EP3216913B1 - Laundry dryer - Google Patents

Description

The generic state-of-the-art tumble dryers have a drying field with at least two elongated holding elements for hanging laundry items to be dried, which is held over a support frame, wherein at least one fan is provided above in that an air flow directed in at least one direction of flow can be generated in the region of the drying field, the flow direction being directed between the holding elements and / or the laundry items hanging thereon.

A generic clothes dryer is from the WO 2012/168505 A1 known. This stand-dryer has an air guide within the frame of the drying field, wherein the air is introduced from this air guide into the tubular holding element and there exits downwardly directed outlets. In particular, the air is previously heated by a heating element.

The known tumble dryer has the advantage that the moist air between the laundry pieces of preferably warm air is displaced. However, it has the disadvantage that the air flow volume is comparatively low, since the flow resistance through the holding elements is quite large, because these, so that laundry can be hung on it, are limited in diameter. In combination with unheated air, therefore, the effect will have to be limited if the energy consumption is not to be too high. The same problem have from the AU 2004100506 A4 , of the KR 2010 0 046 634 A and the KR 2013 0117060 A known clothes dryer in which also drying air is blown through a fan through the frame and then the holding elements between the laundry items.

Tumble dryer of the type mentioned are also from the DE 103 18 486 B3 known. These clothes dryers are designed as a clothes dryer and have a frame with two side brackets, which are connected to the top of the drying field and stand up with a lower cross member on the floor. Between the cross beams an additional stabilization is provided, which prevents the straps from collapsing unintentionally.

In each case a large fan is provided on the bracket of the known tumble dryer, which blows air between the hung on the drying panel laundry. As a result, the moist air that accumulates between the items of laundry is replaced by drier ambient air, so that the drying process is optimized due to the increased moisture gradient. At the same time a third fan is provided in the known tumble dryer in the region of the lower stabilizer, which promotes the air from bottom to top. In this way, the air blown laterally between the laundry items should be pushed upwards.

The well-known tumble dryer effectively replaces wet air with drier air. But he has the disadvantage that on the one hand, the cost of the three fans is very large and on the other hand, the fan on the brackets and the lower stabilizer are provided, which makes the folding and storing the tumble dryer consuming and brings with it the danger that the user with his fingers in the fan device or other objects are sucked into the large rotor blades of the fan. Furthermore, the clothes dryer suffers from high energy consumption. A similar system shows the KR 2015 0 145 995 A in which large fans blow fresh air between the laundry items from below.

From the DE 298 00 462 U1 is another dryer known, which is also designed as a tumble dryer. This dryer has an upper drying field, which is supported by a rollable stand frame. From the drying field heated heating rods protrude vertically downwards. When filled tumble dryer then these heating elements are arranged between the laundry items and heat the air, which is also located between the laundry items, so that this can absorb more moisture on the one hand and on the other transported by the convection, the warm, moist air upwards becomes. In addition, the heating elements can also have outlet nozzles, through which heated air can be blown out of the heating elements.

The features of the clothes dryer with the heating elements has the disadvantage that these heating rods complicate the folding of the dryer, a risk of burns when the user touches the heating elements and the cost of making the dryer is quite large. Another disadvantage of the heated clothes dryer is that it consumes comparatively much energy and thus has only small advantages compared to a conventional electric condensation dryer.

From the WO2005 / 085512 A1 For example, a tumble dryer is known which has hot air ducts with lower air outlet openings above a drying field, through which hot air can be blown from above onto the items of laundry hanging underneath. This clothes dryer also suffers from the disadvantage that the air duct is expensive and that comparatively much energy has to be expended for the production of the hot air. Furthermore, an external unit for heating and introducing the air is required in the channels, which in turn can be expensive to handle the tumble dryer.

From the DE 196 31 716 A1 In turn, a tumble dryer is known, which in each case has four axial fans arranged next to one another below the drying field on the two narrow sides of the rectangular drying field, which blow air between the laundry items hanging on the drying field. In this dryer, the cost of the total of eight fans that need to be powered independently, relatively large.

