EP2390404B1 - Appareil de traitement du linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur - Google Patents

Appareil de traitement du linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2390404B1
EP2390404B1 EP10163744.5A EP10163744A EP2390404B1 EP 2390404 B1 EP2390404 B1 EP 2390404B1 EP 10163744 A EP10163744 A EP 10163744A EP 2390404 B1 EP2390404 B1 EP 2390404B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
steam
storing compartment
heat pump
pump system
air circulation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP10163744.5A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2390404A1 (fr
Inventor
Igor Colin
Paolo Olivaro
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Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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Application filed by Electrolux Home Products Corp NV filed Critical Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Priority to EP10163744.5A priority Critical patent/EP2390404B1/fr
Priority to US13/114,891 priority patent/US20110289695A1/en
Priority to CN201110192357.0A priority patent/CN102277714B/zh
Publication of EP2390404A1 publication Critical patent/EP2390404A1/fr
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Publication of EP2390404B1 publication Critical patent/EP2390404B1/fr
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/40—Steam generating arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity
    • D06F58/40—Control of the initial heating of the drying chamber to its operating temperature
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/04—Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/08—Humidity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/16—Washing liquid temperature
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/18—Washing liquid level
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/28—Air properties
    • D06F2103/32—Temperature
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/28—Air properties
    • D06F2103/34—Humidity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/50—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to heat pumps, e.g. pressure or flow rate
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/26—Heat pumps
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/30—Blowers
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/203—Laundry conditioning arrangements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus having a heat pump system, and a method for operating the same.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus may be a dryer or a washing machine having drying function.
  • EP 1 650 343 A1 suggests a dryer with a heat pump system in which the air in the air circulation path can be heated by an electric heater.
  • the electric heater is used before starting the heat pump system to warm up the evaporator and to provide heat for drying the laundry.
  • An auxiliary evaporator arranged in a water storage tank is suggested in EP 1 983 094 A1 .
  • the dryer having a heat pump system of WO 2007/023510 A1 there is an external condenser for removing process heat out of the air circulation path on the one hand and on the other hand there is a heating element for additionally and permanently heating the air.
  • the heating element is operated by electric power or by steam.
  • DE 10 2006 003 552 A1 discloses a method for drying wet washing using steam from the thermal drying process to return the heat to the washing by means of a steam generation circuit and heat pump.
  • EP 1 961 857 A1 discloses a home laundry dryer having a water tank provided with heating means for producing steam.
  • heating means are defined by a pipe portion of a heat pump system. According to such arrangement, steam may only be produced when coolant temperature in said pipe portion is over 100 °C, i.e. only after the heat pump system has reached its stationary working conditions, which normally happens after 30-40 minutes from the begin of heat pump system activation.
  • a laundry treatment apparatus is operated having a storing compartment for storing laundry therein.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus has at least one operation mode in which the laundry can be dried using a heat pump system.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus is a dryer that has a rotatable drum or is a washing machine having drying function in which the laundry is stored in a rotatable drum arranged in a tub.
  • Laundry treatment can, however, also be performed in another type of apparatus, for example a cabinet for dry cleaning of laundry.
  • the heat pump system has an evaporator and a condenser, wherein the terms evaporator and condenser are used here in relation to the heat pump system.
  • the evaporator in the laundry treatment apparatus is used normally as condenser with respect to the air circulation path such that in normal operation of the evaporator the humidity circulated with the air is condensed at the evaporator.
  • the condenser the coolant liquid is condensed by depositing heat in the condenser and thereby to heat exchange the heat and deposit the heat in the air circulated on the outside surfaces of the condenser.
  • the evaporator and the condenser are arranged in the air circulation channel which has at least a first and a second end each of which is fluidly and/or mechanically connected to the storing compartment.
  • the heat pump system is used to dry the laundry wherein - as in the prior art - humidity is circulated in the air circulation path, the humidity condenses at the evaporator while cooling the air, then the air is heated up for drying at the condenser, and the heated air takes up humidity from the laundry.
