EP2642012A1 - Machine à laver le linge et procédé de traitement de linge dans un lave-linge - Google Patents
Machine à laver le linge et procédé de traitement de linge dans un lave-linge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2642012A1 EP2642012A1 EP12160679.2A EP12160679A EP2642012A1 EP 2642012 A1 EP2642012 A1 EP 2642012A1 EP 12160679 A EP12160679 A EP 12160679A EP 2642012 A1 EP2642012 A1 EP 2642012A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- absorbing element
- tub
- laundry
- water absorbing
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 14
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 title claims description 14
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 260
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims description 56
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 46
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000011358 absorbing material Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000008733 Citrus aurantifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000011941 Tilia x europaea Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004571 lime Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004061 bleaching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- D06F58/30—Drying processes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a laundry machine and to a method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine.
- the laundry machine can be a washing machine, a drying machine or a washing-drying machine (i.e. a washing machine which can both wash and dry the laundry).
- treatment and “treating” in relation to laundry are used to indicate laundry treatments as washing, rinsing, drying, spin-drying, steam-treating and/or similar.
- EP 1 970 482 discloses a home laundry drier with a closed circuit hot-air generator comprising a heat exchanger, a heater, a water tank, an auxiliary heater for converting water in the tank into steam and a process water recovery circuit, which extracts the water formed in a heat exchanger by condensation of the surplus moisture in the air flow from the drying tub, and feeds said water into the water tank for use in producing steam.
- EP 2 014 820 discloses a home laundry drier with a closed circuit hot-air generator and a steam generator.
- the steam generator has an electric boiler, a demineralised-water reservoir and a lint filter, the demineralised-water reservoir receiving demineralised water from the water canister of a heat exchanger of the hot-air generator via a water drain circuit.
- the Applicant observes that the steam generators described by the above mentioned documents generate steam by means of a boiler. However, to prevent deposits of lime scale, which could impair the operation of the steam generator, the steam generator has to be refilled with demineralised water. In order to avoid manual refilling of demineralised water, the above mentioned documents disclose to use the demineralised water formed by condensation in the heat exchanger of the closed circuit hot-air generator. However, this water is often dirty with fluff and/or lint that may cause damages to the steam generator.
- EP 2 014 820 discloses the use of a lint filter located upstream the steam generator water reservoir and means for determining clogging of the lint filter.
- the Applicant observes that this complicates the design and construction of the laundry machine.
- a laundry machine with a steam generator comprising a water absorbing element, adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is lower than the temperature threshold T) and to release steam at a temperature equal to or higher than this temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is equal to of hiher than the temperature threshold T), and a heater adapted to heat the water absorbing element at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T.
- a temperature threshold T i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is lower than the temperature threshold T
- a heater adapted to heat the water absorbing element at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T.
- the Applicant found that the use of such a water absorbing element, by eliminating the use of a boiler, eliminates the need of using demineralised water, simplify the design and construction of the laundry machine, improve the reliability of the steam generator and lengthen the lifetime of the steam generator.
- the use of such a water absorbing element can eliminate or greatly reduce the need of water refilling in the steam generator.
- the present invention relates to a laundry machine comprising a chamber for treating the laundry, a steam generator adapted to supply steam into the chamber so as to steam treating the laundry, wherein said steam generator comprises:
- the water absorbing element is adapted to asorb water from ambient air (that is, to absorb water molecules naturally present in the air as air moisture). This advantageously enables to eliminate or greatly reduce the need of water refilling in the steam generator.
- the steam generator in order to improve the efficiency of the steam generator (e.g. for guaranteeing the possibility of performing different steam generation cycles at close time distances), is connected to a water source (adapted to provide said water absorbing element with water).
- the water source can be an external water supply line, located outside the laundry machine.
- the water source can be a water tank housed in the laundry machine.
- the water absorbing element can operate with tap water and does not need to operate with demineralised water.
- the hot-air generator comprises a heat exchanger and a hot-air generator heater.
