EP2826909A1 - Procédé pour faire fonctionner une unité de génération de vapeur dans un sèche-linge et un procédé pour faire fonctionner un sèche-linge - Google Patents

Procédé pour faire fonctionner une unité de génération de vapeur dans un sèche-linge et un procédé pour faire fonctionner un sèche-linge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2826909A1
EP2826909A1 EP13177180.0A EP13177180A EP2826909A1 EP 2826909 A1 EP2826909 A1 EP 2826909A1 EP 13177180 A EP13177180 A EP 13177180A EP 2826909 A1 EP2826909 A1 EP 2826909A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
generation unit
steam
steam generation
laundry
water
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
Application number
EP13177180.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
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EP2826909B1 (fr
Inventor
Paolo Ros
Daniele Solerio
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
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Electrolux Appliances AB
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Filing date
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Priority to EP13177180.0A priority Critical patent/EP2826909B1/fr
Priority to PL13177180T priority patent/PL2826909T3/pl
Publication of EP2826909A1 publication Critical patent/EP2826909A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2826909B1 publication Critical patent/EP2826909B1/fr
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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
    • 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
    • D06F58/44—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of conditioning or finishing, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases
    • 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
    • D06F2103/38—Time, e.g. duration
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/60—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to auxiliary conditioning or finishing agents, e.g. filling level of perfume tanks
    • D06F2103/62—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to auxiliary conditioning or finishing agents, e.g. filling level of perfume tanks related to systems for water or steam used for conditioning or finishing
    • 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
    • D06F2105/02—Water supply
    • 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
    • D06F2105/28—Electric heating
    • 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
    • D06F2105/38—Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection
    • D06F2105/40—Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection using water or steam
    • 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 
    • D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for operating a steam generation unit in a laundry dryer.
  • EP 1 887 127 A1 discloses laundry treating machines having means for applying a steam treatment to laundry.
  • the steam is directed inside a rotatable drum containing the laundry to be treated.
  • Such steam treatment is used for removing odours from laundry or for relaxing and removing wrinkles from clothes.
  • WO 2004/059070 A1 teaches a laundry dryer with a laundry storing compartment defined by a cylindrical rotatable drum, a loading opening at the front end of the drum and a drum back wall at the rear end.
  • This laundry dryer contains a processing unit having an evaporator for generating steam in order to remove odours from the laundry disposed in the drum.
  • the steam is injected into the laundry storing compartment by an outlet of the process air channel fluidly connected to the laundry storing compartment at its rear end.
  • the processing unit and its evaporator are arranged outside the laundry storing compartment adjacent to the mentioned outlet of the process air channel.
  • EP 1 889 966 B1 discloses a water supply control for a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance using a temperature sensor.
  • the fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generator with a steam generation chamber configured to hold water, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature representative of the steam generation chamber at a predetermined water level in the chamber, and a controller coupled to the sensor.
  • the controller is configured to control the flow of water based on the sensed temperature in order to control the level of water in the steam generation chamber.
  • a method for operating a steam generation unit is related to a laundry dryer comprising a laundry storing compartment for storing the laundry to be treated and a steam generation unit for generating steam for laundry treatment.
  • the steam generation unit is an inline steam generator comprising a heater.
  • the laundry dryer further comprises means for controlling the flow rate of water provided to the steam generation unit.
  • the supply rate of water to the steam generation unit is controlled by said means by controlling the activation of a water supply pump and/or by controlling the opening and/or closing of a valve.
  • Said water supply pump and/or said valve can be connected to a water reservoir and/or to a water mains line.
  • the method for operating the steam generation unit comprises starting the control of the heater for heating the steam generation unit followed by starting the control of the water supply pump and/or of the valve. After starting the control of the water supply pump and/or of the valve, the water supply pump and/or the valve is controlled according to a predetermined time sequence.
  • the predetermined time sequence is and can not be changed by the means for controlling the flow rate.
  • the predetermined time sequence is fixed and invariant during the operation of the steam generation unit.
  • the predetermined time sequence is not dependent on any parameter (like temperature) during the control.
  • the pump activation and/or valve closing/opening is controlled with the fixed sequence over time.
  • the time sequence once applied or selected is not changed or adapted. Controlling of the water supply pump and/or the valve according to the predetermined time sequence represents a feed-forward control and is not a feed-back control reactive to any current operation parameter of the steam generation unit.
  • control of the water supply to the steam generating unit in particular the below mentioned predefined sequence(s) of water supply to the steam generating unit is adapted such that forming of condensed water and ejecting condensed water droplets into the laundry treatment chamber is minimized.
  • the parameter setting which is used for generating the predetermined time sequence is set in accordance with fixed and known hardware parameters of the steam generating unit (and preferably the steam supply arrangement (steam conduit and/or nozzle unit)).
  • ROM or PROM For example at the time of manufacturer programming of or data storing to the memory device (ROM or PROM) one or more of following are known and thus fixed hardware parameters for the steam generating unit and connected elements: heating power, maximum flow rate, heat masses of the conduit and/or nozzle, heat mass of steam generating unit.
  • a storing device is associated to the means for controlling the flow rate, wherein one or more fixed predetermined time sequences are stored in the storing device. This or one of these fixed predetermined time sequences are used by the means for controlling during the control of the water supply. Once the predetermined time sequence is retrieved from the storing device there is no change or modification and the time sequence is executed without change and without change of the predetermined time sequence to another one. Even the one or more predetermined time sequences stored in the storing device is(are) preferably not modified.
  • the means for controlling the flow rate of water supplied to the steam generation unit is a control unit for controlling the overall operation of the apparatus and/or the storing device is the program memory of the apparatus.
  • the predetermined time sequence is independent of the operation status of the heater and/or the current temperature of the steam generation unit.
  • the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve is independent of any operation status of the heater and/or any operating temperature of the steam generation unit.
  • the inline steam generating unit which may be a flow-through or flow-type steam generator, has a low water storing capacity, stores a limited amount of water temporarily, and/or transforms water to steam essentially at the rate of water supply.
  • water input to the inline steam generating unit is essentially vaporized as steam when leaving the output.
  • the inline steam generator has a very short reaction time due to its lower volume of stored water. As a result, its steam generation rate can be adjusted very accurately and quickly by controlling its water input rate and/or heating power input.
  • the inline steam generating unit is designed such that it reaches its operation temperature (e.g.
  • the steam generating unit is arranged at a bottom or lower section of the apparatus. More preferably, the steam generating unit is arranged at or at the top of a battery top cover or basement shell.
  • the predetermined time sequence is determined according to the laundry treatment program.
  • the time sequence may be determined according to an operation status and in particular according to the temperature of the steam generation unit measured before or at the beginning of the time sequence.
  • the water supply pump and/or the valve is/are controlled by a sequence of two or more time sequences, each of which is predetermined according to the laundry treatment program and/or an operation status such as a temperature of the steam generation unit, wherein the operation status is measured before or at the beginning of the respective time sequence.
  • the method further comprises heating the steam generation unit to a predetermined upper temperature threshold after starting the control of the heater.
  • the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve is started after the predetermined temperature threshold has been reached or exceeded.
  • control of the water supply pump/and or the valve is started when a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the control of the heater.
  • the time to be elapsed between starting the control of the heater and starting the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve is determined according to an operation status such as a temperature of the steam generation unit before or at the time of starting the control of the heater.
  • the control of the heater comprises energizing the heater when a measured temperature of the steam generation unit drops or is below a first predetermined temperature limit.
  • the heater control further comprises de-energizing the heater when a measured temperature of the steam generation unit rises or is above a second predetermined temperature limit.
  • the second predetermined temperature limit is above the first predetermined temperature limit.
  • the first predetermined temperature limit and/or the second temperature limit may be above the upper temperature threshold as explained above that may be used for triggering the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve.
  • the method for operating the steam generation unit further comprises introducing water into the steam generation unit and repeatedly increasing and decreasing the flow rate of water provided to the steam generation unit.
