EP4012090A1 - Air flow bypass controlling mechanism for no compromise combo - Google Patents
Air flow bypass controlling mechanism for no compromise combo Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4012090A1 EP4012090A1 EP21214203.8A EP21214203A EP4012090A1 EP 4012090 A1 EP4012090 A1 EP 4012090A1 EP 21214203 A EP21214203 A EP 21214203A EP 4012090 A1 EP4012090 A1 EP 4012090A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drum
- tub
- seal
- dryer machine
- electromagnetic
- 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 claims abstract description 26
- 238000010981 drying operation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
-
- 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
- D06F58/04—Details
-
- 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
-
- 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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/266—Gaskets mounted between tub and casing around the loading opening
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to combination washer/dryer machines and, more particularly, to a combination washer/dryer machine with an electromagnetic seal to maximize the drying rate of clothes tumbling in the machine.
- drying air would be forced to enter into the drum. Accordingly, with all the drying air forced into the drum, this would, in turn, reduce drying cycle time.
- a combination washer/dryer machine comprises a rotatable drum inside of a cabinet.
- the drum has an external surface.
- a tub is positioned inside of the cabinet.
- the drum is rotatable in the tub.
- the tub has an inner surface.
- An electromagnetic seal extends between the external surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during a drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air.
- the electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup.
- the rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end plate. The seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall.
- the electromagnetic setup is in contact with a wall of the tub.
- the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the tub.
- a combination washer/dryer comprises a cabinet with a door to enable access into the cabinet.
- the controls operate the washer/dryer machine.
- a washing system and drying system are provided.
- a rotatable drum is positioned inside the cabinet.
- the drum has an external surface.
- a tub is positioned inside the cabinet.
- the drum is rotatable inside the tub.
- the tub has an inner surface.
- An electromagnetic seal extends between the exterior surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during the drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air around the drum.
- the electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup.
- the rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end wall. The seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall.
- the electromagnetic setup is in contact with a wall of the tub.
- the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the end wall of the tub.
- a combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination comprises a drum rotatably positioned inside the tub.
- An electromagnetic seal extends between an exterior surface of the drum and an inner surface of tub during the drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air around the drum.
- the electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup.
- the rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end plate. The seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall.
- the electromagnetic setup is in contact with a wall of the tub.
- the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the tub.
- the combination washer/dryer machine includes a cabinet 14 having a plurality of panels 16.
- the front panel 18 includes a door 20 to enable access into the combination washer/dryer 10.
- Controls 22 are positioned on the front panel 18. The controls 22 control the operation of the combination washer/dryer machine.
- the combination washer/dryer machine includes a drum 30 rotational positioned within a tub 32.
- the drum is rotated via a motor 34 and a shaft 36.
- a conventional washing circuit 40 provides for washing of the clothes within the drum 30.
- a heating circuit 50 provides heat for drying the clothes within the drum.
- the heating circuit 50 includes a heater 52 with a conduit 54 passing heated air into the tub 32.
- the drum 30 includes apertures 33 in the end plate that enables the heated air to enter into the drum 30. Also, the drum 30 includes apertures 35 in the cylindrical wall.
- the heated air exits the drum 40 via the gap G as seen in FIG. 2 .
- An outlet 38 on the tub 32 enables the exit of air.
- Piping or conduit 56 connects the outlet 38, via a blower 58, to an exhaust tube 60.
- the exhaust tube 60 is connected with piping in the building to exit to ambient.
- a gap 70 is formed between the drum and the tub 32.
- the gap 70 provides for the recovery of water or the like between the drum 30 and tub 32.
- the drum has a cylindrical sidewall 72 and an end plate 74.
- the tub 32 has cylindrical wall 76 and an end wall 78.
- the external surface of the sidewall 72 and end plate 74 face an inner surface of the tub 32.
- a seal 80 is connected between the drum 30 and tub 32.
- the seal can be connected to either the drum 30 or the tub 32 as illustrated.
- the seal 80 is positioned either between the end faces 74, 78 of the drum 30 and tub 32 or the cylindrical side surfaces 72, 76 of the drum 30 and tub 32.
- the seal 80 includes a bellows seal 82 and an electromagnetic setup 84.
- the bellows seal 82 includes a securement portion 86, a bellows portion 88 and a retaining portion 90.
- the retaining portion 90 includes a magnet 92 retained within the retaining portion 90.
- the electromagnetic setup 84 is activated which, in turn, draws the magnet 92 toward the electromagnetic setup 84. As this occurs, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the bellows portion 88 closes the gap between the drum 30 and tub 32.
- the seal 80 includes a securement portion 94 securing it to the end surface 78 of the tub 32.
