EP2895650B1 - Appliance with a liquid guiding device - Google Patents
Appliance with a liquid guiding device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2895650B1 EP2895650B1 EP13758895.0A EP13758895A EP2895650B1 EP 2895650 B1 EP2895650 B1 EP 2895650B1 EP 13758895 A EP13758895 A EP 13758895A EP 2895650 B1 EP2895650 B1 EP 2895650B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- guiding device
- outlet
- home appliance
- process air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims description 275
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 86
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 70
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 18
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011796 hollow space material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004753 textile Substances 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
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/22—Lint collecting arrangements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/4214—Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
- A47L15/4219—Water recirculation
-
- 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
- D06F58/24—Condensing arrangements
Definitions
- the invention relates to a home appliance, in particular to a laundry treatment apparatus, a dish washer, a dryer or a washing machine, comprising a liquid guiding device.
- WO 2009/077291 A1 discloses a laundry treatment apparatus comprising a cleaning device for cleaning a component (e.g. a heat exchanger) of the laundry treatment apparatus from fluff (or lint).
- the cleaning unit has a rinsing unit by means of which rinsing fluid can be conducted to the component for removing fluff wherein the rinsing unit has a flow element which is disposed above the component and is configured for building up of dynamic pressure of the rinsing fluid in the flow element.
- DE 101 46 641 C1 discloses a device for preventing foam or air bubbles collecting in a measuring zone of a turbidity sensor placed in a water circuit of a washing machine or dishwasher.
- a home appliance in particular laundry treatment apparatus, dish washer, dryer or washing machine, comprises a liquid guiding device having an inlet and an outlet and defining a liquid passage area for passaging the liquid, wherein the liquid guiding device is adapted to guide liquid from the inlet to the outlet wherein the outlet is adapted to direct the liquid to a component of the appliance and/or to a predefined location of the appliance, and wherein the liquid passage area of the liquid guiding device is increasing in a first cross section dimension and is decreasing in a second cross section dimension along the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet in a way such that the liquid passage area is not decreasing from the inlet to the outlet. In other words, the liquid passage area is not decreasing along the flow path of the liquid.
- Avoiding a decreasing cross section area means that the cross section area can be configured constant or increasing or slightly increasing along the flow direction. Due to enlarging of the first cross section dimension and narrowing of the second cross section dimension it is possible to adapt the geometry of the outlet of the liquid guiding device to the geometry of the component or the predefined or dedicated location to be cleaned. Thus, the exiting liquid spray is distributable such that the component or the predefined location can be evenly cleaned. Furthermore, the enlarging and narrowing cross section dimensions support a simple and space-saving integration or arrangement of the liquid guiding device within the home appliance, particularly in or at a basement of the home appliance.
- the inventors have found that the specific shape of the conduit allows to minimize the liquid pressure drop thereby enhancing the liquid flow rate and the evenly distribution of the cleaning liquid at the outlet.
- the geometry of the cross section area along the flow direction is configured to avoid a build-up of dynamic pressure of the liquid within the liquid guiding device. Bottlenecks are also avoided between the inlet and outlet. Thus, manufacturing of a cost-saving simple geometric construction of the liquid guiding device is supported. Furthermore, such a geometry of the cross section area allows a reduced flow resistance of the liquid thus a lower pumping power is required. Since there is a reduced or no flow restriction, a higher/greater liquid flow rate is possible.
- the change of the cross section area between the inlet and outlet is designed such that the liquid dynamic pressure and/or the liquid velocity does not change or at least does not increase along the flow path from the inlet to the outlet. Since the dynamic pressure and the liquid velocity are in a physical relationship, also the liquid velocity is controlled advantageously.
- first and second cross section dimensions are mathematical perpendicular to the main or mean or center liquid flow, i.e. the first and second cross section dimensions are mathematical perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to a mathematical main axis of the liquid flow path.
- the cross section areas of the liquid channel can be defined as planes perpendicular to the main or mean liquid flow direction at each point along the course or line of the mean flow direction. These planes each is spanned by a first cross section dimension which is arranged orthogonal to the liquid flow direction and by a second cross section dimension which is arranged orthogonal to the liquid flow direction and simultaneously orthogonal to the first cross section dimension.
- the cross section area is particularly increasing in the first cross section dimension and is decreasing in the second cross section dimension. This increasing and decreasing occurs in a manner such that the value of the cross section area or liquid passage area is not decreasing from the inlet to the outlet.
- there exist mathematical cross section areas and the value of these mathematical areas does not decrease from the inlet to the outlet. Particularly, said value increases or is constant along the liquid flow direction.
- the aforementioned dimensions are lying on a plane that is perpendicular to the main or mean or central liquid flow, and their variation is measured in the sense of the main or mean or central liquid flow. If one dimension decreases, this variation has to be compensated by the increasing of a second dimension, in such a way that the area of the cross section of the channel stream inside the channel will surely not decrease.
- the inlet of the liquid guiding device is connected to a liquid supply line.
- the liquid guiding device is a separate element, separate to the liquid supply line.
- the home appliance can be serviced in a cost-saving manner if a liquid guiding device or liquid supply line has to be substituted.
- the liquid guiding device comprises a dedicated inlet which is connectable with the liquid supply line.
- the liquid supply line is a flexible line or hose.
- the liquid guiding device is manufactured of a material different from the material of the liquid supply line thus being a separate element from the liquid supply line.
- the liquid guiding device is manufactured by separate molding.
- the liquid guiding device or at least a portion or a shell-like part thereof is formed as a rigid or semi-rigid part (e.g. from hard plastic).
- the component where the liquid is directed to is a heat exchanger.
- Cleaning the heat exchanger from fluff maintains the heat exchange performance over lifetime of the appliance.
- the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger of a heat pump system (then preferably the heat exchanger is the refrigerant evaporator or refrigerant heater).
- the heat exchanger is a cooling air/process air heat exchanger, which may be formed as crossflow or opposite flow type heat exchanger and/or which is used for example in a condensation dryer.
- the laundry treatment apparatus is a heat pump tumble dryer or a washing machine with a drying function.
- Said tumble dryer or washing machine comprises a heat pump system, including at least one heat exchanger acting as evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant and/or cooling process air.
- the process air flow within the heat pump dryer is guided through a compartment of the dryer, i.e. through a compartment for receiving articles to be treated, e.g. a drum.
- the process air channel is provided for circulating the process air to and from the treatment chamber in a closed loop.
- a vented dryer e.g.
- the process air channel is used which does not provide a closed circuit and the process air channel guides the process air to and/or from the treatment chamber with an outlet or inlet of the treatment apparatus cabinet.
- the process air flow is usually driven by a process air blower.
- a process air channel guides the process air flow outside the drum and includes different sections, including a section forming a battery channel in which the at least one heat exchanger is arranged.
- the air exiting the drum through the drum outlet (which is the loading opening of the drum) is filtered preferably by a fluff filter arranged close to the drum outlet in or at the process air channel.
- the liquid passage area is constant along the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet.
- a first dimension of the cross section area is defined as a height and a second dimension of the cross section area is defined as a width. Then the product of said height and width is constant.
- the liquid guiding device has an outlet region forming a nozzle or at least comprising a nozzle.
- a nozzle-like outlet region supports an even distribution of the liquid spray.
- the nozzle can be provided as a separate part connectable to the rest of the liquid guiding device.
- the nozzle is a monolithic or unitary part of the liquid guiding device at its outlet region.
- the sections of the liquid guiding device outside the nozzle can be provided as a single part or as several parts (e.g. shell-like parts).
- the outlet of the liquid guiding device comprises a slit-like shape which facilitates a good areal adaption to the component surface or predefined location to be cleaned.
- the outlet may be formed of 2, 3, 4, 5 or more discontiguous separated areas - while at the same time the requirement of constant, slightly increasing or increasing cross-section area is maintained in flow direction (from inlet to outlet).
- a hopper of funnel shaped branch of the liquid guiding device is provided which opens towards the partial area.
- the liquid guiding device is bent in the region of its outlet such that the liquid flow direction is changed in the region of its outlet.
- directing the liquid or liquid spray to the component surface or location to be cleaned is realized by a simple construction.
- an outer end section of the outlet of the liquid guiding device is formed as or at least comprises a deflecting element which is adapted to deflect the liquid at the outlet. This deflecting element even enhances an efficient directing or alignment of the liquid to the component or location to be cleaned by the liquid.
- the liquid guiding device is formed as or at least comprises an expanding element for enabling a liquid flow spatial distribution at the outlet.
- the aforementioned deflecting element and expanding element are foreseen simultaneously at the outlet.
- the liquid guiding device comprises at least one deflector wall inside its housing extending towards the outlet region of the liquid guiding device.
- the at least one deflector wall supports an even flow of the liquid towards the outlet region of the liquid guiding device.
- the at least one deflector wall is arranged perpendicular to a plane section of the liquid guiding device spanned by the liquid flow direction and the first cross section dimension.