  • said repeated increasing and decreasing of said flow rate is achieved by controlling the activation and/or de-activation of the water supply pump and/or by controlling the opening and/or closing of the valve according to a predetermined time sequence.
  • This predetermined time sequence may be the or may part of the predetermined time sequence determining the overall control of the water supply pump and/or the valve as described above. In another embodiment it may be an additional predetermined time sequence applied for modulation of the overall control of the water supply pump and/or the valve.
  • said repeated increasing and decreasing may be implemented as a periodic modulation of the water flow rate during a limited period of time.
  • said repeatedly increasing and decreasing of the flow rate of water provided to the steam generation unit may be controlled so that the water flow rate follows a sequence of predetermined target flow rates.
  • the real flow rate of water provided to the steam generation unit at any time may deviate from the related target flow rate e.g. due to inaccuracies of actuators (pumps, valves, etc.), sensors (temperature, flow, water level, etc.), and means of processing (amplifiers, calculations, signal lines, etc.).
  • the predetermined time sequence and/or sequence of target flow rates may be changed during a laundry treatment program of the laundry dryer.
  • the predetermined time sequence and/or sequence of target flow rates may be chosen based on purpose and/or state of the laundry treatment program.
  • the flow rate of water provided to the steam generation unit may be decreased and increased gradually resulting in a continuous sequence of flow rates.
  • the flow rate of water may be changed stepwise resulting in an essentially discontinuous sequence of flow rates.
  • a laundry treatment program may comprise both a continuous and an essentially discontinuous sequence of flow rates.
  • the water supply pump and/or the valve may be controlled according to a first predetermined time sequence that is independent of the current operation status of the heater.
  • the laundry dryer further comprises a nozzle unit, a steam conduit, and optionally a drain outlet.
  • the nozzle unit comprises one or a plurality of nozzle outlets for injecting steam generated in the steam generation unit into the laundry storing compartment.
  • the steam conduit is arranged for providing steam from the steam generation unit to the nozzle unit.
  • the optional drain outlet is arranged for draining water from within the nozzle unit to the outside.
  • the method further provides for a warm-up phase of the steam generation unit and/or a steam conduit and/or a nozzle unit.
  • the heating power or the average heating power of the steam generation unit is higher than during normal operation.
  • the water supply rate or the average water supply rate for supplying water to the steam generation unit for steam generation is lower than during normal operation. More preferably, during the warm-up phase the heating power (or the average heating power) of the steam generation unit is higher than during normal operation and the water supply rate (or the average water supply rate) for supplying water to the steam generation unit for steam generation is lower than during normal operation.
  • the heating power (or the average heating power) is decreased towards the heating power applied during normal operation and/or the water supply rate (or the average water supply rate) for supplying water to the steam generation unit is increased towards the water supply rate applied during normal operation.
  • the described warm-up phase is arranged for achieving a soft-start of the steam generation unit which is beneficial as it can drastically reduce the condensation of water droplets in the steam generation unit and/or steam conduit and/or nozzle unit while one or several of them have not yet reached their final operating temperature and thus are still relatively "cold".
  • the warm up phase helps to reduce the amount of water droplets reaching the laundry inside the laundry storing compartment, while allowing to use the system's full steam generation capacity after the warm-up phase.
  • the control of the water supply and/or the control of the heater during the warm-up phase are arranged to minimize the amount of water droplets leaving the or the plurality of nozzle outlets.
  • control of the water supply and/or the control of the heater after the warm-up phase are arranged to minimize the amount of water droplets leaving the or the plurality of nozzle outlets.
  • the predetermined time sequence for controlling the water supply i.e. the water supply pump and/or the valve
  • the repeated increase and decrease of the flow rate of water and/or the control of the heater are arranged to minimize the amount of water droplets leaving the or the plurality of nozzle outlets.
  • the steam generation unit is operated intermittently and the duty rate of operating the steam generation unit is decreasing over time during or at the end of the warm-up phase.
  • the water supply to the steam generation unit is operated intermittently and the duty cycle of supply is increasing over time during or at the end of the warm-up phase.
  • both the steam generation unit and the water supply to the steam generation unit are operated intermittently and the duty rate of the steam generation unit is decreasing and/or the duty rate of the water supply is increasing over time during or at the end of the warm-up phase. It shall be understood that said increasing and/or decreasing may be a gradual or a step-like change over time.
  • the predetermined time sequence comprises a repeated decrease and increase of the liquid supply rate to the steam generation unit and/or comprises repeated stops and starts of the liquid supply to the steam generation unit according to predetermined time intervals T_ON and T_OFF.
  • the time interval T_ON is in the range of 3 to 30, 4 to 8, 4 to 6 or 5 to 20 seconds or is preferably around 5 seconds.
  • the time interval T_OFF is in the range of 6 to 60, 10 to 40, 12 to 20 or 13 to 18 seconds or is preferably around 15 seconds.
  • the laundry dryer further comprises at least one temperature sensor arranged for measuring a temperature of the steam generation unit or a temperature of the steam generated by the steam generation unit.
  • the measured temperature may be used for example for choosing a time sequence for control of the water supply pump and/or the valve, for controlling the heating power of the steam generation unit, for controlling the warm-up phase etc.
  • a method for operating a laundry dryer relates to a laundry dryer which comprises a rear channel, a back wall of the laundry storing compartment, a rear wall forming at least a portion of a back cover of the dryer, a nozzle unit, a steam conduit, and means for heating the process air.
  • the rear channel is arranged for guiding process air at the backside of the laundry storing compartment
  • the compartment back wall comprises a plurality of back wall openings designed for passing process air from the rear channel into the laundry storing compartment.
  • a steam generation unit is arranged for generating steam to be supplied into the laundry storing compartment.
  • the nozzle unit comprises one or a plurality of nozzle outlets for injecting steam generated in the steam generation unit into the laundry storing compartment and optionally a drain outlet for draining water from within the nozzle unit to the outside.
  • the steam conduit is arranged for providing steam from the steam generation unit to the nozzle unit. Preferably, at least a portion of the steam conduit is guided within or in proximity of or in thermal contact with walls delimiting the rear channel.
  • the method comprises activating the means for heating the process air before activating the steam generation unit.
  • This method may be beneficial for example if only a steam laundry treatment is required by a laundry treatment program and therefore the drying process was not activated.
  • the method provides for an appropriate warm-up of the steam conduit and/or the nozzle unit before guiding steam through the steam conduit and/or the nozzle unit, which can drastically reduce the amount of water droplets reaching the interior of the laundry treatment compartment. It shall be understood that the method introduced here and all of its embodiments can be used independently of or in any combination with the embodiments of the method described above.
  • the method further comprises activating a fan for guiding heated process air into said process air channel and/or the process air fan is (already) activated during the warm-up phase in which the process air is heated.
  • a fan for guiding heated process air into said process air channel and/or the process air fan is (already) activated during the warm-up phase in which the process air is heated.
  • the drum is rotated and the motor rotating the drum is also rotating the fan for driving the process air through the laundry storing compartment.
  • the process air fan is already activated before the heating of the process air by the means for heating is activated and the fan has not to be additionally activated.
  • the fan is already activated at the time when the means for heating the process air is activated.
  • the fan for driving the process air is activated at least over the period of heating the process air and/or over the period of steam generation.
  • the duration of the activation of the means for heating the process air and/or the heating power used for heating the process air and/or the duration of the activation of the fan and/or the power of the fan are controlled depending on the temperature inside the process air channel.
  • the means for heating the process air is a heat pump system.
  • the temperature inside the process air channel is determined by means of a temperature sensor.
  • the means for heating the process air is a heat pump system, the temperature inside the process air channel may be determined or calculated indirectly from a refrigerant temperature in the heat pump system, because the refrigerant temperature can be used as a measure for the process air temperature.
  • the delay between activating the means for heating the process air and activating the steam generation unit is a predetermined time.
  • the predetermined time is chosen according to a temperature inside the process air channel at or before the beginning of the activation of the means for heating the process air.
  • the temperature inside the process air channel is detected by a temperature sensor.
  • the temperature sensor may detect the process air temperature directly or indirectly.