- the heat exchanger and the hot-air generator heater are opportunely located one after the other along an air recirculation conduit, the two ends of which are connected to the chamber, advantageously on opposite sides of the chamber.
- the heat exchanger is opportunely adapted to cool the air in order to condense the surplus moisture in the airflow from the chamber, and the hot-air generator heater is opportunely adapted to heat the airflow from the heat exchanger back to the chamber.
- the laundry machine advantageously comprises a water collector adapted to collect the water condensed by the heat exchanger.
- the water source for the water absorbing element can advantageously be the water collector.
- the chamber is a drum rotatably positioned inside a cabinet or housing of the machine and in which the laundry to be dried may be loaded, in order to be submitted to a drying and/or refreshing cycle.
- the chamber comprises a washing tub and a drum, rotatably contained in the tub, where the laundry may be loaded in order to be submitted to a washing cycle, a refreshing cycle, or, in case of a washing-drying machine, also a drying cycle.
- the steam generator can be adapted either to supply steam into the tub, from which the steam is diffused into the drum, or to directly supply the steam into the drum.
- the water absorbing element when the laundry machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, can be located in the bottom of the tub.
- the water source can be the bottom of the tub; in fact washing/rinsing liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with washing/rinsing agents) typically settles, at least during part of a washing cycle, on the bottom of the tub.
- the water absorbing element is located in the bottom of the tub at a level higher than a minimum liquid level in the bottom of the tub (that is the minimum level reached by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub, if any, after the end of washing/rinsing/discharge cycles).
- This position advantageously enables the water absorbing element to be wetted by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub during the washing/rinsing/discharge cycles (thereby enabling the water absorbing element to absorb water) and to be outside the liquid, above the minimum liquid level, at the end of the washing/rinsing/discharge cycles (thereby enabling the water absorbing element to release steam when positioned outside the liquid).
- the bottom of the tub is fluidly connected to a water outlet circuit.
- the water outlet circuit can opportunely comprise a draining pump and draining pipes, adapted for discharging liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products) from the tub after washing and rinsing cycles.
- liquid i.e. water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products
- the water outlet circuit comprises a water recirculation circuit, adapted to drain the liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-convey it into another region, preferably a higher region, of the tub.
- the water source for the water absorbing element can be the recirculation circuit.
- the water absorbing element can be located within the water recirculation circuit or outside it, in fluid communication with it, so as to be wetted by water circulating in the recirculation circuit.
- the laundry machine may comprise at least one further heater for generating hot air and/or hot water to be supplied into the chamber during drying or washing cycles.
- the heater of the steam generator is different from said at least one further heater. This enables to heat the water absorbing element at a selected temperature, higher than said temperature threshold T, indipendently from the temperatures used for generating the hot air and the hot water in drying/washing cycles (that can be for example of about 80°C and 90°C, respectively).
- the heater of the steam generator can be the same heater used for generating the hot air or as the same heater used for generating the hot water.
- the present invention relates to a method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine provided with a steam generator comprising a water absorbing element adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T and to release steam at a temperature higher than said temperature threshold T, the method comprising:
- the action of making said water absorbing element absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T is performed by putting the water absorbing element in fluid communication with ambient air. This advantageously enables to eliminate or greatly reduce the need of water refilling in the steam generator, since the water absorbing element absorbs water directly from the air humidity.
- the action of making said water absorbing element absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T is performed by supplying water to the water absorbing element from a water source.
- the water source can be an external water supply line, located outside the laundry machine.
- the water source can be a water tank housed in the laundry machine.
- the laundry machine When the laundry machine is a drying machine or a washing-drying machine, it opportunely comprises a hot-air generator.
- the hot-air generator comprises a heat exchanger and a hot-air generator heater.
- the laundry machine advantageously comprises a water collector adapted to collect the water condensed by the heat exchanger. The action of making said water absorbing element absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T can advantageously be performed by supplying water to the water absorbing element from the water collector.
