EP3919665A1 - Dryer for drying laundry and method of operating a dryer - Google Patents
Dryer for drying laundry and method of operating a dryer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3919665A1 EP3919665A1 EP20178081.4A EP20178081A EP3919665A1 EP 3919665 A1 EP3919665 A1 EP 3919665A1 EP 20178081 A EP20178081 A EP 20178081A EP 3919665 A1 EP3919665 A1 EP 3919665A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drum
- air
- drying
- sealing
- dryer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 143
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 12
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 233
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 43
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008237 rinsing water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001629 suppression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002195 synergetic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009827 uniform distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
Definitions
- the invention relates to a dryer for drying laundry.
- the invention further relates to a method of operating a dryer.
- a dryer serves to reduce the moisture of wet laundry by means of a flow of hot and dry air. There is a continuous need to enhance the robustness and efficiency of conventional dryers.
- An object of the present invention is to enhance a dryer by increasing its robustness and efficiency.
- a dryer having the features set out in claim 1.
- the inventive dryer can be operated in a highly robust and energy-efficient manner.
- the flow restriction reduces or even avoids the flow of drying air around the drum and forces the drying air to flow through the drum where it can effectively remove moisture from the laundry.
- the flow restriction can be of contact type, in particular a sealing ring, or of non-contact type.
- a contactless flow restriction is wear resistant.
- the contact type flow restriction however provides the better sealing effect.
- the flow restriction is annular shaped, particularly circular shaped, more particular aligned concentrically with the rotational axis of the drum.
- the flow restriction can be located at a front side and/or at a back side and/or at a cylindrical wall of the drum. Preferably, it is located at that side of the drum to which a drive shaft for rotating the drum is attached. Vibrations at the flow restriction can thereby be reduced.
- the drive shaft is attached at the back side of the drum. More preferably, the at least one drum outlet port and/or the at least one drum inlet port and the flow restriction are arranged at the same side of the drum, particularly at the back side and/or at the front side.
- the labyrinth seal comprises a drum sealing element that is attached to the drum and a stationary sealing element that is attached to a tub and/or a housing and/or a mounting part, wherein the drum sealing element and the stationary sealing element act together to form the labyrinth seal.
- the labyrinth seal preferably comprises at least one, particularly at least two, more particular at least three, more particular at least four, more particular at least six flow deflection elements.
- flow deflection elements are also referred to as teeth.
- the teeth of the drum sealing element and of the stationary sealing element overlap each other in radial direction with respect to the rotational axis.
- the radial distance and/or the axial distance between two adjacent teeth can be within a range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, particularly 1 mm to 5 mm.
- the teeth can be arranged concentric to the rotational axis. Such a labyrinth seal allows for a sufficient sealing effect and is resistant to wear.
- the flow restriction is elastically deformable.
- the teeth of the labyrinth seal comprise a rubber-elastic material. Wear or damage caused by contact of adjacent teeth can thus be avoided.
- the dryer comprises a drive unit for rotating the drum around a rotational axis.
- a drive shaft of the drive unit is connected to the drum.
- the drive shaft is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing.
- the dryer may be a washer dryer that combines the functionalities of washing and drying laundry. In particular, these functions are achieved with only one drum.
- the washer dryer is configured such that it comprises the additional functionality of washing and/or spin-drying.
- a tub of the washer dryer is arranged within a housing. Preferably, it is attached to the housing by means of springs and/or dampers.
- the washer dryer can be a front loader or a top loader. The rotational axis of the top loader may be aligned horizontally or vertically.
- the drum is arranged inside of the tub.
- the drum can be attached to the tub by means of a drive shaft.
- the drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the tub.
- the washer dryer can comprise a drive unit for rotating the drum, particularly for providing a torque that is necessary to obtain a spinning movement. Such a spinning motion allows water to be efficiently removed from the laundry, but causes increased vibration.
- the drying unit is configured such that it circulates drying air through the drum. Particularly, it can be configured not to admix air from the environment.
- the drying unit can comprise a multi-port valve to admix environmental air with recirculated drying air. Environmental air can for example be used to cool down the recirculated drying air.
- the drying unit can comprise a condenser for drying moist air and/or a fan for conveying the air and/or a heater for heating the air.
- the fan is located downstream and/or upstream of the condenser.
- the heater can be located downstream of the fan. By this, an exposure of the fan to heated air can be avoided, which increases the service life of the fan.
- the condenser can be air-cooled and/or water-cooled and/or be of electric type.
- the heater can be an electric heater.
- the dryer comprises a control unit for controlling the drying unit and/or a sealing air supply and/or the drive unit.
- the control unit can be in signal connection with these components.
- it is configured such that it can reversibly activate the drying unit and/or the sealing air supply and/or the drive unit.
- the process of drying is preferably automated by means of the control unit.
- the control unit can be configured such that it activates the sealing air supply depending on the activation of the drying unit, so that sealing and drying air are available simultaneously.
- the drum can comprise two face sides, a front side and a back side, and a cylindrical wall.
- the at least one drum inlet port and/or the at least one drum outlet port can be arranged at the front side and/or the back side and/or the cylindrical wall of the drum.
- the at least one drum inlet port can comprise multiple inlet openings.
- the multiple inlet openings can be arranged in a circular pattern around a rotational axis of the drum.
- the multiple inlet openings are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and/or the axial direction with regard to the rotational axis of the drum and/or distributed in a non-uniform pattern that allows an enhanced, particularly more uniform, flow distribution within the drum.
- an area density of the inlet openings can increase and/or decrease with the distance of the respective inlet opening from the at least one drum outlet port.
- the drum can comprise multiple drum inlet ports.
- Each drum inlet port may have multiple inlet openings, like perforations, particularly at a face side and/or a cylindrical wall of the drum.
- Such perforations can be distributed uniformly or non-uniformly such that a uniform flow distribution is achieved within the drum.
- the area density of the perforations can increase with an increased and/or decreased distance from the drum outlet port.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 2 is particularly robust and energy-efficient.
- the sealing air provided by the sealing air supply further increases the robustness and energy-efficiency of the dryer.
- the sealing air supply provides for a contactless sealing, particularly for at least partial suppression of a drying air flow bypassing the drum. Such a non-contact seal is not subject to wear.
- the combination of both the flow restriction and the sealing air supply results in the synergetic effect that the sealing air can be used particularly efficient at a reduced flow cross section that is obtained by the flow restriction. Since the drying air flow around the drum is at least substantially decreased, energy used for heating the drying air can be saved. The energy consumption of the dryer is further reduced due to the decreased mass flow of moist drying air that has to be cooled down within a condenser of the drying unit.
- the dryer can thus be operated particularly robust and energy-efficient.
- the sealing air supply comprises at least one sealing air duct for conducting the sealing air to the at least one sealing air inlet port.
- the sealing air duct can be configured such that it connects the at least one sealing air inlet port to the environment and/or to the drying unit, in particular to a drying air duct.
- the fan of the drying unit is arranged such that it conveys both, the drying air and the sealing air.
- the sealing air duct can connect the at least one sealing air inlet port with an outlet of the fan of the drying unit.
- the sealing air supply can comprise a separate fan for conveying the sealing air to the at least one sealing air inlet port.
- the sealing air duct is configured such that non-heated air is provided at the at least one sealing air inlet port.
- the sealing air supply can comprise at least one valve, in particular an adjustable valve with an adjustable flow area, more particular an electrically adjustable valve.
- the control unit can be configured to control the at least one valve. By this, the control unit can control the sealing air flow whereby the efficiency of the dryer can be increased. Particularly, the control unit can ensure that the necessary mass flow for the intended sealing effect is provided. A similar effect is achieved if the control unit is configured to control the fan speed.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 3 is particularly energy-efficient. Locating the flow restriction at a face side of the drum enables to guide the inflow of drying air into the drum and/or to the laundry. By this, a particularly uniform and efficient flow distribution within the drum can be obtained.
- the flow restriction is located at a face side at which the drum is rotatable mounted, particularly at the back side, to avoid wear.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 4 can be operated particularly energy-efficient.
- the arrangement of the at least one drum outlet port for discharging the drying air from the drum at a face side of the drum ensures a particularly uniform flow distribution within the drum and thus an efficient drying process.
- the at least one drum outlet port is located opposite to the at least one drum inlet port.
- the at least one drum inlet port and the at least one drum outlet port are located at different sides of a horizontal plane which includes the rotational axis.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 5 can be operated particularly energy-efficient.
- the sealing air supply can comprise multiple sealing air inlet ports.
- the arrangement of the at least one sealing air inlet port at the flow restriction allows to provide sealing air in an easy and efficient manner.
- the at least one sealing air inlet port opens into a distribution chamber which distributes the sealing air to at least one sealing air outlet opening.
- the at least one sealing air outlet opening has a circular shape and/or is arranged in a circular manner.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 6 can be operated particularly energy-efficient.
- the at least one sealing air outlet opening comprises at least one nozzle.
- the nozzle can be configured such that it directs the sealing air flow contrary to the direction of the drying air flow.
- the resulting back pressure allows for an enhanced sealing effect.
- such a nozzle is configured such that the sealing air flow is directed against the drying air flow and/or to the flow restriction, particularly when the nozzle is located downstream of the flow restriction.
- the sealing air can thus choke or seal the flow restriction. By this, a drying air flow over the flow restriction can completely be avoided.
- each of the sealing air outlet openings comprises a nozzle for specifying the direction of the sealing air flow.