  • the air circulation is powered by at least one blower that blows the air through the air circulation channel and the storing compartment.
  • at least the fan of the blower is arranged within the air circulation channel.
  • the compressor of the heat pump system may be arranged within or partially within the air circulation channel or outside of the air circulation channel, preferably in an inner space of the laundry treatment apparatus.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus has a steam generator which is arranged within the body of the laundry treatment apparatus.
  • the steam generator is nowadays a common element of a laundry treatment apparatus that provides laundry processing by using steam supplied to the laundry.
  • the method of operating the textile treatment apparatus comprises at least one steam treatment mode or cycle for steam treatment of the laundry stored in the storing compartment.
  • the steam generator is adapted to supply steam into the air circulation channel and/or into the storing compartment for laundry treatment.
  • the steam supplied by the steam generator is allowed to contact the laundry stored in the storing compartment for steam treatment.
  • the steam generator is generating and supplying steam into the air circulation channel and/or the storing compartment while at the same time the heat pump system is operated. At least in the initial phase or during an initial phase after starting the operation of the compressor of the heat pump system steam is supplied by the steam generator.
  • the purpose or main purpose of the supplied steam is to heat up the evaporator to come to working temperature.
  • the steam is hot steam (at the origin of supply preferably the steam temperature is higher than 70°C, 80°C, 90°C or 95°C) and/or preferably the steam is pure water steam.
  • the steam is essentially water steam (more than 60%, 70% or 80% of volume) to which additives are added.
  • Additives could be a disinfectant agent, a bleaching agent, deodorizing agent, an impregnant agent, a softener agent or others.
  • the steam is generated by the steam generator and supplied to the air circulation channel and/or the storing compartment for a predefined period since or after starting the operation of the heat pump system and then after the predefined period the steam generation and supply is stopped.
  • steam is generated during an initial operation of the heat pump system, for example the steam generation by the steam generator is started when starting the operation of the heat pump system. Steam generation and supply of steam is continued until it is stopped in dependency of one or more predefined parameters.
  • the duration of steam generation by the steam generator is for example dependent on one or more parameters indicating or being a measure that the heat pump system has arrived at a predefined operation efficiency.
  • a predefined parameter or one of the predefined parameter(s) is (are) the temperature and/or the pressure of the working fluid circulating in the heat pump system or the temperature of one of the elements of the heat pump system, in particular the temperature of the compressor, the evaporator or the condenser.
  • Parameters which are monitored and used to decide whether steam generation can be stopped and/or whether the predefined working efficiency of the heat pump system is effected, are for example the temperature of the working fluid in the heat pump system or a temperature difference of a working fluid measured at different locations in the heat pump system, for example at the inlet/outlet of the evaporator.
  • the temperature difference is taken from the temperature of the condenser and the temperature of the evaporator, which for example are measured with a temperature sensor in contact with the evaporator and condenser.
  • the temperature can also be measured at a fluid conduit coming or going to these elements.
  • a predefined or sufficient working efficiency has for example been reached when the temperature difference between condenser and evaporator is more than or equal to 5°C, 10 °C, 15°C or 20°C.
  • one or more of the parameters are the pressure and/or temperature of the working fluid in the evaporator (for example measured at the inlet/outlet thereof), the condenser and/or the compressor.
  • the pressure within the evaporator is measured which indicates the pressure of the working fluid (or cooling fluid), wherein a sufficient pressure limit has to be achieved before the compressor and thus the heat pump system can operate efficiently.
  • the power consumption of the heat pump system is a parameter indicating when an efficient working condition of the heat pump system is achieved.
  • one or more of the parameters is the temperature at a specific location in the air circulation channel and/or a temperature difference between two different locations in the air circulation channel, for example inlet/outlet of the drum. Then these parameters can be monitored as a parameter for determining when the steam generation is to be stopped.
  • one or more of the parameters is the humidity of the circulated air, which can be detected at the air inlet or air outlet of one of the following elements: the evaporator, the condenser, the air circulation channel and the storing compartment.