- the at least one deflector wall is advantageously formed integrally, particularly monolithic, at one or more of the inner sides of the liquid guiding device's housing thus offering a stable arrangement of the deflector walls.
- the liquid guiding device carries means for generating a whirl flow and turbulences within the liquid flowing towards the surface, component or location to be cleaned.
- These whirl flow means are arranged at the outlet region outside the outlet itself. Liquid flowing out of the outlet passes these whirl flow means thus causing turbulences and whirling within the liquid for an enhanced removing of fluff from the surface, component or location to be cleaned.
- the whirl flow means comprise a row of outlet ribs extending along the flow direction of the liquid after passing the outlet.
- at least some of the outlet ribs are arranged equidistant to each other.
- the liquid guiding device is planar from the end inlet region to the end outlet region regarded in one or two cross-section planes along the main flow direction. In case of two cross-section planes these planes are regarded as perpendicular to each other.
- This planar geometry of the liquid guiding device facilitates a cost-saving manufacturing of the liquid guiding device and its space-saving arrangement within the home appliance.
- the liquid guiding device is formed of preferably two or of at least two guiding shells. This construction enhances a simple production of the complete liquid guiding device.
- the alignment elements may be of an inter-alignment type and/or an external-alignment type.
- the external-alignment type provides an alignment of the liquid guiding device (before or after assembling the liquid guiding device) the alignment with respect to a component of the home appliance where the liquid guiding device is to be mounted to. This alignment offers a mounting guidance for a simple mounting of the liquid guiding device.
- Said alignment element(s) ensure(s) a precise alignment of the liquid guiding device towards a defined position within the home appliance, e.g. in relationship to a battery channel or to a component to realize precise alignment of exhausted liquid towards said component to be cleaned.
- the inter-alignment type of alignment elements is used to adjust the two or more shells relative to each other during the assembling step for assembling the liquid guiding device.
- an alignment element can be configured as a slot, rim, latch, snap-fit and/or bracket or as a similar element for designing a removable or non-removable connection between the guiding shells.
- the liquid guiding device is formed of at least two guiding shells and one of the guiding shells is formed in and is a portion of the home appliance cabinet or a portion of a component housing or a portion of a home appliance basement shell.
- This geometric construction offers a space-saving reduced height of the liquid guiding device as it serves also as a common wall element of other portions within the home appliance.
- the number of components or the amount of material required is reduced due to double-usage of one of the shells.
- the home appliance comprises an articles treatment chamber and a process air channel for guiding the process air to or from the articles treatment chamber for treating the articles (e.g. laundry or dishes) using the process air.
- the liquid guiding device preferably forms a portion of said process air channel.
- an external surface of the liquid guiding device forms a portion of said process air channel enabling a space-saving assembling of the home appliance despite integration of a liquid guiding device.
- the process air is particularly circulated process air or process air sucked in as ambient air and exhausted from or to outside the home appliance or home appliance cabinet.
- one guiding shell forms a portion of a process air channel section wherein said process air channel section is housing at least one heat exchanger and/or is part of a heat pump battery channel and/or is part of a home appliance bottom shell and/or is part of a stationary articles treatment chamber.
- said one guiding shell formed at a process air channel section may be placed at the inside or the outside of the process air channel such as to provide the liquid guiding device at the interior or the exterior of the process air channel, respectively.
- a portion of the flow direction extension of the liquid guiding device is extending parallel to a process air channel of the home appliance or parallel to the flow direction within a process air channel.
- the flow direction extension of the liquid guiding device is consistent with a longitudinal extension according to the (center) main liquid flow direction.
- at least X% of the longitudinal extension of the liquid guiding device is parallel to the process air channel, whereby X is one of the values 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90.
- the home appliance is configured as a laundry treatment apparatus, particularly a dryer or a washing machine, wherein said laundry treatment apparatus comprises a laundry treatment chamber for treating laundry using process air, a process air channel (which may form a process air circuit for circulating the process air in a closed loop or the process air channel may guide the process air to and/or from the treatment chamber in a vented dryer), and a heat exchanger unit arranged within the process air channel.
- said heat exchanger unit comprises a first heat exchanger adapted to cool the process air and a second heat exchanger adapted to heat the process air.
- the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger or both (the first and second) heat exchangers are arranged in a channel section or a battery channel of the process air channel.
- the liquid guiding device is partially formed in and by a section of the channel section or the battery channel thus allowing a compact construction of the laundry treatment apparatus.
- the said channel section is arranged at an upper shell of a basement of the laundry treatment device or the said channel section is formed in said upper shell thus facilitating mounting the parts of the laundry treatment apparatus.
- the component to be cleaned is a heat exchanger or a fluff filter and the outlet of the liquid guiding device is designed to clean at least a portion of the heat exchanger or at least a portion of the fluff filter by directing the liquid or liquid spray thereto in its cleaning operation.
- the liquid or liquid spray is directed to the front side or process air entrance face of a heat exchanger or of a fluff filter to ensure an efficient cleaning of the component desired to be cleaned.
- the inlet and outlet of the liquid guiding device are arranged in alignment in such a manner that the design of the liquid guiding device is made symmetrically with regard to a symmetry axis lying in a cross section plane along the mean or main liquid flow direction.
- the design of the liquid guiding device is configured asymmetrically with regard to said cross section plane along the mean or main liquid flow direction.
- the center of the inlet and outlet of the liquid guiding device are not in alignment along the mean or main liquid flow direction.
- the home appliance comprises more than one liquid guiding device each having an inlet and outlet.
- Arranging at least two liquid guiding devices it is possible to switch and partial split the liquid flow pressure and/or flow rate towards several partial surfaces of a whole or full surface to be cleaned thus increasing the liquid flow pressure and/or flow rate towards the partial surfaces as compared to a full surface cleaning.
- a smart usage of cleaning liquid can be provided by increasing the local cleaning efficiency.
- the arrangement of several liquid guiding devices can be supplemented by installing one or more control valves upstream the inlets of the liquid guiding devices. Controlling the at least one control valve allows a cleaning of a partial portion of a component or predefined location by only one liquid guiding device if desired or necessary.
- liquid guiding devices In case at least two liquid guiding devices are used within the home appliance it is possible to use only a symmetric design or only an asymmetric design of liquid guiding devices. Preferably, the geometry of all used liquid guiding devices is identical. Using at least one asymmetric liquid guiding device supports a space-saving arrangement of the whole group of liquid guiding devices.
- Fig. 1 shows a schematically depicted laundry treatment apparatus 2 which in this embodiment is a heat pump tumble dryer.
- the tumble dryer or treatment apparatus 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 forms the refrigerant loop 6 through which the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor 14 as indicated by arrow B.
- the process air flow within the treatment apparatus 2 is guided through a compartment 18 of the home appliance 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 of the drum) 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 treatment apparatus 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 pipe 46, a filter element 24, a drain pump 36, a valve 38 and a drawer pipe 50 to an extractable condensate drawer 40.
- the collected condensate can be pumped from the collector 30 to the drawer 40 (serving as a removable tank) which is arranged at an upper portion of the treatment apparatus 2 from where it can be comfortably withdrawn and emptied by a user.
- a liquid guiding device 41 is provided close to the heat exchanger 10.
- the condensate collector 30 is connected via the drain pipe 46, the drain pump 36, the valve 38 and a feed pipe 48 to the cleaning device 41, wherein the drain pump 36 and the valve 38 are controlled by a control unit of the apparatus 2.
- a circulation pump (not explicitly shown in the figures) is provided to pump condensate from the collector 30 to the liquid guiding device 41 - i.e. the circulation pump is provided additionally to the drain pump 36.
- Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the liquid guiding device 41 according to a first embodiment.
- the liquid guiding device 41 comprises an inlet 52 (inlet region) and an outlet 54 (outlet region).
- the liquid guiding device 41 guides liquid through a liquid channel 57 from the inlet 52 to the outlet 54.
- a mean or main flow of liquid along the device 41 is indicated.
- the liquid guiding device 41 can be denoted or considered as liquid channel.
- the liquid guiding device has an inner hollow space which - in operation - is filled by the flowing liquid from the inlet 52 to the outlet 54. The inner space is restricted by the inner surfaces of the walls formed by the device 41.
- the cross section areas C (C1..5) - which constitute a liquid passage area respectively - of the liquid channel 57 can be defined as planes perpendicular to the main or mean liquid flow direction 56 at each point along the course or line of the mean flow direction. These planes each is spanned by a first cross section dimension D1 which is arranged orthogonal to the liquid flow direction 56 and by a second cross section dimension D2 which is arranged orthogonal to the liquid flow direction 56 and simultaneously orthogonal to the first cross section dimension D1.
- the cross section area C is increasing in the first cross section dimension D1 and is decreasing in the second cross section dimension D2 ( Fig. 4 ).
- a longitudinal section plane can be represented by the main liquid flow direction 56 and the first cross section dimension D1.
- Another longitudinal section plane can be represented by the main liquid flow direction 56 and the second cross section dimension D2.