- the nozzles can be flat jet nozzles and/or round jet nozzles.
- the sealing air outlet openings are uniformly distributed, in particular around the rotational axis and/or along the flow restriction.
- the sealing air outlet openings can be arranged in a non-uniform pattern, preferably such that a uniform distribution of the sealing air flow is obtained, particularly at the flow restriction.
- the at least one sealing air outlet opening can have a circular shape.
- the at least one sealing air outlet opening is in connection with a distribution chamber.
- the distribution chamber has a circular shape.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 7 is particularly economical to produce and energy efficient to operate.
- the sealing air duct connects the sealing air inlet port with the drying air duct between the condenser and the heater, non-heated dry air can be provided as sealing air.
- the sealing air duct is connected to an outlet of the drying air fan. The sealing air duct thus bypasses the heater, whereby heating energy can be saved.
- the dryer as claimed in claim 8 can be operated particularly energy-efficient.
- the drum sealing element and the stationary sealing element act together to form the flow restriction.
- the drum sealing element can be a seal and the stationary sealing element can be a sealing surface or vice versa.
- the flow restriction can thus be configured particularly effective.
- the stationary sealing element can be attached to a tub and/or a housing and/or a mounting part.
- the dryer as claimed in claim 9 is particularly energy-efficient and robust.
- the features of claim 9 refer to an independent invention, which nevertheless can be combined with the aforementioned aspects.
- the invention relates to a dryer with a drum, a drying unit, a flow restriction and a retracting mechanism according to claim 9 with or without a sealing air supply.
- the retracting mechanism can comprise a retracting drive for retracting the drum sealing element and/or the stationary sealing element.
- the retracting drive can be connected to the control unit. In the retracted position, the retracting mechanism and the flow restriction are arranged in an open state. In a restriction position, the retracting mechanism and the flow restriction are arranged in a closed state.
- the retracting mechanism ensures that the flow restriction is not exposed to vibrations, particularly during a spinning phase of the washing or drying process.
- the retracting mechanism is preferably configured such that it retracts the respective sealing element by a distance of at least 1 mm, particularly at least 2 mm, particularly at least 5 mm, particularly at least 10 mm.
- the flow restriction and/or the retracting mechanism are slotted in radial direction.
- the flow restriction and the retracting mechanism may be divided into multiple sections. Circumferential stresses due to the retraction movement can thus be avoided.
- a gap between adjacent sections is available in the open state and closed in the restriction position.
- the at least one bias spring can be a coil spring.
- the bias spring is preferably arranged concentric to the rotational axis of the drum.
- the bias spring surrounds the rotational axis.
- the bias spring can be configured such that it acts on the retracting mechanism in radial direction with respect to the rotational axis.
- the bias spring can be a metal spring.
- the bias spring can comprise a rubber-elastic material.
- the bias spring is formed by an elastic lever arm to which the drum sealing element and/or the stationary sealing element is attached.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 11 is particularly robust and can be manufactured economically.
- the retracting mechanism can be configured to retract the drum sealing element.
- the drum sealing element and/or an actuation weight that is attached to the retracting mechanism can be configured such that the rotational movement of the drum causes a centrifugal force that switches the retracting mechanism from the closed state to the open state.
- the retracting mechanism is actuated when a certain threshold rotation speed, in particular above a drying speed and below a spinning speed of the drum, is exceeded.
- a dryer as claimed in claim 12 can be operated particularly efficient.
- the feedback device preferably comprises a sensor, in particular a pressure sensor and/or a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor for detecting the air flow within the housing and/or the tub and/or the drying unit and/or the sealing air supply.
- the feedback device can be connected to the control unit.
- the control unit is configured to control the sealing air flow depending on a signal from the feedback device.
- the feedback device is arranged downstream of and/or at the flow restriction. By this, the feedback device can detect whether drying air passes the flow restriction.
- the control unit is configured such that it can control the sealing air flow to avoid the drying air passing the flow restriction and to reduce sealing air consumption.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating the dryer that leads to less energy consumption and wear.
- the method as claimed in claim 13 can comprise any of the aforementioned features regarding the dryer.
- the flow restriction can be configured to guide the flow of drying air through the drum.
- the drying air is conducted into the drum through at least one drum inlet port, like a drum laundry opening and/or through perforations in a cylindrical wall of the drum.
- flow restriction By means of the flow restriction, flow of the drying air around the drum can at least partially be suppressed.
- the method of operating the dryer thus increases the drying air flow through the drum and the laundry, whereby the drying process is particularly efficient.
- a method as claimed in claim 14 allows to reduce wear.
- the retraction of the respective sealing element is induced by centrifugal forces.
- the closing movement can be induced by elastic forces, which are preferably provided by means of a bias spring.
- a respective sealing element can also be retracted by means of a retracting drive.
- the drum sealing element and/or the stationary sealing element is retracted in a spinning phase and/or when a threshold rotation speed of the drum is reached, particularly exceeded. By this, damage of the flow restriction due to vibrations during the spinning phase can be avoided.
- the method as claimed in claim 15 is particularly efficient. Mixing cold sealing air with moist drying air saves energy that is necessary for cooling the moist drying air within a condenser of the drying unit. Further, a more uniform temperature reduction within the moist drying air can be obtained and moisture can be removed from the moist drying air within the condenser more efficiently.
- the cold sealing air is mixed with the moist drying air outside of the drum.
- the washer dryer 1 as shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 comprises a tub 2 for receiving rinsing water and a drum 3 for receiving laundry 4, which is rotatably arranged in the tub 2.
- the tub 2 is arranged in a housing 5.
- a laundry port 6 of the housing 5 is reversibly closed by means of a cover 7.
- the tub 2 comprises a tub laundry opening 8 and the drum 3 comprises a drum laundry opening 9.
- a gap between the laundry port 6 and the tub laundry opening 8 is closed by means of a shape flexible laundry port seal 10.
- the tub 2 is attached to the housing 5 by means of springs 11 and dampers 12. The transmission of vibrations caused by the rotating drum 3 to the housing 5 can thus be reduced.
- a drive unit which is not shown in the figures, is torque-transmitting connected to the drum 3.
- the drive unit comprises an electric motor that is connected to a drive shaft 13 by means of a drive belt.
- the drive shaft 13 is attached to the drum 3, in particular to a back side 14 of the drum 3.
- the drum 3 has two face sides, the back side 14 and a front side 15.
- the drum laundry opening 9 is located at the front side 15.
- a cylindrical wall 16 connects the front side 15 with the back side 14.
- the cylindrical wall 16 comprises drum inlet ports 17, in particular through holes that are permeable for gases and liquids. Particularly, the drum inlet ports 17 allow for the removal of water from the laundry 4 in a spinning phase of the washer dryer 1.
- the tub 2 comprises a tub inlet port 18 for receiving drying air A D and a tub outlet port 19 for discharging moist drying air A M .
- a drying unit 20 of the washer dryer 1 is air-conductively connected to the tub inlet port 18 and to the tub outlet port 19.
- the drying unit 20 provides drying air A D for drying the laundry 4.
- the drying air flow between the tub inlet port 18 and the tub outlet port 19 is indicated by arrows with the reference sign 21.
- a first part of the drying air A D flows from the tub inlet port 18, which is identical with the tub laundry opening 8 to the drum laundry opening 9 through the drum 3 and over the laundry 4 to the back side 14 of the drum 3, particularly to a drum outlet port 22.
- the drum laundry opening 9 forms a drum inlet port.
- the drum outlet port 22 is covered by a gas permeable grid 23.
- the moist drying air A M flows through that grid 23 to the tub outlet port 19.
- a second part of the drying air A D is conducted from the tub inlet port 18 through a gap between the tub 2 and the drum 3 and through the cylindrical wall 16, in particular the drum inlet ports 17, into the drum 3 and to the laundry 4.
- the moist drying air A M flows through the grid 23 and the drum outlet port 22 to the tub outlet port 19 of the tub 2.
- a flow restriction 24 is arranged between the drum 3 and the tub 2, which at least partially suppresses the drying air flow 21 between the drum 3 and the tub 2.
- the flow restriction 24 is located at the back side 14, particularly at an edge between the back side 14 and the cylindrical wall 16.
- the washer dryer 1 further comprises a sealing air supply 25, which provides sealing air As at a sealing air inlet port 26 of the tub 2.
- the sealing air flow is indicated by arrows with the reference sign 27.
- a first part of the sealing air flow 27 is conducted from the sealing air inlet port 26 through the drum inlet ports 17, the drum 3 and the drum outlet port 22 to the tub outlet port 19.
- a second part of the sealing air flow 27 is conducted along the back side 14 to the tub outlet port 19.
- the flow restriction 24 comprises a drum sealing element 28 that is attached to the drum 3, in particular to the back side 14, and a stationary sealing element 29 that is attached to the tub 2.
- the flow restriction 24 is a labyrinth seal.
- the drum sealing element 28 and stationary sealing element 29 act together to form the flow restriction 24, particularly the labyrinth seal.
- the sealing air inlet port 26 is located at the stationary sealing element 29.
- the sealing air inlet port 26 comprises one channel or multiple channels which open into a distribution chamber 26'.
- the distribution chamber 26' has a circular shape or a volute / scroll like shape around a rotational axis 31 of the drum 3.
- the distribution chamber 26' distributes the sealing air As to a sealing air outlet opening 30.
- This sealing air outlet opening 30 has a circular shape around the rotational axis 31.
