EP3673108B1

EP3673108B1 - A laundry drying machine with improved drying performance

Info

Publication number: EP3673108B1
Application number: EP18746182.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gizem AKIN; Hale OZBEK; Basak ARSLAN ILKIZ; Salih GOK; Senol Cavusoglu; Ozcan Hatipoglu; Mehmet Kaya; Murat Elgun; Burak KOCA; Umit PEHLIVAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2018-07-26
Publication date: 2021-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-26
Also published as: EP3673108A1; TR201712729A2; WO2019038016A1

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry drying machine that enables the delicate laundry placed into the drum to be washed safely.
In laundry drying machines, the laundry placed into the drum is dried by means of the hot air circulated through the laundry. During the drying process, the drum is generally rotated in order to allow the drying air to homogeneously penetrate into the laundry. However, the delicate laundry may become deformed by hitting the walls of the drum and tangling during the rotation of the drum, and problems such as shrinkage, felting and pilling may occur due to the high mechanical effect. Therefore, in the state of the art, by rotating the drum at high speeds during the drying of the delicate laundry, the laundry is enabled to get stuck onto the surface of the drum due to the centrifugal force, and thus the movement thereof is limited. However, in this case, the drying air that enters the drum through the rear wall leaves the drum without contacting the laundry most of which is spread onto the wall of the drum. Consequently, the duration of the drying process increases and the drying performance decreases during the drying of the delicate laundry.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2765234 , a laundry drying machine is disclosed, having a wing that enables the drying air to be directed.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE19623959 , a laundry drying machine is disclosed, wherein the drying air is divided and fed into the drum in different directions.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE102015217064 , an assembly and a method for feeding process air into a drum of a laundry drier is disclosed.
The state of the art German Patent Application No. DE4028600 discloses a drier with a horizontal laundry drum, the rear wall of which is equipped with openings to permit the entry of dry air.
In the state of the art American Patent Application No. US2017233940 , a domestic clothes dryer comprising a hollow lifter for distributing air inside the drum is disclosed.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2604746 , a laundry-drying machine comprising a laundry-agitation member for diffusing air is disclosed.
In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No. JPH08229297 , a clothes drying machine with a blasting path is disclosed.
In the state of the art American Patent Application No. US2017218562 , a tumble dryer and a drying method is disclosed.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1726711 , a storage device for storing wet articles in a dryer drum and a dryer drum is disclosed.
The state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN103306112 discloses a lifting rib and drying barrel component used for a clothes dryer, and a clothes dryer employing same.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry washing machine that enables the delicate laundry to be dried effectively.
The laundry drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a drying duct wherein the air collected from the laundry is circulated so as to be condensed and heated and blown back into the drum; at least one first perforated section that is arranged on the rear wall of the drum, to which the drying duct opens and that has first holes enabling the dehumidified and heated air to be delivered into the drum; at least one second perforated section that is arranged on the side wall of the drum and that has second holes enabling the air to be delivered into the drum from the side wall; an auxiliary duct that has an air inlet and that opens into the second perforated section such that the air taken in through the air inlet is delivered into the drum through the second holes, and at least one flow regulation element that is suitable for use in the drum and that opens/closes the second holes on the second perforated section such that the fluid communication between the duct and the drum is allowed or terminated when necessary. If the laundry to be dried does not require delicate drying, the user closes the second holes in a leak-proof manner by means of the flow regulation element. Thus, the air coming from the second holes is prevented from creating flow irregularities in the drum, and the laundry can be dried only by means of the drying air coming from the first perforated section. If the laundry to be dried is delicate, the user opens the second perforated section by at least partially changing the position of the flow regulation element relative to the second perforated section and enables the air delivered through the auxiliary duct to directly contact the delicate laundry. By means of the flow regulation element, the user can regulate the airflow in the drum and open/close the second holes according to the type of the laundry to be dried.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element is in the form of a wing that is arranged in the drum and that gets caught on the laundry to enable the same to be lifted up. The flow regulation element is detachably attached onto the side wall of the drum so as to cover the second holes. If the laundry to be dried is delicate, the user opens the second perforated section by removing the flow regulation element and the air delivered coming from the auxiliary duct is delivered into the drum through the side wall. If the laundry to be dried does not require delicate drying, the user attaches the flow regulation element onto the side wall so as to close the second holes. Thus, during the drying of the laundry that does not require delicate drying, the flow regulation element contributes to the falling, tumbling movement of the laundry in the drum and enables the effectiveness of the drying process to be increased. Consequently, the functionality of the flow regulation element is improved.