Further, for example, from the US 2014 0 360 043 A1 , Tumble dryer with separate heating elements known. These can, as in the case of one from the DE 298 00 462 U1 known stand-drying machine, may have a hot air blower over which the air is moved between the heating elements arranged between the laundry items.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a dryer which can be produced at low cost, in which the most effective possible displacement of moist air by drier air is possible with low energy consumption.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a tumble dryer according to claim 1.

Due to the inventive design of the tumble dryer, a tumble dryer can now be constructed at low cost, which allows an exchange of air between hanging on the drying panel laundry. For this purpose, the air distribution chamber is provided, which is charged by the fan with ambient air. The air distribution chamber is fluidly connected to the air duct, which in turn has air flow openings through which air is blown between the laundry items.

The invention is fundamentally based on a first idea, namely that the flow rate and the amount of air blown in between the items of laundry can be kept comparatively small in order nevertheless to achieve a good drying result. This deliberate renouncement of high exchange rates makes it possible in one embodiment of the invention to integrate the air duct in the drying field and to manage with a small number of fans, preferably with only one fan. This not only reduces the material costs but also the energy consumption of the tumble dryer.

According to the invention, the Luftverteilkammer is arranged so that it promotes drier air in the area between the laundry items through the air flow openings, which may also be connected via lines to the Luftverteilkammer compared to the air, which is located between the laundry items. Advantageously, all areas of the air duct for the flow are formed low resistance, so that the energy consumption can be minimized.

The drying field is provided with a frame which is at least partially formed as a hollow chamber, said hollow chamber then forms the air distribution chamber. The fan can be arranged directly on the hollow chamber and the air through a passage window, in which the fan with its rotor arranged is to promote into the air distribution chamber. Alternatively, the fan can of course also be provided at another location and promote the air in the air distribution chamber via a supply line. Also, for example, two opposite air distribution chambers may be provided, in which case, for example, each air distribution chamber may be assigned at least one fan. These fans can be arranged directly on one of the air distribution chambers forming hollow chambers.

The air flow openings are arranged directly on the air distribution chamber.

A basically possible embodiment of the invention comprises a frame or a frame part of the drying field, in which the air distribution chamber is located. In this embodiment, an air guide may be provided in the drying field, which conveys the air to the air flow openings, which are arranged away from the Luftverteilkammer or the air flow openings are provided directly to the Luftverteilkammer. Also, for example, the air distribution chamber may extend to a completely hollow frame that completely surrounds the drying field.

Another basic embodiment of the invention comprises one or more air distribution chambers, which are arranged on one side of the drying field, but are independent of the drying field. In this case, the air distribution chamber may be provided in a separate component that is attached, for example, to the standpipes of the tumble dryer. An attachment to the drying field itself is of course possible. In this case too, an arrangement of the air flow openings can in principle be effected both directly on the component which has the air distribution chamber and on other components of the tumble dryer.

The air flow openings may be specially shaped as required. Thus, on the one hand, the flow direction can be adjusted via the geometry of the air flow openings. In principle, a simple air flow will be sufficient, but if necessary it may also be practicable that, for example, every second air outlet opening directs the air flow to one side, while the other air flow openings direct the air flow to the opposite side.

Also, the geometry of the air flow openings of the radiation angle of the air flow can be adjusted, here also, for example, every second air outlet opening have a very small expansion angle to produce an air flow, which is directed rather downwards. The remaining air flow openings may then, for example, have a large beam widening angle, so that the air conveyed out of them will remain in the upper area of the laundry items.

Also in the context of the present invention, it is possible to provide in the air flow, for example in the region of the air distribution chamber, a heater to heat the air. Usually, however, this will not be necessary, as this will be associated with too high energy consumption.

