EP3919671A1 - Procédé de fonctionnement d'un sèche-linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur et sèche-linge mettant en oeuvre ce procédé - Google Patents

Procédé de fonctionnement d'un sèche-linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur et sèche-linge mettant en oeuvre ce procédé Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3919671A1
EP3919671A1 EP20178479.0A EP20178479A EP3919671A1 EP 3919671 A1 EP3919671 A1 EP 3919671A1 EP 20178479 A EP20178479 A EP 20178479A EP 3919671 A1 EP3919671 A1 EP 3919671A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
temperature
compressor
fan
machine
ton
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP20178479.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3919671B1 (fr
Inventor
Mattia SESSOLO
Christian Zavan
Roberto Ragogna
Alessandro Ricci
Alessandro DALLA ROSA
Stefano ANTONELLO
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Electrolux Appliances AB
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Electrolux Appliances AB
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Priority to EP20178479.0A priority Critical patent/EP3919671B1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2021/063633 priority patent/WO2021244876A1/fr
Publication of EP3919671A1 publication Critical patent/EP3919671A1/fr
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Publication of EP3919671B1 publication Critical patent/EP3919671B1/fr
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    • 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
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/50—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of blowers
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/28—Air properties
    • D06F2103/32—Temperature
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
    • D06F2103/48—Current or voltage of the motor driving the pump
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/26—Heat pumps
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/30—Blowers
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/52—Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
    • 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 
    • D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements
    • 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
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/46—Control of the operating time

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of laundry drying machines equipped with a heat pump system, more particularly to a method for operating such machines.
  • Laundry drying machines capable of carrying out a drying process on laundry hereinafter simply indicated as laundry dryers, generally comprise a casing that houses a treating chamber, like a rotating drum, where laundry to be treated is received.
  • a closed air stream circuit carries out drying operation by circulating hot air through the treating chamber containing the wet laundry.
  • the present invention can be usefully applied to all the machines performing a drying process on laundry, or wet clothes, such as a combined laundry washing-drying machine.
  • laundry drying machine will refer either to a simple laundry drying machine or a laundry washing-drying machine.
  • the heat pump technology is the most efficient way to save energy during the drying process/cycle.
  • a drying air stream flows in a close loop. The drying air stream is moved by a fan, passes the laundry drum and removes water from wet clothes. Then the drying air stream is cooled down and dehumidified and then heated up in a heat pump system and finally reinserted again into the laundry drum.
  • the heat pump system comprises a refrigerant flowing in a closed-loop refrigerant circuit realized with pipes and comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator.
  • the condenser heats up the drying air while the evaporator cools and dehumidifies the drying air leaving the drum.
  • the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit where it is compressed by the compressor, condensed in the condenser, expanded in the expansion device and then vaporized in the evaporator.
  • Laundry dryers of the known type are typically equipped with overload protection devices to prevent the compressor from being damaged.
  • An overload protection device typically used in laundry dryers preferably comprises a passive switch which interrupts the power supplied to the heat pump compressor from the mains when predetermined compressor temperature thresholds of heat or voltage load or absorbed current thresholds are exceeded.
  • the passive switch opens when a threshold temperature of the heat pump compressor is reached and/or when the current flowing through the passive switch is reached.
  • the passive switch e.g. a thermo protector device
  • the passive switch is adapted to go back to the operative status closing the circuit for supplying again electrical power to the compressor.
  • thermo protector device opening it is known to carry out corrective actions generally only on the base of the temperature of the compressor, usually the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the compressor. Corrective actions are generally carried out only on the base of the temperature of the compressor, due to the difficulty of detecting the current absorbed by the compressor.
  • thermo protector device may be not completely effective, due to the fact that opening of the thermo protector device may be significantly affected by high values and/or peaks of the electrical current absorbed by the compressor.
  • the present invention relates, therefore, to a method for controlling a laundry drying machine equipped with a heat pump system, said laundry drying machine comprising:
  • the method according to the invention selectively operates the cooling fan and the compressor in order to cool down the compressor.
  • the step c) of detecting the machine temperature is performed after the step b) of activating the heat pump system by switching on the compressor.
  • the step c) of detecting the machine temperature is performed before the step b) of activating the heat pump system by switching on the compressor.
  • detecting the electric parameter related to the electric current absorbed by the compressor comprises detecting one of: the voltage level of the power main supplying electrical power to the laundry drying machine, the voltage level at the compressor, the current absorbed by the compressor.