- At least in partial sections along the liquid path between the inlet 52 and the outlet 54 of the liquid channel 57 the inner wall surface and preferably also the outer wall surface of the liquid guiding device 41 is substantially planar with regard to the said one or two longitudinal cross section plane(s).
- the outlet region 54 comprises a slit 58 with preferably or substantially rectangular cross section ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 5 ).
- the slit 58 conforms to a nozzle outlet 60 of a nozzle 62.
- the nozzle 62 comprises a nozzle inlet 64.
- the nozzle 62 is part of the whole liquid guiding device 41. It can be constituted monolithic or unitary with the liquid guiding device 41. Alternatively, nozzle 62 is connectable as an originally separate part to the rest of the liquid guiding device 41 during the assembly of the apparatus 2.
- the nozzle 62 its nozzle outlet 60 defines a nozzle cross section which - according to the described principle - is not smaller than a cross section area of the liquid guiding device 41 positioned upstream to said nozzle cross section with respect to the liquid flow direction 56. Rather, the nozzle cross section has a value equal with the cross section area C5 or larger than this cross section area C5 ( Fig. 3 ).
- the liquid guiding device 41 is bent in its outlet region 54 by the specific geometric design of the nozzle 62 ( Fig. 5 ).
- the nozzle 62 allows a change of the liquid flow direction 56 in the outlet region 54.
- Fig. 6 shows the nozzle 62 according to Fig. 5 .
- the bent design corresponds to a circular angle of 90°. Accordingly, the liquid flow direction 56 changes approximately 90° at the nozzle outlet 60. By means of a different nozzle designs the liquid flow direction 56 changes less than 90° ( Fig. 7 ) or more than 90° ( Fig. 8 ).
- Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a nozzle 62 comprising a nozzle outlet 60 which is trumpet-like expanded as compared to the nozzle inlet 64.
- the nozzle outlet 60 has a bent course in direction to the original liquid flow direction 56.
- the liquid flow direction 56 has changed at the nozzle outlet 60 about 90° whereby the bent course of the nozzle 62 between its nozzle inlet 64 and nozzle outlet 60 is configured meander-like.
- Fig. 12 shows a liquid guiding device 41 comprising a wall-like deflecting element 66 which causes a deflection of the liquid at the outlet 54.
- the deflecting element 66 is directed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the origin liquid flow direction 56 and extends beyond the nozzle outlet 60. Thereby spraying the liquid towards the rear side (opposite to the forward flow of the liquid in most part of the device 41) is preferred and there is no loss of liquid away from the heat exchanger 10 front side (compare Fig. 26 ).
- Fig. 13 shows a wall-like or roof-like deflecting element 66 according to a further embodiment.
- the deflecting element 66 is again directed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the origin liquid flow direction 56. It extends downwards beyond the outlet region 54 of the liquid guiding device 41 and is arranged at the end of an outlet bar 68 extending along the original liquid flow direction 56.
- this nozzle 62 forms an outlet 54 with liquid flow expanding and deflecting function.
- the embodiment of the liquid guiding device 41 according to Fig. 14 comprises several deflector walls 67.
- the deflector walls 67 are arranged inside the housing 69 of the liquid guiding device 41. Therefore, the all in all four deflector walls 67 are indicated by dashed lines as hidden parts.
- the deflector walls 67 extend along the mean or main liquid flow direction 56 towards the outlet region 54 of the liquid guiding device 41, thus dividing the slit 58 into five slit sections 59 having different extensions along the first cross section dimension D1.
- the deflector walls 67 are arranged perpendicular to a plane section of the liquid guiding device 41 spanned by the liquid flow direction 56 and the first cross section dimension D1 ( Fig. 15 ).
- the deflector walls 67 are integrally, particularly monolithic, formed at the inner sides of the housing 69 of the liquid guiding device 41.
- the deflector walls 67 support an even flow of the liquid towards the outlet region 54.
- the liquid guiding device 41 carries means for generating a whirl flow and turbulences within the liquid flowing towards the surface or location to be cleaned.
- These means are arranged at the outlet region 54 outside the nozzle 62 and comprise a row of outlet ribs 65 ( Fig. 16 ).
- the outlet ribs 65 extend along the second cross section dimension D2 and are arranged equidistant to each other along the first cross section dimension D1 ( Fig. 17 ). Liquid flowing out of the outlet 54 passes the outlet ribs 65 thus causing turbulences and whirling within the liquid for an enhanced removing of fluff from the surface or location to be cleaned.
- Fig. 18 shows a sectional perspective view of a base section 5 or basement of the treatment apparatus comprising an upper shell 70 and a corresponding lower shell 72.
- the lower shell 72 and the upper shell 70 at least partially form the process air channel 20.
- shells 70, 72 together form the battery channel 20a indicated in Fig. 1 , wherein the first and second heat exchangers 10, 12 are arranged within the battery channel 20a.
- the upper shell 70 and the liquid guiding device 41 at least partially serve as a cover or casing for the battery channel 20a and consequently for the process air channel 20.
- the liquid guiding device 41 is part or portion of the process air channel 20.
- Liquid is supplied to the inlet 52 of the liquid guiding device 41 and then to the outlet 54 via the liquid channel 57.
- the liquid is directed to the wall-like deflecting element 66 and is deflected there towards the front surface 74 of the first heat exchanger 10
- the liquid or liquid spray sweeps along the front surface 74 thus cleaning the heat exchanger 10 from fluff.
- the deflecting element 66 is part of the upper shell 70 of the base section 5 and not an integral portion of the conduit outlet 54 according to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 .
- Fig. 19 shows additionally a conduit corresponding to the feed pipe 48.
- Fig. 20 shows the upper shell 70 of the basement 5 with a liquid guiding device 41 according to a first embodiment of assembling the liquid guiding device 41. It is formed of two guiding shells, a first guiding shell 78 and a second guiding shell 76.
- the second guiding shell 76 is formed integrally at the upper shell 70 and consequently in a section of the process air channel 20.
- the separate first guiding shell 78 is placed and mounted at the inside of the upper shell 70 and consequently at the inside of the process air channel 20 (specifically the batter channel 20a) in order to provide the completed liquid guiding device 41at the interior of the process air channel 20.
- Fig. 21 shows the aforementioned inside mounting of the lower and separate first guiding shell 78 by directing it along a mounting direction M to the upper second guiding shell 76 integrally arranged at the upper shell 70 in order to fix the shell 78 to the shell 76.
- the liquid guiding device 41 After assembling both shells 76, 78 to each other the liquid guiding device 41 is in a post-assembling position or state ( Fig. 22 ).
- This inside ceiling attachment has the advantage that in case of liquid leaks along the joining line between shells 76, 78 the leaking liquid is collected within the battery channel 20a which forms at its bottom part (bottom shell 72) the condensate collector 30 shown in Fig. 1 and 18 . Thus no liquid can come in contact with electrical parts or the interior of dryer 2 outside the process air channel 20.
- the upper shell 70 carries integrally the second guiding shell 76 which is configured to be covered by the first guiding shell 78 at the outer side or exterior of the battery channel 20a.
- a liquid guiding device 41 forms a closing or wall element when inserting the assembled (complete) liquid guiding device 41 ( Fig. 25 ) in a further assembling step in a wall opening 82 of the battery channel 20a.
- the process air channel 20 is automatically closed, covered and particularly sealed at the wall opening 82 during assembling the liquid guiding device 41.
- the opening 82 is closed by the device 41.
- the process air flow B through the battery channel 20a is parallel but opposite to the main flow 56 of the liquid through the extended or most part of the liquid guiding device 41.
- Fig. 27 shows a section of a liquid conduit 34 (as an alternative to the feed pipe 48) to supply the liquid guiding device 41 with liquid.
- the section of the liquid conduit 34 which is immediately upstream the inlet 52 is vertical and coming from above.
- Fig. 28 a symmetric arrangement of two liquid guiding devices 41 is foreseen at the upper shell 70 of the basement 5.
- Fig. 29 shows an asymmetric arrangement of two liquid guiding devices 41 which have a different design.
- the aforementioned arrangements of two liquid guiding devices 41 can be supplemented by installing a control valve 84 between the devices 41 and the condensate container ( Fig. 30, Fig. 31 ).
- Controlling the control valve 84 allows a cleaning of a partial portion of the heat exchanger 10 (or another desired component/location) by only one device 41 if desired or necessary.
- cleaning of a component requires at least two actions, namely to supply the liquid to the left/right front surface 74 of the heat exchanger 10.
- this switching and partial splitting the liquid flow pressure and/or flow rate towards the partial surfaces is increased as compared to a full surface cleaning in the embodiments above.
- a smart usage of cleaning liquid can be provided by increasing the local cleaning efficiency.
