EP3135806A1 - Drying apparatus with a process air blower and a purging system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drying device 1, in particular a washer dryer or a tumble dryer, having at least one process air system 3, at least one process air cycle 4 integrated into the process air cycle 4 and at least one component 6 arranged upstream of the process air blower 5 within the process air cycle 4 7, in particular a heat exchanger, comprises at least one flushing system 8 for cleaning the component 6, 7 in the course of at least one flushing operation, and at least one device electronics 9 for controlling and / or regulating the process air blower 5 and the flushing system 8, which is set up to activate the process air blower 5 at least temporarily during the flushing process. In order to optimize an operation of such a drying device 1, it is proposed with the invention that the process air blower 5 is arranged in a region of an angling of the process air circuit 4 and designed as a radial blower, wherein a downstream of the process air blower 5, with respect to a drive axis 10 of the process air blower. 5 at least partially radially extending process air duct 11 of the process air circuit 4 at least in a partial section with respect to the drive axle 10 axially into at least two separate channel sections 12, 13 is divided.

Description

The invention relates to a drying apparatus, in particular a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer, having at least one process air system comprising at least one process air cycle, at least one process air blower integrated in the process air cycle and at least one component arranged inside the process air cycle and upstream of the process air blower, in particular a heat exchanger. at least one rinsing system for cleaning the component in the course of at least one rinsing process and at least one device electronics for controlling and / or regulating the process air blower and the rinsing system, which is configured to activate the process air blower at least temporarily during the rinsing process.

From the DE 10 2008 041 474 A1 is a drying device in the form of a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer for use in a private household known. The drying device comprises a process air system which has a closed process air cycle, a process air blower integrated in the process air cycle and a component in the form of a heat exchanger which is arranged inside the process air cycle and upstream of the process air blower on the suction side. The drying device further comprises a rinsing system for cleaning the component in the course of at least one rinsing process. Furthermore, the drying device comprises an electronic control device for controlling the process air blower and the rinsing system, which is set up to activate the process air blower at least temporarily during the rinsing process. As a result, the washing liquid used for cleaning the component is entrained by the process air flow generated by the process air blower. This improves the cleaning of the component and also allows a cleaning of possibly downstream of the component arranged further components of the process air system.

An object of the invention is to improve an operation of a drying device of the type mentioned.

This object is achieved by the drying apparatus of the independent claim. Optional, advantageous embodiments are specified in particular in the dependent claims, each of which taken alone or in various combinations with each other can represent a further developing, in particular preferred or advantageous, aspect of the invention. Optional embodiments will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

A drying device according to the invention, in particular a washer dryer or dryer, comprises at least one process air system having at least one process air blower integrated into the process air cycle and at least one component arranged inside the process air cycle and upstream of the process air blower, in particular a heat exchanger. Furthermore, the drying device according to the invention comprises at least one rinsing system for cleaning the component in the course of at least one rinsing process and at least one device electronics for controlling and / or regulating the process air blower and the rinsing system, which is set to at least temporarily activate the process air blower during the rinsing process. In addition, the process air blower is arranged in a region of angling of the process air circuit and designed as a radial fan, wherein a process air blower downstream of the process air blower, with respect to a drive axis of the process air blower at least partially radially extending process air duct of the process air circuit at least in a partial section with respect to the drive axis axially into at least two separate channel sections is divided.

According to the invention, the process air blower is flowed axially by a process air flow, which reaches the process air blower or is sucked in by the process air blower, which communicates with the process air blower and communicates via the component with the process air blower. During a purging operation and with the process air blower activated, the process air flow is given in the form of a multiphase flow, which is designed in particular as a two-phase flow with a gaseous phase formed by air and a liquid phase formed by the cleaning fluid, which may be contaminated with lint. Since that Process air blower of the drying device according to the invention is designed as a radial fan, the axially flowing process air flow is directed radially outward by means of the impeller provided with blades of the process air and introduced with overpressure in the pressure side of the process air blower downstream process air duct.

The centrifugal forces acting on the two phases (gaseous, liquid) of the two-phase flow as a result of the contact with the rotor wheel are of different magnitude due to the different density of the two phases. The different centrifugal forces and the different inertia of the two phases mean that the gaseous phase is deflected more strongly than the liquid phase through the impeller radially outward. As a result, the flow paths of the two phases are separated axially when leaving the process air blower. This separation is further facilitated by the fact that the liquid phase has a higher surface tension and smaller liquid droplets in mutual contact merge into larger liquid droplets, which have a higher inertia. By separating the two phases, two different two-phase flows are generated, which differ significantly in the proportion of the respective liquid phase.

