EP2582872A1

EP2582872A1 - Condensate tank for a condenser clothes dryer, condenser clothes dryer, and method for operating a condenser clothes dryer

Info

Publication number: EP2582872A1
Application number: EP11722819.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ralf BÖMMELS; Klaus Grunert; Reinhard Heyder; Werner Nühse
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2010-06-16
Filing date: 2011-06-01
Publication date: 2013-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-01
Also published as: EP2582872B1; CN102939416B; DE102010030161A1; CN102939416A; WO2011157560A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a condensate tank (1) provided for use in a condenser clothes dryer, wherein the condensate tank (1) comprises a condensate inlet (4) and a condensate outlet, between which at least one screen (9) is disposed, and wherein the condensate inlet (4) is implemented as an overflow, wherein the overflow comprises at least one overflow channel (7) from the condensate inlet (4) to an edge of the condensate tank (1). The condenser clothes dryer (19) comprises a condensing unit for condensing out moist process air, and a collector tank for collecting at least condensate generated by the condensing unit, a delivery device for delivering the condensate from the collector tank to the condensate tank, a control unit for selectively opening and closing a connection of the condensate tank to at least one component of the condenser clothes dryer to be cleaned, and a catch element for collecting condensate overflowing from the condensate tank (1). The method is for operating a condenser clothes dryer (19), wherein the method comprises at least one step of intentionally allowing the condensate tank (1) to overflow.

Description

The invention relates to a condensate container for a condensation laundry drying apparatus, the condensate container having a condensate inlet and a condensate outlet, between which at least one sieve is arranged. The invention further relates to a condensation laundry drying apparatus comprising a condensing unit for condensing moist process air, a collecting container for collecting at least condensate generated by the condensing unit, a conveying unit for conveying the condensate from the collecting container to the condensate container and a control unit for selectively opening and closing a connection of the condensate container to at least one cleaning component of the condensation clothes dryer. The method is used to operate the condensation laundry dryer.

DE 10 2007 052 835 A1 describes a method and a device for cleaning a component, in particular an evaporator of a condenser device, and a laundry or tumble dryer with such a device. To clean a component arranged inside a process air cycle of a washer or dryer, in particular an evaporator of a condenser device, condensate which is obtained in the process air cycle from the wet laundry dryer and collected in a condensate tray is conveyed to a washing container provided above the evaporator or led to a rinsing chamber of this and a serving as a storage chamber overflow area collecting container and discharged by sudden opening of the washing compartment or the rinsing chamber on the outlet side as a surge of water to the relevant component, and / or it is pressurized tap water to the relevant Delivered component. DE 10 2008 032 800 A1 describes a device for cleaning a component, in particular an evaporator of a capacitor device. The apparatus is equipped with a component to be cleaned arranged within a process air cycle of a washing or tumble dryer, in particular an evaporator of a condenser device, and with a condensate pan, into which condensate produced in the process air cycle by drying damp laundry can be trapped. the rinsing container has a closure part for selectively opening and closing the outlet opening and an actuator for actuating the closure part, the closure part having a closure element for discharging the rinsing container into and out of the vaporizer Sealing head for closing the outlet opening, which is connected to a rotatably mounted on the first container lever arm.

In these devices for cleaning a component contained in the condensate foreign bodies, especially lint, but also hair, etc., deposited in an existing on the washing filter element, so when cleaning the component to be cleaned, in particular an evaporator of a heat pump, only clean, lint-free Condensate is used. The retained in the filter element lint, etc. are at a manual emptying of the washing in z. B. rinsed out of the wire again in a sink. However, if the condensate is automatically pumped directly out of the unit, the condensate container no longer needs to be removed from the unit. As a result, the sieve would not be cleaned and clogged.