- the laundry machine When the laundry machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, it opportunely comprises a washing tub and a drum, rotatably contained in the tub, where the laundry may be loaded in order to be submitted to a washing cycle, a refreshing cycle, or, in case of a washing-drying machine, also a drying cycle.
- the action of conveying the generated steam into the laundry can be performed by conveying the generated steam into the tub and letting the steam diffuse into the drum, or by directly conveying the generated steam into the drum.
- the action of making said water absorbing element absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T can be advantageously performed by supplying water to the water absorbing element from the bottom of the tub.
- the water absorbing element is advantageously wetted by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub during the washing/rinsing/discharge cycles.
- the laundry machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine it advantageously comprises a water outlet circuit comprising a draining pump and draining pipes, adapted for discharging a liquid from the tub after washing and rinsing cycles.
- the water outlet circuit comprises a water recirculation circuit, adapted to drain the liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-convey it into another region, preferably a higher region, of the tub.
- the action of making said water absorbing element absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T is performed by supplying water to the water absorbing element from the recirculation circuit.
- the present invention according to the first aspect and to the second aspect can have at least one of the following characteristics.
- the water absorbing element when heated at said temperature higher than said temperature threshold T, is adapted to release steam whose temperature is not higher than about 100-120°C.
- temperatures higher than 100-120°C could damage the laundry.
- said temperature threshold T can be, for example, at least equal to about 120°C (i.e. T ⁇ 120°C).
- said temperature threshold T can be, for example, at least equal to about 180°C (i.e. T ⁇ 180°C).
- said temperature threshold T can be, for example, at least equal to about 250°C (i.e. T ⁇ 250°C).
- the water absorbing element can preferably be a water absorbing material in the form of spherical pellets, rods, or monoliths.
- the water absorbing material can be selected from the group comprising: oxygen-containing compounds, including materials such as silica gel and zeolite; carbon-based compounds, including materials such as activated carbon and graphite; and polymer-based compounds.
- the water absorbing material comprises around 500 g of zeolites; Applicant's tests have shown that, once water has been absorbed, this advantageous quantity of zeolites is able to release, when heated at the respective temperature threshold an amount of water (in the guise of steam) of about 175 g, which are enough for treating laundry in a drying cycle.
- Figure 1 shows a laundry machine 1 according to the invention, comprising a chamber 10 for treating the laundry and a steam generator 20 adapted to supply steam into the chamber 10 so as to steam treating the laundry.
- the steam treatment can, for example, be performed to subject the cloths to a steam-refreshing cycle or to eliminate (or reduce) creasing of the cloths after a drying or spin-drying cycle.
- the laundry machine 1 can be a washing machine, a drying machine or a washing-drying machine.
- the laundry machine 1 can be a front-loading or a top-loading laundry machine.
- the laundry machine 1 advantageously comprises an external casing 2.
- the chamber 10 is advantageously connected to the external casing 2 via a flexible bellows or gasket (not shown).
- the steam generator 20 comprises a water absorbing element 21 adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is lower than the temperature threshold T) and to release steam at a temperature higher than this temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold T), and a heater 22 adapted to heat the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature higher than or equal to said temperature threshold T.
- a temperature threshold T i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is lower than the temperature threshold T
- a heater 22 adapted to heat the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature higher than or equal to said temperature threshold T.
- the steam generator 20 is advantageously adapted to supply the steam generated into the chamber 10.
- the steam generator 20 is in fluid communication with the chamber 10.
- the steam can be conveyed into the chamber 10 by means of at least one pipe 23 and, preferably, a suitable valve (not shown).
- the steam flow can be directed from the steam generator 20 into the chamber by means of a suitable fan (not shown) or by creating a suitable depression into the chamber 10.
- the water absorbing element 21 can preferably be a water absorbing material in the form of spherical pellets, rods, or monoliths.
- the water absorbing material can preferably be contained in a suitable container.