The downstream of the process air blower, with respect to the drive axis of the process air blower at least partially radially extending process air duct of the process air circulation is at least in a subsection relative to the drive axis axially divided into at least two separate channel sections that the two by the two with the process air blower differently strong radial deflected phases generated two-phase flows essentially enter different channel sections. In particular, the less strongly deflected by the process air blower radially outward liquid phase or the humid two-phase flow occurs essentially in those channel section whose the process air blower inlet facing axially further away from the suction side of the process air blower, while the stronger by the process air blower radially to outside deflected gaseous phase or the drier two-phase flow substantially enters those channel section whose the process air blower facing inlet opening is arranged axially closer to the suction side of the process air blower. The two-phase flow with the higher liquid content may be in the respective channel section, in which it has occurred predominantly, treated to selectively stop the contaminated with the lint liquid phase or liquid and thus to prevent from entering the process air duct downstream laundry drum of the drying device.

The flushing process according to the invention with activated process air blower can be repeated successively two or more times, so that the described separation mechanism, given by the components of the process air blower, and the described separation mechanism, given by the two channel sections and possibly contained therein further components, after the respective flushing process itself Lint can be freed.

Due to the very effective according to the invention separation of liquid and lint from the process air flow, the cleaning of the component can in principle be carried out during a drying process.

During a rinsing process, by activating the process air blower, at least part of the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the component can be entrained by the process air flow generated by the process air blower and spread over a larger area within the process air cycle in order to better clean the component as a whole. In addition, any further components of the process air system arranged downstream of the component can also be cleaned with the entrained cleaning liquid.

This is particularly advantageous over conventional drying devices whose process air system has a heat pump that is thermally coupled to the process air cycle and in which the process air blower is not activated during a rinsing process. In such conventional drying equipment is usually only a rinse of a first coming out of the laundry drum with a drying drum of the device emerging, lint containing process air in contact front of an evaporator of the heat pump. During a drying process carried out with the drying device, however, not only the front side of the evaporator is contaminated with lint. Rather, the entire evaporator and the downstream of the evaporator downstream condenser of the heat pump, in particular their Heat exchanger fins, contaminated with lint, which impairs the operation of the heat pump. This is accompanied by an extension of the drying time and thus a deterioration of the energy efficiency of the drying device. In extreme cases, such contamination of the heat exchanger of the heat pump can lead to a total failure of the heat pump for a shortened life. The above-mentioned disadvantages associated with the conventional drying devices do not occur in the drying device according to the invention because of its improved cleaning of the at least one component of the process air system, so that in particular customer promises regarding the energy efficiency and the life of the drying device can be reliably maintained.

The rinsing system of the drying device according to the invention can, for example, accordingly DE 10 2008 041 474 A1 or be formed differently. It may be arranged to apply an upstream input section of the component to be cleaned with the rinsing liquid. As a rinsing liquid deposited water can serve on a condensation unit, which is collected in a condensate drip pan and pumped out of this to pressurize the component directly with the water or caching the water for later loading of the component in a liquid storage can.

The device electronics of the drying device according to the invention may be formed by a main electronics of the drying device or separately. The device electronics can be set up to temporarily activate the process air blower during the rinsing process or during the entire rinsing process. The device electronics can be set up to clean the component in the course of two or more rinsing operations. In this case, the device electronics can activate the process air blower at least temporarily, in one, two or more, in particular all, rinsing operations.

The drying device according to the invention may have a non-destructive detachable unit which has at least the channel portion, which is arranged further away from the suction side of the process air blower. In this way, the detachable unit or the channel section can be cleaned separately and then be arranged again on the drying device. The detachable unit may additionally have the further channel section.

The drying device according to the invention can in particular be designed as a washer-dryer with which both washing operations and drying operations can be carried out, or as a tumble dryer, in particular a condensation laundry dryer, preferably a heat pump laundry dryer. The drying device may be suitable for household or industrial use.