- the sealing air outlet opening 30 is located at a groove 32 between two adjacent teeth 33 of the flow restriction 24, in particular the tub sealing element 29.
- Fig. 3 the drum 3 with the drum sealing element 28 is shown in more detail.
- the drum sealing element 28 is attached to the back side 14 at a radial outermost position.
- the drum sealing element 28 comprises two circular teeth 33 between which a groove 32 is formed and which are arranged concentric to the rotational axis 31.
- the teeth 33 of the drum sealing element 28 interlock with the teeth 33 of the stationary sealing element 29.
- the teeth 33 of the drum sealing element 28 and the stationary sealing element 29 overlap each other in a radial direction with regard to the rotational axis 31.
- FIG. 4 A fluid diagram, which shows the drying air flow 21 and the sealing air flow 27 within the washer dryer 1 is shown in Fig. 4 .
- Fig. 4 also the drying unit 20 and the sealing air supply 25 are shown in more detail.
- the drying unit 20 comprises a condenser 34 for condensing out moisture from the moist drying air A M , a fan 35 for circulating the drying air A D and a heater 36 for heating the drying air A D from the condenser 34.
- the condenser 34 is air-conductively coupled to the tub outlet port 19 of the tub 2.
- the fan 35 is connected to the condenser 34 and the heater 36 is connected to the fan 35.
- An outlet port of the heater 36 is air-conductively connected to the tub inlet port 18 of the tub 2.
- the sealing air supply 25 comprises at least a sealing air duct 37.
- the sealing air duct 37 connects an overpressure area downstream the fan 35 with the sealing air inlet port 26.
- the sealing air supply 25 further comprises a sealing air valve 38, which reversibly connects the fan 35 with the sealing air inlet port 26 air-conductively.
- the sealing air supply 25 further comprises a feedback device 39 for detecting the drying air flow 21 and/or the sealing air flow 27.
- the feedback device 39 comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air flow between the back side 14 of the drum 3 and the tub 2.
- the washer dryer 1 comprises a control unit 40 for controlling the washing process and/or the drying process.
- the drying unit 20, in particular the condenser 34, the fan 35 and the heater 36, and the sealing air supply 25, particularly the sealing air valve 38, and the feedback device 39 are in signal connection with the control unit 40.
- the control unit 40 is configured such that it can reversibly activate the drying unit 20, in particular the condenser 34, the fan 35, the heater 36, and the sealing air supply 25, in particular the sealing air valve 38.
- the control unit 40 is further configured such that it can operate the sealing air valve 38 depending on a signal from the feedback device 39, in particular on the temperature of the air flow between the tub 2 and the drum 3.
- the control unit 40 is also in signal connection with the drive unit.
- the control unit 40 completely controls the washing and drying phases.
- the functionality of the washer dryer 1, in particular of the drying unit 20, the flow restriction 24 and the sealing air supply 25, is as follows:
- the drum 3 is loaded with laundry 4 through the laundry port 6, which is closed by the cover 7.
- a washer dryer 1, particularly the control unit 40 is activated and starts a washing process according to a selected washing program. Therefore, a water management system is activated and water is conducted into the tub 2. Depending on the specific washing phase, the water within the tub 2 is heated and/or detergents are added.
- the control unit 40 provides a signal for activating the drive unit and the drum 3 is rotated about the rotational axis 31 within the tub 2 for washing the laundry 4.
- the rinsing water is conducted to a drain.
- the control unit 40 initiates a spinning phase.
- the drum 3 is rotated within the tub 2 by means of the drive unit at a high rotational speed. Due to centrifugal forces, water within the laundry 4 is expelled in a radial direction and ejected through the drum inlet ports 17.
- the drum 3 is stopped by means of a signal from the control unit 40.
- the ejected water is conducted to the drain.
- the spinning phase is finished.
- a gap 41 between two adjacent teeth 33 is configured such that the vibrations do not result in a contact, particularly an impact, of the adjacent drum sealing element 28 and stationary sealing element 29, particularly the adjacent teeth 33.
- the size of each gap 41 between adjacent, overlapping teeth 33 is in a range between 1 mm and 5 mm.
- the drying phase is initiated by means of the control unit 40.
- the control unit 40 activates the drying unit 20.
- the fan 35 circulates air through the tub 2, between the tub inlet port 18 and the tub outlet port 19, in particular through the drum 3. Downstream the fan 35, in particular between the fan 35 and the tub inlet port 18, the air is heated by means of the heater 36 in order to provide heated drying air A D at the tub inlet port 18. Within the drum 3, the heated drying air A D removes moisture from the laundry 4.
- the moist drying air A M is conducted through the drum outlet port 22 and the tub outlet port 19 of the tub 2 back into the drying unit 20, in particular the condenser 34. Within the condenser 34, the moist drying air A M is cooled.
- the dried air is aspirated into the fan 35 for recirculation.
- the drum 3 is rotated relative to the tub 2 during the drying phase.
- the drying efficiency is increased. Due to the rotation of the drum 3 relative to the tub 2 and to the configuration of the flow restriction 24 in the form of a non-contact labyrinth seal, there is a remaining gap 41 between the drum 3 and the tub 2. In other words, the back side 14 of the drum 3 is not sealed against the tub 2 completely gas-tight. Thus, heated drying air A D would be able to flow around the drum 3, particularly along the cylindrical wall 16 and the back side 14 without passing the inside of the drum 3 and thus the laundry 4.
- the feedback device 39 monitors the air flow between the back side 14 and the tub 2, particularly its temperature.
- the control unit 40 compares the temperature measured by means of the feedback device 39 with a specific threshold temperature. When the measured temperature reaches the threshold temperature, the control unit 40 notices that heated drying air A D flows around and not through the drum 3.
- the sealing air valve 38 is then opened or an opening of the sealing air valve 38 is increased such that a flow rate of the sealing air As, which is conducted to the sealing air inlet port 26, is increased.
- the sealing air valve 38 preferably is an adjustable electric valve, preferably a continuously adjustable valve.
- the sealing air duct 37 is connected to an outlet port of the fan 35.
- the sealing air supply 25 does provide pressured dry air from the drying unit 20. Particularly, the sealing air duct 37 is a bypass duct, which allows to use non-heated dry air for sealing the flow restriction 24.
- the sealing air As is used to increase the static pressure in the area of the flow restriction 24.
- the heated drying air A D is thus forced not to flow around the drum 3 but to flow through it and thus pass the laundry 4.
- the feedback device 39 is surrounded by the sealing air As.
- the control unit 40 does recognize a reduced temperature.
- An opening of the sealing air valve 38 can thus be decreased.
- the consumption of sealing air As and heated drying air A D can thus be reduced and the efficiency of the drying process can be increased.
- the threshold temperature is preferably adapted to the drying air temperature of the selected drying program.
- the control unit 40, the sealing air valve 38 and the feedback device 39 represent a control system with a closed control loop.
- the sealing air supply 25 only comprises the sealing air duct 37 but not a sealing air valve 38 or a feedback device 39.
- Such sealing air supply 25 is specifically robust and can be manufactured highly economically.
- the sealing air duct 37 comprises a static duct resistance element for setting the sealing air flow.
- the drive unit, the drying unit 20 and the sealing air supply 25 are deactivated.
- the condensed water is conducted to the drain.
- the washer dryer 1 is deactivated and the dried laundry 4 can be removed from the drum 3.
- the cold sealing air As is at least partially mixed with the heated moist drying air A M within the tub 2. This is due to the fact that the sealing air As as well as the moist drying air A M are discharged over the tub outlet port 19.
- FIG. 5 A further embodiment of the washer dryer 1 is shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7b .
- the washer dryer 1 comprises a retracting mechanism 42 for reversibly moving at least one of the sealing elements, in particular the drum sealing element 28, to a retracted position.
- the retracting mechanism 42 states an independent aspect of the invention, which nevertheless can be combined with the features of the aforementioned embodiment.
- the retracting mechanism 42 comprises a lever arm 43, which is attached to the back side 14 of the drum 3 by means of a hinge 44.
- the drum sealing element 28 is attached to the end of the lever arm 43 which is opposite to the hinge 44.
- the retracting mechanism 42 is shown in Fig. 6a to Fig. 7b in more detail.
- the flow restriction is shown in a closed state, particularly in a resistance position.
- the flow restriction is shown in an open state, particularly in a retracted position.
- the retracting mechanism 42 comprises a bias spring 45 for pretensioning the lever arm 43, particularly the drum sealing element 28 to the restriction position.
- the bias spring 45 is a coil spring.
- the bias spring 45 is arranged concentric to the rotational axis 31.
- the retracting mechanism 42 is designed such that it retracts the drum sealing element 28 due to a centrifugal force generated by the rotating drum 3.
- the mass of the drum sealing element 28 and of the lever arm 43 are configured such that the retracting mechanism 42 moves from the closed state to the open state when a certain rotation speed of the drum 3 is reached. Damage of the flow restriction 24 due to increased vibrations at higher rotation speeds can thus be avoided.
- the lever arm 43 is divided in multiple lever arm sections 46 and the drum sealing element 28 is divided in multiple drum sealing element sections 47.
- the drum sealing element 28 and the lever arm 43 are divided in a radial direction with respect to the rotational axis 31. As shown in Fig. 7b , this division results in a wedge-shaped gap 48 between adjacent lever arm sections 46 in the open state. These wedge-shaped gaps 48 are closed in the closed state. In the closed state, the flow restriction 24 is thus effectively obtained.