- the water absorbing material advantageosuly has high abrasion resistance, high thermal stability and small pore diameters, which results in higher exposed surface area and hence high surface capacity for absorption.
- the water absorbing material can preferably be selected from the group comprising:
- the heater 22 can, for example, comprise an electric resistor, or a source of microwaves, or an infrared light, ecc.
- the heater 22 is thermally coupled with the water absorbing element 21 so as to heat the water absorbing material at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T.
- the temperature threshold T can be about 250°C; when the absorbing material is alumina, the temperature threshold T can be about 180°C; when the absorbing material is silica gel, the temperature threshold T can be about 120 - 180°C.
- the water absorbing element used is such that when heated at said temperature higher than or equal to said temperature threshold T, it releases steam at a temperature not higher than about 100-120°C. In fact, temperatures higher than 100-120°C could damage the laundry.
- Figure 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the laundry machine 1 of figure 1 is a washing machine.
- the chamber 10 comprises a washing tub 11 and a drum 12, rotatably contained in the tub 11, where the laundry may be loaded in order to be submitted to a washing cycle, a steam treatment cycle, or, in case of a washing-drying machine, also a drying cycle.
- the drum 12 preferably is perforated (even if in the enclosed figures the holes obtained in the surface of the rotatable perforated drum 12 are not represented).
- the steam generator 20 can be adapted either to supply steam into the tub 11, from which the steam is diffused into the drum 12, or to supply the steam directly into the drum 12.
- the laundry machine 1 advantageously further comprises a water inlet circuit 3 adapted to feed water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergents, softeners, etc.) into the washing tub 11.
- the water inlet circuit 3 advantageously comprises a drawer 4, first piping 3a and a second pipe 3b.
- the drawer 4, preferably removable, is adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, for example detersives, softener, bleaching substances, etc.
- the drawer 4 can comprise one or more compartments (exemplarily three in figure 2 ) for one or more washing/rinsing products from which a certain amount of these washing/rinsing products, depending on the washing program, is delivered to the washing tub 11.
- the first piping 3a are connectable to water delivery mains (not shown) present outside the washing machine 1 and are adapted to deliver prefereably fresh water to the drawer 4.
- First piping 3a are advantageously connectable to water delivery mains by means of one or more valves 3c (exemplarily three in figure 2 , represented on the whole with reference number 3c) adapted to control the flow of water.
- the second pipe 3b fluidly connects the drawer 4 and the tub 11 and is adapted to deliver water and washing/rinsing products into the washing tub 11.
- the laundry machine 1 advantageously also comprises a water outlet circuit 5.
- the water outlet circuit 5 is fluidly connected to the bottom of the tub 11.
- the water outlet circuit 5 advantageously comprises a drain pump 6, a first pipe 7 connecting the tub 11 to the drain pump 6 and an outlet pipe 8 ending outside the external casing 2.
- the water outlet circuit 5 is suited to drain the liquid, i.e. water or dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 11 to the outside.
- the water outlet circuit 5 preferably comprises also a filter 7a associated with the first pipe 7 and adapted for allowing the passage of washing liquid and for impeding the passage of bodies of fixed dimensions from the washing tub 11 to the drain pump 6.
- These bodies can be, for example, buttons, coins or other little objects contained in the pockets of trousers or other clothes and erroneously introduced into the laundry machine 1, lint, fluff, etc.
- the water outlet circuit 5 can be advantageously provided with a recirculation circuit 9 adapted to drain liquid from the bottom of the tub 3 and to re-convey it into another region, preferably a higher region, of the tub 11.
- the recirculation circuit 9 preferably comprises the drain pump 6 (or, in a different embodiment, a further dedicatdd pump) and a recirculation pipe 9a.
- the recirculation pipe 9a advantageously ends with an injection nozzle (not shown) in an upper region of the tub 11. In further preferred embodiments other injection nozzles in different locations along the tub 11 may be provided.