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element has a form suitable to be seated onto a wing in the drum and, in case of delicate drying, is removed from the second perforated section and attached onto the wing. Thus, the flow regulation element can be stowed in the drum when not in use and ease of use is provided.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element is almost completely flat or is slightly curved so as to match the form of the side wall. The flat form of the flow regulation element allows the laundry to move freely thereon during the rotation of the drum, and enables the laundry to rest thereon when the drum is stationary. This embodiment is especially advantageous when actuating elements such as a protrusion or a wing are not provided in the drum, and the flow regulation element is prevented from blocking the movement of the laundry during the rotation of the drum by means of the flat from thereof.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element is in the form of a movable cover that is attached onto the second perforated section. The flow regulation element is movably attached to the second perforated section by being hinged or slid, and can be moved between a closed position such that the second holes are closed when the laundry does not require delicate drying and an open position such that the second holes are open when the laundry requires delicate drying. Thus, the user can simply move the flow regulation element to open/close the second perforated section without the need for attaching and detaching the flow regulation element. Thus, ease of use is provided.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary air duct is connected to the drying duct by means of the air inlet, and the drying air received through the air inlet is enabled to be sent to the second perforated section. This embodiment is advantageous in that hot air is enabled to be blown through the second perforated section without the need for placing an auxiliary heater into the auxiliary duct. Thus, the dehumidified and heated drying air is sent onto the laundry through the side wall.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary air duct opens to the outer environment by means of the air inlet and enables the outer environment air that is dryer than the drying air to be sent into the drum through the second perforated section. Thus, a secondary air circulation is provided in the drum, independent of the drying air blown into the drum through the first perforated section. Thereby, the air coming from the drying duct and auxiliary duct can be simultaneously sent into the drum without decreasing the pressure of the drying air that flows in the drying duct. Consequently, an effective air flow is provided in the drum.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a sensor arranged on the flow regulation element or the second perforated section is used to detect whether the user, by means of the flow regulation element opens the second perforated section or closes the same in a leak-proof manner. Upon detecting that the second perforates section is open by means of the sensor, the control unit automatically activates a delicate drying program that is suitable for delicate laundry, wherein the movement of the drum is decreased and the drum is stopped at a position where the second perforated section is at the lowermost position to allow the laundry to drop onto the second perforated section. Thus, the flow regulation element is prevented from being improperly used.
By means of the present invention, a laundry drying machine is realized, enabling the delicate laundry to be quickly and safely dried.
The laundry drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the laundry drying machine related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the drum related to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the partial view of the drum and the flow regulation element related to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the drum and the flow regulation element related to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention, when the flow regulation element is in the open position.
Figure 7 - is the perspective view of the drum and the flow regulation element related to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 - is the schematic view of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention, when the flow regulation element is in the open position.
Figure 9 - is the schematic view of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention, when the flow regulation element is in the closed position.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Laundry drying machine
2. Body
3. Drum
4. Side wall
5. Rear wall
6. Drying duct
7. First perforated section
8. First hole
9. First fan
10. Second perforated section
11. Second hole
12. Auxiliary duct
13. Air inlet
14. Flow regulation element
15. Wing
16. Third hole
17. Sensor
18. Control unit
19. Condenser
20. Evaporator
21. Heater
22. Second fan
23. Outlet opening
1. A: Open position
2. B: Closed position

The laundry drying machine (1) comprises a body (2); a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed, that is disposed in the body (2) and that has a cylindrical side wall (4) and a rear wall (5) that covers the back side of the side wall (4); a drying duct (6) through which the drying air is circulated, and a first perforated section (7) that is arranged on the rear wall (5) and that has at least one first hole (8) enabling the drying air coming from the drying duct (6) to be delivered into the drum (3). The air absorbing the moisture in the laundry by being circulated over the laundry is sucked into the drying duct (6) by means of a first fan (9) and then dried and heated by being circulated over a condenser (19) and an evaporator (20) that are disposed in the drying duct (6). The dehumidified and heated air in the drying duct (6) is sent onto the laundry by being blown back into the drum (3) by means of the first fan (9) through the first holes (8) on the first perforated section (7) arranged on the rear wall (5) of the drum (3).
