EP4321677A1 - Procédé d'élimination de corps étrangers du linge dans un sèche-linge et sèche-linge - Google Patents

Procédé d'élimination de corps étrangers du linge dans un sèche-linge et sèche-linge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4321677A1
EP4321677A1 EP22189377.9A EP22189377A EP4321677A1 EP 4321677 A1 EP4321677 A1 EP 4321677A1 EP 22189377 A EP22189377 A EP 22189377A EP 4321677 A1 EP4321677 A1 EP 4321677A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drum
laundry
speed
drive unit
drying air
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
Application number
EP22189377.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Roberto OSSO
Roberto Ragogna
Giuliana ZOPPE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority to EP22189377.9A priority Critical patent/EP4321677A1/fr
Publication of EP4321677A1 publication Critical patent/EP4321677A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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
    • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F58/44—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of conditioning or finishing, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases
    • 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
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/08—Humidity
    • 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
    • D06F2105/16—Air properties
    • D06F2105/24—Flow or velocity
    • 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
    • D06F2105/28—Electric heating
    • 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
    • D06F2105/46—Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
    • 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
    • D06F2105/46—Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
    • D06F2105/48—Drum speed
    • 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
    • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for removing foreign objects from laundry in a laundry drying appliance and to a laundry drying appliance.
  • Laundry drying appliance such as tumble dryers or washer/dryers are commonly used to dry wet laundry.
  • the laundry can be washed and dried in the same appliance.
  • EP 2 990 524 A1 discloses a laundry dryer including: a drum for receiving a load to be dried, said drum being apt to rotate around a rotational axis, a process air conduit in fluid communication with the drum where a process air stream is apt to flow, a heat pump system for heating up the process air, the drum is rotated by means of a motor, wherein the motor may define a motor axis, which may be the axis of a shaft of the motor. Furthermore, the motor may also drive a main fan of the air process circuit which blows the process air into the drum.
  • EP 2 663 685 B1 discloses a method for operating a clothes treating apparatus comprising a hot air supplying unit (provided with a heater and a blowing device, and having a drying function of drying clothes by supplying hot air into a drum by use of the hot air supplying unit, the method comprising: rotating the drum with the clothes introduced therein; and supplying hot air into the drum by using the heater and the blowing device while the drum is rotated, wherein an air flow rate supplied by the blowing device changes during the hot air supplying step, wherein the hot air supplying step comprises: a first drying step of increasing an inner temperature of the drum; a second drying step of constantly maintaining the inner temperature of the drum after the first drying step; and a third drying step of re-increasing the inner temperature of the drum after the second drying step, wherein the air flow rate changes during the second drying step.
  • an air flow rate changing step that comprises increasing the air flow rate up to a second air flow rate; maintaining the second air flow rate for a preset time, and decreasing the air flow rate down to a first air flow rate, wherein the second air flow rate is higher than the first air flow rate.
  • the rotating speed of the drum may be reduced when the second air flow rate is supplied, and the rotating speed of the drum is recovered to the original state when the first air flow rate is supplied.
  • DE 10 2013 008 483 A1 discloses a hair and lint scraper with a rubber surface and weighting as an addition to a tumble dryer, especially for removing animal hair from fabric surfaces.
  • the scraper is placed in a tumble dryer together with pieces of fabric and/or laundry to be freed from particles.
  • the necessary scraping movement is created by the inertia and centrifugal force of the scraper during rotation of the tumble dryer drum.
  • the object removal effect is achieved on all known animal hairs, such as those most commonly found on dogs, cats, rodents and hoofed animals and also human hair.
  • the object removal process should be carried out before a washing process.
  • the foreign objects may be strands of hair, such as animal hair or human hair or fibrous objects, such as lint that has come off from the laundry.
  • foreign objects shall be understood as objects that are able to float in moved air due to their low weight and that are redistributed by even slight movements of the air in which they are present.
  • the object of the present invention is achieved by embodiments according to the invention, in particular by a method for removing foreign objects from laundry in a laundry drying appliance according to claim 1 and by a method for removing foreign objects from laundry in a laundry drying appliance according to claim 10.
  • a laundry drying appliance according to the invention comprises:
  • the laundry drying appliance according to the invention enables to remove foreign objects, such as hair or lint or other fibrous material, from laundry or fabric by using different rotational drum speeds. Particularly, removal of animal hair or human hair from laundry or fabric can be achieved in a very efficient way.