  • the dependency of the one or more parameters may be a temporal behaviour of the one or more parameters wherein a temporal gradient or change is used to determine the time for stopping the steam generator.
  • a temporal gradient or change is used to determine the time for stopping the steam generator.
  • local changes or gradients can be determined on which the decision to stop steam generation is based.
  • the steam generated by the steam generator is first supplied into the storing compartment, i.e. the steam is not supplied to the storing compartment via the air circulation channel, but it is directly supplied from the generator into the laundry storing compartment.
  • the steam generator is a steam generator within the body of the laundry treatment apparatus, but is arranged external to the storing compartment and the air circulation channel. Then a duct or connection provides steam from the steam generator into the storing compartment which is for example a drum of a washing machine or a dryer.
  • the steam generator is arranged within a tub in which the storing compartment is arranged, preferably a rotatable drum.
  • the steam generator is the electrical heater element of the washing machine arranged in the sump of the tub and the steam generator heats water in the sump to generate the steam.
  • a small amount of water is provided in the sump such that the water level is below the storing compartment (rotatable drum) and not in contact with the laundry stored in the storing compartment.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus provides that the amount and/or time and/or temperature of steam supplied by the steam generator depends on a user selection input at a control unit of the laundry treatment apparatus. If for example delicate laundry, which is not convenient for steam treatment, is stored in the storing compartment, the user can suppress steam generation during operation of the heat pump system to avoid damage to the laundry. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature of the steam is reduced by a corresponding user selection when the laundry is sensitive to hot steam.
  • the user selection may be a dedicated selection for reducing steam supply to the laundry or it may be an indirect selection by selecting the type of laundry and/or type of laundry treatment preceding the drying cycle.
  • the amount of steam to be supplied from the steam generator may for example depend on the amount of laundry stored in the storing compartment and/or its humidity.
  • the stored amount of laundry is high and the laundry has a high humidity, then a higher amount of steam is required for bringing up the working temperature of the evaporator.
  • the temperature of the laundry in the compartment has to be increased at the same time with the evaporator's temperature.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus comprises a steam generator arranged within the body of the laundry treatment apparatus and is designed to supply steam into the storing compartment and/or to the air circulation channel.
  • the steam generator is in fluid connection with the interior of the storing compartment and/or air circulation channel such that the steam generated by the steam generator is available for laundry processing or treatment.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus has embodiments and configurations as described above in connection with the method. All features mentioned above are applicable individually or in any combination as will be readily understood by the skilled person to be a meaningful contribution.
  • the embodiments and their features described below in connection with the laundry treatment apparatus are also applicable individually or in any combination to the laundry treatment apparatus that is operated in the method.
  • the control unit of the laundry treatment apparatus is adapted to operate the heat pump system and the steam generator at the same time at least for one or a plurality of overlapping periods, during the initial phase of the operation of the heat pump system such that the evaporator is heated in the start-up phase of the heat pump system. Thereby the working temperature of the evaporator and the coolant liquid therein is increased to increase the evaporation of the coolant liquid within the evaporator. This increases the efficiency of the compressor by providing coolant liquid vapour to be compressed.
  • the steam generator is arranged within the storing compartment, in particular within a tub surrounding the storing compartment, or is arranged in the air circulation channel. In this configuration no steam supply line is required to convey the steam generated by the steam generator into the storing compartment and/or the air circulation channel.
  • the steam generator is arranged within the body of the laundry treatment apparatus, but outside the storing compartment and the air circulation channel and a steam supply line and/or an opening between steam generator and the storing compartment and/or the air circulation channel is provided.
  • the steam generator of the laundry treatment apparatus is provided for laundry processing or treatment in respective laundry treatment apparatus operation modes or cycles.
  • the steam generator does not represent an additional element of the laundry treatment apparatus solely for shortening the start-up phase of the heat pump system having the compressor, condenser and evaporator.