  • An example of an indirect temperature detection in an apparatus having a heat pump system is the detection by the refrigerant temperature sensor, for example a sensor detecting the refrigerant temperature at the compressor or condenser.
  • the process air temperature is detected using a temperature sensor arranged in the process air path between the electrical heater and the inlet of the laundry storing compartment.
  • the method further comprises deactivating the means for heating the process air or reducing the heating power of the means for process air heating, when the process air reaches a predetermined temperature.
  • the process air heating phase may be shortened or skipped if the process air channel is already heated up.
  • the laundry dryer further comprises a front wall with a front loading opening for loading laundry into the laundry storing compartment and/or a rear frame including said compartment back wall.
  • the compartment back wall is opposite to the loading opening.
  • an or the nozzle outlet(s) of the nozzle unit is/are arranged between said compartment back wall and said rear wall inside said rear channel so that steam ejected from said nozzle outlet passes through at least one back wall opening of the compartment back wall before entering the laundry storing compartment.
  • the laundry dryer further comprises a heat-pump system having a refrigerant temperature sensor and the method further comprises detecting a temperature signal from the temperature sensor before activating the steam generation unit. If the temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold, the heat-pump system for heating the process air is activated and, preferably, the steam generation unit for generating steam is activated thereafter as described above.
  • the refrigerant temperature sensor may be used instead or additionally for determining the temperature of the process air.
  • the temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant temperature may be arranged at or may be in thermal contact with the outlet region of the compressor, the inlet or outlet region of the condenser or the inlet region of the expansion device.
  • the temperature signal obtained from the refrigerant temperature sensor may be used for choosing, determining, or calculating the predetermined temperature of the process air to be reached.
  • the method further comprises keeping the heating power of the heater of the steam generation unit off (steam generation unit heater deactivated), while the means for process air heating is activated.
  • the heater of the steam generation unit is switched on or is activated. This is especially useful if the total power that can be provided to certain components of the laundry dryer is limited.
  • the heating power of the heater of the steam generation unit is controlled depending on the power at which the means for process air heating is operated.
  • the electrical heater is preferably completely switched off before switching on the steam generating unit heater.
  • the compressor may be switched off or preferably may be operated at lower or lowest power consumption mode before activating the steam generating unit heater, if for example a drying process is executed after the steam supply cycle in which the steam is to be supplied from the steam generating unit.
  • the method further comprises deactivating the means for process air heating after a predetermined period of time or when the steam conduit has reached a temperature within a predetermined temperature range of about 30°C to 40°C.
  • the means for heating the process air may be a heat pump system, in particular the heat exchanger (condenser) transferring heat from the refrigerant to the process air.
  • the means for heating the process air may be an electrical resistor heater.
  • a heat pump system and an electrical resistor heater may be combined to form the means for heating the process air.
  • the electrical resistor heater may be used when the heat pump compressor is not activated.
  • the electrical resistor heater may be used to support process air heating when the heat power provided by the heat pump compressor is not sufficient for heating the required amount of process air, possibly depending on the state of a laundry drying program.
  • the nozzle unit further comprises a drain outlet adapted for draining the water from the nozzle unit to the rear channel and/or a separation chamber for separating steam and water. More preferably, at least a portion of the separation chamber is arranged within the rear channel.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematically depicted laundry dryer 2.
  • the dryer 2 comprises a heat pump system 4, including a closed refrigerant loop 6 which comprises in the following order of refrigerant flow B: a first heat exchanger 10 acting as evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant and cooling process air, a compressor 14, a second heat exchanger 12 acting as condenser for cooling the refrigerant and heating the process air, and an expansion device 16 from where the refrigerant is returned to the first heat exchanger 10.
  • the heat pump system 4 forms the refrigerant loop 6 through which the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor 14 as indicated by arrow B.
  • the process air flow A within the dryer 2 is guided through a laundry storing compartment 17 of the dryer 2, i.e. through a compartment for receiving articles to be treated, e.g. a drum 18.
  • the articles to be treated are textiles, laundry 19, clothes, shoes or the like.
  • the process air flow is indicated by arrows A in Fig. 1 and is driven by a process air blower 8.
  • the process air channel 20 guides the process air flow A outside the drum 18 and includes different sections, including the section forming the battery channel 20a in which the first and second heat exchangers 10, 12 are arranged.
  • the process air exiting the second heat exchanger 12 flows into a rear channel 20b in which the process air blower 8 is arranged.
  • the air conveyed by blower 8 is guided upward in a rising channel 20c to the backside of the drum 18.
  • the air exiting the drum 18 through the drum outlet (which is the loading opening 53 of the drum 18) is filtered by a fluff filter 22 arranged close to the drum outlet in or at the channel 20.
  • the optional fluff filter 22 is arranged in a front channel 20d forming another section of channel 20 which is arranged behind and adjacent the front cover of the dryer 2.
  • the condensate formed at the first heat exchanger 10 is collected and guided to the condensate collector 30.
  • the condensate collector 30 is connected via a drain conduit 46, a drain pump 36 and a drawer pipe 50 to an extractable condensate drawer 40. I.e. the collected condensate can be pumped from the collector 30 to the drawer 40 which is arranged at an upper portion of the dryer 2 from where it can be comfortably withdrawn and emptied by a user.
  • the dryer 2 comprises a control unit 51 for controlling and monitoring the overall operation of the dryer 2.
  • the control unit 51 receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor 41 which is arranged at the outlet of the second heat exchanger 12 (condenser) and which is indicative of the refrigerant temperature at this position.
  • the control unit 51 also controls the drain pump 36. Additionally, the control unit 51 is able to control other parts of the dryer 2.
  • Fig. 2 shows a front perspective view of a partially disassembled condenser dryer that uses a heat pump system 4.
  • the outer appearance of the depicted dryer 2 is defined by a top cover 56, a left cover or wall 58, a front cover 60 having a loading opening 10 and a front top panel 62.
  • the front top panel 62 frames a drawer cover 64 of the condensate drawer 40, wherein here the drawer 40 has a condensate container that is completely pushed in a drawer compartment located at the upper part of the dryer 2.
  • the right portion of the front top panel 62 forms an input section 66 wherein here the details of the input section 66 are not shown (like indicators, a display, switches and so on).
  • the loading opening 54 is surrounded by a loading frame 68 which is formed in the front cover 60.
  • Fig. 26 shows a loading door 55 for closing the loading opening 54 in a closed state.
  • a filter compartment/process air channel 20 is arranged which is adapted to receive the fluff filter 22 and which is formed in a front frame 70.
  • the drum 18 is arranged at the back side of the loading opening 54 in the front frame 70.
  • the drum 18 is a rotating drum cylinder that is extending between the back side of the front frame 70 and the front side of a rear frame 72 ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 ).
  • the open rear end of cylindrical rotatable drum 18 is closed by a compartment back wall 74 ( Fig.
  • Back wall 74 is preferably provided as a separate element to the rear frame 72, formed for example from a metal plate.
  • the compartment back wall 74 is disposed stationary, whereas the rotatable drum 18 is rotatably coupled to the compartment back wall 74.
  • the rotation axis of the drum 18 is horizontal, however, the rotation axis may be inclined with respect to the horizontal axis or may be even vertical with some modifications to the shown embodiment, however without the requirement to modify other groups of the dryer 2.
  • a window panel 76 is inserted into a front cover window opening 78 ( Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 ).
  • the window opening 78 and the window panel 76 allow visual inspection into the inside of the dryer outer body to check the liquid level of a liquid reservoir, particularly a steamer (liquid storing) tank 140 (see more detail below).
  • the condensate drawer 40 has a draw handle 82 at the drawer cover 64 to be gripped by the user for pushing the condensate drawer 40 in or pulling it out of the condensate drawer compartment 37 that is extending into the interior of the dryer 2 ( Fig. 18 , Fig. 19 ).
  • Fig. 3 gives a view onto the compartment back wall 74 which has a plurality of back wall openings 84 through which processing air A enters the laundry storing compartment 17 from the back side or rear side of the drum 18.
