EP3034674B1 - Device for providing heat for a laundry treatment device and laundry treatment device - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus and method for providing heating power to a laundry treating appliance and laundry treating appliance

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for providing heating power for a laundry treatment appliance and a laundry treatment appliance, for example a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

Laundry treatment appliances, such as washing machines or washer-dryers, are heated with electric radiators.

The EP 2 460 927 A1 . DE 10 2014 002471 A1 , EP 2 664 868 A2 and EP 2 682 036 A2 Although generally concern heat pumps in household appliances. However, no distribution device is described in order to couple different interfaces with the evaporator depending on the operating state.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and an improved method for providing heating power for a laundry treatment appliance and an improved laundry treatment appliance.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device for providing heating power for a laundry treatment appliance and by a laundry treatment appliance having the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The advantages achievable with the invention are that required for the operation of the laundry treatment appliance heat from the ambient air can be removed. This is an advantage over purely electrically heated appliances, where all the heating energy is taken from the grid, as electricity is currently the most expensive type of energy and pollutes the environment due to CO ₂ emissions from power plants. The overall energy efficiency is better for a device using the approach described here than for a device that draws all of its required heat from an electric radiator.

• eine eingangseitige Umgebungsluftschnittstelle zum Zuführen von Umgebungsluft;
• eine eingangseitige Behandlungsfluidschnittstelle zum Zuführen von Behandlungsfluid aus einem Wäschebehandlungsraum des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts;
• einen Verdampfer, der ausgebildet ist, um ein flüssiges Kältemittel unter Verwendung der Umgebungsluft zu verdampfen und als gasförmiges Kältemittel bereitzustellen;
• einen Verflüssiger, der ausgebildet ist, um das Behandlungsfluid unter Verwendung des gasförmigen Kältemittels zu erhitzen und als erhitztes Behandlungsfluid bereitzustellen; und eine ausgangseitige Behandlungsfluidschnittstelle zum Abführen des erhitzten Behandlungsfluids zu dem Wäschebehandlungsraum.

A device for providing heating power for a laundry treatment appliance, for example in the form of a washing machine or a washer-dryer, has the following features:

• an input side ambient air interface for supplying ambient air;
• an input side treatment fluid interface for supplying treatment fluid from a laundry treatment room of the laundry treating appliance;
• an evaporator configured to evaporate a liquid refrigerant using the ambient air and to provide it as a gaseous refrigerant;
• a condenser configured to heat the treatment fluid using the gaseous refrigerant and to provide it as a heated treatment fluid; and an output side treatment fluid interface for discharging the heated treatment fluid to the laundry treatment room.

Under a laundry treatment appliance, a device can be understood in the laundry, such as textiles, can be treated. Under the treatment of laundry, for example, washing or drying can be understood. In operation of the laundry treating appliance, the laundry may be disposed in the laundry treatment room and treated using the treatment fluid. The input side treatment fluid interface is adapted to receive treatment fluid from the laundry treatment room or from another reservoir. By way of example, a treatment fluid can be understood as meaning air or a liquid, for example a wash liquor. The heating power can be used to heat the treatment fluid. Thus, the device is adapted to provide thermal energy to the laundry treating appliance. To provide the heating power, a heat pump can be used which removes the energy required for heating the treatment fluid of the ambient air. The evaporator, the condenser and a refrigerant circuit comprising the refrigerant may be part of such a heat pump. Using heat pump technology for a washing and / or drying process consumes little electrical energy. According to the invention, the input-side treatment fluid interface is led out as an input-side process air interface for supplying process air from the laundry treatment space as the treatment fluid. Accordingly, the output-side treatment fluid interface is executed as an output-side process air interface for discharging the heated process air to the laundry treatment room. In this way, the air can be removed from the laundry treatment room, heated and returned to the laundry treatment room to heat the. According to the invention, the input-side treatment fluid interface is implemented as an input-side bypass interface for supplying treatment liquid from the laundry treatment space as the treatment fluid. Accordingly, the exit-side treatment fluid interface is passed as an exit-side bypass interface for discharging the heated treatment liquid to the laundry treatment room. In this way, liquid, for example, water or a wash liquor taken from the laundry treatment room, heated and recycled to the laundry treatment room to treat the laundry. According to one embodiment, the laundry treatment appliance may be a washer-dryer. If a heat pump is used for the drying process, this greatly increases the energy efficiency of the washer dryer. If the heat pump is also used for heating the liquor during washing, there is a further increase in efficiency. According to the invention, in such a laundry treatment appliance in a first operating state for washing the laundry located in the laundry treatment room and in a second operating state for drying the laundry located in the laundry treatment room. According to the invention, the device has an input-side distribution device. The input-side distribution device is designed to couple in the first operating state, the input-side ambient air interface with the evaporator and to couple in the second operating state, the input-side process air interface with the evaporator. In this case, the evaporator is designed to evaporate in the first operating state, the liquid refrigerant using the ambient air and provide as the gaseous refrigerant and in the second operating state to evaporate the liquid refrigerant using the process air and to provide as the gaseous refrigerant. In this way, the evaporator can be used in the first operating state to remove the heat required for washing the laundry from the ambient air and used in the second operating state to extract moisture from the process air.