- the functionality of the washer dryer 1 that is shown in Fig. 6a to Fig. 7b corresponds to the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment.
- the centrifugal forces at the drum sealing element 28 and at the retracting mechanism 42 surpass a threshold force which is needed to move the retracting mechanism 42 from the closed state to the open state.
- the pretensioning force of the bias spring 45 is overcome and the retracting mechanism 42 is moved from the closed state to the open state.
- the threshold rotation speed is above a drying speed and below a spinning speed of the drum 3. Damage of the flow restriction 24 due to vibrations or impacts is thus avoided.
- the drum 3 rotates at lower rotation speeds.
- the forces that are created by the circumferential bias spring 45 outweigh the centrifugal forces and the drum sealing element 28 is kept in the closed state.
- the washer dryer 1 comprises an alternative retracting mechanism 42.
- the retracting mechanism 42 is attached to an edge between the back side 14 and the cylindrical wall 16 of the drum 3.
- the retracting mechanism 42 comprises a lever arm 43 that is connected to a hinge 44 and to the drum sealing element 28 and a counter lever arm 49 that is rigidly connected to the lever arm 43 and to a counterweight 50 that faces the hinge 44.
- the counterweight 50 is also referred to as actuating mass.
- a bias spring 45 is arranged such that it acts on the counter lever arm 49.
- the counterweight 50 is configured such that the retracting mechanism 42 moves from a closed state to the open state due to centrifugal forces that act on the counterweight 50 due to the rotation of the drum 3.
- the bias spring 45 and the counterweight 50 are configured such that the retracting mechanism 42 and the drum sealing element 28 stay in the closed state until a specific threshold rotation speed of the drum 3 is reached. By surpassing this threshold rotation speed, the retracting mechanism 42 moves to the open state and the flow restriction 24 is prevented from damage due to increased vibrations.
- the threshold rotation speed is above a drying speed and below a spinning speed of the drum 3.
- the functionality of the washer dryer 1 that is shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 corresponds to the functionality of the aforementioned embodiments.
- the drum sealing element 28 moves from the closed state to the open state with an inwardly directed motion component.
- the washer dryer 1 according to the invention is particularly robust and can be operated particularly energy-efficient.
- the flow restriction 24 at least reduces the drying air flow 21 which bypasses the drum 3 and thus prevents the waste of heating energy.
- the sealing air supply 25 further reduces the drying air flow 21 which bypasses the drum 3.
- the retracting mechanism 42 allows for disengaging the at least one sealing element 28, 29, in particular the drum sealing element 28, from the stationary sealing element 29, in order to avoid damage due to vibrations.
- FIG. 10 A further embodiment is shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 .
- the dryer 1 just serves to dry the laundry 4 and has no washing function.
- the drum 3 is rotatably arranged in the housing 5.
- the housing 5 comprises a mounting part 5' which is arranged at the front side 15 of the drum 3.
- the drum inlet ports 17 are arranged at the back side 14.
- the drum inlet ports 17 are arranged in a circular manner.
- the heater 36 is arranged above a horizontal plane, which comprises the rotational axis 31, and at the back side 14 near the drum inlet ports 17.
- the drum outlet port 22 is arranged at the front side 15 and below the cover 7 and the horizontal plane such that the drying air flow 21 has to cross the interior of the drum 3 and to pass the laundry 4.
- the drum outlet port 22 is connected to a filter 51.
- the filter 51 serves to filter out bluff balls.
- a first flow restriction 24 is arranged at the back side 14, whereas a second flow resistance 24' is arranged at the front side 15.
- FIG 11 shows the first flow restriction 24 in detail.
- the drum sealing element 28 has a wedge-shaped tooth 33.
- the drum sealing element 28 interacts with the stationary sealing element 29, which is attached to a mounting part 5" of the housing 5.
- the stationary sealing element 29 comprises sealing elements 33'.
- the sealing elements 33' abut against both sides and the top of the wedge-shaped tooth 33.
- the sealing elements 33' and the tooth 33 form a gap between each other.
- the sealing elements 33' comprise a resilient material.
- the sealing elements 33' form the distribution chamber 26' and the sealing air outlet opening 30 to provide the sealing air flow 27.
- the distribution chamber 26' and the sealing air outlet opening 30 have a circular shape.
- the sealing air inlet port 26 opens into the distribution chamber 26'. In case of a gap between the drum sealing element 28 and the stationary sealing element 29 the sealing air flow 27 seals the flow restriction 24 such that the drying air A D is guided to the drum inlet ports 17.
- FIG 12 shows the second flow restriction 24' in detail.
- the drum sealing element 28 comprises a tooth 33.
- the drum sealing element 28 interacts with the stationary sealing element 29 which is attached to the mounting part 5'.
- the stationary sealing element 29 comprises sealing elements 33'.
- the sealing elements 33' comprise an elastic material.
- the stationary sealing element 29 forms the circular distribution chamber 26' and the circular sealing air outlet opening 30.
- the tooth 33 abuts against the sealing elements 33'.
- the tooth 33 and the sealing elements 33' form a gap between each other.
- the sealing air flow 27 seals the flow restriction 24' such that the drying air A D is guided to pass the laundry 4 and the moist drying air A M is guided to enter the drum outlet port 22.
- the distribution chamber 26' formed by the sealing elements 33' and/or the distribution chamber 26' formed by the stationary sealing element 29 can have a volute / scroll like shape and/or a circular shape.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a dryer for drying laundry. The invention further relates to a method of operating a dryer.
- A dryer serves to reduce the moisture of wet laundry by means of a flow of hot and dry air. There is a continuous need to enhance the robustness and efficiency of conventional dryers.
- An object of the present invention is to enhance a dryer by increasing its robustness and efficiency.
- This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a dryer having the features set out in claim 1. The inventive dryer can be operated in a highly robust and energy-efficient manner. The flow restriction reduces or even avoids the flow of drying air around the drum and forces the drying air to flow through the drum where it can effectively remove moisture from the laundry.
- The flow restriction can be of contact type, in particular a sealing ring, or of non-contact type. A contactless flow restriction is wear resistant. The contact type flow restriction however provides the better sealing effect.
- Preferably, the flow restriction is annular shaped, particularly circular shaped, more particular aligned concentrically with the rotational axis of the drum. The flow restriction can be located at a front side and/or at a back side and/or at a cylindrical wall of the drum. Preferably, it is located at that side of the drum to which a drive shaft for rotating the drum is attached. Vibrations at the flow restriction can thereby be reduced. Usually, the drive shaft is attached at the back side of the drum. More preferably, the at least one drum outlet port and/or the at least one drum inlet port and the flow restriction are arranged at the same side of the drum, particularly at the back side and/or at the front side. By this, the drying air flow is particularly efficient and the flow restriction is less exposed to vibrations and wear.
- Preferably, the labyrinth seal comprises a drum sealing element that is attached to the drum and a stationary sealing element that is attached to a tub and/or a housing and/or a mounting part, wherein the drum sealing element and the stationary sealing element act together to form the labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal preferably comprises at least one, particularly at least two, more particular at least three, more particular at least four, more particular at least six flow deflection elements. Such flow deflection elements are also referred to as teeth. Preferably, the teeth of the drum sealing element and of the stationary sealing element overlap each other in radial direction with respect to the rotational axis. The radial distance and/or the axial distance between two adjacent teeth can be within a range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, particularly 1 mm to 5 mm. The teeth can be arranged concentric to the rotational axis. Such a labyrinth seal allows for a sufficient sealing effect and is resistant to wear.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the flow restriction, particularly the labyrinth seal, is elastically deformable. Preferably, the teeth of the labyrinth seal comprise a rubber-elastic material. Wear or damage caused by contact of adjacent teeth can thus be avoided.
- The dryer comprises a drive unit for rotating the drum around a rotational axis. A drive shaft of the drive unit is connected to the drum. The drive shaft is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing.
- The dryer may be a washer dryer that combines the functionalities of washing and drying laundry. In particular, these functions are achieved with only one drum. The washer dryer is configured such that it comprises the additional functionality of washing and/or spin-drying.
- A tub of the washer dryer is arranged within a housing. Preferably, it is attached to the housing by means of springs and/or dampers. The washer dryer can be a front loader or a top loader. The rotational axis of the top loader may be aligned horizontally or vertically. The drum is arranged inside of the tub. The drum can be attached to the tub by means of a drive shaft. Preferably, the drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the tub. The washer dryer can comprise a drive unit for rotating the drum, particularly for providing a torque that is necessary to obtain a spinning movement. Such a spinning motion allows water to be efficiently removed from the laundry, but causes increased vibration.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the drying unit is configured such that it circulates drying air through the drum. Particularly, it can be configured not to admix air from the environment. Alternatively, the drying unit can comprise a multi-port valve to admix environmental air with recirculated drying air. Environmental air can for example be used to cool down the recirculated drying air.
- The drying unit can comprise a condenser for drying moist air and/or a fan for conveying the air and/or a heater for heating the air. Preferably, the fan is located downstream and/or upstream of the condenser. The heater can be located downstream of the fan. By this, an exposure of the fan to heated air can be avoided, which increases the service life of the fan. The condenser can be air-cooled and/or water-cooled and/or be of electric type. The heater can be an electric heater.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the dryer comprises a control unit for controlling the drying unit and/or a sealing air supply and/or the drive unit. The control unit can be in signal connection with these components. Preferably, it is configured such that it can reversibly activate the drying unit and/or the sealing air supply and/or the drive unit. The process of drying is preferably automated by means of the control unit. Particularly, the control unit can be configured such that it activates the sealing air supply depending on the activation of the drying unit, so that sealing and drying air are available simultaneously.