  • Laundry treatment processes or cycles in which steam is used for laundry treatment are for example, but not limited to: providing steam to the laundry for anti-wrinkle purposes, providing steam to the wash liquid for heating up the washing liquid, providing steam for sterilisation, and providing steam for dry cleaning.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus has a storing compartment, in particular a rotatable drum, that is enclosed by a tub or container and a sump arranged in the tub below the storing compartment (e.g. rotatable drum).
  • a heating element arranged in or at the sump is configured to heat up water contained in the sump to generate steam and to supply it to the storing compartment.
  • the storing compartment has a plurality of openings connecting its interior and the outer volume within the tub, so that the steam can permeate into the storing compartment for laundry processing.
  • the blower has an operation mode with reduced or zero air conveying power.
  • an operation mode in which the blower is de-energized or stopped or in which the power provided to the blower is reduced.
  • the control unit of the treatment apparatus is adapted to control the steam generator to generate and supply steam while the blower is de-energized or operating with a reduced air amount conveying power at least partially during the initial phase of operating the heat pump system.
  • the hot steam is first provided to the evaporator to heat up the evaporator and the reduced air circulation speed causes that the heat exchange time (dwell time) between steam and evaporator is extended.
  • the steam can diffuse to the evaporator and deposit the heat energy there.
  • the hot steam will ascend and collect at the evaporator to heat it up.
  • This chimney effect is improved when the laundry treatment apparatus is configured such that the evaporator is arranged above an inlet area or steam generation area for supplying the steam into the storing compartment and/or air circulation channel.
  • the compressor is arranged in the air circulation channel, preferably downstream the evaporator.
  • the terms 'downstream' and 'upstream' as well as 'forward air flow' and 'backward air flow' relate to the normal operation mode of the heat pump system and blower.
  • the laundry treatment apparatus operates as a condenser dryer in which the humidity-laden air from the storing compartment is sucked into the air circulation channel at the first end of the channel by the operation of the blower and first contacts the evaporator in the air channel for condensing water there.
  • Downstream the evaporator the condenser is arranged to heat up the air that has a reduced humidity after passing the evaporator. The condenser heats up the air before flowing the warm air into the storing compartment through the second end of the air circulation channel.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine 2 showing some of the elements relating to the heat pump system 10 used for the drying cycle.
  • the invention can also be implemented in a condenser-type dryer having a heat pump system similar to the one shown with respect to Fig. 3 .
  • the heat pump system 10 of the washing machine 2 shown in Fig. 1 has a compressor 12, an evaporator 14 and a condenser 16. Compressor 12, evaporator 14 and condenser 16 are connected via coolant liquid or coolant vapour guiding pipes as schematically shown by the respective lines. An expansion valve 18 or capillary is assigned to the evaporator 14. The terms evaporator and condenser are used here in relation to the closed heat pump system 10 and the processes which the coolant liquid undergoes.
  • the heat pump system 10, its pipes and electrical wiring, a tub 6 enclosing a rotatable drum (7 as shown in Fig. 3 ), a heater 8 and an air circulation channel 20 are all arranged within the case or body 4 of the washing machine 2.
  • the heater 8 is arranged at the bottom of the tub 6 in a sump.
  • the heater 8 is used during washing cycles for heating the washing liquid.
  • heater 8 is used to generate steam 9 for steam treatment of the laundry stored in the drum 7 of the washing machine.
  • Laundry steam treatment processes are for example refreshment processes, anti-wrinkle processes, washing process, sterilisation, deodorisation and so on.
  • the steam which is indicated by the arrows 9 distributes around the drum 7 within the tub 6 and penetrates through openings provided in the periphery or sidewalls of the drum 7.
  • the evaporator 14 and the condenser 16 are arranged at least partially within air circulation channel 20 which has a first end connected to an inlet 22 of the tub 6 and a second end connected to an outlet 24 of the tub 6.
  • the air circulation channel 20 and the tub 6 form a closed channel system for circulating the air, for example during steam laundry treatment cycles and drying cycles of the washing machine.