For this purpose, the device may further comprise an output-side distribution device. The output-side distribution device may be configured to have an output interface of the evaporator with an output side in the first operating state Coupling ambient air interface for discharging the ambient air and to couple in the second operating state, the output interface of the evaporator with an input interface of the condenser. In this way, the process air in the evaporator Moisture has been withdrawn, passed in the second operating state to the condenser and reheated in the condenser before being reintroduced into the treatment room.

According to a further embodiment, the device may comprise a further evaporator, which may be connected for conducting the process air between the input-side process air interface and the condenser. In this way, for example, an evaporator may be provided which is optimized in order to extract thermal energy from the ambient air and a further evaporator may be provided which is optimized in order to extract moisture from the process air.

In this case, a switching device may be provided, which may be configured to direct the liquid refrigerant to the evaporator in a first operating state and to conduct the liquid refrigerant to the further evaporator in a second operating state, wherein the further evaporator is designed to in the second operating state, evaporating the liquid refrigerant using the process air and providing it as the gaseous refrigerant. In this way, no separate refrigeration cycle is required.

According to an embodiment, the input side treatment fluid interface may be configured as an input side process air interface for supplying process air from the laundry treatment space as the treatment fluid and the output side treatment fluid interface as an output side process air interface for exhausting the heated process air to the laundry treatment room. In addition, the apparatus may include an input-side bypass interface for supplying treatment liquid from the laundry treatment room, an exit-side bypass interface for discharging the treatment liquid to the laundry treatment room, and a bypass pump for pumping the treatment liquid from the entrance-side bypass interface to the exit-side bypass interface. In this way, the treatment liquid can be pumped while the process air is heated using the condenser.

In this case, a further condenser may be provided, which is arranged between the inlet-side bypass interface and the outlet-side bypass interface and may be designed to heat the treatment liquid using the gaseous refrigerant and to provide it as a heated treatment liquid to the outlet-side bypass interface. In this way, both the process air and the treatment liquid can be heated using the ambient air.

• einen Wäschebehandlungsraum zum Behandeln von Wäsche; und
• eine genannte Vorrichtung, wobei die eingangseitige Behandlungsfluidschnittstelle und die ausgangseitige Behandlungsfluidschnittstelle der Vorrichtung mit dem Wäschebehandlungsraum gekoppelt sind.

A corresponding laundry treatment appliance, for example a washing machine or a washer-dryer, has the following features:

• a laundry treatment room for treating laundry; and
• a said device, wherein the input side treatment fluid interface and the output side treatment fluid interface of the device are coupled to the laundry treatment space.

In this way, the approach described can be used advantageously in connection with a device for laundry treatment.

A method of providing heating power to a laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine or washer-dryer, comprises the steps of: supplying ambient air via an input-side ambient air interface;
Supplying treatment fluid from a laundry treatment room of the laundry treatment appliance via an input side treatment fluid interface; Vaporizing a liquid refrigerant using the ambient air and providing the refrigerant as a gaseous refrigerant;
Heating the treatment fluid using the gaseous refrigerant and providing the treatment fluid as a heated treatment fluid; and discharging the heated treatment fluid to the laundry treatment space via an output side treatment fluid interface.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit einer Vorrichtung zum Bereitstellen von Heizleistung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit einer Vorrichtung zum Bereitstellen von Heizleistung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

Figur 3

eine Darstellung eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit einer Vorrichtung zum Bereitstellen von Heizleistung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 4

eine Darstellung des in Figur 3 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 5

eine Darstellung des in Figur 3 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 6

eine Darstellung eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit einer Vorrichtung zum Bereitstellen von Heizleistung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel zum Verständnis der Erfindung;

Figur 7

eine Darstellung des in Figur 6 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel zum Verständnis der Erfindung;

Figur 8

eine Darstellung des in Figur 6 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel zum Verständnis der Erfindung;

Figur 9

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Bereitstellen von Heizleistung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel ; und

Figur 10

eine Darstellung eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts in Form eines Waschtrockners.