  • a cone 86 is arranged which is extending into the laundry storing compartment 17 (preferably with a tapered end) and has in this embodiment laundry detangling function.
  • the dryer comprises the following parts described in more detail below: a nozzle unit 88 ( Fig. 7 - Fig. 10) and a steam generation unit 90 (in short 'steamer'; see Figs. 15, 16).
  • the nozzle unit 88 has a nozzle outlet 92 for injecting steam generated in the steam generation unit 90 into the laundry storing compartment 17.
  • the nozzle unit 88 is mounted at a rear wall 94 which is forming at least a portion of a back cover 95 of the dryer 2.
  • the compartment back wall 74 and the rear wall 94 define portion of the rear channel 20b and the rising channel 20c.
  • the compartment back wall 74 comprises a plurality of the back wall openings 84 designed for passing process air from the rear channel 20b, 20c into the laundry storing compartment 17.
  • the nozzle unit 88 comprises a base portion 96 mounted at the back side of the rear wall 94. For mounting the base portion it is perforated by mounting holes 96 interacting with mounting screws 98 or the like ( Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 ).
  • a steam guiding portion 102 is fluidly connecting the base portion 96 to the nozzle outlet 92.
  • the steam guiding portion 102 is extending from the base portion 96 into the rear channel 20b, 20c such that it spans substantially just the distance between the rear wall 94 and the compartment back wall 74 (i.e. the depth of the rear channel 20b, 20c), whereas the nozzle outlet 92 is in contact with a respective back wall opening 84 at the back side of the compartment back wall 74.
  • the nozzle unit 88 comprises a connection portion 104 which is adapted to connect a steam conduit 106 which fluidly connects the steam generation unit 90 to the nozzle unit 88 ( Fig. 10 , Fig. 13 , Fig. 15 ).
  • the nozzle outlet 92 is arranged at the back side at the compartment back wall 74 in such a manner that steam ejected from the nozzle outlet 92 passes through a respective back wall opening 84 before entering the laundry storing compartment 17 ( Fig. 7 ).
  • the nozzle unit 88 is formed as a single-piece or monolithic piece or single-molded part. These elements are the base portion 96, a separation chamber 108 contained in the base portion 96 for separating the supplied steam and water, the nozzle outlet 92, the steam guiding portion 102, the connection portion 104 and a substantially plan mounting socket 110 for mounting the nozzle unit 88.
  • the water that is separated in the separation chamber may be formed by condensing the supplied steam - for example in the starting phase of steam supply when the steam conduit and nozzle unit are at low temperature as compared to the steam temperature.
  • the whole nozzle unit 88 is mountable only by mounting the mounting socket 110 via the mounting holes 98 and some screws 100.
  • the separation chamber 108 defined by the inner geometry of the base portion 96 is closed by a chamber cover 112. Both parts 96 and 112 are joined together by a welding joint 114 (e.g. ultrasonic welding) such that these parts are integrally fixed and connected to each other in an inseparable monolithic manner. Consequently, the separation chamber 108 is water and steam proof.
  • a welding joint 114 e.g. ultrasonic welding
  • the mounting socket 110 is part of the base section and mounted at the back side of the rear wall 94.
  • the rear wall 94 is perforated by a nozzle port 116 thus allowing the steam guiding portion 102 to extend from the base portion 96 through this nozzle port 116 into the rear channel 20b, 20c.
  • a flat sealing element 101 clamped between the back side of the rear wall 94 and the mounting socket 110 ( Fig. 7 , Fig. 10 ).
  • the steam generation unit 90 is arranged in a base section 118 of the dryer 2.
  • the steam conduit 106 is passing through a conduit port 120 contained in a bottom section of the rear frame 72 which is forming a portion of the back cover of the dryer 2 in this embodiment.
  • the extension of the steam conduit 106 is such that a portion 122 of the steam conduit 106 extends at the back side of the rear frame 72 and the rear wall 94 from the conduit port 120 to the connection section 104 of the nozzle unit 88 ( Fig. 15 ).
  • the nozzle unit 88 and the steam conduit 106 are designed such that steam is supplied from the steam generation unit 90 to the nozzle unit 88 and condensed liquid (water) is drained from the nozzle unit 88 to the steam generation unit 90.
  • the separation chamber 108 has a steam inlet 124 in fluid connection towards the steam generation unit 90 and a chamber outlet 126 in fluid connection towards the nozzle outlet 92 ( Fig. 10 , Fig. 14 ).
  • the chamber outlet 126 is in fluid communication with the steam guiding portion 102 for guiding the steam from the separation chamber 108 to the nozzle outlet 92.
  • the connection portion 104 comprises a conduit stub 128 for mounting the steam conduit 106, particularly its steam conduit portion 122, thereto ( Fig. 9 ).
  • the steam inlet 124 is arranged at a lower section of the separation chamber 108, whereas the chamber outlet 126 is arranged at an upper section of the separation chamber 108.
  • the steam conduit portion 122 is descending from the connection portion 104 and the steam inlet 124 towards the steam generation unit 90 thus forming a draining conduit for draining water from the separation chamber 108 towards the steam generation unit 90.
  • the flow axis direction of the steam inlet 124 (or the allocated/associated connection portion 104) and the flow axis direction of the steam guiding portion 102 are perpendicular to each other. In other embodiments, these flow axes are inclined to each other in an angle different from 90°.
  • the nozzle unit 88 comprises a single nozzle outlet 92 which is associated to one predefined back wall opening 84 ( Fig. 7 , Fig. 14 ).
  • the nozzle unit 88 comprises a plurality of nozzle outlets 92 and each one of these nozzle outlets 92 is assigned to a predefined one of a plurality of back wall openings 84.
  • the nozzle outlet 92 is designed to direct a steam flow exiting this nozzle outlet 92 directly through its associated back wall opening 84 into the laundry storing compartment 17.
  • the nozzle outlet 92 abuts with its front surface portion 132 against an opening rim 130 of the respective associated back wall opening 84 such as to form a sealing between the nozzle outlet 92 and the compartment back wall 74.
  • the nozzle outlet 92 is arranged such that its inner cross section area is centrally aligned to the cross section area of the associated wall opening 84.
  • a first horizontal plane 134 running through the center of the laundry storing compartment 17 is defined and a second horizontal plane 136 running through the highest point of the laundry storing compartment 17 is defined.
  • the distance between these two planes 134, 136 defines a vertical range 138.
  • the one nozzle outlet 92 or a plurality of nozzle outlets 92 is assigned to respective back wall openings 84.
  • the assigned back wall opening(s) 84 is/are arranged in the upper third or in the upper fourth or in the upper fifth of the range 138.
  • the condensation-type laundry dryer 2 comprises in principle the elements and parts shown in Fig. 1 .
  • a drain tank i.e. condensate drawer 40
  • a steam generation unit 90 for generating the steam
  • a steamer tank 140 for storing liquid to be supplied to the steam generation unit 90 for generating the steam
  • a pump unit i.e. drain pump 36
  • a branching element 142 is provided. This element 142 is made for branching a pump unit conduit 144 into a steamer tank unit 146 and into a drain tank unit 148 ( Fig. 20 ).
  • the pump unit conduit 144 is connecting the branching element 142 to the pump unit 36.
  • the steamer tank conduit 146 is connecting the branching element 142 to the steamer tank 140.
  • the drain tank conduit is connecting the branching element 142 to the drain tank 40.
  • the conduits 144, 146, 148 form a piping 150 for conveying the condensate to different destinations in the dryer.
  • the branching element 142 comprises a backflow-preventing member 152 preventing a backflow of liquid from the steamer tank 140 towards the pump unit 36.
  • the backflow-preventing member 152 shown in Fig. 23 is a one-way valve arranged in the branching element 142. Furthermore, the backflow-preventing member 152 is arranged in the branch 154 of the branching element 142 where the liquid flows towards the steamer tank conduit 146.
  • the member 152 comprises a valve seat 156 at a valve passage 158 and a valve member 160 which is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 156.