  • At least the fan of a blower 26 is arranged within the air circulation channel 20 that forcibly circulates the air within the channel system, i.e. the air is blown from the air circulation channel 20 through inlet 22, through the tub 6 and out of the tub 6 through the outlet 24 back into the air circulation channel 20 at the second end thereof.
  • a fan 28 is assigned to the compressor 12 for cooling the compressor which is arranged outside of the air circulation channel system.
  • the compressor 12 may be partially or completely arranged within the air channel 20, preferably in a channel section between the evaporator 14 and the compressor 12.
  • Inlet 22 and/or outlet 24 can be connected to the wall of tub 6 or can be directly connected to the interior of drum 7, for example can be connected to a front or rear sidewall of the drum 7.
  • the blower 26 circulates the air through the channel 20 and tub/drum 6/7.
  • the circulated air is cooled at the evaporator 14 so that the humidity-laden air condenses water at the surfaces of the evaporator 14.
  • the condensed water is collected and guided to a tank (not shown) where it can be removed by the user from time to time.
  • Downstream the evaporator 14 the circulated air passes over the surfaces of the condenser 16 where it is heated by the heat of the condenser 16.
  • the heated air with reduced humidity is blown into the tub/drum through inlet 22 where it then passes over the laundry in drum 7.
  • the drum 7 is rotated so that during the drying cycle the laundry is agitated in tumbling mode.
  • the heated air takes humidity from the laundry and carries it out of the drum/tub through outlet 24 towards the evaporator 14 arranged within the air circulation channel 20.
  • the heat pump system 10 when starting the heat pump system 10 under the control of a control unit of the washing machine 2 and when the evaporator 14 and compressor 12 have nearly the same temperature after an extended duration of non-operation of the heat pump system, the heat pump system 10 has an extended initial phase in which the operation efficiency is low. Mainly, the efficiency is low as there is no or little coolant liquid vapour within the evaporator 14 which has a low starting temperature.
  • the control unit controls heater 8 to heat water stored in the sump of tub 6 to generate steam.
  • the steam 9 generated in the tub 6 also distributes into the drum 7 and can be sucked in through outlet 24 to the air circulation channel 20 to be flown over evaporator 14.
  • the hot steam 9 generated in the tub 6 provides additional heat to heat up evaporator 14.
  • An increase in the coolant liquid vapour pressure within the evaporator 14 is achieved much faster than without additional heat from the steam 9. Consequently the duration of the initial phase is shorter than without producing steam.
  • Fig. 2A schematically shows a drying cycle starting at time T1.
  • the heat pump system undergoes a 'cold start', e.g. when condenser 16 and evaporator 14 have the same initial temperature.
  • a critical level EC of efficient operation of the heat pump system is achieved at time T3.
  • the dashed line E* indicates the temporal development of the heat pump efficiency when conventionally using the heat pump system 10 without steam generation.
  • the solid line E shows the time behaviour of the efficiency of the heat pump system when additionally generating steam by operating the heater 8 (or by supplying steam from steam generator 30 as shown in Fig. 3 ).
  • the steam generator using heater 8 or steam generator 30 is started at time T1, wherein S indicates the amount of steam provided by the steam generator (or the steam flow rate provided by the steam generator).
  • the full steam amount generation rate is gradually achieved after starting the heater 8 as the little amount of water provided into the sump of the tub 6 has to be heated up before the full steam generation rate is achieved.
  • the heater 8 (or generator 30) is switched off or is operated with reduced power so that the amount of steam generated gradually decreases.
  • the steam amount S generated approaches zero.
  • the critical efficiency level EC is reached (i.e. well away from T3) - much faster than when operating heat pump system 10 without steam generation.
  • the power supplied to heater 8 is switched off or reduced when a temperature/pressure detected at the evaporator 14 reaches a predefined level which corresponds to a reference efficiency level Eref of the heat pump system 10.
  • a temperature/pressure detected at the evaporator 14 reaches a predefined level which corresponds to a reference efficiency level Eref of the heat pump system 10.
  • the relation Eref/T1' and EC/T2 is known from empirical data of the respective washing machine 2 such that Eref or the temperature associated therewith is the trigger for energy stop or reduction at the steam generator 8/30.