Embodiments of the invention are shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a laundry treatment device with a device for providing heating power according to the prior art;

FIG. 2

a schematic representation of a laundry treatment device with a device for providing heating power according to the prior art;

FIG. 3

an illustration of a laundry treatment device with a device for providing heating power according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4

a representation of the in FIG. 3 shown laundry treating appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5

a representation of the in FIG. 3 shown laundry treating appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6

an illustration of a laundry treatment device with a device for providing heating power according to an embodiment for understanding the invention;

FIG. 7

a representation of the in FIG. 6 shown laundry treatment appliance according to an embodiment for understanding the invention;

FIG. 8

a representation of the in FIG. 6 shown laundry treatment appliance according to an embodiment for understanding the invention;

FIG. 9

a flowchart of a method for providing heating power according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 10

a representation of a laundry treatment device in the form of a washer dryer.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a laundry treatment appliance 100 with a device 102 for providing heating power according to the prior art. The laundry treatment device 100 may be, for example, a washing machine or a washer-dryer with a laundry treatment room 104. In the laundry treatment room 104, laundry items to be treated by an operator of the laundry treating appliance 100 may be input. In operation of the laundry treating appliance 100, a treatment fluid is used to treat, for example, to clean or dry the laundry items located within the laundry treatment room 104. As a treatment fluid, for example, air or a wash liquor is used.

The device 102 is coupled to the laundry treatment room 104 via an input side treatment fluid interface 106 and an output side treatment fluid interface 108. Via the input side treatment fluid interface 106, the device 102 may aspirate the treatment fluid from the laundry treatment space 104. Via the output side treatment fluid interface 108, the treatment fluid may be dispensed from the device 102 back into the laundry treatment room 104. Thus, the device 102 can be traversed by the treatment fluid.

During operation of the device 102, the treatment fluid passes through the device 102 and is thereby heated, wherein the required for the heating of the treatment fluid energy of the circulating air is removed. For this purpose, the device 102 has an input-side ambient air interface 110 for supplying ambient air. The ambient air is taken from an environment of the laundry treatment device 100.

The device 102 further comprises an evaporator 112 and a condenser 114, which are coupled to each other via a refrigerant circuit 116. Via the refrigerant circuit 116, refrigerant fed in the refrigerant circuit 116 is passed through the evaporator 112, from the evaporator 112 to the condenser 114, through the condenser 114, and back to the evaporator 112. In a line of the refrigerant circuit 116 through which the refrigerant is led from the evaporator 112 to the condenser 114, a compressor may be arranged and in a line of the refrigerant circuit 116 through which the refrigerant from condenser 114 is guided to the evaporator 112, a Throttle be arranged. The evaporator 112, the condenser 114, and the refrigerant circuit 116 are part of a heat pump assembly that is configured to heat the treatment fluid using the ambient air. For this purpose, the evaporator 112 in addition to the interfaces for the refrigerant on two other interfaces over which the ambient air is passed through the evaporator 112. The evaporator 112 is configured to evaporate the liquid-state refrigerant using the thermal energy of the ambient air and to provide it as a gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the condenser 114 via the refrigerant circuit 116. The condenser 114 has, in addition to the interfaces for the refrigerant, two further interfaces through which the treatment fluid is passed through the condenser 114 to be heated by receiving thermal energy provided by the refrigerant. In this case, the refrigerant located within the condenser 114 is set in the liquid state. The liquid refrigerant is returned to the evaporator 112 via the refrigerant circuit 116.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the input-side ambient air interface 110 is connected via a line to an interface of the evaporator 112, the input-side treatment fluid interface 106 via a line with an interface of the condenser 114 and the output-side treatment fluid interface 108 via a line to another interface of the condenser 114. For discharging the ambient air, the device 102 may have an outlet-side ambient air interface 118, which is connected via a line to a further interface of the evaporator 112. Thus, the cooled in the evaporator 112 ambient air can be discharged into the environment of the laundry treatment device 100 again.

According to one embodiment, the evaporator 112 or another evaporator is used to dehumidify process air supplied from the laundry treatment space 104. For this purpose, instead of the ambient air, the process air to be dehumidified can be supplied to the evaporator 112. If two evaporators are used, the refrigerant can be used for Dehumidify the process air to be led by those of the evaporator, which is provided for dehumidifying the process air.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a laundry treatment appliance 100 with a device 102 for providing heating power according to the prior art. In contrast to that on the basis of FIG. 1 described embodiment, the in FIG. 2 Device 102 shown two condenser 114, 214, and two input-side treatment fluid interfaces 206, 207 and two output-side treatment fluid interfaces 208, 209.