- a heating element 13 At the level of the bottom of the laundry washing machine 1, and preferably within the bottom of the tub 11, there is a heating element 13.
- the heating element 13 preferably comprises an electric resistor suited to come into contact with the liquid present in the bottom of the tub 11 to heat said liquid.
- the heating element 13 may be a different element adapted to heat the liquid at the bottom of the tub, as for example a microwaves source, infra-red rays, etc.
- a control unit (not shown) is connected to the various parts of the laundry machine 1 in order to control its operation.
- control unit is advantageously configured to carry out the method of the invention.
- control unit is configured to make the water absorbing element 21 absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T; and, when a steam treatment is required, to heat the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T so as to generate steam, and to convey the generated steam into the chamber 10 so as to subject the laundry to a steam treatment.
- the water absorbing element 21 can absorb water within the laundry machine 1 of figure 2 according to different embodiments of the inventions.
- the water absorbing element 21 is in fluid communication with ambient air and absorbs water from ambient air (that is, water molecules naturally present in the air as air moisture).
- the steam generator 20 is positioned in the bottom of the tub 11.
- the water absorbing element 21 can be wetted by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub during washing/rinsing/discharge cycles.
- the water absorbing element 21 is positioned in the bottom of the tub 11 at a level higher than a minimum liquid level in the bottom of the tub 11 (that is the minimum level reached by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub 11, if any, after the end of the washing/rinsing/discharge cycles).
- This position advantageously enables the water absorbing element 21 to be wetted by the water present in the bottom of the tub during the washing/rinsing/discharge cycles (thereby enabling the water absorbing material to absorb water) and to be outside the water, above the minimum water level, at the end of the washing/rinsing/discharge cycles (thereby enabling the water absorbing element to release steam when positioned outside the water).
- the heater 22 of the steam generator can be the same as (or part of) the heating element 13 positioned in the bottom of the tub 11 for heating the washing/rinsing liquid.
- the water source for the water absorbing element 21 can be an external water supply line, located outside the laundry machine.
- figure 5 shows an embodiment wherein the steam generator 20 is in fluid communication with water delivery mains by means of a valve 3d.
- the water source for the water absorbing element 21 can be a water tank housed in the laundry machine 1.
- the water tank can be, for example, manually refilled with tap water by a user.
- the water absorbing element can be located within the water recirculation circuit 9 or outside it, in fluid communication with it, so as to be wetted by the water circulating in the recirculation circuit 9.
- Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the laundry machine 1 of figure 1 is a drying machine.
- the chamber 10 advantageously is a drum rotatably positioned inside the external casing 2 and in which the laundry to be dried may be loaded, in order to be submitted to a drying and/or refreshing cycle.
- the laundry machine 1 opportunely comprises a hot-air generator 30.
- the hot-air generator 30 is of the closed-circuit type, comprising an air recirculation conduit 31, the two ends of which are connected to the chamber 10, preferably on opposite sides of the chamber 10; a fan 32 (or other type of air circulating pump) located along recirculation circuit 31 to produce, inside recirculation circuit 31, an airflow which flows into the chamber 10 and over the laundry inside the chamber 10; a heat exchanger 33 (referred to also as a condenser) and a hot-air generator heater 34 (in the example shown it is an electrical resistor, but it may be for example also a heat pump system) located along the air recirculation conduit 31, downstream of the heat exchanger 33.
- a fan 32 or other type of air circulating pump located along recirculation circuit 31 to produce, inside recirculation circuit 31, an airflow which flows into the chamber 10 and over the laundry inside the chamber 10
- a heat exchanger 33 referred to also as a condenser
- a hot-air generator heater 34 in the example shown it is an electrical resistor
- the heat exchanger 33 is opportunely adapted to cool the air in order to condense the surplus moisture in the airflow from the chamber 10, and the hot-air generator heater 34 is opportunely adapted to heat the airflow from the heat exchanger 33 back to the chamber 10.