- Reference Numeral List 2 treatment apparatus 56 (mean or main) liquid flow 4 heat pump system direction 5 base section 57 liquid channel 6 refrigerant loop 58 slit 8 blower 59 slit section 10 first heat exchanger 60 nozzle outlet 12 second heat exchanger 62 nozzle 14 compressor 64 nozzle inlet 16 expansion device 65 outlet rib 18 drum 66 deflecting element 19 laundry 67 deflector wall 20 process air channel 68 outlet bar 20a battery channel 69 housing 20b rear channel 70 upper shell 20c rising channel 72 lower shell 20d front channel 74 front surface 22 filter element 76 second guiding shell 24 condensed water filter 78 first guiding shell 30 condensate collector 80 separate guiding shell 34 liquid conduit 82 wall opening 36 drain pump 84 control valve 38 valve A process air flow 40 condensate container B refrigerant flow 41 liquid guiding device C, C1, 1, C2, C3, C4, C5 cross section area 46 drain pipe 48 feed pipe D1 first cross section dimension 50 drawer pipe D2 second cross section dimension 52 inlet M mounting direction 54 outlet
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to a home appliance, in particular to a laundry treatment apparatus, a dish washer, a dryer or a washing machine, comprising a liquid guiding device.
-
WO 2009/077291 A1 discloses a laundry treatment apparatus comprising a cleaning device for cleaning a component (e.g. a heat exchanger) of the laundry treatment apparatus from fluff (or lint). The cleaning unit has a rinsing unit by means of which rinsing fluid can be conducted to the component for removing fluff wherein the rinsing unit has a flow element which is disposed above the component and is configured for building up of dynamic pressure of the rinsing fluid in the flow element. -
DE 10 2009 047155 A1 discloses a condensate tank for a laundry drying device fluidly connected to a distributor that directs liquid towards a heat exchanger. The arrangement of liquid guiding surfaces is not disclosed. -
DE 101 46 641 C1 discloses a device for preventing foam or air bubbles collecting in a measuring zone of a turbidity sensor placed in a water circuit of a washing machine or dishwasher. - It is an object of the invention to provide a cost-efficient home appliance which keeps a component of the appliance and/or a predefined location of the appliance free from fluff or lint.
- The invention is defined in claim 1. Particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.
- According to claim 1 a home appliance, in particular laundry treatment apparatus, dish washer, dryer or washing machine, comprises a liquid guiding device having an inlet and an outlet and defining a liquid passage area for passaging the liquid, wherein the liquid guiding device is adapted to guide liquid from the inlet to the outlet wherein the outlet is adapted to direct the liquid to a component of the appliance and/or to a predefined location of the appliance, and wherein the liquid passage area of the liquid guiding device is increasing in a first cross section dimension and is decreasing in a second cross section dimension along the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet in a way such that the liquid passage area is not decreasing from the inlet to the outlet. In other words, the liquid passage area is not decreasing along the flow path of the liquid.
- Avoiding a decreasing cross section area means that the cross section area can be configured constant or increasing or slightly increasing along the flow direction. Due to enlarging of the first cross section dimension and narrowing of the second cross section dimension it is possible to adapt the geometry of the outlet of the liquid guiding device to the geometry of the component or the predefined or dedicated location to be cleaned. Thus, the exiting liquid spray is distributable such that the component or the predefined location can be evenly cleaned. Furthermore, the enlarging and narrowing cross section dimensions support a simple and space-saving integration or arrangement of the liquid guiding device within the home appliance, particularly in or at a basement of the home appliance.
- The inventors have found that the specific shape of the conduit allows to minimize the liquid pressure drop thereby enhancing the liquid flow rate and the evenly distribution of the cleaning liquid at the outlet.
- In contrast to
WO 2009/077291 A1 , the geometry of the cross section area along the flow direction is configured to avoid a build-up of dynamic pressure of the liquid within the liquid guiding device. Bottlenecks are also avoided between the inlet and outlet. Thus, manufacturing of a cost-saving simple geometric construction of the liquid guiding device is supported. Furthermore, such a geometry of the cross section area allows a reduced flow resistance of the liquid thus a lower pumping power is required. Since there is a reduced or no flow restriction, a higher/greater liquid flow rate is possible. The change of the cross section area between the inlet and outlet is designed such that the liquid dynamic pressure and/or the liquid velocity does not change or at least does not increase along the flow path from the inlet to the outlet. Since the dynamic pressure and the liquid velocity are in a physical relationship, also the liquid velocity is controlled advantageously. - The aforementioned first and second cross section dimensions are mathematical perpendicular to the main or mean or center liquid flow, i.e. the first and second cross section dimensions are mathematical perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to a mathematical main axis of the liquid flow path.
- Preferably, the cross section areas of the liquid channel can be defined as planes perpendicular to the main or mean liquid flow direction at each point along the course or line of the mean flow direction. These planes each is spanned by a first cross section dimension which is arranged orthogonal to the liquid flow direction and by a second cross section dimension which is arranged orthogonal to the liquid flow direction and simultaneously orthogonal to the first cross section dimension. Along the liquid flow direction the cross section area is particularly increasing in the first cross section dimension and is decreasing in the second cross section dimension. This increasing and decreasing occurs in a manner such that the value of the cross section area or liquid passage area is not decreasing from the inlet to the outlet. In other words, along the liquid flow direction there exist mathematical cross section areas and the value of these mathematical areas does not decrease from the inlet to the outlet. Particularly, said value increases or is constant along the liquid flow direction.
- The aforementioned dimensions are lying on a plane that is perpendicular to the main or mean or central liquid flow, and their variation is measured in the sense of the main or mean or central liquid flow. If one dimension decreases, this variation has to be compensated by the increasing of a second dimension, in such a way that the area of the cross section of the channel stream inside the channel will surely not decrease.
- The inlet of the liquid guiding device is connected to a liquid supply line. Preferably the liquid guiding device is a separate element, separate to the liquid supply line. Thus, different designs of a liquid guiding device according to the specific purpose can be connected to a standard liquid supply line. Additionally, the home appliance can be serviced in a cost-saving manner if a liquid guiding device or liquid supply line has to be substituted. Preferably, the liquid guiding device comprises a dedicated inlet which is connectable with the liquid supply line. In an embodiment, the liquid supply line is a flexible line or hose.
- In a preferred embodiment the liquid guiding device is manufactured of a material different from the material of the liquid supply line thus being a separate element from the liquid supply line. For example, the liquid guiding device is manufactured by separate molding.
- Preferably, the liquid guiding device or at least a portion or a shell-like part thereof is formed as a rigid or semi-rigid part (e.g. from hard plastic).
- Preferably, the component where the liquid is directed to is a heat exchanger. Cleaning the heat exchanger from fluff maintains the heat exchange performance over lifetime of the appliance. For example the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger of a heat pump system (then preferably the heat exchanger is the refrigerant evaporator or refrigerant heater). Or the heat exchanger is a cooling air/process air heat exchanger, which may be formed as crossflow or opposite flow type heat exchanger and/or which is used for example in a condensation dryer.
- Particularly, the laundry treatment apparatus is a heat pump tumble dryer or a washing machine with a drying function. Said tumble dryer or washing machine comprises a heat pump system, including at least one heat exchanger acting as evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant and/or cooling process air. The process air flow within the heat pump dryer is guided through a compartment of the dryer, i.e. through a compartment for receiving articles to be treated, e.g. a drum. In case of using a process air circuit the process air channel is provided for circulating the process air to and from the treatment chamber in a closed loop. In case of a vented dryer (e.g. without heat pump system) the process air channel is used which does not provide a closed circuit and the process air channel guides the process air to and/or from the treatment chamber with an outlet or inlet of the treatment apparatus cabinet. The process air flow is usually driven by a process air blower. Preferably, a process air channel guides the process air flow outside the drum and includes different sections, including a section forming a battery channel in which the at least one heat exchanger is arranged. The air exiting the drum through the drum outlet (which is the loading opening of the drum) is filtered preferably by a fluff filter arranged close to the drum outlet in or at the process air channel.
- In a preferred embodiment the liquid passage area is constant along the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet. For example, a first dimension of the cross section area is defined as a height and a second dimension of the cross section area is defined as a width. Then the product of said height and width is constant.
- Preferably the liquid guiding device has an outlet region forming a nozzle or at least comprising a nozzle. A nozzle-like outlet region supports an even distribution of the liquid spray. The nozzle can be provided as a separate part connectable to the rest of the liquid guiding device. Alternatively, the nozzle is a monolithic or unitary part of the liquid guiding device at its outlet region. In this regard, the sections of the liquid guiding device outside the nozzle can be provided as a single part or as several parts (e.g. shell-like parts).
- According to a preferred embodiment the outlet of the liquid guiding device comprises a slit-like shape which facilitates a good areal adaption to the component surface or predefined location to be cleaned. Instead of a single two dimensionally contiguous outlet area, 'the' outlet may be formed of 2, 3, 4, 5 or more discontiguous separated areas - while at the same time the requirement of constant, slightly increasing or increasing cross-section area is maintained in flow direction (from inlet to outlet). For example upstream of each or of at least one or some of the separated outlet areas (partial area of the outlet) a hopper of funnel shaped branch of the liquid guiding device is provided which opens towards the partial area.