The laundry drying machine (1) of the present invention comprises at least one second perforated section (10) that is disposed on the side wall (4) and that has at least one second hole (11) enabling the air to enter the drum (3); an auxiliary duct (12) that has an air inlet (13) and that enables the air taken through the air inlet (13) to be delivered to the second perforated section (10), and at least one flow regulation element (14) that is disposed into the drum (3) so as to be positioned on the second perforated section (10) and that enables the second hole (11) to be opened/closed such that the air taken from the auxiliary duct (12) can be selectively delivered into the drum (3). If the laundry to be dried does not require delicate drying, the user closes the second perforated section (10) by means of the flow regulation element (14) in a leak-proof manner and the laundry is dried as known in the technique by being tumbled in the drum (3) rotating such that the laundry contacts the drying air coming from the rear wall (5). Thus, during the drying of the laundry that does not require delicate drying, the communication between the auxiliary duct (12) and the drum (3) is interrupted, the air pressure in the drum (2) is prevented from decreasing and the airflow profile is maintained. If the user needs to dry delicate laundry in the drum (3), the user opens the second holes (11) by removing the flow regulation element (14) from over the second perforated section (10) or by at least partially changing the position thereof relative to the second perforated section (10) and starts a delicate drying program that is suitable for delicate laundry, wherein the movement of the drum (3) is reduced. Thus, the air coming from the auxiliary duct (12) is fed into the drum (3) through the second perforated section (10) and circulated directly through the delicate laundry that is spread onto the side wall (4) of the drum (3). Consequently, the delicate laundry can be dried quickly and effectively despite the fact that the movement of the drum (3) is kept at minimum level.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) is in the form of at least one wing (15) that is disposed in the drum (3) and that enables the laundry to be tumbled in the drum (3). The flow regulation element (14) is formed as a wing (15) that can be attached to and detached from the side wall (14) of the drum (3). The second holes (10) are completely covered by the flow regulation element (14) in the form of the wing (15) attached onto the side wall (4). Thus, the second perforated section (10) is covered by means of the flow regulation element (14) in the form of a wing (15) that is already available in drum (3), and the flow regulation element (14) is prevented from occupying additional space in the drum (3). In a preferred version of this embodiment, in case the delicate laundry is to be dried, the flow regulation element (14) in the form of the wing (15) is removed from over the second perforated section (10) and attached onto a wing (15) in the drum (3). Thus, the flow regulation element (14) can be stowed in the drum (3) when not in use, providing ease of use.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) is in the form of an almost flat plate placed into the drum (3). The flow regulation element (14) is flat so as to extend over the second perforated section (10) or in the form of a slightly curved plate so as to match the form of the side wall (4). The user places the flow regulation element (14) onto the side wall (4) so as to cover the second perforated section (10). The plate-shaped flow regulation element (14) is suitable especially for drums (3) that do not have wings (15), and is advantageous in that said flow regulation element (14) does not block the movement of the laundry in the drum (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) is attached onto the second perforated section (10) and can be moved between an open position (A) wherein the flow regulation element (14) leaves the second hole (11) open such that the drying air is allowed to enter the drum (3) and a closed position (B) wherein the flow regulation element (14) covers the second hole (11) so as to interrupt the air flow between the auxiliary duct (12) and the drum (3). The flow regulation element (14) is in the form of a cover that is movably attached onto the second perforated section (10) and can be moved by the user between an open position (A) and a closed position (B). When the flow regulation element (14) is in the open position (A), the second holes (11) are open and the air coming from the auxiliary duct (12) reaches the laundry in the drum (3). After being moved by the user relative to the second perforated section (10) and switched to the closed position (B), the flow regulation element (14) closes the second holes (11) in a leak-proof manner and the fluid communication between the auxiliary duct (12) and the drum (3) is interrupted. Thus, the need for taking the flow regulation element (14) out of the drum (3) is eliminated, providing ease of use.