- the laundry machine 1 can advantageously also comprise a condense recirculation circuit 35 adapted to drain condensed water from the heat exchanger 33 and to convey it into a water collector 37.
- the recirculation circuit 35 preferably comprises a drain pump 36 and a recirculation pipe 35a.
- a control unit (not shown) is connected to the various parts of the laundry machine 1 in order to ensure its operation.
- control unit is advantageously configured to carry out the method of the invention.
- control unit is advantageously configured to make the water absorbing element 21 absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T; and, when a steam treatment is required, to heat the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T so as to generate steam, and to convey the generated steam into the chamber 10 so as to subject the laundry to a steam treatment.
- the water absorbing element 21 can absorb water within the laundry machine 1 according to different embodiments of the invention.
- the water collector 37 is advantageously used as water source for the water absorbing element 21.
- the steam generator 20 advantageously is in fluid communication with the water collector 37 by means, for example, of a pipe 38 and a drain pump 39.
- the water absorbing element 21 is in fluid communication with ambient air and absorbs water from ambient air.
- the presence of the condense recirculation circuit 35 and water collector 37 are optional.
- the water source for the water absorbing element 21 can be an external water supply line, located outside the laundry machine 1.
- the presence of the condense recirculation circuit 35 and water collector 37, even if shown in the enclosed figure, are optional.
- figure 9 shows an embodiment wherein the steam generator 20 is in fluid communication with water delivery mains by means of a valve 3d.
- the water source for the water absorbing element 21 can be a water tank housed in the laundry machine 1 that can be, for example, manually refilled with tap water by a user. Also in this embodiment, the presence of the condense recirculation circuit 35 and water collector 37 are optional.
- the latter mentioned embodiments can, for example, be useful when the laundry machine 1 of figure 6 is unprovided with a condense recirculation circuit 35.
- this may be the case when the laundry machine 1 of figure 6 has a hot-air generator of the open-circuit type instead of the closed-circuit type.
- the hot-air generator 30 of the open-circuit type will opportunely comprise an intake manifold connecting a wall (preferably the rear wall) of the chamber 10 to an air inlet; an air exhaust manifold connected at one end to a wall (preferably the front wall) of the chamber 10 and at the other end to an air exhaust outlet at the front of the casing 2; an electric heating element located along the intake manifold to heat the air before it is fed into the chamber 10; and a fan located along the exhaust manifold to draw air along the intake manifold, feed the air into the chamber 10 and expel the moist air through the exhaust manifold.
- laundry machine 1 is a washing-drying machine
- the invention in advantageous embodiments thereof, enables to eliminate the need of manual water refilling in the steam generator.
- inventions of figures 3 and 8 enable to completely eliminate water refilling in the steam generator (when the embodiments are used alone) or to greatly reduce the need of water refilling (for example, when such embodiments are combined with other embodiments of the invention).