EP 2 138 627 A1 relates to a dryer comprising a drying chamber for receiving articles to be dried, a process air duct for guiding process air over the articles to receive moisture therefrom, a heat sink arranged in the process air duct for condensing the moisture out of the process air a condensate, a condensate collecting device for collecting the condensate, comprising a condensate container. The condensate container has an insert which is permeable to the condensate and extends through an opening in the condensate container for transferring the condensate into and out of the condensate container, the insert having a first filter for filtering particles from the condensate container Has condensate before storing the condensate in the condensate tank. DE 10 2007 049 060 A1 relates to a method for operating a Spülflüssigkeitseinrich- device in a domestic appliance for the care of laundry, in which the condensate generated during a care process is collected as rinsing liquid in a rinsing and operating phase specific for removing lint from a heat exchanger of a Heat pump of the domestic appliance is passed through this, wherein, depending on a specific type of connection of the rinsing liquid means by the heat exchanger-guided rinsing liquid for liquid disposal is automatically passed into a collecting container of the rinsing liquid device or in an external sewer system. DE 10 2007 049 060 A1 also relates to a rinsing liquid device. For cleaning a arranged within a process air cycle of a washer or dryer components, in particular an evaporator of a condenser device, in DE 10 2007 052 835 A1 condensate, which is recovered in the process air cycle from the dryer of wet laundry and collected in a condensate water tank, to a provided above the evaporator rinsing container or to a rinsing chamber of this and serving as a storage chamber overflow area collecting container and discharged by sudden opening of the washing or rinsing on the outlet side as a surge of water to the relevant component, and / or it is pressurized power water delivered to the component in question.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the cited prior art and, in particular, to provide a possibility for cleaning a screen of a condensate container not intended for removal or not removable of a condensation clothes dryer.

This object is achieved in each case according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims. Within the scope of what is technically possible and appropriate, preferred embodiments of the invention in each of the categories of condensate container, condensation drying machine and method respectively correspond to preferred embodiments of the invention in each respective other category, even if this is not explicitly indicated herein.

The object is achieved by a condensate container for a Kondensationswäsche- drying, wherein the condensate container comprises a condensate inlet and a condensate outlet, between which at least one sieve is arranged, and wherein the condensate inlet is formed as an overflow, wherein the overflow has at least one overflow channel , in particular from the condensate inlet to an edge of the condensate container. Because the condensate inlet is designed as an overflow, condensate overflowing condensate (condensed water or condensed water) can flow off in a targeted manner. This prevents the condensate container from being covered over a large area with the condensate when the condensate inlet is overflowing and, if necessary, from being contaminated by foreign matter (lint, hair, etc.). The overflow can also be used, in particular, to drain foreign bodies, which are released from the screen by deliberate or intentional overflowing of the condensate and then flushed out of the condensate container. In this case, use is made of the fact that, when the condensate container is filled, the foreign bodies are trapped in the at least one sieve, but in the event of overflowing a water turbulence and a backflow of the condensate can occur which detach the foreign bodies from the sieve. The dissolved foreign bodies can then be washed out with the overflowing condensate from the condensate tank. The overflow can thus be used for targeted cleaning of the screen in a particular not intended for removal or not removable condensate tank. The overflow is easy and inexpensive to implement in the production.

It is an embodiment that the condensate inlet has an overflow edge on a side edge of the condensate container as the overflow channel and is surrounded adjacent thereto by a guide wall which projects upwards from the overflow edge. This embodiment has the advantage that the overflow channel can be configured particularly simply, namely essentially only by the overflow edge. The condensate inlet can directly adjoin the side edge of the condensate tank. In particular, a side wall of the condensate container may constitute a boundary wall of the condensate inlet. The overflow edge may then represent the (top) edge of the sidewall or a portion thereof. Due to the higher guide wall, which may be formed in particular in an upper wall, top or ceiling of the condensate tank, overflow outside the overflow channel is prevented. In particular, it can be prevented that condensate contaminated with foreign bodies can deposit on the top side of the condensate container. The guide wall is advantageously only by the overflow channel, in particular the overflow edge, interrupted.