  • Fig. 2A shows overlapping of steam supply and heat pump system operation in the initial phase of the heat pump system 10/10'.
  • Fig. 2B shows an example of the temporal behaviour and control when the drying cycle succeeds a steam treatment cycle.
  • steam is supplied into the laundry storing compartment 6 for steam processing the laundry.
  • Fig. 2B shows that the steam flow rate S is continuous and steam supply is switched off towards the end of the steam treatment cycle before time T7 such that steam flow rate S reduces to zero at T7.
  • the steam supply is discontinuous, e.g. that the steam flow rate S is temporally increased and decreased or the steam is supplied periodically or intermittently.
  • the steam treatment cycle is started at time T5, i.e. prior to time T6 as shown.
  • the steam treatment starts at time T6 or after T6 such that the steam treatment cycle fully overlaps with the initial phase (time period T6 to T7) of the heat pump system after starting the heat pump system 10 at time T6.
  • the energy of the steam that is supplied for laundry steam processing is used at the same time for heating up the evaporator 14.
  • the time duration required for the drying cycle is reduced by the supply of steam energy, but additionally the time duration is reduced in that the initial phase or start up phase of the heat pump system is overlapping the steam treatment cycle. In effect, energy and time are saved by at least partially overlapping heat pump operation period and steam treatment cycle.
  • Fig. 2A and 2B are fully applicable for the washing machine 2' of Fig. 3 or a dryer having a heat pump system.
  • Fig. 3 shows a simplified illustration of a washing machine 2'. Elements with the same function as in Fig. 1 are assigned the same numerals expanded by an apostrophe '. Differences are explained in the following. From Fig. 3 it is easy to understand that the invention can be implemented in a dryer having a heat pump system for condensation drying: If for example the inlet 22' is arranged at the backside of the drum 7 which has openings at its backside, the outlet 24' is arranged at the front side or at a frame at the front side of the drum 7 and the tub 6' is omitted, a fully operable condensation dryer is implemented having the air circulation channel 20' correspondingly arranged within the dryer case 4'.
  • the air circulation channel 20' is running from the connections 22', 24' at the tub 6' to the upper region of the washing machine 2' where the evaporator 14' and the condenser 16' are arranged above the tub 6'.
  • the fan of the blower 26' is arranged in the channel 20' and conveys the air through the circulation path 20'/6'/7.
  • the arrow in the channel 20' indicates the normal operation flow direction of the air flow when the blower 26' is operated in forward or normal flow mode.
  • the steam is generated by a steam generator 30 that is arranged outside the tub 6' and outside the air channel 20', but inside the body 4' of the washing machine 2'.
  • the steam supplied by steam generator 30 is guided through a duct 32 having an opening arranged at a frame next to at a front loading opening of drum 7.
  • the steam can be directly exhausted into the drum.
  • the opening of duct 32 is arranged at the wall of the tub 6' to exhaust steam into the interior of the tub, or at a wall of the channel 20' to exhaust steam into the interior or the channel, preferably in the section of the channel running directly between tub' or drum 7 and evaporator 14'.
  • the blower 26' can be switched off by the control unit of the washing machine 2' or can be operated with reduced power or can be intermittently be switched off. Thereby the conveyance capacity of the blower is zero or reduced, for example reduced by at least 50%, at least 60% or at least 80%, and the dwell time of the steam at the evaporator 14' is increased. More heat is transferred from the steam to the evaporator and less energy is transported to the condenser 16'.
  • the hot steam or the hot air heated by the steam is ascending due to convection.