Process air is passed from the laundry treatment space 104 to the condenser 114 via an input-side process air interface 206, heated in the condenser 114 and fed back to the laundry treatment space 104 via an output-side process air interface 208. Treatment liquid is conducted from the laundry treatment room 104 to the further condenser 214 via an inlet-side circulation interface 207, heated in the further condenser 214 and returned to the laundry treatment room 104 via an outlet-side bypass interface 209.

The gaseous refrigerant used within the condenser 114, 214 may, as shown by FIG. 1 be provided by the evaporator 112, which is coupled via an advanced or switchable refrigeration cycle with the condensers 114, 214. Alternatively, each of the condenser 114, 214 associated with its own evaporator and a separate refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 3 FIG. 10 shows a representation of a laundry treatment device 100 with a device 102 for providing heating power according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 102 may be an embodiment of the invention based on FIG. 1 act described device. The device 102 is designed to heat the treatment fluid in a first operating state, in this case process air using ambient air, and in a second operating state to dehumidify the process air.

The laundry treatment appliance 100 has, in addition to the device 102, a laundry treatment room 104. According to one embodiment, the laundry treatment space 104 is a tub. The device 102 is coupled to the laundry treatment space 104 via an input-side process air interface 206, an output-side process air interface 208, an input-side bypass interface 207 and an output-side bypass interface 209. Via an input side Ambient air interface 110 and an exit-side ambient air interface 118 may circulate ambient air through device 102.

As based on FIG. 1 described apparatus 102 includes an evaporator 112 and a condenser 114. Depending on the operating state of the device 102, the evaporator 112 is designed to remove thermal energy either via the ambient air input 110 on the input side, or to extract thermal energy from the process air interface 206 supplied by the input side and thereby dehumidify it. For this purpose, the device 102 has an input-side distribution device 320, which is designed to connect either the ambient air interface 110 or the process air interface 206 to the evaporator 112, depending on the operating state. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 112 is supplied to the condenser 114 via a refrigerant circuit 116 and used by the condenser 114 to heat the process air. The process air is guided in a first operating state directly from the input-side process air interface 206 to the condenser 114 and in a second operating state via the evaporator 112 to the condenser 114. For this purpose, according to this exemplary embodiment, an output-side distributor 332 is provided, which in the first operating state directs the ambient air conducted through the evaporator 112 to the output-side environmental interface 118 and in the second operating state the process air conducted through the evaporator 112 via the condenser 114 output side process air interface 208 to conduct. The distribution devices 320, 322 are designed according to an embodiment as flaps.

In the refrigerant circuit 116, a compressor 324 is arranged between the evaporator 112 and the condenser 114 in the direction of flow to the condenser 114. In the flow direction to the evaporator 112, a throttle 326 is arranged between the condenser 114 and the evaporator 112 in the refrigerant circuit 116.

A process air blower 328 is disposed in conduits of a process air duct 330 to move the process air between the input side process air interface 206 and the output side process air interface 208. A room air blower 332 is disposed in ducts of a room air duct 334 to move the ambient air between the input side ambient air interface 110 and the exit side ambient air interface 118. A bypass pump 336 is disposed in conduits of a bypass circuit 338 to move the treatment liquid between the input-side bypass interface 207 and the output-side bypass interface 209.

The mentioned first operating state of the device 102 can be used for a washing process and the second operating state can be used for a drying process of a laundry treatment device 100 in the form of a washer-dryer 100. In the washer-dryer 100, the heat is provided on the one hand for the drying process, on the other hand for the washing process. During drying, this is done in the manner known for the dryer: The heat is absorbed by the evaporator 112 from the moist process air and "pumped" by the compressor 324 to a higher temperature, so that the heat via the condenser 114 is returned to the process air can be. When washing, the heat from another energy source is absorbed and transferred to the wash liquor at a higher temperature. Advantageously, the described heat pump can have the lowest possible complexity. This is achieved according to an embodiment in that the components used are used as much as possible for washing and drying.

For controlling the distributing devices 320, 322 and the conveying devices 324, 328, 332, 336, the device 102 or the laundry treatment device 100 may have a control device which is designed to be dependent on the distributing devices 320, 322 and the conveying devices 324, 328, 332, 336 to drive from an operating state of the laundry treating appliance 100.

As a heat source, the room air is used, which is sucked in, cooled and discharged back to the room. The heat pump consists, as already described, of compressor 324, throttle 326, for example in the form of a capillary or an expansion valve, the condenser 114 and the evaporator 112. During drying, a known from the dryer method is used. For washing, there are flaps 320, 322 in the process air guide 320, for example, which can also switch the air flow to an ambient air guide.