It is a further development that the condensate inlet has a recess formed on an upper side or a lid of the condensate container or is defined by a recess. The recess may be open at the edge, for example. The overflow In particular, the channel can be formed on or through the open section (with). Alternatively, the recess can be closed on the edge or circumferentially (surrounded by material). The overflow channel can in this case be formed, for example, by a channel-like depression, which leads, for example, to the edge of the condensate container or to a discharge opening in the condensate container.

It is still an embodiment that the at least one sieve is arranged on the condensate inlet. As a result, the sieve can be particularly effectively exposed to turbulence of the charged condensate, possibly even be exposed directly, so that the foreign body can be particularly easily detached from the sieve. Dissolution of the foreign bodies is assisted by going substantially directly to the condensate inlet, e.g. by simply floating up.

It is also an embodiment that the at least one sieve has a cup-shaped sieve element which can be inserted into the condensate container through the condensate inlet. The at least one sieve (for example a sieve with one or more sieve regions held by a common frame) can thus be arranged in a particularly simple manner directly on the condensate inlet. The cup-like shape ensures that the condensate does not spill or spurt out of the condensate container when the condensate container is not completely filled.

Alternatively, at least one sieve may be present within the condensate container at some distance from the condensate inlet, e.g. designed as a laterally open screen, which is arranged in a flow channel of the condensate container.

The sieve can be removed from the condensate tank or permanently installed in the condensate tank.

It is also an embodiment that the condensate tank has a first tank area and a second tank area, which are separated by a partition whose upper edge is higher than the overflow channel, and that the condensate tank at least one selectively closable connection channel between the first tank area and having the second container area. This embodiment has the advantage that it can be used both with a condensation laundry drying apparatus in which the condensate container is not intended for removal. see is or can not be removed (with closed connection channel, so that the condensate container uses only the first container area, because the partition is higher than the overflow channel), as well as with a condensation clothes dryer can be used, in which the condensate container is provided for removal (at open connection channel, so that the condensate tank uses both tank areas) (dual usability).

It is also an embodiment that the at least one connecting channel comprises a recess in the partition wall, wherein the recess is closable by means of an insertable from outside closure element, in particular a plug-in plug. As a result, a change between removable and non-removable use is particularly simple without a tool feasible, even in and by an end user. The unit costs can be reduced accordingly. Instead of a plug, e.g. Also a slider or a flap can be used.

It is still an embodiment that the recess has an opening in an upper side of the condensate container, wherein the opening is lower than the overflow channel. The object is also achieved by a condensation laundry drying apparatus, comprising a condensation unit for condensing moist process air (condenser), a collecting tank for collecting at least condensate generated by the condensing unit, a conveyor unit (eg a pump) for conveying the condensate from the collecting tank to the condensate tank in particular as described above, a control unit for selectively opening and closing a connection of the condensate tank to at least one component to be cleaned of the condensation laundry drying apparatus and a collecting element for collecting condensate overflowed from the condensate tank. The condensation drying machine is set up for receiving or accommodating the condensate container as described above and can be in particular a complementary device for this purpose. The condensate container may be integrally connected to the condensation laundry drying apparatus, arranged as a separately manufactured but firmly installed (non-removable) component in the condensation laundry dryer or removable by a user in the condensation laundry dryer. be arranged drying device. The overflowing from the condensate tank condensate is collected by the collecting element and thus not distributed uncontrollably inside the condensation clothes dryer. The component to be cleaned may in particular be a component arranged within a process air cycle of a washing or tumble dryer, for example an evaporator of a condenser device or a fluff filter arranged in a process air duct, in particular inclined. It is advantageous for a controlled discharge of the overflowed condensate configuration that a drain hose is attached to the collecting element.

The drainage hose can be used to dispose of the overflowed condensate from the condensation drying machine and, for example, to a wash basin or a trap.

It is a development that the drain hose is designed as a user-releasable drain hose. The drain hose may be, for example, a flexible rubber hose. In particular, the drain hose is located, for the most part or completely outside of the condensation dryer, allowing for easy connection and replacement.