- The drum can comprise two face sides, a front side and a back side, and a cylindrical wall. The at least one drum inlet port and/or the at least one drum outlet port can be arranged at the front side and/or the back side and/or the cylindrical wall of the drum.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one drum inlet port can comprise multiple inlet openings. The multiple inlet openings can be arranged in a circular pattern around a rotational axis of the drum. Preferably, the multiple inlet openings are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and/or the axial direction with regard to the rotational axis of the drum and/or distributed in a non-uniform pattern that allows an enhanced, particularly more uniform, flow distribution within the drum. For example, an area density of the inlet openings can increase and/or decrease with the distance of the respective inlet opening from the at least one drum outlet port.
- The drum can comprise multiple drum inlet ports. Each drum inlet port may have multiple inlet openings, like perforations, particularly at a face side and/or a cylindrical wall of the drum. Such perforations can be distributed uniformly or non-uniformly such that a uniform flow distribution is achieved within the drum. For example, the area density of the perforations can increase with an increased and/or decreased distance from the drum outlet port.
- A dryer as claimed in
claim 2 is particularly robust and energy-efficient. The sealing air provided by the sealing air supply further increases the robustness and energy-efficiency of the dryer. The sealing air supply provides for a contactless sealing, particularly for at least partial suppression of a drying air flow bypassing the drum. Such a non-contact seal is not subject to wear. The combination of both the flow restriction and the sealing air supply results in the synergetic effect that the sealing air can be used particularly efficient at a reduced flow cross section that is obtained by the flow restriction. Since the drying air flow around the drum is at least substantially decreased, energy used for heating the drying air can be saved. The energy consumption of the dryer is further reduced due to the decreased mass flow of moist drying air that has to be cooled down within a condenser of the drying unit. The dryer can thus be operated particularly robust and energy-efficient. With the sealing air supply, a non-contact sealing of a gap between the drum and a tub and/or a housing can be achieved such that vibrations due to an unbalanced distribution of the laundry within the drum does not lead to wear. The dryer is thus robust and energy-efficient. The sealing air supply comprises at least one sealing air duct for conducting the sealing air to the at least one sealing air inlet port. The sealing air duct can be configured such that it connects the at least one sealing air inlet port to the environment and/or to the drying unit, in particular to a drying air duct. Preferably, the fan of the drying unit is arranged such that it conveys both, the drying air and the sealing air. Therefore, the sealing air duct can connect the at least one sealing air inlet port with an outlet of the fan of the drying unit. The sealing air supply can comprise a separate fan for conveying the sealing air to the at least one sealing air inlet port. Preferably, the sealing air duct is configured such that non-heated air is provided at the at least one sealing air inlet port. - The sealing air supply can comprise at least one valve, in particular an adjustable valve with an adjustable flow area, more particular an electrically adjustable valve. The control unit can be configured to control the at least one valve. By this, the control unit can control the sealing air flow whereby the efficiency of the dryer can be increased. Particularly, the control unit can ensure that the necessary mass flow for the intended sealing effect is provided. A similar effect is achieved if the control unit is configured to control the fan speed.
- A dryer as claimed in
claim 3 is particularly energy-efficient. Locating the flow restriction at a face side of the drum enables to guide the inflow of drying air into the drum and/or to the laundry. By this, a particularly uniform and efficient flow distribution within the drum can be obtained. Preferably, the flow restriction is located at a face side at which the drum is rotatable mounted, particularly at the back side, to avoid wear. - A dryer as claimed in
claim 4 can be operated particularly energy-efficient. The arrangement of the at least one drum outlet port for discharging the drying air from the drum at a face side of the drum ensures a particularly uniform flow distribution within the drum and thus an efficient drying process. Preferably, the at least one drum outlet port is located opposite to the at least one drum inlet port. Preferably, the at least one drum inlet port and the at least one drum outlet port are located at different sides of a horizontal plane which includes the rotational axis. - A dryer as claimed in
claim 5 can be operated particularly energy-efficient. The sealing air supply can comprise multiple sealing air inlet ports. The arrangement of the at least one sealing air inlet port at the flow restriction allows to provide sealing air in an easy and efficient manner. Preferably, the at least one sealing air inlet port opens into a distribution chamber which distributes the sealing air to at least one sealing air outlet opening. Preferably, the at least one sealing air outlet opening has a circular shape and/or is arranged in a circular manner. - A dryer as claimed in
claim 6 can be operated particularly energy-efficient. Preferably, the at least one sealing air outlet opening comprises at least one nozzle. The nozzle can be configured such that it directs the sealing air flow contrary to the direction of the drying air flow. The resulting back pressure allows for an enhanced sealing effect. Preferably, such a nozzle is configured such that the sealing air flow is directed against the drying air flow and/or to the flow restriction, particularly when the nozzle is located downstream of the flow restriction. The sealing air can thus choke or seal the flow restriction. By this, a drying air flow over the flow restriction can completely be avoided. Preferably, each of the sealing air outlet openings comprises a nozzle for specifying the direction of the sealing air flow. The nozzles can be flat jet nozzles and/or round jet nozzles. Preferably, the sealing air outlet openings are uniformly distributed, in particular around the rotational axis and/or along the flow restriction. Alternatively, the sealing air outlet openings can be arranged in a non-uniform pattern, preferably such that a uniform distribution of the sealing air flow is obtained, particularly at the flow restriction. The at least one sealing air outlet opening can have a circular shape. Preferably, the at least one sealing air outlet opening is in connection with a distribution chamber. Preferably, the distribution chamber has a circular shape. - A dryer as claimed in
claim 7 is particularly economical to produce and energy efficient to operate. As the sealing air duct connects the sealing air inlet port with the drying air duct between the condenser and the heater, non-heated dry air can be provided as sealing air. Preferably, the sealing air duct is connected to an outlet of the drying air fan. The sealing air duct thus bypasses the heater, whereby heating energy can be saved. - The dryer as claimed in
claim 8 can be operated particularly energy-efficient. Preferably, the drum sealing element and the stationary sealing element act together to form the flow restriction. The drum sealing element can be a seal and the stationary sealing element can be a sealing surface or vice versa. The flow restriction can thus be configured particularly effective. The stationary sealing element can be attached to a tub and/or a housing and/or a mounting part. - The dryer as claimed in
claim 9 is particularly energy-efficient and robust. The features ofclaim 9 refer to an independent invention, which nevertheless can be combined with the aforementioned aspects. Particularly, the invention relates to a dryer with a drum, a drying unit, a flow restriction and a retracting mechanism according toclaim 9 with or without a sealing air supply. The retracting mechanism can comprise a retracting drive for retracting the drum sealing element and/or the stationary sealing element. The retracting drive can be connected to the control unit. In the retracted position, the retracting mechanism and the flow restriction are arranged in an open state. In a restriction position, the retracting mechanism and the flow restriction are arranged in a closed state. Such retracting mechanism ensures that the flow restriction is not exposed to vibrations, particularly during a spinning phase of the washing or drying process. The retracting mechanism is preferably configured such that it retracts the respective sealing element by a distance of at least 1 mm, particularly at least 2 mm, particularly at least 5 mm, particularly at least 10 mm. - According to a further aspect of the invention, the flow restriction and/or the retracting mechanism are slotted in radial direction. The flow restriction and the retracting mechanism may be divided into multiple sections. Circumferential stresses due to the retraction movement can thus be avoided. Preferably, a gap between adjacent sections is available in the open state and closed in the restriction position.
- A dryer as claimed in
claim 10 is particularly robust. The at least one bias spring can be a coil spring. The bias spring is preferably arranged concentric to the rotational axis of the drum. Preferably, the bias spring surrounds the rotational axis. The bias spring can be configured such that it acts on the retracting mechanism in radial direction with respect to the rotational axis. The bias spring can be a metal spring. The bias spring can comprise a rubber-elastic material. Preferably, the bias spring is formed by an elastic lever arm to which the drum sealing element and/or the stationary sealing element is attached. - A dryer as claimed in
claim 11 is particularly robust and can be manufactured economically. The retracting mechanism can be configured to retract the drum sealing element. The drum sealing element and/or an actuation weight that is attached to the retracting mechanism can be configured such that the rotational movement of the drum causes a centrifugal force that switches the retracting mechanism from the closed state to the open state. Preferably, the retracting mechanism is actuated when a certain threshold rotation speed, in particular above a drying speed and below a spinning speed of the drum, is exceeded. - A dryer as claimed in
claim 12 can be operated particularly efficient. The feedback device preferably comprises a sensor, in particular a pressure sensor and/or a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor for detecting the air flow within the housing and/or the tub and/or the drying unit and/or the sealing air supply. The feedback device can be connected to the control unit. Preferably, the control unit is configured to control the sealing air flow depending on a signal from the feedback device. Preferably, the feedback device is arranged downstream of and/or at the flow restriction. By this, the feedback device can detect whether drying air passes the flow restriction. Preferably, the control unit is configured such that it can control the sealing air flow to avoid the drying air passing the flow restriction and to reduce sealing air consumption. - A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating the dryer that leads to less energy consumption and wear.