Advantageously, the apparatus described may be implemented using known means such as a heat pump 112, 114, 324, 326, flaps in the manifolds 320, 322, and process air and ambient air blowers 328, 332.

In this way, a method for operating a washer dryer 100 with heat pump 112, 114, 324, 326 for washing and drying can be implemented.

In FIG. 3 the overall structure of the device 102 is shown. In the following FIGS. 4 and 5 The two modes of drying and washing are shown. In the drying mode, the process air is passed through the evaporator 112. In the washing mode, the flaps of the distribution devices 320, 322 are set so that the room air with the Blower 332 is passed through the evaporator 112. The process air is circulated only via the condenser 114 and the tub 104.

According to one embodiment, the laundry treatment device 100 or the device 102 may comprise at least one further heating device, by means of which the process air and additionally or alternatively the treatment liquid can be heated. The additional heating device can be used as support for the heat pump. This may be useful, for example, if the treatment liquid is to be heated to high temperatures, for example to temperatures above 60 ° C. Such additional heating can as based on FIG. 10 shown to be realized by a heating for the treatment liquid and / or a heating channel for the process air.

FIG. 4 shows a representation of the in FIG. 3 shown laundry treating appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown is an interconnection of the devices of the device 102 for the first operating state, which represents the process step washing.

The input-side distribution device 320 has two inputs and two outputs and is connected for the washing process step such that the ambient air interface 110 is connected to the evaporator 112 via the input-side distribution device 320 and the input-side process air interface 206 via the input-side distribution device 320 to an input of the output side Distributor 322 is connected.

The output-side distributor 322 has two inputs and two outputs, and is connected for the washing process step such that an output of the evaporator 112 communicates with an input of the room air blower 332 and the input of the output-side distributor 322 connected to the input-side distributor 320 to an input of the process air blower 328 is connected. The output of the room air blower 332 is connected to the output side process air interface 118 and the output of the process air blower 328 is connected to an input of the condenser.

The room air blower 332 may be installed in front of the evaporator 112. The same applies to the process air blower 328, which can be installed on the input side flap 320.

• Die Prozessluft wird aufgeheizt und gibt die Wärme an Wäsche und Lauge ab. Der Verdampfer 112 wird über Klappen der Verteileinrichtungen 320, 322 in der Luftführung aus dem Prozessluftkreis 330 heraus geschaltet und in den Luftweg der Umgebungsluft geschaltet. Die Prozessluft aus dem Laugenbehälter 104 wird direkt in den Verflüssiger 114 zurück geleitet. Der Verdampfer 112 entzieht der Raumluft über eine extra Luftführung die Wärme.

The process control for the washing process step thus according to one embodiment is as follows:

• The process air is heated up and releases the heat to the laundry and lye. The evaporator 112 is switched out of the process air circuit 330 via flaps of the distributing devices 320, 322 in the air duct and switched into the air path of the ambient air. The process air from the tub 104 is returned directly to the condenser 114. The evaporator 112 extracts the heat from the room air via an extra air duct.

According to one embodiment, the device 102 may be provided exclusively for the process step washing. In this case, via lines may be used in place of the switchable distributors 320, 322.

FIG. 5 shows a representation of the in FIG. 3 shown laundry treating appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown is an interconnection of the devices of the device 102 for the second operating state, which represents the process step drying.

From the input-side distribution device 320 only one input and one output are used in this operating state, wherein the input to the input-side process air interface 206 and the output to the input of the evaporator 112 is connected. A connecting line between the further input and the further output of the input-side distributor 320 is interrupted, for example because of a closed flap of the input-side distributor 320.

Only one input and one output are used by the output-side distributor 322 in this operating state, the input being connected to the output of the evaporator 112 and the output to the input of the process air blower 328. A connecting line between the further input and the further output of the output-side distributor 322 is interrupted, for example because of a closed flap of the output-side distributor 322.

• Die Klappen der Verteileinrichtungen 320, 322 werden so gestellt, dass die Prozessluft über den Verdampfer 112 geleitet wird. Der Trockenprozess läuft wie beim Wärmepumpentrockner ab. Der Umgebungsluftstrom ist dabei abgeschaltet.

The process control for the process step drying thus according to one embodiment is as follows:

• The flaps of the distribution devices 320, 322 are set so that the process air is passed through the evaporator 112. The drying process runs as in the heat pump dryer. The ambient air flow is switched off.

FIG. 6 shows a representation of a laundry treatment appliance 100 with a device 102 for providing heating power according to an embodiment. The device 102 may be an embodiment of the invention based on FIG. 1 act described device. The device 102 is designed to heat the treatment fluid in a first operating state, in this case process air using ambient air, and in a second operating state to dehumidify the process air.