It is still a development that the drain hose connects to a lying on a rear wall of the condensation dryer drying device lowest point of the receiving space. Thus, a substantially complete emptying of the receiving space is made possible. In addition, the drain hose is so easily stowed outside a typical field of view.

Alternatively or additionally, drain hose can be designed as a return hose to the collection container, so that the condensate is available for further rinsing operations.

The return hose is used in particular when the condensate tank is to be emptied manually. It is also an embodiment that a conveyable condensate volume of the collecting container is greater than a condensate receiving volume of the condensate container. As a result, overflow of the condensate container can be reliably achieved, at least in the case of a full collecting container.

The condensation dryer may be a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. The tumble dryer may be, for example, a conventional condensation tumble dryer and / or a condensation tumble dryer with a heat pump. It may be a particularly advantageous embodiment that the condensate drained from the condensation water tank serves as a rinsing liquid for an evaporator of the heat pump, as lint etc. can settle on the cooling fins or fins of the evaporator particularly easily and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the heat pump , In general, the condensation drying apparatus can have a basic construction as in DE 10 2007 052835 A1 or DE 10 2008 032 800 A1. Thus, the condensate container may have a basic structure and function as a washing container described in DE 10 2007 052835 A1 or DE 10 2008 032 800 A1. The collecting container may correspond, for example, to the condensate water trough from DE 10 2007 052835 A1 or DE 10 2008 032 800 A1.

The object is further achieved by a method for operating a condensation-drying machine, in particular as described above, wherein the method comprises at least the step of a targeted overflowing of the condensate container. This achieves the same advantages as already described above.

It is an embodiment that the method comprises at least the following steps:

- Holding condensate in the condensate tank before a drying process;

Collecting, during a drying process, condensate produced by the condensing unit in the collecting container;

Pouring in, during at least one cleaning phase of the drying process, of condensate discharged from the condensate container for cleaning the component to be cleaned, into the collecting container,

- Carrying, after running, the entire pumpable condensate of the collecting container to the condensate tank. This embodiment has the advantage that the flushing of the foreign body from the condensate tank already works in the first filling of the condensate tank. Because by the running in the already partially filled with the ("fresh") condensate collecting tank is supplemented by the previously held in the condensate tank ("old") condensate, whereby such a large amount of condensate from the sump pumpable back to the condensate tank that ensures overflow can be.

In the following figures, the invention is described schematically with reference to an embodiment schematically table. It can be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity of the same or gleichwirk de elements.

1 shows a view from obliquely above a section of a condensate container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the condensate container from FIG. 1 with a translucent lid; FIG. and

3 shows a view of obliquely from behind a condensation clothes dryer.

1 shows a view from obliquely above a section of a condensate tank according to the invention 1. The condensate tank 1 has a bottom shell 2 and a (fixed or removable) attached lid 3 or top. In the condensate tank 1, an upper-side condensate inlet 4 is present. The condensate inlet 4 is defined by a recess 5 in the lid 3. The condensate inlet 4 has an overflow channel 7, which is formed by means of or on an upper edge or edge of a side wall 6 of the bottom shell 2, which is not covered by the cover 3. This free portion of the upper edge of the bottom shell 2 may also be referred to as an overflow edge or as an overflow edge.

The recess 5 is thus not circumferentially surrounded by the cover 3, but is laterally open, said open portion defines the overflow channel 7. The (guide) wall 8 of the recess 5 formed by the cover 3, which adjoins the overflow channel 7, is significantly high in relation to the overflow channel 7 or the open section and thus serves as an overflow protection in the direction of the cover 3. wall 8 is formed vertically upright here. The guide wall 8 has in plan view a substantially circular sector-shaped or elongated circular sector-shaped form, as shown in Figure 2. Through the overflow channel 7 is achieved that from the condensate inlet 4 overflowing or backflowing condensate does not run on the lid 3, but falls through the overflow channel 7 on the upper edge of the bottom tray 2 and overflow edge.

