EP3775357A1

EP3775357A1 - A laundry dryer

Info

Publication number: EP3775357A1
Application number: EP19708056.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Birsel BAYSAL; Aykun ACIL; Can Sar; Yunus Ekrem TEKES
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-03-30
Filing date: 2019-02-25
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-25
Also published as: EP3775357B1; PL3775357T3; WO2019185252A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer (1 ) comprising a drum (2) rotated on horizontal axis, adapted to be used with a basket (20) in which articles to be dried are placed, in which the basket (20) is placed, a frame (4) disposed in front of the drum (2), on which a loading opening (3) is provided enabling access into the drum (2), and a conduit (5) through which a fluid such as water or steam is conveyed to be sent to the drum (2).

Description

A LAUNDRY DRYER

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer adapted to be used with a basket placed in a drum, carrying the articles to be dried.
In laundry dryers, as a response to rising user demands, applications are increasingly developed every day in order to feed fluids such as water, steam, chemical finish substances into drums during the drying process for purposes such as wrinkle removal, enhanced hygiene or treatment (conditioning) of the laundry items. Fluids are sprayed into a drum by means of a nozzle provided on a frame, thereby enabling them to homogeneously disperse on the laundry items in the rotating drum. However, articles with a tendency to deform such as shoes or bags, and delicate laundry items like silk products are usually dried by being placed in a basket placed in the drum and attached on at least one Attachment means provided on the frame so as to stay stationary in the rotating drum. The placement on the nozzle and the Attachment means on the frame is of utmost importance with regard to supporting the basket in a steady manner and spraying the fluids from a preferred position and angle on the laundry items in the drum. However, the placement of the nozzle and the Attachment means is limited by the lack of space on the portion of the frame surrounding the loading opening. In cases when the positions of the nozzles and the Attachment means with respect to each other and to the drum are not adjusted well, problems may be experienced such as requiring placement of an additional Attachment means and/or nozzle on the frame, or the basket blocking flow of the fluid sprayed through the nozzle. In addition, in case there are more than one nozzle and Attachment means on the frame, the labor and mounting duration required for mounting the nozzles and Attachment means increase, and difficulties arise in molding and production since an additional space should be allocated on the frame for each nozzle and Attachment means.
State of the art European patent application no. EP2848728 describes a basket with grid shaped walls so as to allow passage of fluids such as air and water.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a laundry dryer in which placement of the nozzle and the Attachment means on the frame is improved.
The laundry dryer realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a drum rotated about a rotational axis by means of a motor, a frame disposed on the front side of the laundry dryer, on which a loading opening enabling access into the drum is provided, a basket placed in the drum, in which articles which are desired no to deform such as shoes or delicate laundry items such as silk products are placed, remaining stationary in the drum and not rotating with the drum during rotation of the drum, and a conduit through which a fluid is conveyed, received from a source such as a water reservoir or steam generator.
The laundry dryer of the invention comprises a support provided on the portion of the frame surrounding the loading opening, shaped as a projection disposed on the frame so as to extend from the frame to the loading opening, connected to a conduit in which the fluid to be sent into the drum is conveyed, having at least one nozzle enabling the fluid coming through the conduit to be sprayed into the drum through a discharge orifice, and an Attachment means on which the basket is attached to be placed in the drum. The nozzle is disposed on the side of the support facing the drum so as to enable spraying the fluid into the drum. When desired to be used, the basket is fixed on the frame by being hanged on the fastening tool on the support. Space is saved by means of the support accommodating both the Attachment means and the nozzle because separate space allocation on the frame is not required for the nozzle and the Attachment means. In addition, ease of production is provided as a structural modification is not required to fix the basket to the frame.
In another embodiment of the invention, the nozzle and the Attachment means are disposed on separate surfaces of the support not facing each other, preferably on opposite surfaces of the support. The fluid released through the nozzle is thus prevented from reaching the Attachment means. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it avoids condensation and collection of the fluid on the Attachment means.
In an embodiment of the invention, a tube is provided on the support, and the support is placed on the frame such that the tube is passed through a hole-shaped placement opening provided on the frame. An end of the tube extends outwards from the placement opening, resting behind the frame. The conduit is mounted to the end of the tube extending outwards from the placement opening. The other end of the tube is connected in fluid-communication to the nozzle so as to enable the fluid to be transmitted to the nozzle by being passed through the support. Thus, the support is easily centered and correctly mounted on the frame thanks to the tube being passed through the placement opening. Furthermore, this also enables easy and simple connection of the conduit to the support.
In another embodiment of the invention, a chamber in which the fluid coming through the conduit is collected is provided between the end of the tube remaining in the support and the nozzle. The fluid coming through the conduit fills into the chamber by passing through the tube. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when a plurality of nozzles is provided on the support, enabling the fluid filling into the chamber to be fed to each nozzle connected to the chamber and to be jetted into the drum through discharge orifices. By this, all nozzles are fed with the fluid filling into the chamber, without requiring an additional conduit.
In another embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is provided on the Attachment means so as to rest between the frame and the Attachment means when the support is on the frame. The fluid sprayed through the discharge orifices on the nozzle is thus prevented from impacting on the basket, particularly on the portion of the basket attached to the Attachment means. By this, the basket attached on the Attachment means does not block the fluid sprayed through the nozzle from reaching into the drum.
In another embodiment of the invention, the Attachment means is shaped as a cavity whose curve faces outwards from the drum, and the basket comprises an arm shaped as an extension engaging into the Attachment means. The basket is placed in the drum and the arm is inserted into the Attachment means, attaching the basket to the support on the frame. The coupling of the basket to the support is thus simplified and the Attachment means is prevented from occupying a large space on the support. The support is thereby enabled to have a compact structure.
In another embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is shaped as a protrusion so as to extend horizontally from the frame into the drum. The distance between the Attachment means and the discharge orifices is thus prolonged, and the amount of fluid reaching into the drum without contacting the basket is increased by disposing the discharge orifices farther from the basket, particularly from the arm.
In an embodiment of the invention, the support is fixed to the frame by being screwed thereon. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in case heavier articles are placed in the basket, preventing the support from displacing and escaping from the frame due to the heavy load applied thereon. The support is thus safely fixed on the frame, avoiding problems likely to arise from sealing failure of the connection between the conduit and the tube due to displacement of the support.
By means of the present invention, the basket placed in the drum is enabled to be attached on the frame by means of the support, without blocking flow of the fluid sprayed through the nozzle into the drum. The nozzle and the Attachment means are thus properly positioned on the frame.
The dryer realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial view of the dryer of an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a view of the frame, support and the basket attached on the support in an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the detail A of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a partial view of the frame and the conduit in another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a partial view of the frame in another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the support in another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the frame and the support in another embodiment of the invention.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Dryer
Drum
Loading opening
Frame
Conduit
Nozzle
Discharge orifice
Attachment means
Support
Placement opening
Tube
Chamber