  • detecting the machine temperature related to temperature conditions of the laundry drying machine comprises detecting one of the temperatures, or a combination thereof, of the group comprising: a temperature detected by any temperature sensor inside the casing of the laundry drying machine, a temperature detected by a temperature sensor mounted on an electronic board, a temperature detected by a drying air stream temperature sensor, a temperature detected by an ambient temperature sensor, any temperature sensor arranged at the heat pump system like the refrigerant temperature sensor.
  • detecting the temperature related to the compressor comprises detecting one of the temperatures, or a combination thereof, of the group comprising: a temperature detected by a refrigerant temperature sensor, a temperature detected by a compressor temperature sensor, a temperature detected by any sensor arranged at the heat pump system.
  • the step a1) comprises the step of providing three ranges, preferably a lower range, an intermediate range and an upper range and/or the step a2) comprises the step of providing three ranges, preferably a lower range, an intermediate range and an upper range.
  • the values of the switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures for the compressor provided in step a3) decrease going from a lower range towards an upper range of the machine temperature and/or increase going from a lower range towards an upper range of the electric parameter.
  • the values of the switch ON threshold temperatures for the cooling fan provided in step a3) decrease going from a lower range towards an upper range of the machine temperature and/or increase going from a lower range towards an upper range of the electric parameter.
  • the values of the switch OFF threshold temperatures for the cooling fan provided in step a3) decrease going from a lower range towards an upper range of the machine temperature and/or increase going from a lower range towards an upper range of the electric parameter.
  • step c) of detecting the machine temperature is carried out only one time at the beginning of the drying cycle.
  • step c) can be carried out in different modes.
  • step c) can be carried out before the control unit switches the compressor on, for example when the laundry machine is switched on but the user has not yet pressed the start button for starting the drying cycle and the compressor is still switched off, or, alternatively, within a predetermined time period after the user has pressed the start button for starting the drying cycle, for example 1 to 30 seconds, preferably 1 to 15 seconds, most preferably 1 to 5 seconds or, alternatively, after the compressor has remained switched off for a predetermined time, for example 10 to 30 minutes.
  • step c) can be carried out after a first predetermined time after the compressor is switched on, for example 1 to 10 seconds, but before the compressor gets warm.
  • step c) allows detection of the machine temperature also by means of any sensor arranged at the heat pump system, like for example the refrigerant temperature sensor, in case no specific machine temperature sensors are available.
  • the machine temperature and the compressor temperature, in particular the refrigerant temperature have, generally, substantially the same value, so that the latter can be considered as being equivalent to the machine temperature.
  • the step c) of detecting the machine temperature is periodically or continuously carried out during the drying cycle, wherein, in this case, the sensor used for detecting the machine temperature related to temperature conditions of the laundry drying machine is different from the sensor used for detecting the temperature related to the compressor.
  • the compressor is available to be switched on again if a compressor temperature is below a threshold temperature.
  • the steps from g) to 1) are carried out based upon one or more events comprising: lapse of a period of time from the starting of the drying cycle to reach a predetermined degree of humidity of the laundry.
  • the steps from g) to 1) are carried from the time of switching on the compressor.
  • the steps a1), a2) and a3) are preferably performed by reading, through the control unit, data of a table comprising switch ON threshold temperatures for the cooling fan, switch OFF threshold temperatures for the cooling fan and switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures for the compressor which depend on ranges of values of an electric parameter related to the electric current absorbed by the compressor and on ranges of values of a machine temperature related to temperature conditions of the laundry drying machine.
  • the present invention relates to a laundry drying machine comprising a control unit configured for implementing a method according to the invention.
  • the present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to a front-loading drying machine with a rotatable laundry container/drum; however it is clear that the present invention can be applied as well to a top-loading drying machine and also to laundry drying machines of cabinet type, i.e. laundry drying machines where the laundry container does not rotate.
  • the present invention can be usefully applied to all the machines performing the drying process on laundry, or wet clothes, such as a combined laundry washing-drying machine.
  • laundry drying machine refers, therefore, either to a simple laundry drying machine or a laundry washing-drying machine.