- Preferably the liquid guiding device is bent in the region of its outlet such that the liquid flow direction is changed in the region of its outlet. Thus, directing the liquid or liquid spray to the component surface or location to be cleaned is realized by a simple construction.
- In a preferred embodiment an outer end section of the outlet of the liquid guiding device is formed as or at least comprises a deflecting element which is adapted to deflect the liquid at the outlet. This deflecting element even enhances an efficient directing or alignment of the liquid to the component or location to be cleaned by the liquid.
- Alternatively, the liquid guiding device is formed as or at least comprises an expanding element for enabling a liquid flow spatial distribution at the outlet. Preferably the aforementioned deflecting element and expanding element are foreseen simultaneously at the outlet.
- Preferably, the liquid guiding device comprises at least one deflector wall inside its housing extending towards the outlet region of the liquid guiding device. The at least one deflector wall supports an even flow of the liquid towards the outlet region of the liquid guiding device. Particularly, the at least one deflector wall is arranged perpendicular to a plane section of the liquid guiding device spanned by the liquid flow direction and the first cross section dimension. The at least one deflector wall is advantageously formed integrally, particularly monolithic, at one or more of the inner sides of the liquid guiding device's housing thus offering a stable arrangement of the deflector walls.
- In a further embodiment, the liquid guiding device carries means for generating a whirl flow and turbulences within the liquid flowing towards the surface, component or location to be cleaned. These whirl flow means are arranged at the outlet region outside the outlet itself. Liquid flowing out of the outlet passes these whirl flow means thus causing turbulences and whirling within the liquid for an enhanced removing of fluff from the surface, component or location to be cleaned. Particularly, the whirl flow means comprise a row of outlet ribs extending along the flow direction of the liquid after passing the outlet. Preferably, at least some of the outlet ribs are arranged equidistant to each other.
- According to a preferred embodiment the liquid guiding device is planar from the end inlet region to the end outlet region regarded in one or two cross-section planes along the main flow direction. In case of two cross-section planes these planes are regarded as perpendicular to each other. This planar geometry of the liquid guiding device facilitates a cost-saving manufacturing of the liquid guiding device and its space-saving arrangement within the home appliance.
- Preferably the liquid guiding device is formed of preferably two or of at least two guiding shells. This construction enhances a simple production of the complete liquid guiding device.
- For realizing an alignment of the two or at least two guiding shells or to align at least one guiding shell and a portion of a home appliance basement shell, there is preferably foreseen one or more alignment elements which are provided at one or both of a first and second guiding shell. The alignment elements may be of an inter-alignment type and/or an external-alignment type. The external-alignment type provides an alignment of the liquid guiding device (before or after assembling the liquid guiding device) the alignment with respect to a component of the home appliance where the liquid guiding device is to be mounted to. This alignment offers a mounting guidance for a simple mounting of the liquid guiding device. Said alignment element(s) ensure(s) a precise alignment of the liquid guiding device towards a defined position within the home appliance, e.g. in relationship to a battery channel or to a component to realize precise alignment of exhausted liquid towards said component to be cleaned. The inter-alignment type of alignment elements is used to adjust the two or more shells relative to each other during the assembling step for assembling the liquid guiding device.
- In preferred embodiments an alignment element can be configured as a slot, rim, latch, snap-fit and/or bracket or as a similar element for designing a removable or non-removable connection between the guiding shells.
- Preferably the liquid guiding device is formed of at least two guiding shells and one of the guiding shells is formed in and is a portion of the home appliance cabinet or a portion of a component housing or a portion of a home appliance basement shell. This geometric construction offers a space-saving reduced height of the liquid guiding device as it serves also as a common wall element of other portions within the home appliance. Moreover the number of components or the amount of material required is reduced due to double-usage of one of the shells.
- In a preferred embodiment the home appliance comprises an articles treatment chamber and a process air channel for guiding the process air to or from the articles treatment chamber for treating the articles (e.g. laundry or dishes) using the process air. In case of said process air channel the liquid guiding device preferably forms a portion of said process air channel. In other words, an external surface of the liquid guiding device forms a portion of said process air channel enabling a space-saving assembling of the home appliance despite integration of a liquid guiding device. With regard to said process air channel the process air is particularly circulated process air or process air sucked in as ambient air and exhausted from or to outside the home appliance or home appliance cabinet.
- Preferably one guiding shell forms a portion of a process air channel section wherein said process air channel section is housing at least one heat exchanger and/or is part of a heat pump battery channel and/or is part of a home appliance bottom shell and/or is part of a stationary articles treatment chamber.
- Supporting the desired space-saving construction, said one guiding shell formed at a process air channel section may be placed at the inside or the outside of the process air channel such as to provide the liquid guiding device at the interior or the exterior of the process air channel, respectively.
- In a preferred embodiment a portion of the flow direction extension of the liquid guiding device is extending parallel to a process air channel of the home appliance or parallel to the flow direction within a process air channel. Thus, space-saving arrangement of the liquid guiding device is enhanced additionally. The flow direction extension of the liquid guiding device is consistent with a longitudinal extension according to the (center) main liquid flow direction. Preferably, at least X% of the longitudinal extension of the liquid guiding device is parallel to the process air channel, whereby X is one of the
values - Preferably the home appliance is configured as a laundry treatment apparatus, particularly a dryer or a washing machine, wherein said laundry treatment apparatus comprises a laundry treatment chamber for treating laundry using process air, a process air channel (which may form a process air circuit for circulating the process air in a closed loop or the process air channel may guide the process air to and/or from the treatment chamber in a vented dryer), and a heat exchanger unit arranged within the process air channel. Particularly, said heat exchanger unit comprises a first heat exchanger adapted to cool the process air and a second heat exchanger adapted to heat the process air. The first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger or both (the first and second) heat exchangers are arranged in a channel section or a battery channel of the process air channel. The liquid guiding device is partially formed in and by a section of the channel section or the battery channel thus allowing a compact construction of the laundry treatment apparatus.
- In a preferred embodiment the said channel section is arranged at an upper shell of a basement of the laundry treatment device or the said channel section is formed in said upper shell thus facilitating mounting the parts of the laundry treatment apparatus.
- In preferred embodiments the component to be cleaned is a heat exchanger or a fluff filter and the outlet of the liquid guiding device is designed to clean at least a portion of the heat exchanger or at least a portion of the fluff filter by directing the liquid or liquid spray thereto in its cleaning operation. Particularly, the liquid or liquid spray is directed to the front side or process air entrance face of a heat exchanger or of a fluff filter to ensure an efficient cleaning of the component desired to be cleaned.
- Preferably, the inlet and outlet of the liquid guiding device are arranged in alignment in such a manner that the design of the liquid guiding device is made symmetrically with regard to a symmetry axis lying in a cross section plane along the mean or main liquid flow direction.
- Alternatively, the design of the liquid guiding device is configured asymmetrically with regard to said cross section plane along the mean or main liquid flow direction. In case of said asymmetric design the center of the inlet and outlet of the liquid guiding device are not in alignment along the mean or main liquid flow direction.
- In further preferred embodiments, the home appliance comprises more than one liquid guiding device each having an inlet and outlet. Arranging at least two liquid guiding devices, it is possible to switch and partial split the liquid flow pressure and/or flow rate towards several partial surfaces of a whole or full surface to be cleaned thus increasing the liquid flow pressure and/or flow rate towards the partial surfaces as compared to a full surface cleaning. Thus, a smart usage of cleaning liquid can be provided by increasing the local cleaning efficiency. The arrangement of several liquid guiding devices can be supplemented by installing one or more control valves upstream the inlets of the liquid guiding devices. Controlling the at least one control valve allows a cleaning of a partial portion of a component or predefined location by only one liquid guiding device if desired or necessary.
- In case at least two liquid guiding devices are used within the home appliance it is possible to use only a symmetric design or only an asymmetric design of liquid guiding devices. Preferably, the geometry of all used liquid guiding devices is identical. Using at least one asymmetric liquid guiding device supports a space-saving arrangement of the whole group of liquid guiding devices.
- Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures, which show:
- Fig. 1
- a schematic view of a laundry treatment apparatus,
- Fig. 2
- a perspective view of a liquid guiding device according to a first embodiment,
- Fig. 3
- a perspective view of a liquid guiding device according to a second embodiment,
- Fig. 4
- a sectional side view of the liquid guiding device according to
Fig. 2 , - Fig. 5
- a sectional side view of the liquid guiding device according to
Fig. 3 , - Fig. 6
- a detail of
Fig. 5 , showing the outlet region, - Fig. 7
- a sectional side view of the outlet region according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 8
- a sectional side view of the outlet region according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 9
- a sectional side view of the outlet region according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 10
- a sectional side view of the outlet region according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 11
- a sectional side view of the outlet region according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 12
- a sectional side view of the outlet region comprising a deflecting element according to a first embodiment,
- Fig. 13
- a sectional side view of the outlet region comprising a deflecting element according to a second embodiment,
- Fig. 14
- a bottom view of the liquid guiding device according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 15
- a sectional side view of the liquid guiding device according to the section line XV - XV in
Fig. 14 , - Fig. 16
- a side view of the liquid guiding device according to a further embodiment,
- Fig. 17
- a rear view of the liquid guiding device according to the view XVII in
Fig. 16 , - Fig. 18
- a sectional perspective view of a basement of the laundry treatment apparatus,
- Fig. 19
- a perspective view of a basement of the laundry treatment apparatus,
- Fig. 20
- a perspective view of an upper shell of the basement according to
Fig. 19 with a liquid guiding device according to a first embodiment of assembling design, - Fig. 21
- a sectional side view of the upper shell according to
Fig. 20 , - Fig. 22
- the sectional side view according to
Fig. 21 with the liquid guiding device in a post-assembling position, - Fig. 23
- a perspective view of an upper shell of the basement according to
Fig. 19 with a liquid guiding device according to a second embodiment of assembling design, - Fig. 24
- a perspective view of an upper shell of the basement according to
Fig. 19 with a liquid guiding device according to a third embodiment of assembling design, - Fig. 25
- a perspective view of a basement with the upper shell according to
Fig. 24 , - Fig. 26
- a sectional side view of a basement of the laundry treatment apparatus,
- Fig. 27
- a perspective view of the basement according to
Fig. 19 but with a liquid supply for the liquid guiding device according to a further embodiment, - Fig. 28
- a top view of the basement according to
Fig. 27 with an upper shell according to a further embodiment, - Fig. 29
- a top view of the basement according to
Fig. 27 with an upper shell according to a further embodiment, - Fig. 30
- a sectional top view of the basement according to
Fig. 28 with an integrated valve element, and - Fig. 31
- a sectional top view of the basement according to
Fig. 29 with an integrated valve element. -
Fig. 1 shows a schematically depictedlaundry treatment apparatus 2 which in this embodiment is a heat pump tumble dryer. The tumble dryer ortreatment apparatus 2 comprises aheat pump system 4, including a closedrefrigerant loop 6 which comprises in the following order of refrigerant flow B: afirst heat exchanger 10 acting as evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant and cooling process air, acompressor 14, asecond heat exchanger 12 acting as condenser for cooling the refrigerant and heating the process air, and anexpansion device 16 from where the refrigerant is returned to thefirst heat exchanger 10. Together with the refrigerant pipes connecting the components of theheat pump system 4 in series, the heat pump system forms therefrigerant loop 6 through which the refrigerant is circulated by thecompressor 14 as indicated by arrow B. - The process air flow within the
treatment apparatus 2 is guided through acompartment 18 of thehome appliance 2, i.e. through a compartment for receiving articles to be treated, e.g. adrum 18. The articles to be treated are textiles,laundry 19, clothes, shoes or the like. The process air flow is indicated by arrows A inFig. 1 and is driven by aprocess air blower 8. Theprocess air channel 20 guides the process air flow A outside thedrum 18 and includes different sections, including the section forming thebattery channel 20a in which the first andsecond heat exchangers second heat exchanger 12 flows into arear channel 20b in which theprocess air blower 8 is arranged. The air conveyed byblower 8 is guided upward in a risingchannel 20c to the backside of thedrum 18. The air exiting thedrum 18 through the drum outlet (which is the loading opening of the drum) is filtered by afluff filter 22 arranged close to the drum outlet in or at thechannel 20. Theoptional fluff filter 22 is arranged in afront channel 20d forming another section ofchannel 20 which is arranged behind and adjacent the front cover of thetreatment apparatus 2. The condensate formed at thefirst heat exchanger 10 is collected and guided to thecondensate collector 30. - The
condensate collector 30 is connected via adrain pipe 46, afilter element 24, adrain pump 36, avalve 38 and adrawer pipe 50 to anextractable condensate drawer 40. I.e. the collected condensate can be pumped from thecollector 30 to the drawer 40 (serving as a removable tank) which is arranged at an upper portion of thetreatment apparatus 2 from where it can be comfortably withdrawn and emptied by a user. - It is a problem in
dryers 2 havingheat exchangers heat exchanger 10 which is passed by process air first. This may happen with or withoutoptional fluff filter 22 being arranged between the drum and thefirst heat exchanger 10. Lint accumulated on theheat exchanger 10 reduces the thermal efficiency of theheat exchanger 10 and constricts the flow of process air A. - To remove or wash off accumulated fluff from the surface of the first heat exchanger 10 a
liquid guiding device 41 is provided close to theheat exchanger 10. Thecondensate collector 30 is connected via thedrain pipe 46, thedrain pump 36, thevalve 38 and afeed pipe 48 to thecleaning device 41, wherein thedrain pump 36 and thevalve 38 are controlled by a control unit of theapparatus 2. Alternatively a circulation pump (not explicitly shown in the figures) is provided to pump condensate from thecollector 30 to the liquid guiding device 41 - i.e. the circulation pump is provided additionally to thedrain pump 36.Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of theliquid guiding device 41 according to a first embodiment. Theliquid guiding device 41 comprises an inlet 52 (inlet region) and an outlet 54 (outlet region). Theliquid guiding device 41 guides liquid through aliquid channel 57 from theinlet 52 to theoutlet 54. InFig. 3 andFig. 4 by arrow 56 a mean or main flow of liquid along thedevice 41 is indicated. Generally theliquid guiding device 41 can be denoted or considered as liquid channel. The liquid guiding device has an inner hollow space which - in operation - is filled by the flowing liquid from theinlet 52 to theoutlet 54. The inner space is restricted by the inner surfaces of the walls formed by thedevice 41. - As shown in
Fig. 3 the cross section areas C (C1..5) - which constitute a liquid passage area respectively - of theliquid channel 57 can be defined as planes perpendicular to the main or meanliquid flow direction 56 at each point along the course or line of the mean flow direction. These planes each is spanned by a first cross section dimension D1 which is arranged orthogonal to theliquid flow direction 56 and by a second cross section dimension D2 which is arranged orthogonal to theliquid flow direction 56 and simultaneously orthogonal to the first cross section dimension D1. Along theliquid flow direction 56 the cross section area C is increasing in the first cross section dimension D1 and is decreasing in the second cross section dimension D2 (Fig. 4 ). This increasing and decreasing occurs in a manner such that the value of the cross section area is not decreasing from theinlet 52 to theoutlet 54. In other words, along theliquid flow direction 56 there exist mathematical cross section areas C, C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 (indicated by dashed lines inFig. 3 ) and the value of these mathematical areas C, C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 does not decrease from theinlet 52 to theoutlet 54. Particularly, said value increases or is constant along theliquid flow direction 56. - A longitudinal section plane can be represented by the main
liquid flow direction 56 and the first cross section dimension D1. Another longitudinal section plane can be represented by the mainliquid flow direction 56 and the second cross section dimension D2. At least in partial sections along the liquid path between theinlet 52 and theoutlet 54 of theliquid channel 57 the inner wall surface and preferably also the outer wall surface of theliquid guiding device 41 is substantially planar with regard to the said one or two longitudinal cross section plane(s). - The
outlet region 54 comprises aslit 58 with preferably or substantially rectangular cross section (Fig. 2 ,Fig. 5 ). In the embodiment according toFig. 5 theslit 58 conforms to anozzle outlet 60 of anozzle 62. At the opposite side of thenozzle outlet 60 thenozzle 62 comprises anozzle inlet 64. Thenozzle 62 is part of the wholeliquid guiding device 41. It can be constituted monolithic or unitary with theliquid guiding device 41. Alternatively,nozzle 62 is connectable as an originally separate part to the rest of theliquid guiding device 41 during the assembly of theapparatus 2. - Regarding the
nozzle 62, itsnozzle outlet 60 defines a nozzle cross section which - according to the described principle - is not smaller than a cross section area of theliquid guiding device 41 positioned upstream to said nozzle cross section with respect to theliquid flow direction 56. Rather, the nozzle cross section has a value equal with the cross section area C5 or larger than this cross section area C5 (Fig. 3 ). - Preferably the
liquid guiding device 41 is bent in itsoutlet region 54 by the specific geometric design of the nozzle 62 (Fig. 5 ). By means of its bent design thenozzle 62 allows a change of theliquid flow direction 56 in theoutlet region 54. -