- the electromagnetic setup 84 is activated which pushes the magnet 92 away from the electromagnetic setup 84. As this occurs, it expands the bellows portion 88 to close the gap between the drum 30 and tub 32 as seen in FIG. 6 .
- the gap is narrowed.
- the drying air is forced into the drum 30 and does not bypass the drum 30. Accordingly, drying of the clothes within the drum 30 is more efficient and the drying time period is reduced.
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to combination washer/dryer machines and, more particularly, to a combination washer/dryer machine with an electromagnetic seal to maximize the drying rate of clothes tumbling in the machine.
- In combination washers/dryers, it is difficult to provide a drying cycle without a lengthy finishing drying time. Several reasons exists for the lengthy drying time of the clothes within the drum. One such reason is a gap exists between drum and the tub. The gap enables drying or heated air to bypass the drum. Thus, the drying air exits the machine without providing its heated air to the clothes within the drum. Accordingly, the drying cycle is inefficient and necessitates a longer drying time or period.
- It is a desirable to provide a combination washer/dryer machine with an efficient drying cycle time. It would also be desirable to utilize all of the created drying air to pass it into the drum for its intended drying purpose. It is desirable to eliminate air bypassing around the drum. Thus, drying air would be forced to enter into the drum. Accordingly, with all the drying air forced into the drum, this would, in turn, reduce drying cycle time.
- It is desirable to provide a combination washer/dryer machine that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is desirable to provide a combination washer/dryer machine that provides a flow restriction to avoid air from bypassing around the drum. Thus, it is desirable to move substantially all of the generated heated air to enter into the drum.
- In accordance with the present disclosure, a combination washer/dryer machine comprises a rotatable drum inside of a cabinet. The drum has an external surface. A tub is positioned inside of the cabinet. The drum is rotatable in the tub. The tub has an inner surface. An electromagnetic seal extends between the external surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during a drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air. The electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup. The rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end plate. The seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall. The electromagnetic setup is in contact with a wall of the tub. The bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the tub.
- Accordingly to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a combination washer/dryer comprises a cabinet with a door to enable access into the cabinet. The controls operate the washer/dryer machine. A washing system and drying system are provided. A rotatable drum is positioned inside the cabinet. The drum has an external surface. A tub is positioned inside the cabinet. The drum is rotatable inside the tub. The tub has an inner surface. An electromagnetic seal extends between the exterior surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during the drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air around the drum. The electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup. The rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end wall. The seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall. The electromagnetic setup is in contact with a wall of the tub. The bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the end wall of the tub.
- According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination comprises a drum rotatably positioned inside the tub. An electromagnetic seal extends between an exterior surface of the drum and an inner surface of tub during the drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air around the drum. The electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup. The rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end plate. The seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall. The electromagnetic setup is in contact with a wall of the tub. The bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the tub.
- Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
- The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination washer/dryer machine in accordance with the disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section view ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a view likeFIG. 3 with the seal activated. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of the disclosure. -
FIG. 6 is a view likeFIG. 5 with the seal activated. - Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Turning to the figures, a combination washer/dryer machine is illustrated and designated with the
reference numeral 10. The combination washer/dryer machine includes acabinet 14 having a plurality ofpanels 16. Thefront panel 18 includes adoor 20 to enable access into the combination washer/dryer 10.Controls 22 are positioned on thefront panel 18. Thecontrols 22 control the operation of the combination washer/dryer machine. - Turning to
FIG. 2 , a cross-section of the washer/dryer machine is illustrated. The combination washer/dryer machine includes adrum 30 rotational positioned within atub 32. The drum is rotated via amotor 34 and ashaft 36. Aconventional washing circuit 40 provides for washing of the clothes within thedrum 30. Aheating circuit 50 provides heat for drying the clothes within the drum. - The
heating circuit 50 includes aheater 52 with aconduit 54 passing heated air into thetub 32. Thedrum 30 includesapertures 33 in the end plate that enables the heated air to enter into thedrum 30. Also, thedrum 30 includes apertures 35 in the cylindrical wall. The heated air exits thedrum 40 via the gap G as seen inFIG. 2 . An outlet 38 on thetub 32 enables the exit of air. Piping orconduit 56 connects the outlet 38, via a blower 58, to anexhaust tube 60. Thus, the used air is exhaust from the combination washer/dryer machine 10. Theexhaust tube 60 is connected with piping in the building to exit to ambient. - A