  • the laundry or fabric is subject to increased mechanical effects due to the fact that the laundry tumbles within the drum and is continuously redistributed within the drum.
  • the flow rate of drying air is relatively high in order to remove hair, lint and/or fibrous material by the high rate of air flow.
  • the mechanical impact or mechanical shocks resulting from the continuous redistribution affects the hair or lint of fibrous material adhering to the laundry and may release the hair etc.
  • step 1 or step 2 is carried out as a first step in time.
  • Variably driving the drum and the conveying element shall be understood in particular in a manner that the rotational speed of the drum and the rotational speed of the conveying element can be varied by varying a speed of the drive unit, e.g. of a motor of the drive unit.
  • control unit may be configured to control operation of the drive unit such that step 1 and step 2 are repeated, in particular immediately one after another, alternatingly for multiple times.
  • the conveying element comprises a fan impeller operably coupled to the drive unit, wherein the drive unit may be configured to drive the fan impeller about an axis of rotation of the fan impeller, such that the drive unit can drive the drum and the fan impeller so that the rotational drum speed and a rotational fan impeller speed are directly proportional to each other.
  • the alternating rotational drum speeds and the alternating flow rates can be controlled in a simple manner via control of the speed output of the drive unit.
  • the drive unit may comprise a motor operatively coupled, in particular via one common motor shaft, to the drum and to the conveying element, in particular to the fan impeller.
  • the drum can be coupled directly to the motor shaft and the conveying element can be coupled via a gear and/or a pulley to the motor shaft or the drum can be coupled via a gear and/or a pulley to the motor shaft and the conveying element can be coupled directly to the motor shaft.
  • the laundry drying appliance may comprise:
  • Sensing the humidity of the laundry enables to increase the efficiency of removing foreign objects.
  • the provision of a heating device enables to heat up the drying air conveyed by the conveying element.
  • the heating device can be operated in dependence on the humidity value in order to increase efficiency of the removal of hair or lint or fibrous material. It shall further be noted that, it is particularly advantageous if the steps 1 and 2 within the foreign objects removal mode are carried out on relatively dry laundry.
  • control unit and/or the humidity sensing unit may be configured to determine whether the detected humidity value is below a first humidity threshold and wherein the control unit is configured to start operation of the drive unit in the foreign objects removal mode in response to detecting the humidity value to be below the first humidity threshold.
  • control unit may be configured to reduce or to switch off a heating output of the heating device in response to detecting the humidity value to be below the first humidity threshold, or the control unit may be configured to reduce or to switch off a heating output of the heating device in response to detecting the humidity value to be below a second humidity threshold which is lower than the first humidity threshold.
  • the heating output of the heating device By switching off the heating output of the heating device, in response to detecting the humidity value to be below the first humidity threshold, it can be ensured that the humidity level of the laundry is suitable for removal of foreign objects, such as hair.
  • the heating output of the heating device in response to detecting the humidity value to be below a second humidity threshold which is lower than the first humidity threshold, the foreign objects removal mode can be started earlier during the drying program.
  • the decrease of the humidity level of the laundry during the foreign objects removal mode may positively influence the removal effect, since during the foreign objects removal mode, the humidity will decrease from the first humidity threshold, when the electrostatic attraction between the foreign objects and the laundry will be lower, and the second humidity threshold, when the laundry will be dryer, leading to a gradually change in which positive (and negative) factor affecting the removal effect that is currently predominant.
  • the overall duration of the program comprising the laundry foreign objects removal mode can be reduced, specifically if the foreign objects removal mode with the hair removal process is started before the laundry is substantially dry. In this embodiment, a balanced solution between the requirements of low energy consumption and a short overall duration has been found.
  • the first humidity threshold may be less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably between 2% and 10%, wherein 100% corresponds to completely wet laundry and 0% corresponds to completely dry laundry.
  • the second humidity threshold may be less than 30%, in particular less than 15%, preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 2%, most preferably less than 1%, wherein 100% corresponds to completely wet laundry and 0% corresponds to completely dry laundry.
  • the heating device may comprise a heat pump.
  • the heating device may comprise at least one electric heater, in particular including at least one radiant heating element.