  • the movable valve member 160 is constituted by a ball or sphere and is urged against the valve seat 156 when the pump unit 36 is not activated and subsequently liquid tends to flow back from the line 146 towards the steamer tank 140 towards the branching element 142 and towards the pump unit 36. If this is the case, the valve member 160 and the valve seat 156 cooperate to close the valve passage 158, i.e. the valve member 160 is in a close position ( Fig. 24 ). Then the liquid in the branch between the backflow- preventing member 152 and the upper hydraulic point of the steamer tank conduit 146.
  • valve passage 158 will be opened, i.e. the valve member 160 is in an open position ( Fig. 23, Fig. 25 ).
  • a stopping element 162 for restricting the opening path of the valve member 160 when the liquid is flowing into the forward direction 164 of the one-way backflow-preventing member 152.
  • the stopping element 162 is designed to provide a clearance passage 166 for the liquid flow which bypasses the valve member 160 in its open position ( Fig. 25 ).
  • the backflow-preventing member 152 provides additionally a liquid flow restriction.
  • the liquid flow restriction function of the branching element 142 is adapted to reduce the liquid flow into the steamer tank conduit 146 in comparison to the liquid flow into the drain tank conduit 148. Due to the valve member 160 in its open position according to Fig. 25 the flow resistance between the branching element 142 and the steamer tank 140 is higher than the flow resistance of the drain tank conduit 148 between the branching element 142 and the drain tank 40.
  • the valve member 160 and the stopping element 162 a liquid flow restricting element of the branching element 142 by providing a reduced liquid flow cross section towards the steamer tank conduit 146 in comparison to the liquid flow cross section towards the drain tank conduit 148.
  • the liquid flow cross section towards the steamer tank conduit 146 is defined particularly by the clearance passage 166 and an orifice 168 arranged in the axial end region of the branch 154 and having a diameter or cross section area that is less than the inner diameter 170 or cross section area of the branch 154 providing the fluid connection to the drain tank conduit 148.
  • the branching element 142 is arranged in a region of the base section 118 of the dryer 2 (see also Fig. 18 ). In further embodiments the branching element 142 is arranged at an upper region 172 of the cabinet of the dryer 2 ( Fig. 28 - Fig. 31 ). In this regard, the branching element 142 is preferably arranged in a height level within the dryer which is at least 3/4 or 4/5 or 5/6 of the total height of the dryer 2. As seen from Fig. 22 - Fig. 25 , the branching element 142 is made as a T-junction.
  • the highest point 174 of the steamer tank conduit 146 has a height level which is lower than the highest point 176 of the drain tank conduit 148.
  • the height level of the steamer tank conduit 146 is at least 3/4 or 4/5 or 5/6 of the height level of the drain tank conduit 148.
  • the highest point 174 of the steamer tank conduit 146 has the same height or is even higher than the highest point 176 of the drain tank unit 148.
  • conduit 146 arranged between the branching element 142 and the steamer tank 140 is designed such that its connection length between the branching element 142 and the steamer tank 140 is minimized with respect to the connection line provided by the conduit 144, 148 between the pump unit 36 and the drain tank 40.
  • a second piping 184 for supplying the condensate to the steamer tank 140 and removable tank 40 is provided.
  • the steam generation unit 88 is arranged in the region of the base section 118 of the dryer 2.
  • the steam generation unit 88 is supplied with liquid to generate steam in order to convey this steam to the nozzle unit 90, as described above.
  • the liquid is supplied to the steam generation unit from the steamer tank 140 via a connection conduit 178 ( Fig. 28 - Fig. 31 ).
  • Fig. 34 - Fig. 37 show a branching element 142 in a second piping 184 having a design different to the design of the piping 150 according to Fig. 20 - Fig. 25 .
  • the branching element 142 according to Fig. 34 - Fig. 37 does not have a backflow-preventing function but only a liquid flow reducing function such that a flow resistance between the branching element 142 and the steamer tank 140 is higher than a flow resistance of the drain tank conduit 148 between the branching element 142 and the drain tank 40.
  • This liquid flow reduction towards the steamer tank 140 occurs by a conduit passage 180 in the branch 154 having locally a smaller diameter 182 than the inner diameter 170 in the branching element 142 towards the drain tank conduit 148 and towards the drain pump 36.
  • the reason for reducing the flow rate of condensate pumped by the pump unit 36 toward the steamer tank 140 as compared to the higher flow rate pumped towards the condensate drawer 40 (drain tank) is the expectation that only a lower portion of the condensate is needed for steam treatment of the laundry. Thus most part of the condensate formed in a laundry drying cycle will normally not be required for steam treatment.
  • the steamer tank 140 is provided with an overflow conduit 190 shown in Fig. 30 by which excess water that can not be stored by the steamer tank 140 is flowing back to the condensate collector 30. From there it is pumped upward to tanks 40 and 140 again. By reducing the ratio of the flow rate to steamer tank 140 an excessive activation of the pump 36 can be avoided.
  • a backflow prevention member (compare 152) and/or a flow restriction element (compare 166 or 170) can be provided at the branching element 142.
  • the backflow prevention member can be provided at any position between the branching element and the inlet to the steamer tank 140 of the steamer tank conduit 146.
  • nozzle unit 300 As compared to the nozzle unit 88, nozzle unit 300 has a few modifications and is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Apart from these modifications, the nozzle unit 300 is preferably embodied as above nozzle unit 88, as can be seen from Figs. 38 to 47 . For example mounting and piping structure as well as positioning of the nozzle outlet are as for nozzle unit 88. It shall be understood that all the advantages and details of nozzle unit 88 also apply to the modified nozzle unit 300 and will therefore not be repeated here except when specific differences or advantages are to be highlighted.
  • the nozzle unit 300 is mounted at a rear wall 94 which is forming at least a portion of a back cover 95 of the dryer 2.
  • the compartment back wall 74 and the rear wall 94 define portion of the rear channel 20b and the rising channel 20c (cf. Figs. 7 , 39 , and 40 ).
  • the compartment back wall 74 comprises a plurality of the back wall openings 84 designed for passing process air from the rear channel 20b, 20c into the laundry storing compartment 17.
  • the nozzle unit 300 preferably comprises a base portion 301 mounted at the back side of the rear wall 94, see Fig. 40 .
  • nozzle outlet 92 at the back side of the compartment back wall 74 in such a manner that steam ejected from the nozzle outlet 92 passes through a respective back wall opening 84 before entering the laundry storing compartment 17 (see also Figs. 41 and 7 / 17 ).
  • the nozzle unit 300 comprises at least one drain outlet 308 for draining water from within the nozzle unit to the outside, as can be seen in Figs. 40 , 42, 43, 44 , 46, and 47 .
  • the nozzle unit and the drain outlet(s) it is beneficial for the nozzle unit and the drain outlet(s) to be arranged such that the water is drained from the nozzle unit to the rear channel 20b, 20c.
  • a preferred embodiment of this arrangement is shown in Figs. 39 and 40 . Draining condensed water out of the nozzle unit provides the advantage that less water remains within the steam path and so less water needs to flow back to the steam generation unit and probability of condensate droplets being ejected through the nozzle outlet onto laundry in the drum is lowered.
  • Draining the condensed water to the rear channel further provides the advantage that the water can evaporate into the process air that may be guided through the rear channel, in which case it may also reach the laundry as evaporated steam together with the process air flowing into the laundry storing compartment 17 through the back wall openings 84.
  • Fig. 40 shows that in preferred embodiments of the nozzle unit 300, the steam guiding unit 102 of nozzle unit 88 may be partially or completely replaced by a separation chamber 302.
  • the steam guiding portion 102 - if present - extends from the separation chamber 302 towards the rear side of the compartment back wall 74.
  • the separation chamber 302 serves for separating condensed water from the flow of steam so as to avoid water droplets reaching the laundry 19 inside the laundry storing compartment 17 (compare separation chamber 108 described above).
  • Condensed water may be formed by (partial) condensation of the supplied steam - for example in the starting phase of the steam supply when the steam conduit and nozzle unit are at low temperature as compared to the steam temperature.