  • channel 20' and evaporator 14' is designed such that the ascending air or steam preferably reaches the evaporator, the evaporator is the element of the heat pump system that will be primarily heated up. Thus shortening of the initial phase of the heat pump system can be achieved easily.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Procédé d'exploitation d'un appareil (2) de traitement du linge, en particulier un sèche-linge, un lave-linge doté d'une fonction de sèche-linge ou un appareil de traitement du linge, ledit appareil (2) comportant :
    un compartiment (6) de stockage servant à y stocker du linge, en particulier un tambour rotatif,
    une gaine (20) de circulation d'air reliée à une première extrémité (22) et à une deuxième extrémité (24) au compartiment (6) de stockage,
    une soufflante (26) servant à souffler l'air à travers la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et le compartiment (6) de stockage,
    un système (10) de pompe à chaleur comportant un compresseur (12) de frigorigène et doté en outre d'un évaporateur (14) et d'un condenseur (16) disposés dans la gaine (20) de circulation d'air, et
    un générateur (8, 30) de vapeur disposé à l'intérieur du corps (4) de l'appareil (2) de traitement du linge ;
    le procédé comportant les étapes consistant à :
    faire fonctionner le système (10) de pompe à chaleur ;
    pendant une phase initiale du fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur, faire générer de la vapeur par le générateur (8, 30) de vapeur et amener cette vapeur dans la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et/ou le compartiment (6) de stockage pour augmenter la température de fonctionnement de l'évaporateur (14).
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, de la vapeur étant générée par le générateur (8, 30) de vapeur et amenée à la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et/ou au compartiment (6) de stockage pendant une période prédéfinie après le début du fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur, puis la génération et l'amenée de vapeur étant arrêtées.
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, de la vapeur étant générée par le générateur (8, 30) de vapeur et amenée à la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et/ou le compartiment (6) de stockage pendant une phase initiale de fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur, puis la génération et l'amenée de vapeur étant arrêtées en fonction d'un ou plusieurs paramètres prédéfinis (E, T7) et/ou lorsque le système (10) de pompe à chaleur a atteint un rendement prédéfini.
  4. Procédé selon la revendication 3,
    la dépendance vis-à-vis du ou des paramètres étant le comportement temporel d'un ou plusieurs des paramètres, en particulier la pente ou la variation du ou des paramètres, de façon plus préférentielle une variation prédéfinie d'un ou plusieurs des paramètres depuis le début du fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur ; et/ou
    la dépendance vis-à-vis du ou des paramètres étant une différence du ou des paramètres pris dans une première position et pris dans une deuxième position à l'intérieur de la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et/ou le système (10) de pompe à chaleur, le paramètre étant en particulier un ou plusieurs paramètre parmi : la température de l'air, l'humidité de l'air, la température du fluide de travail et la pression du fluide de travail.
  5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, pendant la génération de vapeur, la soufflante (26) est arrêtée, l'alimentation de la soufflante est coupée, au moins temporairement utilisée avec une vitesse ou une puissance réduite de transfert d'air, ou la soufflante est au moins temporairement utilisée par intermittence dans le sens de l'écoulement direct et de l'écoulement inverse.
  6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, la vapeur (9) en provenance du générateur (8, 30) de vapeur étant d'abord amenée dans le compartiment (7) de stockage, en particulier la vapeur en provenance du générateur de vapeur étant d'abord amenée dans une cuve (6) entourant le compartiment (7) de stockage.
  7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, la quantité et/ou la durée et/ou la température de la vapeur amenée en provenance du générateur (8, 30) de vapeur dépendant de :
    - une sélection de l'utilisateur introduite dans une unité de commande de l'appareil (2) de traitement du linge,
    - l'humidité du linge stocké dans le compartiment (6) de stockage, et/ou
    - la quantité de linge stocké dans le compartiment (6) de stockage.
