internal condensation water supply supplying water to the steam generator and the cleaning device of said at least one heat exchanger is avoided. And the cost of obtaining the dryer is reduced by using a single supply of internal condensation water supply on the one hand the cleaning device of the at least one heat exchanger removing the accumulated linen fibers during the drying cycles of the laundry and secondly the steam generator de-waxing the clothes during steaming cycles using steam.

The present invention also makes it possible to maintain the performance of the machine to dry the laundry during its operation by preventing the fouling of said at least one heat exchanger

Of course, many modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, the dryer may be a dryer or a washer-dryer of the condensing type or heat pump.

Claims (11)

1. A laundry drying machine (1) comprising a body (2) enclosing a drum (3), said drum (3) being rotationally driven by a motor (8) and traversed by the drying air coming from a drying air circuit (4), said drying air circuit (4) comprising at least one fan (7), and said drum (3) forming an integral part of said drying air circuit (4);
   said laundry drying machine (1) comprising at least one heat exchanger (11) positioned within said drying air circuit (4), said at least one heat exchanger (11) being equipped with a condensation water tank (12);
   said laundry drying machine (1) comprising a steam generator (15) that introduces steam into said drying air circuit (4);
   said laundry drying machine (1) comprising an internal condensation water reserve (14) supplied with condensation water by said condensation water tank (12) of said at least one heat exchanger (11),
   characterized in that said internal condensation water reserve (14) supplies condensation water both to a cleaning apparatus (13) of said at least one heat exchanger (11) and to said steam generator (15) introducing steam into said drying air circuit (4), and in that said cleaning apparatus (13) of said at least one heat exchanger (11) is supplied with condensation water from said internal condensation water reserve (14) by means of a spill-over (16), and in that said steam generator (15) is supplied with condensation water by gravity from a low point (17) of said internal condensation water reserve (14).
2. A laundry drying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said spill-over (16) that supplies condensation water to said cleaning apparatus (13) of said at least one heat exchanger (11) is positioned at a maximum threshold level (H) of said internal condensation water reserve (14).
3. A laundry drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said low point (17) of said internal condensation water reserve (14) is connected to a water inlet (15a) of said steam generator (15) by means of a condensation water supply conduit (18).
4. A laundry drying machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said water inlet (15a) of said steam generator (15) connected to said low point (17) of said internal condensation water reserve (14) is located below said low point (17) of said internal condensation water reserve (14).
5. A laundry drying machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said internal condensation water reserve (14) is supplied with condensation water from said condensation water tank (12) of said at least one heat exchanger (11) by means of a condensation water drainage pump (19).
6. A laundry drying machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said condensation water drainage pump (19) causes the condensation water to circulate from said condensation water tank (12) of said at least one heat exchanger (11) either towards said internal condensation water reserve (14) or towards a removable condensation water collection tank (20) outside of said body (2) of said machine (1) by means of a water distribution element (21).
7. A laundry drying machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said removable condensation water collection tank (20) comprises an overflow apparatus (22) emptying out into said condensation water tank (12) of said at least one heat exchanger (11).
8. A laundry drying machine according to any one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a filtering apparatus (27) is located upstream of said condensation water drainage pump (19) and downstream of said at least one heat exchanger (11).
9. A laundry drying machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said steam generator (15) comprises a vertical heating tube (15b) with a steam outlet (15c) located above a maximum threshold level (H) of condensation water within said internal condensation water reserve (14).
10. A laundry drying machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said steam outlet (15c) of said heating tube (15b) of said steam generator (15) is connected to said drying air circuit (4) by means of a high point (28) formed between said steam generator (15) and said drying air circuit (4).
11. A laundry drying machine according to claim 10, characterized in that said high point (28) formed between said steam generator (15) and said drying air circuit (4) is produced by means of a steam supply conduit (31).

Images