The process air cycle of the process air system of the drying device according to the invention may be designed to be closed. The fact that the process air blower of the process air system is integrated into the process air cycle should in particular mean that it is arranged partially or completely within the process air cycle.

The component may be formed as a condensation unit, in particular as an evaporator of a heat pump, the drying device. The fact that the component is arranged within the process air cycle may mean that the component is formed by a technical component arranged completely within the process air cycle or by a section of a component of greater design arranged within the process air cycle. The fact that the component upstream of the process air blower on the suction side is intended to mean that the component is arranged upstream of the process air blower with respect to a process air flow within the process air cycle.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the two channel sections are separated from each other by at least one partition, which is arranged on a suction side of the process air blower opposite side of the process air blower axially offset from a rotor of the process air blower. As a result, the inlet opening of the further arranged to the suction side of the process air blower duct section or this channel section itself also on the suction side of the process air blower opposite side of the process air blower axially offset from the impeller of the process air blower.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the channel section arranged closer to the suction side of the process air blower has a larger flow cross-section, in particular a greater height, than the farther away to the suction side of the process air blower arranged channel section on. This frequently results in contact of the liquid phase contained in the two-phase flow flowing in the channel section located farther away from the suction side of the process air blower with the inside of the wall forming the channel section, whereby more liquid is deposited on this wall due to adhesion forces and thus together with lint contained therein is removed from this two-phase flow.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that at least one device for separating moisture is arranged in a portion of the process air which flows through this channel section in the channel section arranged further away from the suction side of the process air blower. As a result, the separation effect of this channel section is increased. The device may be arranged in a form-fitting manner in the channel section or may be designed to be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the channel section, leaving an opening.

Advantageously, the device comprises at least one labyrinth-like separator construction. With the labyrinth-like design of the separator, there is a double or multiple flow deflection of the moister two-phase flow flowing in the channel section. In this case, due to the higher mass inertia of the liquid phase contained in the two-phase flow, more frequent contact between the liquid phase and the separation structure occurs, whereby the separation effect of the channel section is increased.

It is furthermore advantageous if the separation construction has at least two separation louvers projecting in opposite directions into the channel section, which are each arranged inclined so that their respective free end is arranged geodetically lower than their respectively opposite fixed end. As a result, the liquid accumulating on the Abscheidellamellen flow from the Abscheidellamellen under gravity, which prevents liquid residues or fluff settle on the Abscheidellamellen. This thus prevents clogging of the separation structure with lint.

Alternatively, the device preferably comprises at least one air-permeable separating body. The separation body may be formed, for example, porous. Due to the adhesion forces acting between the liquid phase and the separation body, the liquid phase can be optimally deposited on the separation body or removed from the two-phase flow.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drying device comprises at least one unit for discharging moisture deposited on the device into a bottom region of the drying device. The unit is preferably designed such that the liquid deposited on the device is guided away from the device under the action of gravity and directed into the bottom area of the drying device. There, the liquid in a liquid reservoir, such as a condensate collecting tray, stored or removed from the drying device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least some blades of the rotor wheel of the process air blower are at least partially provided with a water-repellent surface. In this way it can be prevented, in particular, that in the process air blower axially flowing the process air blower, smaller liquid droplets are too entrained by the shearing forces of the gaseous phase flowing past, which would stand in the way of optimal separation of the two phases. To produce the water-repellent surface, the respective blade can be provided, for example, with a coating which forms the surface.

Further, it is advantageous if at least some blades of the impeller of the process air blower are designed such that with them on the axially incident on them process air in addition to a radial force component and an axial force component is transmitted, which is directed away from the suction side of the process air blower. This can favor the separation of the two phases. For example, the impeller may be modified to resemble an impeller of a diagonal blower.