  • Fig. 40 is a sectional view of the nozzle unit 300 mounted to the rear wall 94 of the laundry dryer and depicts a preferred embodiment of the separation chamber 302.
  • the separation chamber 302 preferably has at least one steam inlet 124 in fluid connection with the steam generation unit 90, e.g., by means of a steam conduit 106, and furthermore has one or more steam outlets 126 (see also Figs. 46 and 47 ) in fluid connection with one or more nozzle outlets 92.
  • the drain outlet 308 is arranged at the separation chamber such that condensed water is drained out of the separation chamber.
  • the separation chamber 302 it is particularly beneficial to design the separation chamber 302 to have a portion 304 arranged within the rear channel 20b, 20c and/or another portion 306 arranged at the back side of the rear wall 94.
  • This embodiment has several advantages. First, it allows to optimize the space requirements for a given size (here: depth) of the separation chamber. Second, having a portion 306 of the separation chamber 302 at the back side of the rear wall 94 provides a simple way for arranging a lateral conduit stub 128, which in turn reduces the amount of space needed for the connection of the steam conduit 106 to the nozzle unit 300.
  • having a portion 306 of the separation chamber 302 at the back side of the rear wall with a lateral conduit stub 128 allows to arrange for a significant deflection of the steam path direction inside the separation chamber, which is beneficial for an efficient separation of condensed water from the steam.
  • having a portion 304 of the separation chamber 302 within the rear channel 20b, 20c provides a simple way for draining water from the separation chamber into the rear channel, since no guiding, no conduit, no sealing or similar means is needed between the drain outlet(s) 308 and the rear channel.
  • the drain outlet(s) it is preferable to arrange the drain outlet(s) at or close to the lowest portion of the nozzle unit 300 or the separation chamber 302, particularly because condensed water will accumulate at the lower parts of the steam path due to its higher density as compared to the steam. Condensed water will therefore accumulate at the drain outlet and will be pushed towards the outside of the nozzle unit 300 by the pressure of the steam.
  • the separation chamber is designed or formed so that condensed liquid is guided towards the drain outlet.
  • the compartment back wall 74 and the rear wall 94 are arranged to form at least part of the rear channel 20b, 20c. In this way it is simple to arrange the drain outlet 308 of the nozzle unit 300 inside the rear channel as described above.
  • FIG. 42 to 47 Further details of preferred embodiments of the nozzle unit according to the present invention are depicted in Figs. 42 to 47 .
  • Figs. 42, 43, 44 and 45 show the nozzle unit 300 at different viewing sides, namely a perspective front/left-side view, a front view, a left-side view and a rear view, respectively.
  • Fig. 48 provides a schematic view of some components of the laundry dryer 2 relevant for understanding the operation of the steam generation unit.
  • the exemplary laundry dryer comprises a laundry storing compartment 17 for storing laundry to be treated and means (here a heat pump system 4) for heating a flow of process air A which is introduced into the laundry storing compartment 17 by means of a fan 8 and a process air channel 20b, 20c.
  • the laundry dryer 2 further comprises a steamer tank 140 serving as a liquid or water reservoir and containing liquid or water that can be guided to a steam generation unit 90 through connection conduit 178.
  • the steam generation unit comprises a heater 282.
  • a valve 280 is arranged for controlling the flow rate of liquid flowing into the steam generation unit.
  • a water supply pump for supplying liquid to the steam generation unit.
  • the pump and/or valve are preferably operated under the control of the control unit 51.
  • the control unit 51 retrieves the parameters for executing the program from a program memory 52.
  • the control unit 51 can store current program status data, user settings and other data (e.g. error codes for maintenance) in the memory 52.
  • the steam generation unit (in short also called “steamer”) is arranged for converting the supplied liquid into a flow of steam that is directed through a steam conduit (see 106) and into a nozzle unit 88 or 300.
  • the steam generation unit is an inline steam generation unit.
  • the nozzle unit serves for injecting the steam into the laundry storing compartment and may have its nozzle outlet within the compartment or preferably arranged behind a back wall 74 of the compartment (compare units 88 or 300).
  • Fig. 48 also shows several heat/temperature sensors 292, 294, 296, 298 arranged in thermal contact at and/or assigned to the heat pump system 4, the process air channel 20b, 20c, and the steam generation unit 90. Furthermore, in the depicted embodiment there is a thermal connection 284 between the process air channel 20b and the steam conduit 106.
  • liquid and water shall be used interchangeably, meaning that the liquid stored in steamer tank or guided to the steam generation unit may be pure water or may be a liquid or a mixture of liquids (possibly including water) appropriate for steam generation in the steam generation unit and applicable for laundry treatment in a laundry dryer.
  • Fig. 48 is useful for explaining various embodiments for operating a steam generation unit 90, it is to be understood as an example only. Other embodiments may not comprise all of the shown components and/or may have additional components and/or may have arranged the components differently. For example, an embodiment may have no or fewer heat sensors or may have heat sensors applied to other components than proposed in the figure. Furthermore, it shall be understood that the various embodiments of the method described below can be combined with the various embodiments of the laundry dryer 2 and its components described above as may be appropriate for obtaining the required benefits.
  • the flow rate of liquid provided from the reservoir 140 to the steam generation 90 unit is controlled by means of a water supply pump and/or by a valve 280.
  • a water supply pump By controlling the activation of the pump and/or the opening/closing of the valve 280 (preferably using control unit 51), it is possible to dose the amount of liquid introduced into the steam generation unit in a given time interval, i.e. to control the flow rate of liquid supplied to the steamer 90.
  • the heating power supplied to the steam generation unit for generating steam can be controlled by controlling the heater 282 (preferably using control unit 51), e.g., by switching or adjusting the power supply of the heater 282.
  • the method comprises starting the control of the heater 282 for heating the steam generation unit 90 and thereafter starting the control of the water supply to the steam generation unit 90 by starting the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve 280.
  • the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve 280 is independent of the operation status of the heater 282 or the current temperature of the steam generation unit 90.
  • the overall control of the laundry dryer 2 (preferably using control unit 51) is adapted such that the control of the steam generation unit 90 with its heater 282 terminates when the control of the water supply terminates or vice versa.
  • the heater 280 stops heating the steam generation unit 90, when no more water is supplied to the steam generation unit 90, and/or that no more water is supplied to the steam generation unit 90, when the heater 280 stops heating the steam generation unit 90.
  • the water supply i.e., the water supply pump and/or the valve 280 is controlled by a predetermined time sequence which is independent of the current operation status of the heater 282 and/or the current temperature of the steam generation unit 90.
  • the memory shown in Fig. 48 stores the settings for at least one predetermined time sequence. Preferably two or more settings for predetermined time sequences are stored which are different of each other.
  • the settings for a predetermined time sequence is fixed and invariantly stored in the memory or memory section, the memory may be a ROM type memory (e.g. EPROM) which is set from the factory site.
  • Fig. 49 is a diagram showing the variations over time of the heating power P provided to the heater 280, of the liquid flow rate R provided to the steamer 90, and of the temperature Q of the steamer.
  • the heater' or means supplying heating power P to the heater First the control of the heater 282 is activated and the heating power is switched on until the steam generation unit 90 has reached a threshold q2 of its temperature Q. A certain period of time after the activation of the heater control, the control of the water supply is activated.
  • the control of the water supply is adapted such that the rate R of water flowing to the steam generation unit 90 oscillates between a lower value r1 and a higher value r2.
  • the lower value r1 may correspond to no water flowing to the steamer. However, in other embodiments it may be preferred to have water flowing to the steamer at a non-zero rate r1 (standby-operation during heating-up the steamer) before starting the control of the water supply (i.e. when the temperature threshold q2 is reached and flow rates may be raised up to r2 due to flow control fully active).
  • said predetermined time sequence for controlling the water supply is a sequence of the target flow rates of water provided to the steam generation unit 90 and the water supply pump and/or the valve 280 are controlled so that the effective water flow rate follows the predetermined sequence of target flow rates.