- This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a method of operating a dryer according to
claim 13. The method as claimed inclaim 13 can comprise any of the aforementioned features regarding the dryer. The flow restriction can be configured to guide the flow of drying air through the drum. Preferably, the drying air is conducted into the drum through at least one drum inlet port, like a drum laundry opening and/or through perforations in a cylindrical wall of the drum. By means of the flow restriction, flow of the drying air around the drum can at least partially be suppressed. The method of operating the dryer thus increases the drying air flow through the drum and the laundry, whereby the drying process is particularly efficient. - A method as claimed in
claim 14 allows to reduce wear. Preferably, the retraction of the respective sealing element is induced by centrifugal forces. The closing movement can be induced by elastic forces, which are preferably provided by means of a bias spring. A respective sealing element can also be retracted by means of a retracting drive. Preferably, the drum sealing element and/or the stationary sealing element is retracted in a spinning phase and/or when a threshold rotation speed of the drum is reached, particularly exceeded. By this, damage of the flow restriction due to vibrations during the spinning phase can be avoided. - The method as claimed in
claim 15 is particularly efficient. Mixing cold sealing air with moist drying air saves energy that is necessary for cooling the moist drying air within a condenser of the drying unit. Further, a more uniform temperature reduction within the moist drying air can be obtained and moisture can be removed from the moist drying air within the condenser more efficiently. Preferably, the cold sealing air is mixed with the moist drying air outside of the drum. - Further features, advantages and details of the invention result from the subsequent description of several exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:
- Fig. 1
- shows a sectional view of a washer dryer for washing and drying laundry according to a first embodiment, comprising a flow restriction between a drum and a tub for partial suppression of the drying air flow between the drum and the tub and a sealing air supply for providing sealing air at the flow restriction,
- Fig. 2
- shows the flow restriction and a sealing air inlet port of the sealing air supply in
Fig. 1 in more detail, - Fig. 3
- shows a perspective view of the drum in
Fig. 1 with a drum sealing element of the flow restriction, - Fig. 4
- shows a fluid diagram of the washer dryer in
Fig. 1 , comprising a drying unit for providing drying air for drying the laundry, - Fig. 5
- shows a perspective view of a washer dryer according to a second embodiment, comprising a retracting mechanism for reversibly moving the drum sealing element to a retracted position, wherein the drum sealing element is arranged such that its mass causes a centrifugal force that retracts the drum sealing element when the drum is rotated,
- Fig. 6a
- shows a schematic side view of the retracting mechanism in
Fig. 5 , wherein the flow restriction is arranged in a closed state, - Fig. 6b
- shows a schematic front view of the retracting mechanism in
Fig. 6a , - Fig. 7a
- shows a schematic side view of the retracting mechanism in
Fig. 5 , wherein the flow restriction is arranged in an open state, - Fig. 7b
- shows a schematic front view of the retracting mechanism in
Fig. 7a , - Fig. 8
- shows a schematic side view of a retracting mechanism of a washer dryer according to a third embodiment, wherein the retracting mechanism is arranged in a closed state and comprises an actuation mass for causing a centrifugal force for retracting the drum sealing element when the drum is rotated,
- Fig. 9
- shows a schematic side view of the retracting mechanism in
Fig. 8 , wherein the retracting mechanism is arranged in an open state, - Fig. 10
- shows a sectional view of a dryer for drying laundry according to a fourth embodiment, comprising flow restrictions between a drum and a housing,
- Fig. 11
- shows a schematic side view of a flow restriction at a back side of a drum, and
- Fig. 12
- shows a flow restriction at a front side of the drum.
- The washer dryer 1 as shown in
Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 comprises atub 2 for receiving rinsing water and adrum 3 for receivinglaundry 4, which is rotatably arranged in thetub 2. Thetub 2 is arranged in ahousing 5. Alaundry port 6 of thehousing 5 is reversibly closed by means of acover 7. For loading thedrum 3 with thelaundry 4 thetub 2 comprises atub laundry opening 8 and thedrum 3 comprises adrum laundry opening 9. A gap between thelaundry port 6 and thetub laundry opening 8 is closed by means of a shape flexiblelaundry port seal 10. - The
tub 2 is attached to thehousing 5 by means ofsprings 11 anddampers 12. The transmission of vibrations caused by therotating drum 3 to thehousing 5 can thus be reduced. - A drive unit, which is not shown in the figures, is torque-transmitting connected to the
drum 3. The drive unit comprises an electric motor that is connected to adrive shaft 13 by means of a drive belt. Thedrive shaft 13 is attached to thedrum 3, in particular to aback side 14 of thedrum 3. - The
drum 3 has two face sides, theback side 14 and afront side 15. Thedrum laundry opening 9 is located at thefront side 15. Acylindrical wall 16 connects thefront side 15 with theback side 14. Thecylindrical wall 16 comprisesdrum inlet ports 17, in particular through holes that are permeable for gases and liquids. Particularly, thedrum inlet ports 17 allow for the removal of water from thelaundry 4 in a spinning phase of the washer dryer 1. - The
tub 2 comprises atub inlet port 18 for receiving drying air AD and atub outlet port 19 for discharging moist drying air AM. A dryingunit 20 of the washer dryer 1 is air-conductively connected to thetub inlet port 18 and to thetub outlet port 19. The dryingunit 20 provides drying air AD for drying thelaundry 4. The drying air flow between thetub inlet port 18 and thetub outlet port 19 is indicated by arrows with thereference sign 21. - A first part of the drying air AD flows from the
tub inlet port 18, which is identical with thetub laundry opening 8 to thedrum laundry opening 9 through thedrum 3 and over thelaundry 4 to theback side 14 of thedrum 3, particularly to adrum outlet port 22. Hence, thedrum laundry opening 9 forms a drum inlet port. Thedrum outlet port 22 is covered by a gaspermeable grid 23. The moist drying air AM flows through thatgrid 23 to thetub outlet port 19. - A second part of the drying air AD is conducted from the
tub inlet port 18 through a gap between thetub 2 and thedrum 3 and through thecylindrical wall 16, in particular thedrum inlet ports 17, into thedrum 3 and to thelaundry 4. The moist drying air AM flows through thegrid 23 and thedrum outlet port 22 to thetub outlet port 19 of thetub 2. - A
flow restriction 24 is arranged between thedrum 3 and thetub 2, which at least partially suppresses the dryingair flow 21 between thedrum 3 and thetub 2. Theflow restriction 24 is located at theback side 14, particularly at an edge between theback side 14 and thecylindrical wall 16. - The washer dryer 1 further comprises a sealing
air supply 25, which provides sealing air As at a sealingair inlet port 26 of thetub 2. The sealing air flow is indicated by arrows with thereference sign 27. A first part of the sealingair flow 27 is conducted from the sealingair inlet port 26 through thedrum inlet ports 17, thedrum 3 and thedrum outlet port 22 to thetub outlet port 19. A second part of the sealingair flow 27 is conducted along theback side 14 to thetub outlet port 19. - In
Fig. 2 theflow restriction 24 is shown in more detail. Theflow restriction 24 comprises adrum sealing element 28 that is attached to thedrum 3, in particular to theback side 14, and astationary sealing element 29 that is attached to thetub 2. Theflow restriction 24 is a labyrinth seal. Thedrum sealing element 28 andstationary sealing element 29 act together to form theflow restriction 24, particularly the labyrinth seal. - The sealing
air inlet port 26 is located at thestationary sealing element 29. The sealingair inlet port 26 comprises one channel or multiple channels which open into a distribution chamber 26'. The distribution chamber 26' has a circular shape or a volute / scroll like shape around arotational axis 31 of thedrum 3. The distribution chamber 26' distributes the sealing air As to a sealingair outlet opening 30. This sealingair outlet opening 30 has a circular shape around therotational axis 31. The sealingair outlet opening 30 is located at agroove 32 between twoadjacent teeth 33 of theflow restriction 24, in particular thetub sealing element 29. - In
Fig. 3 thedrum 3 with thedrum sealing element 28 is shown in more detail. Thedrum sealing element 28 is attached to theback side 14 at a radial outermost position. Thedrum sealing element 28 comprises twocircular teeth 33 between which agroove 32 is formed and which are arranged concentric to therotational axis 31. - The
teeth 33 of thedrum sealing element 28 interlock with theteeth 33 of thestationary sealing element 29. In particular, theteeth 33 of thedrum sealing element 28 and thestationary sealing element 29 overlap each other in a radial direction with regard to therotational axis 31. - A fluid diagram, which shows the drying
air flow 21 and the sealingair flow 27 within the washer dryer 1 is shown inFig. 4 . InFig. 4 also the dryingunit 20 and the sealingair supply 25 are shown in more detail. - The drying
unit 20 comprises acondenser 34 for condensing out moisture from the moist drying air AM, afan 35 for circulating the drying air AD and aheater 36 for heating the drying air AD from thecondenser 34. Thecondenser 34 is air-conductively coupled to thetub outlet port 19 of thetub 2. Thefan 35 is connected to thecondenser 34 and theheater 36 is connected to thefan 35. An outlet port of theheater 36 is air-conductively connected to thetub inlet port 18 of thetub 2. - The sealing
air supply 25 comprises at least a sealingair duct 37. The sealingair duct 37 connects an overpressure area downstream thefan 35 with the sealingair inlet port 26. Preferably, the sealingair supply 25 further comprises a sealingair valve 38, which reversibly connects thefan 35 with the sealingair inlet port 26 air-conductively. - More preferably, the sealing
air supply 25 further comprises afeedback device 39 for detecting the dryingair flow 21 and/or the sealingair flow 27. Thefeedback device 39 comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air flow between theback side 14 of thedrum 3 and thetub 2. - The washer dryer 1 comprises a