  • a laundry drying machine o laundry dryer, according to the present invention includes a treating chamber where the laundry items can be introduced to be treated with a drying air stream; a circuit where the drying air stream circulates; a heat pump system including a first heat exchanger for cooling a refrigerant and heating the air stream, expansion means and a second heat exchanger for heating the refrigerant; at least an active switching device for selectively activating/deactivating the compressor; at least a passive switching device adapted to cut the power supplied to the compressor when predetermined temperature or load thresholds are exceeded.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 illustrate a laundry dryer 1 with a heat pump system 50 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the laundry dryer 1 preferably comprises, though not necessarily, a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer boxlike casing 2 which is preferably structured for resting on the floor.
  • a treating chamber preferably consisting of a rotatably drum 9 is provided within the casing 2.
  • the drum 9 is advantageously rotated by a drum motor 10, preferably an electric motor, which preferably transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of the drum 9, advantageously by means of a belt/pulley system (not shown).
  • the drum motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum 9.
  • a user control interface 15 is preferably arranged on the top of the casing 2.
  • the user control interface 15 is preferably accessible to the user for the selection of the drying cycle/program and insertion of other parameters, for example the type of fabric of the load, the degree of dryness, etc.
  • the user control interface 15 preferably displays machine working conditions, such as the remaining cycle time, alarm signals, etc.
  • the user control interface 15 preferably comprises a display 13.
  • the user may select and insert other types of parameters, for example the washing temperature, the washing spinning speed, etc.
  • the user control interface may be differently realized, for example remotely arranged in case of a remote-control system.
  • An air inlet path 20 is preferably connected to a side of the drum 9 and an air outlet path 22 is preferably connected to the other side of the drum 9.
  • the air inlet path 20, the air outlet path 22 and the drum 9 define a drying air circuit 26 for the drying air stream.
  • a circulating fan 28 is normally provided for moving drying air along the circuit 26.
  • a dedicated motor 30 preferably operates the circulating fan 28, but in a possible simpler implementation the same motor can operate the circulating fan 28 and the drum 9 (in other words only one of the two motors 10 and 30 can be present).
  • the laundry dryer 1 then comprises a heat pump system 50 comprising a compressor 52, a first heat exchanger 54 (also called condenser), acting as a hot sink (i.e. condenser or gas cooler in case the refrigerant operates at least at critical pressure), a second heat exchanger 56 (also called evaporator), acting as a cold sink (i.e. evaporator or gas heater in case refrigerant operates at least at critical pressure).
  • a throttle 58 is normally provided between the first heat exchanger 54 and the second heat exchanger 56.
  • the drying air circuit 26 forms a substantially closed loop and the air stream from the drum 9 passes through the second heat exchanger 56 (evaporator) and then through the first heat exchanger 54 (condenser).
  • a cooling fan 60 is provided to cool down the compressor 52, as better described later, and a dedicated motor 62 operates the cooling fan 60.
  • a control unit UC1 is connected to the various parts of the laundry dryer 1 in order to ensure its operation.
  • the user control interface 15 preferably communicates with the control unit UC1.
  • Electrical power is supplied to the laundry dryer 1 from a power main PM, preferably through wire connections L, N, e.g. line wire L and neutral wire N connected to the power main PM.
  • wire connections L, N e.g. line wire L and neutral wire N connected to the power main PM.
  • the compressor 52 is preferably connected in series with a passive switching device 70, and the assembly formed by the compressor 52 and the passive switching device 70 is connected to the line wire L and to the neutral wire N of the power main PM.
  • the passive switching device 70 is not controllable by control unit UC1 and is preferably adapted to cut the power supplied from the main power PM when predetermined operative parameters thresholds are exceeded.
  • the passive switching device 70 comprises a thermo protector device adapted to cut the power supplied to the compressor 52 from the power main PM when predetermined temperature or absorbed current thresholds are exceeded.
  • An active switching device 72 typically a relay or a solid state device, such as a triac, etc., is placed along the neutral wire N and controllable by the control unit UC1 to activate/deactivate the compressor 52.
  • the active switching device 72 will be also referred to as "relay” in the following, but it is understood that it could be a different switching device.
  • the laundry dryer 1 is also preferably provided with a first temperature detecting device 80, or temperature sensor, for monitoring a temperature at the heat pump system 50.
  • the first temperature sensor 80 is placed at a predetermined position along the pump system 50 to measure the refrigerant temperature Tr.
  • the first temperature sensor 80 conveys the information to the control unit UC1.
  • the first temperature sensor 80 is an NTC thermistor placed in such a way to measure the refrigerant temperature Tr at the outlet of the condenser 54 (or at the inlet of the throttle 58).