At the condensate inlet 4, a sieve 9 is arranged, which extends from the condensate inlet 4 from flat or (here :) cup-shaped into the condensate tank 1. An upper edge 10 of the sieve 9 is at least partially seated on the condensate inlet 4 (the overflow channel 7 can then also be formed by the upper edge 10 of the sieve 9). When condensate is introduced into the condensate inlet 4 in the case of a condensate container 1 that is only partially filled, it flows into the sieve 9 and further into the interior of the condensate container 1, whereby foreign matter, in particular lint or hair, remains on the sieve 9. If the condensate level in the condensate tank 1 rises, the foreign matter floats up. The dissolution of the foreign matter from the sieve 9 is supported by the turbulence of standing in the sieve 9 condensate. If the condensate tank 1 is filled so far that overflows condensate and runs through the overflow channel 7 side, the floating foreign body are flushed out. Thus, the sieve 9 can be cleaned automatically and without a manual emptying of the condensate tank 1.

The bottom shell 2 is subdivided by means of a partition wall 11 into a first tank area 12 and a second tank area 13, wherein an upper edge 14 of the partition wall 1 1 is higher as the overflow channel. The condensate inlet 4 leads into the first container area 12.

By means of a recess in the partition wall 1 1, a connecting channel 15 between the first container portion 12 and the second container portion 13 is formed. Through the connecting channel 15 can (filtered or purified) condensate from the first tank portion 12 into the second tank portion 13 to flow, even if the level is lower than the overflow channel 7. With open connection channel 15 thus the volumes of the first Container area 12 and the second container Reichs 13 ready for filling, with closed connection channel 15, only the first connection portion 12th

Also present in the bottom of the bottom tray 2 in the first container area is a condensate drain 16 which is closed by means of a valve, e.g. having a top cover (o.Fig.) Is closed. The connecting channel 15 preferably extends to the bottom or the lower wall of the bottom shell 2, in order to allow as complete a flow as possible of the condensate from the second container region 13. The connecting channel 15 can be easily closed by inserting a closure element in the form of a plug-in plug 17 from above and again by pulling out the plug 17. The connecting channel 15 can be closed, in particular, when the condensate container 1 is provided for automatic cleaning of the sieve 9 by an overflow, since the overflow then already occurs with a comparatively small filling volume. The connecting channel 15 can be opened in particular when the condensate container 1 is provided for a cleaning of the sieve 9 by means of a manual removal and emptying. For safe storage of the plug 17 with the connecting channel 15 open, the plug 17 can be plugged into a storage channel 18 which does not hinder the connecting channel 15.

A rear wall 20 of the condensation drying machine 19 limits inter alia a receiving space 21 for the condensate tank 1 in which the condensate tank 1 can be inserted from its front side. The receiving space 21 serves as a collecting element for overflowing from the condensate tank 1 condensate.

On a lying on the rear wall 20 lowest point of the receiving space 21, two hoses can be optionally connected from the outside, namely a return hose 22 or a drain hose 23 in the strict sense. The return hose 22 can in particular be connected if the condensate is to be available for further rinsing operations and can be passed, for example, to a collecting container, in particular in a floor assembly. The drain hose 23 may in particular be connected if the overflowed condensate is to be removed on the condensation clothes dryer 19, and may, for example, become a sink or a trap be guided. The drain hose 23 extends at least for the most part, in this case completely, outside the housing of the condensation clothes dryer 19 and can be laid by an end user, for example to the wash basin or the trap. The drain hose 23 is therefore user-manageable or user-portable. The drain hose 23 can be stowed when not in use on the condensation clothes dryer 19, for example, be clamped or rolled up. Thus, the lint washed out in an automatic cleaning process can be directly removed from the condensation laundry drying apparatus 19, suppressing, for example, a decomposed smell of deposited lint in the condensation laundry drying apparatus 19.

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

Thus, the condensate tank can also be designed without a removable lid (with an integrated lid). Also, the sieve may not be located in the immediate area of the condensate inlet, but spaced eg within the condensate container from the condensate inlet, eg not below the condensate inlet. Also, for example, the overflow channel may form a section on the upper side, in particular the lid, of the condensate container. The inlet opening may then be laterally completely surrounded by the lid or the top. There are basically other forms of overflow channels conceivable, for example, multiple overflow channels.