  • the technical objective is further solved by a method for removing foreign objects in a laundry drying appliance, in particular in a laundry drying appliance according to the invention, wherein the laundry drying appliance comprises:
  • the method according to the invention enables to remove material such as hair or lint or other fibrous material from laundry or fabric by using different rotational drum speeds. Particularly, removal of animal hair or human hair from laundry or fabric can be achieved in a very efficient way.
  • the lower rotational drum speed may be selected to cause a large part of the laundry to drop from a point as high as possible within the drum to achieve the highest possible mechanical impact.
  • the flow rate of drying air is relatively high in order to remove hair, lint and/or fibrous material by the high rate of air flow.
  • step 1 or step 2 is carried out as a first step.
  • step 1 and step 2 may be repeated, in particular immediately one after another, alternatingly for multiple times,
  • Steps 1 and 2 have been found to be efficient if being alternated in accordance with the claimed time regime.
  • the first and second rotational drum speeds are continuously switched back and forth.
  • An increased number of different forces acting on the laundry increases the hair removal effect.
  • the larger the difference between the first rotational drum speed and the second rotational drum speed the more efficient the hair removal effect as far as the minimum and maximum values for those speeds are not exceeded.
  • the first rotational drum speed may substantially correspond to a drum speed at which a centrifugal force is exerted on the laundry received in the drum that is high enough to prevent the laundry from tumbling within the drum.
  • the second rotational drum speed may substantially correspond to a speed in which the laundry received in the drum is allowed to tumble within the drum, in particular wherein the second rotational drum speed may substantially correspond to a speed in which a centrifugal force exerted on the laundry received in the drum is high enough to prevent the laundry from detaching from the inner drum wall before being transported into the region of the highest point of rotation of the drum and which is low enough to allow the laundry to detach from the inner drum wall when having reached the region of the highest point of rotation of the drum.
  • At least the second or lower rotational drum speed should be below a satellization speed in which the laundry is attached to the inner drum wall due to the centrifugal force. At such a rotational drum speed, the laundry receives the necessary mechanical impact for releasing the hair or lint or fibrous material therefore.
  • the first rotational drum speed may be below or at the satellization speed, since during the first rotational speed the focus is on moving the free hairs or lint or fibres out of the drum by means of the drying air flow.
  • the laundry drying appliance further comprises:
  • Sensing the humidity of the received in the drum i.e. laundry in the laundry drying appliance, enables to determine whether a status of dryness of the laundry is suitable or optimized for starting the foreign objects removal mode.
  • the first humidity threshold may indicate a status of dryness that is most suitable for the foreign objects removal mode to be started.
  • the method further comprises:
  • the heating output of the heating device By switching off the heating output of the heating device, in response to detecting the humidity value being below the first humidity threshold, it can be ensured that the humidity level of the laundry is suitable for removal of foreign objects, such as hair.
  • the heating output of the heating device in response to detecting the humidity value to be below a second humidity threshold which is lower than the first humidity threshold, the foreign objects removal mode can be started earlier during the drying program.
  • the decrease of the humidity level of the laundry during the foreign objects removal mode may positively influence the removal effect, since during the foreign objects removal mode, the humidity will decrease from the first humidity threshold, when the electrostatic attraction between the foreign objects and the laundry will be lower, and the second humidity threshold, when the laundry will be dryer, leading to a gradually change in which positive (and negative) factor affecting the removal effect, that is currently predominant.
  • the first rotational drum speed is in the range between 55rpm to 90rpm, in particular in the range between 55rpm to 80rpm, preferably in the range between 55rpm to 65rpm, and/or
  • the behaviour of the laundry within the drum depends on the rotational drum speed, but also on the diameter of the drum as well as on the laundry itself.
  • the ranges of rotation drum speeds set out have been found as providing efficient hair removal for a variety of drum diameters and a variety of laundry loads introduce into the drum that may differ in the number of laundry pieces or in the laundry size.
  • a typical diameter of a drum for which the above outlined rotational drum speeds are valid is 57cm.
  • the direction of the drum rotation is changed during step 1 and/or during step 2 after a predetermined period of time.
  • a change of direction of the drum rotation is caused in response to a humidity value related to the laundry to be cleaned in the laundry drying appliance being determined to be below a predetermined humidity threshold, in particular a first humidity threshold or a second humidity threshold.