  • one or more than one temperature sensor can be arranged at different locations of the heat pump system 50, for example at the outlet of compressor 52 or more preferably directly on the compressor 52.
  • At least one sensor temperature is used to detect a first temperature related to the compressor 52, preferably the actual working temperature of the compressor 52.
  • the detected temperature, or temperatures will be preferably used to control the selective activations of the cooling fan 60 and deactivations of the compressor 52, as better illustrated below.
  • the laundry dryer 1 is also preferably provided with a second temperature detecting device 85, or temperature sensor, for monitoring a machine temperature Tm.
  • the second temperature sensor 85 is placed at the air outlet path 22 of the drying air circuit 26 for detecting the temperature of the drying air stream leaving the drum 9, preferably an NTC thermistor.
  • one or more than one temperature sensor can be arranged inside the casing 2, for example a temperature sensor mounted on an electronic board or a refrigerant temperature sensor or a drying air stream temperature sensor or an ambient temperature sensor.
  • the second temperature sensor 85 conveys the information to the control unit UC1.
  • At least one temperature sensor is used to detect a machine temperature Tm, or temperatures, which gives information on the status of the laundry dryer 1.
  • the first temperature related to the compressor 52 and the machine temperature Tm may both be detected through the same temperature sensor, instead of having two temperature sensors 80, 85 as described above.
  • the first temperature related to the compressor 52 and the machine temperature Tm may both be obtained through the first temperature sensor 80 that measures the refrigerant temperature Tr.
  • the laundry dryer 1 is also preferably provided with an electrical detecting device 90 for detecting an electric parameter related to the electric power supplied to the compressor 52.
  • the electrical detecting device 90 comprises a voltage sensor adapted to measure the power main voltage Vd between line and neutral wires L, N (or supplying voltage Vd).
  • the electrical detecting device can be arranged at different locations of the laundry dryer 1 to detect other electric parameters related to the electric power supplied to the compressor 52, for example a voltage sensor directly applied to the compressor 52 or a current sensor detecting the current absorbed by the compressor 52.
  • the electrical detecting device 90 is preferably integrated in the control unit UC1. In different embodiments, nevertheless, electrical detecting device may be a separated device.
  • the laundry dryer 1 implementing the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is preferably controlled by the control unit UC1 which receives information and output control signals to components of the laundry dryer 1.
  • thermo protector device opening is an event that should be avoided during functioning of the laundry dryer 1 in normal conditions.
  • corrective actions are taken in order to reduce the probability of the cut-off event while the laundry dryer 1 is working, i.e. after the drying cycle has started and in particular when the heat pump system 50 is activated by switching on the compressor 52.
  • Corrective actions are preferably carried out under the control of the control unit UC1 on the base of a detected temperature, preferably on the base of the first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 80, preferably the refrigerant temperature Tr.
  • a first preferred corrective action provides for selectively operating the cooling fan 60 in order to cool down the compressor 52.
  • the cooling fan 60 is switched on by the control unit UC1 if the first temperature, preferably the refrigerant temperature Tr detected by the first temperature detecting device 80, is above a given threshold temperature Fan_Ton, hereinafter indicated as “switch ON threshold temperature”.
  • the cooling fan 60 is then switched off if the first temperature, preferably the refrigerant temperature Tr detected by the first temperature detecting device 80, is below a given threshold temperature Fan_Toff, hereinafter indicated as "switch OFF threshold temperature”.
  • Activation of the cooling fan 60 helps the decreasing of the compressor temperature and, in turn, the decreasing of the refrigerant temperature Tr. Conversely, when the cooling fan 60 is deactivated the compressor temperature and the refrigerant temperature Tr increases.
  • Figure 3 exemplary shows a schematic diagram of the refrigerant temperature Tr as a function of the time where the switch ON threshold temperature Fan_Ton of the refrigerant at which the cooling fan 60 is switched on is set to 80°C and the switch OFF threshold temperature Fan_Toff of the refrigerant at which the cooling fan 60 is switched off is set to 78°C.
  • refrigerant temperature Tr falls and rises between the two threshold temperatures Fan_Ton and Fan_Toff according to respective activations and de-activations of the cooling fan 60.
  • a second preferred corrective action provides for switching off the compressor 52, preferably through the relay 72.