The invention is not limited to the specified combination of the features of the independent claim and the dependent claims. In addition, there are further possibilities of combining individual features, in particular if they result from the patent claims, the following description of the exemplary embodiments or directly from the figures. In addition, the reference of the claims to the figures by the use of reference numerals is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the illustrated embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Abschnitts eines Ausführungsbeispiels für ein Trocknungsgerät;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Abschnitts eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels für ein Trocknungsgerät;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Kanalabschnitts mit einer labyrinthartig ausgebildeten Abscheidekonstruktion des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Trocknungsgeräts;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Abschnitts eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels für ein erfindungsgemäßes Trocknungsgerät;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Abschnitts eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels für ein Trocknungsgerät; und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Detaildarstellung eines Läuferrads eines Prozessluftgebläses eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels für ein Trocknungsgerät.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the figures of the attached drawing on the basis of preferred embodiments, wherein the features explained below may represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in different combinations with each other. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of a drying device;

Fig. 2

a schematic sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a drying device;

Fig. 3

a schematic sectional view of a channel section with a labyrinthine-shaped Abscheidekonstruktion of in Fig. 2 shown drying device;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of an inventive drying device;

Fig. 5

a schematic sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a drying device; and

Fig. 6

a schematic detail of a rotor wheel of a process air blower of another embodiment of a drying device.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical components are each provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of a drying device 1 in the form of a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer.

The drying device 1 comprises a laundry drum 2 for receiving laundry items to be dried. Furthermore, the drying device 1 comprises a process air system 3, with which a process air corresponding to the in Fig. 1 shown arrows is umwälzbar. The process air system 3 comprises a closed process air circuit 4, of which in Fig. 1 only a partial section is shown. In addition, the process air system 3 comprises a process air blower 5 integrated into the process air circuit 4, which is arranged in a region of an angling of the process air cycle 4 and designed as a radial blower. Furthermore, the process air system 3 comprises two components 6 and 7 arranged upstream of the process air blower 5 in the process air circuit 4 in the form of heat exchangers of a heat pump of the drying apparatus 1 which is not further shown. The component 6 is a condenser and the component 7 is an evaporator of the heat pump.

The drying device 1 also comprises a schematically illustrated rinsing system 8 for cleaning the component 7 in the course of at least one rinsing process. With the flushing system 8, an input-side portion of the component 7 can be acted upon with a cleaning liquid in order to be able to rinse any impurities, in particular lint, from the component 7.

Furthermore, the drying device 1 comprises a device electronics 9 for controlling and / or regulating the process air blower 5 and the rinsing system 8. The device electronics 9 is set up to activate the process air blower 5 at least temporarily during the rinsing process.

A downstream of the process air blower 5, with respect to a drive axis 10 of the process air blower 5 at least partially radially extending process air duct 11 of the process air circuit 4 is in a section relative to the drive axis 10 axially divided into two separate channel sections 12 and 13. The two channel sections 12 and 13 are separated from each other by a partition wall 14, which is arranged axially offset to a rotor wheel 16 of the process air blower 5 on a side of the process air blower 5 opposite the suction side 15 of the process air blower 5. The channel section 13 arranged closer to the suction side 15 of the process air blower 5 has a larger flow cross-section, in particular a greater height (h1> h2), than the channel section 12 arranged farther away from the suction side 15 of the process air blower 5.

The blades 21 of the rotor wheel 16 of the process air blower 5 are at least partially provided with a water-repellent surface. The blades 21 of the rotor wheel 16 of the process air blower 5 are designed such that with them on the axially incident on them process air in addition to a radial force component and an axial force component is transmitted, which is directed away from the suction side 15 of the process air blower 5. This embodiment of the blades 21 will become clearer from the description Fig. 6 ,

In the further away from the suction side 15 of the process air blower 5 arranged channel portion 12, a means 17 for separating moisture from a flowing through this channel portion 12 process air fraction is arranged. The device 17 comprises a labyrinth-like separator construction, which has three separating lamellae 18 projecting mutually and in opposite directions into the channel section 12.