The laundry treatment appliance 100 has, in addition to the device 102, a laundry treatment room 104. According to one embodiment, the laundry treatment space 104 is a tub. The device 102 is coupled to the laundry treatment space 104 via an input-side process air interface 206, an output-side process air interface 208, an input-side bypass interface 207 and an output-side bypass interface 209. Ambient air can be passed through the device 102 via an input-side ambient air interface 110 and an output-side ambient air interface 118.

The device 102 has an evaporator 112, a further evaporator 612 and a condenser 114. The evaporator 112 is configured in the first operating state of the device 102 in order to remove thermal energy via the ambient air input side of the ambient air interface 110. In the second operating state of the device 102, the further evaporator 112 is designed to remove thermal energy from the process air supplied via the input-side process air interface 206 and thereby to dehumidify it. For this purpose, the device 102 has a switching device 620, which is designed to connect either the evaporator 112 or the further evaporator 612 to the refrigerant circuit 116 depending on the operating state. For example, the switching device 620 may be designed as a switching valve. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 112 or the further evaporator 612, depending on the operating state, is supplied via the refrigerant circuit 116 to the condenser 114 and used by the condenser 114 to heat the process air. In the first operating state, the ambient air is passed through the evaporator 112 to evaporate the refrigerant passed through the evaporator 112. The process air is fed in the first operating state via the non-refrigerant supplied further evaporator to the condenser 114 and heated therein by using the refrigerant. In the second operating state, the process air is supplied to the condenser 114 via the further evaporator 612 supplied with refrigerant and thus ready for operation.

In the refrigerant circuit 116, a compressor 324 is arranged between the evaporators 112, 612 and the condenser 114 in the direction of flow to the condenser 114. In the flow direction to the evaporator 112, a throttle 326 is arranged between the condenser 114 and the evaporator 112 in the refrigerant circuit 116. In Flow direction to the further evaporator 612, a further throttle 626 between the condenser 114 and the further evaporator 612 in the refrigerant circuit 116 is arranged. Alternatively, a variable throttle (eg electronic expansion valve) may be used in front of the 3-way valve 620

A process air blower 328 is disposed in conduits of a process air duct 330 to move the process air between the input side process air interface 206 and the output side process air interface 208. A room air blower 332 is disposed in ducts of a room air duct 334 to move the ambient air between the input side ambient air interface 110 and the exit side ambient air interface 118. A bypass pump 336 is disposed in conduits of a bypass circuit 338 to move the treatment liquid between the input-side bypass interface 207 and the output-side bypass interface 209.

The mentioned first operating state of the device 102 can be used for a washing process and the second operating state can be used for a drying process of a laundry treatment device 100 in the form of a washer-dryer 100. In the washer-dryer 100, the heat is provided on the one hand for the drying process, on the other hand for the washing process. During drying, this is done in the manner known for the dryer: The heat is absorbed by the evaporator 112 from the moist process air and "pumped" by the compressor 324 to a higher temperature, so that the heat via the condenser 114 is returned to the process air can be. When washing, the heat from another energy source is absorbed and transferred to the wash liquor at a higher temperature. Advantageously, the described heat pump can have the lowest possible complexity. This is achieved according to an embodiment in that the components used are used as much as possible for washing and drying.

As a heat source, the room air is used, which is sucked in, cooled and discharged back to the room. The heat pump consists, as already described, of compressor 324, two throttles 326, 626, for example in the form of capillaries or expansion valves or an expansion valve upstream of the switching valve 620, the condenser 114 and two evaporators 112, 612.

The drying process proceeds as in a heat pump dryer, for this purpose, the switching valve 620, which is arranged downstream of the condenser 114 in the flow direction of the refrigerant, is set so that the refrigerant flows through the evaporator 112 in the process air guide 330.

During washing, the change-over valve 620 is connected after the condenser 114 to the evaporator 612, through which the blower 332 blows ambient air, for example from the appliance housing of the laundry treatment appliance 100 or via an air duct from the front. Advantageously, the apparatus 102 described may be implemented using known means such as a heat pump 112, 612, 114, 324, 326, 626, switching means 620, for example in the form of a diverter valve, and process air and ambient air blowers 328, 332.

To actuate the switching device 620, the device 102 or the laundry treatment device 100 may have a control device which is designed to actuate the switching device 620 and the conveying devices 324, 332, 336 depending on an operating state of the laundry treatment device 100, ie in a first switching position or a to bring the second switching position.