  8. Appareil (2) de traitement du linge, en particulier sèche-linge ou lave-linge doté d'une fonction de sèche-linge, l'appareil comportant :
    un compartiment (6) de stockage servant à y stocker du linge, en particulier un tambour rotatif (7),
    une gaine (20) de circulation d'air reliée à une première extrémité (22) et à une deuxième extrémité (24) au compartiment (6) de stockage,
    une soufflante (26) servant à souffler l'air à travers la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et le compartiment (6) de stockage, et
    un système (10) de pompe à chaleur comportant un compresseur (12) de frigorigène, et doté en outre d'un évaporateur (14) disposé dans la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et d'un condenseur (14) disposé dans la gaine (20) de circulation d'air en aval de l'évaporateur (16),
    un générateur (8, 30) de vapeur disposé à l'intérieur du corps (4) de l'appareil (2) de traitement du linge, servant à amener de la vapeur (9) dans le compartiment (6) de stockage et/ou la gaine (20) de circulation d'air
    caractérisé par
    une unité de commande conçue pour faire fonctionner le système (10) de pompe à chaleur et pour faire générer de la vapeur par le générateur (8, 30) de vapeur pendant une phase initiale du fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur, cette vapeur étant amenée dans la gaine (20) de circulation d'air et/ou le compartiment (6) de stockage pour augmenter la température de fonctionnement de l'évaporateur (14).
  9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, la gaine (20) de circulation d'air ne faisant pas partie du trajet (32) d'amenée de vapeur et/ou le trajet (32) d'amenée de vapeur étant distinct de la gaine (20) de circulation d'air, en particulier le trajet (32) d'amenée de vapeur étant un conduit d'amenée de vapeur relié au compartiment de stockage (6, 7) séparément des raccordements de la gaine (20) de circulation d'air.
  10. Appareil selon la revendication 8 ou 9, le compartiment de stockage, en particulier un tambour rotatif (7), étant disposé dans une cuve (6) ou un récipient enveloppant au moins partiellement le compartiment de stockage, un élément chauffant (8) étant disposé dans la région inférieure ou le bassin collecteur de la cuve (6) ou du récipient, et une unité de commande du lave-linge (2) étant configurée pour chauffer de l'eau stockée dans une région inférieure ou un bassin collecteur de la cuve (6) ou du récipient en faisant fonctionner l'élément chauffant (8) en tant que générateur de vapeur pour générer de la vapeur pénétrant dans le compartiment (7) de stockage.
  11. Appareil selon la revendication 8 ou 9, le générateur de vapeur (30) étant disposé à l'extérieur du compartiment (6) de stockage et trajet (20) de circulation d'air à l'intérieur du corps (4) d'appareil de traitement du linge et un conduit (32) de vapeur guidant la vapeur générée par le générateur de vapeur du générateur de vapeur jusqu'à l'intérieur du compartiment (6) de stockage, une ouverture de sortie du conduit étant reliée fluidiquement à l'espace du compartiment de stockage ou à l'espace de la cuve, en particulier l'ouverture de sortie étant disposée au niveau d'une paroi de l'espace du compartiment de stockage ou de l'espace de la cuve.
  12. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 11 qui précèdent, la soufflante (26) possédant un mode de fonctionnement dans lequel une quantité d'air réduite ou nulle est transférée par la soufflante, en particulier une unité de commande de l'appareil (2) de traitement du linge étant prévue pour arrêter la soufflante pendant la phase initiale de fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur ou pour commander la soufflante de façon à transférer une quantité d'air réduite à travers la gaine (20) de circulation d'air pendant la phase initiale de fonctionnement du système (10) de pompe à chaleur.
  13. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7 ou appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 12, l'appareil de traitement du linge étant un lave-linge (2) doté d'une fonction de séchage et/ou le compartiment (6) de stockage étant un tambour rotatif (7), en particulier un tambour disposé à l'intérieur d'une cuve.
EP10163744.5A 2010-05-25 2010-05-25 Appareil de traitement du linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur Active EP2390404B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10163744.5A EP2390404B1 (fr) 2010-05-25 2010-05-25 Appareil de traitement du linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur
US13/114,891 US20110289695A1 (en) 2010-05-25 2011-05-24 Laundry Treatment Apparatus Having Heat Pump System
CN201110192357.0A CN102277714B (zh) 2010-05-25 2011-05-25 具有热泵系统的衣物处理装置

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EP2390404A1 (fr) 2011-11-30
US20110289695A1 (en) 2011-12-01
CN102277714A (zh) 2011-12-14

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