  • the effective or controlled flow rate of water provided to the steam generation unit at any time may deviate from the related target flow rate for various reasons, e.g. due to inaccuracies of actuators (pumps, valves, etc.), sensors (temperature, flow, water level, etc.), and/or means of processing (amplifiers, calculations, signal lines, etc.) - but this is not the intended operation.
  • the predetermined time sequence or, if there are two or more predetermined time sequences, each one of the time sequences, is fixed in that as soon as one or the time sequence has been selected, the time behavior of the pump (activation/inactivation) and/or valve (open/closed) is fixed and will not be adapted in dependency of any other current operational parameter of the steam generation unit 90.
  • control application of the predetermined time sequence to the pump and/or valve is a feed-forward control and not a feedback control.
  • control of the water supply may be started immediately or a predetermined period of time after activating the control of the heater 282.
  • the steam generation unit 90 may first be heated until its temperature Q reaches a predetermined upper temperature threshold.
  • the control of the water supply may be started immediately or a predetermined period of time after the predetermined upper temperature threshold has been reached or is exceeded.
  • the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve 280 is arranged so that after its activation the flow R of liquid to the steamer oscillates between two rates r1 and r2 according to a predetermined time sequence.
  • r1 0.
  • this oscillation is independent of the operation status of the heater 282 (after reaching the predetermined upper temperature threshold) and of the temperature Q of the steam generation unit 90.
  • control of the heater 282 in this example is arranged so that the heater is switched off, when the temperature Q of the steam generation unit 90 is at or rises above a second threshold q2, and that the heater is switched on, when the temperature Q of the steam generation unit 90 is at or drops below a first threshold q1.
  • a temperature sensor 296 may be provided at the steam generation unit 90.
  • other temperature sensors e.g., attached to or integrated in the steam conduit may be used for this purpose instead or in addition.
  • the temperature T of the steam generation unit 90 may continue to increase when the heater has been switched off and/or the temperature Q of the steam generation unit 90 may continue to decrease after the heater has been switched on.
  • One of the thresholds q1 or q2 may be identical to the mentioned predetermined upper temperature threshold used for triggering the activation of the control of water supply.
  • said predetermined upper temperature limit may be chosen separately and, in particular, the second threshold q2 at which the heater is deactivated may be above said predetermined upper temperature limit.
  • a predetermined time sequence for controlling the water supply pump and/or the valve 280 in such a way that no or essentially no water is supplied to the steamer 90 while the heater 282 is on and/or that all or most of the water is supplied to the steamer 90 during time periods, where the heater 282 is off.
  • This is not an effect of the control of the water supply and the heating power as such, but the consequence of selecting the predetermined temporal profile and the heating power strength and the heating control parameters in dependency of the steam generator as device to be controlled in such a way that the non-overlap of periods of heating and water supply result.
  • the water supply over time is fixed according to the predefined sequence which specifically means that it is independent of the temperature and the temperature control (except for example that the time sequence starts only when the predetermined heater temperature threshold is achieved), while the temperature control is also reactive to the temporal temperature changes caused by the water supply.
  • FIG. 50 An example of control by a predetermined time sequence of water supply is shown in the diagram of Fig. 50 . Again, the control of the heater is switched on first and the heater 282 heats the steam generation unit 90. Thereafter, the control of the water supply is activated and then follows a predetermined time sequence. As can be seen, in this embodiment the selected time sequence results in water being supplied to the steamer only during time periods when the heater 282 is off, i.e. when the heating power P is zero or close to zero.
  • Fig. 51 is a flow diagram showing the major steps of an embodiment of the method for operating a steam generation unit 90 in a laundry dryer 2.
  • the control of the heater 282 is activated first.
  • the heater is switched off and the control of the water supply, i.e., of the water supply pump and/or the valve 280 is activated.
  • the control of the water supply thereafter is independent of the operation status of the heater 282 and of the temperature of the steam generation unit 90.
  • the heater 282 is switched on until the temperature threshold q2 is reached again. This process is repeated, e.g., until no more steam generation is required by the laundry treatment program or, e.g., until steam generation is to be interrupted. In that case the control of the water supply and the control of the heater are de-activated.
  • the heater 282 is switched off when the temperature T of the steam generation unit 90 rises above a temperature limit q2 and the heater 282 is switched on when the temperature T of the steam generation unit 90 drops below a temperature limit q1, wherein the temperature limit q1 is above the temperature limit q2. Due to the fact that the temperature of the steam generation unit 90 tends to continue to rise after switching off the heater and tends to continue to drop after switching on the heater (see above), this can lead to a more constant temperature profile of the steam generation unit 90.
  • the predetermined time sequence comprises a repeated decrease and increase of the liquid supply rate to the steam generation unit and/or comprises repeated stops and starts of the liquid supply to the steam generation unit according to predetermined time intervals T_ON and T_OFF (see Fig. 50 ).
  • the time interval T_ON is in the range of 3 to 30 seconds.
  • the time interval T_OFF is in the range of 6 to 60 seconds. More preferably the time interval T_ON is in the range of 3 to 30 seconds and the time interval T_OFF is in the range of 6 to 60 seconds.
  • the repeated decrease and increase of the liquid supply rate may be an additional modulation applied to predetermined average liquid supply rates.
  • the parameters of the modulation such as, e.g., duty cycle, frequency, and/or amplitude may be chosen depending on, e.g., the current state of the laundry treatment program and/or the purpose of the laundry treatment program and/or the state (e.g. measured temperature Q) of the steam generation unit, etc.
  • the water supply pump and/or valve 280 may be controlled according to a sequence of predetermined time sequences, wherein each predetermined time sequence is chosen as appropriate for the current state of the laundry dryer 2, the state and/or purpose of the laundry drying program, and/or the state of one or more components of the laundry dryer.
  • the method may provide for a warm-up phase for warming up the steam generation unit 90, a steam conduit 106, and/or a nozzle unit 88 or 300.
  • the predetermined time sequence applied during the warm-up phase may be arranged so that the heating power or the average heating power of the heater 282 is higher than during normal operation of the steam generation unit, e.g. after the warm-up phase.
  • the predetermined time sequence applied during the warm-up phase may be arranged so that the rate of water supplied to the steamer 90 is lower than during normal operation of the steam generation unit, e.g. after the warm-up phase.
  • Fig. 53 is a diagram showing the variations over time of the heating power P applied to the heater 280, of the liquid flow rate R supplied to the steamer 90, of the temperature Q of the steamer, and of the temperature Q' of a steam conduit as it may arise in an embodiment of the method comprising a warm-up phase T_warm.
  • both a reduced water flow rate r2 and an increased heating power p2 are applied during the warm-up phase as compared to the water flow rate r3 and the heating power p1 applied after the warm-up phase.
  • the warm-up phase according to Fig. 53 ends when the temperature Q' of the steam conduit reaches a temperature threshold q'1.
  • a temperature sensor 298 see Fig.
  • the temperature threshold q'1 may be a predetermined value or it may be determined from a state of the laundry dryer and its components, such as, e.g., the purpose and/or state of the laundry treatment program, the temperature of the steam generation unit, the ambient air temperature, etc.
  • a preferable method for operating a laundry dryer 2 as described above and as depicted e.g. in Fig. 48 comprises activating a means for heating the process air A before activating the steam generation unit 90.
  • said means for heating the process air A may be a heat pump system 4, in particular the heat exchanger 12 of the heat pump system 4.
  • an electrical resistor heater may be provided for heating the process air.
  • at least a portion of the steam conduit 106 is guided close to, is guided in, or is in thermal contact with the process air channel 20b, 20c so that there is a thermal connection 284 between the process air channel and the steam conduit.
  • the method comprises activating the fan 8 for blowing heated process air through the process air channel 20b, 20c.
  • This method is beneficial for reducing the amount of water droplets reaching the laundry in the laundry storing compartment, as the heated process air heats the process air channel which in turn supports heating of the steam conduit due to the thermal connection 284. As a consequence there will be less condensation of steam in the steam conduit.
  • Heating the process air channel according to this method is particularly useful when the laundry dryer is used with a program comprising steam treatment of the laundry only, so that the drying process was not activated and thus the process air channel has not been heated before.