Fig. 6 shows thenozzle 62 according toFig. 5 . The bent design corresponds to a circular angle of 90°. Accordingly, theliquid flow direction 56 changes approximately 90° at thenozzle outlet 60. By means of a different nozzle designs theliquid flow direction 56 changes less than 90° (Fig. 7 ) or more than 90° (Fig. 8 ). -
Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of anozzle 62 comprising anozzle outlet 60 which is trumpet-like expanded as compared to thenozzle inlet 64. InFig. 10 thenozzle outlet 60 has a bent course in direction to the originalliquid flow direction 56. According toFig. 11 theliquid flow direction 56 has changed at thenozzle outlet 60 about 90° whereby the bent course of thenozzle 62 between itsnozzle inlet 64 andnozzle outlet 60 is configured meander-like. -
Fig. 12 shows aliquid guiding device 41 comprising a wall-like deflecting element 66 which causes a deflection of the liquid at theoutlet 54. The deflectingelement 66 is directed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the originliquid flow direction 56 and extends beyond thenozzle outlet 60. Thereby spraying the liquid towards the rear side (opposite to the forward flow of the liquid in most part of the device 41) is preferred and there is no loss of liquid away from theheat exchanger 10 front side (compareFig. 26 ). -
Fig. 13 shows a wall-like or roof-like deflecting element 66 according to a further embodiment. The deflectingelement 66 is again directed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the originliquid flow direction 56. It extends downwards beyond theoutlet region 54 of theliquid guiding device 41 and is arranged at the end of anoutlet bar 68 extending along the originalliquid flow direction 56. Thus thisnozzle 62 forms anoutlet 54 with liquid flow expanding and deflecting function. - The embodiment of the
liquid guiding device 41 according toFig. 14 comprisesseveral deflector walls 67. Thedeflector walls 67 are arranged inside thehousing 69 of theliquid guiding device 41. Therefore, the all in all fourdeflector walls 67 are indicated by dashed lines as hidden parts. Thedeflector walls 67 extend along the mean or mainliquid flow direction 56 towards theoutlet region 54 of theliquid guiding device 41, thus dividing theslit 58 into five slitsections 59 having different extensions along the first cross section dimension D1. Thedeflector walls 67 are arranged perpendicular to a plane section of theliquid guiding device 41 spanned by theliquid flow direction 56 and the first cross section dimension D1 (Fig. 15 ). As can be seen inFig. 15 , thedeflector walls 67 are integrally, particularly monolithic, formed at the inner sides of thehousing 69 of theliquid guiding device 41. Thedeflector walls 67 support an even flow of the liquid towards theoutlet region 54. - In a further embodiment, the
liquid guiding device 41 carries means for generating a whirl flow and turbulences within the liquid flowing towards the surface or location to be cleaned. These means are arranged at theoutlet region 54 outside thenozzle 62 and comprise a row of outlet ribs 65 (Fig. 16 ). Theoutlet ribs 65 extend along the second cross section dimension D2 and are arranged equidistant to each other along the first cross section dimension D1 (Fig. 17 ). Liquid flowing out of theoutlet 54 passes theoutlet ribs 65 thus causing turbulences and whirling within the liquid for an enhanced removing of fluff from the surface or location to be cleaned. -
Fig. 18 shows a sectional perspective view of abase section 5 or basement of the treatment apparatus comprising anupper shell 70 and a correspondinglower shell 72. In thebasement 5 thelower shell 72 and theupper shell 70 at least partially form theprocess air channel 20. Inparticular shells battery channel 20a indicated inFig. 1 , wherein the first andsecond heat exchangers battery channel 20a. Theupper shell 70 and theliquid guiding device 41 at least partially serve as a cover or casing for thebattery channel 20a and consequently for theprocess air channel 20. In other words, theliquid guiding device 41 is part or portion of theprocess air channel 20. Liquid is supplied to theinlet 52 of theliquid guiding device 41 and then to theoutlet 54 via theliquid channel 57. At theoutlet region 54 the liquid is directed to the wall-like deflecting element 66 and is deflected there towards thefront surface 74 of thefirst heat exchanger 10 The liquid or liquid spray sweeps along thefront surface 74 thus cleaning theheat exchanger 10 from fluff. InFig. 18 , the deflectingelement 66 is part of theupper shell 70 of thebase section 5 and not an integral portion of theconduit outlet 54 according toFig. 12 and Fig. 13 . - In comparison to
Fig. 18 the embodiment according toFig. 19 shows additionally a conduit corresponding to thefeed pipe 48. -
Fig. 20 shows theupper shell 70 of thebasement 5 with aliquid guiding device 41 according to a first embodiment of assembling theliquid guiding device 41. It is formed of two guiding shells, afirst guiding shell 78 and asecond guiding shell 76. Thesecond guiding shell 76 is formed integrally at theupper shell 70 and consequently in a section of theprocess air channel 20. The separate first guidingshell 78 is placed and mounted at the inside of theupper shell 70 and consequently at the inside of the process air channel 20 (specifically thebatter channel 20a) in order to provide the completed liquid guiding device 41at the interior of theprocess air channel 20. -
Fig. 21 shows the aforementioned inside mounting of the lower and separate first guidingshell 78 by directing it along a mounting direction M to the upper second guidingshell 76 integrally arranged at theupper shell 70 in order to fix theshell 78 to theshell 76. After assembling bothshells liquid guiding device 41 is in a post-assembling position or state (Fig. 22 ). This inside ceiling attachment has the advantage that in case of liquid leaks along the joining line betweenshells battery channel 20a which forms at its bottom part (bottom shell 72) thecondensate collector 30 shown inFig. 1 and18 . Thus no liquid can come in contact with electrical parts or the interior ofdryer 2 outside theprocess air channel 20. - In
Fig. 23 theupper shell 70 carries integrally thesecond guiding shell 76 which is configured to be covered by the first guidingshell 78 at the outer side or exterior of thebattery channel 20a. - In the embodiment of
Fig. 24 twoseparate guiding shells 80 are interacting with each other to build aliquid guiding device 41 as a separate element in a first assembling step. Thisliquid guiding device 41 forms a closing or wall element when inserting the assembled (complete) liquid guiding device 41 (Fig. 25 ) in a further assembling step in a wall opening 82 of thebattery channel 20a. Thus, theprocess air channel 20 is automatically closed, covered and particularly sealed at the wall opening 82 during assembling theliquid guiding device 41. In the vertical front-rear cross section of thebasement 5 shown inFig. 26 it can be seen that theopening 82 is closed by thedevice 41. As indicated byarrows 56 and B the process air flow B through thebattery channel 20a is parallel but opposite to themain flow 56 of the liquid through the extended or most part of theliquid guiding device 41. - The embodiment according to
Fig. 27 shows a section of a liquid conduit 34 (as an alternative to the feed pipe 48) to supply theliquid guiding device 41 with liquid. Here and in contrast to the version shown inFig. 26 , the section of theliquid conduit 34 which is immediately upstream theinlet 52 is vertical and coming from above. - In
Fig. 28 a symmetric arrangement of twoliquid guiding devices 41 is foreseen at theupper shell 70 of thebasement 5.Fig. 29 shows an asymmetric arrangement of twoliquid guiding devices 41 which have a different design. - The aforementioned arrangements of two
liquid guiding devices 41 can be supplemented by installing acontrol valve 84 between thedevices 41 and the condensate container (Fig. 30, Fig. 31 ). Controlling thecontrol valve 84 allows a cleaning of a partial portion of the heat exchanger 10 (or another desired component/location) by only onedevice 41 if desired or necessary. In this operation manner cleaning of a component requires at least two actions, namely to supply the liquid to the left/rightfront surface 74 of theheat exchanger 10. On the other hand, by this switching and partial splitting the liquid flow pressure and/or flow rate towards the partial surfaces is increased as compared to a full surface cleaning in the embodiments above. Thus, a smart usage of cleaning liquid can be provided by increasing the local cleaning efficiency.Reference Numeral List 2 treatment apparatus 56 (mean or main) liquid flow 4 heat pump system direction 5 base section 57 liquid channel 6 refrigerant loop 58 slit 8 blower 59 slit section 10 first heat exchanger 60 nozzle outlet 12 second heat exchanger 62 nozzle 14 compressor 64 nozzle inlet 16 expansion device 65 outlet rib 18 drum 66 deflecting element 19 laundry 67 deflector wall 20 process air channel 68 outlet bar 20a battery channel 69 housing 20b rear channel 70 upper shell 20c rising channel 72 lower shell 20d front channel 74 front surface 22 filter element 76 second guiding shell 24 condensed water filter 78 first guiding shell 30 condensate collector 80 separate guiding shell 34 liquid conduit 82 wall opening 36 drain pump 84 control valve 38 valve A process air flow 40 condensate container B refrigerant flow 41 liquid guiding device C, C1, 1, C2, C3, C4, C5 cross section area 46 drain pipe 48 feed pipe D1 first cross section dimension 50 drawer pipe D2 second cross section dimension 52 inlet M mounting direction 54 outlet
Claims (20)
- Home appliance in particular laundry treatment apparatus, dish washer, dryer (2) or washing machine, comprising a liquid guiding device (41) having an inlet (52) and an outlet (54) and defining a liquid passage area (C, C1, C2, C3, C4. C5) for passaging the liquid,
wherein the liquid guiding device (41) is adapted to guide liquid from the inlet (52) to the outlet (54),
wherein the outlet (54) is adapted to direct the liquid to a component (10) of the appliance (2) and/or to a predefined location of the appliance (2), and
characterized in that the liquid passage area (C, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5) of the liquid guiding device (41) is increasing in a first cross section dimension (D1) and is decreasing in a second cross section dimension (D2) along the flow direction (56) from the inlet (52) to the outlet (54) in a way such that the liquid passage area (C, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5) is not decreasing from the inlet (52) to the outlet (54). - Home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the liquid passage area (C, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5) is constant along the flow direction (56) from the inlet (52) to the outlet (54).