  • Changes in the direction of drum rotation increase the distribution of the laundry in the drum which increase the hair removal effect on the laundry as well as a more uniform hair removal effect by removing hair from different parts of the laundry.
  • the method may further comprise:
  • the laundry can be dried before the foreign objects removal mode is started, resulting in a more efficient removal of foreign objects from the laundry.
  • An embodiment of the invention may comprise a laundry drying appliance 1, such as a tumble dryer or a washer dryer having a rotatable drum 12 in which laundry or fabric to be dried can be loaded.
  • a laundry drying appliance 1 such as a tumble dryer or a washer dryer having a rotatable drum 12 in which laundry or fabric to be dried can be loaded.
  • At least one drying air conveying element 18 is provided which can convey drying air into the drum 12 to dry the laundry placed therein.
  • a heating device 42 may be provided that may be arranged to heat the drying air to be conveyed into the drum 12.
  • a drive unit 26, e.g. including a motor, is coupled to the drum 12 and to the conveying element 18 such that the drum 12 and the conveying element 18 are simultaneously driven by the drive unit 26. In this way, the rotational speed of the drum 12 and the rotational speed of the conveying element 18, e.g. comprising a fan impeller, may be increased and decreased simultaneously by controlling the drive unit 26.
  • FIG 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a laundry drying appliance 1 with a heat pump.
  • the heat pump comprises a drying air stream circuit 10, preferably a closed loop drying air stream circuit 10, and a closed refrigerant circuit 20.
  • the drying air stream circuit 10 is formed by a laundry drum 12, an evaporator 14, a condenser 16 and a drying air conveying element 18.
  • the drying air conveying element 18 may be a drying air stream fan. More precisely, the drying air conveying element 18 may comprise a fan impeller.
  • the refrigerant circuit 20 is formed by a compressor 22, the condenser 16, an expansion device 24 and the evaporator 14.
  • the expansion device 24 is an expansion valve.
  • the evaporator 14 and the condenser 16 are heat exchangers and form the thermal interconnections between the drying air stream circuit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 20.
  • the evaporator 14 cools down and dehumidifies the drying air stream, after the warm and humid drying air stream has passed the laundry drum 12. Then, the condenser 16 heats up the drying air stream, before the drying air stream is re-inserted into the laundry drum 12 again.
  • the drying air stream is driven by the drying air conveying element 18 arranged between the condenser 16 and the laundry drum 12.
  • a refrigerant is compressed and heated up by the compressor 22, cooled down and condensed in the condenser 16, expanded in the expansion device 24, vaporised and heated up in the evaporator 14.
  • the heating device 42 may be represented by the heat pump or at least a part of the heat pump for heating up the drying air.
  • the heating device 42 comprises a condenser 16, wherein the output of the condenser is affected by switching on or off or reducing the speed or the power of the compressor 22, since if the compressor 22 is switched on or off, or its functionality is reduced or increased, the heating functionality for heating up the drying air is affected accordingly.
  • the drying air conveying element 18 and the laundry drum 12 are driven by a drive unit 26, such as a motor.
  • the drive unit 26 is controlled by a control unit 30.
  • the drive unit 26 may be connected to the control unit 30 by a control line 28 or by a wireless connection.
  • at least some of the data processing is taking place remotely from the control unit 30 and is being sent to the control unit 30 by wire or wireless.
  • the functionality of the control unit 30 may be divided on different entities.
  • the control unit 30 can be mechanically fixed to the laundry drying appliance 1 or it can be separate from the laundry drying appliance 1 connected only via cable or wires or a data communication line to the laundry treatment appliance 10, or it can be a remotely arranged control unit connected to the laundry drying appliance 1 via wireless data communication.
  • FIG 1B illustrates a schematic diagram of a laundry drying appliance 1 with an air-to-air condenser 32.
  • the laundry drying appliance 1 comprises the closed drying air stream circuit 10.
  • the drying air stream circuit 10 of the second embodiment is formed by a laundry drum 12, an air-to-air condenser 32, a drying air conveying element 18 and a heating device 40.
  • the drying air conveying element 18 may be a drying air stream fan.
  • the air-to-air condenser 32 corresponds with an ambient air conveying element or ambient air fan 34.