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- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12160679.2A EP2642012B1 (fr) | 2012-03-22 | 2012-03-22 | Machine à laver le linge et procédé de traitement de linge dans un lave-linge |
PL12160679T PL2642012T3 (pl) | 2012-03-22 | 2012-03-22 | Maszyna do materiałów pranych oraz sposób obróbki materiałów pranych w maszynie do materiałów pranych |
PCT/EP2013/055323 WO2013139686A1 (fr) | 2012-03-22 | 2013-03-15 | Machine de blanchisserie et procédé de traitement de linge dans une machine de blanchisserie |
AU2013234488A AU2013234488A1 (en) | 2012-03-22 | 2013-03-15 | Laundry machine and method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine |
CN201380015845.1A CN104204331B (zh) | 2012-03-22 | 2013-03-15 | 洗衣机以及在洗衣机中进行衣物处理的方法 |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12160679.2A EP2642012B1 (fr) | 2012-03-22 | 2012-03-22 | Machine à laver le linge et procédé de traitement de linge dans un lave-linge |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2642012A1 true EP2642012A1 (fr) | 2013-09-25 |
EP2642012B1 EP2642012B1 (fr) | 2019-05-08 |
Family
ID=47882176
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12160679.2A Active EP2642012B1 (fr) | 2012-03-22 | 2012-03-22 | Machine à laver le linge et procédé de traitement de linge dans un lave-linge |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2642012B1 (fr) |
CN (1) | CN104204331B (fr) |
AU (1) | AU2013234488A1 (fr) |
PL (1) | PL2642012T3 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2013139686A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106149329B (zh) * | 2015-03-25 | 2019-11-15 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | 干衣机用冷凝水收集蒸发装置、干衣机及其控制方法 |
CN104846607A (zh) * | 2015-05-21 | 2015-08-19 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | 洗衣机 |
CN106609453B (zh) * | 2015-10-22 | 2019-05-21 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | 用于干衣机的冷凝水盒和具有其的干衣机 |
CN106245290B (zh) * | 2016-08-31 | 2019-06-18 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | 干衣机 |
CN110258073B (zh) * | 2019-06-26 | 2023-12-01 | 佛山海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | 一种衣物处理装置及其控制方法 |
WO2023029193A1 (fr) * | 2021-08-30 | 2023-03-09 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Dispositif de traitement de linge |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5675911A (en) * | 1994-09-19 | 1997-10-14 | Moser; Scott A. | Article and method for treating fabrics in a clothes dryer |
US6106738A (en) * | 1997-06-09 | 2000-08-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Uncomplexed cyclodextrin compositions for odor control |
EP1970482A1 (fr) | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-17 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Sèche-linge domestique |
EP1995371A1 (fr) | 2007-05-21 | 2008-11-26 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Appareil ménager électrique |
EP2014820A1 (fr) | 2007-07-13 | 2009-01-14 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Procédé pour déterminer l'engorgement d'un filtre de réservoir de générateur de vapeur d'un sèche-linge domestique, et sèche-linge domestique mettant en place un tel procédé |
US20090165327A1 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2009-07-02 | Jacquelyn Nekovar | Method of de-wrinkling garments and device for facilitating same |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2004167033A (ja) * | 2002-11-21 | 2004-06-17 | Toshiba Corp | 洗濯機 |
DE10356786A1 (de) * | 2003-12-04 | 2005-07-07 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Verfahren zum Trocknen in einem Haushaltgerät |
-
2012
- 2012-03-22 PL PL12160679T patent/PL2642012T3/pl unknown
- 2012-03-22 EP EP12160679.2A patent/EP2642012B1/fr active Active
-
2013
- 2013-03-15 AU AU2013234488A patent/AU2013234488A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-03-15 CN CN201380015845.1A patent/CN104204331B/zh active Active
- 2013-03-15 WO PCT/EP2013/055323 patent/WO2013139686A1/fr active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5675911A (en) * | 1994-09-19 | 1997-10-14 | Moser; Scott A. | Article and method for treating fabrics in a clothes dryer |
US6106738A (en) * | 1997-06-09 | 2000-08-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Uncomplexed cyclodextrin compositions for odor control |
EP1970482A1 (fr) | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-17 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Sèche-linge domestique |
EP1995371A1 (fr) | 2007-05-21 | 2008-11-26 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Appareil ménager électrique |
EP2014820A1 (fr) | 2007-07-13 | 2009-01-14 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Procédé pour déterminer l'engorgement d'un filtre de réservoir de générateur de vapeur d'un sèche-linge domestique, et sèche-linge domestique mettant en place un tel procédé |
US20090165327A1 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2009-07-02 | Jacquelyn Nekovar | Method of de-wrinkling garments and device for facilitating same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL2642012T3 (pl) | 2019-10-31 |
CN104204331A (zh) | 2014-12-10 |
EP2642012B1 (fr) | 2019-05-08 |
AU2013234488A1 (en) | 2014-08-21 |
CN104204331B (zh) | 2017-04-26 |
WO2013139686A1 (fr) | 2013-09-26 |
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