The drying device 1 further comprises a unit 19 for discharging moisture deposited on the device 17 into a bottom region of the drying device 1. The unit 19 comprises a downpipe 20 arranged below the device 17, which is bent on the bottom side. The downpipe 20 can open on the bottom side, for example, into a condensate collecting trough, not shown, with which condensate formed on the component 7 can be trapped.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a drying device 1 in the form of a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. This drying device 1 differs solely from the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment that the device 17 has a labyrinth-like design Separating construction having a plurality of Abscheidelamellen 18, the corresponding Fig. 3 , which shows a schematic sectional view of the channel portion 12 corresponding to the sectional plane AA, are each arranged inclined so that their respective free end is arranged geodetically lower than their respective opposite fixed end. Incidentally, in order to avoid repetition, the above description also applies Fig. 1 directed.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a drying device 1 in the form of a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. This drying device 1 differs solely from the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, that the device 17 instead of a labyrinthine Abscheidekonstruktion an air-permeable separation body 22 which is traversed for the separation of liquid from the two-phase flow in the channel section 12. Incidentally, in order to avoid repetition, the above description also applies Fig. 1 directed.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a drying device 1 in the form of a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. This drying device 1 differs solely from the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, that no means for separating moisture from the flowing through this channel portion 12 process air portion is disposed in the channel section 12. Incidentally, in order to avoid repetition, the above description also applies Fig. 1 directed.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic detail of a rotor wheel 16 of a process air blower 5 of a further embodiment of a not further shown drying device in the form of a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. The drying device can otherwise according to one of the in the Fig. 1 to 6 be shown embodiments. In solid lines, the actual design of the rotor wheel 16 is shown, after which the blades 21 are formed such that with them on the axially incident on them process air, indicated by the arrows, in addition to a radial force component and an axial force component is transferred from the suction side 15 of the process air blower 5 is directed away. In dashed lines, a configuration of the rotor wheel 16 is shown, after which the blades 21 are formed are that with them on the axially incident on them process air essentially only a radially outward force is transferable. The process air is directed centrally via an upstream nozzle 23 axially on the impeller 16. The blades 21 are arranged inclined relative to the variant indicated by dashed lines at an angle α from the suction side 15. The angle α may be in a range of 0 ° to 45 °, in particular about 10 °.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

drying device

2

washing drum

3

Process air system

4

Process air circuit

5

Process air fan

6

Component (capacitor)

7

Component (evaporator)

8th

flushing system

9

electronics

10

drive axle

11

Process air duct

12

channel section

13

channel section

14

partition wall

15

suction

16

impeller

17

Facility

18

Abscheidelamelle

19

unit

20

downspout

21

shovel

22

collecting bodies

23

jet

h1

Height of 13

h2

Height of 12

α

angle

Claims (10)

Drying device (1), in particular washer-dryer or tumble dryer, comprising at least one process air system (3) which has at least one closed process air circuit (4), at least one process air blower (5) integrated in the process air circuit (4) and at least one component upstream of the process air blower (5) within the process air circuit (4) 6, 7), in particular a heat exchanger, comprises, - At least one rinsing system (8) for cleaning the component (6, 7) in the course of at least one rinsing process, and at least one device electronics (9) for controlling and / or regulating the process air blower (5) and the rinsing system (8), which is set up to activate the process air blower (5) at least temporarily during the rinsing process, characterized in that
the process air blower (5) is arranged in a region of an angling of the process air circuit (4) and designed as a radial blower, wherein a process air duct (11) connected downstream of the process air blower (5) at least partially radially with respect to a drive axis (10) of the process air blower (5) ) of the process air circuit (4) is divided axially into at least two mutually separate channel sections (12, 13) at least in one section relative to the drive axle (10). Drying apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two channel sections (12, 13) are separated from each other by at least one partition wall (14), which on one of the suction side (15) of the process air blower (5) opposite side of the process air blower (5 ) axially offset from a rotor wheel (16) of the process air blower (5) is arranged. Drying apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closer to the suction side (15) of the process air blower (5) arranged channel portion (13) has a larger flow cross-section, in particular a greater height (h 1, h2), as the farther remote to the suction side (15) of the process air blower (5) arranged channel portion (12). Drying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the further away from the suction side (15) of the process air blower (5) arranged channel portion (12) at least one means (17) for separating moisture from a through this Channel section (12) flowing process air component is arranged. Drying device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (17) has at least one labyrinth-like design separator. Drying apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the separation construction has at least two in opposite directions in the channel section (12) projecting Abscheidellamellen (18), which are each arranged inclined so that their respective free end geodetically deeper than their respective opposite fixed end is arranged. Drying apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (17) has at least one air-permeable separating body (22). Drying device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by at least one unit (19) for discharging moisture deposited on the device (17) into a bottom region of the drying device (1). Drying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least some blades (21) of the rotor wheel (16) of the process air blower (5) are at least partially provided with a water-repellent surface. Drying apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least some blades (21) of the rotor wheel (16) of the process air blower (5) are designed such that with them on the axially incident on them process air in addition to a radial force component Also, an axial force component is transferable, which is directed away from the suction side (15) of the process air blower (5).

Images