  • the air-to-air condenser 32 is an air-to-air heat exchanger and forms a thermal interconnection between the drying air stream circuit 10 and the ambient air.
  • the air-to-air condenser 32 includes two separate channels. A first channel is provided for the drying air stream of the drying air stream circuit 10. A second channel is provided for the ambient air. The ambient air is blown through the second channel by the ambient air fan 34.
  • the air-to-air condenser 32 cools down and dehumidifies the drying air stream by ambient air, after the warm and humid drying air stream has passed the laundry drum 12. Then, the drying air stream is heated up by a heating device 40, for example by an electric heating element, before the drying air stream is re-inserted into the laundry drum 12 again.
  • the drying air stream is driven by the drying air conveying element 18 arranged between the air-to air condenser 32 and the laundry drum 12.
  • the drying air conveying element 18 and the laundry drum 12 are driven by a drive unit 26, such as a motor.
  • the drive unit 26 is controlled by a control unit 30.
  • the drive unit 26 may be connected to the control unit 30 by a control line 28 or by a wireless connection.
  • the drive unit 26 of any of FIGs 1A or FIGs 1B may comprise a motor operatively coupled, in particular via one common motor shaft, to the drum 12 and to the conveying element 18, in particular to the fan impeller.
  • the drum 12 can be coupled directly to the motor shaft and the conveying element 18 can be coupled via a gear and/or a pulley to the motor shaft or the drum 12 can be coupled via a gear and/or a pulley to the motor shaft and the conveying element 18 can be coupled directly to the motor shaft.
  • the respective gear or the respective pulley is introduced to change the transmission rate between the motor and the drum 12 and/or between the motor and the conveying element 18.
  • the laundry drying appliance 1 of any of FIGs 1A or FIGs 1B may comprise a humidity sensing unit 44.
  • the humidity sensing unit 44 may comprise at least one capacitive sensor.
  • the capacitive sensor comprises a first electrode.
  • the first electrode may be arranged close to or adjacent to a lower front region of the drum 12.
  • the first electrode may be arranged below the front end of the drum 12.
  • the capacitive sensor may comprise a second electrode being a virtual electrode.
  • the virtual electrode is constituted by a reference electric potential which is routed by conductive tracks provided in the electrical system of the laundry drying appliance 1.
  • the capacitive sensor may comprise a second electrode arranged close or adjacent to a lower rear region of the drum 12.
  • the humidity sensing unit 44 may comprise at least one conductometric sensor.
  • the laundry drying appliance 1 comprises a control unit 30, in particular an electronic control unit, e.g. including a microprocessor or a microcontroller, that is configured to operate the drive unit 26 in accordance with a foreign objects removal mode.
  • the foreign objects removal mode comprises:
  • the foreign objects removal mode is adapted to the aim of removing animal hair and/or human hair or the like from laundry, wherein the drive unit 26 is repeatedly increasing/decreasing the speed of the drive unit 26 between the low-speed state and the high-speed state in order to remove hair from the laundry items.
  • the control unit 30 may be configured to control the laundry drying appliance 1 according to any one or both processes illustrated in FIGs 3 and 4 .
  • the control unit 30 can be programmed to control operation of the laundry drying appliance 1 according to these processes.
  • the control unit 30 is configured to operate the drive unit 26 according to the foreign objects removal mode without any previous drying phase.
  • control unit 30 may be configured to operate the drive unit 26 according to the foreign objects removal mode directly when starting a program of the laundry drying appliance 1.
  • control unit 30 may be configured to operate the drive unit 26 according to the foreign objects removal mode a predetermined time after starting a program of the laundry drying appliance 1.
  • the foreign objects removal effect or hair removal effect is based on mechanical effects affecting the laundry within the drum 12, when the drum 12 is accelerated and decelerated alternatingly, and on the drying air flow flowing through the drum 12.
  • the mechanical effect on the laundry or fabric is higher, i.e. redistribution of the laundry by tumbling is high which also causes redistribution of the hair on the piece of laundry and increases the probability that the hair is released from the laundry.
  • the flow rate of drying air conveyed by the conveying element 18 is lower as the drum 12 and the conveying element 18 are driven by the same drive unit 26 and in particular by the same motor. At lower conveying element rotational speed, the air flow rate is decreased and may not be sufficient to carry hair into the filter.