By the heat pump 112, 612, 114, 324, 326, 626, an energy efficient device 102 can be realized, which functions in the dry process as a heat pump dryer, but can also heat the wash liquor in the washing process. In this case, the ambient air can be used as a heat source, from which the heat for the heat pump 112, 612, 114, 324, 326, 626 can be removed. In this way, a method for operating a washer dryer 100 with heat pump 112, 612, 114, 324, 326, 626 for washing and drying can be implemented.

In FIG. 6 the overall structure of the device 102 is shown. In this case, a basic structure for washing and drying with a separate evaporator 112 for the washing process is shown. In the following FIGS. 7 and 8th The two modes of drying and washing are shown.

According to one embodiment, the laundry treatment device 100 or the device 102 may comprise at least one further heating device, by means of which the process air and additionally or alternatively the treatment liquid can be heated. The additional heating device can be used as support for the heat pump. This may be useful, for example, if the treatment liquid is to be heated to high temperatures, for example to temperatures above 60 ° C. Such additional heating can as based on FIG. 10 shown to be realized by a heating for the treatment liquid and / or a heating channel for the process air.

FIG. 7 shows a representation of the in FIG. 6 shown laundry treatment appliance 100 according to one embodiment. Shown are the active components the first operating state device 102 representing the washing process step.

The refrigerant circuit 116 proceeds from the condenser 114 via the switching device 620, the throttle 326, the evaporator 112, and the compressor 324 back to the condenser 114. The ambient air is passed through the upstream of the evaporator 112 fan 332 through the evaporator 112th led to evaporate the refrigerant. The process air is passed through the fan 328, which is arranged between the further evaporator 612 and the condenser 114, through the further evaporator 612 and the condenser 114, which are not perfused by the refrigerant, and heated in the condenser.

• Die Umschalteinrichtung 620, beispielsweise in Form eines 3-Wege-Ventils, schaltet den Kältekreis 116 auf den Verdampfer 112. Der Verdampfer 112 entzieht der Raumluft die Wärme. Die Prozessluft strömt über den inaktiven (Trocknen-)Verdampfer 612. Die Prozessluft wird vom Verflüssiger 114 aufgeheizt und gibt die Wärme an sich innerhalb des Wäschebehandlungsraums 104 befindliche Wäsche und Lauge ab.

The process control for the washing process step thus according to one embodiment is as follows:

• The switching device 620, for example in the form of a 3-way valve, switches the refrigerant circuit 116 to the evaporator 112. The evaporator 112 extracts the heat from the room air. The process air flows via the inactive (drying) evaporator 612. The process air is heated by the condenser 114 and releases the heat to laundry and liquor located within the laundry treatment space 104.

FIG. 8 shows a representation of the in FIG. 3 shown laundry treatment appliance 100 according to one embodiment. Shown are the active components of the second mode device 102, which represents the process step of drying.

The refrigerant circuit 116 runs from the condenser 114 via the switching device 620, the further throttle 626, the further evaporator 612 and the compressor 324 back to the condenser 114. The process air is via the arranged between the further evaporator 612 and the condenser 114 fan 328th passed through the now perfused by refrigerant further evaporator 612 and the condenser 114. In this case, the process air is dehumidified within the further evaporator 612.

• Die Umschalteinrichtung 620, beispielsweise in Form des 3-Wege-Ventils, schaltet den Kältekreis 116 auf den weiteren Verdampfer 612 in der Prozessluft. Der Trockenprozess läuft wie bei einem Wärmepumpentrockner ab.

The process control for the process step drying thus according to one embodiment is as follows:

• The switching device 620, for example in the form of the 3-way valve, switches the cooling circuit 116 to the further evaporator 612 in the process air. The drying process runs like a heat pump dryer.

FIG. 9 FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method for providing heating power according to one exemplary embodiment. The method can be implemented using a device or laundry treatment devices described with reference to the preceding embodiments.

In a step 901, ambient air is supplied via an input side ambient air interface. The ambient air serves as a heat source. In a step 903, treatment fluid is supplied from a laundry treatment room of the laundry treating appliance via an input side treatment fluid interface. In a step 905, a liquid refrigerant is evaporated using the ambient air and provided as gaseous refrigerant. In step 907, the treatment fluid is heated using the gaseous refrigerant and provided as a heated treatment fluid. In a step 909, the heated treatment fluid is discharged to the laundry treatment room via an exit side treatment fluid interface. The steps 901, 903, 905, 907, 909 can be carried out continuously and in time parallel to one another in order to be able to provide continuously heated treatment fluid.