According to the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) comprises at least one third hole (16) that is eccentric relative to the second hole (11) so as not to align with the second hole (11) when the flow regulation element (14) is in the closed position (B). The flow regulation element (14) has a perforated structure, and the third holes (16) enable the second perforated section (10) remaining under the flow regulation element (14) to be visible. Thus, the user can check if the second holes (10) are covered, in other words, if the flow regulation element (14) is in the correct position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) is hinged onto the second perforated section (10) so as to be moved between the open position (A) and the closed position (B) by being rotated around a rotation axis. The flow regulation element (14) is in the form of a cover that is placed onto the second perforated section (10) so as to completely cover the second holes (11). When the delicate laundry is to be dried, the user moves the flow regulation element (14) in the form of the cover to the open position by rotating the same around the edge thereof fixed to the second perforated section (10) and opens the second holes (11) such that the air coming from the auxiliary duct (12) is enabled to reach the drum (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) bears against the rear wall (5) of the drum (3) in the open position (A). The flow regulation element (14) is moved from the closed position (B) to the open position (A) by being rotated towards the rear wall (5) and attached to the rear wall (5) in the open position (A). Thus, the flow regulation element (14) is prevented from blocking the movement of the laundry in the open position (A). In a version of this embodiment, the third holes (16) have a diameter smaller than that of the first holes (8) so as to enable the drying air that enters through the first perforated section (7) to be directed towards the laundry on the second perforated section (10). Thus, when the flow regulation element (14) is in the open position (A), a portion of the drying air sent through the rear wall (5) of the drum (3) is passed through the third holes (16) and directed towards the bottom of the drum (3). Consequently, the drying performance is increased by increasing the amount of air circulated over the laundry on the second perforated section (10).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulation element (14) is slidably positioned onto the second perforated section (10) so as to be slid between the open position (A) and the closed position (B). The flow regulation element (14) is in the form of a sliding cover and slidably moved over the second perforated section (10) between the closed position (B) wherein the second holes (11) are completely covered and the open position (A) wherein the second holes (11) are open. In a version of this embodiment, when the flow regulation element (14) is in the closed position (B), the third holes (16) are positioned in an eccentric manner relative to the second holes (11), and the second holes (11) are covered with the holeless surface of the flow regulation element (14). When the flow regulation element (14) is slid to the open position (A), the third holes (16) are aligned with the second holes (11) and the air coming from the auxiliary duct (12) passes through the second holes (11) and the third holes (16) to reach the interior of the drum (3). By means of slidably positioning the flow regulation element (14) onto the second perforated section (10), the flow regulation element (14) is prevented from occupying space in the drum (3) in the open position (A).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet (13) opens into the drying duct (6) so as to enable at least a portion of the drying air in the drying duct (6) to be taken into the auxiliary duct (12). The auxiliary duct (12) extends between the drying duct (6) and the second perforated section (10) and enables the drying air in the drying duct (6) to be sent into the drum (3) through the second holes (11). Thus, the air dried and heated in the drying duct (6) is fed into the drum (3) by means of the auxiliary duct (12), providing ease of use.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet (13) opens to the outer environment such that the outer environment air is enabled to be taken into the auxiliary duct (12). The air inlet (13) opens into the body (2) such that the outer environment air is enabled to be taken from the interior of the body (2). The outer environment air that is sucked from the interior of the body (2) by means of a second fan (22) disposed in the auxiliary duct (12) is circulated over a heater (21) disposed in the auxiliary duct (12) and blown into the drum (3) through the second perforated section (10). Thus, a flow independent of the drying air flow in the drying duct (6) can be provided in the auxiliary duct (12), and the delicate laundry can be dried by means of only the outer environment air supplied through the auxiliary duct (12). In a preferred version of this embodiment, the humid air coming from the laundry is discharged directly out of the body (2) through an outlet opening (23) that opens to the outside of the body (2). Thus, the delicate laundry is dried in the open cycle and the need for operating the condenser (19) and the evaporator (20) in the drying duct (6) is eliminated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one sensor (17) is provided on the second perforated section (10) or the flow regulation element (14) so as to detect if the second holes (11) are covered in a leak-proof manner by means of the flow regulation element (14), and a control unit (18) regulates the operation of the laundry drying machine (1) according to the data received from the sensor (17). The sensor (17) can be for example a contact sensor that detects the presence of the flow regulation element (14) or a reed relay that enables the open/closed position (A, B) of the flow regulation element (14) to be detected. Thus, upon detecting that the second holes (11) are covered, the control unit (18) prevents the user from selecting a delicate drying program that is suitable for drying delicate laundry and informs the user. Consequently, the flow regulation element (14) is prevented from being improperly used.