control unit 40 for controlling the washing process and/or the drying process. The dryingunit 20, in particular thecondenser 34, thefan 35 and theheater 36, and the sealingair supply 25, particularly the sealingair valve 38, and thefeedback device 39 are in signal connection with thecontrol unit 40. In particular, thecontrol unit 40 is configured such that it can reversibly activate the dryingunit 20, in particular thecondenser 34, thefan 35, theheater 36, and the sealingair supply 25, in particular the sealingair valve 38. Thecontrol unit 40 is further configured such that it can operate the sealingair valve 38 depending on a signal from thefeedback device 39, in particular on the temperature of the air flow between thetub 2 and thedrum 3. Thecontrol unit 40 is also in signal connection with the drive unit. Thecontrol unit 40 completely controls the washing and drying phases. - The functionality of the washer dryer 1, in particular of the drying
unit 20, theflow restriction 24 and the sealingair supply 25, is as follows:
In an initial state, thedrum 3 is loaded withlaundry 4 through thelaundry port 6, which is closed by thecover 7. A washer dryer 1, particularly thecontrol unit 40, is activated and starts a washing process according to a selected washing program. Therefore, a water management system is activated and water is conducted into thetub 2. Depending on the specific washing phase, the water within thetub 2 is heated and/or detergents are added. Thecontrol unit 40 provides a signal for activating the drive unit and thedrum 3 is rotated about therotational axis 31 within thetub 2 for washing thelaundry 4. - After finishing the washing phase, the rinsing water is conducted to a drain. The
control unit 40 initiates a spinning phase. Thedrum 3 is rotated within thetub 2 by means of the drive unit at a high rotational speed. Due to centrifugal forces, water within thelaundry 4 is expelled in a radial direction and ejected through thedrum inlet ports 17. Thedrum 3 is stopped by means of a signal from thecontrol unit 40. The ejected water is conducted to the drain. The spinning phase is finished. - Due to the configuration of the
flow restriction 24 in the form of a non-contact labyrinth seal, any vibration of thedrum 3 relative to thetub 2 cannot harm or damage theflow restriction 24. Particularly, agap 41 between twoadjacent teeth 33 is configured such that the vibrations do not result in a contact, particularly an impact, of the adjacentdrum sealing element 28 andstationary sealing element 29, particularly theadjacent teeth 33. In a radial and an axial direction, the size of eachgap 41 between adjacent, overlappingteeth 33 is in a range between 1 mm and 5 mm. - The drying phase is initiated by means of the
control unit 40. Thecontrol unit 40 activates the dryingunit 20. Thefan 35 circulates air through thetub 2, between thetub inlet port 18 and thetub outlet port 19, in particular through thedrum 3. Downstream thefan 35, in particular between thefan 35 and thetub inlet port 18, the air is heated by means of theheater 36 in order to provide heated drying air AD at thetub inlet port 18. Within thedrum 3, the heated drying air AD removes moisture from thelaundry 4. The moist drying air AM is conducted through thedrum outlet port 22 and thetub outlet port 19 of thetub 2 back into the dryingunit 20, in particular thecondenser 34. Within thecondenser 34, the moist drying air AM is cooled. - Thereby, the moisture within the drying air condenses and is removed. The dried air is aspirated into the
fan 35 for recirculation. - By means of the drive unit, the
drum 3 is rotated relative to thetub 2 during the drying phase. Thus, the drying efficiency is increased. Due to the rotation of thedrum 3 relative to thetub 2 and to the configuration of theflow restriction 24 in the form of a non-contact labyrinth seal, there is a remaininggap 41 between thedrum 3 and thetub 2. In other words, theback side 14 of thedrum 3 is not sealed against thetub 2 completely gas-tight. Thus, heated drying air AD would be able to flow around thedrum 3, particularly along thecylindrical wall 16 and theback side 14 without passing the inside of thedrum 3 and thus thelaundry 4. - The
feedback device 39 monitors the air flow between theback side 14 and thetub 2, particularly its temperature. Thecontrol unit 40 compares the temperature measured by means of thefeedback device 39 with a specific threshold temperature. When the measured temperature reaches the threshold temperature, thecontrol unit 40 notices that heated drying air AD flows around and not through thedrum 3. The sealingair valve 38 is then opened or an opening of the sealingair valve 38 is increased such that a flow rate of the sealing air As, which is conducted to the sealingair inlet port 26, is increased. The sealingair valve 38 preferably is an adjustable electric valve, preferably a continuously adjustable valve. The sealingair duct 37 is connected to an outlet port of thefan 35. The sealingair supply 25 does provide pressured dry air from the dryingunit 20. Particularly, the sealingair duct 37 is a bypass duct, which allows to use non-heated dry air for sealing theflow restriction 24. - The sealing air As is used to increase the static pressure in the area of the
flow restriction 24. The heated drying air AD is thus forced not to flow around thedrum 3 but to flow through it and thus pass thelaundry 4. - The
feedback device 39 is surrounded by the sealing air As. Thecontrol unit 40 does recognize a reduced temperature. An opening of the sealingair valve 38 can thus be decreased. The consumption of sealing air As and heated drying air AD can thus be reduced and the efficiency of the drying process can be increased. - The threshold temperature is preferably adapted to the drying air temperature of the selected drying program. The
control unit 40, the sealingair valve 38 and thefeedback device 39 represent a control system with a closed control loop. - As an alternative, the sealing
air supply 25 only comprises the sealingair duct 37 but not a sealingair valve 38 or afeedback device 39. Such sealingair supply 25 is specifically robust and can be manufactured highly economically. According to an aspect of the invention, the sealingair duct 37 comprises a static duct resistance element for setting the sealing air flow. - After the
laundry 4 is dried, the drive unit, the dryingunit 20 and the sealingair supply 25 are deactivated. The condensed water is conducted to the drain. The washer dryer 1 is deactivated and the driedlaundry 4 can be removed from thedrum 3. - The cold sealing air As is at least partially mixed with the heated moist drying air AM within the
tub 2. This is due to the fact that the sealing air As as well as the moist drying air AM are discharged over thetub outlet port 19. - Since mixing of the cold sealing air As and the heated moist drying air AM already takes place within the
tub 2, the temperature of the moist drying air AM is decreased already before it enters thecondenser 34. Thus, less energy is necessary for cooling the moist drying air AM within thecondenser 34. The extraction of the moisture from the moist drying air AM is particularly energy-efficient. - A further embodiment of the washer dryer 1 is shown in
Fig. 5 to Fig. 7b . In contrast to the aforementioned embodiment, the washer dryer 1 comprises aretracting mechanism 42 for reversibly moving at least one of the sealing elements, in particular thedrum sealing element 28, to a retracted position. Theretracting mechanism 42 states an independent aspect of the invention, which nevertheless can be combined with the features of the aforementioned embodiment. - The
retracting mechanism 42 comprises alever arm 43, which is attached to theback side 14 of thedrum 3 by means of ahinge 44. Thedrum sealing element 28 is attached to the end of thelever arm 43 which is opposite to thehinge 44. - The
retracting mechanism 42 is shown inFig. 6a to Fig. 7b in more detail. InFig. 6a and Fig. 6b the flow restriction is shown in a closed state, particularly in a resistance position. InFig. 7a and Fig. 7b , the flow restriction is shown in an open state, particularly in a retracted position. - The
retracting mechanism 42 comprises abias spring 45 for pretensioning thelever arm 43, particularly thedrum sealing element 28 to the restriction position. Thebias spring 45 is a coil spring. Thebias spring 45 is arranged concentric to therotational axis 31. - The
retracting mechanism 42 is designed such that it retracts thedrum sealing element 28 due to a centrifugal force generated by therotating drum 3. In particular, the mass of thedrum sealing element 28 and of thelever arm 43 are configured such that theretracting mechanism 42 moves from the closed state to the open state when a certain rotation speed of thedrum 3 is reached. Damage of theflow restriction 24 due to increased vibrations at higher rotation speeds can thus be avoided. - In order to reduce circumferential stresses, which result from the movement of the
retracting mechanism 42, thelever arm 43 is divided in multiplelever arm sections 46 and thedrum sealing element 28 is divided in multiple drum sealingelement sections 47. Thedrum sealing element 28 and thelever arm 43 are divided in a radial direction with respect to therotational axis 31. As shown inFig. 7b , this division results in a wedge-shapedgap 48 between adjacentlever arm sections 46 in the open state. These wedge-shapedgaps 48 are closed in the closed state. In the closed state, theflow restriction 24 is thus effectively obtained. - The functionality of the washer dryer 1 that is shown in
Fig. 6a to Fig. 7b corresponds to the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment. During the spinning phase of thedrum 3, the centrifugal forces at thedrum sealing element 28 and at theretracting mechanism 42 surpass a threshold force which is needed to move theretracting mechanism 42 from the closed state to the open state. The pretensioning force of thebias spring 45 is overcome and theretracting mechanism 42 is moved from the closed state to the open state. The threshold rotation speed is above a drying speed and below a spinning speed of thedrum 3. Damage of theflow restriction 24 due to vibrations or impacts is thus avoided. - During the drying phase, the
drum 3 rotates at lower rotation speeds. The forces that are created by thecircumferential bias spring 45 outweigh the centrifugal forces and thedrum sealing element 28 is kept in the closed state. - Another embodiment of the washer dryer 1 is shown in
Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 . Compared to the aforementioned embodiments, the washer dryer 1 comprises analternative retracting mechanism 42. Theretracting mechanism 42 is attached to an edge between theback side 14 and thecylindrical wall 16 of thedrum 3. Theretracting mechanism 42 comprises alever arm 43 that is connected to ahinge 44 and to thedrum sealing element 28 and acounter lever arm 49 that is rigidly connected to thelever arm 43 and to acounterweight 50 that faces thehinge 44. Thecounterweight 50 is also referred to as actuating mass. Abias spring 45 is arranged such that it acts on thecounter lever arm 49. - The