In order not to unnecessarily consume energy, a timer can be provided, which shuts off the fan after a certain period of operation. Furthermore, it can be provided that the fan periodically switches on and off in order to make use of the fact that the air between the items of laundry only has to accumulate again with moisture in order to achieve a positive effect through the air exchange. The intervals can be adapted to the operating time to further save energy. For this purpose, for example, be provided that the pauses between the phases in which the fan is in operation, be extended with increasing operating time, since with increasing operating time with a lower humidity due to the progressive drying of the laundry is expected. In the same way, the phases in which the fan is in operation can be shortened. Finally, it is of course possible to reduce the capacity of the fan by reducing the power absorbed with increasing operating time.

Another control option for saving energy may be that the dryer has means by which the weight of the laundry can be determined. This measure can then be used as an input for a control of the fan, since with decreasing weight can be assumed that the laundry is increasingly drying. To realize such a solution, for example, on the brackets of the support frame of a Stand laundry dryer load cells may be provided, which are connected to a central controller for the fan power.

Alternatively, it would also be possible to provide a moisture sensor which measures the humidity or the moisture content of the laundry, wherein the moisture thus determined can then also be used as input for the fan control. Advantageous embodiments of the tumble dryer are the subject of the dependent claims. Finally, it should be expressly understood that by air flow is meant not only a flow directed from the air flow openings through the laundry but also the reverse flow path hereby meant that the fan via the air flow openings the moist air into the air distribution chamber sucks.

In principle, a separate cavity may be provided as the air distribution chamber, which may have the air flow openings on one side or, if it extends at least partially around the drying field, on several sides. The latter can also be provided on a connected to the air distribution chamber air ducts in the form of channels or tubes. Finally, however, the air distribution chamber itself may be formed as a channel or tubular air duct.

The invention is further explained in the following figures using the example of a tumble dryer. The application of the invention is not limited to dryers, the principle of the invention can also be used in conjunction with wall dryers or with rotary dryers application.

Further embodiments of a tumble dryer have a plurality of air distribution chambers, wherein these can be charged by a common fan or by a plurality of fans, for example one for each air distribution chamber.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen, als Standwäschetrockner ausgebildeten Wäschetrockner,

Fig. 2

das Trocknungsfeld des in Figur 1 dargestellten Standwäschetrockners in einer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 3

das in Figur 2 dargestellte Trocknungsfeld in einer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 4

das in den Figuren 2 und 3 dargestellte Trocknungsfeld in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 5

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines als Standwäschetrockners ausgebildeten Wäschetrockners und

Fig. 6

eine dritte Ausgestaltung eines als Standwäschetrockners ausgebildeten Wäschetrockners.

In the drawings shows:

Fig. 1

a tumble dryer according to the invention, designed as a tumble dryer,

Fig. 2

the drying field of in FIG. 1 stand drying machine shown in a view from above,

Fig. 3

this in FIG. 2 shown drying field in a view from below,

Fig. 4

that in the Figures 2 and 3 illustrated drying field in an exploded view,

Fig. 5

a further embodiment of a tumble dryer designed as a tumble dryer and

Fig. 6

a third embodiment of a clothes dryer designed as a tumble dryer.

In FIG. 1 an inventive dryer is shown, which has a drying field 2, which has a peripheral frame. At the ends of the drying field 2, a support bracket of a support frame 1 is connected to the drying field 2 via hinge joints. The drying field 2 itself is rectangular and frame-like with a window formed, wherein in the window between two opposite narrow sides holding elements 3 for suspending laundry items parallel to each other. Of course, the drying field 2 can also be formed in three dimensions, wherein the holding elements 3 can be arranged in one, two or more planes. The holding elements 3 may be lines or cords or rods. Ultimately come here all holding elements 3 into consideration, which can also be used with conventional clothes dryers connected.

In the right area of the frame of the drying field 2 is increased and takes the air distribution chamber 5 on. At the same time, the fan 4 is provided in the right-hand area (not visible here), via which air, here from below, is conveyed into the air distribution chamber 5 provided next to the fan 4. For this purpose, the fan 4 is designed as a radial fan, which sucks in the air from the bottom and promotes in the left next to him arranged air distribution chamber 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fan 4 is operated by an electric motor and is powered by a power plug with energy. Alternatively, the fan 4 may also be battery operated. Also, a supply of solar cells, for example, to a separate, pivotally connected to the drying field 2 or the support frame 1 panel could be arranged, would be possible.