In another embodiment of the present invention, when it is detected by means of the sensor that the second holes (11) are open, the control unit (18) automatically starts a gentle drying program suitable for delicate laundry wherein the movement of the drum (3) is reduced. Upon detecting that the flow regulation element (14) has been moved to the open position (A) by the user, the control unit (18) automatically starts a delicate drying program wherein the rotation speed of the drum (3) is relatively slow.
Thus, the use of the flow regulation element (14) is facilitated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, in the delicate drying mode, the control unit (18) enables the rotation of the drum (3) to be stopped such that the second perforated section (10) is positioned at the base of the drum (3). In the delicate drying program, the rotation of the drum (3) is stopped when the second perforated section (10) is at the lowermost position, and the laundry is enabled to fall onto the second perforated section (10). Thus, when the drum (3) is stationary, the air coming from the auxiliary duct (12) is enabled to be circulated directly over the laundry.
By means of the present invention, with the flow regulation element (14), the airflow profile in the drum (3) can be changed in accordance with different types of laundry. Thus, a laundry drying machine (1) that enables the delicate laundry and the laundry that does not require delicate drying to be dried effectively is realized.

Claims

A laundry drying machine (1) comprising a body (2); a horizontal axis drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed, that is disposed in the body (2) and that has a cylindrical side wall (4) and a rear wall (5) that covers the back side of the side wall (4); a drying duct (6) through which the drying air is circulated, a first perforated section (7) that is arranged on the rear wall (5) and that has at least one first hole (8) enabling the drying air coming from the drying duct (6) to be delivered into the drum (3), at least one second perforated section (10) that is disposed on the side wall (4) and that has at least one second hole (11) enabling the air to enter the drum (3); an auxiliary duct (12) that has an air inlet (13) and that enables the air taken through the air inlet (13) to be delivered to the second perforated section (10) characterized by at least one flow regulation element (14) that is disposed into the drum (3) so as to be positioned on the second perforated section (10) and that enables the second hole (11) to be opened/closed such that the air taken from the auxiliary duct (12) can be selectively delivered into the drum (3), the flow regulation element (14) can be moved between an open position (A) wherein the flow regulation element (14) leaves the second hole (11) open such that the drying air is allowed to enter the drum (3) and a closed position (B) wherein the flow regulation element (14) covers the second hole (11) so as to interrupt the air flow between the auxiliary duct (12) and the drum (3) and at least one third hole (16) that is arranged on the flow regulation element (14), that is eccentric relative to the second hole (11) so as not to align with the second hole (11) when the flow regulation element (14) is in the closed position (B).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the flow regulation element (14) in the form of at least one wing (15) that is disposed in the drum (3) and that enables the laundry to be tumbled in the drum (3).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the flow regulation element (14) that is in the form of an almost flat plate arranged in the drum (3).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the flow regulation element (14) that is hinged onto the second perforated section (10) so as to be moved between the open position (A) and the closed position (B) by being rotated around a rotation axis.
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the flow regulation element (14) that bears against the rear wall (5) of the drum (3) in the open position (A).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the flow regulation element (14) that is slidably positioned on the second perforated section (10) so as to be slidably moved between the open position (A) and the closed position (B).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the air inlet (13) that opens into the drying duct (6) so as to enable at least a portion of the drying air in the drying duct (6) to be taken into the auxiliary duct (12).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the air inlet (13) that opens to the outer environment so as to enable the outer environment air to be taken into the auxiliary duct (12).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one sensor (17) that is provided on the second perforated section (10) or the flow regulation element (14) so as to detect if the second holes (11) are covered in a leak-proof manner by means of the flow regulation element (14), and a control unit (18) that regulates the operation of the laundry drying machine (1) according to the data received from the sensor (17).
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by the control unit (18) that automatically starts a delicate drying program suitable for delicate laundry wherein the movement of the drum (3) is reduced when it is detected by means of the sensor (17) that the second holes (11) are open.
A laundry drying machine (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by the control unit (18) that enables the rotation of the drum (3) to be stopped such that the second perforated section (10) is positioned at the base of the drum (3) in the delicate drying program.