List of Symbols Condensate container

bottom tray

cover

condensate inlet

recess

Side wall of the bottom shell

Overflow channel

guide wall

scree

upper edge of the sieve

partition wall

first container area

second container area

upper edge of the partition

connecting channel

condensate drain

Plug

Storage opening

Condensation laundry drying device

Rear wall of the condensation clothes dryer

Return hose

drain hose

Claims

claims

Condensate container (1) for a condensation clothes dryer, wherein

the condensate container (1) has a condensate inlet (4) and a condensate outlet, between which at least one sieve (9) is arranged, the condensate inlet (4) being formed as an overflow,

the overflow has at least one overflow channel (7) from the condensate inlet (4) to an edge of the condensate container (1),

the condensate container (1) has a first container region (12) and a second container region (13) which are separated from one another by a dividing wall (1 1), and

the condensate container (1) has at least one optionally closable connection channel between the first container region (12) and the second container region (14).

A condensate container according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the condensate inlet has an overflow edge on a side edge (9) of the condensate container (1) as the overflow channel (7) and is adjacent thereto surrounded by a guide wall (8) facing the overflow channel (7 ) stands tall.

Condensate container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sieve (9) is arranged on the condensate inlet (4).

Condensate container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sieve (9) has a flat or cup-shaped sieve element which can be inserted into the condensate container (1) through the condensate inlet (4).

Condensate container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper edge (14) of the partition wall (1 1) is higher than the overflow channel (7).

Condensate container (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one connecting channel (15) comprises a recess in the partition wall (1 1), wherein the recess by means of a closable externally insertable closure element, in particular plug-in plug (17) is closable.

Condensate container (1) according to claim 6, wherein the recess has an opening in a top (3) of the condensate container (1), wherein the opening is lower than the overflow channel (7).

Condensation clothes drying apparatus (19), comprising

a condensation unit for condensing moist process air,

a collecting container for collecting at least condensate generated by means of the condensation unit,

a condensate container (1) which has a condensate inlet (4) and a condensate outlet, between which at least one sieve (9) is arranged, the condensate inlet (4) having an overflow with at least one overflow channel (7) from the condensate inlet (7). 4) to an edge of the condensate container (1).

a conveying unit for conveying the condensate from the collecting container to the condensate container (1),

a control unit for selectively opening and closing a connection of the condensate container (1) to at least one component to be cleaned of the condensation drying machine (19) and

- A collecting element (21) for collecting condensate from the condensate tank (1) overflowing.

Condensation laundry drying apparatus (19) according to claim 8, wherein on the collecting element (21) a drain hose (22, 23) is mounted.

A condensation clothes drying apparatus (19) according to claim 9, wherein the drain hose (22, 23) is formed as a return hose (22) to the sump.

Condensation laundry drying apparatus (19) according to claim 9, wherein the drain hose (22, 23) as a user-releasable drain hose (23) is formed.

12. condensation drying machine (19) according to claim 1 1, wherein the drain hose (23) on a rear wall (20) of the Kondensationswäschetrock- tion device (19) lying lowest point of the receiving space (21) connects.

13. condensation drying apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a recoverable condensate volume of the collecting container is greater than a condensate receiving volume of the condensate container (1).

14. A method for operating a condensation clothes drying apparatus (19) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the method comprises at least the step of a targeted overflowing of the condensate container (1).

15. The method of claim 12 for operating a condensation laundry drying apparatus (19) according to claim 13, said method comprising at least the following steps:

- Holding condensate in the condensate tank (1) before a drying process;

Collecting, during a drying process, condensate produced by means of the condensation unit in the collecting container (1);

- running in, during at least one cleaning phase of the drying process, of condensate used for cleaning the component to be cleaned in the collecting container,

- Transport, after running, the entire pumpable condensate of the collecting container to the condensate tank (1).