20. Basket
21. Arm
The laundry dryer (1) comprises a drum (2) rotated on horizontal axis, adapted to be used with a basket (20) in which articles to be dried are placed, in which the basket (20) is placed, a frame (4) disposed in front of the drum (2), on which a loading opening (3) is provided enabling access into the drum (2), and a conduit (5) through which a fluid such as water or steam is conveyed to be sent to the drum (2). The articles/laundry items which are desired not to be damaged during rotation of the drum (2) are placed in the basket (20). The basket (20) is placed in the drum (2) by being passed through the loading opening (3) provided on the frame (4) disposed in front of the laundry dryer.
The laundry dryer (1) of the invention comprises at least one support (9) provided on the frame (4), having at least one nozzle (6) connected in fluid communication to the conduit (5), on which at least one discharge orifice (7) is provided enabling the fluid received through the conduit (5) to be fed into the drum (2), and an Attachment means (8) on which the basket (20) placed in the drum (2) is detachably attached. The support (9) is provided on the portion of the frame (4) surrounding the loading opening (3). The basket (20) inserted into the drum (2) through the loading opening (3), is detachably attached to the Attachment means (8) on the support (9), and the basket (20) is thus prevented from rotating together with the drum (2) by being fixed on the frame (4). The conduit (5) extends between the support (9) and a source such as condensation water reservoir or steam generator, from which the fluid to be fed to the drum (2) is drawn. The fluid conveyed by means of the conduit (5) is transmitted to the nozzle (6) provided on the support (9), and is fed through the discharge orifices (7) on the nozzle (6), onto the laundry items in the drum (2), for example in the basket (20). The nozzle (6) and the support (9) are thus enabled to be placed on the frame (4) without interfering each other. Production and labor costs are reduced by decreasing the number of parts by means of the support (9) on which the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are disposed.
In an embodiment of the invention, the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are disposed on separate surfaces of the support (9). The nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are disposed on separate surfaces of the support (9) so as not to face each other. Advantageously, the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are thus disposed farther from each other.
In an embodiment of the invention, the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are provided on opposite surfaces of the support (9) facing into the drum (2) and facing outwards from the loading opening (3), respectively. The nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are disposed on two separate vertical surfaces of the support (9). The nozzle (6) is placed on the rear surface of the support (9) so as to face into the drum (2), and the Attachment means (8) is placed on the front surface of the support (9) so as to face outwards from the drum (2). Thus, the portion of the basket (20) attached to the Attachment means (8) faces the other side of the support (9), thereby preventing it from obstructing the nozzle (6) and blocking flow of the fluid sprayed through the nozzle (6). This also enables the basket (20) to be easily attached on the Attachment means (8) since the Attachment means (8) faces towards the loading opening (3).
In another embodiment of the invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises at least one through-hole shaped placement opening (10) provided on the frame (4), and a tube (11) provided on the support (9), passed through the placement opening (10), whose end extending outwards from the placement opening (10) is connected to the conduit (5). The tube (11) connects to the conduit (5) and enables the fluid coming through the conduit (5) to be received into the support (9), for sending it to the nozzle (6). The placement opening (10) is shaped as a hole opened on the frame (4), and the tube (11) is passed through the placement opening (10) so as its end connected to the conduit (5) extend from the placement opening (10) towards behind the frame (4). The conduit (5) is thus enabled to be easily connected to the tube (11).
In an embodiment of the invention, a chamber (12) is provided in the support (9), into which the fluid coming through the conduit (5) fills. The chamber (12) is shaped as a gap provided in the support (9) filled by the fluid received through the conduit (5) by means of the tube (11), and is disposed before the nozzle (6) in fluid flow direction. The flow rate and flow profile of the fluid to be sent onto the laundry items is thus regulated in the chamber (12) before it reaches the discharge orifices (7) disposed on the nozzle (6).
In another embodiment of the invention, the Attachment means (8) is disposed below the nozzle (6) such that the nozzle (6) rests between the frame (4) and the Attachment means. The nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are positioned on top of each other on the support (9), and the Attachment means (8) is located at the end portion of the support (9). The fluid sent through the discharge orifices (7) into the drum (2) is thus enabled to reach directly on the laundry items in the basket (20) without contacting the basket (20).
In another embodiment of the invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises an Attachment means (8) adapted to be used with a basket (20) having at least one projection-shaped arm (21), the Attachment means being shaped as a cavity in which the arm (21) engages. The arm (21) is preferably a U-shaped projection provided on the basket (20). The Attachment means (8) provided on the support is shaped as a cavity, preferably an open hole adapted for the shape of the arm (21). The arm (21) is engaged into the Attachment means (8) after placing the basket (20) into the drum (2). Thanks to the Attachment means (8) enclosing the arm (21), an incorrect placement of the basket (20) is avoided and the basket (20) is prevented from being displaced. By this, the basket (20) is also prevented from obstructing the nozzle (6) due to being placed incorrectly. This further enables positioning the Attachment means (8) and nozzle (6) on the support (9) almost adjacent to each other, reducing the size of the support (9).
In another embodiment of the invention, the nozzle (6) is shaped as an extension so as to extend into the drum (2). The nozzle (6) is shaped as an extension extending into the drum (2) so as to allow disposing the discharge orifices (7) closer to the drum (2). The discharge orifices (7) are thus disposed farther from the basket (20), in particular from the arm (21). The amount of fluid reaching the laundry items in the drum (2) is thus increased.
In another embodiment of the invention, the support (9) is fixed on the frame (4) by being screwed. The support (9) is a structure separate from the frame (4), and is mounted thereon by being screwed. This embodiment is advantageous in that it allows the support (9) to be fixed on the frame (4) detachably and firmly. By this, in cases requiring repair such as blockage of the nozzle (6) or deformation of the Attachment means (8), the support (9) can conveniently be replaced, providing ease of maintenance.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least one support (9) is provided on the portion of the frame (4) surrounding the upper half of the loading opening (3). The support (9) is disposed on the portion of upper side of the frame (4) surrounding the loading opening (3) so as to enable the fluid sprayed through the nozzle (6) to reach the upper portion of the drum (2). This enables the fluid sprayed through the nozzle (6) to be sent homogeneously on the laundry items in the basket (20), and the basket (20) to be supported in a steady manner.
By means of the invention, the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) are enabled to be positioned correctly on the frame (4).