FIG. 10 shows a representation of a laundry treatment device in the form of a washer-dryer, which is designed with an electric heating. The washer-dryer includes a tub 104, a brine heater 1002, a process air heating passage 1003, a fan 1004, a condensing passage 1005, a cooling water valve 1006, a drain pump 1007, and a drain 1008.

Such a washer-dryer is heated with two electric heaters 1002, 1003, a heater 1002 for washing, as in the conventional washing machine, and another for heating the process air for drying. A more energy-efficient variant is a heat pump, which functions in the dry process as a heat pump dryer, as described for example with reference to the preceding figures.

At least one of the electric heating elements 1002, 1003 can also be used in connection with a device as described with reference to the preceding figures.

Claims (7)

1. Device (102) for providing heat output for a laundry treatment appliance (100), in particular for a washing machine or a washer-dryer, said device comprising the following features:

   an input-side ambient air interface (110) for conducting ambient air; an input-side treatment fluid interface (106; 206, 207) for conducting treatment fluid out of a laundry treatment chamber (104) of the laundry treatment appliance (100);

   an evaporator (112) which is designed to evaporate a liquid coolant using the ambient air and to provide said coolant as a gaseous coolant;

   a condenser (114) which is designed to heat the treatment fluid using the gaseous coolant and to provide said fluid as heated treatment fluid; and an output-side treatment fluid interface (108; 208, 209) for conveying the heated treatment fluid away to the laundry treatment chamber (104),

   the input-side treatment fluid interface (106; 206, 207) being configured as an input-side process air interface (206) for conducting process air out of the laundry treatment chamber (104) as the treatment fluid, and the output-side treatment fluid interface (108; 208, 209) being configured as an output-side process air interface (208) for conveying the heated process air away to the laundry treatment chamber (104), and/or in which the input-side treatment fluid interface (106; 206, 207) is configured as an input-side recirculation interface (207) for conducting treatment fluid out of the laundry treatment chamber (104) as the treatment fluid, and the output-side treatment fluid interface (108, 208, 209) is configured as an output-side recirculation interface (209) for conveying the heated treatment fluid away to the laundry treatment chamber (104), characterised by

   an input-side distribution means (320) which is designed to couple the input-side ambient air interface (110) to the evaporator (112) in a first operating state and to couple the input-side process air interface (206) to the evaporator (112) in a second operating state, the evaporator (112) being designed to evaporate the liquid coolant using the ambient air and provide said coolant as the gaseous coolant in the first operating state, and to evaporate the liquid coolant using the process air and provide the coolant as of the gaseous coolant in the second operating state.
2. Device (102) according to claim 1, comprising an output-side distribution means (322) which is designed to couple an output interface of the evaporator (112) to an output-side ambient air interface (118) for conveying the ambient air away in the first operating state, and to couple the output interface of the evaporator (112) to an input interface of the condenser (114) in the second operating state.
3. Device (102) according to claim 1, comprising an additional evaporator (612) which is connected so as to guide the process air between the input-side process air interface (206) and the condenser (114).
4. Device (102) according to claim 3, comprising a switching means (620) which is designed to guide the liquid coolant to the evaporator (112) in a first operating state and to guide the liquid coolant to the additional evaporator (612) in a second operating state, wherein the additional evaporator (612) is designed to evaporate the liquid coolant using the process air and to provide said coolant as the gaseous coolant in the second operating state.
5. Device (102) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the input-side treatment fluid interface (106, 206, 208) is configured as an input-side process air interface (206) for conducting process air out of the laundry treatment chamber (104) as the treatment fluid, and the output-side treatment fluid interface (108, 208, 209) is configured as an output-side process air interface (208) for conveying the heated process air away to the laundry treatment chamber (104), and in which the device (102) comprises an input-side recirculation interface (207) for conducting treatment fluid out of the laundry treatment chamber (104), an output-side recirculation interface (209) for conveying the treatment fluid away to the laundry treatment chamber (104), and a recirculation pump (336) for pumping the treatment fluid from the input-side recirculation interface (207) to the output-side recirculation interface (209).
6. Device (102) according to claim 5, comprising an additional condenser (214) which is arranged between the input-side recirculation interface (207) and the output-side recirculation interface (209) and is designed to heat the treatment fluid using the gaseous coolant and to provide said treatment fluid as heated treatment fluid at the output-side recirculation interface (209).
7. Laundry treatment appliance (100), in particular a washing machine or washer-dryer, comprising the following features:

   a laundry treatment chamber (104) for treating laundry; and

   a device (102) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the input-side treatment fluid interface (106, 206, 207) and the output-side treatment fluid interface (108, 208, 209) of the device (102) are coupled to the laundry treatment chamber (104).

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