- Home appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second cross section dimensions (D1, D2) are mathematical perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to a mathematical main axis of the flow direction (56).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein the outlet (54) is forming a nozzle (60).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein the outlet (54) has a slit shape (58).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein the liquid guiding device (41) is bent in the outlet region (54) of the liquid guiding device (41) such that the liquid flow direction (56) is changed in the outlet region (54).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein in an outer end section of the outlet (54) of the liquid guiding device (41)
the liquid guiding device (41) is formed as or comprises a deflecting element (66) adapted to deflect the liquid at the outlet (54), or
the liquid guiding device (41) is formed as or comprises an expanding element for enabling a liquid flow spatial distribution at the outlet. - Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein the liquid guiding device (41) comprises
at least one deflector wall (67) inside its housing (69) for deflecting the liquid flowing towards the outlet (54), and/or
whirl flow means (65) generating whirl flow within the liquid downstream the outlet (54). - Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein in one or two cross-section planes along the main flow direction (56), the liquid guiding device (41) is planar from the end inlet region (52) to the end outlet region (54).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein the liquid guiding device (41) is formed of two or at least two flow guiding shells.
- Home appliance according to claim 10, wherein one or more alignment elements are provided at one or both of a first and second guiding shell to align the two or at least two guiding shells (76, 78, 80).
- Home appliance according to claim 11, wherein said one or more alignment elements are provided to align at least one guiding shell (76, 78) and a portion of a home appliance basement shell (5, 70).
- Home appliance according to any claim 10 to 12, wherein the liquid guiding device (41) is formed of at least two guiding shells (76, 78) and one of the guiding shells (76) is formed in and is a portion of the home appliance cabinet or a portion of a component housing or a portion of a home appliance basement shell (5, 70).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the component is a heat exchanger (10, 12) and the outlet (54) of the flow guiding device (41) is designed to clean at least a portion (74) of the heat exchanger (10) by directing the liquid thereto in operation, or
wherein the component is a fluff filter and the outlet (54) of the flow guiding device (41) is designed to clean at least a portion of the fluff filter by directing the liquid thereto in operation. - Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, further comprising an articles treatment chamber (18) and a process air channel (20) for guiding the process air (A) to or from the articles treatment chamber (18) for treating the articles (19) using the process air (A), wherein the liquid guiding device (41) forms a portion of the process air channel (20).
- Home appliance according to claim 14, wherein the process air channel section (20, 20d), in which the one guiding shell (76) is formed,
is housing at least one heat exchanger (10, 12), or
is part of a heat pump battery channel (20a), or
is part of a home appliance bottom shell (70, 72), or
is part of a stationary articles treatment chamber (18). - Home appliance according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the one guiding shell (76) is placed at the inside or outside of the process air channel (20) such as to provide the liquid guiding device (41) at the interior or the exterior of the process air channel (20), respectively.
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein a portion of the flow direction extension (56) of the liquid guiding device (41) is extending parallel to a process air channel (20) of the home appliance (2) or parallel to the flow direction within the process air channel (20), wherein the process air channel (20) is guiding the process air (A) to or from the articles treatment chamber (18) for treating the articles (19) using the process air (A).
- Home appliance according to any of the previous claims, wherein the home appliance is a laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a dryer (2) or washing machine, the laundry treatment apparatus comprising:a laundry treatment chamber (18) for treating laundry (19) using process air (A),a process air channel for circulating the process air (A) in a process air circuit or for guiding the process air to or from the treatment chamber (18), anda heat exchanger unit arranged in the process air channel comprising a first heat exchanger (10) adapted to cool the process air (A) and a second heat exchanger (12) adapted to heat the process air (A),wherein the first heat exchanger (10), or the second heat exchanger (12), or the first and second heat exchangers (10, 12) are arranged in a channel section (20) or battery channel (20a) of the process air channel and the liquid guiding device (41) is partially formed in and by a section of the channel section (20) or battery channel (20a).
- Home appliance according to claim 18, wherein the channel section (20) is or is formed in an upper shell (70) of a basement (5) of the laundry treatment apparatus (2).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP13758895.0A EP2895650B1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-09-06 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
PL13758895T PL2895650T3 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-09-06 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12184363.5A EP2708636A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2012-09-14 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
PCT/EP2013/068494 WO2014040923A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-09-06 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
EP13758895.0A EP2895650B1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-09-06 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2895650A1 EP2895650A1 (en) | 2015-07-22 |
EP2895650B1 true EP2895650B1 (en) | 2020-06-24 |
Family
ID=46939584
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12184363.5A Withdrawn EP2708636A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2012-09-14 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
EP13758895.0A Active EP2895650B1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-09-06 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12184363.5A Withdrawn EP2708636A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2012-09-14 | Appliance with a liquid guiding device |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP2708636A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN104704158B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2013314455A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2895650T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014040923A1 (en) |
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US9562707B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2017-02-07 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerator cooling system having a secondary cooling loop |
DE102013222928A1 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2015-05-13 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Cleaning device, heat exchanger assembly and tumble dryer |
DE102015206494A1 (en) * | 2015-04-13 | 2016-10-13 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Cleaning device for a laundry treatment machine |
DE102015216437A1 (en) * | 2015-08-27 | 2017-03-02 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Clothes drying apparatus with a door lint filter seat and method of making the same |
CN107460704B (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2023-07-25 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Heat exchanger washs shower nozzle and has its heat pump dryer belt cleaning device |
CN105937175B (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2018-10-30 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Heat exchanger cleaning sprayer and heat pump clothes dryer cleaning device with it |
CN105951403B (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2018-06-29 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | The cleaning system of heat pump clothes dryer and with its heat pump clothes dryer |
US10633785B2 (en) | 2016-08-10 | 2020-04-28 | Whirlpool Corporation | Maintenance free dryer having multiple self-cleaning lint filters |
CN106283566A (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2017-01-04 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | For cleaning the nozzle component of dryer heat exchanger and there is its dryer |
US10519591B2 (en) | 2016-10-14 | 2019-12-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Combination washing/drying laundry appliance having a heat pump system with reversible condensing and evaporating heat exchangers |
US10738411B2 (en) | 2016-10-14 | 2020-08-11 | Whirlpool Corporation | Filterless air-handling system for a heat pump laundry appliance |
CN107059367B (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2023-10-31 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Spray system of clothes treatment device and clothes treatment device with spray system |
US10502478B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2019-12-10 | Whirlpool Corporation | Heat rejection system for a condenser of a refrigerant loop within an appliance |
CN106676859A (en) * | 2017-02-06 | 2017-05-17 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Heat exchanger cleaning nozzle, heat pump dryer cleaning device and heat pump clothes dryer |
US10544539B2 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2020-01-28 | Whirlpool Corporation | Heat exchanger filter for self lint cleaning system in dryer appliance |
US10619289B2 (en) * | 2017-02-27 | 2020-04-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Self cleaning diverter valve |
US10662574B2 (en) * | 2017-02-27 | 2020-05-26 | Whirlpool Corporation | Self cleaning heater exchanger plate |
US10514194B2 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2019-12-24 | Whirlpool Corporation | Multi-evaporator appliance having a multi-directional valve for delivering refrigerant to the evaporators |
DE102017209839A1 (en) * | 2017-06-12 | 2018-12-13 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Floor group of a laundry treatment device and household appliance with a floor assembly |
US10718082B2 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-07-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Acoustic heat exchanger treatment for a laundry appliance having a heat pump system |
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CN110344224B (en) * | 2018-04-03 | 2024-08-23 | 青岛海尔洗涤电器有限公司 | Clothes treatment device |
DE102019212838A1 (en) * | 2019-08-27 | 2021-03-04 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Arrangement for controlling an exit direction of a fluid |
CN114941223A (en) * | 2021-02-08 | 2022-08-26 | Lg电子株式会社 | Clothes treating device |
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US20240247889A1 (en) * | 2023-01-25 | 2024-07-25 | Whirlpool Corporation | Heat exchanger cleaning system for laundry appliance |
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- 2013-09-06 CN CN201380047595.XA patent/CN104704158B/en active Active
- 2013-09-06 PL PL13758895T patent/PL2895650T3/en unknown
- 2013-09-06 EP EP13758895.0A patent/EP2895650B1/en active Active
- 2013-09-06 AU AU2013314455A patent/AU2013314455A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-09-06 WO PCT/EP2013/068494 patent/WO2014040923A1/en active Application Filing
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN104704158B (en) | 2017-02-22 |
PL2895650T3 (en) | 2020-11-30 |
EP2708636A1 (en) | 2014-03-19 |
AU2013314455A1 (en) | 2015-03-19 |
EP2895650A1 (en) | 2015-07-22 |
WO2014040923A1 (en) | 2014-03-20 |
CN104704158A (en) | 2015-06-10 |
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