  • the compressor 52 is switched off if the first temperature, preferably the refrigerant temperature Tr detected by the first temperature detecting device 80, is above, or equal to, a given threshold temperature Comp_Ton/off, hereinafter indicated as "switch ON/OFF threshold temperature".
  • switch ON/OFF threshold temperature a threshold temperature
  • the compressor 52 is switched off if the refrigerant temperature Tr detected by the first temperature detecting device 80, is above, or equal to, 90°C.
  • Deactivation of the compressor 52 causes the decreasing of the compressor temperature and, in turn, the decreasing of the refrigerant temperature Tr.
  • control unit UC1 opportunely selectively switches on-off the cooling fan 60 and switches off the compressor 52 on the base of the detected first temperature so that the compressor 52 cools down and does not reach critical working conditions which may cause the undesired opening of the thermo protector device 70.
  • a predetermined period of time is set before the compressor 52 is available to be switched on again. Said period of time allows reestablishment of correct pressure of the refrigerant in the pump system 50. Said predetermined period of time is preferably set to 2-3 minutes. In a further preferred embodiment, the compressor 52 may be switched on again only if the refrigerant temperature Tr has decreased below a predetermined temperature.
  • corrective actions may prevent the cut-off event, i.e. opening of the thermo protector device 70, that would imply the deactivation of the compressor 52 and the suspension of the drying cycle for a long time, typically about 40 minutes.
  • the compressor 52 is deactivated for 2-3 minutes, thus significantly reducing suspension time of the drying cycle compared to a suspension caused by the deactivation of the compressor 52 through intervention of the thermo protector device 70.
  • corrective actions may be carried out from the very beginning of the drying cycle.
  • corrective actions may be carried out based upon one or more events.
  • said corrective actions are carried out after a period of time has lapsed from the beginning of the drying cycle, for example 30 minutes after the drying cycle started. It is clear that such a period may depend on the type of cycle selected, for example may be proportional to the duration of the selected cycle.
  • the corrective actions are carried out at the reaching of a predetermined degree of humidity of the laundry. It is known that a predetermined degree of humidity of the laundry is reached after a certain period of time from the beginning of the drying cycle when the wet clothes dries.
  • the degree of humidity of the laundry may be evaluated, for example, through a humidity sensor arranged inside the drum 9.
  • thermo protector device 70 may be affected by high values and/or peaks of the electrical current absorbed by the compressor 52. Furthermore, opening of the thermo protector device 70 may be affected by environment temperature of the laundry dryer, or machine temperature Tm.
  • said corrective actions are calibrated considering the electrical current absorbed by the compressor 52 and the machine temperature Tm.
  • the machine temperature Tm is preferably obtained through the second temperature detecting device 85, as explained above.
  • a first preferred way to evaluate the electrical current absorbed by the compressor 52 is monitoring the voltage level Vd of the power main PM, preferably by means of the electrical detecting device 90.
  • said corrective actions are calibrated considering the actual supplying voltage Vd compared to predetermined ranges of the voltage level Vd, as better described below.
  • the voltage level Vd of the power main PM detected by the electrical detecting device 90 is measured on each peak of the sinusoidal signal of the power main PM.
  • an electronic circuit is used to detect the zero crossing and synchronize the signal sampling on the peak. The measured voltage is then processed to filter any voltage spike or high frequency noise.
  • corrective actions are calibrated on the base of voltage levels Vd of the power main PM detected by the electrical detecting device 90 and on the base of machine temperatures Tm detected by the second temperature detecting device 85.
  • the calibration of said corrective actions is performed by considering different switch ON threshold temperatures Fan_Ton for the cooling fan 60, different switch OFF threshold temperatures Fan_Toff for the cooling fan 60 and different switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures Comp_Ton/off for the compressor on the base of predetermined ranges of the supplying voltage Vd and on the base of predetermined ranges of the machine temperature Tm.
  • the invention preferably comprises the definition of two or more ranges for the power main voltage levels Vd and of two or more ranges for the machine temperature Tm.
  • Switch ON threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, switch OFF threshold temperatures Fan_Toff and switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures Comp_Ton/off are then defined according to the said ranges, as better described below.