counterweight 50 is configured such that theretracting mechanism 42 moves from a closed state to the open state due to centrifugal forces that act on thecounterweight 50 due to the rotation of thedrum 3. Particularly, thebias spring 45 and thecounterweight 50 are configured such that theretracting mechanism 42 and thedrum sealing element 28 stay in the closed state until a specific threshold rotation speed of thedrum 3 is reached. By surpassing this threshold rotation speed, theretracting mechanism 42 moves to the open state and theflow restriction 24 is prevented from damage due to increased vibrations. The threshold rotation speed is above a drying speed and below a spinning speed of thedrum 3. - The functionality of the washer dryer 1 that is shown in
Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 corresponds to the functionality of the aforementioned embodiments. In contrast to the embodiment that is shown inFig. 5 to Fig. 7b , thedrum sealing element 28 moves from the closed state to the open state with an inwardly directed motion component. - The washer dryer 1 according to the invention is particularly robust and can be operated particularly energy-efficient. The
flow restriction 24 at least reduces the dryingair flow 21 which bypasses thedrum 3 and thus prevents the waste of heating energy. The sealingair supply 25 further reduces the dryingair flow 21 which bypasses thedrum 3. Theretracting mechanism 42 allows for disengaging the at least one sealingelement drum sealing element 28, from thestationary sealing element 29, in order to avoid damage due to vibrations. - A further embodiment is shown in
Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 . In contrast to the aforementioned embodiments, the dryer 1 just serves to dry thelaundry 4 and has no washing function. Thedrum 3 is rotatably arranged in thehousing 5. Thehousing 5 comprises a mountingpart 5' which is arranged at thefront side 15 of thedrum 3. Thedrum inlet ports 17 are arranged at theback side 14. Thedrum inlet ports 17 are arranged in a circular manner. Theheater 36 is arranged above a horizontal plane, which comprises therotational axis 31, and at theback side 14 near thedrum inlet ports 17. In contrast thereto, thedrum outlet port 22 is arranged at thefront side 15 and below thecover 7 and the horizontal plane such that the dryingair flow 21 has to cross the interior of thedrum 3 and to pass thelaundry 4. Thedrum outlet port 22 is connected to afilter 51. Thefilter 51 serves to filter out bluff balls. - A
first flow restriction 24 is arranged at theback side 14, whereas asecond flow resistance 24' is arranged at thefront side 15. -
Figure 11 shows thefirst flow restriction 24 in detail. Thedrum sealing element 28 has a wedge-shapedtooth 33. Thedrum sealing element 28 interacts with thestationary sealing element 29, which is attached to a mountingpart 5" of thehousing 5. Thestationary sealing element 29 comprises sealing elements 33'. Infigure 11 , the sealing elements 33' abut against both sides and the top of the wedge-shapedtooth 33. However, it is also possible that the sealing elements 33' and thetooth 33 form a gap between each other. Preferably, the sealing elements 33' comprise a resilient material. The sealing elements 33' form the distribution chamber 26' and the sealing air outlet opening 30 to provide the sealingair flow 27. The distribution chamber 26' and the sealingair outlet opening 30 have a circular shape. The sealingair inlet port 26 opens into the distribution chamber 26'. In case of a gap between thedrum sealing element 28 and thestationary sealing element 29 the sealingair flow 27 seals theflow restriction 24 such that the drying air AD is guided to thedrum inlet ports 17. -
Figure 12 shows thesecond flow restriction 24' in detail. Thedrum sealing element 28 comprises atooth 33. Thedrum sealing element 28 interacts with thestationary sealing element 29 which is attached to the mountingpart 5'. Thestationary sealing element 29 comprises sealing elements 33'. Preferably, the sealing elements 33' comprise an elastic material. Thestationary sealing element 29 forms the circular distribution chamber 26' and the circular sealingair outlet opening 30. Infigure 12 , thetooth 33 abuts against the sealing elements 33'. However, it is also possible that thetooth 33 and the sealing elements 33' form a gap between each other. In case of a gap, the sealingair flow 27 seals theflow restriction 24' such that the drying air AD is guided to pass thelaundry 4 and the moist drying air AM is guided to enter thedrum outlet port 22. The distribution chamber 26' formed by the sealing elements 33' and/or the distribution chamber 26' formed by thestationary sealing element 29 can have a volute / scroll like shape and/or a circular shape.
Claims (15)
- Dryer for drying laundry, comprising- a drum (3) for receiving the laundry (4), with-- at least one drum inlet port (17) for receiving drying air (AD), and-- at least one drum outlet port (22) for discharging moist drying air (AM),- a drying unit (20) for providing the drying air (AD) for drying the laundry (4), which is air-conductively connected to the at least one drum inlet port (17) and the at least one drum outlet port (22),characterized by
a flow restriction (24, 24'), in particular a labyrinth seal, for guiding the drying air (AD) to the at least one drum inlet port (17) and/or to the laundry (4) and/or from the drum (3) to the at least one outlet port (22). - Dryer according to claim 1, characterized by a sealing air supply (25) for providing sealing air (As) to guide the drying air (AD) to the at least one drum inlet port (17) and/or to the laundry (4) and/or from the drum (3) to the at least one outlet port (22).
- Dryer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drum (3) has two face sides (14, 15), wherein a flow restriction (24, 24') is located at at least one of face sides (14, 15).
- Dryer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum outlet port (22) for the moist drying air (AM) is located at a face side (14, 15) of the drum (3).
- Dryer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing air inlet port (26) of the sealing air supply (25) is located at the flow restriction (24, 24').
- Dryer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing air outlet opening (30) of the sealing air supply (25) is arranged in a circular manner and/or has a circular shape around a rotational axis (31) of the drum (3).
- Dryer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying unit (20) comprises a condenser (34) for drying the moist drying air (AM) and a heater (36) for providing heat to the drying air (AD) , wherein in particular the sealing air supply (25) connects a drying air duct of the drying unit (20) between a fan (35) and the heater (36) with at least one sealing air inlet port (26) to provide non-heated, dry sealing air (AS).
- Dryer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow restriction (24) comprises a drum sealing element (28) that is attached to the drum (3) and/or a stationary sealing element (29).
- Dryer according to claim 8, characterized by at least one retracting mechanism (42) for reversibly moving the drum sealing element (28) and/or the stationary sealing element (29) to a retracted position.
- Dryer according to claim 9, characterized in that the retracting mechanism (42) comprises at least one bias spring (45) for pretensioning the drum sealing element (28) and/or the stationary sealing element (29) to a restriction position.
- Dryer according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the retracting mechanism (42) is designed such that it retracts the drum sealing element (28) due to a centrifugal force that is caused by the rotating drum (3).
- Dryer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing air supply (25) comprises a feedback device (39) for detecting the drying air (AD) and/or the sealing air (AS).
- Method of operating a dryer (1) comprising the steps:- providing a dryer (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,- conducting drying air (AD) through the drum (3) by means of the flow restriction (24, 24') for drying the laundry (4).
- Method according to claim 13, characterized by moving a drum sealing element (28) and/or a stationary sealing element (29) of the flow restriction (24, 24') to a retracted position.
- Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by mixing cold sealing air (As) with moist drying air (AM) .
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20178081.4A EP3919665A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 | 2020-06-03 | Dryer for drying laundry and method of operating a dryer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP20178081.4A EP3919665A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 | 2020-06-03 | Dryer for drying laundry and method of operating a dryer |
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EP3919665A1 true EP3919665A1 (en) | 2021-12-08 |
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ID=70977459
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20178081.4A Pending EP3919665A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 | 2020-06-03 | Dryer for drying laundry and method of operating a dryer |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4083297A1 (en) * | 2021-04-26 | 2022-11-02 | Whirlpool Corporation | Dynamic seal for washer and dryer combination appliance |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1461073A (en) * | 1973-06-01 | 1977-01-13 | Colston Appliances Ltd | Washing machine having a hot air dryer |
GB1554725A (en) * | 1976-10-11 | 1979-10-31 | Hotpoint Ltd | Airflow arrangements for tumble drying machines |
WO2006059440A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Washer-dryer |
-
2020
- 2020-06-03 EP EP20178081.4A patent/EP3919665A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1461073A (en) * | 1973-06-01 | 1977-01-13 | Colston Appliances Ltd | Washing machine having a hot air dryer |
GB1554725A (en) * | 1976-10-11 | 1979-10-31 | Hotpoint Ltd | Airflow arrangements for tumble drying machines |
WO2006059440A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Washer-dryer |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4083297A1 (en) * | 2021-04-26 | 2022-11-02 | Whirlpool Corporation | Dynamic seal for washer and dryer combination appliance |
US11821124B2 (en) | 2021-04-26 | 2023-11-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Dynamic seal for washer and dryer combination appliance |
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