  • the laundry may attach to the drum wall during drum rotation and the increased flow rate may remove hair, lint or fibrous material that has released from the laundry and that is present free floating in the drum 12 into an exhaust channel with a filter or into a filter arranged in flow direction before the exhaust channel.
  • the most efficient effect of removing hair is achieved by repeatedly switching between lower drum speeds, where the mechanical effects are higher, and higher drum speeds, where the air flow rate is higher, since in this way the hair is exposed to an increased number of different forces that can cause the hair to be removed from the laundry.
  • the first (higher) flow rate of drying air causes a larger part of the hair removal due to air flow rate than the second (lower) flow rate of drying air.
  • the second (lower) rotational drum speed causes a larger part of the hair removal effect due to mechanical effects than the first (higher) rotational drum speed, since the second rotational drum speed is chosen to accomplish a high degree of tumbling of the laundry, while at the first (higher) rotational drum speed the laundry is more attached to the drum wall.
  • the first (higher) rotational drum speed is particularly efficient if it is just below or just above the satellization speed of the laundry, i.e. the speed when the laundry is attached to the inner wall of the drum 12.
  • the satellization speed is dependent on the diameter of the drum.
  • the highest drum speed i.e. the first rotational drum speed
  • the first rotational drum speed may be set to 65rpm (revolutions per minute).
  • the first rotational drum speed may be in the range between 55rpm to 90rpm, in particular in the range between 55rpm to 80rpm, preferably in the range between 55rpm to 65rpm.
  • the second (lower) rotational drum speed is particularly efficient, if it is a speed where the laundry makes the largest or close to the largest drop per time unit within the drum 12. Thus, the highest or close to the highest mechanical effects on the laundry are obtained.
  • the second (lower) rotational drum speed may be set to 40rpm.
  • the second rotational drum speed may be in the range between 20rpm to 50rpm, in particular in the range between 30rpm to 50rpm, preferably in the range between 35rpm to 45rpm.
  • the difference between the first rotational drum speed and the second rotational drum speed may be at least 10rpm, in particular at least 15rpm, preferably at least 20rpm, more preferably at least 25rpm.
  • the foreign objects removal mode may be carried out such that step 1 and step 2 are repeated, immediately one after another, alternatingly for multiple times.
  • Step 1 may be carried for a period of less than 10min, (i.e. less than 10 minutes), preferably between 10s and 5min (i.e. between 10 seconds and 5 minutes), more preferably between 30s and 2min.
  • Step 2 may be carried for a period of less than 10min, preferably between 10s and 5min, more preferably between 30s and 2min.
  • a rate of change of the rotational drum speed from the first rotational drum speed to the second rotational drum speed and/or from the second rotational drum speed to the first rotational drum speed may be higher than 2rpm/min (i.e.
  • revolutions per minute per minute in average, preferably in average between 5rpm/min and 200rpm/min, more preferably in average between 10rpm/min and 100rpm/min.
  • the change of the rotational drum speed is linear during step 1 and/or step 2.
  • the change of the rotational drum speed may also be implemented incrementally, by 1, 2, 5 or 10rpm (revolutions per minute) at a time, such that the average rate of change during step 1 and step 2, respectively, corresponds to the indicated rate of change of the rotational drum speed.
  • FIGs 2A to 2D Examples of the drum speed changes during the foreign objects removal mode can be seen in FIGs 2A to 2D .
  • the high-speed state drum speed i.e. the first rotational drum speed
  • the low-speed state drum speed i.e. the second rotational drum speed
  • the time period to complete the drum speed decrease from 65rpm to 40rpm, i.e. step 1, is 60s.
  • the time to complete the drum speed increase from 40rpm to 65rpm, i.e. step 2 is 60s.
  • the drum speed decrease and/or drum speed increase may be stepwise, for example by 5rpm every 10s, such as shown in FIG 2A .
  • the drum speed may decrease linearly and/or the drum speed may increase linearly.
  • the speed decrease in step 1 and speed increase in step 2 may be non-linear.
  • step 1 and step 2 are carried out repeatedly for more than 10min.
  • FIG 2B shows another example, wherein the high-speed state drum speed, i.e. the first rotational drum speed, is 60rpm and the low-speed state drum speed, i.e. the second rotational drum speed, is 45rpm.