  • three ranges are preferably defined for the power main voltage levels Vd, for example a low range, an intermediate range and a high range as indicated below:
  • Three ranges are also preferably defined for the machine temperature Tm, for example a low range, an intermediate range and a high range as indicated below:
  • switch ON threshold temperatures Fan_Ton for the cooling fan 60 On the base of the ranges defined for the power main voltage Vd and for the machine temperature Tm, corresponding switch ON threshold temperatures Fan_Ton for the cooling fan 60, switch OFF threshold temperatures Fan_Toff for the cooling fan 60 and switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures Comp_Ton/off for the compressor 52 are provided, as indicated for example in the correction table below:
  • threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, Fan_Toff and Comp_Ton/off are provided in accordance to possible working conditions of the laundry dryer 1: more restrictive threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, Fan_Toff and Comp_Ton/off are provided for more critical possible working conditions of the laundry dryer 1.
  • the most critical working condition corresponds to the lower range for power main voltage Vd (i.e. Vd ⁇ 210 V) and the higher range for the machine temperature Tm (i.e. Tm ⁇ 27° C).
  • the switch ON threshold temperature Fan_Ton for the cooling fan 60 is set to a low value of 70°C (instead of 80°C of a normal/standard working condition)
  • the switch OFF threshold temperature Fan_Toff for the cooling fan 60 is set to a low value of 69°C (instead of 78°C of a normal/standard working condition)
  • the switch ON/OFF threshold temperature Comp_Ton/off for the compressor 52 is set to a low value of 80°C (instead of 90°C of a normal/standard working condition).
  • the values of the switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures Comp_Ton/off for the compressor 52 decrease going form a lower range towards an upper range of the machine temperature Tm.
  • the values of the switch ON/OFF threshold temperatures Comp_Ton/off for the compressor 52 increase going form a lower range towards an upper range of the power main voltage Vd.
  • the values of the switch ON threshold temperatures Fan_Ton for the cooling fan 60 decrease going form a lower range towards an upper range of the machine temperature Tm.
  • the values of the switch ON threshold temperatures Fan_Ton for the cooling fan 60 increase going form a lower range towards an upper range of the power main voltage Vd.
  • the values of the switch OFF threshold temperatures Fan_Toff for the cooling fan 60 decrease going from a lower range towards an upper range of the machine temperature Tm.
  • the values of the switch OFF threshold temperatures Fan_Toff for the cooling fan 60 increase going from a lower range towards an upper range of the power main voltage Vd.
  • said values are organized in form of data, for example in form of a correction table which is preferably stored in the control unit UC1, for example stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) of the control unit UC1.
  • the correction table is prepared and stored in the control unit UC1 by the manufacturer during manufacturing of the laundry dryer 1.
  • the data of the correction table are therefore available once the laundry dryer 1 is installed and ready for the use.
  • the correction table may be created in a different moment and opportunely stored, or updated, in the control unit UC1, even after installation of the laundry dryer 1.
  • the first phase of the method for controlling the laundry dryer 1 (block 102 in Figure 4 ) comprises the steps of:
  • the steps of the first phase (block 102) above listed substantially indicates that the data of said correction table are provided/available and may be accessed by the control unit UC1.
  • the drying cycle is then started (step 104).
  • the heat pump system 50 may be activated by the control unit UC1 by switching on the compressor 52 (step 106). Also, preferably, the circulating fan 28 is operated for moving drying air along the circuit 26 and the drum 9 is opportunely rotated.
  • the first phase may also be performed after the drying cycle has started, i.e. after step 104, and preferably before activation of the heat pump system 50 (step 106).
  • step 108 detection of the machine temperature Tm is performed (step 108).
  • detection of the machine temperature Tm is performed one time.
  • detection of the machine temperature Tm is performed after the drying cycle has started (step 104) and preferably after activation of the heat pump system 50 (step 106).
  • said machine temperature detection may be performed before activation of the heat pump system 50 (step 106) or even before the drying cycle has started (step 104), for example just after the laundry machine is switched on, before selecting a drying program.
  • the machine temperature Tm belongs to the range to which the machine temperature Tm belongs to. For example, if the detected machine temperature Tm is 25°C, it belongs to the intermediate range (referring to correction table above described).
  • an electric parameter is detected, preferably the main power voltage Vd is detected (step 110).
  • the main power voltage Vd is detected continuously during the drying cycle. In a further preferred embodiment, the main power voltage Vd is detected periodically during the drying cycle.
  • step 112 on the base of the detected machine temperature Tm (step 108) and on the base of the main power voltage Vd actually detected (step 110), corresponding threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, Fan_Toff and Comp_Ton/off stored in the correction table are selected.