The in FIG. 1 Stand dryer shown has on each side of its frame on an air duct 6 through which the funded by the fan 4 in the Luftverteilkammer 5 air is conveyed to the opposite side of the frame of the drying field 2. On the two narrow sides of the window in the drying field 2, between the holding elements 3, air flow openings 7 are provided, via which the air is pressed on both narrow sides between the holding elements 3.

The air flow openings 7 may be formed so that the air emerges obliquely downward so as to flow between the laundry pieces hung on the holding members 3. The air guide 6 is a normal pipe connecting the air flow openings 7 arranged on the left side with the air distribution chamber 5. Of course, 6 air ducts may be provided on both sides of the frame. Furthermore, these air ducts 6 also need not be integrated into the frame, they can also be placed from below on the frame, the same applies to the air distribution chamber 5 and the fan. 4

In the Figures 2 . 3 and 4 is the drying field 2 of the clothes dryer off FIG. 1 in separate illustrations as a top view, a bottom view and an exploded view. In particular, from the exploded view ( FIG. 4 ), the air duct 6 is easy to see. The frame of the drying field 2 consists essentially of two opposite air ducts 6, which are tube-like. At the two ends of the air ducts 6, an end piece is provided in each case, wherein at one in the Figures 2 . 3 and 4 The left end shown a larger frame part for receiving the fan 4 is arranged. This left-hand frame part is designed as a hollow component, with a vertical wall defining the air distribution chamber 5 together with the floor and the ceiling.

In the air distribution chamber 5, an opening is provided in the bottom, in which the fan 4 is inserted, wherein the fan 4 is designed here as a radial fan and sucks the air from below into the air distribution chamber 5. As a result of this activity of the fan 4 results in the air distribution chamber 5, an overpressure and thus a flow of sucked air for a through the two air ducts 6 to the right frame part, which is also formed as a hollow chamber. In this right frame part obliquely downwardly directed air flow openings 7 are provided, through which the air then flows in the direction of hanging on the support members 3 laundry items.

On the other hand, air flow openings 7 are also provided on the left side (in the Figures 2 and 4 not visible, cf. but FIG. 3 ), so that the air is conveyed between the laundry items from the two narrow sides. In the region of the left-hand frame part, behind the delimitation of the air distribution chamber 5, it is possible, for example, to provide a connecting cable, also with an automatic winding-up device.

Essential characteristics of the in the FIGS. 1 to 4 Thus, the embodiment designed as a radial fan fan 4, which sucks air from below into the air distribution chamber 5, there provides an overpressure and so the flow through the air flow openings 7 on the left side and through the air ducts 6 through the air flow openings 7 on the right side causes. The design of the air distribution chamber 5 and the air guide 6 and the feed of the air flow openings 7 can be particularly easily realized by the hollow configuration of the drying field 2, so that the parts of the drying field 2 can be made for example as injection molded plastic parts.

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 two further embodiments of a tumble dryer according to the invention are shown, which are also designed as a clothes dryer.

FIG. 5 shows a clothes dryer, in which the air flow openings 7 are provided on the holding elements 3. For this purpose, the holding elements 3 are formed as hollow rods and extend from one side of the support frame 1 to the opposite side. It is not absolutely necessary that these holding elements 3 are rigid tubes, even tubular, elastic holding elements 3 can be used here. The holding elements 3 may be made of metal or plastic.

In this embodiment, the fan 4 is also designed as a radial fan, but sits in a component which is provided on the left bracket of the support frame 1. In this case, the air distribution chamber 5 is located on this component. From here, as a result of the overpressure, the air flows into the left part of the drying field 2. This left part is designed as a hollow chamber and is in flow connection with the tube-like holding elements 3.

The air sucked in laterally by the fan 4 is therefore pressed into the holding elements 3 by the air distribution chamber 5 and the left-hand part of the drying field 2. From here it flows through the arranged at the bottom of the holding elements 3 outlet openings between the laundry items not shown here.