gap 70 is formed between the drum and thetub 32. Thegap 70 provides for the recovery of water or the like between thedrum 30 andtub 32. The drum has acylindrical sidewall 72 and anend plate 74. Likewise, thetub 32 hascylindrical wall 76 and anend wall 78. The external surface of thesidewall 72 andend plate 74 face an inner surface of thetub 32. - A
seal 80 is connected between thedrum 30 andtub 32. The seal can be connected to either thedrum 30 or thetub 32 as illustrated. Theseal 80 is positioned either between the end faces 74, 78 of thedrum 30 andtub 32 or the cylindrical side surfaces 72, 76 of thedrum 30 andtub 32. - Turning to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theseal 80 includes abellows seal 82 and anelectromagnetic setup 84. The bellows seal 82 includes asecurement portion 86, abellows portion 88 and a retainingportion 90. The retainingportion 90 includes amagnet 92 retained within the retainingportion 90. Theelectromagnetic setup 84 is activated which, in turn, draws themagnet 92 toward theelectromagnetic setup 84. As this occurs, as illustrated inFIG. 4 , thebellows portion 88 closes the gap between thedrum 30 andtub 32. - As seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , theseal 80 includes asecurement portion 94 securing it to theend surface 78 of thetub 32. Here, theelectromagnetic setup 84 is activated which pushes themagnet 92 away from theelectromagnetic setup 84. As this occurs, it expands thebellows portion 88 to close the gap between thedrum 30 andtub 32 as seen inFIG. 6 . Thus, as the electromagnetic setup is activated during the drying cycle, the gap is narrowed. Thus, the drying air is forced into thedrum 30 and does not bypass thedrum 30. Accordingly, drying of the clothes within thedrum 30 is more efficient and the drying time period is reduced. - The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
Claims (8)
- A combination washer/dryer machine comprising:a tub (32);a drum (30) rotatably positioned inside the tub (32);an electromagnetic seal (80) extending between an exterior surface of the drum (30) and an inner surface of tub (32) during a drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air.
- The combination washer/dryer machine according to Claim 1,
wherein the tub (32) is positioned inside of a cabinet (14). - A combination washer/dryer machine as set forth in any of the preceding claims, further comprising:a door (20) enabling access into the cabinet (14);controls (22) for operating the washer/dryer machine;a washer circuit (40);a drying circuit (50).
- The combination washer/dryer machine as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable drum (30) has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall (72) and an end plate (74).
- The combination washer/dryer machine as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic seal (80) includes a bellows seal (82) with a magnet (92) in the bellows seal (82) and an electromagnetic setup (84).
- The combination washer/dryer machine of claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic setup (84) is positioned in contact with a wall (76) of the tub.
- The combination washer/dryer machine of claim 6, wherein the seal (80) is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall (72).
- The combination washer/dryer machine of claim 6, wherein the bellows seal (82) and the electromagnetic setup (84) are positioned in contact with the end wall (78) of the tub (32).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/120,436 US20220186421A1 (en) | 2020-12-14 | 2020-12-14 | Air Flow Bypass Controlling Mechanism For No Compromise Combo |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4012090A1 true EP4012090A1 (en) | 2022-06-15 |
Family
ID=78851041
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21214203.8A Pending EP4012090A1 (en) | 2020-12-14 | 2021-12-13 | Air flow bypass controlling mechanism for no compromise combo |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220186421A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4012090A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN114622369A (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100529954B1 (en) * | 2004-05-29 | 2005-11-22 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Variable gasket apparatus for drum washer and control method therefor |
JP4444016B2 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2010-03-31 | パナソニック株式会社 | Clothes dryer |
WO2016050295A1 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2016-04-07 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Laundry drying machine having a structurally improved leak-proofing system |
WO2018093205A2 (en) * | 2016-11-17 | 2018-05-24 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Garment processing device |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4541023B2 (en) * | 2004-04-26 | 2010-09-08 | パナソニック株式会社 | Washing and drying machine |
JP6212701B2 (en) * | 2013-05-07 | 2017-10-18 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Washing and drying machine |
EP3741898B1 (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2023-08-02 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Device for washing and drying objects and method for operating such a device |
-
2020
- 2020-12-14 US US17/120,436 patent/US20220186421A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2021
- 2021-12-13 EP EP21214203.8A patent/EP4012090A1/en active Pending
- 2021-12-13 CN CN202111520275.4A patent/CN114622369A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100529954B1 (en) * | 2004-05-29 | 2005-11-22 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Variable gasket apparatus for drum washer and control method therefor |
JP4444016B2 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2010-03-31 | パナソニック株式会社 | Clothes dryer |
WO2016050295A1 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2016-04-07 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Laundry drying machine having a structurally improved leak-proofing system |
WO2018093205A2 (en) * | 2016-11-17 | 2018-05-24 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Garment processing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20220186421A1 (en) | 2022-06-16 |
CN114622369A (en) | 2022-06-14 |
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