  • the time period to complete the drum speed decrease from 60rpm to 45rpm, i.e. step 1, is 90s.
  • the time period to complete the drum speed increase from 45rpm to 60rpm, i.e. step 2, is 90s.
  • the time period to complete step 1 and step 2 is the same, the time period may be different for step 1 and step 2.
  • step 1 and step 2 are carried out repeatedly for more than 15min.
  • FIG 2C shows a further example, wherein the high-speed state drum speed, i.e. the first rotational drum speed, is 70rpm and the low-speed state drum speed, i.e. the second rotational drum speed, is 35rpm.
  • the time period to complete the drum speed decrease from 70rpm to 35rpm, i.e. step 1, is 45s.
  • the time period to complete the drum speed increase from 35rpm to 70rpm, i.e. step 2, is 45s.
  • step 1 and step 2 are carried out repeatedly for more than 8min.
  • FIGs 3 and 4 Examples of a laundry treating program that integrates drying of laundry after being washed as well as a foreign objects removal mode for the removal of foreign objects such as animal hair or lint etc. are shown in FIGs 3 and 4 .
  • An initial drying step may be carried out in order to reduce the humidity in the laundry.
  • the heating output of the heating device 40, 42 is switched on, whereas the drum 12 rotates and the conveying element 18 conveys drying air heated by the heating device 40, 42 into the drum 12 to dry the laundry.
  • the initial drying step may be carried out for a predetermined period of time, such as 15 minutes or more. However the initial drying step may also be carried out for a period of time shorter than 15 minutes.
  • a humidity value HV of the laundry may be measured and it may be determined whether the humidity value HV is below a predetermined first humidity threshold HTH1 which indicates whether the laundry is dry enough for starting the foreign objects removal mode including the alternating steps 1 and 2 or whether the laundry is not yet dry enough.
  • the humidity value HV corresponds to a humidity level of the laundry items contained in the laundry drum 12, wherein 100% corresponds to completely wet laundry and 0% corresponds to completely dry laundry.
  • the drying step is continued until the humidity value HV has dropped below the first humidity threshold HTH1.
  • Step 1 comprises decreasing the speed of the drive unit 26 from a high-speed state, in which the drive unit 26 is operated to rotate the drum 12 at a first rotational drum speed and to drive the conveying element 18 to output a first flow rate of drying air, to a low-speed state, in which the drive unit 26 is operated to rotate the drum 12 at a second rotational drum speed and to drive the conveying element 18 to output a second flow rate of drying air, wherein the first rotational drum speed is higher than the second rotational drum speed and the first flow rate of drying air is higher than the second flow rate of drying air.
  • Step 2 comprises increasing the speed of the drive unit 26 from the low-speed state to the high-speed state. It is not of importance if step 1 or step 2 is carried out first. Step 1 and 2 may be alternatingly repeated to remove foreign objects, such as animal hair or lint from the laundry.
  • FIG 2D illustrate an example of the rotational drum speed before and after the foreign objects removal mode is initiated due to the humidity value HV being determined to be below the predetermined first humidity threshold HTH.
  • the rotational drum speed may be 60rpm prior to starting the foreign objects removal mode.
  • the drive unit 26 may be operated to rotate the drum 12 at any other rotational drum speed.
  • the rotational direction of the drum 12 may be inverted after a certain time period, illustrated by the vertical lines in FIG 2D .
  • no drum inversion is initiated by the drive unit 26 during the drying step.
  • the control unit 30 may be configured to reduce a heating output of the heating device 40 or 42, in particular to switch off the heating output of the heating device 40 or 42, in response to detecting the humidity value HV to be below the first humidity threshold HTH1.
  • the control unit 30 may be configured to reduce a heating output of the heating device 40 or 42, in particular to switch off the heating output of the heating device 40 or 42, in response to detecting the humidity value HV to be below a second humidity threshold HTH2 which is lower than the first humidity threshold HTH1.
  • the foreign objects removal mode may continue for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, a cooling phase for cooling down the laundry may follow, prior to the end of the laundry drying cycle.
  • the foreign objects removal mode can comprise a first phase in which the heating output of the heating device 40, 42 is switched off (or reduced), in particular for a predetermined period of time.
  • the predetermined period of time of the first phase may be between 5min and 30min, e.g. for example 20min.