  • the cooling fan 60 and the compressor 52 are controlled to cool down the compressor 52, as described above, and therefore the control unit UC1 opportunely switches on and off the cooling fan 60, and switches on and off the compressor 52 by means of the active switching device 72 on the base of the detected refrigerant temperature Tr (step 114).
  • the cooling fan 60 and the compressor 52 will be controlled by the control unit UC1 using threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, Fan_Toff and Comp_Ton/off of the correction table according to the range to which the actual detected main power voltage Vd belongs to, i.e. using the threshold temperatures of one cell of the second row of the correction table.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of a second implementation of the method.
  • steps corresponding to the steps of the first preferred embodiment as illustrated in figure 4 are identified by the same numbers.
  • This embodiment differs from the embodiment previously described in that the machine temperature Tm is not detected only once, preferably at the beginning of the drying cycle, but rather the machine temperature Tm is also detected during the drying cycle (step 108'), as it happens for the main power voltage Vd (step 110).
  • the machine temperature Tm is periodically carried out during the drying cycle.
  • the machine temperature Tm is preferably obtained through the second temperature detecting device 85, as explained above.
  • the machine temperature Tm may be obtained through the first temperature detecting device 80.
  • the machine temperature Tm is continuously carried out during the drying cycle.
  • the machine temperature Tm is obtained through the second temperature detecting device 85.
  • threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, Fan_Toff and Comp_Ton/off stored in the correction table are selected on the base of the actually detected machine temperature Tm (step 108') and on the base of the main power voltage Vd actually detected (step 110).
  • the cooling fan 60 and the compressor 52 are controlled to cool down the compressor 52, as described above, and therefore the control unit UC1 opportunely switches on and off the cooling fan 60 and switches on and off the compressor 52 on the base of the detected refrigerant temperature Tr (step 114).
  • the cooling fan 60 and the compressor 52 will be controlled by the control unit UC1 using threshold temperatures Fan_Ton, Fan_Toff and Comp_Ton/off of the correction table according to the range to which the actual detected main power voltage Vd belongs to, referring in this case to the threshold temperatures of one cell of the third row of the correction table.
  • laundry dryer may comprise further auxiliary heat exchangers associated to the heat pump system. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
EP20178479.0A 2020-06-05 2020-06-05 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un sèche-linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur et sèche-linge mettant en oeuvre ce procédé Active EP3919671B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20178479.0A EP3919671B1 (fr) 2020-06-05 2020-06-05 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un sèche-linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur et sèche-linge mettant en oeuvre ce procédé
PCT/EP2021/063633 WO2021244876A1 (fr) 2020-06-05 2021-05-21 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un sèche-linge équipé d'un système de pompe à chaleur et sèche-linge mettant en œuvre ledit procédé

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20178479.0A EP3919671B1 (fr) 2020-06-05 2020-06-05 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un sèche-linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur et sèche-linge mettant en oeuvre ce procédé

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EP3919671A1 true EP3919671A1 (fr) 2021-12-08
EP3919671B1 EP3919671B1 (fr) 2024-05-08

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011078921A1 (de) * 2011-07-11 2013-01-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Verfahren zum Betreiben eines elektrischen Antriebsmotors in einem Haushaltsgerät und Haushaltsgerät
EP2733252A1 (fr) * 2012-11-16 2014-05-21 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé d'utilisation d'un sèche-linge avec pompe à chaleur, sèche-linge avec pompe à chaleur ou machine à laver avec pompe à chaleur ayant une fonction de séchage
EP3124678A1 (fr) * 2015-07-27 2017-02-01 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de lavage et/ou de séchage de pompe à chaleur et un tel appareil de lavage ou de séchage

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011078921A1 (de) * 2011-07-11 2013-01-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Verfahren zum Betreiben eines elektrischen Antriebsmotors in einem Haushaltsgerät und Haushaltsgerät
EP2733252A1 (fr) * 2012-11-16 2014-05-21 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé d'utilisation d'un sèche-linge avec pompe à chaleur, sèche-linge avec pompe à chaleur ou machine à laver avec pompe à chaleur ayant une fonction de séchage
EP3124678A1 (fr) * 2015-07-27 2017-02-01 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de lavage et/ou de séchage de pompe à chaleur et un tel appareil de lavage ou de séchage

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EP3919671B1 (fr) 2024-05-08

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