In FIG. 6 finally, a third embodiment of the invention is shown in which three fans 4, which are designed here as axial fans, are provided on each side. Here, the air distribution chamber 5 is located in front of the fans 4, so that the fan grille of the fan 4 form the air flow openings 7. The axial fans suck in a lateral intake opening 8 the air in the air distribution chamber 5 and promote it between the hanging on the support members 3 of the drying field 2 laundry items.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

supporting frame

2

drying field

3

retaining element

4

Fan

5

air distribution

6

air duct

7

Air flow opening

8th

suction

Claims (12)

1. Laundry drier having a drying panel (2), which has at least two elongate retaining elements (3) on which to hang items of laundry which are to be dried and which is retained via a supporting framework (1), and having at least one fan (4), which is driven by an electric motor and via which it is possible to generate, in the region of the drying panel (2), an air flow which is directed in at least one flow direction between the retaining elements (3) and/or the items of laundry hanging thereon, wherein at least one air-distributing chamber (5) is provided, the fan (4) feeding air into said chamber, and the drying panel (2) has a frame formed by a front frame part, a rear frame part and at least one side part arranged on one of the sides of the drying panel (2), and also has at least one air guide (6), which is flow-connected to the air-distributing chamber (5) and has air-flow openings (7), via which the air exits in the flow direction, and wherein, for the purpose of forming the air-distributing chamber (5), at least the front frame part is designed in the form of a hollow chamber, and the retaining elements (3) run from a front fastening line, which is arranged on the front frame part, to a rear fastening line, which is arranged on the rear frame part, characterized in that the air-flow openings (7), via which air is blown between the items of laundry, are arranged directly on the air-distributing chamber (5) and along the front fastening line, or parallel to the front fastening line.
2. Laundry drier according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for the purpose of forming the air-distributing chamber (5), the front frame part and the rear frame part are designed in the form of a hollow chamber.
3. Laundry drier according to Claim 2, characterized in that the front frame part, the rear frame part and the side part are designed in the form of a continuous hollow chamber.
4. Laundry drier according to either of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the fan (4) is inserted into an opening in the wall of the air-distributing chamber (5) and feeds the ambient air directly into the air-distributing chamber (5).
5. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining elements (3) are designed in the form of an elastic or rigid tube which is flow-connected to the air-distributing chamber (5), wherein the retaining elements (3) have arranged on them, in particular on their underside, air-flow openings (7), which may be designed, at least to some extent, in the form of nozzles.
6. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-flow openings (7) have different nozzle-geometry configurations and/or different directed air-stream exit angles, in order for it to be possible for the air stream to be discharged at different emission angles and/or different jet-widening angles.
7. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-distributing chamber (5) contains a heater for heating up the air, and/or in that the air-distributing chamber (5) contains drying means, which are intended for drying the ambient air taken in and are formed in particular by moisture-absorbing granules or a super absorber.
8. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fan (4) is operated by an electric motor and an automatic switch-off function is provided, the latter being able to reduce the power consumption of the motor, or switch off the same altogether, via a control means, wherein the control means may be a timer, which controls the motor once a period of time which is predetermined, or can be set, has been reached, or a weight-based control means, which uses determination of the tensile loading of the retaining elements (3) in order to be able to control the course of drying and, in dependence on the course of drying, the motor.
9. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry drier has a fan (4), which can be driven by an electric motor, and a battery, via which the fan (4) is supplied with power.
10. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry drier has a control means and a weight sensor which, for the purpose of determining the degree to which the laundry is dried, is able to determine the progression of the weight of the drying panel (2), wherein, once a predefined reduction in weight has been reached, the control means switches off the fan (4).
11. Laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry drier has a control means which switches the fan (4) on and off at predetermined intervals.
12. Laundry drier according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control means is designed such that the pauses between the intervals during which the fan (4) is not running become longer as time goes on, and/or the intervals during which the fan (4) is running become shorter as time goes on.

Images