Claims

A laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) rotated on horizontal axis, adapted to be used with a basket (20) in which articles to be dried are placed, in which the basket (20) is placed, a frame (4) disposed in front of the drum (2), on which a loading opening (3) is provided enabling access into the drum (2), and a conduit (5) through which a fluid such as water or steam is conveyed to be sent to the drum (2), characterized by at least one support (9) provided on the frame (4), having at least one nozzle (6) connected in fluid communication to the conduit (5), on which at least one discharge orifice (7) is provided enabling the fluid received through the conduit (5) to be fed into the drum (2), and an Attachment means (8) on which the basket (20) placed in the drum (2) is detachably attached.
A laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) provided on separate surfaces of the support (9).
A laundry dryer (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the nozzle (6) and the Attachment means (8) provided on the opposite surfaces of the support (9) facing into the drum (2) and facing outwards from the loading opening (3), respectively.
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by at least one through-hole shaped placement opening (10) provided on the frame (4), and by a tube (11) provided on the support (9), passed through the placement opening (10), whose end extending outwards from the placement opening (10) is connected to the conduit (5).
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a chamber (12) provided in the support (9), in which the fluid coming through the conduit (5) fills.
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the Attachment means (8) disposed below the nozzle (6) such that the nozzle (6) rests between the frame (4) and the Attachment means.
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the Attachment means (8) adapted to be used with a basket (20) having at least one projection-shaped arm (21), which is shaped as a cavity in which the arm (21) is inserted.
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the nozzle (6) shaped as an extension extending into the drum (2).
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the support (9) fixed on the frame (4) by being screwed.
A laundry dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one support (9) provided on the portion of the frame (4) surrounding the upper half of the loading opening (3).