  • a second phase can start in which the heating output of the heating device 40, 42 can be switched on and the foreign objects removal mode can be continued by alternatingly repeating the steps 1 and 2, in particular also for a predetermined period of time.
  • the predetermined period of time of the second phase may be between 5min and 30min, e.g. for example 10min.
  • the purpose of switching on the heating output of the heating device 40, 42 during the second phase is that the user will receive warm laundry by the end of the drying cycle.
  • a third phase can start in which the heating output of the heating device 40, 42 can be switched off again and the foreign objects removal mode can be continued by alternatingly repeating the steps 1 and 2, in particular also for a predetermined period of time.
  • the predetermined period of time of the third phase may be between 5min and 30min, e.g. for example 15min.
  • the foreign objects removal mode may start when the humidity value HV is determined to be below the first humidity threshold HTH1.
  • the foreign objects removal mode may start when the humidity value HV is determined to be below the third humidity threshold HTH3, which is lower than the first humidity threshold HTH1.
  • One reason to start the foreign objects removal mode when the humidity value HV is below the third humidity threshold HTH3 is that, in the example of FIG 4 , only one phase of objects removal mode is taking place after a prolonged drying step, wherein the heating device 40, 42 is switched off and thus there will be less time to dry the laundry after the drying phase.
  • the heating output of the heating device 40, 42 is switched off for a predetermined period of time.
  • the predetermined period of time of this phase may be between 5min and 30min.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
EP22189377.9A 2022-08-09 2022-08-09 Procédé d'élimination de corps étrangers du linge dans un sèche-linge et sèche-linge Pending EP4321677A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP22189377.9A EP4321677A1 (fr) 2022-08-09 2022-08-09 Procédé d'élimination de corps étrangers du linge dans un sèche-linge et sèche-linge

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EP22189377.9A EP4321677A1 (fr) 2022-08-09 2022-08-09 Procédé d'élimination de corps étrangers du linge dans un sèche-linge et sèche-linge

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Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20120079797A (ko) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-13 엘지전자 주식회사 의류건조기의 제어방법
EP2716810A1 (fr) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-09 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour commander le cycle de séchage d'un sèche-linge en fonction de la charge et sèche-linge correspondant
EP2738303A1 (fr) * 2012-11-28 2014-06-04 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour commander un cycle de sèche-linge
DE102013008483A1 (de) 2013-05-10 2014-11-27 Stefan Melzner Haar- und Fusselabstreifer mit Gummioberfläche und Bschwerung als Beigabe in den Wäschetrockner, besonders zur Entfernung von Tierhaaren von Stoffoberflächen
EP2990524A1 (fr) 2014-08-29 2016-03-02 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Sèche-linge à pompe thermique
EP3124689A1 (fr) * 2015-07-27 2017-02-01 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Procédé d'exploitation d'un séchoir à pompe à chaleur
EP2663685B1 (fr) 2011-01-10 2017-04-12 LG Electronics Inc. Procédé de fonctionnement d'appareil de traitement de vêtements
EP3492648A1 (fr) * 2017-12-01 2019-06-05 LG Electronics Inc. Sécheuse et son procédé de commande

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20120079797A (ko) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-13 엘지전자 주식회사 의류건조기의 제어방법
EP2663685B1 (fr) 2011-01-10 2017-04-12 LG Electronics Inc. Procédé de fonctionnement d'appareil de traitement de vêtements
EP2716810A1 (fr) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-09 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour commander le cycle de séchage d'un sèche-linge en fonction de la charge et sèche-linge correspondant
EP2738303A1 (fr) * 2012-11-28 2014-06-04 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour commander un cycle de sèche-linge
DE102013008483A1 (de) 2013-05-10 2014-11-27 Stefan Melzner Haar- und Fusselabstreifer mit Gummioberfläche und Bschwerung als Beigabe in den Wäschetrockner, besonders zur Entfernung von Tierhaaren von Stoffoberflächen
EP2990524A1 (fr) 2014-08-29 2016-03-02 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Sèche-linge à pompe thermique
EP3124689A1 (fr) * 2015-07-27 2017-02-01 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Procédé d'exploitation d'un séchoir à pompe à chaleur
EP3492648A1 (fr) * 2017-12-01 2019-06-05 LG Electronics Inc. Sécheuse et son procédé de commande

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