  • the duration and/or power of the heating of process air and/or the delay before activating the steam generation unit are adapted according to the current temperature in the process air channel.
  • At least one temperature sensor 294 may be attached to or integrated in the process air channel and/or the temperature sensor of the heat pump system 4 is used for detecting indirectly the process air temperature. If for example the refrigerant temperature sensor of the compressor or at the outlet of the compressor is used, the refrigerant temperature is detected which is a measure for the refrigerant temperature in heat exchanger 12. Heat exchanger 12 transfers the refrigerant heat to the process air and thus the refrigerant temperature is a measure for the process air temperature.
  • the laundry dryer comprises a heat pump system 4 that has a refrigerant temperature sensor 292 and the method comprises detecting the temperature signal from the refrigerant temperature sensor 292 before activating the steam generation unit 90. If the temperature corresponding to the detected signal is below a predetermined threshold, then the heat pump system 4 is activated in order to heat the process air A.
  • the temperature of the process air A is determined or at least estimated indirectly from the temperature of the refrigerant of the heat pump system 4.
  • the method further comprises deactivating the means for heating the process air or reducing its heating power before activating the steam generation unit 90.
  • the method may additionally or instead comprise reducing the heating power of or deactivating the heater of the steam generation unit while the means for process air heating is active.
  • the means for heating the process air is deactivated or its heating power is reduced after a predetermined period of time. More preferably, the means for heating the process air is deactivated or its heating power is reduced when the temperature of the process air A and/or the process air channel 20b, 20c and/or the steam conduit 106 reaches a predetermined temperature threshold or is within a predetermined temperature range. More preferably, the means for heating the process air is deactivated or its heating power is reduced when the temperature of the steam conduit is within a predetermined temperature range of about 30°C to 40°C.
  • at least one temperature sensor 294, 298 is attached to or integrated in the process air channel and/or the steam conduit 106.
  • the overall control of the laundry dryer or at least one laundry treatment program of the laundry dryer is designed so that the control of the water supply pump and/or the valve is terminated when the control of the steam generation unit is terminated, or vice versa.
  • Reference Numeral List 2 laundry dryer 55 loading door 4 heat pump system 56 top cover 6 refrigerant loop 58 left cover 8 blower 60 front cover 10 first heat exchanger 62 front top panel 12 second heat exchanger 64 drawer cover 14 compressor 66 input section 16 expansion device 68 loading frame 17 laundry storing compartment 70 front frame 18 drum 72 rear frame 19 laundry 74 compartment back wall 20 process air channel 76 window panel 20a battery channel 78 front cover window opening 20b rear channel 82 drawer handle 20c rising channel 84 back wall opening 20d front channel 86 detangling cone 22 fluff element 88 nozzle unit 30 condensate collector 90 steam generation unit 36 drain pump 92 nozzle outlet 37 condensate drawer compartment 94 rear wall 95 back cover 40 condensate drawer 96 base portion 41 temperature sensor 98 mounting hole 46 drain conduit 100

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  • 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)
EP13177180.0A 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 Procédé pour faire fonctionner une unité de génération de vapeur dans un sèche-linge et un procédé pour faire fonctionner un sèche-linge Active EP2826909B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13177180.0A EP2826909B1 (fr) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 Procédé pour faire fonctionner une unité de génération de vapeur dans un sèche-linge et un procédé pour faire fonctionner un sèche-linge
PL13177180T PL2826909T3 (pl) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 Sposób obsługi jednostki generowania pary w suszarce do prania i sposób obsługi suszarki do prania

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EP13177180.0A EP2826909B1 (fr) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 Procédé pour faire fonctionner une unité de génération de vapeur dans un sèche-linge et un procédé pour faire fonctionner un sèche-linge

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107574643A (zh) * 2016-07-05 2018-01-12 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种根据加热器控制周期调节冷凝介质量的方法
WO2018229667A1 (fr) * 2017-06-16 2018-12-20 Gorenje Gospodinjski Aparati, D.D. Sèche-linge à condensation
EP3418437A1 (fr) * 2017-06-23 2018-12-26 LG Electronics Inc. -1- Appareil de traitement de vêtements
CN109944046A (zh) * 2019-04-16 2019-06-28 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 干衣设备的控制方法、控制装置和干衣设备
ES2725686A1 (es) * 2018-03-02 2019-09-26 Bsh Electrodomesticos Espana Sa Aparato doméstico que comprende un calentador y una bomba de calor
CN113293566A (zh) * 2021-05-24 2021-08-24 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 一种洗衣机的蒸汽护理方法
EP3896215A1 (fr) * 2020-04-16 2021-10-20 LG Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement du linge
CN114672974A (zh) * 2020-12-24 2022-06-28 广东美的环境电器制造有限公司 蒸汽发生装置及其控制方法、衣物处理装置和计算机介质
WO2022207007A1 (fr) * 2021-05-24 2022-10-06 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 Machine à laver et procédé de soins à la vapeur associé
EP4050147A3 (fr) * 2021-02-25 2022-11-23 Miele & Cie. KG Appareil de séchage à pompe à chaleur et procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de séchage à pompe à chaleur
EP4317575A4 (fr) * 2021-03-29 2024-07-31 Wuxi Little Swan Electric Co Ltd Procédé, appareil et dispositif de commande et support de stockage lisible par ordinateur

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EP1659205A2 (fr) * 2004-11-18 2006-05-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Machine à laver
EP1873297A2 (fr) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-02 LG Electronics Inc. Machine à laver et son procédé de contrôle de générateur de vapeur
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107574643B (zh) * 2016-07-05 2020-12-25 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种根据加热器控制周期调节冷凝介质量的方法
CN107574643A (zh) * 2016-07-05 2018-01-12 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种根据加热器控制周期调节冷凝介质量的方法
CN110753767B (zh) * 2017-06-16 2022-05-10 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 冷凝式干衣机
WO2018229667A1 (fr) * 2017-06-16 2018-12-20 Gorenje Gospodinjski Aparati, D.D. Sèche-linge à condensation
CN110753767A (zh) * 2017-06-16 2020-02-04 戈兰尼亚家电有限公司 冷凝式干衣机
EP3418437A1 (fr) * 2017-06-23 2018-12-26 LG Electronics Inc. -1- Appareil de traitement de vêtements
US11035066B2 (en) 2017-06-23 2021-06-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Clothes treating apparatus
ES2725686A1 (es) * 2018-03-02 2019-09-26 Bsh Electrodomesticos Espana Sa Aparato doméstico que comprende un calentador y una bomba de calor
CN109944046A (zh) * 2019-04-16 2019-06-28 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 干衣设备的控制方法、控制装置和干衣设备
EP3896215A1 (fr) * 2020-04-16 2021-10-20 LG Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement du linge
CN113529374A (zh) * 2020-04-16 2021-10-22 Lg电子株式会社 洗涤物烘干机
CN114672974A (zh) * 2020-12-24 2022-06-28 广东美的环境电器制造有限公司 蒸汽发生装置及其控制方法、衣物处理装置和计算机介质
CN114672974B (zh) * 2020-12-24 2023-11-14 广东美的环境电器制造有限公司 蒸汽发生装置及其控制方法、衣物处理装置和计算机介质
EP4050147A3 (fr) * 2021-02-25 2022-11-23 Miele & Cie. KG Appareil de séchage à pompe à chaleur et procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de séchage à pompe à chaleur
EP4317575A4 (fr) * 2021-03-29 2024-07-31 Wuxi Little Swan Electric Co Ltd Procédé, appareil et dispositif de commande et support de stockage lisible par ordinateur
CN113293566A (zh) * 2021-05-24 2021-08-24 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 一种洗衣机的蒸汽护理方法
WO2022207007A1 (fr) * 2021-05-24 2022-10-06 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 Machine à laver et procédé de soins à la vapeur associé
CN113293566B (zh) * 2021-05-24 2022-12-20 海信冰箱有限公司 一种洗衣机的蒸汽护理方法

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